Animal Kingdom

Our last day was so special.  We went to Animal Kingdom and we had been told to be there right when they opened to run to the Safari because the lines can get really long and because all the animals are out in the morning.  We were there before they opened and waited in line for them to open.  They do a rolling open so they let you get so far in the park before letting you get any further.  Well, we got to the last rope and a staff member (Adriyana) was talking to us and talking to Eden about her birthday and then she moved the rope and asked our family to come with her.  We didn't know what she was doing. She took us to through Africa and led us to the Safari and said we were going to get our own private Safari truck and tour.  We couldn't believe it and we were THRILLED!  Eden couldn't wait to see the giraffes and lions.  It was SO MUCH FUN and such a special thing to be chosen for that!  Of course, Eden loved all the special attention and they made sure we got to see all the animals that morning.

The giraffes were walking towards us when we rounded a bend in the road.  They are such beautiful creatures!

The hippos staying cool in the water.

Huge crocodiles sunning.

Elephants eating.

Cheetahs.

Male Lion sleeping.  Lions are so lazy.

Rhinos

Two female lions playing peek-a-boo with us.

Zebras.  

Eden trying to identify all the birds she could find on a trail.  

Eden with our Safari guide, Adriyana.  If you happen to go, tell her we said hello.  She was awesome!

The gorillas were stunning.  I could have watched them all day.  They are so beautiful!

Harper doing is best monkey and gorilla impression=)

The Expedition Everest mountain and peak.  Michael and Dad really enjoyed that roller coaster.  

Eden and I waiting for the Lion King show to start.  It was amazing!

Did I mention Eden got chosen again to be a part of the show?  She got to shake an instrument and walk around with a few other kids.  She was so cute!

Taking their bow and waving to family.

Eden posing with Baloo and King Louie. 

The Animal Kingdom's Tree of Life.

The best we could get of a family picture.  

Group picture on our own private Safari truck and tour=)

Posing with Adriyana. 

Harper with J. Pops and Mimi on the TriceraTop Spin.  Harper LOVED this ride.

Michael and I riding with Eden!

Michael, Dad, Eden, and I rode the Dinosaur roller coaster.  That ride has a warning that it is scary and Eden kept going back and forth on whether she wanted to do it or not.  Well, a really sweet young couple in line in front of us kept telling her how brave she was and that she could go back and tell all the boys that she rode it and stuff.  The ride was definitely intense.  She rode it and now it is one of the first things out of her mouth when people ask her about her trip.  She is so proud of herself for riding it and for not crying or being scared.  She did awesome!  We also got to do It's Tough to Be a Bug and mom flipped out at the very last thing they surprise you with.  It was so FUNNY!   We had such a great time at Animal Kingdom!!!

We left Animal Kingdom that afternoon so Eden could swim one more time before we left to head home.  She had a great time swimming and playing in the water.  The water was still a little cool even being heated but we played on=)

This kiddy one was not heated so the water was FREEZING!  Eden didn't last long there so we headed back to one of the other heated pools to swim.