We got up at 6:00 and drove to Animal Kingdom,  arriving at 7:30.  The line for the Kilimanjaro Safari was already an hour wait, so we followed the CMs suggestion to take advantage of no line at "It's Tough To Be A Bug."    I noticed this all day, there were CMs all over directing people to attractions or shows that  were just about to start or had no wait.  The kids really enjoyed this and Judy and I were able to
appreciate it more, having seen "A Bug's Life."

After breakfast, we took the Water Taxi, which was previously called the Discovery River Boats.  There was a 10 minute wait.  It wasn't on the map anymore, since they are closing it on the 3rd  until April.  A CM told me that they wanted to upgrade it a bit.  When we went in August, people  had said to skip it, so I don't know if it changed any since this summer, but I found it a worthwhile ride, considering there really wasn't much of a wait.  Of course, anything I can do without walking is worthwhile.

I got to OKW at 3:00 and the room wasn't ready yet, so I grabbed a frozen yogurt at Good's and sat awhile.  Btw, I never noticed it before, but there is a display of mini menus at the check in counter, which I think is a great idea.  I took a wide sampling of them.              

The room was ready at 4:00, room 3825.  I surprised housekeeping (as I walked toward the room, she was coming out and didn't see me.)  She wasn't exactly ready, so I brought up the bags while  she vacuumed.  Building 38 is probably the farthest from the Turtle Pond stop, but we had a partial view of the gold course from our balcony.              

Judy and the kids got back to the room at 4:45.  The enjoyed the safari and saw a number of  animals, although they only saw one lion and it was sleeping.  We got to the Wilderness Lodge a little late, at 5:30 at went up to the Whispering Canyon.   I found everyone right away.  Jodi (djpix) was there with her brood, as was Kathy (DZNYNUT), Barb (dizyworld), her husband Larry and kids Jason and Jackie, Mary (MSCHUSTER) and husband Larry, and Mary (MaryKitch), Frank and her kids.  There were four tables.  We sat with Jodi's daughter's Rachel Rebekah and Cheryl, but walked around to all the tables to chat a bit.  We were only able to stay an hour, since we had a 7:00 PO at Chef Mickey's.  I must say that meeting everyone was a treat.  It's always great to put faces to people you communicate with online. Everyone was super and I hope to have the chance to see them again and meet others I have had the privilege of chatting with.              

There was a short wait at Chef Mickey's.  We all had to wait in line to check in at the desk.  Everyone had POs.  Jodi had recommended we ask for Annie, but I decided that to do so, might hold us up.  We got Glenn who was quite good.  A number of CMs look a little worn down from the busy week, Glen being one of them.  Not in a negative way.  He just said that it had been a rough week.  He said it's worse toward the end of the day, when the guests are tired and cranky.              

After dinner, we went to Magic Kingdom, arriving a little after 9:00.   Spectromagic was already in progress, so we cut through the stores to avoid the crowds.  All the stores are connected, so you can walk from the entrance to Crystal Palace very easily.  We went on one of our favorite rides, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority.  Then did Buzz Light-year for the first time.  There was only a 10 minute wait, so we got on for a second try.  Seth got the hang of it right away, but the rest of us had trouble aiming.  You have to be careful with those laser pointers, because you can easily point it in someone's eye.  Seth did that to his mother by accident.             

Elana wanted to ride the Grand Prix (in our family, it's pronounced "pricks," which is how Sara used to pronounce it quite by accident.) Again, not a long wait, maybe 20 minutes.  We then went to another favorite, Haunted Mansion.  Again, no wait.   The CM that urges you to come into the "dead center" of the room had me in stitches as she stared at everyone with this deadpan look.  We ended the night on Splash Mountain.  I couldn't believe it when the CM said there was no wait. I've never been lucky with this ride, never finding a wait of less than an hour.  Only Seth and I went on, Since the girls felt it was too cold.They wouldn't believe me when I told them that you don't really get that wet.  We got up to Brer Roadrunner's house, when the ride stopped. First we were told it would resume momentarily, then they announced that had to shut down and restart, finally giving up and telling us that a host or hostess would be with us momentarily.  We knew we were in trouble when they called for maintenance.  I don't know how many moments are in a half hour, but there were lots of them.  Finally, CMs that were called from all over the place, appeared to walk us off the ride.  It was so weird to see CMs in different costumes congregated in one place. We walked backstage and back onstage at the photo pick up.  Apparently a sensor went out.  Judy told me later on, that while they were waiting for us, a CM came out and said everyone was off, and she responded "no they're not," since we hadn't come off yet.  We left the park and took the bus home, exhausted.