On to Animal Kingdom!!! (Pictures!!!!)

Shawn had enough insight in the beginning of our brief stay in Florida to go to our main attraction, Disney World, in the first few days. Last Summer when we were here for a month we had gone to Epcot and Magic Kingdom. This time around, we had to see Animal Kingdom. And we are so glad we did!!!

So many things to do and see there!! After we arrived at the gates (a minute early!!!) we went in to the first major roller coaster we knew was there. It was closed. Okay, so we went to the second biggest one... Yep, it was closed.

Both were broken, so we got a Fast Pass to the first one, hoping it would be fixed later in the day, and headed to see some of the sites.

We got to visit Raffiki from Lion King, Pocahontas and saw many others throughout the day.

Here's a interesting bit... the vet office was visible from the crowd in one building. This a female baboon that was ill. Kind of hard to see, but I didn't really want to use my flash while they were trying to help her.

The Dinosaur exhibit was amazing and fun!!!!

Although, with my recent diagnosis of Benign Vertigo, etc. we soon realized why the doctor said, "You really shouldn't ride the roller coasters." Okay, so I learned my lesson for next time. Next time I will sit with all the other moms with babies and grandmothers who can't stand heights. The throbbing headache after the hours of dizziness taught me that!!

But we still had a great time!! The safari was a major hit with our family. So much that we went twice on that one. But not until we had seen the parade... twice as well! It happened that the parade was on our path to two destinations. So we saw it as it passed through one area, then again in another. It was so much fun! The artistic talent in the animals in the parade was amazing!!!

On to the Safari!!!

Many MANY animals (and roadblocks!!)!

I can't for the life of me remember what this tree is called, but it really looks like it is growing upside down. The trail guide said this tree can go 9 months through the year without leaves on it. Crazy lookin thing! But beautiful!!!

Can you see the Hippo??

Let me remind you we were in a moving vehicle and I opted just to take my 18-55mm lens along, so these animals were CLOSE!!!

See the wrinkles in the baby giraffe's skin?? Awwww!

What are these??

Wo, Mamma!!!

Yikes! I don't like these creatures. I am sure they are beautiful in the eyes of many, including our own Creator. But, yikes!

There is glass here between us at this amazing cat!

Okay, this one is actually charging at us. Kind of freaky. Fortunately it didn't charge for long. Just enough for us to continue on our way.

Like I said, the truck was moving! But isn't this fun?!?! Did you know flamingos are pink because of the shrimp brine that they consume???

Oh, and to answer your question... Yes. The two rides closed in the beginning did open up and we did ride them. (Hence the dizziness.)

Done with the safari... both times.

I couldn't resist! This triangle canopy above me was calling out to me. Headache or no.

I look tired... I am. It was a hard day. My ankle was killing me afterwards, my head was pounding and the world around me was spinning. It was worth it though!! So much fun!!!! Will we see it again next year?? Who knows?!?!