Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:21):
Hello and welcome to
Circle of Parks podcast episode
number 198.
Today we are talking about ifattractions in Animal Kingdom
are under, over or properlyrated.
There is far too much to seeand do.
We are here to help guide youthrough, but before we do that,
(00:41):
we must talk.
Disney merch this week's Disneymerch.
If you go to DisneyStorecom,you will see there is a new Walt
Disney World Starbucks mug for$24.99.
It's refreshed memories of themost magical place on earth when
drinking from this souvenir mugfrom Starbucks.
(01:01):
The sizable and sturdy ceramiccup has an all over dimensional
design Featuring popular WaltDisney World landmarks,
characters and symbols.
With it's contrasting interiorand handle, it's a colorful
reminder of your trips to thepark.
So again, ray's dimensionaldesign Includes Cinderella
Castle, spaceship, Earth,figment, tree of Life and the
(01:25):
Hollywood Tower of Terror.
I thought it was a uniquedesign in a way compared to some
of their others.
So that's why I chose this forthis week's Disney merch.
And I'm just really missingDisney right now, and so seeing
all those icons and charactersand stuff just kind of hit me.
So again, it's priced at $24.99, and that is this week's Disney
(01:46):
merch.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
Yeah, I'm really
getting the Disney blues right
now too.
It's been a while.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
It's been a long,
long time for us.
I don't think we've gone thislong in a very long time, maybe
like COVID.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Even with my trip
back.
When was my last November?
Speaker 1 (02:01):
That was like October
, November, Like early November.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
I went for my last
november I was like october,
november, yeah, like earlynovember I went for my my last
research trip.
Research, yeah, it's earlyresearch trip.
Um, yeah, I'm going again intwo weeks good for you,
something like that.
Sorry, guys I'm, I'm really,yeah, I'm really getting the,
the, you know, the disney bluesright now, and yeah it's.
(02:23):
This is what's keeping us going, though, is doing these shows.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
Yeah, because I mean,
as a family, we'll be there
soon enough, less than twomonths.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
We're less than 60
days out.
Erica's already gotten ourdining, dining reservations and
everything's done, booked, allthat Good to go.
We just got to do the multipasses we're going to do for
Magic Kingdom and HollywoodStudios right.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
Yeah, we'll see how
that goes.
I need to make sure we knowwhat days we're doing what part.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Yeah, and Erica can
do all that for you.
She can book your multi-passesfor you and single passes and
all that good stuff.
Erica can do all that for you.
We'll talk about her more in abit, but if you're new to the
podcast, thank you.
We've got a lot of newlisteners.
We appreciate you.
We really, really do.
I'm zach.
I'm britney and we do this showevery single week mostly, and
(03:13):
our, our goals are to help youget through the week.
It helps us.
It really does help us.
Right now we're in the bigdisney blues and the weather's
not helping.
Weather's not good here andevery now and then we just be
like should we keep doing thepodcast?
Yeah, and then we get messageswhich we'll get to at the end of
(03:33):
the episode that we're likeyeah, this is why you know.
And so we just, we just hope tohelp you get through the week,
bring some Disney magic to yourweek and help you have a better
Waltalt disney world ordisneyland vacation.
And that's what we do here.
Yeah, try to have some fun yesuh, try to get some layers of
the onion peeled back forinformation that you may not
(03:56):
have known, with disney and andjust yeah, just yeah, just to
help you get through the week.
So we're in animal kingdom.
Yes, our favorite park.
Yes, I'm just going to say itright now.
This whole park is underrated,everything in the park's
underrated.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Show's over no, no,
no, show's over no there's some
things I have a few opinions on.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
All right, so we did
this back, episode number 24 or
25.
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
Way back when.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
And we've added some
more to this, some of the shows
and experiences from thatepisode that we didn't do.
So let's go ahead and we'regoing to start off Brittany with
the Boneyard.
Now, what is the Boneyard?
A lot of people may not knowthis.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
Right, yeah, so it's
an attraction located in
Dinoland, usa, for now.
For now, because you knowthey're redoing that whole area.
But it's for now Because youknow they're redoing that whole
area, but it's for now.
Roam in an open air spacedesigned to look like a dinosaur
dig where young paleontologistscan play so you can be any
height.
It is geared more towards youknow, your younger kids and
(04:56):
toddlers, and so you're havingfun with fossils.
So kids ages 10 and under areinvited to go on these rope
bridges, climb throughmysterious caves and hurl down
twisting slides, and at the digsite you can dig up fossils from
Triceratops and T-Rex.
Discover lots more dino-sizedsurprises as you have a blast
(05:19):
digging up the past.
Parents of busy explorers canenjoy a shaded seating area at
the dig site where large fanshelp keep things cool, and we
used to do this a lot we have.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Yes.
So what did you think underover or properly rated?
Speaker 1 (05:36):
I said under because
I, yes, there's always been
people there when we would do it, but it wasn't ever crazy,
because I don't think in the digarea I don't think everybody
realizes that it's there, or youcould have parents that are
like I don't want you to getsand and stuff all over you, I
don't know, um, but if you needa moment to just let them get
(05:59):
some energy out and then youhave a shaded, cooler area to
sit um, this, we, we definitelytook advantage of that, uh, so I
say underrated completely agree.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
This is underrated.
I wasn't.
I'm not a big fan of like theslide area, because you can get
pretty hectic there that area,but the dig site, the dig site
is awesome, though, if you're aparent and you have kids that
are 10 and under and you justneed a break and let them get
some just energy out or justexplore a little bit, this is a
(06:31):
great place.
I've been known to take anadult beverage or two in here
and just sit down, hang out, letthe kids do their thing, and
you know, I know it's not sand,it's like granulated yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
When I said that.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Smaller rocks.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
Yeah, so it's not
sand.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
It can get in your
shoes, but it comes out a lot
easier than sand, and I rememberour second trip ever and I
remember walking through theairport because we went to
Animal Kingdom and then we flewout that night.
I remember having thisgranulated rocks in my shoes and
you were like, oh, I'm sorryyou got to him and I'm like, no,
no, no, it's good because it'sreminding me of them playing in
(07:12):
the dick site all right like itwasn't painful, it wasn't yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
I mean it was a
little annoying.
It just gives them a chance,not only for the energy but just
, you know, to be kids yeah,it's a good chill spot.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
I would say, yeah, I
agree, underrated.
How long it's going to be here,I don't know.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
Hopefully they will
replace it with something
similar.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
Right, because I
think kids and the parents need
something like this.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
Or I think they could
just re-theme this to what
they're doing there.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
And then keep it and
just have it themed differently.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
Right, that's what I
would think they could.
Shouldn't be that hard.
I'm trying to think what theycould like dig for with like
ruins and stuff, because it'ssupposed to be like central
america, right because likecentral american ruins or
something, like that right, yeah, yeah, and it would.
I mean it wouldn't cost much tojust simply retheme it right
and again, like, like zach said,the the slides and stuff area
(08:02):
can be a little busy, butusually the digging area not so
much.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
Yeah, all right, we
agree.
Yes, underrated, all right,moving on.
Where are we heading to next?
Speaker 1 (08:11):
Next, we're still
staying in Dinoland and heading
over to Dinosaur.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
All right so again.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
This will be here a
little longer.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
At least until the
end of the year, and as of
recording this, it is April 5th2025.
So at least until the end ofthe year.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
Yes, so it's a ride.
Okay, again, located inDinoland, you're traveling back
in time as a prehistoric race torescue a dinosaur before the
meteor strikes.
You do need to be 40 inches ortaller.
It is a thrill ride.
There's some small drops, canbe dark or scary for some of the
(08:49):
younger children, and so it'sagain a race against time.
A paleontologist recruits youfor a secret mission to bring a
3.5 ton iguanodon back to thepresent.
There.
Just one problem the giantmeteor that wiped out life on
earth is on its way.
(09:10):
So you're on this time rovervehicle, set off on a thrilling
adventure through this forestfilled with lifelike dinosaurs.
It is bumpy, it is.
You're driving over terrain andstuff.
Uh, you know, the dinosaurs aregoing to kind of pop out.
At times it can be a littleloud, but I think it's a fun
(09:31):
ride.
Now, when our youngest wasyounger, it did kind of scare
him a little bit the first timeor two.
