I don't know what my deal is but it took me 3 months to edit the video of this night. I mean, what the hell. That's called "procrastination". This show was a week after last year's election and a day after I had returned from Pittsburgh. It was a busy time in my life for sure which is why I think this lovely night got overshadowed blog-wise.
I picked up Lauren from her house and we grabbed a bite to eat at Jimmy Johns on Orange Ave. before heading to the venue. I loved LOVED that there were (almost) life size Tegan and Sara cut outs and super sized cutouts of Sara's cats Holiday and Mickey. We both even ended up buying Holiday and Mickey pins .
The show was wonderful. It was so high-energy and just made me want to sing at the top of my lungs while simultaneously dancing like a buffoon (which I did 75% of the time). They are incredible artists and performers but also people. They talked to the crowd several times and told us stories here and there but when they started talking about the Pulse shooting it really got me. They donated all of the proceeds from their merch that evening to two local LGBT organizations. They are amazing all around. The night was also amazing. I had a blast hanging out with Lauren. We were already talking about how we couldn't wait to do it again and hadn't even left the damn building yet.
All week the four of us (me, Dustin, Rachelle and Matt) texted each other each day with the weather report for Saturday. For most of the week it said 80-90% chance of rain. It was looking like a no-go but then in Florida weather fashion we all woke up Friday to only a 20% chance. Wooo!
Dustin and I got to Animal Kingdom about 8:40ish. We made it through the gate before they technically opened at 9AM. Matt and Rachelle were of course coming from Palm Coast and they were bringing Addilyn so they arrived about 20 minutes after us.
I was so pumped to visit Animal Kingdom with the Benton family. Dustin and I hadn't been there since 2008. We're not really "Disney people". We like to go to parks, sure, but we're no where close to being annual pass holders, not even once a year-ers, just here and there-ers. Ha! But Animal Kingdom was certainly overdue.
We headed straight back to Africa (JAMBO!) to do the safari ride first. It was only about a 20 minute wait so not bad at all. This ride is always my favorite at AK. It's a pretty long ride and you really do feel like you're on a safari because you're secluded enough from all the theme park stuff. There was a family of giraffe's so close to the truck we were in. We also saw hippos, zebras, and some really lazy lions napping high up on a rock.
From there we did the walking part of the tour where we saw lots of different fish and some napping gorillas. Dustin and I spoke to a Disney cast member from Botswana, Africa. He showed us a cow tail that he said royalty in his country would use. We talked to him for a good 5 minutes. I asked him how he liked it over here in the US and he said he is enjoying the experience but misses home. I totally get it. There's always something about home. He also mentioned that he will probably be going back to Botswana at some point but first he'd like to see the Grand Canyon and some other US landmarks first. Good luck new friend!
We got some mid-morning pizza as a snack since Dustin's lobster and mac-n-cheese place wasn't open yet. I mean, it was only 10:30 but he was pissed about it. Ha! After we had some food and Addilyn was awake from her nap we got on the train to Rafiki's Planet Watch. This is a section of the park where you can have more interaction with some of the animals and see the staff caring for the injured or sick. While inside I got to meet Rafiki himself. I don't mean to brag but he totally got on one knee and kissed my hand! Then he gave Dustin a high five. Ha! We also watched some of the staff bring out and talk about a snake from Australia. Then we went outside to enjoy the petting zoo. Dilyn was running to animal to animal in the cutest way. She'd pet one goat and then run to another. She even said to the cow "Hi Brute!" which is hilarious because Brutus is the name of one of their dogs.
Once the train dropped us back off we all opted for some Dole Whips. It was my first one ever and is so worth the hype. It is the most refreshing cold pineapple treat you'll ever have. Also, you can spike it up with coconut rum if you so choose. It was time to see if Dustin's little food hut was open and since it was we all got some baked mac-n-cheese which was on a whole new level of cheesiness. Dustin and Matt got the one that came with a topping of pulled pork and pickles.
Now that we were nice and full we traveled into Asia. We saw incredible tigers (one female and one male they were trying to mate), some monkeys, and went into an aviary of some of the coolest birds (although one almost flew and hit us all in the head).
At this point the weather was not looking so good. The radar showed a huge storm about to move in so we figured we'd go into the Restaurantosaurus and take shelter (and eat some more). It was perfect timing because it rained the whole time we were there. Once we left it was still sprinkling which wasn't a huge deal but for someone who wears glasses to see is incredibly annoying. I thought about maybe buying a poncho but then decided against it. Oh well.
We all (including Dilyn!) went on TriceraTop Spin aka Dumbo Dino. I mean, this is classified as a kid ride but I was still a little nervous. I'm not much of a "thrill seeker". I like slow and steady and usually staying on the ground. I actually really enjoyed this one. I kind of screamed but overall it was enjoyable. It started to rain a little heavier so we took shelter in a gift shop. Once it let up a little Dustin and I decided to head home while the Bentons stuck it out for a little while longer. I am still so impressed with how Dilyn did. She is the best baby ever. She didn't cry at all. The entire day! She was incredible for only being 14 months and it being her first time at a theme park. Girl is chill as hell.
We had such a great time on our second of three Disney days. The Florida resident tickets they have ($139 for 3 days per person) going right now are such a good deal. I think we're going to go to MGM for our anniversary next month as our final day.
Dustin and I were BEAT. And by beat I mean our asses were in bed asleep by 7pm. I'm not even joking. This is why we don't do theme parks all the time. That and the whole I-4 traffic thing that turns me into a violent harry monster out of your worst nightmares.
