Animal Kingdom

Although Animal Kingdom is the largest of all the Disney parks (square footage-wise), we only spent one day there during our trip.  Around noon that day, I started panicking, thinking that we would never get to all of the things that we wanted to see but by a few hours later, it was clear that we exhausted all of the attractions (the most popular ones, the roller coasters, had height requirements that Emily didn't meet).  It was a great way to spend the day, especially for a family of animal lovers.

The first thing that we did when we arrived at Animal Kingdom was go on the safari - it is an up close and personal experience with wild animals like we have never experienced before.  The giraffes were so close to us that we actually had to stop in our vehicle and let them cross the road. 

At times, you could actually believe that you were in the middle of Africa. 

After the safari, we did a walking trail that allowed us to see many of the same animals from a different point of view.  Like this hippopotamus, for example.

Lee and Elizabeth were fascinated with this hippo skull. 

The animals live as much "in the wild" as they can - obviously, the lions and tigers are fenced off from the rest of the animals (although you couldn't really see the fencing, you just had to believe the safari guide).  This meerkat was the "lookout" for his family and friends while they ate - Lee tried to get his attention and was severely reprimanded by a nearby cast member, as he could not be distracted from his lookout responsibilities. 

Silverback.   

The girls, with the enormous Silverback in the background. 

I didn't include this woman in with the character posts, but the girls were totally fascinated with her and kept trying to follow her around.

As you can see, she blended right in! 

Another stellar photo by Elizabeth (minus the backpack, but that's Lee's fault, not hers.) 

It was sunny that day, can't you tell.....