Pictures: Animal Kingdom- Dinoland, USA

Continuing on with my picture posts, here are some snaps from the Dinoland area of Animal Kingdom:

Outside of DINOSAUR.

Top of the Primeval Whirl.

I love how the hedges are trimmed with old license plates!

Pictures: Animal Kingdom- Asia

I am trying to organize all of my Disney photos... be on the lookout for a page with links to all of these! I wanted to get them all in one place:) Here are some pics from the Asia area at Animal Kingdom.

Expedition: Everest

Everest from a distance.

The gift shop outside Expedition Everest.

Bats!

The Yak & Yeti: My favorite Animal Kingdom restaurant.

A beautiful tiger... as seen on the Maharaja Jungle Trek

Ahh... can't remember what these guys are called...

Finding Nemo-The Musical: Attraction Review

Name: Finding Nemo-The Musical
Type: Live Show
Location: Animal Kingdom, in the Dinoland, U.S.A. area
The Gist: A live onstage 30-minute musical based on the Disney-Pixar film "Finding Nemo", using fancy puppets and special effects.
A Must-Do For: "Finding Nemo" fans; people who would like to get out of the heat for a half-an-hour.
Avoid If: You find the idea of having to watch a performance along with an audience of a hundred sometimes badly behaving children completely unbearable.
Lines & Other Tips: This show plays at several set times throughout the day, so pick up a times guide when you get to the park and check. Be sure to get there early if you want to get a good seat, it is a big theater, but it does fill up.

This is a pretty cute show to see with children, especially. I mean, it is not exactly Broadway, but the effects are pretty cool.

Oh, and speaking of Broadway, did you know that the songs for this show were co-written by composer/lyricist Robert Lopez; who helped write Avenue Q and The Book of Mormon? If you are familiar with either of those two musicals, you will understand why my mind was blown when I found this out. Bit of an unexpected choice by Disney. I suppose Alan Menken must have been busy.

xoxo, Lily

Tamu Tamu Refreshments: Restaurant Review

Name: Tamu Tamu Refreshments
Location: Animal Kingdom, in the Africa area
Cuisine: Vaguely ethnic-inspired
Type: Counter Service
Good For Those: Who want to have a comparatively unique quick-service experience
Price Range: In the $ range, which means less than $14 per person. Everything here is $8 or $9, really.
Times: Lunch and dinner, hours vary
Reservations: None, since this is counter service
My Recommendation: The beef pita sandwich, served with the homemade chips. My new favorite at Animal Kingdom.
Healthier Option: You could go with the chicken salad if you didn't want the carbs.

This is not the place to go if you want variety; all they have is the said beef wrap, the chicken salad, and a turkey sandwich, milkshakes, and a few other desserts, and drinks. There is no indoor seating, so that could sway your decision, depending on whether the weather is really shitty or just regular shitty (Florida really only has two settings...).

But, seriously, the beef pita sandwich is the best. Very yummy. That alone makes this my new favorite Animal Kingdom quickservice.

xoxo, Lily

*Note: Food prices and menu options are subject to change at any time, so I can't guarantee my information will always be accurate.

**Also, the "healthier options" I give are simply based on my knowledge of healthy eating and nutrition. I am not a doctor! For specific information regarding calories and such, I suggest contacting the individual restaurants via the Disney World website.

Restaurantosaurus: Restaurant Review

Name: Restaurantosaurus
Location: Animal Kingdom, in the Dinoland, U.S.A. area
Cuisine: American, standard hamburgers, chicken nuggets, etc.
Type: Quick-service, counter
Good For Those: Who are looking for quick, relatively cheap standards like burgers and fries
Price Range: In the $ range, which means $14.99 and under. Items here are $8 or $9, typically.
Times: Lunch and Dinner
Reservations: None, since this is quick-service
My Recommendation: Don't really have one. The one time I went here, I got the Angus Bacon Cheeseburger (without the bacon and cheese... they are assembled to order) which was good, but not exactly life-changing.
Healthier Option: Try the vegetable sub (-osaurus). It comes with sweet potato fries, too.

Not a bad place to have a quick lunch, especially if you have picky eaters. A lot of traditional favorites here.

xoxo, Lily

*Note: Food prices and menu options are subject to change at any time, so I can't guarantee my information will always be accurate.

