I’ll go back to eating properly tomorrow. Right now, I am in Walt Disney World and I want a Mickey-shaped treat!
Category Archives: Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Glimpse of the giant anteater
The giant anteater in The Oasis is often not viewable. He does value his privacy, so it’s a rare opportunity when he deigns to make an appearance.
Frazier Crane – Flights of Wonder
A beautiful crowned crane swooped low over our heads just after striking this pose at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
View from Disney’s Yak and Yeti
We have the table directly above the prayer tree out front of the Yak and Yeti restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Flamingos around Discovery Island
There were several new babies in the group but they were shy and hanging back.
A pillar of orchids
We are at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, making our leisurely way toward Asia and lunch. We found orchids blooming in a tree, towering over The Oasis.
It’s not nice to poach
More than just wild animals can be poached. In my neck of the woods, they poach saw palmetto berries !
Head characters from UP!
I supposed they have been around for a while, but I’ve never seen them in the parks before. Spotted right next to the entrance to It’s Tough To Be A Bug.
A tale of two tigers
On the one hand, I am grateful for the opportunity to see actual tigers. On the other hand, they’ve got to be SO bored in there.
Paying my respects
What would a visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom be without a visit with the goddess in the garden?
Strutting his stuff
This beautifully colored peacock came right up to the fence, curious to view the humans on display on the other side 😉
Just batty in there
Bats are pollinators! Some of them drink flower nectar, just like bees. Other bats eat fruit and spread the seeds around which helps more plants to grow.
Dragon lost his head
The Komodo dragon is sleeping on his rock in the background. I imagine the cooler weather makes him a bit sluggish.
Icons of Disney’s Animal Kingdom
I am very hungry today in the Animal Kingdom. I am taking a circuitous route to Asia for a salad.
Orlando Do-Over: Day 2, more fun at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
© Copyright 2012 | http://MyMobileAdventures.com | CLICK any photo for a larger view
This is the fifth in a series of “do-over” posts that are being created to make up for the mobile blogging errors that occurred during my last trip to Orlando.
Joy’s husband Al arrived at the park and we were soon on our way into It’s Tough To Be A Bug. Don’t you just love getting goosed by a gang of stampeding insects? 😉 We proceeded from there to the Yak & Yeti takeout counter, where Joy and I were virtuous and ordered salads. Al, however, had his heart set on a turkey leg, which he could find in the vicinity of Dinoland. So he departed while we waited on line, and then we all met up at a table he’d staked out for our collective benefit. We decided that we’d go check out Dinosaur after lunch.

Once every shred of lunch had been demolished (hey, that apple with peanut butter was many hours ago!), we ambled up to Dinosaur only to find that the ride was “101” – that’s Disney-speak for “it’s down”. Disappointed, we decided to proceed to Nemo, and as luck would have it, the audience was being seated for the next show.

Finding Nemo: THE MUSICAL is really satisfying. It’s got a decent libretto and a great score. I keep wondering when a full-blown, two-act Broadway musical is coming. I just know it would be an awesome hit. It made me cry the first time I saw it (warning: that’s a link to a long story, and yes all those pictures are of me! 🙂 )

On our way back from Nemo, we cut through Asia and stopped to watch the siamangs play – talk about going out on a limb! I don’t believe we saw any of the “blonde” siamangs this time; only the black ones were out and about.

It was time to go for a safari ride. Miraculously, there was only a 10 minute standby line – unheard of! I don’t think I’ve ever seen the line for the Kilimanjaro Safari that short. We sped through the queue and in no time, we were seated in the very last row of our “Simba 1” jeep. The last row is a good news/bad news type thing. The bad news is, it’s a VERY bumpy ride. The good news is, if you miss the shot you can still turn around, camera in hand, for a second chance, unobstructed by the heads of other guests.

One of the white rhinos is with child! I didn’t catch when she is expecting, only that she IS expecting. This is exciting. I know there have been white rhino births at Disney before, but I’ve somehow missed them as tykes. I’m going back in May, for a conference; maybe she will have had her youngster by then and I can get a glimpse!

