INDEX

Previous day - here


Wednesday 17th August

Today we were going to a water park for the first time this holiday. We were all up and ready by 9am with all sun lotions applied and all swimwear on. Asked the kids which park they wanted to visit first and Typhoon Lagoon was the clear winner

It’s not far so we were soon in the park only a little time after it had opened. Although it was pretty quiet inside we did struggle to find a spot in the shade but in the end we settled for a couple of beds under a palm tree.

Put our bags down and went off for our first ride, stopping for a little splash here on our way over.


First port of call was Crush ‘n’ Gusher, we checked to make sure was tall enough and finally now she was. Poppy was excited to be going on this for the first time and went up with her dad. The boys followed whilst I had to go on by myself. I always get confused which slide is ok to go on as a single rider, think it’s the Coconut slide?


So pleased when Poppy came down and she said she’d enjoyed it, I took her back up but we went on a different slide. The boys also tried a different one too. I think this is the best slide in the park and we could happily spend all day on it. As the time goes on the busier it gets and the lines had started to form, we’d been on all 3 slides though.




We took a walk over to the other side of the water park - we watched the wave pool for a short time. Kids were eager to get in but I said it’s probably best to go on the slides first before the place got really busy.


Settled on the family raft ride next which said it had a wait time of 30 minutes. It was longer than that though. I always moan about this ride as it’s over in a few seconds but I suppose it’s an okay ride just wished it was longer.




Went on one of the other falls next, could’ve been the Mayday one but they’re pretty much the same as each other. Again first time Poppy had been on this one but it’s quite a tame ride so knew she’d be ok with this slide.


Did a lap round on the lazy river which was really busy. Took us a while to get some of tubes but eventually we managed to get one for each of us. Even got a little one for Poppy so she didn’t fall straight through it! Spent a relaxing time floating along here – totally chilled


Time now to head to the big surf pool - we absolutely love it in here we just can’t get enough of those massive waves.


Swimming over we’d worked up a good appetite so was now ready for some lunch. I’m not sure what the quick service place was called but it was the one over towards shark’s reef. Of course what with it being lunch time it was busy but after a little wait we found a table in the shade and tucked in.



Jamie wanted to go in shark’s reef so Scott took him in there whilst us three watched on. The wait said 10 minutes but it was a lot longer than that. It amazed us how many people got distressed whilst in the pool and had to be helped by the life guards, we saw 3 different adults needed assistance as they’d panicked at some stage.

Soon it was Scott and Jamie’s turn and we watched them swim across. Jamie really enjoyed the swim and wanted to go again but the queue had got even longer. Said maybe we’d return later.



Funnily enough though, the queue for humunga kowabunga was the complete opposite with only a 5 minute wait time, so I took the boys up for a ride on it. We virtually walked straight on, brilliant and we got to race each other. Now this is the second best ride here, love it.



The slide next to it was also very quiet so we had a ride on that one too, before meeting back up with Poppy and Scott in the big wave pool. At first the gentle waves were on so we just played around for a time then those big waves started and we stayed in for ages.

As I’ve said we love it in here and tend to stay at a midway point in the pool. One of us always as I hold of Poppy, even though she adamant she doesn’t need too. I told the kids it was time for us to go and they said just one more wave, please. Ok I replied but I’d made the mistake of walking out to the shallows, the same with Scott and Poppy, so when the wave came it swept me off my feet and I went flying over Scott. Poppy was fine we all were just that I scrapped my knee on that floor aahhhh! :angry: It bloomin stung! My own fault really, just glad it wasn’t Poppy or the boy’s who had fallen.


We left then after having such a good day here, the time had absolutely flown by it was now 4pm and we had a 6pm reservation to get too so we reluctantly had to leave. It had been a really hot day today without any rain and I was glad we’d spent it in a water park.



Continued below…

We all showered and changed ready for our meal at one of our favourite resort restaurants Sanna. Tonight we also planned to go into Animal Kingdom to watch the night time show afterwards.


Drove over to the Animal Kingdom lodges, we were soon there checking in for our meal. This resort is so beautiful and is another place which I would love for us to stay in one time, funds permitting.


Had time to go outside to the viewing area to see if we could see any animals and lucky for us we did.


Our buzzer went off so it was time for us to go inside but we thought we’d come back out after our meal for another look, if we had enough time.

We were seated in a lovely spot near to the windows so actually could see a little of what was happening outside.


Our server Ryan soon came to us to take our order, we had the bread service and we’ve normally had all the accompaniments but we have wasted a lot of them before so we just chose 3. Anyway when our food came out they’d put all the sauces on but they didn’t charge us for them.


