Happily Adventures After | Home of HAA Disney

Hey Howdy Hey again Happily Adventures After friends!

Today is the day the Happily Adventures After team is chatting about the oh so wild but magical moments we had in Animal Kingdom. 

On this trip, we experienced 2 Disney Kingdoms in 1 Day. It’s so much magic we had to split it into 2 different posts! 

We had an incredible time in Animal Kingdom, however, today was met with some absolutely interesting weather. We really did make the most of it, and it was such a fun time overall. It also made for a story, which we LOVED!

It’s RAINING MEN (Not Really)!

Our day, on April 11/24, started out LOVELY! We had bright sunshine and went out for our daily run (let’s be honest, I am attempting to get into running so I can run a 5K runDisney!). It was wonderful weather and looked ready for a fun, sunny day.

While I was on my run, I set an alarm for 8:59am so that I could be ready when Magic Kingdom opened to purchase a Individual Attraction Selection (Lightening Lane) for Tron Lightcycle Run; the newest (at the time of attending) attraction in Walt Disney World. 

I was able to successfully purchase our Tron LightCycle Run Individual Attraction Selections at 4:05-5:05pm EST. The cost for 2 of us was  $20 USD per person plus tax; totalling  $42.60 USD/$60.07 CDN at 1.41 Exchange Rate on VISA. 

As we got ready for the day, we looked out our balcony window and saw some major storm clouds. We looked at AccuWeather and noticed… we were under a tornado warning and thunderstorm warning.

I know what you’re thinking “It rains in Florida daily”, and yes! We knew that! We are not in denial that it wouldn’t rain but we were not expecting this type of storm.

The look of “oh no” on all of our faces made us attempt to figure out a new plan! Our day was suppose to have us attending Animal Kingdom then Park Hopping to Magic Kingdom for the rest of the day.

We had a choice to make; do we stay home or go to Walt Disney World. 

Well… the choice was simple; Pack the Rain Gear and Go to Walt Disney World! 

The choice was made in part as 

1. The Individual Attraction Selections are NOT Refundable unless the attraction closure is on Disney (aka it is their fault). 
2. It was also the last day of my cousin’s 2 Day WDW Ticket, which meant we either go to WDW today or not at all.

So, to Animal Kingdom, in a Tornado Watch and Thunder Storm we go!

Let’s Get WILD!

Heading off to Animal Kingdom took only about 20 minutes. Animal Kingdom is the closest to Reunion Resort. 

Once at Animal Kingdom, we got into the parking lot, and unloaded our stuff and headed into the park for an adventure. 

Approaching Animal Kingdom’s security check point, we saw an ominous cloud ahead of us. From the looks of that cloud, we knew it was gonna be a wet day. 

What do we do to commemorate the wet day? Have a photo shoot at the front of the park with the Encanto background.

Making it through security we had ourselves a plan; to ride Kilimanjaro Safari, Expedition Everest, and Avatar Flight of Passage. We were very excited for this experience; specifically Flight of Passage.

We made our way into the heart of Animal Kingdom by the Tree of Life at this point we started to get rain, no no, a downpour. We first decided we would go to Starbucks located in Creature Comforts at Animal Kingdom to wait out a bit of a rainstorm that approached. Here we grab some great drinks (Caramel Frappuccino anyone?) and a Mickey Cinnamon Roll and began to make our way into Africa to ride Kilimanjaro Safari. 

We waited, and waited and waited. The storm did not pass. It wasn’t unbearable, so we pulled on our ponchos and headed over towards Africa. On our way, we stopped to grab some Grilled Curry Corn from Harambe Street Market. The cost for this was$6.42 USD/$9.06 CDN with tax. 

My mom was very excited about after hearing about it on AllEars.net and their YouTube videos.

My mom purchased the corn with butter and spices. Where is my cousin purchased the corn with only butter my mom thoroughly enjoyed this corn. My cousin said her corn could’ve used something a little more but not spice wise.  

Approaching the queue for Kilimanjaro Safari, we were told that the attraction at this moment was closed for weather regarding the safety for the animals. Modifying our plan, we began to head over towards Asia; to ride Expedition Everest. Checking the My Disney Experience App, we noticed that this was also closed due to inclement weather. 

So what do you do when all of the outdoor attractions are temporarily down due to weather? You go to the gift shop (Island Mercantile Of Course!) and wait it out (or so we thought).

Let’s Get SOAKING WET!

Remember when we brought ponchos? Yes, we did.

The ones that we did have with us managed to rip  down the middle. While in the gift shop, taking shelter,  we had to purchase three more. It has been said that the ponchos you can purchase from Disney are not the best for the cost. This is very true. At this point however, my mom’s ripped right down the middle, my cousins down the arm and mine on the side. We really did not have a choice, other than new ponchos and a good laugh!

We put on our ponchos and decided we could wait this storm out. The storm had other plans;  was not letting up. This wasn’t the usual 3 PM Florida storm. This was something wilder.

We had a decision to make; what were we going to do for Avatar Flight of Passage?

We were soaked. My cousin and I wanted to ride this attraction. My mom however, was not enjoying the feeling of being soaked to the bone. We decided that my cousin and I would ride Avatar: Flight of Passage, while my mom would wait indoors until the storm lightened up OR would go back to the car. 

That was it! Great plan Team! My cousin and I quickly walked in the rain with two umbrellas towards Pandora World of Avatar. Approaching the connection bridge between Discovery Island and Pandora: World of Avatar, she and I noticed the walkway was flooded (as in up to our ankles flooded).