Our jeep had an unscheduled slowdown; an ostrich placidly goose-stepped before us, paying us no nevermind, just meandering with an almost Zen-like tranquility. Eventually, he veered off to parts of the savannah where the jeep doesn’t need to follow, and we were able to finish our tour of the Harambe Wildlife Reserve.

We left Harambe and made our way over and around several of the paths that ring the Tree of Life. We eventually found the back of the kangaroo enclosure, where you can see them up close. Kangaroos are one of those marvels of the animal world that look like they were put together with spare parts – part deer, part rat (the tail) part… I dunno, moose maybe? Truly fascinating to watch.

Can’t do the Tree of Life walk without stopping to set a spell at my favorite mediation spot. There’s a little stone bench opposite this turtle, and you can sit and listen to the nearby waterfall and contemplate all the carvings. We sat for some time, pointing out different animals to one another. It’s a nice place to take a break in this park.
NEXT TIME: An evening out in Downtown Disney
Orlando Do-Over: Day 2, Disney’s Animal Kingdom
© Copyright 2012 | http://MyMobileAdventures.com | CLICK any photo for a larger view
This is the fourth in a series of “do-over” posts that are being created to make up for the mobile blogging errors that occurred during my last trip to Orlando.
The next morning, I did something unconscionable; necessary, but unconscionable. Through the miracle of the hotel wake-up call, I arose at 6:00 am, struggled into some clothes, and stumbled down to the lobby for free coffee. Back to the room I went, fixed myself an organic apple smeared with peanut butter, and sat down at the computer to work for two hours. That’s right, work. I’m currently an independent consultant, and I was on a deadline, which would not be met if I didn’t put in a few hours each day slaving away on an epic technical report. So I worked for two hours, hit the shower and then hit the road, with a stop in between for another free cup of coffee (it’s actually not bad for free coffee – also, free-trade!).

It was past 9:30 AM when I arrived at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but apparently it was still too early for some. Here in the Oasis, the black swan slumbers persistently, despite a throng of gawkers passing by on their way into the park.

As I made my way along the path that goes up the right side of the Oasis, I spotted these tiny lantern-like flowers blooming on a shrub. I tried to find the plant in my Audubon app, but I’m not too good at that yet so I don’t know the name.

As it turns out, there’s construction happening on the right side of the Oasis, and the path proved impassable. Blocking the way were those familiar walls that declare activity on behalf of our future enjoyment, peppered with Walt quotes. Here’s one of my favorites; I’m a do-er, just like Walt 🙂

I texted my friend Joy, who was already in the park. We agreed to meet by It’s Tough To Be A Bug, and I found her there, waiting in line to have her photo taken with Flik. We proceeded to Expedition Everest. I have video of our terrifying trip through the wilds of the Tibetan mountains. We both screamed quite a bit. The amazing thing is that I was able to hold on to the phone the entire time. I will upload the video to YouTube; in fact, I think I shall go start that now. Hold that thought…