Yeah, yeah, so do I find itunder over or properly rated?
I'm still saying underrated.
Speaker 2 (09:46):
Agreed Underrated.
This is a very fun attractionand every time we get on it
we're like, oh, this is a funattraction, Like we're all
smiling and laughing and havinga good time.
And very well themed.
I love the pre-show.
The story here is great.
The queue there's some reallycool stuff in the queue Inside
(10:07):
Inside the queue there's somereally cool stuff in the queue
inside inside, uh, the queuethere's some really good
artifacts and stuff to read andand the dinosaur fossils and
stuff.
I just really overall, I reallydo just love this attraction.
Never that long, but if it hasa very long wait, it's a really
busy day in the park yeah,exactly, usually it's roughly 30
minutes or less yeah you knowthere's been several times where
(10:28):
we've um been able to almostwalk on right.
Speaker 1 (10:31):
You know, just
basically waiting for like
pre-show kind of thing, yeahyeah, so I'm going underrated as
well, we agree we're two fortwo hey, all right, we agree.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
All right, we're
gonna move on from from Dinoland
and go where.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
So I'm a little
confused because on the website
this is still saying located inDinoland.
It's kind of Like border.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
It's between yeah, so
we'll say it's in Dinoland.
We'll go with what it says,okay.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
So this is a show, a
stage show Finding Nemo, the Big
Blue and Beyond.
So filled with puppets, singers, other performers set in the
underwater world of Finding Nemo.
It's roughly 25 minutes.
There's, you know, postedshowtimes on the app and website
(11:21):
throughout the day, usuallyalmost like every hour on the
app and website throughout theday, usually almost like every
hour on the hour.
Once I don't remember what theearliest show time is.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
As of right now, it's
showing today's show times as
well.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
Well, it's showing 11
, but it's because it is 11
there, so I'm wondering ifthere's an earlier time, but
anyway, oh, I'm sorry.
11 am, 12, 2, 33, 30 and 4 30yes, I guess the earliest show
time is 11 am, because I clickedon tomorrow just to see if we
missed any there you go allright.
So the big blue world live onstage.
(11:56):
So, again based on the movie,it's an exciting stage show
invites you to discover thefamiliar tale of nemo and
friends from a whole new pointof view, as well as fan favorite
songs such as Such as in theBig Blue World, and Go With the
Flow.
The adventure begins bycatching up with the fish from
Dr P Sherman's office in FindingNemo, who made their way across
(12:17):
the ocean to the Marine LifeInstitute.
With live performers, animatedbackdrops, theater decked out
with innovative lighting, sounds, special effects you know it
again, just a different tellingof it.
Uh, I think overall, like theydid a good job with it.
(12:38):
However, I feel that it isoverrated.
Wow.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
Okay, explain.
Speaker 1 (12:46):
I just I don't know
Like it was fun to watch, I
enjoyed it, but I just, I don'tknow.
I just felt like I don't thinkthey could have done anything
differently or whatever.
I just felt like, eh, it's aone and done for me.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
Okay, I'm going with
properly rated.
Okay, it's a one and done forme.
Okay, I'm going with properlyrated okay.
Um, it's a good show that theactors and actresses are very
talented they are, they are veryvery talented.
I think this show getsovershadowed by another great
show in this park, which we willtalk about later yeah so I
(13:23):
think that may be part of it,but I rated it properly rated,
because there's not any hypearound this show.
You don't really hear a lot ofpeople talking about it, right?
So I don't think it's over orunderrated.
I just I think it's my opinion.
I think it's properly rated.
Is it a bad show?
No, are we going to go watch itagain?
Probably not right.
Speaker 1 (13:43):
I feel like maybe it
could be slightly shorter.
I don't know I felt myselfgetting a little antsy towards a
little bored yeah I would agreewith that.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
It did run a little
long.
Uh, yeah, it is a differenttelling of it.
Again, the, the actors are arevery talented, but it's just
yeah.
That's why I went proper yeah,not over under, because no one
really talks about it, you knowso but the ones that do are like
(14:15):
oh, it's amazing, which, againgreat job.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
But I just, I don't
know, I think it could, yeah,
yeah, all right, we're moving onto asia yes, asia heading to
expedition.
Speaker 2 (14:30):
Everest legend of the
forbidden mountain and if I
remember back from the firsttime we did these, I almost got
up and walked out when you saidwhat you said okay.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
So anyway, kareen,
through icy himalayan peaks on a
speeding train, while avoidingthe clutches of the mythic Yeti.
Now, this height requirement isvery important.
You must be 44 inches or taller.
It's a thrill ride.
There are big drops, dark, yougo backwards, all of that stuff.
So they do check the height forsure on this one, if, if your
(15:03):
child looks kind of borderlinewith it.
Again, 44 inches, uh, yeti ornot, here he comes.
Okay, so you're like in Tibet,like in a village at the base of
Mount Everest, in board a trainto the top of the world.
Beware, some say, a legendarysnow monster lives deep in the
(15:27):
mountain.
After a steep ascent, yourtrain picks up speed and races
into the darkness Withoutwarning.
A broken and twisted trackappears in front of you.
Brace yourself as you plummetbackward into total darkness
which would have been nice ifI'd known that ahead of time.
Inside the cavern, the mythicaltale comes true as you see the
(15:48):
shadow of a massive growlingbeast.
Race to escape the cursedmountain before the Yeti claims
another expedition.
Now, some parts of this may bescary for children.
This attraction features loudnoises, fast drops, high speeds,
dark places, frighteningcreature effects.
So, first of all, the themingleading up to the mountain
(16:11):
before you're even to theattraction, I feel like is kind
of setting the tone.
Yes, because you can see itfrom far, far away and they did
a really good job throughout theAsia area of this park, so I
think it just builds.
I'm going to let you talk moreon everything else, so that's
(16:32):
why I'm just leaving it at that.
Zach's going to dive in moreinto, like the queue and all of
that stuff.
But from what I haveexperienced from it, I say I
haven't walked through the queuebut I've done the right a
couple of times and I sayproperly okay.
Speaker 2 (16:51):
Last time you said
underrated okay, and I about
walked out of here.
Speaker 1 (16:55):
That was almost our
last podcast we were only like
25 in uh-huh, okay, so uh, but Iput properly okay, um, I'm
going under.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
The wait for this is
usually not that long.
If there's a long wait for this, it's really busy in the park.
Normally it's under 30 minutes.
The theming on this is just onpoint, just like everything in
Animal Kingdom.
The theming here is on point.
The storytelling is on point.
The cue the theming here is onpoint.
(17:32):
The storytelling is on point.
The queue it is the mostdetailed queue I've ever.
All the artifacts in the queueare from.
Sorry if you can hear somethingin the background.
Our dog is scratching theirpaws right outside of our door.
Speaker 1 (17:41):
Yep, so I apologize
for that.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
Sorry for that.
Sounded like rain hitting thewindow for a second.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
Yeah, I was like what
is that?
But if you've been listening toour show for a while, you've
heard Zach talk about this queueseveral times the artifacts.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
These are not props.
What's in this queue are notprops.
These are actual items thatwere used on treks to Everest in
the base camps.
They were used on treks toEverest in the base camps.
They were used on Everest.
They were used in the basecamps All of that.
This is the real deal.
This is not a prop they came upwith, and so that just the
authenticity alone here is justamazing.
(18:19):
The coaster was at the time themost expensive roller coaster
ever made.
It's just everything you wantin a Disney attraction.
Speaker 1 (18:31):
Right.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
Original IP.
This is not a story that youknow original Disney story.
The theming is on point, thestorytelling you're going
through.
You know it's ExpeditionEverest Legend of the Forbidden
Mountain.
You see a lot of the teareferences and Amandapur tea
company and all that.
You're going through themountains to get tea and that's
what it is and you're notactually going to Everest.
(18:55):
You're going to the ForbiddenMountain.
The top peak here is notsupposed to be Mount Everest.
This is the Forbidden.
People don't know thatinteresting uh, so again, just
never that long of a wait.
If it is, it's a really, reallybusy day in the park.
(19:17):
Underrated the cue, the story.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
You're fully
enthralled into the storyline
and I love every bit of it yeah,like I put properly, because I
feel that you do hear peopletalk about this ride more when
when I hear people talking aboutanimal kingdom, this is one of
the first things that they say.
