Kidani, HRH & BLT in 6 nights- Yes! We are THAT crazy!Nov 04-10,2009 OBX 4/16/10

[Mom2BCCC]

I can completely understand her pain at the airport. A couple of summers ago Sean wouldn't get out of the car at the airport, causing Pods & the boys to go to Fla to see Grandma, and me to take Sean home. (Fortunately, we have coverage, and I was able to join the rest of the family in FLA without Sean later, after spending an additional probably $1000 to do it). Has she ever spoken to security before the trip? To see if anything could be done to accomodate him? Can he tell her why he won't go through security, or does he have limited or no language and she has to guess? It's all so hard! It could be something as simple as he is over-stimulated by a noise like those rollers the carryons go through- if security could take him another way, that might take care of it. Sometimes it's some small thing that is unnoticeable to us, but in the autistic world it's a screaming problem. My friend had trouble getting her 7 year old into her other son's school everyday to pick up. He would go ballistic every time- finally he told her that the floor hurt his eyes. The floor tiles were a busy pattern, and it literally hurt him!

If I can help them in any way, please send me a PM- I'd be happy to talk to her about our experiences at WDW with Sean over the years.

Thanks - you and your family are a great inspiration and I'll definately be sharing your thoughts with my friend. As to the airport she thinks its a combination of the over stimulation, crowds, not knowing what to expect, etc. I suggested she not use Boston's airport but a smaller one. I will tell her to call ahead and see what accomodations can be made. He now has a great aide at school who is taking care of him after school also. She is willing to come to the airport to help get him situated. They are going to try for spring break to go to SC to visit his grandmother.

He is pretty high functioning, I believe. I think he'd do great once he got past the airport. I keep thinking of the giraffes and how much he loves them. Plus the pool and slide - he is a fish!

Anyway, the food at Sanaa looks great. We're going to be at BLT in March, which will be great - but I can't wait to get to Kidani (hopefully Dec.).

 

[podsnel]

Thanks - you and your family are a great inspiration and I'll definately be sharing your thoughts with my friend. As to the airport she thinks its a combination of the over stimulation, crowds, not knowing what to expect, etc. I suggested she not use Boston's airport but a smaller one. I will tell her to call ahead and see what accomodations can be made. He now has a great aide at school who is taking care of him after school also. She is willing to come to the airport to help get him situated. They are going to try for spring break to go to SC to visit his grandmother.

He is pretty high functioning, I believe. I think he'd do great once he got past the airport. I keep thinking of the giraffes and how much he loves them. Plus the pool and slide - he is a fish!

Anyway, the food at Sanaa looks great. We're going to be at BLT in March, which will be great - but I can't wait to get to Kidani (hopefully Dec.).

I really and truly wish them a ton of luck for spring break!! Hopefully the aide will work with him constantly to get past his fears. I believe the ONLY reason we were able to get Sean on the plane was because of that book I made for him. Once he could SEE everything that would happen, and we reviewed it constantly, he felt comfortable because we had been over it a hundred times. It became like a movie in his head of what to expect (which is what most things are to him, I think- a movie reel running in his brain). And the calendar always helps, too. Being able to see what is coming on each day makes him feel secure. No surprises. Please let me know how it goes for him in the spring!

And we loved our BLT stay, too! They are both wonderful resorts!!

 

[maburke]

Thanks - you and your family are a great inspiration and I'll definately be sharing your thoughts with my friend. As to the airport she thinks its a combination of the over stimulation, crowds, not knowing what to expect, etc. I suggested she not use Boston's airport but a smaller one. I will tell her to call ahead and see what accomodations can be made. He now has a great aide at school who is taking care of him after school also. She is willing to come to the airport to help get him situated. They are going to try for spring break to go to SC to visit his grandmother.

I would PM this, but I thought other people (including OP!) would like to know.

Please tell your friend that the airlines can do a lot more for people with disabilities like autism than most people realize. I was on a focus group for Delta last year and found out an amazing amount of information. In particular, the airlines can set up "practice runs" through the airport in advance of your trip. The person you want to talk to, either when you call or when you're at the airport if there's a problem (like you need an unexpected exception to a security policy) is called (at least by Delta) the Complaint Resolution Official (CRO). They are in charge of ADA compliance, and every airline is required to have them by the ADA.

