January 15, 2025 • 54 mins
Animal Kingdom holds many secrets that enrich the visitor experience beyond rides and attractions. The episode explores backstories, dining options, and hidden gems, encouraging listeners to slow down and appreciate the park’s unique offerings.
• The evolution of Dino Land from the canceled Beastly Kingdom
• The backstory of the Tree of Life and its significance
• Dining comparisons between Flame Tree BBQ and Satuli Canteen
• The importance of exploring Animal Kingdom’s trails and stories
• Insights from listeners on park experiences and opinions on park duration
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Hello and welcome to Circular Parks podcast episode
number 185.
Today we are back with the lastof our secret series, with the
secrets of Animal Kingdom.
There is far too much to seeand do.
We are here to help guide youthrough, but before we do that,
(00:42):
we must talk Disney merch.
This week, disney merch If yougo to DisneyStorecom, there is
another new Minnie Mousestainless steel Starbucks
tumbler with straw.
They're specific to either WaltDisney World or Disneyland,
priced at $44.99.
(01:04):
Or Disneyland, priced at $44.99.
It's red, metallic, stainlesssteel cold beverage tumbler.
All over print featuring polkadots, bows and Minnie's face, of
course, you've got a Starbuckslogo and then on the lid you
have screen art with MinnieMouse XOXO on it Super cute.
Again another Starbucks tumbler, but this one may be one that
(01:28):
to me just seems a bit moreclassy, maybe.
Uh, the price, I feel like, hasgone up slightly, but it is
super cute.
So go check that out at Disneystorecom.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
What is XOXO?
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Like hugs and kisses.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
That's what it means.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
And at least back in my day growing up, that's what
it meant.
You never knew that no.
Oh yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:51):
I always saw it and I was like I never knew what that
meant.
Oh yeah, it means hugs andkisses.
Yeah, how do you get hugs andkisses out of XOXO?
Speaker 2 (02:00):
It's just that's.
I don't know who came up withit, but I mean that's been
around.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Somebody's making millions off that.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Yeah, someone had that idea, you're like having me
second guess myself andeverything right now.
Yeah, abbreviation that meanshugs and kisses, commonly used
in media posts, text messages,friendship, yeah.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
Never knew that.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
Yeah, I've never used those abbreviations, know well,
I mean, I did when I wasyounger okay a lot younger, all
right thank you everybody forjoining us.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
Episode number 185.
We're snowed in here intennessee today, so that means
I've done nothing but researchanimal kingdom today you played
in the snow some.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
A little bit we had a snowball fight.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
And so this I don't know how long this episode is
going to be, but you know whatDoesn't matter?
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Right.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
Buckle up.
We're going to be in for a longride and we're going to talk
about all the secrets of AnimalKingdom.
You may know some of these.
Some of these I bet you don'tknow.
I didn't know some of theseright after doing research, and
those of you that say it's ahalf day part maybe take some
time to find what's gonna takeyou a half day to at least
listen to this podcast, yeah,and so, yeah, I found out quite
(03:17):
a few things I did not know.
Okay, we're gonna talk aboutsome backstories here,
especially of dino, because ofdino land, because, as of four
days ago, there are constructionwalls up now around chester and
hester's and triceratops spinand in the carnival midway games
they're no more, they are gone,but we still have restaurant of
(03:39):
stories and dinosaur in thebone pit, right.
But we're going to talk aboutthe backstory of that because I
don't think people know thebackstory of that probably not.
And along with anything else inanimal kingdom, it's got a very
extensive, very well donebackstory and I know I wasn't
the biggest fan of the carnivalgames and in that area, but I I
(04:04):
do really enjoy the thebackstory that was here right
and I can enjoy that withoutliking the carnival games we'll
get into why we don't like thoselove hate relationship.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
There I had a hate hate relationship with them.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
But uh, yeah, so this is going to be a great episode.
It's our favorite park.
We're not ashamed to say it.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
This one and Epcot.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Yeah, and so here we go.
So let's go ahead.
Let's start outside of the park, right?
Okay, yes, if you look at thetop of the ticket booth, you see
the animal heads.
Right On the left is a dragon'shead, the middle is an elephant
and the right one is atriceratops head.
Right.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Yes, dinosaur head yes.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
The dragon's head is there because there was supposed
to be a land called BeastlyKingdom, where Pandora is now.
It was going to celebrate themythical creatures that are out
there.
I think there was supposed tobe a roller coaster and all this
other stuff but, due to budgetcuts, got cut out.
Apparently it costs a whole lotof money to properly maintain
(05:06):
animals.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Right, Right yes.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
And that's the main focus of Animal Kingdom is the
animals and conservation of theanimals, and that cost a whole
lot of money.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
So they couldn't do Beastly Kingdom at the time it
was.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Dinoland or Beastly Kingdom and we got Dinoland
instead of beastly kingdom andyou know I really do like dino
land.
I'm not big into like mythical,like stories or stuff like that
.
Anyway, that's just not.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
I haven't been big into that so I don't know how
successful beastly kingdom wouldhave been yeah, and that would
have been a tough call foranyone to to make, because you
have your fans of dinosaurs, butthen you have that many
probably that like dragons andeverything too dinosaurs are
very marketable to kids,especially little boys, right?
Speaker 3 (05:56):
so it's very easy to sell that to a family, right?
I don't know how many boys theyprobably know about dragons and
usually unicorns and stuff likea little older yeah but so you
knowit happened, and you know, I
don't know how much I would havereally liked Beastly Kingdom,
but we have Pandora there now,which is just absolutely
(06:18):
phenomenal right, yes, yes, yes,I mean it all worked out, yeah.
So the pavement is also agreenish color with some red, if
you notice that as you'rewalking up to the turnstiles and
the ticket booths.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Yes, I don't know about the red green.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
Yes, yeah, so this is to start getting your mind
ready for the world you areabout to enter and also notice
you can't see the tree of lifefrom outside the park.
This is the only park that thepark icon is not visible from
outside the park right?
yeah, you definitely can't seeit to that more in a bit but
(06:56):
there's a very specific reason,and a lot of this is just to
slow you down and prepare youryour mind for what is about to
to happen.
Also, did you know there is ahidden side entrance to the park
?
Speaker 2 (07:11):
uh well, yes, we, we kind of did early on, but had it
not been for our experience, wewouldn't have known yeah.
Speaker 3 (07:16):
So if you go through the gift shop at rainforest cafe
and outside through the seatingarea, you'll find another
little turnstile area that youcan enter the park from.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Pretty cool, it is pretty cool.
Speaker 3 (07:28):
And we ate at Rainforest Cafe our first trip
here and I know we don'trecommend doing that.
But you know what Kids don'tcare, Right?
Rainforest Cafe is great themed.
Our nine-year-old still enjoys.
10-year-old now still enjoysgoing to Rainforest Cafe and
it's an experience for the kids,right, Right?
So I don't recommend.
(07:51):
It doesn't have the greatestfood for the prices that you pay
.
But the experience, theexperience for the kids, I get
it.
I understand, do we recommendit?
No, but I get it.
It's what the kids they enjoy,right, and it kind of will get
them in that mindset of animalkingdom for the day, right.
Right, because it is jungle-ishinside, all right.
(08:11):
So now we're in the inside thepark, right we are.
Speaker 2 (08:12):
The oasis area is there for a very specific reason
it is to slow you down, eventhough a lot of people speed
through it they go right throughit.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
It's uphill too, so it is a little bit of a
challenge if you're going to gothrough it, but it's there to
slow you down and prepare youmentally to slow down and get
lost and explore what is aheadof you.
There's a lot of little trailsand paths in the oasis right yes
, there are and there's somereally cool animals and there's
some really beautiful pastpathways in there that if you
(08:41):
take your time you will enjoythem.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Yes, and I mean, and we understand like you're just
trying to get to a ride, youknow especially rope, drop time
and everything I mean we have to.
But we've been that family toothat has rushed through this
part to get to different rides.
But now we try to take it in alittle more.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
Yes, and then at the top you see the grand reveal of
the Tree of Life on DiscoverIsland.
Beautiful, beautiful.
It is a very beautiful openingand view of the Tree of Life.
The Tree of Life is the onlypark icon not visible from
outside the park.
This is because, again, theImagineers wanted to prepare you
(09:23):
to slow down and get you in theright mindset of nature and
being in nature with animals andeverything like that.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Right right.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
So, that's why this is the official Imagineering
backstory, when Animal Kingdomfirst opened, of the Tree of
Life.
Yes, there is an officialbackstory to the Tree of Life.
So once upon a time, novegetation would grow on
discovery island.
There were no trees, no shrubs,no flowers, nothing.
It was a barren piece of land.
(09:53):
Then, one day, a tiny antplanted a seed and made a wish.
The ant asked for a tree togrow, a tree large enough to
provide shelter for all theanimals.
Magically, the ant's wish cametrue and a tree began to grow, a
tree large enough to provideshelter for all the animals.
Magically, the ant's witch cametrue and a tree began to grow.
And it kept growing until therewas room for room beneath its
limbs for all the animals, froma to z, ants to zebras.
(10:15):
And as the tree continued toreach for the heavens, the
images of all the animals thattook shelter beneath its shade
appeared on its trunk, roots andbranches very nice backstory
little backstory.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
That's probably why, uh, a bug's life is underneath
that's what I was thinking whenyou said the word ant.
Yeah, but it's not gonna bethere much longer.
Speaker 3 (10:35):
No, no, not gonna be there much longer either we'll
talk.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
We don't want to talk about that in this episode, but
yeah I'm excited to see thezootopia show yes, so those of
you that haven't heard at somepoint later this year, the show
that happens under the Tree ofLife currently is a Bugs Life
theme, but it's going to switchover to Zootopia.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
Yes, so the Tree of Life is a hundred and four.
Sorry, skip it ahead.
The Tree of Life is modeledafter the baobab tree because it
stores water in its trunk andduring times of drought, animals
can get water from it, makingit the tree of life.
So the baobab tree is a realtree in Africa and you will hear
about it more on the safariwhen you go to Animal Kingdom.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
Yes, you do.
Speaker 3 (11:18):
Yep.
So the tree of life is 145 feettall, 165 feet across, with
more than 103,000 leaves made ofkynar that were individually
placed.
God, could you imagine doingthat?
Time consuming On 45 secondarybranches that lead to 756
(11:40):
tertiary branches, which lead to7,891 end branches.
That's a lot.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (11:48):
That is a lot.
And they also built the Tree ofLife on an upside-down oil
derrick to give it its sturdybase.
Speaker 2 (11:56):
Okay, yeah, interesting.
Speaker 3 (11:59):
The Tree of Life Gardens is a great place to
explore and get lost.
There are several differenttypes of animals along the
forward trails and a great,relaxing view of Discovery River
along the back trails.
These trails also give you agreat opportunity to see the
different types of animalscarved into the tree and its
roots.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
Yes, and you know we've been several times now and
we've really spent time in thisarea and every time we go we
still notice animals we've neverseen before on the trunk, this
area.
And every time we go we stillnotice animals we've never seen
before on the trunk and even inmore recent trips found animals
on these paths like the reallife animals that I was like oh,
I didn't know, kangaroos wereover here yeah, there's
kangaroos there.
Speaker 3 (12:35):
There are some lemurs I love the otters the otters.
They're not like hidden, youcan see them.
But yeah, I love the otters.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
Yes, they're just awesome yes, yes, they are so
cute to watch, especially whenthey're playful.
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3 (12:48):
Speaking of the roots , the only place to find
dinosaur carvings are in theroots of the Tree of Life, since
they are extinct, you know, andthey're beneath.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
Beneath the surface.
Speaker 3 (12:58):
Beneath the surface I thought that was a cool detail.
And there's so many animalcarvings on there.
We could talk more and more andmore about them.
But yes, we're going to move onto flame tree barbecue.
Yummy.
So did you know the seatingarea is themed to predator and
prey?
I did not, so when?
So the the pagodas right whereyou sit underneath?
(13:18):
look at the stories of them okaythere's carvings on them and
they will display, like thepredator and prey cycle, again
the tree of like circle of life,right?
So they're?
Yeah, go check them out nexttime you go.
The very beautiful view ofdiscovery island and expedition
everest.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
So yeah, I mean, and the food is, it's really good
it's pretty good.
Speaker 3 (13:44):
Yes, is it the best in this park?
I don't think so, but it good.
Speaker 2 (13:48):
It's pretty good.
Yes, Is it the best in thispark?
I don't think so, but it's good.
But it's a good barbecue fortheme parks, you know.
And in the seating area.
Well, now I have more to lookfor the next time we go.
But the seating area, I think,is just set off in a good place.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
It is, and you get a lot for your money here too.
Yes, a lot of food.
It is pricey, but you get a lotfor it.
I, I think so.
All right, so we're gonna moveon to the story of dino land,
usa.
All right, so buckle up forthis one.
It's pretty good.
So in 1947 an amateur fossilhunter found some dinosaur bones
(14:21):
in digs, county get it.
Digs county along highway 498.
Do you know what that 498stands for?
Speaker 2 (14:30):
when they became extinct.
No birthday 1998 when, oh, oh,when uh, animal kingdom park.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
yes, yes.