But I almost wonder sometimestoo, if they don't, if it
(19:40):
doesn't have a long line,because they they board quickly
they do turn them out.
Yeah, really, it's like incredit, because there's how many
on the track at one time?
Speaker 2 (19:48):
usually three yeah I
think yeah, usually three it's
like in credit Credit Coaster.
They pump people through therequick.
Speaker 1 (19:54):
Right, that's in DCA.
But yeah, because I mean evenlike if you're watching outside
at one of the outside drops,like as that train's coming down
, you see another one going up.
So you know there's at leasttwo there.
Speaker 2 (20:09):
So when one's going
up, the one's going up into the
mountain, one's coming down themountain, there's always going
to be one in the station as well.
Okay, getting unloaded andloaded.
So they do turn people throughhere really quick.
It's got a really high ridecapacity per hour, but again,
it's still never more than 30minutes, right, but on really
busy days it'll get an hour plus.
(20:30):
So that's why it's stillunderrated, because there's just
so much here and people do talkabout it and I can understand
your proper rating on it.
But yeah, on our Instagram pollwe had one person that said
something different.
We'll get to that in a bit.
You may want to rethink yourlife choices and all the
decisions you've ever made inyour entire life.
(20:50):
All right, moving on.
Moving on Staying in Asia.
Speaker 1 (20:55):
Yes, staying in Asia,
Cali River Rapids.
Set out on a thrillingwhitewater adventure through a
lush jungle in the heart of Asia.
You must be 38 inches or taller.
It's a thrill ride.
Water ride, small dropsspinning.
So you're rafting down arip-roaring river, skim across
an erupting geyser, drift belowa canopy of lush vegetation and
(21:17):
be whisked along fast-movingrapids, graze, gushing
waterfalls and bedrock amid theraging current.
Then, as the harmony of natureis disrupted, you'll plummet
down a dramatic 20-foot slope.
You will get wet.
You will surely get splashed on, if not soaked.
Guests wishing to remain dry areencouraged to bring a
(21:40):
waterproof poncho, extra clothesor towel to dry off.
There's lockers for mobiledevices and all of those things
as well at the entrance of theride.
And yeah, so keep all of thatin mind, because it's one of
those.
You don't know who's going toget wet.
It's all about how this theraft spins and everything you
(22:04):
know.
One side might just get thelittle splash.
The other side you could be, asit said, soaked, where you're
wringing out your clothes.
And I've seen people gettingoff of this ride and they're all
coming off the same raft andhalf of them aren't so wet and
the other half are like theyjust got out of the shower.
So, um, I'm not going to ratethis because I have not ridden
(22:26):
on it.
So, yeah, I just wanted to givethe description I agree.
Speaker 2 (22:31):
No rating as well.
We have not done it either umy'all have tried a couple of
times so I know we said in ourlast when we went on a trip last
summer that we were going to doit me and nolan were going to
do it.
However, after being just beatdown by that whole trip, the
coast to coast flying reallytakes a toll on your body, and
the time difference, and allthat the day we did animal
(22:53):
kingdom.
Speaker 1 (22:54):
It was extremely hot
and this would have been perfect
this would have been perfect,but we were just worn out and it
had an extremely long line thetime we were going to do it, me
and nolan.
Speaker 2 (23:04):
It was a 60 minute
wait and we were just so hot, we
were so tired, we were justlike no yeah that was the moment
we went to nomad lounge andwe're just like sat in there for
like two hours Right To cooldown and yeah so, so, yeah.
Speaker 1 (23:19):
So we can't, we don't
want to rate it when we haven't
done it.
However, you know, if, if youlike wet rides and the surprise
of am I going to get it or not,kind of thing, and and you're
prepared to be either soaked ornot, you know, I mean it could
be, you know, a really fun ride.
Now, there are times, like wesaid, that day, it was a long
(23:39):
line, but there are times whereit's not at all.
Speaker 2 (23:41):
No, and no one, and I
both have said we are going to
do it this summer.
Yeah, long wait or not, wedon't care right so, and it may
not end up being like it was a60 minute wait.
I probably doubt it was a 60minute wait, but at the time
we're just like, no, we're not,yeah, not doing that, but this
time um next two months.
Speaker 1 (24:01):
For now we are going
to do it, we'll wait whatever
and see, and normally too, inthe past, like I know, those
were like two trips combined, um, but we usually end on animal
kingdom.
But I think we're thinkingabout changing the days that we
do Animal Kingdom so we don'tfeel so tired.
Yeah yeah, no rating.
(24:22):
No, no rating, no rating.
All right, moving on, still inAsia.
Speaker 2 (24:27):
Still in Asia.
Speaker 1 (24:28):
The Marahah.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
Marahah.
Speaker 1 (24:31):
Jungle Trek.
So any heights, all ages, it'sa trail that you're walking down
and you're going to see manydifferent wild animals, as well
as tigers, and it's the themingthrough all of this.
You know there's toweringfootbridges.
Roam around jungle bins, beholdcascading waterfalls and stand
(24:53):
in the shadow of a palace frozenin time.
Hop into a chirping aviarywhere there are over 50 species
of birds and some other animalsthat you may see.
Besides the Asian tigers aregibbons, elds, deer, black buck,
komodo, dragon.
No what I'm just reading.
I don't know what that animalis.
Speaker 2 (25:13):
You said black buck,
that's what it says, okay, I
thought you said somethingdifferent no, this is a family
show.
I don't okay.
Speaker 1 (25:19):
I said black buck,
okay, komodo dragon, malayan
flying fox, water buffalo andthen again the birds.
So, uh, we have definitely seenthe komodo dragon, we've seen
the water buffalo, I believe.
We've seen the birds, we'veseen the gibbons and we've seen
the tigers.
Now, you know, the tigers havea decent area to roam around, so
(25:42):
there may be times where yousee them up close, like we have
like right there in front of you, and then there's other times
you might be kind of peeringaround things to see it, or you
may not see it at all, but, um,it is definitely a very pretty
tropical forest.
I say yeah, and so I putunderrated, because I feel like
(26:04):
the trails here, just people areeither rushing through it, not
appreciating everything that ithas to offer and taking the time
to see the animals and otherdetails.
Um, you know, I think whenyou're thinking theme parks,
there's so many people that arejust like ride, ride, ride, ride
, ride.
You know, um, but there's a lotmore to see in this park than
(26:25):
just that and, as we've saidbefore, this park is meant to
make you slow down.
Speaker 2 (26:30):
Yes, so I put
underrated I agree, I'm
surprised and shocked.
Speaker 1 (26:34):
You did not talk
about back, so oh, I forgot
about back so well, it's becausewe haven't seen him in person
yet if we had done our couplestrip that we had to cancel, you
know.
So, yes, there's a baby tigernamed back so he's just very
playful any videos we've seen.
Speaker 2 (26:52):
Loving with his mom
and dad.
Speaker 1 (26:55):
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (26:56):
Yeah, baby Tiger, go
check it out.
Speaker 1 (26:58):
Yeah Well, because we
haven't seen him ourselves.
Speaker 2 (27:01):
I can't believe she's
going to talk about Baxo.
You never mentioned him.
Yeah, okay, I agree, underratedGreat, this is off the beaten
path.
You have to look for this.
It's not going to just jump outat you, be right there.
So that's why I think a lot ofpeople don't do it, because you
have to go out of your way tofind this path.
Speaker 1 (27:22):
Yes, this trail
Underrated.
Speaker 2 (27:24):
There's some great
stuff the tigers I like the bat
area.
Speaker 1 (27:28):
I think that's really
cool.
Speaker 2 (27:30):
The aviaries place
kind of scares me a little bit.
You don't want to get pooped onthat and I just I don't know,
it's just, you're walking intotheir world.
Speaker 1 (27:41):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (27:42):
And it just makes me
a little uneasy, but I do.
The storytelling here is great.
The trail is great.
It's a.
It embodies what Animal kingdomwas supposed to, is and was
supposed to be.
Joe rody the imagineer, thatthat lead imagineer, do you know
(28:02):
?
He didn't even want park mapsor signs up in the park?
Oh really, because he wantedyou to explore and find things.
