You can follow the link to see the original Disney picture and trivia question. 

This photo was taken in Animal Kingdom overlooking the Discovery River in the direction of Asia.  In the original trivia question post, I cropped the mountain of Expedition Everest out from the right-hand side of the picture.  I didn’t want to make it too easy!  You can see the full picture below.

Image: Susan Gunelius

Post from: The Disney Traveler

If you want to see pictures of the inside of Expedition Everest, keep reading.

First, you see a distorted projection of the Yeti against the rocks.

Next, you see a clear projection of the Yeti, and he sees you, too!

Finally, you meet the Yeti face-to-face!

Luckily, everyone escapes! It’s a fast and fun rollercoaster that you shouldn’t miss during your next trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom (if you can handle fast rollercoasters).

Photo source: Susan Gunelius

Tags: Expedition Everest, Disney Animal Kindgom, Walt Disney World, Disney rollercoasters, Disney thrill rides, Disney World pictures, Disney Expedition Everest, Disney Himalayas Ride

Post from: The Disney Traveler

My kids have loved Kilimanjaro Safaris since we first started taking them on it when they were just 13-months old. At first, they loved the ride because there was so much to look at. As they learned animal names and sounds, they could identify them as we drove past animals they were familiar with. Now, at 3-years old, they still love the animals, but they also love the action of Kilimanjaro Safaris. They call it the ‘bumpy truck ride’ and the faster and bumpier the ride gets, the better, as far as they’re concerned. Anytime we go to Animal Kingdom, they insist they we ride on the bumpy truck ride!

It’s usually hard for me to take pictures on Kilimanjaro Safaris because I’m holding at least one 3-year old, but luckily, my mother got some good shots when we were there on Friday. Take a look at some of the animals we saw on this trip. Note: there are four more pictures and a Quick Tip after the jump.

Hippos (they’re not always above water, so seeing the hippos is always a treat).

The crocodiles are so easy to see on Kilimanjaro Safaris!

It’s always great to see the giraffes so close up on the safari. They’re often busy eating leaves off the trees!

I love getting so close to the animals on Kilimanjaro Safaris. Check out the horns!

Sometimes you’ll see several elephants on Kilimanjaro Safaris, and sometimes you’ll see none. Luckily, they were out when we visited on Friday.

Post from: The Disney Traveler

I wasn’t sure what to expect from the newest table service restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but I left the Yak & Yeti very satisfied and very full!

As we entered the Yak & Yeti, we first noticed the beautiful decor. My one complaint is that the restaurant is very dark, but the decorations are exquisite. Since the Yak & Yeti is in the Asia section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the restaurant’s design is Asian-inspired. I noticed a great deal of elaborately carved woodwork and jeweled statues and urns. Below is a picture of one of the beautiful statues (for lack of a better word) found throughout the restaurant. This one is in the restaurant’s foyer.

When it was our turn to be seated (I highly recommend priority seating reservations as this restaurant gets very crowded), we were taken past a small bar and up an elevator to our table. My first impression was that this restaurant looks huge (it seats up to 443 people). The vast size has a tendency to make it feel less cozy than many of the other Disney restaurants, but that’s a very minor complaint. Here is a picture from the second floor looking down onto the first floor.

We were greeted by our server and handed our menus. Instantaneously, we realized we were in for a treat. Everything on the menu sounded completely mouthwatering. Of course, all of the menu items were Asian inspired. We tried the pork pot stickers and fried green beans with chili sauce as appetizers, and both were delicious. For the main course, I ordered the honey glazed chicken – phenomenal. My husband had the Pho, and my parents each ordered the Miso Salmon. We all absolutely loved our meals. Luckily, my 3-year old triplets were also satisfied with the kids menu that included hamburgers, chicken nuggets, lo mein and egg rolls.

Here is a picture showing some more of the decor on the second floor of the Yak & Yeti.

I should mention that since Disney’s Animal Kingdom closes fairly early most of the year (for example, 5:00 p.m.), the Yak & Yeti only offers one menu that is served for lunch and dinner.

Overall, I would highly recommend the Yak & Yeti restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The prices were comparable to other table-service restaurants on Disney property, and the food was amazing. I can’t wait to go back again!

Tags: Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Disney vacation, Disney dining, Yak & Yeti, Disney restaurants

Post from: The Disney Traveler

Much to my father’s dismay, Tusker House Restaurant in the Africa section of Animal Kingdom will close for refurbishment on August 20, 2007.  When it reopens on November 18th, it will have changed from a quick-service restaurant to a buffet restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Let’s hope for my father’s sake that they keep the salmon.

Tusker House will also become the new home of the character breakfast that was held previously at Donald’s Restaurantosauras in Dinoland.  As of November 5th, Donald’s Restaurantosaurus will only be open for lunch and dinner quick-service meals.

