Disney Day 3: Animal Kingdom

This is the park that I was looking forward to the least. What can I say- I just don't get a kick out of wildlife. That being said, it did turn out to have some really cool highlights. Today we were at the park right at opening time. We went straight to the Jungle Safari. It was pretty neat, if you like that sort of thing. There were elephants, rhinos, hippos and everything you might see in a real African safari. It was really quite amazing to see the African Savannah right here in Florida. However, if you live in Kansas, and have been to the Sedgewick County Zoo, you're not too far behind the actual animal exhibits in Animal Kingdom.

So, the highlights included two shows and a roller coaster. We went to see It's a Bugs Life, which is a 3-D show that stars: bugs, of course. It was super cool. It's really amazing and we were sprayed by a stink bug and showered with some other bugs goo. Tom and I really liked the show but I think the kids were a little young for it. At one point the lights go completely out while a mean scary bug taunts you....I heard a familiar cry during that time...it turned out to be Lily. She did not enjoy the show. At all. In fact, she really didn't enjoy much of anything for the entire morning. She was overtired and completely impossible to please. No, she didn't want to wear that, eat that, see that or be here. Basically she needed a nap but wasn't going to take one.

After lunch everyone seemed to wake up and feel better, so we went to the next amazing show. Finding Nemo, the musical, done with puppets. So out of control! Lily and Drew sat and watched completely in awe of the whole show. I thought that Julianna was really into, too. Wrong. The poor baby had fallen asleep. One hand with her thumb in her mouth and one hand over her ear. She was just wiped out. In fact, she slept after that for almost two hours. She stayed asleep during a transfer to the stroller and after a solid jostling from Lily. Anyway, I cannot convey to you the amazingness of the Nemo show. I love musicals and I love Nemo. It was pure awesomeness. The show also taught me that my kids can handle a show like that. I wasn't quite sure I could depend on them to sit and pay attention to a show like that. Now I know...there's going to be a lot more dramatic musicals in their future. :)

Lastly, Lily and I went on the roller coaster. The biggest and scariest roller coaster that I have ever been on. In. My. Life. I swear to you I was clinging to her more for my own sanity than I was to comfort her. It was so fast, loud and downright scary. My mind is made up. I will not be riding the scary rides anymore. It just isn't fun for me to be scared. Why in the world would I want to induce fear in myself? Pure craziness. I must be getting old. Really, really old. Lily said that she liked it, but that she'd like to be a little older before she rides on it again. And that next time she'll wear ear plugs because it was so loud.

We tried to make this a short day. We made it back to our hotel at about 3:45. Tom took the girls down to the pool and I laid down with Drew. He did go to sleep finally, but now I'm regretting my decision. Because right now he's in the 'bedroom' with the girls chatting to himself while they sleep. Tomorrow I'm going to make him power through with no nap so that he'll be ready to sleep when everyone else is. Right now, I'm going to take my piece of chocolate cake and my Kindle and I'm going to take a long soak in our ginormous tub. No, I'm serious, it's huge. I could nearly fit all of my blog readers in the tub with me. It's going to be awesome.

Oh, one more thing. I'd like to note that in Florida, with all the humidity, Julianna has really great hair. She has perfectly sweet little ringlets all over her head. So, so sweet! Also, the kids have gotten an allowance of $20 each to spend on whatever they choose. So far Lily has purchased a fancy Japanese fan and Drew purchased a Mickey Mouse ears hat.

I hope that everybodies week is going well. I miss you all and wish that you were here to share these awesome experiences with us.