**Also, the "healthier options" I give are simply based on my knowledge of healthy eating and nutrition. I am not a doctor! For specific information regarding calories and such, I suggest contacting the individual restaurants via the Disney World website.

Kusafiri Coffee Shop: Snack Review

Name: Kusafiri Coffee Shop
Location: Animal Kingdom, in the Africa area
Cusine: Pastries, coffee, snacks, etc.
Type: Quick-Service counter
Good For Those: Looking for coffee or a sweet treat in the park
Price Range: In the $ range, which is $14.99 or less. Items here are usually $5 or less, though.
Times: Usually open during all park hours
Reservations: This is counter service, so no.
My Recommendation: The "African" donuts.
Healthier Option: Here, probably none. All they carry is sweets. There is a stand across the way that sells fresh fruit if you'd rather.

I had never ordered anything from here before, until last time I was at the park, two or three weeks ago. Before, all the really had was standard stuff like cinnamon rolls and probably-stale danishes, and I was never too interested. They didn't have anything unique or special, which is what I prefer to get.

But last time, they had a sign up : "New Item- African Donuts". And we were like, well obviously  we have to try. I mean, I don't know how authentic donuts are in Africa, but they were something a little different. Basically like balls of not very sweet (which for me, is a good thing) dough fried and smothered with powdered sugar. Not too bad. A good choice if you can't bring yourself to order a boring old cinnamon roll.

xoxo, Lily

*Note: Food prices and menu options are subject to change at any time, so I can't guarantee my information will always be accurate.

**Also, the "healthier options" I give are simply based on my knowledge of healthy eating and nutrition. I am not a doctor! For specific information regarding calories and such, I suggest contacting the individual restaurants via the Disney World website.

Yak & Yeti: Restaurant Review

Name: Yak & Yeti
Location: Animal Kingdom, in the Asia section
Cuisine: Asian
Type: Table Service
Good For Those Who: Like Asian food, in particular, delicious lo mein noodles.
Price Range: Listed in the $$ range, which is $15 to $35.99 per person. Entrees here average at about lower-middle end of that range, let's say about $15 to $25-y.
Times: Opens at 11:00am, closing time varies, usually dependent on how late the park is open that night.
Reservations: Recommended, but if you go at a late/lunch early dinner time, you might be able to get a table without one- don't plan on it though. Reservations can be made online at the official Walt Disney World  website.
My Recommendation: I had the chicken lo mein and loved it. That is all I will say. Next time I go, it will be a difficult choice for me, whether or not I get that again or try one of the many other delicious sounding things on their menu.
Healthier Option: There are many things here which seem (relatively, of course) healthy- a lot of fish and vegetarian options, and like everything is served with a bunch of veggies, so it is hard to go too wrong here.

My boyfriend took me here, finally, after listening to me whining about wanting to go here for months, and let me say, it was worth the wait. I loved it. I wake up in the morning craving that dang lo mein (they import their noodles from actual Asia- I mean, really??!). I've had lo mein at like every restaurant I've been to since that carries it, but it is never the same. I need to go back. Needless to say, this gets a BIG recommendation from me.

xoxo, Lily

*Note: Food prices and menu options are subject to change at any time, so I can't guarantee my information will always be accurate.

**Also, the "healthier options" I give are simply based on my knowledge of healthy eating and nutrition. I am not a doctor! For specific information regarding calories and such, I suggest contacting the individual restaurants via the Disney World website.

Maharaja Jungle Trek: Exhibit Review

Name: Maharaja Jungle Trek
Type: Walking path through animal exhibits
Location: Animal Kingdom, in the Asia area
The Gist: Walk through the Asian animal exhibits and see tigers, bats, kimodo dragons, birds, and deer.
A Must-Do For: People who want to see the real animals at Animal Kingdom

Aww.

Pangani Forest Exploration Trail: Attraction Review

Name: Pangani Forest Exporation Trail
Type: Walking trail through animal exhibits
Location: Animal Kingdom, in the Africa area
The Gist: A walking path through some of the African animal exhibits. Animals include gorillas, meerkats, okapi, many kinds of birds, and an underwater hippo viewing area.
A Must-Do For: People who actually want to see animals at Animal Kingdom

Gorillas are exceptionally hard to photograph.

