"My 5 Favorites:" continues!

Hello and happy Sunday to our members and readers.  I hope you will have a glorious and relaxing Memorial Day weekend here in the USA!  Please remember to be thankful to those who gave their lives for your freedom.  As the saying goes, "Freedom is never free!" 


Well, here we are once again, and I am ready to disclose more of my favorites to you.  This week, we will be covering my five favorite attractions at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park.  I will, as always start with my #5 pick, and work my way to my very favorite.  Next week, since I have picked my top five at all four parks, I will be reviewing my top favorite from each one in a little more detail.  Hopefully, you will come away from that knowing something about these attractions that you did not know before. So, next week, the entry will be entitled "My Top 4 Favorites."

So, here we go with this weeks, "My 5 Favorites!"

#5 - DINOSAUR
As you whoosh back to primeval times for a wild ride of an expedition to complete your "dangerous" mission.  You only have minutes to rescue a stray dinosaur, and you must beware of the hungry clutches of a very large meat-eating predator and the devastating power of an impending asteroid.  This ride is fast, and so much fun.  I guess the fact that I have such great interest in dinosaurs, and the combination of Disney and dinosaurs is a no-miss for me.  My last trip to Walt Disney World was the first time I had been to Animal Kingdom.  We had a blast, and really loved this attraction. 

#4 - IT'S TOUGH TO BE A BUG

I know.........silly choice right?  WRONG!  This was such a fun attraction, I was laughing and giggling the entire show!  The 3-D effects were great, and a few 4-D thrown in there.  "It's Tough to be a Bug!" is hosted by Flik, everybody's favorite ant, and his grasshopper enemy, Hopper, from the Disney·Pixar film A Bug's Life. The supporting cast consists of cute and creepy crawlers like spiders, termites, beetles, weevils and butterflies.  The eight minute show has bugs that creep, and crawl, and this give you a "bugged-eyed" view of how things are in "A bugs life."  The special effects, and what happens on your seat........well, let's just say that it is a surprise! 

#3 - FESTIVAL OF THE LION KING

This attraction is based on one of my very favorite Disney movies, The Lion King.  The music alone is enough to set the tears flowing.  (If you have not already figured out from previous posts , I am very emotional....especially when it comes to Disney!)  Anyway,  the music, the color, the action all make this a show/attraction not to be missed.  As you are in your seat, your are plunged right in the middle of the action in a very clever  staged in-the-round production that features songs from the film and a very familiar cast of faces, including Simba, Timon and Pumbaa.  It combines the pageantry of a parade with much excitement of a tribal celebration.  This lavish, high energy show makes you sing along, want to get up and dance, and set the tear switch to the on position!  Don't miss this!!!

#2 - KILIMANJARO SAFARIS

Note to self- Remember to do this as early in the morning as possible!  Better when animals are out and about....before nap time!  Oh, sorry......hey, thanks for continuing to read!   This is an attraction that absolutely should not be missed.  As you climb aboard your open-sided safari vehicle, you are in for an exciting expedition for the entire family.  Animals from Africa freely roam through this 110 acre savannah, rivers and rocky hills.  Look for giraffes, hippos, elephants, rhinos and lions, and may more!    There are beautiful landscapes to see as well. This is an 18 minute ride, so sit back, but have your camera ready at all times!  My suggestions is this.  Take the ride as early as you can.  Have that camera poised and ready.  Take your pictures at this time.  Then, do it again!  This time, sit back and enjoy....but still have the camera ready, as you may see something this time around that you didn't catch the first time!  We really loved this so much, we are going to to the Wild Africa Trek tour in October.  Don't know what that is you say?  Well, here are the details!

Join the ultimate animal adventure! Journey deep into Pangani Forest on a thrilling, privately guided expedition featuring close encounters with exotic wildlife species. Get closer than you ever dreamed possible to Nile crocodiles and massive hippos. Venture on to a VIP safari across an open savanna teeming with native African creatures!
Once-In-A-Lifetime Experiences
Dozens of massive Nile crocodiles patrol the jungle riverbed. Mammoth hippos move deftly underwater. You are there to see it all!
Adventurers are fitted with an expedition harness that attaches to an overhead track. Once your group reaches the riverbank, get a stunning look at the hippos, just 10 feet below. After a seemingly precarious trek across a rope bridge dangling over a throng of enormous crocodiles, experience another unbelievable view as you hang over the crocs' riverbed lair!
VIP Safari
Enjoy a brief hike onto a sweeping African savanna for a VIP safari, including a visit to an exclusive safari camp with incredible views of everything from towering giraffe to powerful rhinos.
True Life-Adventure
Wild Africa Trek is a jaw-dropping journey only a few Guests get to experience. The expedition is a true encounter with African creatures in their native habitat. Come with us on this Disney True-Life Adventure!
Photography
A Disney photographer captures your experiences along the way. When you return home from your visit to Walt Disney World Resort, you'll receive a photo CD in the mail, so you can relive your wild adventure again and again. Photo CD is included in the cost of the tour.

#1 - EXPEDITION EVEREST

I am not a really big roller coaster lover.  I like them, but I have to say......... I LOVE THIS ONE!  It's not wild at all..........as a matter of fact, after we rode the first time,  we both said "that was nothing." NOTHING BUT FUN THAT IS!!  Does this ride deliver what it promises?  You bet it does!!  The attraction features an old tea train chugging and churning it's way as it climbs up the snow-capped peaks.  Suddenly, the track comes to an end in a gnarled mess of twisted metal.  What now?  Backwards is what!  It's a totally unexpected experience!  All I can say is WOW!!  The queue area is really something to take in, so if you have the chance to go through it slowly, do so.  Lines can be very long at times, but this does give you the opportunity to let all the ambiance and artifacts you will see soak in.  FastPass assignments for this attraction tend to go quickly, so get one as soon as you can. Let's be honest.........how many of you are scared of the Yeti?  ;-) 

Ok, so there you have it!!  My 5 Favorites from Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park.  Come back next week to read more in depth coverage of my top pick from all four theme parks at Walt Disney World.  One will be my top pick of all!  Join us again next Sunday!

Thanks all, and have a great week!