Although we had met earlier at It’s Tough To Be A Bug, we did not actually partake of the show until Joy’s husband Al showed up in the park. Joy and I spent some time stalking the otters for a bit; they seemed to be taking their cue from the black swan, and remained in a snoozing pile while we pleaded and cajoled for them to come on over and play. At some point, one of them looked up when I whistled, but he wasn’t interested in abandoning the pile and soon settled down again. *sigh*
Next: Lunch, and fish are friends, not food 😉
We have achieved KANGAROOS!
Rawr!
Road block!
When was the last time you saw THIS at Walt Disney World?
Hangin’ around Asia
I love you too, son
Smilin’ like a salamander
Chickalicious lunch
Date with a yeti
Navigational assistance for later
Oasis detour
Good morning from Walt Disney World
The good life
I can’t believe the anteater is still sleeping in the same spot where I found him this morning. I wonder I’d he is related to my ex? ROFL
Lily, showing us her tail
The baby girlilla frolics with her mom and dad; there’s an auntie nearby with a BIG tummy. Hmmm…
Next best thing to otters
Meerkats! I have to find out if they take turns playing sentry, or if one of ’em always goes hungry…
The amazing walks-on-water duck
New attraction ROFL
Tangerine dreams in the Royal Forest
Lots of citrus ripening in the grove at the Royal Forest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I wonder what they do with it all? Food bank, maybe? Salads in the restaurants here?
Playing at the ancient shrine
Mother-and-daughter team of siamangs hanging out in the sunshine.
“Pimp My Ride” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Check out the jangly objects on the front bumper – epic!
Expedition Everest: you’ve come a long way
I recall standing in the very spot on the bridge from Dinoland into Asia, watching construction crews as they were building Everest. That seems so long ago – because it was! I have loved watching this park evolve, and I am very much looking forward to the new land based upon "Avatar" and environmentalism.
Caught Goofy Claus just in time
After this shot- Goofy and Pluto departed for backstage. Bet they are glad for their fur today!
Not sure how I feel about this shirt
LOL!
You are. Now entering Dinoland
Love the goofy smile on this monster’s face
Screeeeeeam!
Screams carry across the lake as Everest spits out another train-load of thrill-seekers.
A family gathering at the Animal Kingdom
Just like human families, animals like to gather for the holidays too. Or any old time, really – especially when it is cold outside. There is not only safety in numbers, there’s also warmth!
Otter training!
First Mickey texting gloves, now otter training – how could this day possibly get better?
Anyone who has read here before has long since figured out that otters are my all time favorite "cute aminal". Well, today I was fortunate enough to happen by the otter exhibit on Discovery Island in Disney’s Animal Kingdom just as otter training was commencing.
It’s a bit dappled and dark at the otter pond so iPhone pics aren’t the best – but I’m glad I got to watch. The trainers remarked that this particular female otter does better if you give her the commands from the side rather than head on – I wonder if maybe she’s got a sight issue?
Pretty cool to be here for this 🙂
Mickey Mouse texting gloves!
My life is complete 🙂
Yes, it’s THAT cold at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
The anteater – giant southern – uses his enormous tail to keep warm
Disney-fied Christmas tree at the Animal Kingdom
Looking forward to a day of strolling around this beautiful park today.
Cute critters at the Animal Kingdom
© Copyright 2011 | http://MyMobileAdventures.com | CLICK any photo for a larger view
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a must-do for me when I go to Walt Disney World, even more so than the Magic Kingdom. I guess I’m not so much a character geek as I am a critter geek 🙂 Here are a couple of favorites from my October visit to the World.

This is the endangered cotton-top tamarin of South and Central America. You can sometimes find them scampering in a little tree near the big “Tree Of Life” sign where the Discovery Island pathways start. I hadn’t seen one there in a very long time, so I was delighted with the encounter. I wonder what he sees up there?
FURTHER READING: Cotton-Topped Tamarins at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

As if there weren’t enough happiness in my world already, having spied a tamarin for the first time in ages, I then came upon a sleeping pile of otters. These are my FAVORITE critters on the planet, and like the tamarins, they had been MIA during my frequent visits for quite some time. So glad to see them back! Would you look at that face? What’s not to love? 🙂 <3
FURTHER READING: From the “Sad Sights At Disney” series: OTTERLESS! 🙁