Speaker 1 (28:10):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (28:11):
He didn't want people
to go know where they were
going.
So that goes to slowing youdown and just stumbling upon
stuff, which I think is justawesome.
But I think this is that youkind of have to stumble upon
this because it's not off themain path.
I mean, it is off the main pathbut it's not.
Speaker 1 (28:33):
It's further back in
it and there's not flashy
signage leading you there.
Speaker 2 (28:36):
No, so underrated.
I think it's great and yeah,there's some great animals on
there, some good.
Relax, take your time, slowdown, enjoy that.
Yeah, I agree.
Yeah, all right.
Speaker 1 (28:49):
All right, all right,
still in Asia.
Okay, feathered friends inflight.
Join the animal behaviorspecialist for a
behind-the-scenes look at thefree-flying birds of Disney's
Animal Kingdom Park.
Visit Anandapur Theater tolearn how these specialists care
for and train their featheredfriends.
This is all ages 35 minutes.
(29:11):
It's usually every hour, on the30, I believe.
So like 10, 30, 11, 30, stufflike that, or just about every
hour I think they have a littlebreak, a little longer of a
break, midday.
So, um, yeah, so exactly whatit said.
You know how they train them.
Um, there's different thingsthat some of the birds may like
(29:32):
go and seek out while they're inthat theater, or or say even
it's you know, a show againwhere they are free flying.
So if you don't like birdsflying around, you might not be
your thing, but I put properlyrated okay just because people
(29:53):
that you don't hear a lot aboutthis show, but people that are
aware of it and everything andand how they enjoy it or or not,
I just think it's properly okay.
Yeah, I would underrate it okay, because I don't.
Speaker 2 (30:08):
You don't ever hear
anything about it, you don't
really hear about it, and I wentunderrated for one reason, or
one reason only.
So our oldest ryan's in middleschool now and he's starting to
be at the age where stuff's notcool anymore, you know, and we
went to this show and he lovedthis.
He thought it was funny, hethought it was entertaining and
informative and I remember himwalking out of that show was
(30:30):
like wow, that was.
That was really really funny.
I really liked that show andfor a middle schooler, Well, at
the time, he wasn't.
Speaker 1 (30:36):
No, he was, he was
yeah.
Speaker 2 (30:38):
For a middle schooler
to say that.
That's telling you something,right there, I think.
Speaker 1 (30:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
And so, based on his
reaction to this show, is why
I'm going underrated.
Speaker 1 (30:48):
I can see that I
debated under or proper Because
there's no hype around it.
Speaker 2 (30:52):
You never hear
anybody talking about it, you
never see any influencers orYouTubers going to it.
But when our 13, 12-year-oldson walked out of that going,
that was really really good,that stuck out.
That stuck with me.
Okay, so underrated.
All right, you may find it moreentertaining than you think.
Speaker 1 (31:11):
Yeah, I mean it did
entertain me for a longer period
of time than I thought it would.
Yeah, yeah, okay, all right,moving on.
So going into Africa, theWildlife Express train.
Speaker 2 (31:26):
We're in Harambe now.
Speaker 1 (31:27):
Cross the African
savanna on a rustic locomotive
for a behind-the-scenes look atthe park's animals.
So you can be any height, allages.
It's a slower-moving train andyou can get on it between 9.30
to 4.30.
Okay, okay, so 9.30 in themorning to 4.30 in the afternoon
, and so you're boarding thistrain for a peaceful,
(31:49):
seven-minute 1.2-mile journey toRafiki's Planet Watch, an area
dedicated to preservation andconservation of animals.
Get a close-up look at theinner workings of Disney's
Animal Kingdom theme park andenjoy fascinating educational
activities for all ages.
Travel past animal housing andveterinary facilities for our
resident rhinos, elephants andmore.
After you visit Rafiki's PlanetWatch, board the wildlife
(32:12):
express train for your ride backto Harambee Africa.
So I put that this isunderrated.
Speaker 2 (32:21):
Agreed.
Speaker 1 (32:22):
Yep, you know several
people do take the train and
everything, but you're usuallythe line is usually just waiting
for the next one.
Yes, so it's never like crazybusy or anything like that, and
sometimes I feel like this isalmost a little hidden.
It is as well like you do see afew signs for it, but again
nothing like flashy to reallyjump out at you, and you know
(32:44):
you're only going to really seeit if you're already walking in
this area, right?
So uh, because I don't think weknew about it the first couple
of times I remember seeing thesigns for it, but I was like eh.
Yeah, okay, so, yeah, so I putunder, I put underrated as well.
Speaker 2 (32:59):
I agree we're pretty
spot on with this Great theming
here.
This is amazing theming.
Yes, the details they put onthe train and the station.
It's great the train ride toRafiki's you get to see the
housing of the animals, like theelephants and the tigers not
the tigers, but the lions.
Speaker 1 (33:22):
I know Sorry.
Speaker 2 (33:24):
I'll just stop
talking.
No go ahead.
I just love that.
I love the behind-the-scenespart of it Great theming.
I think it is very underrated.
It really ties in the story ofHarambe and Animal Kingdom, just
with the detail and there's anod to this in the Magic Kingdom
(33:44):
, in the train station, if youwant to know where you got to
buy my book whenever it comesout Okay.
Speaker 1 (33:50):
So yeah, underrated
Yep, I agree.
Speaker 2 (33:53):
Planning a Disney
vacation can be overwhelming,
but that's where our new sponsorcomes in.
You've heard us talk about herfor a long time and now she's
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with Wishes Code Travel Planning.
As a travel plannerspecializing in Disney
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Speaker 1 (34:27):
We're thrilled to
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Speaker 2 (34:53):
So if you're dreaming
of a magical Disney trip, she's
the expert you want on yourside, ready to plan.
Reach out to Erica atTravelPlannerEricacom or follow
her on Facebook and Instagram atTravel Planner Erica.
Yeah, erica is great.
We use her for all of ourvacation planning needs.
And go check out their podcast.
Once upon a park podcast.
(35:14):
They took some jabs at us withtheir last episode.
Uh, with our the epcot overunder or properly rated, they
came at us yeah, it's okay.
Speaker 1 (35:24):
And then on social
media just yesterday with some
churro stuff we're going backand forth at it man.
Speaker 2 (35:30):
So if you want wrong
opinions, go check out their
podcast Once upon a park podcast.
If you want an amazing travelagent to plan your vacation, go
check her out.
Travel planner Ericacom.
We again, we love her.
We use her for everything thatwe do, all of our vacations.
And if you want to listen tobad opinions, go check out once
(35:51):
upon a park podcast.
Speaker 1 (35:52):
If you want to listen
to Bad Opinions go check out
Once.
Upon a Park podcast.
But again, like we were sayingearlier, she made our dining
reservations for us just about aweek ago.
We didn't have to wake up earlyto do it.
She got the ones we wanted,even the one that just me and
our youngest are going to do,and so we're very thankful and
excited for that.
Speaker 2 (36:11):
And it's all in good
fun.
Yes, all right.
Yes, all right.
Speaker 1 (36:13):
Yes, our jabs to each
other.
Speaker 2 (36:15):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (36:15):
Yes, all right.
So we had mentioned Rafiki'sPlanet Watch when we were
talking about Wildlife Expresstrain, and so Rafiki's Planet
Watch and the ConservationStation, so it's any height, all
ages.
Get an in-depth look at animalhabitats around the globe and
see the expert veterinary carethat the animals receive and I
(36:37):
believe now you can meet Timonand Rafiki here I think that
started last summer and you geta close-up look at the place
where they care for the animals,like the veterinary treatment
room, and even glimpse aprocedure in progress if there's
one.
There's a nutrition center, soyou're seeing how they prepare
meals for the park's residents.
There's amphibian reptile andinvertebrate windows Creep over
(37:00):
to see some of the tarantulas,scorpions, millipedes and snakes
.
Yuck, sorry, I'm not a reptileamphibian person.
So, and then there's a sciencecenter where you check out what
the resident scientists areworking on, but also, in this
same building, you get to drawwith animators as well.
Speaker 2 (37:23):
So I don't see that
on the website anymore.
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (37:27):
So in the past,
because I was wondering that
since it wasn't listed, so weneed to do some digging and
maybe talk with Erica on this aswell.