So after contacting somefriends, they raised enough
money to buy the site.
Ever since then, scientists,volunteers and grad students
have been living here in DiggsCounty, so let's talk about
Restaurantosaurus, right?
Yeah, there's a lot in there.
Before the paleontologistarrived in 1947, it was a
(14:58):
fishing lodge my kind of place.
Speaker 2 (15:01):
I like fishing lodges .
Yes.
Speaker 3 (15:03):
The paleontologist bought the fishing lodge and
turned it into theirheadquarters, right.
So it served as a museum,school dormitory and mess hall
for the scientists and tourists.
That's why it just looks like ahodgepodge of everything in
there, right?
Speaker 2 (15:16):
Right, yes, because you definitely see decor and
stuff that would representmuseum and mess hall.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
Yeah, there's so much in here to check out.
That's why there's an Airstreamtrailer attached to it.
It looks like a basketball goal.
You're like why is it abasketball goal?
Speaker 2 (15:30):
Just random, random stuff.
Speaker 3 (15:32):
But when you know that this is where they lived
and ate at and stuff, then yeah,okay, now that makes sense.
So why all that stuff is there?
Right, yeah.
It was originally sponsored byMcDonald's and served McDonald's
burgers and fries until thesponsorship ended in 2008.
So I used to be able to getMcDonald's food at restaurant
(15:52):
stores.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
So burgers to you, because I knew about fries.
Speaker 3 (15:55):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (15:55):
But okay.
Speaker 3 (15:56):
Yeah, the T-Rex before you get to the attraction
.
Dinosaur is named Sue and is anexact replica of the real one
at the Field Museum in Chicago.
This is the most complete T-Rexmuseum or fossil.
No, the Field Museum in Chicagois real.
It is the most complete T-Rexever found in the world, but
(16:18):
this is an exact replica of it,so I thought that was really,
really cool.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
Yes, and her name's Sue.
Speaker 3 (16:24):
Sue Sue is her name.
The queue of a dinosaur hasmany fossils inside and once
through the pre-show, there arepipes inside the final queue
that are colored and haveformulas written on them and
they are really there.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
Zach has pointed them out to me in the in the past,
so the.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
The pipes are red, yellow, yellow and white and the
formulas are the scientificformula for ketchup, mustard and
mayonnaise Again, a former nodto McDonald's being in the area.
So dinosaurs still around.
It's going to be through theend of the year.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
That's what we've heard now.
Speaker 3 (16:58):
That's what they're saying so, don't panic on that.
You still got time to go checkout Dr Seeker and travel back in
time and hopefully find theCarter Tours.
Yes, so Chester and Hester, whowere they?
No idea, no idea, right,chester and Hester were two
locals who wanted to capitalizeon the newfound success of the
Diggs County.
(17:19):
They turned their gas stationinto a fossil souvenir and shop
and turned their parking lotinto a small carnival featuring
triceratops, spin and midwaycarnival games.
So that's why that gift shop asyou exit from Dinosaur looked
like a roadside Americana thing,Really cool stuff in there.
Speaker 2 (17:38):
There is yeah.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
I spent some time when I was there.
When did I go?
November?
Yes, they had just announcedthat they were closing that
portion, probably the day beforethe.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
Carnival area the Carnival area and that shop.
Speaker 3 (17:55):
And so I asked one of the cast members like so who's
going to get all this cool stuffin here?
And she was like I hope we getit Because there's some really
cool stuff in there on therafters and all the decor and
everything.
It was really really cool yeahso expedition?
Oh, we'll talk about the midwaycarnival games.
So I did not like these becauseI feel like you're getting
(18:16):
nickel and dimed here right itdid feel that way, that was the
problem, I problem I had withthis and that's the thing like.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
it is truly like carnival games.
You know, know, you're spendingmoney to try to win, but then
you're not winning, so you'respending more.
Your kids end up crying becausethey aren't winning and getting
the stuffed animal or whateverit is that they're wanting, yes
and so.
Speaker 3 (18:36):
I get it, it goes with the story, but maybe make
it cheaper.
Yeah, well, it's gone now so itdoesn't matter, right?
But we just had issues withthat and a good life lesson our
kids learned they would neverplay carnival games again for
the rest of their life, nomatter how fun they are.
Speaker 2 (18:55):
Yeah.
But I just felt like it wasjust too nickel and dimey at
that point, yeah, and then therewas one trip, though I was mom
and caved and OK, I'll spendthis much more money, and you
know, after I'd already said,this is it.
And we did finally get like aMickey Mouse from there and
stuff and a little dinosaur.
(19:15):
But I think even like eversince then, even though he did
end up with some stuffed animals, this is our youngest.
Speaker 3 (19:25):
He didn't really have a desire to go back.
No, and you know, I I know someof those games are like
everybody's a winner.
They could have done somethinglike that right like pay the
money.
But with it being disney.
I know, trust me, I'm all aboutwinning and losing.
We have two very competitivekids and I am extremely
competitive when it comes tosports as well.
Speaker 2 (19:43):
Yes, he's not one of those like everybody's a winner.
No, they are not.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
Sorry if I offend you .
Speaker 2 (19:47):
But anyway.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
I feel like in this instance, though, when you're
paying so much money and onlylittle kids like to go in there
and play those games, becauseI'm always like you're wasting
your money, Don't you do that?
Speaker 2 (20:09):
You can have like a little it could have been like
everybody's a winner.
Speaker 3 (20:12):
You know right, yeah, and it might not be like the
big grand, no, you know stuffedanimal or something, but you
could have like a smaller one.
Speaker 2 (20:15):
That's just yeah.
Anyway, rant over moving onit's closed.
Speaker 3 (20:16):
Yes, sorry, sorry.
Expedition everest, one of myfavorite roller coasters, so
we're leaving this.
Speaker 2 (20:22):
We've lost another land we've.
We've left that dino land.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
We're now in asia and another land.
We've left Dinoland, we're nowin Asia and we are at the Great
Expedition Everest.
It is a large hidden Mickeywhen you look at it from above
it is one large hidden Mickey.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
Interesting yeah.
Speaker 3 (20:37):
And it has.
At the time, this was the mostexpensive roller coaster ever
built.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Because of a certain Yeti.
Speaker 3 (20:45):
I I don't know, it's just at the time of it, of it
being built.
It was the most expensiveroller coaster ever built.
Speaking of the yeti, the yetiinside has been nicknamed disco
yeti, so here's the story withthe yeti.
It is when it worked.
Apparently it was justterrifying it looked like it was
(21:06):
going to just reach out andgrab you.
Speaker 2 (21:08):
I've seen an old video of it and, yeah, it would
terrify me.
Speaker 3 (21:13):
I've never seen it work.
Speaker 2 (21:14):
No.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
And so that Yeti is massive and the amount of force
that Yeti would put on itsstructure cracked like it
couldn't sustain it because itwas just so much stress on the
structure itself that theanimatronic and so it quit
working probably about a year,year and a half it wasn't long,
(21:38):
it was not long and they havetried to kind of get it open and
kind of get it working and notthere's a big myth that they
would have to completelydeconstruct Expedition Everest
to fix it and that is not true.
A recent interview we watchedwith Joe Rohde there's an access
door behind the coaster thatyou can get into it right.
(22:01):
Okay, so it's its own littleseparate thing can get into it,
right.
Okay, so it's its own littleseparate thing, but the the
amount of money would take tofix it is is so significant and
there's just no willpower fromexecutives to do that right and
so joe already said it can't befixed, but it's a problem of
money and willpower yeah right?
(22:22):
yeah, I don't know if it'll everbe fixed, but it does look
pretty cool, though, when you goand buy it right, I mean well,
and sometimes if you don't knowwhere to look, like you, you
miss it.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
You do miss it so fast because I mean, I haven't
ridden it as many times as you,but the couple of times I have
ridden it, I think I'd say atleast one time I didn't see it,
but I just wasn't looking in theright area.
Um, but no, I mean, that makessense, though, like if the
rumors or myths of it, you know,not being able to be fixed
because it's so tied into theride itself.
(22:55):
It makes sense that that's notreally the case, because they
know they have to work on theseanimatronics and stuff you know.
Speaker 3 (23:02):
So how long would Expedition Everest be down as
well, because they couldn't workon the audio animatronics and
stuff you know.
So how long would ExpeditionEverest be down as well, because
they couldn't work on the audioanimatronic and have the
coaster still going at the sametime?
Speaker 2 (23:09):
Right.
Speaker 3 (23:10):
They just couldn't do it.
Speaker 2 (23:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (23:11):
So how long would it take Expedition Everest being
down, especially when there's somuch construction about to be
happening in Animal Kingdom?
That is a large attraction thatwould be down for a long time.
Speaker 2 (23:21):
Right, so yeah, and if as long as it's been down,
then they're probably not evergoing to fix it in my opinion?
Speaker 3 (23:28):
Probably not.
Yeah, expedition Everest, in myopinion, is the best queue in
all of Walt Disney World.
All of the items you see in thequeue are authentic and have
been used on treks to Everest.
I think that is just completelymind-blowing to me.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
That they're all authentic.
Speaker 3 (23:48):
I'm the guy in the queue that people are like you
can move.
I'm like no, no, no, just passme.
I'm just chilling.
I'm hanging out, becausesometimes that queue's not very
long, the wait's not long.
Speaker 2 (23:58):
But I can see people behind you, because we get that
way sometimes when people don'tmove and it's like like, why are
they not moving?
Speaker 3 (24:12):
like pay attention, I just wave them like just just
go, we're good, all right, wecould talk so much about
expedition everest, we reallycould.
Speaker 2 (24:16):
The backstory all the stuff, man, that's another
episode.
And even like, well, it's thewhole park, but even this whole
whole area around Everest.
I mean, there's so much detail.
Speaker 3 (24:28):
Yes, the detail in these parks are just yeah, but I
tried to find, pick and choosecertain stuff for this For the
episode, or we would be here forhours.
Speaker 2 (24:38):
Yes, I mean, I'm fine with that.
We're not going anywhere, Allright.
Speaker 3 (24:41):
So even though Beastly Kingdom never came to
fruition, did you know you canstill find a dragon in the park?
Did you know that I did not?
In the Mwahahahaha Jungle Trekthere is a kimono dragon.
Speaker 2 (24:57):
See, I just don't think of that as dragon dragon,
though, you know.
Yeah, but it's a dragon, it isyeah.
Speaker 3 (25:03):
It's a dragon In the kimono dragon.
I've seen a special on them.
They are brutal.
Yeah yeah, they can be Vicious.
You wouldn't think like.
When you look at them, you'relike, oh, it's not that big you
wouldn't think like.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
When you look at them , you're like, oh, it's not that
big no, no, they can do somedamage, man.
Speaker 3 (25:19):
Yeah, you can also find bengal tigers, which they
just had, a baby tiger.
You saw that like a month agono, I didn't know an animal
kingdom.
Yeah, they had a baby tiger.
You can find bats.
Speaker 2 (25:29):
They have a bat sanctuary in there and a bird
aviary that you can walk throughand there are a lot of pretty
birds in there and these tigers,like you know, it's one of
those just like at any park withanimals, you know, in zoos and
stuff that you know, sometimesyou're going to get really good
views of them and sometimes not.
It just depends on where theyare, you know, but there have
(25:52):
been times where we have gottenreally close views of the tiger.
Speaker 3 (25:55):
Views of the tigers, yes and again.
This walking trail is so welldetailed and themed.
Take your time going throughhere yes it's just, it's
beautiful, absolutely beautifulyes, all their trails are yes
all right.
So as we exit jungle trek, wecome up to cali River Rapids.
(26:16):
Did you know you can also findthe pop star Michael Jackson in
this area?
I had no idea.
No idea.
In the queue of Cali RiverRapids is a painting of Michael
Jackson on the attractionInteresting.
Pretty cool, huh?
So Cali River Rapids wasMichael Jackson's favorite
attraction.
Well, I don't know, but it was,and so, to honor him, after his
(26:39):
death, they added this to thequeue oh, I like that.
That is really cool.
Yeah, because he also did a lotof stuff for Disney too.
He did a lot of promotionalstuff, and you know that famous
scene of him in that rainbowtunnel from the the 80s I think
so that was at the imaginationpavilion in epcot.
(27:01):
Oh, okay, yeah, all right.
So we're moving on to africaand harambe village, harambe,
and there's so much detail here.
I just so so much, with theposters and the buildings that
look like they're falling apartand just like the modes of
(27:22):
transportation around.
So well done just love it.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
Yeah, and definitely all the buildings inside and out
, you know, and they're like allthe posters and signs like
they're they're there for asigns like they're there for a
reason.
They put them there for areason.
Definitely a lot of detail.
The food in the area is great.
Speaker 3 (27:43):
Yeah, that's another podcast though.
Speaker 2 (27:44):
Well, I know.
Speaker 3 (27:45):
The food is so good.
So here you'll find lots ofposters we're talking about
scattered around Harambee withthe name Captain Bob, which, if
you know anything about Disney,this person may look familiar to
you Like a certain.
Imagineer Captain Bob is basedon the legendary Imagineer, joe
Rohde, who was the leadImagineer for Animal Kingdom.
