Audubon Zoo

The Audubon Zoo has 2 new attractions open this Spring.  One is this aerial obstacle course and the other is the Gator Run (Lazy River) within Kool Zoo.  Both are well done and in typical Audubon Zoo fashion.  Denny and Em braved this 3 story course.  You can't fall because you are bungeed to it, but Emerson said it was hard to remember that when you are up there.

 The Gator Run was a much needed addition to Kool Zoo and really allows you to spend more time in this section.  So nice!

Disney Cruise, last post

They were trying to get the water behind them.  Took a few shots to get it right...

 

 

 This is the day we were supposed to be in Castaway Cay, but the weather just wouldn't allow it.  So, we docked in the Bahamas for half a day.  It was cold and windy, but we got off to walk around a bit. Unless you are in need of a T-shirt, alcohol or diamonds, there is NO reason to be in downtown Bahama's.  Frankly it freaked Em out a bit and after 45 minutes we got back on the boat.  She wanted to go to Kids Club and we wanted to be anywhere but in downtown Bahama's. 

 This was a pirate themed game show Denny and Em participated in.

 And then there were these guys...

Yes, Cuban Refugees we encountered in the middle of the ocean.  No motor and a tarp covering their boat.  The captain comes on over the speakers and tells us we have to stop a bit and go to the aid of  a vessel in distress.  It is Disney's policy and Maritime Law to see if they need help.  They were not allowed on board, but Disney sent a crew to give them water and food, while we waited for the Coast Guard to come to their aid.  The storm that blew in and turned everything so cold and windy had blown these guys out into the ocean.  They were fleeing Cuba trying to get to Florida.  We were allowed to watch from any deck we could see from until the Coast Guard was so many miles away and then we had to turn them loose and go on about our way.  There was a lesson in hardship that had to take place as Emerson just couldn't understand what they could possibly be doing. Very surreal for sure! And just when we might have taken where we were and what we have for granted, this puts it all back into perspective! Disney handled this situation so well and kept us in the loop the entire time. 

Disney Cruise Part 3, The Characters

I think its easier to just post all the character pics at once. She still really got into all of them and watched the daily schedule to see which ones would be appearing and where.  There were meet and greets that required a ticket, so we were glad we read up on that before the cruise.  Most of the characters were actors/actresses/performers in the shows at night, so Emerson started to recognize them after a day or so.

Disney Cruise, Part 2

Our second day, the first day at sea, was beautiful.  Weather was perfect.  We slept in a bit, ate good breakfast and headed to the pool.

 

 Emerson felt pretty grown up being able to go from the pool to the slide and back to the pool again.  And of course she would swing by the unlimited ice cream section as often as we would let her.

 When she was done swimming and sliding, she headed to the Kids Club. It was Pirate Nite, so everyone was given a pirate bandana in their rooms that morning in order to wear them to the party that night.

 Even the characters dressed up for Pirate Nite!

 Sunset was amazing!

 This is one of our waiters.  Again, having never been on a cruise, I had no idea that your wait staff travels with you each night in each of the restaurants.  They had our favorite drinks waiting for us each night.  They were super fun.

The next morning, we woke up in Cozumel.  We had a Dolphin Push, Pull & Swim scheduled.  It was an all day excursion at a Nature Preserve.

More to come!