We needed to figure out how to walk across the connection bridge. I for one, was not in the mood to be wetter than I was so walking through it was not an option. I really dislike being wet with clothes on; especially shoes and socks. After some quick thinking, my cousin decided that she could skilfully walk the curb of the wall/bridge to limit her getting wet. 

Guess what?! She made it! She looked at me, who was cheering her on, to do the same. There was no way I could with two umbrellas in each hand and our backpack. I had to figure out another way.

Shortly after contemplating how to get across, a little boy and his family came to the day. He began searching in the water, hands in to elbows length. We could see him begin to pull something from underneath the water. He had drawn quite the crowd of people who wanted to walk across the bridge through a dry path. Everyone watching him quickly realized he was yanking leaves out of a storm drain. 

Everyone is waiting to cross the bridge and was cheering him on, thanking him for saving the day, and their shoes!

Once the drain was released, everyone, including ourselves, then rushed into Pandora! It was time for us to FLY!

We ARE Connected with the Nav’i

My cousin and I swiftly walked over to Avatar Flight of Passage. While we walked into a very wet, but magical Pandora, I received a text from my mom. She had decided to head back to the car. She saw a break in the clouds, and thought she could do it without being soaked to the bone. Unfortunately for her, she got absolutely soaked as the storm followed her to our vehicle. 

After cheering my mom on, my cousin and I walked over to the attraction’s entrance. We were lucky enough to have a Return Time for this attraction. We began to scan in at the Lightning Lane area, when the Cast Member quickly noted that the Lightning Lane system was down. Quickly this caused the individuals who were at the attraction’s entrance to be in a frenzy, in addition to quite the back up of guests. As a reminder, always be nice to the Cast Members when the system goes down… it’s not their fault! 

Within seconds, Cast Members jumped into action. With once calling technical support, the others  ensured guests could redeem their DAS and Individual Lightening Lane return times. Others made announcements to the back up of guests. The Cast Members were incredible at handling the crisis at hand. I commend them and their ability to work under this pressure and weather!

The Cast Members at Flight of Passage announced that the system was fixed in about 5 minutes,  my cousin and I scanned our park tickets/Magic Bands, and moved through the Lightening Lane queue.

Our Lightening Lane queue walk was only about 5 minutes max. Sadly, the Lightening Lane Queue misses out on all of the very detailed and cool atmosphere, including my cousin’s favourite Floating Nav’i. Though disappointed, as it is one of her favourite moments,  she welcomed the short attraction wait to soon experience the her very own Flight of Passage!

Loading into the pre-show, we were scanned for “earth bugs” and quickly decontaminated (if you’ve been on the ride you know it is only a quick blast of air!), and matched with a Banchi. Moving through the pre-show, we walked into the Link Chamber, and were ready to FLY!

Excitement palpable, we waited for the attraction to begin. Sitting on the bottom left, our view was a little distorted, but it did not take away from the magic. I looked over to my cousin, who was smiling with joy! She really loved this attraction yet again! 

Once we were off the attraction, we began our exit back into the storm. As we put our ponchos back on, Cast Members told us it’s was not raining anymore. With such joy and excitement, my cousin and I looked at each other with the biggest smile; no more soaking wet shoes! 

Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho, It’s Off to Magic Kingdom We Go!

While we were on the ride, I missed quite a few texts from my mom due to the lack of cell service. She actually had made it to our vehicle, but was soaked to the bone. She attempted to dry off, but could she really? No, sadly not. We understood the feeling, as we were soaked (not as soaked as her) too. 

Ponchos in hand, my cousin and I made our way to the vehicle. Everything was still temporary closed due to the storm, so we figured Magic Kingdom was our better bet. Additionally, we had an Individual Attraction Selection for Tron: Lightcycle Run to get to! 

I realized that meant we were headed out of Animal Kingdom for the trip. To say my cousin was saddened was an understatement, she really loves this park. We had so much more to do and experience here with no time. Additionally, We had a dining reservation at Magic Kingdom to make. We could not cancel or modify the time as it was within the 2-hr period. 

That only meant one thing, head back to the vehicle and make it to Magic Kingdom within an hour. We had this! Texting my mom to ask if we could meet her at the “Pick Up and Drop Off” area, we moved towards the Animal Kingdom exit, with our hearts a little heavy, yet excited for Magic Kingdom. 

Exiting the park,I realize there was no way we could make it to Magic Kingdom in time for our Tron LightCycle Run Individual Attraction Selection for 4pm-5pm EST.

Meeting my mom at the Pick Up and Drop Off section of the parking lot, we explained our stories and attempted to dry off. My mom had somewhat dried off by this point, and my cousin and I were still somewhat wet. We took a moment to laugh and smile, then headed off to Magic Kingdom; excited for new adventures!

Well, that’s all for today’s post. Next week, we will have Part 2 of this day, on our  Magic Kingdom Adventures. After that, the Happily Adventures After team will share about our time at Reunion Resort, Universal Orlando, Disney Springs and what we love to do around Orlando. 

We hope you come back to hear all about it! 

Thanks so much and I’ll see you real soon!

London

Note: Tax in the Walt Disney World area is an additional 7% on your bill

Note: The Canadian Exchange rate quoted above is 1.41 CDN on 1 USD. This is what we paid at the time, not including credit card fees added, if applicable