Animal Kingdom

After Thanksgiving Trip Review part 1

After Thanksgiving is our favorite time of year to visit Disney.  Adding the joy of Christmas season with Disney makes for a perfect family vacation.  Of course, planning a trip a year in advance, especially at this time of year, is always interesting.

In years past we have had nice weather, where a jacket was optional at night, as well as a couple times of subfreezing weather (turned out to be record lows for 4 of our 10 days).

This year we had swimming weather.  Shorts were the major outfit for this trip.

Crowds during this time of year have been on the increase.  When we first started, crowds were nonexistent.  Gradually the crowds have gotten heavier and heavier.  Last year we actually opted for an October trip due in part to the steady increase in crowds.

My personal theory on this is quite simple.  While some will say it is due largely to the fact that Disney is busier in general than it was 10 years ago (and I will admit that is part of it); I think it has more to do with the calendar!  When Thanksgiving falls at the end of November, there are fewer weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  The fewer weeks, the more concentrated the crowds. 

On this trip we changed things up a bit.  Instead of leaving home on Black Friday and visiting a park on Friday afternoon, we waited until Saturday morning to leave and chilled at the resort the rest of the day.

Our first park day was on Sunday.  After church services, we visited Animal Kingdom.  This is a great start to a trip.  LOW crowds! 

Animal Kingdom Christmas Tree

In fact, the crowds were so low we really didn’t need our Fast Passes.  I felt we wasted them. 

Our last trip to Animal Kingdom was disappointing.  So much was closed and walled off it seemed claustrophobic.  While the construction is still ongoing, the walls felt much less intrusive.  We visited Animal Kingdom twice this trip, and on both times we were able to get everything done we wanted (including multiple rides on Expedition Everest) done in only a few hours. I was very happy to see that Flame Tree BBQ was open in its normal space and we could still sit at our favorite lunch spot in Animal Kingdom.  Of course, there is still a good bit of construction going on but we could still see Everest!

View from Flametree BBQ

On this trip, for our second visit to Animal Kingdom we tried out a new (to us) spot for lunch.  Restaurantosaurus.  My favorite thing about this place is that there is tons of seating inside an air conditioned dining room!  In the past, we normally go to Yak & Yeti, and eat outside.  It was just TOO hot to consider this as an option this trip (yes, in December!)  The food was standard Disney burgers and fries.  The kids made a big deal about being able to refill your drink…but truthfully they never do.  However, they did have a nice Christmas tree in the dining room!

Christmas Tree

I did see that the Avatar land is coming along nicely.  I hear from my daughter that this is definitely recognizable as being from Avatar.  I will have to go with her opinion as I have never seen the movie!

Avatar Land

 On both visits to Animal Kingdom we had rather good Safaris.  Here are a few pictures from them.

My daughter is fascinated with taking pictures of these animals!

The Giraffes seemed to want to visit

Let Sleeping Lions lie!

And of course, the kids favorite ride of all is Expedition Everest.  My daughter/photographer felt brave and actually took a picture ON the ride this time!

Expedition everest

 Over all I felt Animal Kingdom is still not a full day park for our family.  We did two partial days this trip and did every ride, saw every show, and enjoyed all the atmosphere the park had to offer.  Sadly, this was once our family's favorite park.  I know that prior to the opening of Avatar Land I will be watching the movie, but I am not sure this move will make me love Animal Kingdom again...