Back on dry land

Saturday 23 April

We climbed out of bed at 06:00, this was a struggle as we’d forgotten there were two six o’clocks in a day. The bulk of our luggage had already been collected so with just our hand luggage each went for breakfast. After we’d eaten we disembarked the ship collected our luggage and cleared customs and immigration. We then climbed aboard a Disney Cruise line bus that took us to the next stage of our holiday at Animal Kingdom Lodge. It’s a magnificent place and you really feel you are in Africa. We checked in and we’re allowed to go directly to our room. Talk about wow factor, it is absolutely stunning with a balcony upon which you can sit and overlook the “savanna” we were mesmerised just watching the zebras, giraffes and various species of antelope wander around. We hadn’t booked a meal so we bought some sandwiches and just sat and watched.

Sunday 24th April 

We awoke to the beautiful view and had breakfast on the balcony. We then took the courtesy bus to EPCOT and spent the day there. COVID restrictions had been lifted even further and the characters were out and about. It’s a beautiful park with a number of countries represented. We called in at Norway to go on the Frozen ride but there was a technical problem so it wasn’t running. We wandered right round the magnificent lake taking plenty of photos particularly of a superb model railway layout. We had our meal in Chip and Dale’s garden grill which is an all you can eat meat and salad spread. It’s a lovely setting and the restaurant actually revolves but at such a pace you hardly notice. After we’d eaten we went back to “Norway” and this time managed to get to go on the Frozen ride. We returned to our billet and sat on the balcony watching the sun set.

Monday 25th April

Once again we had light breakfast on the balcony overlooking the open space watching the animals go to and fro. We then took the courtesy bus to Animal Kingdom. On entering we simply wandered around familiarising with the surroundings. We found our way to the Kilimanjaro Safari which simply a ride though the park observing the animals in their natural habitat. So much better than the last occasion we went on it for now it is exactly what it says on the tin, there are no longer any silly scenarios and gimmicks. There plenty of animals to see and photograph. We left this ride and went for lunch. After we’d eaten we went on a train ride on Rafiki’s Planet Watch. On this you take a train to the forest where you alight and wander around learning about conservation. We then re boarded the train back. After this we went on the roller coaster known as Exhibition Everest. We were dared to go on in by our family. Val wasn’t too keen but nevertheless went on it. It is fast, steep and dark but really exhilarating. We came off there and sat and relaxed in the sun. It was soon time for dinner so we made our way to the Rainforest cafe where we had a superb meal. Afterwards we took the courtesy bus back to the billet totally worn out.

Tuesday 26th April 

We somehow lost a day and thought it was Wednesday and prepared ourselves for the plans we had made for that day. Then someone advised us it was only Tuesday so we reverted to that day’s. plan which was to visit the Magic Kingdom. When we arrived a barbershop quartet we performing so we sat and watched them. We walked further into the park and visited the Monsters Inc comedy show which basically a modern version of the Muppets. We then had a leisurely boat trip on the Jungle cruise. Followed by another leisurely ride on the People Mover. After lunch we went into the Presidents’ Hall where we were given an interesting overview on how the United States came to what it is today after the end of the war of independence. We finally had a go on the Seven Dwarfs mine train thinking it too was sedate. It certainly wasn’t. We finally ended up in the Chrystal Palace restaurant for dinner before returning to the billet. Once back we explored the resort a bit further and discovered some more fabulous lookouts. We then retired to our room exhausted.