In the past, even like a yearago, there was a section of this
building where you could drawwith an animator, and it would
be an animator that had been incharge of drawing one of the
(37:50):
characters from different movies, like we've done characters
from Lion king and uh, I'mdrawing a blank, so many
different ones yeah, yeah,different characters.
Speaker 2 (38:02):
So what do you rate
it?
Speaker 1 (38:03):
um, so I'm rating it
under because I still don't
think like what we were saying,because of the train and
everything too, that peopledon't always realize what all is
here, you know, or they don'twant to take this train ride and
slow down for a little bit fromthe rides and shows to see all
(38:23):
this.
Speaker 2 (38:24):
I agree this is an
underrated thing.
I'm not big on the animal likethe petting zoo.
Speaker 1 (38:29):
I could care less
about that.
A petting zoo would like farmanimals there.
Speaker 2 (38:33):
But I do like the
conservation station.
I do like getting to get somebehind the scenes things right,
like you see the hospital andhow they feed them, and I think
it's just a nice break from thepark, which isn't a hectic park,
but this is even more relaxingthan being in the main park.
(38:55):
I do like seeing all of that.
I love the animation stuff.
I don't know if it's stillthere or not.
I didn't see it anywhere on thewebsite.
Speaker 1 (39:02):
Yeah, I'll have to
research.
That makes me think it's not,which would be a shame because
it's so cool to do that.
It is, and I feel like adultsand children enjoy doing it, and
then if the children gotdistracted, they would bring out
like coloring sheets for theminstead.
Speaker 2 (39:18):
Well, it's in a very
beautiful setting as well, like
it's just very peaceful andrelaxing, and yeah, I hope it's
still there.
If it's not, you know, I youknow.
Whatever it is, what it is.
Speaker 1 (39:30):
It'll be sad, though,
because it was something that,
every time we went there, we wedid almost 90% of the time.
Speaker 2 (39:36):
Yeah, so yeah Good.
Speaker 1 (39:39):
And our youngest
likes to keep those drawings and
right now he has all of ourslike on on one of the walls in
his room.
He does.
So yeah, so yeah underrated,yeah, underrated.
Speaker 2 (39:49):
I think it's a great
addition to Animal Kingdom.
I think it's something that Iwould hope would stay, because
it's a good break from theeveryday not the everyday, but
it's a good break from your parkday to go here and check some
stuff out and slow down.
Speaker 1 (40:05):
Like your typical
theme park day.
Yeah, Yep.
Speaker 2 (40:08):
All right, staying in
Africa.
Where are we going next?
Speaker 1 (40:10):
Kilimanjaro Safaris.
Set off in an open air vehiclefor a guided tour of lush
African savanna and spot realanimals roaming free.
Now you can be any height, allages.
It's not like a super fast rideand it's a truly wild adventure
.
Explore the Harambe WildlifeReserve, home to over 30 species
(40:33):
living in 110 acres ofpicturesque open plains, shady
forest landscapes and rockywetlands.
Your rugged safari vehicle isdriven by an expert guide who
helps point out animals andshares fascinating facts during
this 18-minute expeditionRoughly 18 minutes.
Speaker 2 (40:50):
It can be longer.
Speaker 1 (40:50):
It can be longer
because they try not to disturb
the animals or scare them off,you know.
And so sometimes the animalsare crossing the path and decide
to stop, and so you have towait till they move.
So, um spot, a lounginghippopotamus nestled in a
peaceful pond, behold a regallion sunbathing on rocky perch,
(41:12):
drive past a towering giraffegrazing on the tall trees, or a
white rhino relaxing in the coolmud.
And then there's many, manyother animals as well, including
cheetahs, crocodiles, elephants, painted dogs, zebras and more.
And yes, there have been somany times where there have been
giraffes, literally right bythe vehicle.
Yep, you know so.
Um, they have a mind of theirown, as it says.
(41:34):
So every expedition is a uniqueand unforgettable experience,
you know so if you ride itdifferent trips, different times
of the day, like it's not goingto be the same every time,
because they're not always goingto be in the same places.
Yeah, yeah.
So I put properly rated becauseI think this is one ride that,
(41:55):
when you think animal kingdom, asafari, you know it's one that
a lot of people go to.
Um, that rope drop, it doesn't,you can't board it, right, then
you have to wait.
What is it?
Speaker 2 (42:08):
the 30 minutes when
it's normal open time yeah, yeah
, when it's normal open time.
Speaker 1 (42:11):
Yeah, yeah, when it's
normal open time is when they
start loading, so, um, but Idon't know.
I think it's properly, becausewhen you hear people talking
about this safari, a lot ofpeople are excited for the
animals that you get to see, andespecially if you hear families
talk about it, you know, I'veheard a lot of kids like, oh,
the giraffes are right next toour vehicle, or we had to stop
(42:32):
for a while because so and soanimal was in our way, and so
that's just what I've heard.
I know there's some others outthere, including on our our poll
, that are, you know, thinkingotherwise.
Um, but I think it is properlyrated I agree this is a properly
rated attraction.
Speaker 2 (42:51):
This is everything
this park is about the
conservation of animals, rightright, education and
conservation of animals, andthis is what Walt really wanted.
Walt originally wanted liveanimals on the jungle cruise, so
I think Walt would love, love,love.
This it's.
It's great I love.
(43:12):
So you talked about a lot ofthe giraffes coming right next
to the vehicles.
Speaker 1 (43:16):
I've been on it quite
a few times where the rhinos
are right up to the vehiclesokay and you get really close
with the rhinoceroses yes, yeah,I haven't, but you've gone
different times of the day, soI'm when I go do my book
research trips.
Speaker 2 (43:31):
Uh, the rest when I'm
done doing the research of the
land, I the rest of my day Iusually go to either Epcot or
Animal Kingdom, and more oftenthan not I usually go to Animal
Kingdom because this is sopeaceful and relaxing.
That's how I like to end theday before I come home, and in
the evening I don't do the lastride, but I do one of the last
rides and the rhinos usually arelike right up next to the
(43:55):
vehicle, so they're out more inthe evening.
Yeah, okay, it's not as hot, andso we have had to wait 10 or 15
minutes several times for therhinoceroses to move out of the
way right the white rhinocerosesokay yeah, the ones at the end,
not the ones you see in thebeginning okay, yeah but yeah,
uh, properly rated.
It's different every Like yousaid.
I just wish they would dosomething with this queue.
(44:16):
The queue here sucks.
Speaker 1 (44:19):
They could do a lot.
Come on, you can do somethinggreat with this queue.
Speaker 2 (44:24):
Instead, you just
wrap around this maze.
Speaker 1 (44:27):
There's so many
switchbacks, it's just you could
do.
Speaker 2 (44:31):
Come on Disney.
Yeah, you dropped the ball onthis, on the queue.
You dropped the ball here.
Speaker 1 (44:36):
On the queue, you
could do much better with the
queue.
Speaker 2 (44:39):
The ride is great.
I think this is everything thatyou should be doing at this
park.
Properly rated, I think, isgreat.
It's either no wait or a verylong wait and it's just great.
Yeah, properly rated.
Can't recommend this enough.
Not overrated, not underratedthe hype, it is worth the hype.
Speaker 1 (44:59):
Completely agree.
Yep, yep, all right.
Still in Africa, going toGorilla Falls Exploration Trail.
So trek through a lush tropicalforest and spot gorillas,
hippos, zebra and more in theirnatural habitats.
Again, this is a walking trailany high, all ages.
The trail is open currentlyfrom 8 15 am to 6 30 pm and the
(45:23):
the habitats, I guess you couldsay, are just beautiful.
You're meandering along thewinding pass through pangani
forest and encounter africAfrican animals at every turn.
Peer at a meerkat on a rockyperch or a zebra on the savannah
.
Come face to face with a gentletroop of western lowland
gorillas on a grassy hillsideDuring your self-guided tour.
(45:45):
Snap pictures from convenientobservation stations and learn
about Disney's globalconservation efforts to protect
animals like this in theirhabitats.
So I thoroughly love this trail.
We do it just about every timethe gorillas, depending on what
(46:06):
time of day and everything.
Obviously, if you go like firstthing in the morning, the
family, the little ones, areusually not out yet.
