Animal Kingdom & Character Breakfast

Being parents of boys, we consider ourselves "lucky" we didn't have to endure that "wonderful" princess dining experience.  Ha!  Still, we wanted the boys to get to experience the fun of a character dining event.  We decided to stick with our animal "theme" on this trip and do the character dining at Animal Kingdom.  Many of my friends have said wonderful things about "Chef Mickey's" as well, but we decided to go this route instead because this establishment was actually in a park instead of at a resort.  I have nothing but good things to say about the meal and experience.  For starters, we got to enter the park before it opened and filled up with crowds of people.  This park is the prettiest of all the Disney parks with its lush vegetation and wildlife.  It was so charming to see it in the quiet of the morning.  We also got some great photopass pictures without the crowds around.  The restaurant was in the Africa zone and was in the style of a local Burundi establishment with a buffet that felt like you were actually at a local open air marketplace.  The characters were all dressed in their safari attire and were so fun.  After our breakfast, we enjoyed a full day exploring the Kingdom.  Evan also enjoyed eating lunch at "Restaurantosaurus" in Dinoland.

The Tree of Life welcomed us.

The beautiful carvings on the tree. 

Our family in front of the tree.  See, no crowds!

Mommy looking like a tourist with camera around her neck.

Evan got to hold Baby Simba!

Welcome to Africa!

The African inspired restaurant where we dined with the characters. 

Daddy and Brody are ready for some grub. 

Our family picture with Donald.  Donald was the star of this show. 

The boys with their pal, Mickey. 

Awww, Mickey giving the boys some mouse love!

Oh my, what a big hug!  Could this be love? 

All the boys loved Daisy.  Just look at the way Brody is looking at her. 

So sweet!

Me and the boys with Goofy. 

Expedition Everest

Mommy rode this ride by herself.  She was lucky to ride it quickly without waiting in line because there was a special line for "single" riders.  Next time, Evan will be riding it with her though.  He will love seeing the yeti!

Can I climb it? 

Look closely.  I'm circled in red.  Eddie captured me on this thrilling ride. 

Kilimanjaro Safari

Daddy and Brody on safari.  Man, it was hot in that jungle!

Mommy and her little man enjoy the ride. 

Fat hippo napping in the cool mud. 

I would not go swimming here if I were you unless I wanted to become a hippo snack. 

Alligators!

Apparently, African trees grow upside down.

A beautiful giraffe.

Evan and a giraffe.

A great spot for giraffe watching.

This one came quite close to us.

Daddy and Brody with the elephants.

Awww, he's just a little one.

A big one.

Oooo, the big matriarch!  I like that the mama elephants are in charge!

Another "matriarch" with her baby.

Pink flamingos!

Love this shot of the flamingos.

Lazy Rhinos.

This one's kind of cute, huh?

Cheetahs were being lazy lying in the shade too.

Mama lion on the lookout.

While Daddy lion sleeps.  Go figure!

Outstanding Ostrich

Dinoland!

Evan's favorite part of the park.

And his favorite ride.

Even little brother got to ride.

Mommy and Evan in front.  Evan got to steer.

Hot baby getting some cold water.  He definitely developed an appreciation for cold water that week.

Evan and Brody both enjoyed this spot and getting to run around and play.

Evan and the T-Rex bones.

Brody explores the fossils too.

Brody enjoyed crawling around while big brother enjoyed the slides.

The littlest paleontologist checks out the dinosaur footprints.  The dinosaur roared when you stepped on the footprints and that tickled him.

My cutie!

My two paleontologists.

Kali River Rapids
*Warning:  You will get soaked on this ride!  You may even get soaked just looking at the pictures!  Ha!

Waiting in line to ride.  Daddy and Evan had already ridden and didn't seem to get that wet so Mommy thought she was safe.  Yeah, she was mistaken. 

Everyone on our boat got soaked.  There doesn't seem to be a safe spot to be on this ride.

Here we go!

After getting soaked, we had to sit and wait for a while because the ride stopped.  The warm sun helped dry us more quickly.

The Celebration of the Lion King

The beautiful costumes and dances were definitely worth seeing.  Timon led the show.

Pumba on the warthog float.

The elephant float.

Simba was the star on his float.

Beautiful dancers.

Mommy and Evan say goodbye to Simba.