Orlando (final part!)

[Mags]

Animal Kingdom


This was our last Disney Park to visit and I was looking forward to it as it was built the year after we last visited.

Disney's Animal Kingdom is themed entirely around animal conservation.

The Tree of Life is a 145ft tall 50ft wide sculpted tree and is the centrepiece and icon of Animal Kingdom. All 325 animals carved on the bark of this massive tree can be seen in the Park.

The Tree of Life....

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We climbed aboard the open-sided safari vehicle for an amazing expedition to see numerous African animals roaming freely through savanna, rivers and rocky hill. It was a bumpy journey but I wouldn't have missed it for the world!

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Ostrich eggs....

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Termite mound....

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Dad Gorilla supposedly babysitting but decides to sleep instead!.......

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Mum Gorilla arrives to rescue the youngster .....

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...... and carries youngster off to safety!

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Unfortunately our day was cut short by a torrential tropical storm ...... goodness it certainly rains hard in Florida!http://www.over50sforum.com/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif



Gatorland


Our final trip on the day before we returned home was to Gatorland which provided a unique and natural alternative to the large theme parks. It is a 110 acre theme park and wild life preserve. It is also home to various birds, lizards, snakes and a few furry animals.

Basking in the sunshine......

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Feeding the alligators at the Gator Jumparoo Show....

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Jamie, alias Crocodile Dundee!http://www.over50sforum.com/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif


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Gatorland is also home to a couple of white alligators. The Leucistic is not an albino, they have a little bit of pigmentation around the mouth and on the tail and they have piercing blue eyes.

Leucistic animals have a rare genetic condition that reduces the colour pigmentation in their skin.

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Due to their condition, these alligators were housed in special enclosures to protect them from the sunlight.

[alexgirl73]

Simply stunning Mags :D Looks like it was a wonderful holiday and I'm sure the children loved it x

[calismum]

Think this would have been the lace for me to go to. Neve knew you could get white 'gators.

It looks to have been an amazing holiday Mags.

[Mags]

Simply stunning Mags :D Looks like it was a wonderful holiday and I'm sure the children loved it x
Thanks Alex, we had a great time but not a restful one ...... I've never done so much walking in all my life! :lol:

Think this would have been the lace for me to go to. Neve knew you could get white 'gators.

It looks to have been an amazing holiday Mags.

Thanks CM, I was shocked when I saw the white 'gators, it was the first I'd heard about them...... they look more of a pale ivory colour and their blue eyes are stunning.

[Moli]

It all looks amazing Mags, what a wonderful place to holiday...

[Mags]

Thanks Moli :D

[dandysmom]

The animal pics are great, I'd have enjoyed this part best of the whole holiday. The white crocs are something else, I'd never heard of them. What memories for Katie and Jamie! Thanks for sharing those.

[PoshPuss]

Looks like you and you r family had a wonderful holiday Mags.
The white alligators are a first for me too, amazing!
The rain storms there have put our showers into perspective I guess, :lol:

[angieh]

Astonishing Mags - what a holiday! Memories forever for your grandchildren and for you too.

Those white alligators are probably unique as they probably wouldn't survive in the wild.

[Kim]

More great pics mags. Those white crocs are amazing - I can't remember seeing them when we went to Gator land. I loved gator Land too and agree, such a refreshing change after the hustle and bustle of the main parks. Great memories for the grandchildren and you too! Thanks fro sharing with us. :)

[Shelley123]

Some more fantastic pics Mags. Thank you for sharing a bit of your holiday with us.