Speaker 2 (46:13):
They don't come out a
little bit later?
Speaker 1 (46:14):
Yeah, they come out a
little later, so keep that in
mind.
But they have the bachelors ina different section out and
about and you have a or I thinkhe's still there A very bougie
one that has to drink water fromlike a certain cup and wash his
food more even though it'salready been washed, like he's
(46:35):
very like his way, kind of thing.
So you're still going to seethose gorillas, you, just if
you're looking for the family,though, go just a little later
in the morning.
I don't remember exactly whattime they come out Like this is
saying it's the trail opens ateight, 15.
So I think maybe like 10o'clock, maybe.
Speaker 2 (46:53):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (46:54):
But when you do see
the family like it's definitely
you know little ones bugging theparents.
Speaker 2 (47:00):
Reminds us of our
house.
Speaker 1 (47:02):
Or how it was a
couple of years ago anyway, but
yeah.
Speaker 2 (47:04):
No, still now.
Speaker 1 (47:05):
So anyway, but I
thoroughly enjoy this, this
trail, so Okay.
And I rated it, underrated this,this trail.
So okay, um, and I rated itunderrated, same reason how.
Why I did the.
Uh, the other marajaha jungletrek is, you know, I think a lot
of people just bypass this,even though you do see this one
a little more with where itslocation is in africa, but I
(47:27):
just feel like it just doesn'tget talked about enough and so I
think it's underrated Again.
Slow down, do these trails?
Take it all in Laugh at these,you know, gorillas acting like
human kids and stuff.
Speaker 2 (47:44):
I rated it properly
rated.
Oh man, Because we wereagreeing on things, because this
is situated as you get off ofthe Safari, so I think a lot
more people do this trail asopposed to the Marajajaja.
Speaker 1 (48:02):
Jungle Trek.
I don't feel like a lot.
Speaker 2 (48:03):
But this one is
usually a lot more crowded,
though, than the Jungle Trek, inmy opinion.
Speaker 1 (48:10):
Well, more crowded
than that one, but I still don't
think it's like crowded,crowded crowded.
Speaker 2 (48:15):
When you want to
watch the gorillas can get
crowded well it can be soproperly rated.
The gorillas are great.
The bachelor gorilla habitat isstunningly beautiful.
It is you're like, wow, likewaterfalls.
Speaker 1 (48:32):
This isn't a theme
park.
Yeah, this is.
Speaker 2 (48:34):
This is insane.
It is so beautiful, so peaceful, so relaxing.
The gorilla family is great.
I like the other littlehabitats you walk when you
meander through to get to thegorilla habitat, like with the
fish and all that.
I think it's super peaceful,super relaxing.
You can see kind of thebackside of the safari, the
(48:56):
first part.
Speaker 1 (48:57):
Oh yeah, you can.
Speaker 2 (48:58):
You can see the
manatees, not the manatees.
I was like manatees the hippos,yeah, the water park.
I just, I love this Properlyrated, just because it does see
more foot traffic, I think.
Speaker 1 (49:12):
In my opinion, than
Marajajaja Jungle Traffics, but
I still just feel like noteverybody does it.
Speaker 2 (49:19):
There's not a lot of
hype, I agree, but I'm just
going based on foot traffic.
That's my opinion, alright,okay.
Speaker 1 (49:28):
So next, still in
Africa, I'm going to a show
Festival of the Lion King.
Delight in a larger than lifeshow filled with songs,
pageantry, puppetry, celebratingthe classic movie the Lion King
, all ages.
It is roughly around 40 minutes.
Current times like for themorning is 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm,
(49:51):
and then it continues throughoutthe day.
Speaker 2 (49:52):
Two, three and four
and a five.
Okay.
Speaker 1 (49:55):
And then seating will
be limited for the show and is
not guaranteed with parkadmission.
But again, there's severaltimes to see it, okay, um, so
check, you know, the in park tipboards or speak with a cast
member.
Um, you know, at harambetheater for cue information and
show availability, which issubject to to change, and
(50:16):
sometimes, like if the line isgetting really really long, that
there's sometimes a cast memberthere saying you may or may not
make it for that next show.
So keep that in mind too, andthat's for any show in Disney.
They try to kind of let youknow that ahead of time once the
line reaches a certain point.
So this show you're going tohear some of those famous songs
(50:38):
that we've, if you're our age,have all grown up with.
There is definitely a lot ofperformers.
There's some.
You know what's that when youwork with fire.
Speaker 2 (50:50):
Fire throwers.
Speaker 1 (50:51):
Yeah, but I was
looking for another word, but
anyway yes, there's firethrowers, and that's not the
word.
I'm another word, but anyway,yes, there's fire throwers and
that's not the word I'm lookingfor, but anyway, so it is
definitely a really good show.
I said it is properly rated.
Speaker 2 (51:07):
I agree properly
rated.
There is a lot of hype withthis show.
Speaker 1 (51:10):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (51:10):
There is always a
wait to get in and, like you
said, you may not get in on that.
You will get in and watch ashow, right?
But there's a lot of hypearound it and I think this may
be the best show in Walt DisneyWorld and I think people would
agree with that statement.
Speaker 1 (51:27):
Oh yeah, it is so
well done, so well done.
The entertainment of it, thesinging of it, the dancing, just
all of it, yes.
Speaker 2 (51:33):
Yeah, the dancing,
just all of it, yes, yeah.
I think people will agree withthat statement that this is
probably the best show in WaltDisney World Properly rated.
It's a great show.
Speaker 1 (51:41):
And we've seen kind
of two different versions of it,
Like when it first came backafter the pandemic and
everything like they didn't have, like the flamethrowers and
stuff you know they didn't havequite as many performers, but it
was still enjoyable.
Speaker 2 (51:57):
And then when we saw
it with everything, it was like
wow, it's just, it's a greatshow, this is an amazing show
quick little fact that I'mwriting about in my book right
now where mickey's philhar magicis now used to be a lion king
show and it was a broadway typeof show and it kind of led to
the actual Broadway show for theLion King and I think kind of
(52:21):
helped with this show as well.
Speaker 1 (52:23):
Okay, interesting.
Speaker 2 (52:25):
Yeah, it's a lot of
hype.
A lot of people talk about it,for good reason.
Speaker 1 (52:30):
Properly rated.
All right, we agreed again.
Speaker 2 (52:33):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (52:33):
All right, now
switching areas of the park.
You're heading into Pand agreed, again.
Yes, all right, now switchingareas of the park.
You're heading into Pandora now, yes.
So Avatar Flight of Passage.
Climb atop a winged mountainbanshee for a breathtaking 3D
flight over Pandora'sotherworldly landscape.
This is another one.
They're going to check yourheight.
(52:55):
Believe me.
Me, they did this when we knownolan was little and there was a
time where he earlier in theday he got to ride expedition
everest, but later in the day Iguess your height kind of
shrinks you a little bit, evenhad photographic evidence.
Speaker 2 (53:09):
Yeah, and we're like
here.
Speaker 1 (53:10):
He's been on everest
yeah, it's the same height
requirement, 44 inches, but hecannot, he could not ride Flight
of Passage that particular day.
Now has he ridden it sinceSeveral times?
Yes, so again, 44 inches ortaller.
They're going to check.
And this is just before I evenget started.
It's just, it's amazing.
Board your own mountain bansheeand embark on a thrilling
(53:32):
expedition where interstellarexplorers like you get an
up-close look at the moon'sincredible landscape.
Bonding with a banshee is acrucial step in the life of a
navi hunter on pandora, andflying on the back of one of
those powerful creatures is animportant rite of passage.
Now, as a visitor to pandora,you finally have the chance to
test yourself like a navi thiswhole like.
(53:56):
If you go through the queue andyou're not doing like Lightning
Lane or Multipass, whateverit's called.
Now, if you go through thewhole queue and everything, the
queue in itself is an attraction.
It's amazing.
Tons of detail.
Once you get in, like the labarea and stuff, you have Hank.
What's up?
Hank Yep, and that's ananimatronic, not no, what's he
(54:17):
called?
Speaker 2 (54:20):
I'm going blink right
now.
Speaker 1 (54:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (54:22):
It's the main part of
the ride.
Avatar.
Speaker 1 (54:26):
Yeah, so and yeah,
it's just super cool.
