Posts Tagged With: Animal Kingdom

2019 Trip 1: Orlando Again: Jan. 21-22

Posted on January 23, 2019 by Ed Heimel and Chris Klejbuk, MN travel bloggers; ckeh72@comcast.net

At the start of the air boat ride, just south of Kissimmee FL

Orlando Monday Jan. 21

After two early mornings, we slept in Monday. Our activity today was a two-hour air boat ride through the headwaters area of the Everglades which starts just south of Orlando. Our tour operator (Spirit of the Swamp) was chosen because it offers headsets for better hearing of the guide’s presentation and because it is the only operator offering a two-hour tour, instead of just one hour. We were not disappointed; our guide, Lynn, did an excellent job.

Part of the marshy area of our air boat ride

This section of Florida is critical to the Everglades, that 1.5 million acres of marshes, coastal mangroves, slow moving rivers of water, etc that crosses most of southern Florida where it had not been destroyed by encroaching urbanization and agriculture. Our air boat ride was not in the Everglades National Park, that is farther south. We were in the headwaters area where Shingle Creek, which flows southward out of Orlando, runs in to Lake Tohopekaliga. Through various lakes, rivers, and canals (much of the water is southern Florida is controlled by various watershed management agencies), the water flows into Lake Okeechobee and down through the Everglades to the Gulf. The land in this area seems to be divided between ranches, urban development, and conservation areas. I am sure there are in-depth articles on the battle between various groups to use and conserve water, I do not know how this area ties in to that. So I won’t go there.

Cypress trees along Shingle Creek

Lynn, our captain, took us through a canal system into Lake Tohopekaliga, a shallow lake with numerous marsh areas. The air boat is able to go into areas with just inches of water or even areas of low grass. This versatility offered a wide variety of options as we covered marsh, grass, and open water. We saw the expected diversity of birds. We rode over a large swath of the lake area while Lynn identified numerous birds. The temperature, high of about 60 with a good wind, made us concerned whether we would see any alligators.

Up close and personal with one of the gators

Of course, a major highlight was seeing alligators. Mothers and hatchlings were not evident today but numerous large male alligators were sunning themselves. Most ignored us, one disappeared under the water as we got closer. With the air boat, we were able to come up within three feet of several of them. They just laid there, sometimes with an eye open, sometimes not, just enjoying the warmth of the sun on their backs. A few turtles were sunning themselves.

The five of us with CaptainLynn from Spirit of the Swamp air boat rides

The two hours went by quickly, we never tired of looking around the next corner to see what bird or animal would be present. Through it all, the landscape of water, trees, and grasses was a constantly changing backdrop of gorgeous greens and blues.

Tuesday, Jan. 22

The rhino blocking our path

Back to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Early arrival brought us to the gates around 8:30; gates were opening then. However, we had a glitch again and had to have guest relations re-authorize Sarah’s and Chris’ tickets to enter. We still made it to Na’vi River Journey before 9 AM and were able to easily enter the ride. From there we headed to Kilimanjaro Safaris Expedition and once again were ahead of the crowd for the 20 minute ride through various African terrains. Our ride was about 3 minutes longer as a rhino decided to park itself blocking the road just in front of us. We had to wait until it decided to back up enough for us to pass.

Some of the animals at Animal Kingdom

We wandered back and forth though the park trying various park experiences and had a great time. Lunch was at Satu’li Canteen with tasty and healthy meal combinations. In the afternoon, Sarah, Sarah and Daniel decided to separate and take a chance waiting in line for Avatar-Flight of Passage. They felt the just over two-hour wait was worth the experience, although a second ride would not have been.

We ended the day with a second ride on Kilimanjaro Safari Expedition and riding Expedition Everest (only 3 rode, you can guess which ones). As Expedition Everest ended, the evening river light show was beginning and we watched it from a bridge over one of the water channels. It was a pleasant way to finish enjoying the park and our two weeks in Orlando.