(28:09):
That's pretty cool.
Yes, there's a lot of Joe Rohdearound in animal kingdom.
There's like a roadie safaritracks and like there's just so
many little puns towards joeroadie.
It's really, really cool.
I just, I just really reallylike that.
You'll also see signs thatreference a year in 1961.
(28:31):
This is the year that kenyagained its independence, and
harambe is kind of modeled afterKenya, a little bit like a
village in Kenya.
Speaker 2 (28:39):
Right.
Speaker 3 (28:40):
There is also a hidden Mickey hiding in plain
sight.
Where is it?
So you'll see a painting ofMickey with the words Fishwa
Fellow, which means hiddenMickey.
Speaker 2 (28:52):
I think I have seen that.
Speaker 3 (28:53):
Yeah, I think it was one of my Disney trivias a while
back On the safari.
It may look like the animalscan freely roam right.
Speaker 2 (29:02):
Yes, they do a really good job.
Speaker 3 (29:03):
However, there are large man-made dividers just out
of sight from the safari truck,keeping all the animals from
leaving the area.
Also, if you notice, when youdrive over those bumps I forgot
what the name of them were butcattle and horses will just
stare at those.
They will not try to crossthose and they have the springs
(29:24):
across them.
Animals will not go throughthere.
Okay.
And if you notice, a lot of theanimal viewing areas are below
the road you're on.
Those are huge walls there.
They're not moving away fromthose, Like the elephant's
sanctuary right.
You're like oh, the elephant'sjust right there.
He's got that big pool in frontof him, you know, and there's
(29:46):
like this huge, like 20 foot gapthat if you really look for it
you can see it.
You're like yeah, he's not.
He's not getting through there.
Speaker 2 (29:59):
Yeah, but then you do have some animals that I mean
they do still stay in a certainarea, but like they roam across
the path that the trucks.
Speaker 3 (30:03):
Yeah, so the uh, the savannah is probably the largest
open space where the animalscan roam freely, but again, you
have those bumps before you getinto it.
And then you have those bumpsyou go over after you're going
into the elephant area, right,so those animals are not
crossing Into the area, intothose areas.
And then I've noticed there'sdoors that I'm sure they close
(30:26):
after they close Safari as well.
Speaker 2 (30:28):
Right.
Speaker 3 (30:28):
So those animals aren't, and they put the animals
up at night as well.
Speaker 2 (30:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (30:32):
But if you'll see those, they're like oh look,
there's tusk marks.
Tusk marks on the side overhere, you know.
Speaker 2 (30:39):
Mm, hmm.
Speaker 3 (30:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (30:40):
They can't really get over there.
The elephants can't get there.
Speaker 3 (30:42):
No, no, they can't get there.
Speaker 2 (30:45):
But if they could, they would do those markings.
They would really do that, yes.
Speaker 3 (30:48):
And so yeah, and have you ever wondered why the lions
are always laying on the rocks?
I had wondered that, but youhad told me this a long time ago
they pump air through them.
Yes, and so they lay on therebecause it's cooler.
Speaker 2 (31:03):
But they have a new family of lions now.
I did know that.
I forgot their names, becausethe other ones they retired them
, they retired them to asanctuary, but those old lions
had been there since parkopening.
Speaker 3 (31:14):
Right, that's a long time.
Speaker 2 (31:15):
Yes, yes, so we'll have to see the new ones, and if
you notice the rocks.
Speaker 3 (31:20):
There's like big gaps between some of those rocks.
Those lions are not leavingthat.
Speaker 2 (31:24):
That certain area, that area they can't get across
there?
Speaker 3 (31:26):
Yeah, no, all right.
So after you exit the safari,we highly recommend that you go
for a walk on the gorillas falltrails.
You'll see a family of gorillasthere that reminds us so much
of our family yes, there havebeen several times.
Speaker 2 (31:41):
We've seen families where it's like toddler ages,
you know, and bugging mom.
She looks like she's trying tonap and the little ones keep
going and poking at her, tryingto get her attention or hopping
in her lap and she has that momlook of oh here we go again,
kind of thing.
But then you also have aseparate section where you see
(32:02):
the bachelor gorillas.
Speaker 3 (32:04):
They can be bougie.
Speaker 2 (32:06):
Especially one that apparently likes to wash his
food again after they give it tohim.
Speaker 3 (32:12):
Yeah, yes, but the area where the bachelors are is
beautiful.
It really truly just I rememberbeing there one time very early
morning, just after parkopening, and I was just amazed
at how beautiful it was with thesun coming up I was just
beautiful.
I loved, loved, loved it nowmentioning being there early.
Speaker 2 (32:34):
Um, I don't remember the time that they let the whole
family of gorillas come out.
Speaker 1 (32:39):
It's a little bit later in the day.
It's a little later.
Speaker 2 (32:40):
Yeah, it's not like right at park opening or after
the first couple of safaris gothrough, it's like maybe like an
hour or so later, probably like9 or 10 o'clock yeah.
Speaker 3 (32:49):
Did you also know that you can draw with an
animator?
Speaker 2 (32:53):
Well, we have.
Speaker 3 (32:53):
We do know that Well we have, we do know that you can
take the Wildlife Express trainto Rafiki's Planet Watch and
Brittany you love this place, sowhy don't you talk more about
Rafiki's Planet Watch?
Speaker 2 (33:04):
Well, I love the fact that you do get to draw with an
animator and throughout the day.
You know it's like every hour Ibelieve, and it's not the same
character necessarily every hour.
They try to change it up, butit's not the same character
necessarily every hour.
They try to change it up.
But it's just real fun.
I mean, it's definitely step bystep on how to draw and you
(33:24):
know we've done things such asSimba and oh who's the dog from
Coco.
Oh, I can't think of his name Ijust forgot his name, but the
dog from Coco, we've done.
Speaker 3 (33:37):
He's got a goofy name .
Speaker 2 (33:37):
We've done Scar and a few others.
Speaker 3 (33:40):
Tuk Tuk.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
Yes, Tuk Tuk from Raya.
And so it's always just a funexperience because you know,
just like anything, you startdrawing and you're like how is
this going to turn into thatcharacter?
And before you know it it doesto that character and before you
know it it does, and so it'sjust really fun.
But there's a lot of otherthings.
Uh, over here as well, there'sa petting zoo with like farm
(34:02):
animals and everything and youcan brush some of them and feed
them and it's super cute.
And then they also have an areathat shows you Dante?
Dante is the dog's name yes,from Coco.
And then they also have an areawhere they show you how they
prepare the food and what theyfeed the animals and if they
(34:23):
were to have to do a special vetvisit with the animals, and
things like that.
Speaker 3 (34:28):
It's really really cool.
Speaker 2 (34:29):
Yeah, it's very informative, but me and our
youngest Nolan, we always reallyenjoy the drawing with an
animator part and on trips thatare a little bit shorter where
we don't get to go andexperience that, we're kind of
like aww, because he's beenactually collecting all of our
drawings and likes to hang themup.
Speaker 3 (34:46):
Yeah, no, it is definitely a very good time, and
the Wildlife Express train is agreat way to see some behind
the scenes parts of AnimalKingdom.
You see some of the houses thatthey keep the animals in, and
the train itself is so wellthemed.
Speaker 2 (35:02):
Yes, I just love every bit of it, like there's
luggage on top of it and all ofthat stuff.
It's just awesome.
Speaker 3 (35:07):
Yes, all right.
So, moving on to Pandora,satooli Canteen, one of the best
quick service restaurants onproperty.
Can't argue that.
It's just so good.
The building, however, used tobe an RDA mess hall from the
first Avatar movie those werethe bad guys, yes and has since
been repurposed as a peacefuldining spot run by Alpha
(35:29):
Centauri Expeditions or ACE,which you'll see throughout
Pandora.
The food there is amazing.
I know it's not a food podcast,but the food's amazing, the
atmosphere, the music just loveit.
Speaker 2 (35:43):
And some of their bowls and stuff.
Don't let some of the itemsthat they put in it, like the
boba balls and some other thingsdon't let that throw you off.
When you're ordering you canspecify with or without.
You know you don't have to geteverything that comes in those
bowls.
Speaker 3 (36:00):
Or just get the cheeseburger pods and there you
go, all right, heading to Flightof Passage.
If you look way up at the top,you'll see the start of the
waterfall, right.
Speaker 2 (36:14):
Yes, and it's very pretty.
Speaker 3 (36:15):
It is very beautiful Now the waterfall right.
Yes, and it's very pretty.
It is very beautiful now thewaterfall is real.
Speaker 2 (36:19):
It is very pretty I know, I know, but the way you
said beautiful, it sounds likeit was beautiful it is at the
very top where the waterfallstarts.
Speaker 3 (36:27):
That's not real water .
It's just a spinning wheel tomake it look like and it really
looks like water it really is.
Now the rest of the waterfallis correct.
It is actual water but way uptop is Now.
The rest of the waterfall isCorrect.
Speaker 2 (36:37):
It is actual water, but way up top is not, it is not
.
Speaker 3 (36:39):
Nope.
Also, while in the outsideportion of the queue for Flight
of Passes, just before you enterthe caves, look up and to the
left at the floating mountains,you'll spot a sting bat sleeping
upside down.
Sting bats are a predator inthe forest and the banshee's
favorite food.
Speaker 2 (37:00):
I don't know if I've seen the sting bat.
Speaker 3 (37:01):
The sting bat.
Yeah, We'll have to look whenwe go in February.
Speaker 2 (37:04):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 3 (37:05):
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, while you're in the labportion of the queue for Flight
of Passage, before we get tothis part, the queue here is
absolutely amazing.
Yes.
We do recommend getting themulti pat, whatever it's called
now, lightning lane, whatever,yes, the pay lightning for this,
but do it once to see the queue.
Speaker 2 (37:24):
It is beautiful yeah, if you can get there, like if
this is your rope drop ride, orif you get in line before a park
closes, then that those are thebest times to go through and
actually see the queue.
But if you're riding any othertime during the day it's long
and it's worth paying forshortcuts through the line.
(37:45):
So every time.
Speaker 3 (37:46):
We have gotten in line for this right before park
close.
It's still been.
The whole thing takes about 45minutes to an hour.
I don't think we've ever takenlonger than an hour to wait in
the queue and do the attraction.
Speaker 2 (37:57):
Right.
Speaker 3 (37:58):
And a bonus if it's not during the summertime,
you'll get out and get to seePandora at night, which we'll
talk about that more in a bit,but there's just a very short
time each year where you trulyget to see it at night.
So while you're in the labportion of the queue for Flight
of Passage, there's some really,really, really cool stuff in
there, like really unique coolstuff in there.
But what I want to talk aboutis you'll see an avatar floating
(38:21):
in a tank Hank.
He's been nicknamed Hank by thecast members.
Also in the lab portion of thequeue for Flight of Passage
there are books on the deskthere.
Some notable things here.
One of the books is written byDr jacqueline ogden, the banshee
expert you'll meet in thepre-show.
Yes, what you'll learn a lotabout jackie ogden in the
(38:43):
pre-show.
Also, quick little trivia thingshe also voiced one character
elsewhere in what disney world?
Where was that in the queue forstar tours?
She was the luggage droid inStar Tours.
Speaker 2 (39:01):
Interesting In the queue.
Speaker 3 (39:02):
Okay, another one is written by Dr Grace Augustine,
the botany expert played bySigourney Weaver in the first
Avatar.
And my favorite one is writtenby world-renowned primatologist
Jane Goodall.
She was instrumental in thedesign of the park and to honor
Jane, they made a carving of herfavorite shrimp, David
(39:24):
Greybeard, in the Tree of Life.
Speaker 2 (39:27):
I love that yeah.
Speaker 3 (39:28):
It's as you exit.
It's tough to be a bug.
Speaker 2 (39:30):
Okay, it's right there.
Hmm, okay.
Speaker 3 (39:33):
It's very noticeable.
Speaker 2 (39:34):
Right Once you know where to look, it's very
noticeable Right Once you knowwhere to look.
Speaker 3 (39:36):
It does not blend in with everything else, okay.
It's very noticeable, but wait,there's more.
As you exit Flight of Passage,you'll see three red handprints
on the wall with the initials JL, jc and JR.
John Landau, who was theproducer of the movie Avatar.
(39:56):
Jc stands for James Cameron,who was the director, and JR
stands for Joe Rohde, thelegendary Imagineer.
Nice, yeah, all right.
Near the entrance to the NaviRiver Journey, you'll notice
giant Navi footprints on theground.
I have not noticed these yet.
Speaker 2 (40:14):
No but.
I'm sure they're there.
I'm sure there's a lot ofdetail in the ground sometimes.
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (40:20):
And the bioluminescence at night we just
talked about is absolutely justbreathtaking.
Speaker 2 (40:26):
It is.
It is beautiful, yes, Now backup, though for just a second, to
Navi River Journey.
I know it's a ride that wedon't talk about a lot and we've
only ridden it once, mainlybecause it gets a long wait too.
But it is a relaxing ride andit has a very well done
animatronic in there as well.
Speaker 3 (40:46):
The audio animatronic is maybe one of the most
technologically advanced onesever done.