Tons of details, so the queueitself is amazing.
Now, we don't do it every time,but we have done it several
times, but a lot of times we getthe lightning lanes for this
ride.
The pre-show is all right, it'strying to link you up and make
sure you don't have anycontaminants on you and all of
(54:49):
this stuff.
And then when you are boardingyour Banshee and it's trying to
connect with you and everything,that's pretty good as well.
And then when the ride itselfstarts, for those, what is it?
Five minutes?
Speaker 2 (55:05):
Four minutes and 30
seconds.
Speaker 1 (55:06):
It is absolutely
breathtaking, absolutely amazing
.
We immediately are all smilingand just ah when we're on it.
There's been several times whenthe ride is over, like the
whole theater kind of thing Iguess you could say is like, oh,
because you were just socaptivated in it, and so I think
(55:27):
you know, because there isalways a line for this, people
talk about it a lot.
I think it is properly rated.
Speaker 2 (55:34):
I agree, properly
rated.
Current wait time is 105minutes.
So yeah, still properly rated.
Yes, like you said, this wholeattraction is just amazing.
This is, in my opinion, thebest attraction in Walt Disney
World For those four and a halfminutes.
Three and a half minutes,whatever, it is four minutes.
Speaker 1 (55:55):
I think it's four to
five.
Speaker 2 (55:56):
Yeah you are
transported to pandora.
You really are like.
I know people compare this asfar as top attractions with
riser resistance and in riserResistance.
Yes, you are transported intothe Star Wars story, but not
(56:18):
like this.
This is.
You are fully immersed in thisand you really truly feel like
you are riding on the back of abanshee.
It is a must ride for us, everysingle time, multiple times.
The queue is great, the storyis great.
105 minutes is about typicalfor this, 90 to 100 to 100, even
sometimes two hours.
(56:38):
Great attraction get thelightning lane single pass and
then ride it again before theend of the day and experience
that queue yeah, thestorytelling here is truly
amazing yeah, so like if you dida lightning lane earlier than
in the day.
Speaker 1 (56:52):
This is one of those,
like we have said before, where
, as long as you're in linebefore park closing, you know
and go through the queue thatway.
Speaker 2 (56:59):
Um, it's probably
less than an hour at that point
it's usually going to be about30 to 45 minutes yeah, usually
yeah, when I go on my day trips,this is how, in my trip, I end
the trip with uh, cheeseburgerpots and then get in line for
this right before that's whenthe park closes earlier, though
on those trips because currently, the park is staying open till
eight.
Yeah, I can't do that on thenext trip yeah but yeah,
(57:22):
properly rated it is, it isworth the hype.
I know some people don't likethis attraction, but it's just
so great.
Everything about this, thestorytelling, the experience
yeah.
Speaker 1 (57:35):
Amazing.
Speaker 2 (57:36):
It's truly amazing.
Speaker 1 (57:37):
We told this story a
few minutes ago of you know that
, one time when Nolan couldn'twrite it.
So then the next trip when hefinally could.
Just the look on his face, theastonishment and the I finally
get to see what they've beentelling me.
That was amazing in itself too.
Speaker 2 (57:53):
Yeah, completely
agree.
Speaker 1 (57:55):
Yes, all right, still
staying in Pandora and going
right next door.
Basically, navi river journey.
Take a mythical journey by boatdeep into pandora's glowing
bioluminescent rainforest.
You can be any height for thisone, so it's good for all ages.
It's a slower, slower ride,okay, so feel a sense of wonder
(58:17):
as the full beauty of theextraordinary dreamscape unfolds
before your eyes.
On this visually stunning andmysterious river, you'll glide
through a series of caves into abioluminescent rainforest,
alive with the sights and soundsof exotic plants and creatures
on all sides, even overhead.
Soon you'll join the legendaryNavi Shaman of Songs, who I
(58:38):
think I said that wrong- Shaman,okay, shaman.
Who demonstrates her deepconnection to the life force of
Pandora and sends positiveenergy out into the forest
throughout the power of hermusic.
Navi River Journey offersexplorers an experience that has
to be seen and heard to bebelieved.
So the details, thebioluminescence of it all is
(59:02):
very beautiful.
They did a good job with thatand that animatronic is amazing.
Um, it's currently a 60 minute,wait right now.
No, that's short for its.
Speaker 2 (59:14):
Normally it's over.
It's usually around 60.
I've seen it a lot longer too,it can get higher, yes.
Speaker 1 (59:20):
Yeah, and so 60
minutes plus.
Usually I'm putting it'soverrated.
Speaker 2 (59:29):
Completely agree
overrated.
Speaker 1 (59:30):
Yeah, some people
might get mad at us for that,
but I don't think people isgoing to disagree with that.
I would not wait that long forthis ride.
I would wait 30 minutes yeah.
Speaker 2 (59:42):
I'd agree with that.
Speaker 1 (59:42):
But an hour plus.
No, because I mean it is a slowmoving.
Yes, yes, we say slow down inthis park, but I don't want to
wait that long for thisparticular ride because, yes, it
is beautiful, it is a way foryou to slow down, but I'd rather
slow down in other ways in thispark.
Speaker 2 (01:00:00):
Yeah, I completely
agree, overrated.
I'm going to take a term fromErica.
This is how am I going to wordthis correctly?
This is it's a small world inPandora.
Speaker 1 (01:00:14):
I can see that.
Speaker 2 (01:00:15):
That's, she uses it
for a different attraction.
But I'm going to say that thisis.
It's a small world in Pandora.
The audio animatronic isamazing.
They need to put that audioanimatronic somewhere else for
better.
It can be used better.
I think the problem with this,in my opinion, is there's no
storyline to it.
(01:00:36):
There's no story at all to this.
It's just you're riding throughthe forest.
Speaker 1 (01:00:40):
Yeah, right, yeah,
okay, maybe if they had a story
with it.
Speaker 2 (01:00:43):
Have a story with
something right, but 60 minutes
this is consistently a 60 plusminute wait.
No, completely overrated.
I don't think anybody's goingto disagree with that.
I think a lot of people just doit because it's in pandora or
because flight of passage is aneven longer wait.
Speaker 1 (01:01:01):
So, hey, we can only
do one.
Which one, yeah, and I agree.
Speaker 2 (01:01:04):
I don't think
anybody's going to disagree.
Many people disagree with thisbeing an overrated attraction,
so okay, yeah, all right so ournext two okay, I'm going to be
more specific on the next one.
Speaker 1 (01:01:17):
I get the next one of
why you put it in here Eating
cheeseburger pods before you goon Flight of Passage.
Or before or after.
Speaker 2 (01:01:30):
Underrated.
Speaker 1 (01:01:32):
So he puts the Thule
Canteen on here, which is a
dining location in Pandora andthere is, you know, art and
culture in this restaurant, theformer RDA Mess Hall.
Only at Pandora and the diningis, it can be a unique
experience.
I'm just going to let Zach talkabout this.
Speaker 2 (01:01:54):
OK, the reason I put
this on here was maybe to annoy
Eric a little bit, but it isgreat.
Theming the music in herereally puts you into the mindset
of being an avatar, being inPandora.
I'm sorry, it is a great, justexperience.
(01:02:16):
As for a quick servicerestaurant, a great experience
and I think when you eat herebefore getting on Avatar Flight
of Passage, I think it justfully immerses you in this world
.
Speaker 1 (01:02:29):
That's what I think
so.
Speaker 2 (01:02:31):
it's completely
underrated.
Speaker 1 (01:02:32):
Yeah, getting the
cheeseburger pods?
Yeah, and we've talked aboutthis restaurant so many times
before.
Oh, tons, I'm not cheeseburgerpods, yeah, and there, and we've
talked about this restaurant somany times before I'm not, I'm
not going to view the menu andstuff again right now.
I just put properly rated.
Speaker 2 (01:02:47):
And she's muted.
Now I'm going to try to talk.
Hey at least I said properlyGot it.
Speaker 1 (01:02:59):
At least I said
properly got it.
At least I said properly allright, one more thing one more
thing, kind of same reasoning, Ithink a little bit.
Uh, chilling in nomad loungeeating the best churros.
I said it, that's right thebest, absolute best churros.
Um, and then zach likes todrink a tempting tigress as well
(01:03:22):
yes, completely underrated.
