December in Disney World - Part 4

Friday
December 11, 2015

Plan for the day:
Animal Kingdom with three fastpass reservations
Merry & Bright Dessert Party at Disney Studios

I know we moved the fast pass time for one of our fastpasses but don't recall which one. Additionally, we rode Dinosaur on a 10 minute stand by line and never used the fastpass we had for this ride.

After our arrival at Animal Kingdom, we started our day by getting breakfast wraps (eggs, spinach, and goat cheese) along with coffee. Having some time after breakfast before our Expedition:Everest fast pass, we walked the Pangani trail. We saw a number of gorillas and they were quite active - very different from our last walk through of this trail when we never spied even one gorilla. Expedition:Everest was a quick walkon with our fastpass (standby line was 30 minutes). While in that area of the park, we walked over and rode Dinosaur as I already mentioned.

There is a lot of construction going on at Animal Kingdom. From our vantage point on the Expedition ride, we could see they are busily constructing stadium style seating along the waterfront which I'm guessing is for the River of Colors show.

The standby line for the Safari was about an hour when we used our fastpasses for that ride. We had a terrific tour guide. The animals were up and about - even a hippo was lying out of the water. Additionally, we got to see painted dogs which are a new addition to the animal family here.

Before wrapping up our time here, we also attended It's Tough to Be a Bug. If we did anything else, I do not recall it.

We returned to our resort and had lunch at Olivia's. This time I had a roast beef sandwich while Gene, I think, had a turkey club. I didn't feel like going into the pool but did go with Gene to the pool and hung out while he swam. Good thing he had finished his swim as they closed the pool down due to a diaper failure!!

After changing, we headed to the bus stop to go to Disney Studios. A bus was there almost simultaneously with our arrival at the stop. Traffic on the way to the Studios was snarled and slow. We saw emergency vehicles rush past so guessed there may have been a traffic accident though we never saw it. Still we arrived at the Studios in plenty of time.

Initially, I had rejected the idea of doing the Osborne Lights dessert party as being too pricey, then decided to splurge on it. The instructions indicated we were to meet by the Lights Motor Cars show for checkin. We were directed to the checkin location, issued our lightbulb shaped sticker (which didn't stick to our clothing very well - some other form of identifier would have been preferable) and then we stood in line waiting to enter the dessert area. The lights were turned on while we were in line (Wouldn't you think folks would be allowed into the party area prior to the lighting??) and still we waited. While waiting, someone passed out "special effects" glasses to those of us on line. Finally, a bit after 6:30, we were allowed entry into the area. Gene went to locate a table while I went to collect the souvenir blankets that we were each entitled us to. I then went to get my drink and desserts. After getting my drink and on my way to get desserts, a young girl did a quick u-turn in front of me and splashed my drink over the edge and down the front of my shirt. She did apologize but I was a bit annoyed. After I arrived at the table, Gene went and selected his drink and desserts and then went back for some additional desserts. I went for a second drink (alcoholic) and was asked if I was sure if I only wanted one and I said I was. Gene went back and returned with two drinks saying they were offering two to each person. I collected a couple more cookies but was full and couldn't finish them. While seated at the table, we had the opportunity to enjoy the lights without being part of the massive crowd outside the fence so, for that reason, I guess, it was worth it to attend the dessert party and enjoy the lights without feeling rushed and/or pushed around.

A while later, we did venture out into the crowd and crowded it was. Moving was extremely difficult. One needed to look for any break in the mass of humanity and fill the void and then wait until one could spy another void to step into. In this manner, we ultimately make our way down the street. Along the way, we did our best to find the cat but never was able to locate him this year.

We headed to the bus stop and returned "home". For the last few days, I had been soldiering through a head cold and was really hoping I would get a good sleep this evening. I filled the tub and settled in for a good soak; then headed to bed.

About an hour later, I was disconcerted to find Gene standing in the doorway asking if I was in bed - mostly because I could see another person standing behind him. Apparently, there had been a leak in the ceiling of the unit below us and they wanted to check our unit. Out of bed I got while this stranger is poking around the jetted tub and saying he couldn't find any evidence of a leak but would likely need to call in a plumber. Off he went and back to bed I went though sleep did not come easily at this point.