The movements on the Shaman arejust seamless.
Yes, it is great.
Speaker 2 (40:57):
It is really, really good.
So I just wanted to mentionthat, because you just kind of
coasted over.
Speaker 3 (41:02):
This is a step up from it's a Small World.
Speaker 2 (41:07):
Oh well, it's different from that, but it just
for the wait times.
Speaker 3 (41:15):
It's not worth it for us.
Speaker 2 (41:16):
For us, it's not worth it.
For us, it's not worth it.
No, but you know, if it werelike a like a 30 minute wait
time or something, then yes,yeah okay, and so the body
luminous is at night.
Speaker 3 (41:27):
I often think if walt was here today and I could take
him to any park, where would Itake him?
and you would do animal kingdom,I would take him to animal
kingdom one, because he'sfinally seeing his dream of
animals in the park come true,because he originally wanted
walt disney, originally wantedlive animals on the jungle
cruise right.
And then I think, showing himpandora at night I think would
(41:51):
just blow his mind because heloved the parks at night, that
was his favorite time of night.
And just to see theimagineering, andering and the
hard work that went into Pandorato make it look like you really
are immersed in Pandora.
Speaker 2 (42:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (42:07):
It's truly amazing.
Speaker 2 (42:09):
It's true, and I don't know how they're going to
continue to do the park hours.
In the past there were moremonths out of the year that I
feel like you could experienceit at night, but now for most of
the year they just they closeit so early that you really
don't get to to see it yeah,yeah, that's a shame it is, but
(42:30):
all right.
Speaker 3 (42:31):
So no more disney trivia.
Speaker 2 (42:33):
No, but I was gonna say since we don't have disney
trivia, do you want to talkabout some comments for
something we put out there today?
Speaker 3 (42:43):
so we're gonna, instead of disney trivia, we're
gonna ask questions every weekabout what we're talking about
this week, right?
So the first question was wouldyou rather eat at flame tree
barbecue or satouli canteen?
I don't want to name listenersnames on instagram because these
are private messages, but Iwill say we have cut me off
sorry you do it to me, I'm sorry.
Speaker 2 (43:06):
I'm sorry, go ahead, no go ahead.
Speaker 3 (43:08):
No, you're not that important nope, go ahead so the
it was split 50 50 on ourlisteners on satouli Canteen and
Flamish Barbecue.
I just love Satouli Canteen.
It's my happy place.
I can just sit in there, listento the music, have my
cheeseburger pod and have mywhat's that?
(43:29):
Beer, the green, beer, thegreen beer Grog.
The Grog beer.
Speaker 2 (43:36):
Grog Ale or something Whatever, you can only get it
there in Pandora.
Speaker 3 (43:41):
And that's my happy place.
Yeah, it's so peaceful.
Speaker 2 (43:45):
So Zach put that question up and I was even like,
ooh, that's a tough one,because I don't know, because
they're both their own, you know.
Speaker 3 (43:52):
They are different experiences.
Speaker 2 (43:53):
Different experiences .
Both have great seating areas.
So, thule, I prefer sittinginside than outside, especially
in the animal kingdom.
You make it hot, yes, and theyhave unique foods, but then
Flame Tree, of course, it'sbarbecue and we talked earlier
about.
You get a great portion forwhat you're paying and it's got
great seating as well.
(44:14):
So I was like, ooh.
Speaker 3 (44:15):
You just got to fight off the birds, yeah, so that
one's tough.
Speaker 2 (44:18):
It really just comes down to what do you feel like
eating?
Speaker 3 (44:20):
I think that day, or do you want to be inside or
outside?
Speaker 2 (44:22):
Right, that too, yeah , inside, outside.
And do you want barbecue or doyou want a bowl or the
cheeseburger pods?
Speaker 3 (44:30):
You know, the Satoula Canteen will win me it often
does.
Speaker 2 (44:34):
That's why we've only been to flame tree once so hey,
when it's good, it's good yeah,but then, uh, today.
So the recording of thisepisode is a little differently
than how we normally do.
But today, um, I posted aquestion about animal kingdom
specifically.
Is this park a full day or halfday park?
Speaker 3 (44:53):
hey, you better be careful.
You better be careful womanYou're treading on some
dangerous grounds right now.
Speaker 2 (44:59):
So it's only been posted so far for 10 hours, but
in the 10 hours it is exactly50-50, right now with the
comments.
Speaker 3 (45:06):
Really 50-50?
Speaker 2 (45:07):
Yes, I just got another comment.
Speaker 3 (45:09):
So what have they been?
Now, don't say that, listeners.
If you want us to say your name, let us know.
No, I'm not gonna say names butI'm saying if, if you, the
listener wants us to oh, we'lldo it, but if not, in the future
.
But just what have they beensaying?
Yeah, so I mean it's definitelythis is fighting words here, so
I'm just saying half of themsaid half day, half of them said
full day.
Speaker 2 (45:30):
So I know who I'm hanging out with so you one
comment was exactly worded asfull day all the way, and then
other comments were that werehalf day.
Then I reached out and said OK,well, do you mainly do the
rides, or go on differentwalking trails and eat there too
(45:51):
?
And so sometimes the responseswere the rides in a show or two,
or ride Expedition Everest asmany times as we can show, or
two, or ride expedition everestas many times as we can, and
then walk around pandora, eatfood at satuli canteen, grab a
drink at tiffin's lounge andthen nomad lounge, yeah, which
is nomad lounge, um, and youknow, and that's that's what
(46:11):
they do so that's a pretty goodI pretty good way to do it,
except they don't take time forthe trails.
Speaker 3 (46:17):
it sounds like Right, yeah, I mean, if you get on
board with doing ExpeditionEverest and going to Pandora.
I'm on board with that.
I'm completely on board withthat.
Yeah, but I'm going to spendmore time there.
Speaker 2 (46:27):
That said, half day was mostly rides.
They didn't even eat there lasttime, but you know it just
depends on what you have planned.
But you know it just depends onwhat you have planned.
But again, there have beenother responses that were like
full day, full day, full day,and they just didn't go into
detail of what all they did.
But a lot of times when it is afull day you know you are
eating in the park, you're doingthe trails, maybe riding a
couple of the rides multipletimes, taking it all in sitting,
(46:50):
relaxing, maybe going to NomadLounge.
You know things like that.
Speaker 3 (47:05):
I can spend a half day in Nomad Lounge yeah.
Yeah, but if you do go toRafiki's Planet Watch and you do
these trails and you do all theshows.
Festival of the Lion King is anamazing show yeah.
The Finding Nemo one's kind ofeh Like I didn't really care
that much for it.
Speaker 2 (47:14):
Right.
Speaker 3 (47:15):
And the Birds of Flight flight one, whatever it's
called.
Our boys loved that one.
Yeah, I didn't think they wouldlike it, but they they loved it
and then we just hang out, likewe just hang out at the tree of
life.
This is.
You're so rushed, go, go, go goduring your vacation.
Speaker 2 (47:30):
This park is meant for you to slow down it is this
is supposed to be your relaxinglike chill out yeah, and then
the most recent comment was youknow, a full day, especially
since they close earlyespecially when they close early
.
Speaker 3 (47:41):
You can still park, hop to somewhere else, but take
this time and slow down.
Yeah, look at the animals,listen to the music, read the
posters, go draw with ananimator you know, and take in
the cues that the like thedinosaur cues are so much.
Every time it's a short way fordinosaur, I'm like because I
(48:03):
want to see some of the stuffthat they have.
Right, expedition everest.
I will let people pass me.
I'm like.
No, I'm good you can go pastyeah the the queue at pandora
sorry flight of passage.
It's so good, it is so welldone that I think the queues
themselves can be attractions,if you take the time to slow
(48:26):
down and look at this stuffright they put a lot of time and
effort into these queues,especially at animal kingdom.
They I mean they took it up awhole nother level, animal
kingdom when it came to the cuesthey did, but you know in all
the parts except sorry, go aheadnow you're the one interrupting
now in all the parks.
Speaker 2 (48:43):
Not, you know, not every single ride is going to
have great cues, but the onesthat do have cues, you know
there's.
There's a lot more in thosecues than you think and
sometimes it enhances theoverall experience of the ride
it really does you know, um likeI'll throw an example out.
It's not our favorite, I knowit's quite a few other people's,
(49:03):
but, like in magic kingdom, um,when we did not experience the
cue for peter pan, it was like,oh, we felt like stuff had had
been missing from the ride.
Speaker 3 (49:13):
The cue helped us enjoy it more thoroughly yeah,
and I will say, the one queuethat is the exception at animal
kingdom is not every riverjourney.
Speaker 2 (49:23):
That queue just sucks yeah, they could have done a
better job.
Speaker 3 (49:26):
It's just not good and then as far as food goes,
the food here is phenomenal,except for pizza fari oh yeah,
don't get it out of there, don'tgo, don't go there with the
exception of those two things.
They knocked this park out ofthe water and it still continues
to just be amazing, and I thinkthe main secret of Animal
(49:46):
Kingdom that people don't get isto slow down.
Speaker 2 (49:49):
Right.
Speaker 3 (49:51):
Take the full day here.
I'm not saying rope, drop it,which we don't do that anymore.
But when you do, do don't leaveearly.
Take your time.
See the tree of life awakeningsat night, see pandora at night,
like, take the time here andexplore what is here to offer?
Speaker 2 (50:07):
that was the whole intent of this park was to help
you slow down and explore andget lost yeah, and if you don't
want to like eat like a fullmeal, like at a sit down or
quick service place, there areso many snacks we still got a
couple things to get when we goin February yeah, there are so
many snacks here and snacks thatyou're not going to find
anywhere else.
Now, some, yes, you're going tofind elsewhere, but some that
(50:29):
are so specific because of thetheming and everything you know
you've got Asia, africa, youknow, and so there's a lot of
unique things you can try and Ithink so we're eating.
Speaker 3 (50:44):
So friday, when we get there, we're eating at jico
for dinner, but I think we'rejust going to snack at the park,
right?
Speaker 2 (50:49):
yes, but I want to be able to thoroughly enjoy jico,
so I might not snack as much.
Speaker 3 (50:52):
no, that's a yeah, but I think on our last day, on
Sunday, we go to the bar at Yakand Yeti and see what the secret
menu has.
Speaker 2 (51:01):
Possibly, maybe, we will see.
Speaker 3 (51:03):
Because I want to revisit Yak and Yeti from when
we first went.
I did not have the best diningexperience there, right.
Because this is what I got.
I got steak Right right, rightyou don't go.
Speaker 2 (51:12):
Had was wonderful, yeah so I want to.
Speaker 3 (51:13):
I want to revisit this, all right, anything else
you want to say about this?
Or what do you think we've beentalking about with animal
kingdom or anything with theclosures, or anything like that?
Speaker 2 (51:23):
no, you know, I mean for us.
Personally, I think the currentclosures that are happening in
dino land we won't miss no uh,you know now when it comes time
for the the dinosaur ride.
Yes, you know, because that'salways been a ride that we've
enjoyed as a family and havegotten some goofy pictures of
the boys when waiting in linebeside like a dinosaur statue
(51:45):
and stuff like that.
You know so, so that one willbe missed.
But at the same time, just likewith anything you know, things
change and it's got to revolveand you got to evolve.
Yes, sorry.
Evolveve and you've got toEvolve yeah, sorry, evolve and
you've got to just kind of staywith the times and pay attention
to your audience and whatthey're going to want to see in
the parks, and so I think that'swhat we're seeing now, with
(52:08):
what's going to be coming withEncanto and Indiana Jones and
some other things.
Speaker 3 (52:15):
Well, my opinion on Indiana Jones was that was just
a cheap fix because they canjust.
I know it's not going to be thesame as in Disneyland, but they
already have most of the samestuff.
Speaker 2 (52:24):
Right.
Speaker 3 (52:27):
Walt said the parks would never be finished ever,
and I'm a true believer of that.
I just really hope they do there-theming justice.
I really hope that they keep tothe attention to detail and the
great theming as the rest ofthe park.
I hope they do not cheap outand just put it up.
(52:51):
Just to put it up.
Speaker 2 (52:52):
I really hope they don't do that Before knowing the
backstory.
I almost feel like that's whatthe carnival area felt like,
though, is that they?
Speaker 3 (53:02):
they cheaped out.
Speaker 2 (53:03):
You know the backstory, right, they're not
cheaping out no, but most peopledon't, and I think that's how
most people take have taken thatarea in the past but don't you
have a more?
Better appreciation of it now,once you know it.
Yes, yes.
Speaker 3 (53:18):
All right, so well.
Thank you everybody for joiningus.
We hope you've enjoyed thisepisode.
I don't know what we're goingto talk about next week.
Ooh, I do know what we're goingto talk about next week.
Okay, surprise, it's a secret.
Speaker 2 (53:28):
Okay, I'll find out soon podcast.
Speaker 3 (53:32):
The best way to do that is to share the show with
your friends.
Leave us a five-star rating andreview on Apple Podcasts.
Really appreciate it.
It really helps us to grow theshow and we have been getting
new listeners and we really doappreciate you joining us.
If you want to contact us, youcan email us circleofparks at
gmailcom.
