Fun, fun, and even MORE FUN!!!
Oh my goodness!!! Have I even mentioned how much fun this vacation was for our family?
On our final day of our vacation we spent the day at Disney's Animal Kingdom!
We had never been to this park before and honestly it was one of my favorites that I have ever been to!
There were so many things that I loved about it, and it was such an enjoyable day. We visited each portion of the park and loved it all...The Jurassic Park, Asia, The Land of Pandora...you know, Avatar Land??
The kids were pretty stoked about getting to be here! The movie Avatar is one of Clint's favorite and so coming here and seeing how they brought it to life was simply amazing!
We ended up getting to the park first thing in the morning to try and beat the crowds for the line to go on the Flight of Passage ride in Pandora World, but I think everyone else had the same idea, and so we still waited in line for 2 hours to go on the ride!
But, trust me...IT WAS WORTH IT!!!
Besides, as you were waiting in line, you didn't actually feel like you were waiting in line, but that you were already experiencing a portion of the ride because of all of the amazing details of things that accompanied you in and out of the ride area...it was SO COOL!!!
Disney does not miss a beat on any details...it was seriously SO amazing!
And the floating mountains!!! How DID they do that??
The Flight of Passage was by far my very favorite ride! It was a 4 D experience where you felt like you were actually linked to an Avatar that was riding on a Banshee. I remember smiling so big the whole time I was on the ride...
...and since Kierra is expecting, we had her wait for us to go on it first to see if it would be OK for her to go on, and it was, so Clint and I went straight back on for a second time with her from the kid swap area. It was just as amazing the second time around!
We had fun walking around and seeing everything, smelling the smells and eating yummy food...
At one point in the day everyone wanted to go and get back in line for the Banshee ride again, but since Clint and I already got to experience it twice, we just stayed off with Kesslyn and took Kierra with us to go relax and see some entertaining shows!
It was just what my tired feet needed, AND it really was fun to see! :) Kesslyn loved it too!
The kids continued to have a ball with all of their cousins there and I am positive that this really will be a trip that they will never forget!
(Blaze, Steve, Drake, and Gavin)
Also, at the center of the park was a very large tree that was so full of life both artistically and literally...but it wasn't until we saw it all lit up at night that we even had any clue what it was all about or just how amazing this tree really was!
It was the center of everything, but especially at night!
The rides were fun and I loved seeing everyone's faces on these pictures...they are so funny because no one was really expecting the picture so most of them are pretty comical...:)
See what I mean?? :)
We also really enjoyed riding on a tour bus to see all of the wildlife at the park!
Rhinos and Hippos...
...and giraffes...lots of giraffes...
Did you know that a herd of giraffes is actually called a "tower?'
I learned something new when I heard that!
Elephants, flamingos, ostriches, and other animals that I can't even remember their names!!!
It was so fun to see them out in their habitat...and I wonder if they had as much fun looking back at us!!! :)
After more exploring and more rides the park began to cool down very quickly and before we knew it, a storm was blowing in!
Clint, Kierra, Kesslyn, and I all ran for cover under a tree when the rain really started poring down, and then we realized that our little tree was not near enough cover, so we ran to the protection of a covered eating area with all of the other people trying to stay dry...
When the rain finally let up we went exploring to find our family and to meet up for dinner, and yes, we were still having a ball! We were just so happy to be together on this adventure and rain, shine, animals or rides...we were still having the time of our lives!
After we ate our dinner (pizza! YUM!) We went back to the land of Pandora or Avatar World and saw the breathtaking sights while it was dark!
Honestly THIS was the part that I had been waiting for! I had heard about the beautiful lights at night and so I was so excited to finally get to see them!
We watched the tree in the center of the park literally come to life, and it was SO amazing!!!
The animals on the tree went from statue like - to living! They walked around and interacted before going back to their still spot...it was so cool!!! We stood there and watched in awe...
It was a magical feeling being there at this very spot at the end of the night on the end of our vacation. I was so happy and GRATEFUL for everyday that we had been given to experience...
Best. Vacation. Ever!!!
(That is until I get to go on my next one!!!)
France and Italy, here we come!!! (At least Clint and I ...in just 9 days!!!)
