We started this day by lounging around our hotel for at bit before heading out to Animal Kingdom.
A look at the aft side of Gran Destino Tower.
And back out to Lago Dorado or Golden Lake.
We grabbed some breakfast at the grab and go and took advantage of this glorious morning.
This hotel is a new section of an older resort complex, Coronado Springs. After breakfast we decided to wander over to the old side to check it out.
Boardwalk to Coronado.
There’s no was we could get lost.
Solid details.
Fountain in the reception area.
This place was much more attractive than I expected. I thought it would be all southwest style.
Waiting for our chariot to Animal Kingdom.
Boom! There it is!
Oh, Tree of Life. When will you get a face lift? Your leaves look like a fake ficus that’s been in the sun porch for 15 years.
We took the time to wander all the way around the base of the tree. So peaceful back here.
Spotting all the creatures.
Walking over the bridge to Asia.
Somehow, Mr. Jones consented to a ride on this runaway train. We survived.
Looking for tiger in Maharajah.
Love this architecture of ruin.
The dancing had already begun in the town square.
Ill distract you with this plant vignette while we have a morning beer.
We would now be crossing over into the next brand new experience (for us)…Pandora: The World of Avatar.
The bridge to Avatar.
This land was many years in the making. Disney was stung pretty hard by the launch of Harry Potter World at Universal Orlando. There were rumors of Disney landing some sort of Lord of the Rings deal, but alas it turned out to be Avatar. Most of us Disney nerds were not enthused by this prospect. Avatar was a huge movie, like the hugest really, but at this point, a full five years after the film it was no longer on anyone’s radar. I saw the movie…once but had no connection or nostalgia for it. That being said, like the Star Wars Land, the world they built is incredibly immersive whether you’re into it or not.
Pandora’s floating mountains.
The Lush landscape is a blend of real tropical plants and fantastical alien vegetation.
We wound through the rock formations to enter the ONE (real) ride in the land, Flight of Passage.
Alien plants or sea creatures?
Once within the mountain you’ll enter ACE lab where guests are linked to an “avatar” and fly aboard a banshee across the Valley of Mo’ara! Yeah, I don’t know what that is either.
Genetic “Matching” pre-show.
This attraction was incredible!!! It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. If you are afraid of heights, claustrophobic or at all sensitive to 3D, the one ain’t for you. I could try and explain the ride systems but I wouldn’t know where to begin. Below are two videos for your pleasure. The first is a complete point of view of the visual aspect and the second is a behind the scenes of how the mechanics work. See you in twenty minutes.
As with Star Wars Land, my complaint is that there is nothing else to do here. The land is astonishing, but once you ride Flight of passage and have a look around the only other thing to do is a pretty lame boat ride. That’s it… for the cost of four hundred million dollars.
It sure is beautiful.
We headed back out and ran into a celebrity! Kevin!
This way to lunch,
A short bus ride later we were at Kidani Village.
This may be my favorite on property restaurant.
I believe this is our fourth visit to Sanaa. Barely need the menu.
We beat the crowd.
You MUST get the bread service.
With all the dips.
We went tapas style with a few different appetizers. Everything was marvelous.
Lamb Kefta
Wracking my brain to remember what this is. It was delicious, I assure you.
Phenomenal Samosas. That, I remember.
We took a leisurely stroll over to the main resort, the Animal Kingdom Lodge. You just have to see that lobby.
The lounge was free and ready for our business.
The Victoria lounge looks down over the buffet restaurant downstairs.
Oh look, there’s my drink.
Let’s take one last look at that lobby.
This brass medallion is set in the lobby floor. On rainy days, kids can make crayon etchings of the animals. They won’t let me.
After lunch we went back to our room for a nap, as you do. We were feeling a bit peckish when we awoke. We ventured across the lake for a bite.
A short walk over the bridge.
A look back at the Gran Destino Tower.
This bar had a long name.
The lounge had lots of rustic charm.
We once again, beat the crowds.
A little queso fundido and chips did the trick.
We decided to have a nightcap back at the hotel. This is when the fact that it is a business hotel is a detriment.
I looked at the art while waiting for the mister to retrieve my Sambuca.
Ahhh.. But only two coffee beans? Bad luck!
It was quite a pleasant day spent at Animal Kingdom. Tomorrow, we’ll have one more escapade in Disney!
Up Next: We take to the Skyway!