A Birthday Spent on the Savannah

Today is Disneyland's 57th Birthday, and I'm spending it on the savannah... well, at least overlooking Disney's savannah in Florida.  We're staying at Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village.  We have a Sunset Savannah view room, and the view truly is spectacular.

The animals are so peaceful and enjoyable to watch.  Many are simply gorgeous.  We have been enraptured by them throughout the afternoon today.  We've enjoyed watching the various creatures that inhabit the resort's various savannahs.  We haven't taken pictures of each variety yet, but here are just a couple that we have documented so far on this trip. 

This is not our first stay at Animal Kingdom - rather it's our third as a family.  Plus I've stayed here an additional three or four times while on business.  It's a terrific place to stay.  I just love the neighbors!  If you have ever considered staying here before but haven't done it... I would definitely encourage you to do so.  And if it hasn't even crossed your mind before... you really should consider it.  There are many wonderful resorts here at Walt Disney World - but Animal Kingdom Lodge really is one of the coolest!  

The savannahs that were created, along with the animals that roam freely, coupled with the amazing attention to detail and architectural stylings certainly help transport guests away mentally from Florida.  You really can forget that you are in the middle of the Sunshine State.  

As I stood on the balcony this afternoon, and alternately sat on the zebra-backed chair, I remembered that across the nation, a magical little place was celebrating another anniversary. Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom turned 57.  Another year has passed since Walt first stood in Town Square making his dedication speech - filled with wonderful memories for the nearly millions of guests who passed through its' gates in the past 12 months and new experiences awaiting those who will enter in the months to come.  

I sat on that balcony today, and thought about the memories that I was helping to shape and create for my children and wife as we enjoy our vacation this week, and remembered that it was the father, who all those years ago while watching his daughters have fun on the merry-go-round at Griffith Park, thought, there should be a place where parents and children could have fun together.  Walt may not have been able to build his park while his daughters were still young, but he sure was able to enjoy that magical little park with his daughter's children.  And then as parents and their children came in droves to visit the park throughout the 1950s and 1960's, his dream expanded eastward, and Walt Disney World was born in 1971.  As time has passed - newer and more expansive concepts have become reality, and the Disney parks and resorts have become destinations unto themselves - where millions of parents and their children - and even grandparents, parents, and children can have fun together.  

The last time we stayed at Animal Kingdom, we were here with my folks.  Some wonderful memories were made on that trip - even to the point that when I shared with my mother that we were returning to Kidani Village, my mother got a bit sad - because they weren't able to join us this time!  

During my youth in Southern California, I was able to make it to the park for a number of birthday celebrations, and have several commemorative buttons from those years in my collection.  But alas, as an adult, living in the Midwest, getting to Disneyland on its' actual birthday is a much harder thing to do.  But this is the first birthday that I've ever spent at the park's sister resort in Florida!  So it's a very fun first for me.  Celebrating Disneyland at Walt Disney World! Not being one to enjoy the usually brutal heat of summer in Florida - I have never once before been here for this auspicious occasion.  But this year, I'm here, and having a marvelous time - and of course remembering, that without Disneyland - Walt Disney World would not even exist. 

Walt sure knew what he was doing all those years ago.  So once again, I say Happy Birthday Disneyland!  Walt knew we all needed you.  

Until next time,