Our air conditioning went out last weekend, so we decided that while the kids were at school we would get out of the house. Of course, we chose the hottest of the four parks, but there was a method to that madness. The plan was to experience two attractions and lunch at Flame Tree Barbecue before we went home to meet the HVAC guy and the kids after school. But you know what they say about the best laid plans. As soon as we made it through the bag check line, the HVAC guy called DH to s
ay he'd be at our house between noon & 4, but would give us a courtesy call half an h
our before he arrived. It was 9:45am, so we decided to stay at the park and do what we could before he called - DH was not giving up his barbecue.
We headed to Kilimanjaro Safaris, which only had a 20 minute wait, so we queued up and then boarded our safari vehicle in the village of Harambe for the two week journey. The first leg of our safari was through the jungles of Africa, where we saw black rhinoceros, hippopotamus and nile crocodiles. After our harrowing trip across an old bridge, we moved into the plains. Some of my favorite animals of the trip are here, including zebras, warthogs ostriches and a male and female lion. Of course, it didn't get any better than viewing a small herd of elephants, probably around six, including a very young elephant. During this safari you are in "radio contact" with a warden, who gives tips on where to see some of the best examples of wildlife. Then the warden tells you that there are poachers, and your driver informs the party that you have to go off course to run the poachers off the property or try to catch them. There's "Disney Magic" gunfire and another shaky bridge, then - miracle of miracles - the warden's crew cau
ght the poachers and reunited the baby elephant with its mother just ahead of you. It's almost a shame, because this attraction is so fantastic, so interesting and so realistic, and then the imaginary is sprung on you in order to fill the distance between the animals' spaces and t
he station where you exit your ride vehicle. Even with the closing drama, this ride is a favorite of both DH and me. The animals appear to be so close they could walk right up to you and if you have a camera that can take all the bumps in the road, it's a great place for taking pictures.
After exiting our safari, we strolled through Harambe and found Tam Tam Congo playing near the Tusker House restaurant. They played drums to an amazing beat and held their audience in rapt attention while they played and danced. The guests clapped along and eventually some even joined in the performance when asked!
And now, on to that barbecue. Flame Tree Barbecue has long been a favorite of our family. We first ate there about three years ago and we've told all our Disney-bound friends about it as a "don't miss." I know a lot of people who frequent message boards and even guidebook writers express a certain confusion as to how a barbecue counter-service restaurant fits into the theme of Animal Kingdom. My only answer to that is the architecture of both the restaurant building and the picnic pavilions fit their surroundings very well. OK, I have two answers to that actually. The other answer is that I don't care! The food is good, the portions
are generous and the sauces are excellent!
DH & I are not the only beings, however, who feel this way about Flame Tree. I chose a table in the pavilion close to the water, overlooking Expedition Everest. As soon as DH arrived with the tray, we were surrounded by a flock of ibises and mallard ducks. I did my best to ignore them, knowing that feeding them only makes their attention worse, but then something really, um, uncomfortable, happened. There I was, trying to enjoy my roast half chicken, and I felt a "poke" on the side of my rear end! I looked over, and there she was, a Mallard Molester at my side. I was "goosed" by a duck! Freaked out and shrieking, I looked it straight in the eye, shouted "NO!" and tried to move on. Of course I had attracted a great deal of attention and had to explain my behavior to our neighboring guests, who then laughed, probably more at me than the situation.
Moving on, DH & I shared a little of each other's meals. His ribs were a little dry, but the spices were fantastic, and my chicken was perfect, just perfect. The best part of it was the skin, it was perfectly crispy and spicy and held the juices in the meat very well. A little tasty tip for those of you dining at Flame Tree in the future. The regular barbecue sauce is great on the chicken, and the "sweet & spicy" is perfect for the ribs.
After lunch we took a little walk around Discovery Island and watched the flamingos. We headed to the tram, and it left just as we were about to approach the queue. Then our little bit of Disney Magic for the day. A cast member approached in a golf cart offering a ride to our car! Thank you, Patrick! When we arrived at our car, the HVAC guy called. We went home and enjoyed the rest of our afternoon in air conditioned comfort.
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