I remember Ryan had recommended a dish which sounded right up my street so I ordered it, I can’t remember what it was called, just that it was very delicious.


Scott had the South African sampler plate which consisted of different meats and vegetables, Scott really enjoyed this dish.


Hayden had the Butter chicken and Paneer tikka with basmati rice.


I got a kids meal for Jamie and he chose a curry and rice dish.


Poppy’s kid’s meal was shrimps with rice and vegetables




Our desserts just like our mains were very good




We’ve always enjoyed our time here and tonight had been another wonderful meal for us. The food is always good and the restaurant has a different feel to it which we really love, it’s still Disney but in a more subtle way.

Our meal had not felt rushed but there was still plenty of time for us to have another look outside and on this occasion we managed to see some giraffe’s.


We made use of the rocking chairs for a while whilst keeping warm by the fire!


Upstairs inside we found yet more rocking chairs and what another lovely view there was up here of the savannah – just gorgeous. I think if we did ever stay here I’d be tempted to spend a lot of time looking out to here!


It took us no time to drive over to Animal Kingdom, the sun was starting to go down so the day was starting to feel a lot cooler - It had been so hot today. That was another thing I was looking forward to, being able to walk round the park in relative comfort and sweating bucket loads like you normally do here.

We were parked in the Unicorn section and because it felt cooler we were able to walk over to the entrance. Look at that beautiful sky.


I had booked a couple of fast passes for tonight as we’d been to a water park for the day and not had the time to use any. Our main purpose for coming tonight was to see the new night time show but we can never resist a ride on Everest.


Poppy and I had a look round the shop whilst the boys went on the ride. I bought Poppy a light up toy for the show, it also played music and blew bubbles! The boys soon returned to us they said that there wasn’t a line for Everest anyway but of course we weren’t to know that.


In fact most of the park was quiet with most people walking over to the stadium, so we followed on. I’m not really sure we needed a fast pass for here either but it didn’t hurt by booking one. Even though we’d arrived a good time before the show started the seating area for fast pass was packed out, we really struggled to find an available space for us all. Eventually we did but I did find it odd that over the other side a large section of the seating was still free. They did eventually start using that area, sometimes I think it pays to just turn before the start!

None the less we were seated and excited for the show ahead, more so because we’d enjoyed the new Jungle Book so much. The bollywood type music was playing really loud and you couldn’t help but get into the spirit with such high energy tunes playing. It was all so promising.

The lights went down then the show started. Now we’d purposely not watched any of the youtube videos as we wanted it to be all new to us. I had read about the reviews though and thought well we’ll go with an open mind and see for ourselves. You know what it’s like just because one person doesn’t like something doesn’t mean to say you will.







We weren’t expecting a great deal from this show either and much to our disappointment we didn’t! I think the issue was you could tell it had just been kind of thrown together. The dancers were very good and you could see they were very enthusiastic but it didn’t really work - the water projections were especially bad from where we were sat


Quite a few people round us got up and left after a few minutes which I did think was a little bit harsh. Unfortunately the show never changed much all throughout so they probably did the right thing.


Still it was something different that we’d experienced and it’s always good to see and try new things. It’s not like we’d have been doing anything else is it.


Hopefully the Rivers of Light will be better once that starts (if it’s not already).

Left the park after the show as we’d coming back to Animal Kingdom in the evening again some other time. We were back at the resort for 10 and straight to bed. We‘d really enjoyed our time at the water park, it had been such a relaxed day.

Thank for reading

another lovely day,ouch at the knee though mo x

I love your photos, looks like a wonderful day and a lovely meal at Sanaa, AKL looks so nice! Thank you for sharing

Thanks Mo, it was my own silly fault lol x

It does look so gorgeous there.

Thanks for your lovely comments

Another great day apart from the graze on your knee

Your meal looks good

Joan

Looks like a lovely day!
Shame about your knee, hope it healed up okay.
thanks for writing.

The pictures of Poppy on the slide are lovely, she is clearly having a great time.

Lunch actually looks really good!

I LOVE your Sanaa dress. You look tiny, your healthy eating before you left really paid off!

So funny, I got to the end and was just thinking what a busy day you'd had, then I read your last sentence!

I've just loved reading all your reports, you pack loads in without seeming hectic
You have some great family photos to look back on
Thanks for sharing x

Fab day Julia, my boys just love a water park day too and before we know it the day is gone! Cant wait to try Sanaa, it looks so good. Ouch at your knee though, that floor is brutal!