Going down
Of course, the Mad Dash is to Expedition Everest. I'm still not up to full speed, but I kept up well, and we got our Fastpasses, which were for 9:35am if I remember correctly. We then rode standby.Going down
After that, we walked down to Dinosaur, where there wasn't any real wait, and rode that. DW and I hadn't ridden that together in 8 years.
After that, we headed to Kali River Rapids, which didn't open until 9am, so we waited in line outside, and as soon as it opened everyone snaked up to the ride loading platform, and everyone got right on. Now I've seen where the people who end up on the lower side going down the big hill get soaked, and I've seen the wall of water go all the way up and hit the people on the far side flush. We were on the low side, and this time it was the low side that got soaked. They really could use with offering cheap towels like at the pools for a quick dry for the worse off. Didn't mind so much...kept us cool for the rest of the day.
It's close to our Fastpass return time, so we head back to Everest and I snap a few pictures of the ride. Then we head in with our Fastpasses and ride again. It's pretty hard holding your hands up on some of those dips - the G forces are pretty serious. And I noticed that my ribs were starting to ache - apparently I was being pushed to the side into the car wall more than I thought.
We arrive back at the unloading area, and hear a "Congratulations!", and find out that everyone on that particular train had just won Dream Fastpasses for Animal Kingdom, as part of the Year Of A Million Dreams celebration! We actually won something! For more details of the Dream Fastpass, see my FASTPASS page, but it basically gives us Fastpasses for all 6 rides at Animal Kingdom that have Fastpass. So we turned around and rode Everest again!Dream a little dream...
Since we had the extra Fastpasses now, we decided to ride Dinosaur again (where the line was longer now), and then grabbed an early lunch at Flame Tree Barbecue. While waiting in line, next to order, a woman came up to the CM with broken English and asked for a plain hot dog roll. After figuring out exactly what she was asking for, the CM got her a plain roll and wasn't going to charge her for it, and then the woman asked for 10 of them!! The woman did try and explain that she would pay for them, but the CM really couldn't charge for 10 plain rolls and said no, she could have the one for no charge but no more, even for a cost. The woman looked to me as if I might be able to help translate, and all I could tell her was "1 roll, no money". That did seem to finally end the conversation, for which the CM thanked me.
We both had the pulled pork sandwiches. They were passable, but really could do with a nice Memphis-style sauce...
At this point we decided to head in to Festival of the Lion King, leaving Nemo for next trip. We tried to go to this eight years ago, but stood for over 45 minutes in excruciating heat to finally decide not to wait any longer. This time we went much closer to show time, and we almost didn't make it in - they started limiting people until they saw how many seats were left. But we did make it in, and enjoyed the show - it just seemed too brief.
We decided to ride Kali River Rapids one more time since we had the Dream Fastpass (we did not get as wet this time), and even though we still had three passes left (It's Tough To Be A Bug - seen it several times; Kilimanjaro Safaris - takes a long time; Primeval Whirl - we hate it), we decided to skip out and head back to the Beach Club for a little rest, and go hit Epcot again. We left AK by 12:30pm.
This time we did a bit of a "Drinks Around The World", although not at every location. We first stopped at the Rose and Crown, where DW got a Welsh Dragon and I a Guinness, to go. We walked around to Mexico and DW grabbed a margarita, and I stopped in Germany for a Spaten, which they had outside this time.
Then we finally stopped and visited the American Adventure, for the first time ever - it's only been around for 25 years. First, we got to hear the Voices of America, an acapella singing group with beautiful voices, including a great rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.
Then we finally saw the combination audio-animatronic and movie show, and all I can say is - I'm mad that we've not seen it before. This is probably the most Disney attraction that has been made in years - it beats the pants off the Hall of Presidents. You have to see it at least once.
From there we slipped into Japan for some Kaki-Gori and a cold sake, and caught the drummers for a second time (I was 0-4 seeing them on previous visits)! Then a couple more slushies in France, one more swing by the Rose and Crown where DW got yet another Welsh Dragon and for me this time a Boddingtons. I forget his name, but the older gentleman who has tended bar there for years asked if I wanted a "shamrock". I had to have him explain, and what he did was after pouring the Boddingtons (which has a thick head similar to Guinness) and let it set for a second, put the tap back in the cup just below the head, and poured a little more while moving the cup, which drew a darker shamrock shape on the lighter color of the head - something similar to the designs a coffee barista will put on top of a latte. Quite impressive. We chatted for a bit, then headed back to Beach Club to get ready for dinner.
After washing up and changing, we head over to the Contemporary Resort a bit early for our 9pm reservation at California Grill. Checking in was like checking in to the resort - we go to a counter (on the 4th floor I think) and give our names. There were two couples in front of us, and both were asking for seating with a window view of the Magic Kingdom, and they explain that they can see what they can do, but they can't guarantee since everyone asks for it, and you can always go on the balcony during Wishes. When it got to my turn, I said, "I'm not even going to ask," and got a smile from them. A CM with a British accent led us up in the elevator, and I asked where he was from (it sounded London-ish but I couldn't see his tag), and he said he was from London, and hence the "Harry Potter" accent. I said that I had relatives in England and could place a few accents, which is why I asked...
We went up and were seated right away. We were on the southern end with a window table, so we couldn't see the Magic Kingdom but we could see towards Epcot and MGM, and saw some of the fireworks from Illuminations.
We started with a couple of mudslides and the Hearts of Romaine Salad as an appetizer, and I ordered the red snapper with coconut curry sauce, summer veggies and rice, with DW ordering the filet of beef and mashed potatoes.
The curry sauce was nice, similar to a massaman curry sauce which I love, and worked well with the snapper. Quite delicious. DW's filet was "wonderful", with some chives to the mashed potatoes for extra flavor.
As we finished the entrees, it was time for wishes, so we head out to the balcony. They have speakers out there that seem specially timed such that all the queue points for the fireworks were in sync, much as if you were actually in the park. It was interesting to see the Magic Kingdom from up there at night in general, with everything lit up. We tried some pictures, but they didn't come out (new camera, still working on all the settings).Mmmmm...dessert...
We noticed that we were able to see fireworks at what was likely Universal, or perhaps Sea World just before Wishes started.
We went back in for dessert, which was a small pre-ordered anniversary cake, which was tasty but still too big for the two of us.
Then it was back to the Beach Club, and one last night before we leave.
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