Our website iswwwcircleofparkscom.
We're on Facebook, instagramand X, all at Circle Up Parks
(53:55):
and just thank you so much forlistening.
Can't wait to talk to you nextweek.
Speaker 2 (53:59):
Talk to you soon, thank you.
Hello and welcome to Circular Parks podcast episode
number 185.
Today we are back with the lastof our secret series, with the
secrets of Animal Kingdom.
There is far too much to seeand do.
We are here to help guide youthrough, but before we do that,
(00:42):
we must talk Disney merch.
This week, disney merch If yougo to DisneyStorecom, there is
another new Minnie Mousestainless steel Starbucks
tumbler with straw.
They're specific to either WaltDisney World or Disneyland,
priced at $44.99.
(01:04):
Or Disneyland, priced at $44.99.
It's red, metallic, stainlesssteel cold beverage tumbler.
All over print featuring polkadots, bows and Minnie's face, of
course, you've got a Starbuckslogo and then on the lid you
have screen art with MinnieMouse XOXO on it Super cute.
Again another Starbucks tumbler, but this one may be one that
(01:28):
to me just seems a bit moreclassy, maybe.
Uh, the price, I feel like, hasgone up slightly, but it is
super cute.
So go check that out at Disneystorecom.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
What is XOXO?
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Like hugs and kisses.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
That's what it means.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
And at least back in my day growing up, that's what
it meant.
You never knew that no.
Oh yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:51):
I always saw it and I was like I never knew what that
meant.
Oh yeah, it means hugs andkisses.
Yeah, how do you get hugs andkisses out of XOXO?
Speaker 2 (02:00):
It's just that's.
I don't know who came up withit, but I mean that's been
around.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Somebody's making millions off that.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Yeah, someone had that idea, you're like having me
second guess myself andeverything right now.
Yeah, abbreviation that meanshugs and kisses, commonly used
in media posts, text messages,friendship, yeah.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
Never knew that.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
Yeah, I've never used those abbreviations, know well,
I mean, I did when I wasyounger okay a lot younger, all
right thank you everybody forjoining us.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
Episode number 185.
We're snowed in here intennessee today, so that means
I've done nothing but researchanimal kingdom today you played
in the snow some.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
A little bit we had a snowball fight.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
And so this I don't know how long this episode is
going to be, but you know whatDoesn't matter?
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Right.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
Buckle up.
We're going to be in for a longride and we're going to talk
about all the secrets of AnimalKingdom.
You may know some of these.
Some of these I bet you don'tknow.
I didn't know some of theseright after doing research, and
those of you that say it's ahalf day part maybe take some
time to find what's gonna takeyou a half day to at least
listen to this podcast, yeah,and so, yeah, I found out quite
(03:17):
a few things I did not know.
Okay, we're gonna talk aboutsome backstories here,
especially of dino, because ofdino land, because, as of four
days ago, there are constructionwalls up now around chester and
hester's and triceratops spinand in the carnival midway games
they're no more, they are gone,but we still have restaurant of
(03:39):
stories and dinosaur in thebone pit, right.
But we're going to talk aboutthe backstory of that because I
don't think people know thebackstory of that probably not.
And along with anything else inanimal kingdom, it's got a very
extensive, very well donebackstory and I know I wasn't
the biggest fan of the carnivalgames and in that area, but I I
(04:04):
do really enjoy the thebackstory that was here right
and I can enjoy that withoutliking the carnival games we'll
get into why we don't like thoselove hate relationship.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
There I had a hate hate relationship with them.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
But uh, yeah, so this is going to be a great episode.
It's our favorite park.
We're not ashamed to say it.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
This one and Epcot.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Yeah, and so here we go.
So let's go ahead.
Let's start outside of the park, right?
Okay, yes, if you look at thetop of the ticket booth, you see
the animal heads.
Right On the left is a dragon'shead, the middle is an elephant
and the right one is atriceratops head.
Right.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Yes, dinosaur head yes.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
The dragon's head is there because there was supposed
to be a land called BeastlyKingdom, where Pandora is now.
It was going to celebrate themythical creatures that are out
there.
I think there was supposed tobe a roller coaster and all this
other stuff but, due to budgetcuts, got cut out.
Apparently it costs a whole lotof money to properly maintain
(05:06):
animals.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Right, Right yes.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
And that's the main focus of Animal Kingdom is the
animals and conservation of theanimals, and that cost a whole
lot of money.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
So they couldn't do Beastly Kingdom at the time it
was.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Dinoland or Beastly Kingdom and we got Dinoland
instead of beastly kingdom andyou know I really do like dino
land.
I'm not big into like mythical,like stories or stuff like that
.
Anyway, that's just not.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
I haven't been big into that so I don't know how
successful beastly kingdom wouldhave been yeah, and that would
have been a tough call foranyone to to make, because you
have your fans of dinosaurs, butthen you have that many
probably that like dragons andeverything too dinosaurs are
very marketable to kids,especially little boys, right?
Speaker 3 (05:56):
so it's very easy to sell that to a family, right?
I don't know how many boys theyprobably know about dragons and
usually unicorns and stuff likea little older yeah but so you
knowit happened, and you know, I
don't know how much I would havereally liked Beastly Kingdom,
but we have Pandora there now,which is just absolutely
(06:18):
phenomenal right, yes, yes, yes,I mean it all worked out, yeah.
So the pavement is also agreenish color with some red, if
you notice that as you'rewalking up to the turnstiles and
the ticket booths.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Yes, I don't know about the red green.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
Yes, yeah, so this is to start getting your mind
ready for the world you areabout to enter and also notice
you can't see the tree of lifefrom outside the park.
This is the only park that thepark icon is not visible from
outside the park right?
yeah, you definitely can't seeit to that more in a bit but
(06:56):
there's a very specific reason,and a lot of this is just to
slow you down and prepare youryour mind for what is about to
to happen.
Also, did you know there is ahidden side entrance to the park
?
Speaker 2 (07:11):
uh well, yes, we, we kind of did early on, but had it
not been for our experience, wewouldn't have known yeah.
Speaker 3 (07:16):
So if you go through the gift shop at rainforest cafe
and outside through the seatingarea, you'll find another
little turnstile area that youcan enter the park from.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Pretty cool, it is pretty cool.
Speaker 3 (07:28):
And we ate at Rainforest Cafe our first trip
here and I know we don'trecommend doing that.
But you know what Kids don'tcare, Right?
Rainforest Cafe is great themed.
Our nine-year-old still enjoys.
10-year-old now still enjoysgoing to Rainforest Cafe and
it's an experience for the kids,right, Right?
So I don't recommend.
(07:51):
It doesn't have the greatestfood for the prices that you pay
.
But the experience, theexperience for the kids, I get
it.
I understand, do we recommendit?
No, but I get it.
It's what the kids they enjoy,right, and it kind of will get
them in that mindset of animalkingdom for the day, right.
Right, because it is jungle-ishinside, all right.
(08:11):
So now we're in the inside thepark, right we are.
Speaker 2 (08:12):
The oasis area is there for a very specific reason
it is to slow you down, eventhough a lot of people speed
through it they go right throughit.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
It's uphill too, so it is a little bit of a
challenge if you're going to gothrough it, but it's there to
slow you down and prepare youmentally to slow down and get
lost and explore what is aheadof you.
There's a lot of little trailsand paths in the oasis right yes
, there are and there's somereally cool animals and there's
some really beautiful pastpathways in there that if you
(08:41):
take your time you will enjoythem.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Yes, and I mean, and we understand like you're just
trying to get to a ride, youknow especially rope, drop time
and everything I mean we have to.
But we've been that family toothat has rushed through this
part to get to different rides.
But now we try to take it in alittle more.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
Yes, and then at the top you see the grand reveal of
the Tree of Life on DiscoverIsland.
Beautiful, beautiful.
It is a very beautiful openingand view of the Tree of Life.
The Tree of Life is the onlypark icon not visible from
outside the park.
This is because, again, theImagineers wanted to prepare you
(09:23):
to slow down and get you in theright mindset of nature and
being in nature with animals andeverything like that.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Right right.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
So, that's why this is the official Imagineering
backstory, when Animal Kingdomfirst opened, of the Tree of
Life.
Yes, there is an officialbackstory to the Tree of Life.
So once upon a time, novegetation would grow on
discovery island.
There were no trees, no shrubs,no flowers, nothing.
It was a barren piece of land.
(09:53):
Then, one day, a tiny antplanted a seed and made a wish.
The ant asked for a tree togrow, a tree large enough to
provide shelter for all theanimals.
Magically, the ant's wish cametrue and a tree began to grow, a
tree large enough to provideshelter for all the animals.
Magically, the ant's witch cametrue and a tree began to grow.
And it kept growing until therewas room for room beneath its
limbs for all the animals, froma to z, ants to zebras.
(10:15):
And as the tree continued toreach for the heavens, the
images of all the animals thattook shelter beneath its shade
appeared on its trunk, roots andbranches very nice backstory
little backstory.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
That's probably why, uh, a bug's life is underneath
that's what I was thinking whenyou said the word ant.
Yeah, but it's not gonna bethere much longer.
Speaker 3 (10:35):
No, no, not gonna be there much longer either we'll
talk.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
We don't want to talk about that in this episode, but
yeah I'm excited to see thezootopia show yes, so those of
you that haven't heard at somepoint later this year, the show
that happens under the Tree ofLife currently is a Bugs Life
theme, but it's going to switchover to Zootopia.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
Yes, so the Tree of Life is a hundred and four.
Sorry, skip it ahead.
The Tree of Life is modeledafter the baobab tree because it
stores water in its trunk andduring times of drought, animals
can get water from it, makingit the tree of life.
So the baobab tree is a realtree in Africa and you will hear
about it more on the safariwhen you go to Animal Kingdom.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
Yes, you do.
Speaker 3 (11:18):
Yep.
So the tree of life is 145 feettall, 165 feet across, with
more than 103,000 leaves made ofkynar that were individually
placed.
God, could you imagine doingthat?
Time consuming On 45 secondarybranches that lead to 756
(11:40):
tertiary branches, which lead to7,891 end branches.
That's a lot.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (11:48):
That is a lot.
And they also built the Tree ofLife on an upside-down oil
derrick to give it its sturdybase.
Speaker 2 (11:56):
Okay, yeah, interesting.
Speaker 3 (11:59):
The Tree of Life Gardens is a great place to
explore and get lost.
There are several differenttypes of animals along the
forward trails and a great,relaxing view of Discovery River
along the back trails.
These trails also give you agreat opportunity to see the
different types of animalscarved into the tree and its
roots.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
Yes, and you know we've been several times now and
we've really spent time in thisarea and every time we go we
still notice animals we've neverseen before on the trunk, this
area.
And every time we go we stillnotice animals we've never seen
before on the trunk and even inmore recent trips found animals
on these paths like the reallife animals that I was like oh,
I didn't know, kangaroos wereover here yeah, there's
kangaroos there.
Speaker 3 (12:35):
There are some lemurs I love the otters the otters.
They're not like hidden, youcan see them.
But yeah, I love the otters.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
Yes, they're just awesome yes, yes, they are so
cute to watch, especially whenthey're playful.
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3 (12:48):
Speaking of the roots , the only place to find
dinosaur carvings are in theroots of the Tree of Life, since
they are extinct, you know, andthey're beneath.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
Beneath the surface.
Speaker 3 (12:58):
Beneath the surface I thought that was a cool detail.
And there's so many animalcarvings on there.
We could talk more and more andmore about them.
But yes, we're going to move onto flame tree barbecue.
Yummy.
So did you know the seatingarea is themed to predator and
prey?
I did not, so when?
So the the pagodas right whereyou sit underneath?
(13:18):
look at the stories of them okaythere's carvings on them and
they will display, like thepredator and prey cycle, again
the tree of like circle of life,right?
So they're?
Yeah, go check them out nexttime you go.
The very beautiful view ofdiscovery island and expedition
everest.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
So yeah, I mean, and the food is, it's really good
it's pretty good.
Speaker 3 (13:44):
Yes, is it the best in this park?
I don't think so, but it good.
Speaker 2 (13:48):
It's pretty good.
Yes, Is it the best in thispark?
I don't think so, but it's good.
But it's a good barbecue fortheme parks, you know.
And in the seating area.
Well, now I have more to lookfor the next time we go.
But the seating area, I think,is just set off in a good place.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
It is, and you get a lot for your money here too.
Yes, a lot of food.
It is pricey, but you get a lotfor it.
I, I think so.
All right, so we're gonna moveon to the story of dino land,
usa.
All right, so buckle up forthis one.
It's pretty good.
So in 1947 an amateur fossilhunter found some dinosaur bones
(14:21):
in digs, county get it.
Digs county along highway 498.
Do you know what that 498stands for?
Speaker 2 (14:30):
when they became extinct.
No birthday 1998 when, oh, oh,when uh, animal kingdom park.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
yes, yes.
So after contacting somefriends, they raised enough
money to buy the site.
Ever since then, scientists,volunteers and grad students
have been living here in DiggsCounty, so let's talk about
Restaurantosaurus, right?
Yeah, there's a lot in there.