Speaker 2 (01:03:24):
Hanging out in nomad
lounge is yeah, yeah.
This may be our favorite placenow in walt disney world to hang
out.
Speaker 1 (01:03:33):
Yeah, I agree it's
underrated.
You know, whether you'resitting outside along the river
or inside, the theming of it andhow it creates a relaxing
environment as well as havinglike small plate type appetizers
and if you do drink cocktails,if not, you know they have other
(01:03:53):
.
Speaker 2 (01:03:53):
They have, mocktails,
they have mocktails and things
as well.
Speaker 1 (01:04:03):
So it's just a very
unique menu all in itself and
again, the atmosphere and theabsolute best churros ever on
any disney property, at leastthe ones that we've been at
between both coasts.
So, um, just a great way to to.
Speaker 2 (01:04:14):
Completely agree
Underrated.
No Bad Lounge.
I think it is seriouslybecoming our favorite place to
hang out in Walt Disney World.
It's just so cool.
Churros are great.
Don't need any of the sauces.
Speaker 1 (01:04:26):
You don't.
Speaker 2 (01:04:27):
I do use them a
little bit, but you don't need
them.
Speaker 1 (01:04:29):
No, yeah, meanwhile,
those back in the West Coast and
all other areas of disney parks, you know they're just a little
tough to bite into where theseare not.
So warm and soft yeah, they'rejust so good all right.
Speaker 2 (01:04:44):
So that is our uh,
how we think animal kingdom is.
I think animal kingdom as awhole is completely underrated.
It's our favorite park.
A lot of people agree that itis the best park.
A lot of people disagree, andthat's okay.
Speaker 1 (01:04:57):
Yes, you're either
one or the other, it's either
the best or it's not the best.
Speaker 2 (01:05:02):
I think it is an
important park in your vacation,
as it is going to slow you down.
Take the time, slow down.
This is not going to be ahectic park like the Magic
Kingdom or Hollywood Studios.
Oh, we have to do this.
It's not that it's going toslow you down.
Speaker 1 (01:05:21):
Yeah, and I mean, a
lot of people do choose this to
be one of their park hopper days, but it is easily a full day
park if you do all the shows andeverything.
Speaker 2 (01:05:30):
It is a great full
day park.
I get it when they close at 6.
Speaker 1 (01:05:36):
It's very easy to
park up somewhere else.
I totally get that, butcurrently they're open till
eight.
Speaker 2 (01:05:38):
Yes, so All right.
So we have a new review.
Speaker 1 (01:05:41):
Yes, and then after
that, we're going to talk about
our Instagram polls.
Speaker 2 (01:05:43):
So this is on
Facebook.
Apparently, you can't leave areview on Audible without paying
more money, so leaving it here.
I didn't even know we were onAudible, audible right, I had no
clue so, all right, great.
I found the podcast while lastweek, while planning a trip to
disney, I've been listening toit in reverse order an audible
issue and am back to episode 125.
(01:06:04):
Gotta say it's been reallyinformative and a great
distraction while dealing withfamily tragedy.
Sorry about your family tragedy.
Um, it always sucks to hearthat.
But going back to why we do thispodcast to be, we want to be a
distraction for you because weknow everybody's going through
different stuff and every timewe do talk about man maybe we
(01:06:25):
shouldn't do this we getmessages like this.
Like you know, we helped alistener that has autism really
bad get through the park andreally help them with what to do
and how to and we don't knowanything about autism, we're not
trying to say that, but wereally helped comfort them on
their trip.
So it's when we get messageslike this it really reaffirms
(01:06:49):
why we do this, and that's ourmain thing is just to be a
distraction for you and help youhave a better vacation.
So sorry to hear about yourtragedy, but thank you for
telling us this.
Yes, zach, sounds like someonewho has had a career on the
radio.
No, I have not.
Speaker 1 (01:07:04):
But I get that.
Speaker 2 (01:07:06):
I work in aviation
and Brittany sounds like a super
friendly mom and, for somereason, an English teacher.
Speaker 1 (01:07:12):
Close.
Speaker 2 (01:07:13):
She's an education.
Yeah, would you think, do you?
Speaker 1 (01:07:18):
think, the boys Thank
you for that though, do you
think?
Speaker 2 (01:07:20):
the boys would say
you're a super friendly mom.
Speaker 1 (01:07:24):
Most of the time.
But just like any mom, you knowyou got to put your foot down.
Sometimes You're a great mom.
Well, thank you, you're welcome.
You're a great dad.
Speaker 2 (01:07:36):
Well, thank you.
The podcast is super in-depthand never boring to listen to.
I know Zach always asks forfive-star reviews and I will
give the podcast just that, butI must bestow upon the podcast
the greatest rating amongst myfriends, the Cult of the Curious
from Bad Magic Productions.
Three out of five starswouldn't change a thing.
Well, thank you for that.
We really do appreciate it.
Yes, thank you, thank you somuch and again sorry to hear
about your family, but I'm gladwe could give a distraction
(01:07:59):
during this time.
Yes, all right.
Moving on to the Instagrampolls, brittany's been putting
up the over under or properlyrated polls for some attractions
that we're doing here, and thefirst one is for Expedition
Everest.
64% of our listeners saidproperly rated yes, good.
27% of our listeners saidproperly rated yes, good.
27% said underrated Nice andone person.
(01:08:21):
One person said overrated.
Speaker 1 (01:08:26):
She's mad at us about
the churros.
Speaker 2 (01:08:28):
You might want to
rethink some of your opinions
because, of all the people thatresponded to these, you're the
only person that said overrated.
You might want to rethink somelife decisions.
All right, moving on toKilimanjaro Safaris, 54% of
y'all said properly rated,completely agree, 15% said
(01:08:53):
underrated and 31% saidoverrated.
Speaker 1 (01:08:57):
For the safari.
Wow, wow, maybe they went inthe middle of the day and it was
super hot.
Speaker 2 (01:09:02):
It can get hot, I get
it.
Speaker 1 (01:09:05):
Because if it is like
summertime, middle of the day
you're not going to see as manyanimals.
No, yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:09:11):
All right, and then
we did.
I can't see.
Speaker 1 (01:09:14):
Finding Nemo, finding
Nemo, finding Nemo, finding
Nemo.
Speaker 2 (01:09:16):
Yeah, 45% of y'all
said properly rated, 36% said
underrated and 18% saidoverrated.
Wow, all right.
Okay, and for Flight of Passage.
Overwhelmingly 67% saidproperly rated.
Nice Good 8% said underrated.
(01:09:36):
Nice Good 8% said underrated.
Okay, 25% said overrated.
Speaker 1 (01:09:40):
Oh goodness guys.
Speaker 2 (01:09:43):
I get it.
If you don't like the movie, orif you just don't like being
entertained, then I guess youwould find this overrated.
Speaker 1 (01:09:48):
Yeah, but I'm not
huge on the movie either, but
it's a captivating ride onceyou're on there.
It is yeah, anyway, and forFestival captivating ride once
you're on there, so anyway andfor festival of the lion King,
58% of y'all said properly rated.
Speaker 2 (01:09:59):
Yeah, 25% said
underrated and 17% said
overrated.
Speaker 1 (01:10:05):
Well, I mean to each
their own to each their own.
That's okay, Except when itcomes to churros.
Travel planner Erica.
But yeah, yeah, All right.
Speaker 2 (01:10:14):
So thank you
everybody for listening.
If you want to support thepodcast, the best way to do that
is to book your next vacationwith Travel Planner Erica.
Go check out her website,wwwtravelplannerericacom.
She's also on Facebook andInstagram and tell her Circle of
Parks sent you.
Take advantage of that freegift card for your next trip.
If you want to reach out to us,you can email us circleofparks
(01:10:37):
at gmailcom.
Our website iswwwcircleofparkscom and we're on
Facebook, instagram and X allat Circle of Parks and if you
want to, we really appreciate it.
Leave us a five-star ratingreview on Apple Podcasts or
wherever you would like to dothat.
We really do appreciate it andjust thank you so much for
listening.
Next week we will be talkingabout the Magic Keeper.
Speaker 1 (01:10:57):
Yes, talk to you soon
.
Speaker 2 (01:11:01):
Bye.