With the bucket in hand, I had to decide what I wanted to do. I decided that today was a perfect opportunity for me to hit the trails! I started out on the Discovery Island Trails on Discovery Island near the Tree of Life. I got to see some Asian small-clawed otters, a few Galapagos tortoises, some lesser flamingoes, and a lappet faced vulture.

I next headed into Africa to explore the Gorilla Falls Conservation Trail. Here I was able to see an okapi. In the trail's aviary I saw a taveta golden weaver, African spoonbills, an African pygmy goose, a marbled teal, and some Lake Victoria cichlid (fish). Back on the trail I was able to see a hippopotamus that was relaxing underwater, a couple of Grevy's zebras, a curious meerkat, as well as a few western lowland gorillas and a couple of Angolan black-and-white colobuses.

I headed off to Asia next, but didn't realize that there was a trail there as well - I completely missed the Maharajah Jungle Trek. Now I have something to shoot for next time!

From Asia I made my way back to Discovery Island to make my way towards the park exit. On my way out I saw some collared brown lemurs as well as a couple of ring-tailed lemurs. In the Oasis at the front of the park I wrapped up with a southern giant anteater sighting before calling it a day.

I made a stop at Disney Springs to pick up a cookie for Tara from Gideon's Bakehouse, but the wait for the virtual queue was 3 1/2 hours, so that wasn't looking likely. I grabbed a "Halfway to Halloween" Donald Duck sipper from B.B. Wolf's Sausage Co. before heading off to the car, where I sat in the parking garage and ate my lunch since I had to wait until 2:00pm so that I could park-hop into Epcot to pick up another new popcorn bucket (check that one out here as well). A little before two I made the drive over, snagged the bucket, and decided to head home. As I was returning to the car I got the text that it was my turn to get my cookie, so I made the short drive back to Gideon's to grab Tara's cookie before heading home for the day.

All in all I enjoyed my experience, and I will certainly enjoy doing so again in the future!

Disney's Animal Kingdom

The entrance to Disney's Animal Kingdom.

The Disney100 logo at the front entrance to the park.

In the Oasis, a babirusa was enjoying a snack...

The Tree of Life as seen from Discovery Island as I made my way into Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Here are two of the macaw's during the...

...Animal Encounters: Winged Encounters – The Kingdom Takes Flight show.

A lappet-faced vulture spotted on the Discovery Island trails...

...along with some lesser flamingos...

...and these Asian small-clawed otters.

I also came across this napping mallard...

...and a cotton-topped tamarin while walking the trails on Discovery Island.

Further in on the Discovery Island trails I found these Galapagos tortoises enjoying a meal...

Kenai and Koda from the movie "Brother Bear"...

...waving at me from the waters surrounding Discovery Island.

The Tree of Life as seen from the back of Discovery Island.

The Port of Harambe as seen while crossing over from Discovery Island to Africa...

...and a turn in the other directions shows Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain far in the distance.

A sign spotted at the entrance to the Gorilla Falls Conservation Trail in Africa.

Here are a couple shots of an okapi that I was able to see feeding while on the Gorilla Falls trail...

I wandered through the Gorilla Falls aviary while making my way along the trails. I got to see several birds, including...

...this taveta golden weaver...

...and this African spoonbill...

...as well as an African pygmy goose...

...and a marbled teal.

I also got to see a couple of...

...hamerkops. Interesting birds, for sure!

A hippopotamus chilling underwater in the hippo pool.

I was taking a picture of these two Grevy's zebras but I failed to notice the meerkat standing to the right of the frame.

I managed to get some good pictures of the little meerkat standing tall as he eyed his surroundings...

The stars of the attraction, the western lowland gorillas!

I even got to see one of the babies!

One awake gorilla taking in his surroundings...

...as another slept away on this beautiful morning.

The "falls" of the Gorilla Falls Conservation Trail.

I also saw a couple of cute little Angolan black & white colobus monkeys on my walk...

A look at some of the scenery as I made my way into the Asia section of the park...

A look at the Tree of Life from the walkway from Asia to Discovery Island...

I was fortunate enough to see a couple of collared brown lemurs during my visit...

...as well as a couple of ring-tailed lemurs.

There was a pretty tricolored heron hanging out in the lemur habitat.

A few more pictures of the lemurs...

Animal Kingdom still has the Simba and Timon and Pumba Disney Fab 50 Character Collection statues in the park.

A southern giant anteater curled up and taking a nap in the Oasis section of the park.

A black necked swan spotted in the Oasis.

An African spoonbill standing on one leg.

A mallard duck scratching his neck like our dogs do at home!

The African spoonbill from the above photo spread his wing out and stuck his leg through it. An interesting pose, for sure!

The team bus for the Rimouski Oceanic minor hockey team from Rimouski, Quebec, Canada was spotted in the Animal Kingdom parking lot!