Before the paleontologistarrived in 1947, it was a
(14:58):
fishing lodge my kind of place.
Speaker 2 (15:01):
I like fishing lodges .
Yes.
Speaker 3 (15:03):
The paleontologist bought the fishing lodge and
turned it into theirheadquarters, right.
So it served as a museum,school dormitory and mess hall
for the scientists and tourists.
That's why it just looks like ahodgepodge of everything in
there, right?
Speaker 2 (15:16):
Right, yes, because you definitely see decor and
stuff that would representmuseum and mess hall.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
Yeah, there's so much in here to check out.
That's why there's an Airstreamtrailer attached to it.
It looks like a basketball goal.
You're like why is it abasketball goal?
Speaker 2 (15:30):
Just random, random stuff.
Speaker 3 (15:32):
But when you know that this is where they lived
and ate at and stuff, then yeah,okay, now that makes sense.
So why all that stuff is there?
Right, yeah.
It was originally sponsored byMcDonald's and served McDonald's
burgers and fries until thesponsorship ended in 2008.
So I used to be able to getMcDonald's food at restaurant
(15:52):
stores.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
So burgers to you, because I knew about fries.
Speaker 3 (15:55):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (15:55):
But okay.
Speaker 3 (15:56):
Yeah, the T-Rex before you get to the attraction
.
Dinosaur is named Sue and is anexact replica of the real one
at the Field Museum in Chicago.
This is the most complete T-Rexmuseum or fossil.
No, the Field Museum in Chicagois real.
It is the most complete T-Rexever found in the world, but
(16:18):
this is an exact replica of it,so I thought that was really,
really cool.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
Yes, and her name's Sue.
Speaker 3 (16:24):
Sue Sue is her name.
The queue of a dinosaur hasmany fossils inside and once
through the pre-show, there arepipes inside the final queue
that are colored and haveformulas written on them and
they are really there.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
Zach has pointed them out to me in the in the past,
so the.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
The pipes are red, yellow, yellow and white and the
formulas are the scientificformula for ketchup, mustard and
mayonnaise Again, a former nodto McDonald's being in the area.
So dinosaurs still around.
It's going to be through theend of the year.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
That's what we've heard now.
Speaker 3 (16:58):
That's what they're saying so, don't panic on that.
You still got time to go checkout Dr Seeker and travel back in
time and hopefully find theCarter Tours.
Yes, so Chester and Hester, whowere they?
No idea, no idea, right,chester and Hester were two
locals who wanted to capitalizeon the newfound success of the
Diggs County.
(17:19):
They turned their gas stationinto a fossil souvenir and shop
and turned their parking lotinto a small carnival featuring
triceratops, spin and midwaycarnival games.
So that's why that gift shop asyou exit from Dinosaur looked
like a roadside Americana thing,Really cool stuff in there.
Speaker 2 (17:38):
There is yeah.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
I spent some time when I was there.
When did I go?
November?
Yes, they had just announcedthat they were closing that
portion, probably the day beforethe.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
Carnival area the Carnival area and that shop.
Speaker 3 (17:55):
And so I asked one of the cast members like so who's
going to get all this cool stuffin here?
And she was like I hope we getit Because there's some really
cool stuff in there on therafters and all the decor and
everything.
It was really really cool yeahso expedition?
Oh, we'll talk about the midwaycarnival games.
So I did not like these becauseI feel like you're getting
(18:16):
nickel and dimed here right itdid feel that way, that was the
problem, I problem I had withthis and that's the thing like.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
it is truly like carnival games.
You know, know, you're spendingmoney to try to win, but then
you're not winning, so you'respending more.
Your kids end up crying becausethey aren't winning and getting
the stuffed animal or whateverit is that they're wanting, yes
and so.
Speaker 3 (18:36):
I get it, it goes with the story, but maybe make
it cheaper.
Yeah, well, it's gone now so itdoesn't matter, right?
But we just had issues withthat and a good life lesson our
kids learned they would neverplay carnival games again for
the rest of their life, nomatter how fun they are.
Speaker 2 (18:55):
Yeah.
But I just felt like it wasjust too nickel and dimey at
that point, yeah, and then therewas one trip, though I was mom
and caved and OK, I'll spendthis much more money, and you
know, after I'd already said,this is it.
And we did finally get like aMickey Mouse from there and
stuff and a little dinosaur.
(19:15):
But I think even like eversince then, even though he did
end up with some stuffed animals, this is our youngest.
Speaker 3 (19:25):
He didn't really have a desire to go back.
No, and you know, I I know someof those games are like
everybody's a winner.
They could have done somethinglike that right like pay the
money.
But with it being disney.
I know, trust me, I'm all aboutwinning and losing.
We have two very competitivekids and I am extremely
competitive when it comes tosports as well.
Speaker 2 (19:43):
Yes, he's not one of those like everybody's a winner.
No, they are not.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
Sorry if I offend you .
Speaker 2 (19:47):
But anyway.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
I feel like in this instance, though, when you're
paying so much money and onlylittle kids like to go in there
and play those games, becauseI'm always like you're wasting
your money, Don't you do that?
Speaker 2 (20:09):
You can have like a little it could have been like
everybody's a winner.
Speaker 3 (20:12):
You know right, yeah, and it might not be like the
big grand, no, you know stuffedanimal or something, but you
could have like a smaller one.
Speaker 2 (20:15):
That's just yeah.
Anyway, rant over moving onit's closed.
Speaker 3 (20:16):
Yes, sorry, sorry.
Expedition everest, one of myfavorite roller coasters, so
we're leaving this.
Speaker 2 (20:22):
We've lost another land we've.
We've left that dino land.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
We're now in asia and another land.
We've left Dinoland, we're nowin Asia and we are at the Great
Expedition Everest.
It is a large hidden Mickeywhen you look at it from above
it is one large hidden Mickey.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
Interesting yeah.
Speaker 3 (20:37):
And it has.
At the time, this was the mostexpensive roller coaster ever
built.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Because of a certain Yeti.
Speaker 3 (20:45):
I I don't know, it's just at the time of it, of it
being built.
It was the most expensiveroller coaster ever built.
Speaking of the yeti, the yetiinside has been nicknamed disco
yeti, so here's the story withthe yeti.
It is when it worked.
Apparently it was justterrifying it looked like it was
(21:06):
going to just reach out andgrab you.
Speaker 2 (21:08):
I've seen an old video of it and, yeah, it would
terrify me.
Speaker 3 (21:13):
I've never seen it work.
Speaker 2 (21:14):
No.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
And so that Yeti is massive and the amount of force
that Yeti would put on itsstructure cracked like it
couldn't sustain it because itwas just so much stress on the
structure itself that theanimatronic and so it quit
working probably about a year,year and a half it wasn't long,
(21:38):
it was not long and they havetried to kind of get it open and
kind of get it working and notthere's a big myth that they
would have to completelydeconstruct Expedition Everest
to fix it and that is not true.
A recent interview we watchedwith Joe Rohde there's an access
door behind the coaster thatyou can get into it right.
(22:01):
Okay, so it's its own littleseparate thing can get into it,
right.
Okay, so it's its own littleseparate thing, but the the
amount of money would take tofix it is is so significant and
there's just no willpower fromexecutives to do that right and
so joe already said it can't befixed, but it's a problem of
money and willpower yeah right?
(22:22):
yeah, I don't know if it'll everbe fixed, but it does look
pretty cool, though, when you goand buy it right, I mean well,
and sometimes if you don't knowwhere to look, like you, you
miss it.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
You do miss it so fast because I mean, I haven't
ridden it as many times as you,but the couple of times I have
ridden it, I think I'd say atleast one time I didn't see it,
but I just wasn't looking in theright area.
Um, but no, I mean, that makessense, though, like if the
rumors or myths of it, you know,not being able to be fixed
because it's so tied into theride itself.
(22:55):
It makes sense that that's notreally the case, because they
know they have to work on theseanimatronics and stuff you know.
Speaker 3 (23:02):
So how long would Expedition Everest be down as
well, because they couldn't workon the audio animatronics and
stuff you know.
So how long would ExpeditionEverest be down as well, because
they couldn't work on the audioanimatronic and have the
coaster still going at the sametime?
Speaker 2 (23:09):
Right.
Speaker 3 (23:10):
They just couldn't do it.
Speaker 2 (23:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (23:11):
So how long would it take Expedition Everest being
down, especially when there's somuch construction about to be
happening in Animal Kingdom?
That is a large attraction thatwould be down for a long time.
Speaker 2 (23:21):
Right, so yeah, and if as long as it's been down,
then they're probably not evergoing to fix it in my opinion?
Speaker 3 (23:28):
Probably not.
Yeah, expedition Everest, in myopinion, is the best queue in
all of Walt Disney World.
All of the items you see in thequeue are authentic and have
been used on treks to Everest.
I think that is just completelymind-blowing to me.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
That they're all authentic.
Speaker 3 (23:48):
I'm the guy in the queue that people are like you
can move.
I'm like no, no, no, just passme.
I'm just chilling.
I'm hanging out, becausesometimes that queue's not very
long, the wait's not long.
Speaker 2 (23:58):
But I can see people behind you, because we get that
way sometimes when people don'tmove and it's like like, why are
they not moving?
Speaker 3 (24:12):
like pay attention, I just wave them like just just
go, we're good, all right, wecould talk so much about
expedition everest, we reallycould.
Speaker 2 (24:16):
The backstory all the stuff, man, that's another
episode.
And even like, well, it's thewhole park, but even this whole
whole area around Everest.
I mean, there's so much detail.
Speaker 3 (24:28):
Yes, the detail in these parks are just yeah, but I
tried to find, pick and choosecertain stuff for this For the
episode, or we would be here forhours.
Speaker 2 (24:38):
Yes, I mean, I'm fine with that.
We're not going anywhere, Allright.
Speaker 3 (24:41):
So even though Beastly Kingdom never came to
fruition, did you know you canstill find a dragon in the park?
Did you know that I did not?
In the Mwahahahaha Jungle Trekthere is a kimono dragon.
Speaker 2 (24:57):
See, I just don't think of that as dragon dragon,
though, you know.
Yeah, but it's a dragon, it isyeah.
Speaker 3 (25:03):
It's a dragon In the kimono dragon.
I've seen a special on them.
They are brutal.
Yeah yeah, they can be Vicious.
You wouldn't think like.
When you look at them, you'relike, oh, it's not that big you
wouldn't think like.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
When you look at them , you're like, oh, it's not that
big no, no, they can do somedamage, man.
Speaker 3 (25:19):
Yeah, you can also find bengal tigers, which they
just had, a baby tiger.
You saw that like a month agono, I didn't know an animal
kingdom.
Yeah, they had a baby tiger.
You can find bats.
Speaker 2 (25:29):
They have a bat sanctuary in there and a bird
aviary that you can walk throughand there are a lot of pretty
birds in there and these tigers,like you know, it's one of
those just like at any park withanimals, you know, in zoos and
stuff that you know, sometimesyou're going to get really good
views of them and sometimes not.
It just depends on where theyare, you know, but there have
(25:52):
been times where we have gottenreally close views of the tiger.
Speaker 3 (25:55):
Views of the tigers, yes and again.
This walking trail is so welldetailed and themed.
Take your time going throughhere yes it's just, it's
beautiful, absolutely beautifulyes, all their trails are yes
all right.
So as we exit jungle trek, wecome up to cali River Rapids.
(26:16):
Did you know you can also findthe pop star Michael Jackson in
this area?
I had no idea.
No idea.
In the queue of Cali RiverRapids is a painting of Michael
Jackson on the attractionInteresting.
Pretty cool, huh?
So Cali River Rapids wasMichael Jackson's favorite
attraction.
Well, I don't know, but it was,and so, to honor him, after his
(26:39):
death, they added this to thequeue oh, I like that.
That is really cool.
Yeah, because he also did a lotof stuff for Disney too.
He did a lot of promotionalstuff, and you know that famous
scene of him in that rainbowtunnel from the the 80s I think
so that was at the imaginationpavilion in epcot.
(27:01):
Oh, okay, yeah, all right.
So we're moving on to africaand harambe village, harambe,
and there's so much detail here.
I just so so much, with theposters and the buildings that
look like they're falling apartand just like the modes of
(27:22):
transportation around.
So well done just love it.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
Yeah, and definitely all the buildings inside and out
, you know, and they're like allthe posters and signs like
they're they're there for asigns like they're there for a
reason.
They put them there for areason.
Definitely a lot of detail.
The food in the area is great.
Speaker 3 (27:43):
Yeah, that's another podcast though.
Speaker 2 (27:44):
Well, I know.
Speaker 3 (27:45):
The food is so good.
So here you'll find lots ofposters we're talking about
scattered around Harambee withthe name Captain Bob, which, if
you know anything about Disney,this person may look familiar to
you Like a certain.
Imagineer Captain Bob is basedon the legendary Imagineer, joe
Rohde, who was the leadImagineer for Animal Kingdom.
(28:09):
That's pretty cool.
Yes, there's a lot of Joe Rohdearound in animal kingdom.
There's like a roadie safaritracks and like there's just so
many little puns towards joeroadie.
It's really, really cool.
I just, I just really reallylike that.