Expedition Everest: Ride Review

Name: Expedition Everest
Type: Ride, Roller Coaster
Location: Animal Kingdom, in the Asia area
The Gist: Take a wild train ride through the Himalyas and search for its most infamous inhabitant- the Yeti.
A Must-Do For: People who watch shows like "Finding Bigfoot"; roller coaster lovers
Avoid If: You don't like heights; very fast, sometimes dark rides; moving backwards at 30 miles an hour.


Primeval Whirl: Ride Review

Name: Primeval Whirl
Type: Ride, Kiddie Coaster
Location: Animal Kingdom, Dinoland U.S.A. area
The Gist: Supposed to be like a silly carnival ride, this small rollercoaster is distinct because of its "whirling", which is really just a part at the end where they spin your car around a few times.

Don't you just love the design? Pure kitsch.

Flame Tree Barbeque: Restaurant Review

Name: Flame Tree Barbeque
Location: Animal Kingdom, on Discovery Island
Cuisine: American, Barbeque
Type: Counter Service
Good For Those Who: Like barbeque, are enticed by the smell of smoked meats wafting through Discovery Island
Price Range: Disney lists this location in their $ range, which means less than $14.99 per person. Entrees here run around $9 per person.
Times: Lunch and Dinner
Reservations: No, since this is quickservice. To avoid the most crowded times, eat before 12 am or after 2 pm.

DINOSAUR: Ride Review

Name: DINOSAUR
Type: Ride, Bumpy "Jeep" ride through animatronic dinosaurs
Location: Animal Kingdom, in Dinoland, U.S.A. area
The Gist: Travel back in time millions of years to watch dinosaurs in their natural habitat, then almost get hit by an asteroid.
A Must-Do For: Dinosaur buffs, people who want an exciting ride that isn't a roller coaster.
Avoid if: You or your children are frightened by loud (very loud!) noises, dark spaces, or pretty darn realistic meat-eating dinosaur animatronics.
Fear Factor: 5/10. The actual movement part of the ride is not that scary. Just a little bumpy and jerky. What makes this scary, mostly for kids, is the atmosphere and the dinosaurs. It is very loud and dark. If you are like me, and know that loud and dark doesn't bother you, then you will be fine. Probably not a good choice for small children, though.

The Rainforest Cafe: Restaurant Review

There are two Rainforest Cafes on the Disney property, one at Downtown Disney, and the other at the entrance of Animal Kingdom. I've been to both, and since they are both very similar and have the same menu, I decided to condense them into one post.

Name: The Rainforest Cafe
Location: Animal Kingdom, near the gate (there are two entrances to the restaurant, one inside the park and one out, so technically, you can eat here even without theme park admission) and Downtown Disney, in the Marketplace section.
Cuisine: American
Type: Table Service
Good for those who: Want to watch animatronic gorillas and fake rainstorms while they eat. Also, this place is good for people who want a lot of menu options (it has more than any other eatery at Animal Kingdom).
Price Range:  Disney lists this in the $$ range, which technically means $15-$35.99 per person. Entrees prices here vary greatly depending on what you order, but average is around $20.
Times: Downtown Disney location serves lunch 11:00am to 4:00pm, and dinner from 5:00pm to 10:30 pm. The Animal Kingdom location serves lunch 10:15am to 4:45pm, and dinner from 5:00pm to 7:50pm. This location also serves breakfast, from 8:30am to 10:00am.

Kilimanjaro Safari: Ride Review

Name: Kilimanjaro Safaris Expedition
Type: Ride; but I can't really classify this, because their isn't much else like it. The vehicle is basically a big safari jeep.
Location: Animal Kingdom, Africa area
The Gist: Board a jeep, steered by an actual driver and live narrator, and take a wild safari through the African animal (read: REAL animals- this ain't the Jungle Cruise, folks) exhibits. No two rides
are ever alike, and you never know what you might see.

For Instance, you might see this. D'aww.

Yak & Yeti Local Foods Cafe: Restaurant Review

Name: Yak & Yeti Local Foods Cafe
Location: Animal Kingdom, in the Asia section
Cuisine: Asian
Type: Counter Service
Good For Those Who: Are curious about the Yak & Yeti sit-down restaurant but don't want to spend that much money; fans of standard "Asian" style fast food.
Price Range: According to Disney's pricing system, this is a $, which means everything is $14 and under. Main dishes here run around $10 per person.
Times: Serves lunch & Dinner