River of Light show at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom

Ed and Chris Jan. 23

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2019: Trip 1: Orlando Again: Jan. 16-18

Posted on January 21, 2019 by Ed Heimel and Chris Klejbuk, MN travel bloggers; ckeh72@comcast.net

Orlando Jan. 16

During Kilimanjaro Safari at Disney World Animal Kingdom

Well, I think Animal Kingdom wins our vote as the top park for Disney theme parks. As usual, we arrived early and the park opened before its regular, announced opening time. We headed for Na’vi River Journey and jumped on the ride with basically no wait. Na’vi, and its sister attraction Avatar, are based on the movie Avatar released in 2009. Na’vi River Journey is a boat ride making extensive use of 3D and 4D technology and luminescence. It was worth the early morning arrival.

On Kilimanjaro Safari ride

On Gorilla Falls walk

The four of us at the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom

After Na’vi, we rode on the Kilimanjaro Safari, a bumpy ride in a large Jeep-like conveyance through the animal enclosures of Animal Kingdom. This ride was high on the request list and was well worth the bumpiness. In retrospect, we probably should have gone to the Avatar ride before Kilimanjaro as the lines for Avatar were never less than 105 minutes (it was not operating part of the day) and we did not want to spend that much time just waiting in line.

Deb and Ed with Expedition Everest in background

The rest of the day we wandered around, enjoying rides (including the roller coaster Expedition Everest that Deb and Ed rode) and shows. The lush setting and quieter atmosphere were a pleasant contrast to the other parks. The ability to see numerous animal species in close proximity was an added bonus. We left the park in late afternoon and ate at an Italian restaurant for dinner. It was Deb and Rebecca’s last full day as we brought them to the airport for an 8 AM flight home Thursday morning.

Left, Mickey and Minnie float at Magic Kingdom parade; right, It’s a Small World attraction

Thursday afternoon, Chris and I went back to the Magic Kingdom to catch the parade and a few more rides. There is no evening parade unfortunately; that had been a beauty. The afternoon parade seemed shorter than my memory recollected; not sure if my memory is correct or if the cost cutters have shortened it. Disney theme parks continue to raise prices and profits are still high; seems to me the evening parade should return.

Friday was our switch day. We moved from the Marriott Cyprus Harbor timeshare over to the Sheraton Vistana Villa Resorts. Another two bedroom place, the complex is much larger than Marriott but just as nice. One of the pools is just across the driveway from our unit.

Our MN guests were arriving at 5:15 PM so in the morning we went back to an art museum we had visited previously. The Mennello museum is relatively small. Another example of a wealthy couple donating their collection to create a museum. The city of Orlando gave them parkland near the city’s collection of museums to establish their museum. The Mennello collection focuses on the primitive paintings of Earl Campbell that Mrs. Mennello was enamored with. We arrived when the museum was in the midst of changing exhibits so no admission was charged to view the reduced number of works on view.

After the brief time at the Mennello, we headed over to a new art museum, the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens. The Polasek is another boutique museum. Polasek was a Czech-American sculptor. He had taught at the Chicago Art Institute. We were lucky enough to catch a docent tour.

Polasek’s Nativity carving done at age 15

Polasek’s themes included religion, man’s ability to persevere, and freedom. His monumental works include a sculpture of Woodrow Wilson in Czechoslovakia which had to be re-created from hidden molds since the Communists destroyed the work in their attempts to erase ideas of democracy.

Polasek moved to Florida after he left the Art Institute of Chicago and combined his home and studio. He suffered a stroke while living there which paralyzed the left side of his body. In the 15 years between his stroke and his death, he created 18 major sculptures. He would hold the chisel in his right hand and direct an assistant where and how to wield the hammer. His perseverance sculptures reflect this determination. Fascinating story.

Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens, the painted cow relates to a traveling exhibit about cattle in Florida

Ed and Chris. Jan. 21

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