That’s a lot of changes!  If you will be visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom during the refurbishment dates, plan accordingly. 

Post from: The Disney Traveler

The Animal Kingdom desperately needs more restaurants, particularly restaurants that provide full service.  The Yak & Yeti will fill that gap and bring a unique, Asian menu to the park.  The Anandapur Yak & Yeti Restaurant is scheduled to open in 2007.  I can’t wait to try it!

Post from: The Disney Traveler

The story starts with Pocahontas singing the theme song from the Pocahontas movie, “Colors of the Wind” and falls flat after that.  Pocahontas discovers the forest is in danger and refers to various forest creatures as she talks about the impending danger with Grandmother Willow.  An animatronic tree comes to life onstage to represent the Grandmother Willow character from the movie. 

Warning: A small child behind us was so frightened by Grandmother Willow that he began crying hysterically.  I had to agree with the child that the tree and the voice of the character were unsettling. 

Next, a variety of animals take turns running across the back of the stage or poking their heads out of a hole in a pretend tree.  The animals are not very exciting (e.g., ducks, an opossum, a raccoon, and a skunk) and make such brief appearances on stage that the children watching don’t even get a chance to enjoy them.   The most exciting part of the show occurs when Pocahontas carries a snake across the front row of the audience.  The first four rows of the center section of the theater are reserved for children under 10 giving them a great view of the snake, but the premium seats don’t enhance the quick glimpses of the animals appearing on stage.

Bottom-line, I would not recommend this show to families except those with children who truly love Pocahontas.  There are much better opportunities to see animals close up at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.   I expected this performance to be similar to the reptile show from Walt Disney World’s now closed Discovery Island including an opportunity to be educated about the interesting animals in the show, audience interaction and great close up views of the animals.  With those expectations, it’s not surprising I was so disappointed with Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends.   

Post from: The Disney Traveler

The scenery around the exterior of the Expedition Everest attraction captures every detail of a Himalayan village.  Linger just a few minutes, and you’ll be surprised to see a train filled with expedition riders burst out of the mountain and plummet down the icy slope.  This is a great photo opportunity! 

 As you wait in line, you’ll be winding your way through the Himalayan village and the expedition base camp.  You’ll see artifacts telling a story of an ancient creature called the Yeti (also known as the Abominable Snowman).  Guests are warned that legend claims the Yeti protects the mountain and does not like visitors.

When your turn to climb the mountain arrives, you’ll board a train and begin your ascent.  Your ride quickly turns into a fast-paced rollercoaster with sharp turns and drops as your train evades the dreaded Yeti.  Just when you think you’re safe, the train shoots backwards and the chase is on again.  Eventually, your train makes it back to base camp safely, and the Yeti is left to wait for the next train of riders to pursue.

I love rollercoasters, and I enjoyed this ride.  It seems faster than Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom but milder than Rockin’ Rollercoaster at Disney-MGM Studios.  The height requirement is 44″, and the ride is definitely not for the timid or faint-of-heart.  The story that accompanies the ride is extremely well done and would take several rides to fully comprehend.  In fact, this is one of those rides that you could ride a hundred times and still see something new.  My only complaint is I wish the ride were a bit longer, but that might simply be because the train is moving so fast, the ride seems to end too soon. 

Bottomline, if you think you can take the action and suspense then you won’t want to miss this first-rate thrill ride.  If rollercoasters aren’t for you, then you won’t want to miss Expedition Everest simply to take some unique pictures and enjoy the detailed environment that the Disney Imagineers created so well.

Post from: The Disney Traveler

The basic storyline was left intact, and for the most part, the songs are enjoyable. However, in some parts, the songs seem to run long and the plot drags. The visual effects and action do make up for any negatives the music may present to the overall show. The costumes are brilliantly designed with vibrant colors and creative twists on what guests expect to see from the characters. Throughout the show, performers run through the audience with oversized puppets representing different kinds of fish much to the delight of the children watching. The action even takes to the sky at certain points during the show as performers fly through the air on wires to represent swimming.

The new Finding Nemo – The Musical attraction is located in the Theater in the Wild building which underwent extensive renovations to accomodate the anticipated popularity of the new musical. The building, which used to present the Tarzan Rocks show, has been fully enclosed. A new stage and seating were built to expand the theater’s capacity. The new theater is very comfortable and any seat is a good one. As Disney expected, this new attraction is very popular. Even though the theater is large, guests should arrive significantly early to ensure seating is available.

Finding Nemo – The Musical opened almost concurrently with a new ride called The Seas with Nemo and Friends at the Living Seas Pavilion in Walt Disney World’s Epcot park. Thanks to the new musical and ride, the “Finding Nemo” movie should see a resurgance of popularity. Could a sequel be in the works?

Post from: The Disney Traveler