Where character meets critter 😉 – this is my friend Jiminy Cricket. I found his cousin in a swamp a few weeks ago, while I was field tripping with my Florida Master Naturalist class. I’ll post a photo of him at some point. In the meantime, if you are headed to Walt Disney World, you can find Jiminy hanging out at Conservation Station in the Animal Kingdom
FURTHER READING: A SIGN that Disney thinks GREEN | My Mobile Adventures *~*~*
Simba on the sidewalk
Making my way back to the train. There are two spots on the walkway here at Conservation Station where this stylized "Simba" appears. It’s a favorite of mine, but sometimes I am passing during a time of day when the light is ot good enough to get a shot. Today is looking like a good light day 🙂
The eye of the ostrich
No it’s not a bad parody of an even worse 80s tune – it’s the Hidden Mickey wall at Conservation Station.
Certified Wildlife Habitat at Rafiki’s Planet Watch
I think I wantto do this in my backyard someday.
Gone to see Rafiki
Waiting on the Wildlife Express to take me to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. I plan to have ice cream once I get there 🙂
Bucket bathers at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
The bird forest on the Pangani trail is always full of industrious activity and cheerful, chirpy song – kind of a living embodiment of "whistle while you work". There is nest-building going on and bath-taking too.
Back in Harambe at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
I will try to catch a glimpse of the girlilla – she might have grown a bunch since last I blogged her.
A “dragon” guards the bridge
They say this monster-shaped pile of rocks is evidence that, once upon a time, Disney had planned to install a land called The Beastly Kingdom here at DAK, which would have been populated with mythical creatures and their stories. Perhaps "Fantasia", with its unicorns and godesses, would have figured prominently here. Alas, what remains is this pile of stones, fashioned vaguely after a fire-breather but instead spewing water.
Roadrunner in the Tree of Life?
He certainly looks like he’s racing along, but his head makes him look more like Woody Woodpecker. I may be mixing my animation studios here…
There’s a stone seat beneath him, in the shade, and the whoosh! of a waterfall close by. Not too much traffic, either. I think I can squeeze in a five-minute "silent witness" meditation here. 🙂
Pile of otters
All jumbled in a heap, Asian small-claw otters take an afternoon snooze on Discovery Island in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I also saw a cotton-top tamarin frolicking in his tree for the first time in many visits. Happiness 🙂
Avenging angel Mickey?
This is one of the weirder t-shirt designs I’ve ever seen. I tend to like it when Mickey is portrayed a bit "edgier" than usual, but this one is just plain weird. He’s got his "Mean Mickey" face on, and I cannot discern any arms. But those feathery things behind him? Wings. Yeah, I told ya – pretty weird!
Everest looming large at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Along with the torri gate from EPCOT (featured yesterday), the sight of Everest rising across the water is one of my favorites in all of Walt Disney World. So different from when it was being built!
Garden goddess of Anandapur
What visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom would be complete without some time spent contemplatig the goddess of the aviary garden? Sometimes she is covered with vines, while other times she is neatly groomed and fully visible. Always a pleasure to see her 🙂
In the tangerine grove at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
There is not a bloom or a fruit to be seen. In fact, you would not know you were standing in a tangerine grove at this time of year, except if you pluck and crushed and sniffed one of the leaves.
The story of the jungle trek at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
I feel the need to check the status of the tangerine trees – and of course, the tigers.
Tree of Life vs. The tree from Avatar
Now that the Magic Kingdom will be sporting more than one castle – a condition that has existed for years, by the way, at Disneyland Paris – does that pave the way for Disney’s Animal Kingdom to feature more than one tree? I sure hope so – I loved that tree in "Avatar" and I think it could make a truly magical addition to DAK’s new land.
Let The Memories Begin! At Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Bag check was a flash, but there appears to be turnstile fail of some sort; standing in a large knot of folks all backed up waiting to get in.
Here is a display that has popped up near the entrance. I wonder if these are professionals or actual park Guests? "Reality Billboards" ROFL 😉
Saturday – It feels like an Animal Kingdom day
This post is sticky – scroll down for today’s mobile photo blogging
My butt is draging due to this obnoxious cold. I think a nice, easy day in the Animal Kingdom is in order. No rides, just bummin’ around. Yeah, that’s the ticket!
