Fast forward to today, and I woke up and decided to check out reservation availability in the various Disney parks. To my surprise I was able to make last minute reservations at each of the parks I checked (I didn't check Hollywood Studios). After a bit of discussion, it was decided that Drew, Jayden, Tara, and I would head off to Animal Kingdom for the day. We also made the previously discussed pit-stop at Disney Springs to try those marshmallows from Wondermade (for the record, we tried Fireball - Tara's favorite, churro - Drew's favorite, cookies and cream - Jay's favorite, and strawberry). I think the three of them determined that they were absolutely worth it!

After our pit-stop we headed to Animal Kingdom. Once we made the trek in from the parking lot (which was quite lengthy, considering the trams aren't running at this time) we made a quick stop for popcorn, as none of had much to eat this morning before leaving home. We decided to make Avatar Flight of Passage our first ride, so we headed off to Pandora. On our way we were treated to a brief show involving a bunch of macaws that were flying over the heads of the crowds on Discovery Island in front of the Tree of Life.

We didn't have too long of a wait for Avatar Flight of Passage, and before we knew it we were soaring over the planet of Pandora. After leaving Pandora we headed over to Africa to take in the sights on Kilimanjaro Safaris. We saw all kinds of animals today, including a couple that I don't recall seeing on previous rides, such as the hyenas, and of course the new Nigerian dwarf goats.

After the safari Drew and Jay decided that we should check out Rafiki's Planet Watch, as neither of them had ever been (we have tried before, but it had closed for the day during our last attempt). The kids got to pet a bunch of animals at the Affection Section, and we toured the exhibits in the Conservation Station as well.

By this point in the day we were beginning to get hungry, but we decided to squeeze in one last ride before calling it a day. The kids ride of choice was Expedition Everest, which was perfectly fine with Tara and I, as we both enjoy this ride.

Once that thrill ended, we headed for the exits and then home. We did make a stop on the way home, at Taco Bell for dinner.

Until next time, Disney!

Disney's Animal Kingdom

The Disney trainers had some of the macaws out flying in front of the Tree of Life on Discovery Island.

Another picture of the macaws.

A couple shots of the Pandora - The World of Avatar landscape...

Here are some pictures of the queue for Avatar Flight of Passage...

A look at the "Welcome to Harambe" spot along the water...

...as well the nearby Club 33 exclusive Harambe House restaurant.

The sign letting us know that we were entering the Harambe Wildlife Reserve during the Kilimanjaro Safaris.

There was a couple of mallard ducks swimming the swampy water.

A pair of okapi, whose closest relative is the giraffe and not the zebra, despite the stripes on their back half.

Although it is kind of hard to see, there is a saddle-billed stork hiding in the bushes.

A bunch of Nile crocodiles warming themselves along the waters edge.

We got the opportunity to see zebras while out on the safari today...

One of the safaris Ankole-Watusi cattle walking along the trail.

We got to see a couple of hyenas today, which we typically haven't gotten to see...

The Ankole-Watusi cattle from above walking across our trail, slowing us down.

Another one of the cattle herd on the safari.

A look at a couple of wildebeest.

Two more shots of the Ankole-Watusi cattle...

...and a few more shots of the wildebeest...

The giraffe's stayed a little more hidden today...

...although this youngster was out in the open checking us out.

The mandrill baboons were also out with their baby today.

A group of greater flamingos hanging out on an island - a hidden Mickey island!

Here is a look at one of the scimitar-horned oryx out on the safari.

We were also blessed with a good view of the cheetahs today...

There was several lions basking on the rocks during this trek...

They weren't the easiest to see, but there was a couple of white rhinos out today.

The ostriches were hanging out near one of the working trucks on the safari.

A blesbok spotted on the trail...

A waterbuck peeking out over the rocks...

...before venturing out into the open...

A new scene has been added to the safari, and it houses the Nigerian dwarf goats that are now on the safari...

A look at the landscaping of Animal Kingdom.

Here is a goat in Rafiki's Planet Watch Affection Section.

Drew and Jayden petting one of the goats while Tara checks out some of the other animals.

Here is a donkey that hung out just out of reach behind the fence.

This little llama enjoyed chewing on the fence!

There was also a couple of pigs out roaming about today...

A look at one of the goats.

Tara and Jay took a moment to pet one of the pigs...

The cow never got close enough to pet.

The llama was making faces (and probably preparing to spit) every time we tried to pet it...

A Komodo dragon in the Rafiki's Planet Watch Conservation Station.

Rafiki's Planet Watch Conservation Station also housed this Chinese crocodile lizard.

Fichwa! Fellow - A Mickey Mouse drawing on one of the buildings in the Harambe Market.

Finally, a couple shots of Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain...