The Epic Tale of gMagicScott’s Pilgrimage to the Bubble - Part 13: Wild Times at Animal Kingdom
The Great Conference Exodus: A Dance with Destiny
Rise and shine, dear Liners! Our intrepid hero, gMagicScott, awoke with the excitement of a child on Christmas morning, ready to embark on his Animal Kingdom adventure. Dressed in his finest Disney attire and park bag packed to perfection, our protagonist descended to the hotel lobby, only to find it packed tighter than Cinderella’s slipper with participants of a dance competition. Mental note: Next time gMagicScott bemoans the presence of dancers or cheerleaders at an All Star resort, remind him of this moment. At least there, one can navigate without performing an interpretive dance routine!
The Lyft Lottery: A Transportation Tribulation
Like Hercules facing the Hydra, our hero encountered not one, not two, but three false starts with his Lyft chariot. Driver changes abounded, as if orchestrated by Hades himself. But fear not! For gMagicScott’s determination rivaled that of Mulan scaling the pole, and finally, he was on his way to the magical realm of Disney.
Breaching the Bubble: A Security Saga
As surely as the sun rises in the east, gMagicScott found himself selected for the time-honored tradition of bag search. But did this deter our hero? Nay! For what is a 20-minute wait to a seasoned Disney veteran? With the patience of Rafiki and the caffeine boost of a Joffrey’s Shakin’ Jamaican, gMagicScott stood strong, awaiting his fellow conference-goers.
The Plaid Pied Piper: A Tour Guide is Born
With the group assembled and immortalized in a photo op worthy of the Disney Vault,
our hero found himself thrust into the role of unofficial VIP tour guide for nine eager adventurers. Like Mary Poppins leading her charges through London, gMagicScott embarked on this unexpected quest with grace and a touch of Disney magic.
First stop: Guest Services, where the miraculous Juan worked wonders with the efficiency of Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother, linking tickets, solving password conundrums, and even adding the group to pre-booked Lightning Lanes. A Cast Compliment was but a small token of appreciation for such heroic efforts!
A Journey Through the Jungle: From Bugs to Birds
With the administrative tasks conquered, gMagicScott led his merry band on a whirlwind tour of Animal Kingdom’s wonders:
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A chance encounter with the elusive DiVine, blending into the foliage like Kaa in “The Jungle Book”
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“It’s Tough to Be a Bug,” where first-timers’ reactions proved as entertaining as the show itself
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“Feathered Friends in Flight,” featuring an owl that nearly gave gMagicScott an impromptu haircut
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“Winged Encounters,” filling the sky with macaws and our hearts with wonder
And gMagicScott couldn’t forget the sacred tradition of sharing the majestic Tree of Life with our beloved @OBNurseNH? As our intrepid group emerged onto Discovery Island, the awe-inspiring sight of the park’s iconic centerpiece greeted them. gMagicScott, ever the thoughtful guide, paused the expedition to capture the perfect shot.
The group watched in wonder as the morning light danced across the intricate animal carvings, bringing the tree to life before their very eyes. With a silent nod to OBNurseNH, our hero shared the image, knowing that even miles away, a fellow Liner would be joining in their moment of Disney magic.
A Magical Interlude: Pins and Performances
As if summoned by Mickey’s sorcerer hat itself, a blue-name-tagged cast member appeared, bestowing exclusive pins upon Mark and Taylor. The magic of Disney, dear readers, knows no bounds!
From there, our heroes ventured to the “Festival of the Lion King,” where gMagicScott found more joy in watching his friends’ awe-struck faces than in the spectacular show itself. A backstage meet-and-greet with the cast, courtesy of a connection worthy of Disney royalty, capped off this musical extravaganza.
Pandoran Pursuits and Safari Adventures
Onward to Pandora, where our hero’s culinary expectations were slightly dampened - perhaps by the weight of leadership or the lingering effects of Earth’s atmosphere. The Ocean Moon Bowl, Metkayina Mousse, and Pandoran Sunrise all earned a respectable, if not stellar, 3 stars.
Next, the Kilimanjaro Safaris beckoned, with gMagicScott reassuring the ever-anxious Cookie that no, this was not a roller coaster disguised as a safari vehicle. Our hero’s camera, bursting with potential safari snapshots, awaits its moment to shine in future updates.
After the safari adventure, our intrepid group ventured into the Gorilla Falls trail. While the elusive gorillas remained hidden from view, the zebras decided to put on a show, grazing close by and providing a perfect photo opportunity. The group marveled at the beauty of these striped equines, their black and white coats a stark contrast to the lush greenery surrounding them.
Flying High and Sailing Low
Before embarking on their next adventure, the group made a special pit stop at the request of some members. They posed for a PhotoPass picture in front of Timon and Pumbaa, with gMagicScott noting that the photographer’s interactions were so delightful, they earned a well-deserved Cast Compliment.
Our hero even took a moment to snap a selfie in front of the winterized mural, all while casting longing glances at Nomad Lounge, knowing their packed schedule left no time for lounging.
As the day progressed, our intrepid group found themselves soaring to new heights on Flight of Passage. However, the adventure took an unexpected turn when one member of the group encountered difficulty with their seat lock. Our hero himself narrowly avoided a similar fate. In a display of Disney magic rivaling Tinker Bell’s pixie dust, the group was bestowed with a bounty of two multi-park anytime Lightning Lanes each, a gesture that even included the non-riders.
Cookie, initially apprehensive, emerged from the experience with mixed feelings - glad to have braved the ride, yet content to leave it as a one-time adventure. Her newfound courage, however, inspired the purchase of a banshee shoulder puppet, a fitting memento of her Pandoran journey.
The group’s next stop was the serene Na’vi River Journey. gMagicScott found himself in the role of comforter once more, assuring his companions that unlike their past Pirates of the Caribbean surprise, this voyage was drop-free. The cast’s attempt to keep the group together resulted in a rather snug arrangement, with four squeezed into one row. Our hero counted his blessings to be seated in a more comfortable row of three.
As they made their way to Dinoland, hunger struck. While some of the group opted for the classic Mickey Pretzels, gMagicScott held out for a refreshing ice cream sandwich from Dino Bites. Judging by the envious glances, it seemed his patience had paid off.
No Disney adventure is complete without a character encounter, and so our hero led his flock to meet the mischievous Chip and Dale.
Little did gMagicScott know that this routine photo op would turn into an impromptu parade! As the meet-and-greet concluded, Chip, perhaps sensing our hero’s hunger (or mischief), grabbed gMagicScott’s hand and led him towards the backstage exit. In a moment of pure Disney magic, our protagonist found himself the star of an unplanned procession, his bewildered group trailing behind with his hastily abandoned belongings. While his companions were too awestruck to document the spectacle, dozens of park-goers captured the moment. The search for this magical memory on social media continues!
Still reeling from his chipmunk adventure, a speechless gMagicScott could only gesture towards their next destination - DINOSAUR. The group of ten filled an entire time rover, embarking on a prehistoric journey. Halfway through, the unexpected happened - the ride ground to a halt, plunging our adventurers into stillness and light. As minutes ticked by, disappointment grew, but our hero’s excitement built. Just as the 15-minute mark approached, bringing with it the tantalizing possibility of being evacuated, the issue resolved itself. The lights dimmed, and the journey through time resumed. As compensation for their interrupted adventure, the benevolent cast allowed the group a second trip through the Cretaceous period
Front Row Jamie, Dan, Carroll, Paul. Row 2 Taylor, Mark, Michelle. Row 3 gMagicScott, Cookie, Conrad.
To cap off their Animal Kingdom adventure, the group set their sights on Expedition Everest. As twilight descended, some members of the party chose to sit out this particular escapade. Those who braved the Yeti’s domain discovered a delightful surprise - the standby line was a mere walk-on. Despite having Lightning Lane passes at the ready, they hardly seemed necessary. The allure of Everest after dark proved irresistible, and our intrepid adventurers found themselves riding not once, not twice, but thrice! With each round, however, their numbers dwindled, until only the most daring (or perhaps, the most foolhardy) remained.
The Grand Farewell
As the clock struck 7 PM, signaling the end of their Animal Kingdom adventure, the group faced a fork in the road. Taylor, drawing upon her Disney knowledge, suggested a fitting finale - viewing the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the beaches of the Polynesian Resort. As the leader of this merry band, gMagicScott escorted them to the bus stalls, pointed them towards their destination, and bid them a fond farewell.
But for our hero, the night was far from over. With the promise of Jollywood Nights beckoning, gMagicScott set his sights on Hollywood Studios. As he made his way to the bus corral, anticipation built for the festive adventures that lay ahead.
And so, dear Liners, we leave our valiant gMagicScott at the crossroads of adventure, poised to trade the wilds of Animal Kingdom for the glitz and glamour of Hollywood Studios. Will the Jollywood Nights dazzle and delight? Will our hero’s feet survive another evening of Disney magic? Tune in for the next thrilling installment of “The Epic Tale of gMagicScott’s Pilgrimage to the Bubble”!