MORE video from Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Ooops! Here’s MORE video from Disney’s Animal Kingdom, including the beloved otters!
First, a Rhino
He’s playing with a rope…
OTTERS!
It’s just a short clip; by time I dispossessed some little kid of his position on the wall (kidding!) so I could get up there and see, the otters were done with us. I think I have some video in the phone too, but will need to convert it.
Some Video from Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and a Sunday Recap
Here’s a collection of short video clips taken at Disney’s Animal Kingdom yesterday. Most were from the Kilimanjaro Safari attraction, hence please know that I am being jostled around in the truck and don’t really see the world that way! LOL
White Pelicans and Hippos
We get white pelicans in the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel in the winter time. They are something else!
Nile Crocodiles
Please excuse my punny-ness; I was trying to make the Nieceling laugh, but when you’re 11 and in a snit with your folks, it’s hard to laugh at Auntie Tink’s *~*~* horrendous attempts at humor.
Giraffe and antelope
OK, riddle me this, intrepid readers. Why do they ALWAYS say “reticulated giraffe”? It means “netted”, as in the pattern of their fur. Aren’t ALL giraffe’s “reticulated”? Seriously, is there another kind? Anybody know?
Cattle with LOOOOOOOOOONG horns
Plus, the bonus broom!
African Song and the Rickety Bridge
Did I mention that we were in the dead last seat of the truck? Nieceling perks up a bit here and makes me laugh with a bit of pantomiming being thrown from the truck, so that’s why you hear my hearty cackle so much.
Baby Elephant with Mama
We rounded the corner and saw a baby elephant hanging out with mom. They are so cute when they are little!
It’s PUMBA!
I don’t think it’s right that they’ve separated Pumba and Timon. You don’t get to see Timon until you go on the Pangani Trail. I wonder if they have visitation rights?
Ostrich blocks the road
This isn’t the first time this has happened to me on the Kilimanjaro Safari
Gorilla on the Pangani Trail
This guy was BIG. I would NOT wish to meet with him in a dark alley!
Dawa Bar Entertainment in Harambe
We were SO hot and grumpy! We just wanted some ice cream. We sat at a table in the shady part of the Dawa Bar and I was going to get some ice cream, but the line looked to be about 20 minutes, so we ditched that idea, and just sat there for a while, watching these guys.
So that’s the video recap of yesterday’s visit to Animal Kingdom. As you can tell from yesterday’s LIVE mobile photo blogging posts, we went to the Magic Kingdom after our rest period at the resort, and we had dinner at the Crystal Palace. The food was not superior, but it was not terrible either. The best thing at the dessert bar was the carrot cake. Although it had no raisins or nuts in it, I enjoyed it anyway.
After dinner, our cousins from a nearby town joined us and we toured around. Big Thunder Mountain Rail Road, Splash Mountain, Buz Lightyear and the Laugh Floor were all on our agenda. When we came out of the Laugh Floor, the Wishes fireworks were already in progress. It’s a really BAD place to try and watch wishes; there’s this stupid ROCK formation that is in the way. However, you can look around and between and even above (at the end) and get your fix of pyrotechnics.
After the fireworks, we all sat around and had some ice cream and chatted. Then our cousins departed for home, and we went to Space Mountain to try and get in one last ride, but it was “101” (broken down, mechanical issues). Nieceling was dragging her butt, so it was decided to call it a night. However, since I wanted to shop my way out of the park, I stayed behind to have a nice, leisurely stroll through the Emporium and took the bus back by myself. I didn’t buy much but it was nice to just shop and see what they have.
I think I got back to the room well after midnight, and for some reason could not fall asleep. I started flipping through the channels and found “Clueless” which is really a classic gem of a film. I should own it on DVD, but I don’t. So I put that on with the sleep timer and I think it was 2:00 am when I finally passed out.
OK, it’s 8:00 am now and I gotta jump into the shower. Have signal, will blog, so I’ll CUL8R!
Cooling off at Walt Disney World
Yesterday it was raining in fits and starts. As I was walking on the Boardwalk from the Swan to EPCOT, the sun came out again and the rain was rising from the Boardwalk as steam. It was downright weird to see people walking through mist in full sunshine. :blink: I tried to get some video of it but it wasn’t particularly visible.
So we only did a few things before deciding that the crowds and the heat were making it not-so-fun. We’ve come back to the Swan to cool off – I’m here in the room, Bro is in his room having a nappie-poo, and SIL and Nieceling are down at the pool cooling off.