You'll also see signs thatreference a year in 1961.
(28:31):
This is the year that kenyagained its independence, and
harambe is kind of modeled afterKenya, a little bit like a
village in Kenya.
Speaker 2 (28:39):
Right.
Speaker 3 (28:40):
There is also a hidden Mickey hiding in plain
sight.
Where is it?
So you'll see a painting ofMickey with the words Fishwa
Fellow, which means hiddenMickey.
Speaker 2 (28:52):
I think I have seen that.
Speaker 3 (28:53):
Yeah, I think it was one of my Disney trivias a while
back On the safari.
It may look like the animalscan freely roam right.
Speaker 2 (29:02):
Yes, they do a really good job.
Speaker 3 (29:03):
However, there are large man-made dividers just out
of sight from the safari truck,keeping all the animals from
leaving the area.
Also, if you notice, when youdrive over those bumps I forgot
what the name of them were butcattle and horses will just
stare at those.
They will not try to crossthose and they have the springs
(29:24):
across them.
Animals will not go throughthere.
Okay.
And if you notice, a lot of theanimal viewing areas are below
the road you're on.
Those are huge walls there.
They're not moving away fromthose, Like the elephant's
sanctuary right.
You're like oh, the elephant'sjust right there.
He's got that big pool in frontof him, you know, and there's
(29:46):
like this huge, like 20 foot gapthat if you really look for it
you can see it.
You're like yeah, he's not.
He's not getting through there.
Speaker 2 (29:59):
Yeah, but then you do have some animals that I mean
they do still stay in a certainarea, but like they roam across
the path that the trucks.
Speaker 3 (30:03):
Yeah, so the uh, the savannah is probably the largest
open space where the animalscan roam freely, but again, you
have those bumps before you getinto it.
And then you have those bumpsyou go over after you're going
into the elephant area, right,so those animals are not
crossing Into the area, intothose areas.
And then I've noticed there'sdoors that I'm sure they close
(30:26):
after they close Safari as well.
Speaker 2 (30:28):
Right.
Speaker 3 (30:28):
So those animals aren't, and they put the animals
up at night as well.
Speaker 2 (30:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (30:32):
But if you'll see those, they're like oh look,
there's tusk marks.
Tusk marks on the side overhere, you know.
Speaker 2 (30:39):
Mm, hmm.
Speaker 3 (30:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (30:40):
They can't really get over there.
The elephants can't get there.
Speaker 3 (30:42):
No, no, they can't get there.
Speaker 2 (30:45):
But if they could, they would do those markings.
They would really do that, yes.
Speaker 3 (30:48):
And so yeah, and have you ever wondered why the lions
are always laying on the rocks?
I had wondered that, but youhad told me this a long time ago
they pump air through them.
Yes, and so they lay on therebecause it's cooler.
Speaker 2 (31:03):
But they have a new family of lions now.
I did know that.
I forgot their names, becausethe other ones they retired them
, they retired them to asanctuary, but those old lions
had been there since parkopening.
Speaker 3 (31:14):
Right, that's a long time.
Speaker 2 (31:15):
Yes, yes, so we'll have to see the new ones, and if
you notice the rocks.
Speaker 3 (31:20):
There's like big gaps between some of those rocks.
Those lions are not leavingthat.
Speaker 2 (31:24):
That certain area, that area they can't get across
there?
Speaker 3 (31:26):
Yeah, no, all right.
So after you exit the safari,we highly recommend that you go
for a walk on the gorillas falltrails.
You'll see a family of gorillasthere that reminds us so much
of our family yes, there havebeen several times.
Speaker 2 (31:41):
We've seen families where it's like toddler ages,
you know, and bugging mom.
She looks like she's trying tonap and the little ones keep
going and poking at her, tryingto get her attention or hopping
in her lap and she has that momlook of oh here we go again,
kind of thing.
But then you also have aseparate section where you see
(32:02):
the bachelor gorillas.
Speaker 3 (32:04):
They can be bougie.
Speaker 2 (32:06):
Especially one that apparently likes to wash his
food again after they give it tohim.
Speaker 3 (32:12):
Yeah, yes, but the area where the bachelors are is
beautiful.
It really truly just I rememberbeing there one time very early
morning, just after parkopening, and I was just amazed
at how beautiful it was with thesun coming up I was just
beautiful.
I loved, loved, loved it nowmentioning being there early.
Speaker 2 (32:34):
Um, I don't remember the time that they let the whole
family of gorillas come out.
Speaker 1 (32:39):
It's a little bit later in the day.
It's a little later.
Speaker 2 (32:40):
Yeah, it's not like right at park opening or after
the first couple of safaris gothrough, it's like maybe like an
hour or so later, probably like9 or 10 o'clock yeah.
Speaker 3 (32:49):
Did you also know that you can draw with an
animator?
Speaker 2 (32:53):
Well, we have.
Speaker 3 (32:53):
We do know that Well we have, we do know that you can
take the Wildlife Express trainto Rafiki's Planet Watch and
Brittany you love this place, sowhy don't you talk more about
Rafiki's Planet Watch?
Speaker 2 (33:04):
Well, I love the fact that you do get to draw with an
animator and throughout the day.
You know it's like every hour Ibelieve, and it's not the same
character necessarily every hour.
They try to change it up, butit's not the same character
necessarily every hour.
They try to change it up.
But it's just real fun.
I mean, it's definitely step bystep on how to draw and you
(33:24):
know we've done things such asSimba and oh who's the dog from
Coco.
Oh, I can't think of his name Ijust forgot his name, but the
dog from Coco, we've done.
Speaker 3 (33:37):
He's got a goofy name .
Speaker 2 (33:37):
We've done Scar and a few others.
Speaker 3 (33:40):
Tuk Tuk.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
Yes, Tuk Tuk from Raya.
And so it's always just a funexperience because you know,
just like anything, you startdrawing and you're like how is
this going to turn into thatcharacter?
And before you know it it doesto that character and before you
know it it does, and so it'sjust really fun.
But there's a lot of otherthings.
Uh, over here as well, there'sa petting zoo with like farm
(34:02):
animals and everything and youcan brush some of them and feed
them and it's super cute.
And then they also have an areathat shows you Dante?
Dante is the dog's name yes,from Coco.
And then they also have an areawhere they show you how they
prepare the food and what theyfeed the animals and if they
(34:23):
were to have to do a special vetvisit with the animals, and
things like that.
Speaker 3 (34:28):
It's really really cool.
Speaker 2 (34:29):
Yeah, it's very informative, but me and our
youngest Nolan, we always reallyenjoy the drawing with an
animator part and on trips thatare a little bit shorter where
we don't get to go andexperience that, we're kind of
like aww, because he's beenactually collecting all of our
drawings and likes to hang themup.
Speaker 3 (34:46):
Yeah, no, it is definitely a very good time, and
the Wildlife Express train is agreat way to see some behind
the scenes parts of AnimalKingdom.
You see some of the houses thatthey keep the animals in, and
the train itself is so wellthemed.
Speaker 2 (35:02):
Yes, I just love every bit of it, like there's
luggage on top of it and all ofthat stuff.
It's just awesome.
Speaker 3 (35:07):
Yes, all right.
So, moving on to Pandora,satooli Canteen, one of the best
quick service restaurants onproperty.
Can't argue that.
It's just so good.
The building, however, used tobe an RDA mess hall from the
first Avatar movie those werethe bad guys, yes and has since
been repurposed as a peacefuldining spot run by Alpha
(35:29):
Centauri Expeditions or ACE,which you'll see throughout
Pandora.
The food there is amazing.
I know it's not a food podcast,but the food's amazing, the
atmosphere, the music just loveit.
Speaker 2 (35:43):
And some of their bowls and stuff.
Don't let some of the itemsthat they put in it, like the
boba balls and some other thingsdon't let that throw you off.
When you're ordering you canspecify with or without.
You know you don't have to geteverything that comes in those
bowls.
Speaker 3 (36:00):
Or just get the cheeseburger pods and there you
go, all right, heading to Flightof Passage.
If you look way up at the top,you'll see the start of the
waterfall, right.
Speaker 2 (36:14):
Yes, and it's very pretty.
Speaker 3 (36:15):
It is very beautiful Now the waterfall right.
Yes, and it's very pretty.
It is very beautiful now thewaterfall is real.
Speaker 2 (36:19):
It is very pretty I know, I know, but the way you
said beautiful, it sounds likeit was beautiful it is at the
very top where the waterfallstarts.
Speaker 3 (36:27):
That's not real water .
It's just a spinning wheel tomake it look like and it really
looks like water it really is.
Now the rest of the waterfallis correct.
It is actual water but way uptop is Now.
The rest of the waterfall isCorrect.
Speaker 2 (36:37):
It is actual water, but way up top is not, it is not
.
Speaker 3 (36:39):
Nope.
Also, while in the outsideportion of the queue for Flight
of Passes, just before you enterthe caves, look up and to the
left at the floating mountains,you'll spot a sting bat sleeping
upside down.
Sting bats are a predator inthe forest and the banshee's
favorite food.
Speaker 2 (37:00):
I don't know if I've seen the sting bat.
Speaker 3 (37:01):
The sting bat.
Yeah, We'll have to look whenwe go in February.
Speaker 2 (37:04):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 3 (37:05):
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, while you're in the labportion of the queue for Flight
of Passage, before we get tothis part, the queue here is
absolutely amazing.
Yes.
We do recommend getting themulti pat, whatever it's called
now, lightning lane, whatever,yes, the pay lightning for this,
but do it once to see the queue.
Speaker 2 (37:24):
It is beautiful yeah, if you can get there, like if
this is your rope drop ride, orif you get in line before a park
closes, then that those are thebest times to go through and
actually see the queue.
But if you're riding any othertime during the day it's long
and it's worth paying forshortcuts through the line.
(37:45):
So every time.
Speaker 3 (37:46):
We have gotten in line for this right before park
close.
It's still been.
The whole thing takes about 45minutes to an hour.
I don't think we've ever takenlonger than an hour to wait in
the queue and do the attraction.
Speaker 2 (37:57):
Right.
Speaker 3 (37:58):
And a bonus if it's not during the summertime,
you'll get out and get to seePandora at night, which we'll
talk about that more in a bit,but there's just a very short
time each year where you trulyget to see it at night.
So while you're in the labportion of the queue for Flight
of Passage, there's some really,really, really cool stuff in
there, like really unique coolstuff in there.
But what I want to talk aboutis you'll see an avatar floating
(38:21):
in a tank Hank.
He's been nicknamed Hank by thecast members.
Also in the lab portion of thequeue for Flight of Passage
there are books on the deskthere.
Some notable things here.
One of the books is written byDr jacqueline ogden, the banshee
expert you'll meet in thepre-show.
Yes, what you'll learn a lotabout jackie ogden in the
(38:43):
pre-show.
Also, quick little trivia thingshe also voiced one character
elsewhere in what disney world?
Where was that in the queue forstar tours?
She was the luggage droid inStar Tours.
Speaker 2 (39:01):
Interesting In the queue.
Speaker 3 (39:02):
Okay, another one is written by Dr Grace Augustine,
the botany expert played bySigourney Weaver in the first
Avatar.
And my favorite one is writtenby world-renowned primatologist
Jane Goodall.
She was instrumental in thedesign of the park and to honor
Jane, they made a carving of herfavorite shrimp, David
(39:24):
Greybeard, in the Tree of Life.
Speaker 2 (39:27):
I love that yeah.
Speaker 3 (39:28):
It's as you exit.
It's tough to be a bug.
Speaker 2 (39:30):
Okay, it's right there.
Hmm, okay.
Speaker 3 (39:33):
It's very noticeable.
Speaker 2 (39:34):
Right Once you know where to look, it's very
noticeable Right Once you knowwhere to look.
Speaker 3 (39:36):
It does not blend in with everything else, okay.
It's very noticeable, but wait,there's more.
As you exit Flight of Passage,you'll see three red handprints
on the wall with the initials JL, jc and JR.
John Landau, who was theproducer of the movie Avatar.
(39:56):
Jc stands for James Cameron,who was the director, and JR
stands for Joe Rohde, thelegendary Imagineer.
Nice, yeah, all right.
Near the entrance to the NaviRiver Journey, you'll notice
giant Navi footprints on theground.
I have not noticed these yet.
Speaker 2 (40:14):
No but.
I'm sure they're there.
I'm sure there's a lot ofdetail in the ground sometimes.
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (40:20):
And the bioluminescence at night we just
talked about is absolutely justbreathtaking.
Speaker 2 (40:26):
It is.
It is beautiful, yes, Now backup, though for just a second, to
Navi River Journey.
I know it's a ride that wedon't talk about a lot and we've
only ridden it once, mainlybecause it gets a long wait too.
But it is a relaxing ride andit has a very well done
animatronic in there as well.
Speaker 3 (40:46):
The audio animatronic is maybe one of the most
technologically advanced onesever done.
The movements on the Shaman arejust seamless.
Yes, it is great.
Speaker 2 (40:57):
It is really, really good.
So I just wanted to mentionthat, because you just kind of
coasted over.
Speaker 3 (41:02):
This is a step up from it's a Small World.
Speaker 2 (41:07):
Oh well, it's different from that, but it just
for the wait times.
Speaker 3 (41:15):
It's not worth it for us.
Speaker 2 (41:16):
For us, it's not worth it.
For us, it's not worth it.
No, but you know, if it werelike a like a 30 minute wait
time or something, then yes,yeah okay, and so the body
luminous is at night.
Speaker 3 (41:27):
I often think if walt was here today and I could take
him to any park, where would Itake him?
and you would do animal kingdom,I would take him to animal
kingdom one, because he'sfinally seeing his dream of
animals in the park come true,because he originally wanted
walt disney, originally wantedlive animals on the jungle
cruise right.
And then I think, showing himpandora at night I think would
(41:51):
just blow his mind because heloved the parks at night, that
was his favorite time of night.
And just to see theimagineering, andering and the
hard work that went into Pandorato make it look like you really
are immersed in Pandora.
Speaker 2 (42:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (42:07):
It's truly amazing.
Speaker 2 (42:09):
It's true, and I don't know how they're going to
continue to do the park hours.
In the past there were moremonths out of the year that I
feel like you could experienceit at night, but now for most of
the year they just they closeit so early that you really
don't get to to see it yeah,yeah, that's a shame it is, but
(42:30):
all right.
Speaker 3 (42:31):
So no more disney trivia.
Speaker 2 (42:33):
No, but I was gonna say since we don't have disney
trivia, do you want to talkabout some comments for
something we put out there today?
Speaker 3 (42:43):
so we're gonna, instead of disney trivia, we're
gonna ask questions every weekabout what we're talking about
this week, right?
So the first question was wouldyou rather eat at flame tree
barbecue or satouli canteen?
I don't want to name listenersnames on instagram because these
are private messages, but Iwill say we have cut me off
sorry you do it to me, I'm sorry.
Speaker 2 (43:06):
I'm sorry, go ahead, no go ahead.
Speaker 3 (43:08):
No, you're not that important nope, go ahead so the
it was split 50 50 on ourlisteners on satouli Canteen and
Flamish Barbecue.
I just love Satouli Canteen.
It's my happy place.
I can just sit in there, listento the music, have my
cheeseburger pod and have mywhat's that?
(43:29):
Beer, the green, beer, thegreen beer Grog.
The Grog beer.
Speaker 2 (43:36):
Grog Ale or something Whatever, you can only get it
there in Pandora.
Speaker 3 (43:41):
And that's my happy place.
Yeah, it's so peaceful.
Speaker 2 (43:45):
So Zach put that question up and I was even like,
ooh, that's a tough one,because I don't know, because
they're both their own, you know.
Speaker 3 (43:52):
They are different experiences.
Speaker 2 (43:53):
Different experiences .
Both have great seating areas.
So, thule, I prefer sittinginside than outside, especially
in the animal kingdom.
You make it hot, yes, and theyhave unique foods, but then
Flame Tree, of course, it'sbarbecue and we talked earlier
about.
You get a great portion forwhat you're paying and it's got
great seating as well.
(44:14):
So I was like, ooh.
Speaker 3 (44:15):
You just got to fight off the birds, yeah, so that
one's tough.
Speaker 2 (44:18):
It really just comes down to what do you feel like
eating?
Speaker 3 (44:20):
I think that day, or do you want to be inside or
outside?
Speaker 2 (44:22):
Right, that too, yeah , inside, outside.
And do you want barbecue or doyou want a bowl or the
cheeseburger pods?
Speaker 3 (44:30):
You know, the Satoula Canteen will win me it often
does.
Speaker 2 (44:34):
That's why we've only been to flame tree once so hey,
when it's good, it's good yeah,but then, uh, today.
So the recording of thisepisode is a little differently
than how we normally do.
But today, um, I posted aquestion about animal kingdom
specifically.
Is this park a full day or halfday park?
Speaker 3 (44:53):
hey, you better be careful.
You better be careful womanYou're treading on some
dangerous grounds right now.
Speaker 2 (44:59):
So it's only been posted so far for 10 hours, but
in the 10 hours it is exactly50-50, right now with the
comments.
Speaker 3 (45:06):
Really 50-50?
Speaker 2 (45:07):
Yes, I just got another comment.
Speaker 3 (45:09):
So what have they been?
Now, don't say that, listeners.
If you want us to say your name, let us know.
No, I'm not gonna say names butI'm saying if, if you, the
listener wants us to oh, we'lldo it, but if not, in the future
.
But just what have they beensaying?
Yeah, so I mean it's definitelythis is fighting words here, so
I'm just saying half of themsaid half day, half of them said
full day.
Speaker 2 (45:30):
So I know who I'm hanging out with so you one
comment was exactly worded asfull day all the way, and then
other comments were that werehalf day.
Then I reached out and said OK,well, do you mainly do the
rides, or go on differentwalking trails and eat there too
(45:51):
?
And so sometimes the responseswere the rides in a show or two,
or ride Expedition Everest asmany times as we can show, or
two, or ride expedition everestas many times as we can, and
then walk around pandora, eatfood at satuli canteen, grab a
drink at tiffin's lounge andthen nomad lounge, yeah, which
is nomad lounge, um, and youknow, and that's that's what
(46:11):
they do so that's a pretty goodI pretty good way to do it,
except they don't take time forthe trails.
Speaker 3 (46:17):
it sounds like Right, yeah, I mean, if you get on
board with doing ExpeditionEverest and going to Pandora.
I'm on board with that.
I'm completely on board withthat.
Yeah, but I'm going to spendmore time there.
Speaker 2 (46:27):
That said, half day was mostly rides.
They didn't even eat there lasttime, but you know it just
depends on what you have planned.
But you know it just depends onwhat you have planned.
But again, there have beenother responses that were like
full day, full day, full day,and they just didn't go into
detail of what all they did.
But a lot of times when it is afull day you know you are
eating in the park, you're doingthe trails, maybe riding a
couple of the rides multipletimes, taking it all in sitting,
(46:50):
relaxing, maybe going to NomadLounge.
You know things like that.
Speaker 3 (47:05):
I can spend a half day in Nomad Lounge yeah.
Yeah, but if you do go toRafiki's Planet Watch and you do
these trails and you do all theshows.
Festival of the Lion King is anamazing show yeah.
The Finding Nemo one's kind ofeh Like I didn't really care
that much for it.
Speaker 2 (47:14):
Right.
Speaker 3 (47:15):
And the Birds of Flight flight one, whatever it's
called.
Our boys loved that one.
Yeah, I didn't think they wouldlike it, but they they loved it
and then we just hang out, likewe just hang out at the tree of
life.
This is.
You're so rushed, go, go, go goduring your vacation.
Speaker 2 (47:30):
This park is meant for you to slow down it is this
is supposed to be your relaxinglike chill out yeah, and then
the most recent comment was youknow, a full day, especially
since they close earlyespecially when they close early
.
Speaker 3 (47:41):
You can still park, hop to somewhere else, but take
this time and slow down.
Yeah, look at the animals,listen to the music, read the
posters, go draw with ananimator you know, and take in
the cues that the like thedinosaur cues are so much.
Every time it's a short way fordinosaur, I'm like because I
(48:03):
want to see some of the stuffthat they have.
Right, expedition everest.
I will let people pass me.
I'm like.
No, I'm good you can go pastyeah the the queue at pandora
sorry flight of passage.
It's so good, it is so welldone that I think the queues
themselves can be attractions,if you take the time to slow
(48:26):
down and look at this stuffright they put a lot of time and
effort into these queues,especially at animal kingdom.
They I mean they took it up awhole nother level, animal
kingdom when it came to the cuesthey did, but you know in all
the parts except sorry, go aheadnow you're the one interrupting
now in all the parks.
Speaker 2 (48:43):
Not, you know, not every single ride is going to
have great cues, but the onesthat do have cues, you know
there's.
There's a lot more in thosecues than you think and
sometimes it enhances theoverall experience of the ride
it really does you know, um likeI'll throw an example out.
It's not our favorite, I knowit's quite a few other people's,
(49:03):
but, like in magic kingdom, um,when we did not experience the
cue for peter pan, it was like,oh, we felt like stuff had had
been missing from the ride.
Speaker 3 (49:13):
The cue helped us enjoy it more thoroughly yeah,
and I will say, the one queuethat is the exception at animal
kingdom is not every riverjourney.
Speaker 2 (49:23):
That queue just sucks yeah, they could have done a
better job.
Speaker 3 (49:26):
It's just not good and then as far as food goes,
the food here is phenomenal,except for pizza fari oh yeah,
don't get it out of there, don'tgo, don't go there with the
exception of those two things.
They knocked this park out ofthe water and it still continues
to just be amazing, and I thinkthe main secret of Animal
(49:46):
Kingdom that people don't get isto slow down.
Speaker 2 (49:49):
Right.
Speaker 3 (49:51):
Take the full day here.
I'm not saying rope, drop it,which we don't do that anymore.
But when you do, do don't leaveearly.
Take your time.
See the tree of life awakeningsat night, see pandora at night,
like, take the time here andexplore what is here to offer?
Speaker 2 (50:07):
that was the whole intent of this park was to help
you slow down and explore andget lost yeah, and if you don't
want to like eat like a fullmeal, like at a sit down or
quick service place, there areso many snacks we still got a
couple things to get when we goin February yeah, there are so
many snacks here and snacks thatyou're not going to find
anywhere else.
Now, some, yes, you're going tofind elsewhere, but some that
(50:29):
are so specific because of thetheming and everything you know
you've got Asia, africa, youknow, and so there's a lot of
unique things you can try and Ithink so we're eating.
Speaker 3 (50:44):
So friday, when we get there, we're eating at jico
for dinner, but I think we'rejust going to snack at the park,
right?
Speaker 2 (50:49):
yes, but I want to be able to thoroughly enjoy jico,
so I might not snack as much.
Speaker 3 (50:52):
no, that's a yeah, but I think on our last day, on
Sunday, we go to the bar at Yakand Yeti and see what the secret
menu has.
Speaker 2 (51:01):
Possibly, maybe, we will see.
Speaker 3 (51:03):
Because I want to revisit Yak and Yeti from when
we first went.
I did not have the best diningexperience there, right.
Because this is what I got.
I got steak Right right, rightyou don't go.
Speaker 2 (51:12):
Had was wonderful, yeah so I want to.
Speaker 3 (51:13):
I want to revisit this, all right, anything else
you want to say about this?
Or what do you think we've beentalking about with animal
kingdom or anything with theclosures, or anything like that?
Speaker 2 (51:23):
no, you know, I mean for us.
Personally, I think the currentclosures that are happening in
dino land we won't miss no uh,you know now when it comes time
for the the dinosaur ride.
Yes, you know, because that'salways been a ride that we've
enjoyed as a family and havegotten some goofy pictures of
the boys when waiting in linebeside like a dinosaur statue
(51:45):
and stuff like that.
You know so, so that one willbe missed.
But at the same time, just likewith anything you know, things
change and it's got to revolveand you got to evolve.
Yes, sorry.
Evolveve and you've got toEvolve yeah, sorry, evolve and
you've got to just kind of staywith the times and pay attention
to your audience and whatthey're going to want to see in
the parks, and so I think that'swhat we're seeing now, with
(52:08):
what's going to be coming withEncanto and Indiana Jones and
some other things.
Speaker 3 (52:15):
Well, my opinion on Indiana Jones was that was just
a cheap fix because they canjust.
I know it's not going to be thesame as in Disneyland, but they
already have most of the samestuff.
Speaker 2 (52:24):
Right.
Speaker 3 (52:27):
Walt said the parks would never be finished ever,
and I'm a true believer of that.
I just really hope they do there-theming justice.
I really hope that they keep tothe attention to detail and the
great theming as the rest ofthe park.
I hope they do not cheap outand just put it up.
(52:51):
Just to put it up.
Speaker 2 (52:52):
I really hope they don't do that Before knowing the
backstory.
I almost feel like that's whatthe carnival area felt like,
though, is that they?
Speaker 3 (53:02):
they cheaped out.
Speaker 2 (53:03):
You know the backstory, right, they're not
cheaping out no, but most peopledon't, and I think that's how
most people take have taken thatarea in the past but don't you
have a more?
Better appreciation of it now,once you know it.
Yes, yes.
Speaker 3 (53:18):
All right, so well.
Thank you everybody for joiningus.
We hope you've enjoyed thisepisode.
I don't know what we're goingto talk about next week.
Ooh, I do know what we're goingto talk about next week.
Okay, surprise, it's a secret.
Speaker 2 (53:28):
Okay, I'll find out soon podcast.
Speaker 3 (53:32):
The best way to do that is to share the show with
your friends.
Leave us a five-star rating andreview on Apple Podcasts.
Really appreciate it.
It really helps us to grow theshow and we have been getting
new listeners and we really doappreciate you joining us.
If you want to contact us, youcan email us circleofparks at
gmailcom.
Our website iswwwcircleofparkscom.
We're on Facebook, instagramand X, all at Circle Up Parks
(53:55):
and just thank you so much forlistening.
Can't wait to talk to you nextweek.
Speaker 2 (53:59):
Talk to you soon, thank you.
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