We saw the otters! They were active and fun, and I got some video, which I’m busy uploading to YouTube and will post a link soon.
Have I ever mentioned how much I love the otters? 😀 Yeah, I know – I’ve been pretty Blah-Blah talkative about them, haven’t I?
We’re going to rest up and then have dinner… somewhere! I think we were originally going to the Rainforest at Animal Kingdom, but since we ended up leaving there early, I’m not sure if we intend to go back there this evening or not. I hear the Magic Kingdom is open till 2:00 am….
Wordless: Thursday May 15th 2008
Dinoland in Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Walt Disney World, Orlando Florida
Monday February 18th 2008
Hey there! Don’t forget, tomorrow (Friday May 16th) is the Noah’s Ark tour. Maybe we’ll see some sea turtles this time. Or maybe it will just be more of the same – sand, salty sea, sunshine and good times! As always, if I have a signal, I’ll be mobile blogging live. Ciao for now!
Wordless, Monday April 21st 2008
Due to technical difficulties….
… we’ve returned to my room at the Dolphin to recharge the cell phone battery, which died while I was in mid-sentence on the phone with my friend Lisa. I heard a beep, looked at the phone and said, “oh, low battery….” and *POOF* she was gone. I was about done with the AK anyways. I see some of the pics have not shown up, so I will have to do a re-send at some point. But the phone is charging way over THERE and I’m on the PC way over HERE, so y’all will just have to wait.
I hope Chris is satisfied because the only thing I had to eat all day was that stinkin’ oatmeal cookie, plus a banana that I managed to grab off the fruit cart in Harambe. I was devastated that Tusker House was closed; they usually have healthy type options, like fruit salad and whole wheat or multi-grain breads and such. So I was pretty much screwed for good food today, because what else is there in AK, really? Flame Tree BBQ, no thanks, I was looking for breakfast! And sticky buns and danishes at the kiosks, pretzels, hot dogs, et al.
I still had a good time today thus far, roaming around Disney’s most beautiful park. Plus, I found a yogurt in the fridge, which I am sucking down in between typing in order to calm the beast that is my digestive system. When the phone is sufficiently charged, I shall venture forth into Epcot to partake of some of the international foods I’ve not tried yet. I’ve yet to try Italy, Peru or Turkey, to name a few.
Y’all may have noticed that I’ve been practicing Illuminations Avoidance, leaving Epcot each night before the fireworks start. This is because I am starving myself for it until the Illuminations Party at the Moose Meet in a couple of weeks. I could easily have become all Illuminationed out this week, if you see what I mean.
I have to pack tonight…. actually, I should just start packing now, while waiting for the phone to charge. Yeah, that’s the ticket!
Shopping
No straws no lids
PHOTO ADDED – a big-ass owl
Frozen chai
PHOTO ADDED – Eeeewww!
Shout out to rizzo da rat
This one is totally EWWWW! I just keep thinking of that public television thing I saw where the guy was sloshing through a cave full of liquified bat guano…….
Why me likey the ak
PHOTO ADDED – Mama and Papa
Mama
And this is Papa. These two statues at the end of the aviary always look to me like a mama and a papa with kids crawling all over them.
Goddess
Stalking the golden pheasant
Stalking the golden pheasant
PHOTO ADDED – Jungle trek
Most unfortunately named… (I know the pic is small, I zoomed therefore I suck). It’s a peacock…
And here’s one that didn’t post – a little ambiance
Siesta
Shout out to my buddy austin
O my!
REPLACED PHOTO
Real thing
ok – I JUST figured out that if I put the photos on my computer and upload from there, they are not only still clickable, but they are clickable BIGGER – except in cases of extreme zoom. So, let’s give this one of the REAL monkeys a shot
I have to figure out why, when I zoom, the camera phone posts the pics so small
4 chris
PHOTOS ADDED – Walkin’ and talkin’ with Saniholic
I was walking into Asia while on the phone with Saniholic. After we got off the phone, I took photos of some statuary
What is he doing 2 that log?
I call this one “Monkey Love”, which leads into the next photo….
Hi patt
Well, ya can’t see so well, but that there’s Everest in the background, and this is one of Patt’s fave places in the park
Nearly cheshire
Are oatmeal cookies "crap"?
It’s DE VINE
It’s alive!
Sorry this pic is so shady, but you can see her chin and bottom lip if you look hard enough
PHOTO ADDED – The Shady Glade
Adding in a photo that didn’t post. This is my fave smoking area in the entire World
Looks like i'm fucked 4 bfst
"No smoothies today, m’am"
Lies!
PHOTO ADDED – vista up river to Everest
Adding a vista shot that didn’t post
C
Galapagos 😯 yrs old!
Storkage
Statuary
Yay, otter !
Tree of life
PHOTO ADDED – Pretty Bird
Pretty bird
Adding another shot that didn’t post this morning –