Good luck to your friend! If I can tell you anything more, PM me.

 

[podsnel]

I would PM this, but I thought other people (including OP!) would like to know.

Please tell your friend that the airlines can do a lot more for people with disabilities like autism than most people realize. I was on a focus group for Delta last year and found out an amazing amount of information. In particular, the airlines can set up "practice runs" through the airport in advance of your trip. The person you want to talk to, either when you call or when you're at the airport if there's a problem (like you need an unexpected exception to a security policy) is called (at least by Delta) the Complaint Resolution Official (CRO). They are in charge of ADA compliance, and every airline is required to have them by the ADA.

Good luck to your friend! If I can tell you anything more, PM me.

Thank-you so much, maburke! That is wonderful information and I really appreciate you posting it here! Hopefully it will help lots of our kids-

 

[limace]

Your trip is making me sooo excited for our arrival at Kidani IN FOUR DAYS!!!! I am waaay more excited than my kids-my 12 year old keeps saying "mom, do we have to talk about Disney some more?".

That wine flight at Sanaa looked like pretty generous pours for a flight. Was that the case? How did you like the one you tried?

 

[Mom2BCCC]

I would PM this, but I thought other people (including OP!) would like to know.

Please tell your friend that the airlines can do a lot more for people with disabilities like autism than most people realize. I was on a focus group for Delta last year and found out an amazing amount of information. In particular, the airlines can set up "practice runs" through the airport in advance of your trip. The person you want to talk to, either when you call or when you're at the airport if there's a problem (like you need an unexpected exception to a security policy) is called (at least by Delta) the Complaint Resolution Official (CRO). They are in charge of ADA compliance, and every airline is required to have them by the ADA.

Good luck to your friend! If I can tell you anything more, PM me.

Thanks! This is great info. I'll pass it along. I'm not sure my friend is aware of all the support out there.

 

[manntra]

I love "to fly" too!
Isn't the pool at Kidani so nice?! And yes the slide is way better than at Jambo! We played Bingo and won a play-do set...gave it to a family next to us that just joined DVC
Great picture of Sean and the Chef! It's so awesome that they are so accommodating!
Food at Sanaa looks so good and it has gotten great reviews from everyone!

Tracy

 

[podsnel]

Back in our room, we went out to the large balcony to enjoy the savannah view. It was wonderful! There were so many animals right in front of us- especially giraffes!

Ty and Tim enjoyed watching for a little while-

Pods was there, too.

But Sean was only outside briefly- he was tired, and decided to take a shower and then relax in the big bed with a book for a bit. It occured to us how nice it was for everyone, Sean included, to have all this extra space. I actually think having the extra room beyond what we have normally been used to went a LONG way towards Sean's optimum vacation- he had the ability to de-stress away from the rest of the family when he needed to. Yay DVC!!

We thought it might be a good time for T&T to check out the arcade- for months we had been saving our change in a big bottle at home. We cashed it in right before the trip- and the amount was $137 !!! Thanks Nikki for that tip!! While they played (they pretty much had it to themselves) I made my way to Kohari Treasures for a mug refill- and for some pics!

This is outside of Sanaa, they were singing and playing the drums-

It was time to go, drawing our relaxing Kidani day to a close....we needed to get to the MK- we still hadn't been!!

 

[podsnel]

Your trip is making me sooo excited for our arrival at Kidani IN FOUR DAYS!!!! I am waaay more excited than my kids-my 12 year old keeps saying "mom, do we have to talk about Disney some more?".

That wine flight at Sanaa looked like pretty generous pours for a flight. Was that the case? How did you like the one you tried?

Haha- my kids have the same reaction..."Mommy, you love Disney TOO much!!" But they DO admit they are glad about it!! They love our Disney vacations. Only 2 more sleeps for you!! WOOHOO!!!

The pours were definitely generous- the glasses are a little smaller, though, I think- but it's a great deal. And I LOVED the wines- as I said, i am a big Chenin Blanc fan, and I even liked that Chardonnay...which very often I do NOT like, because there is so often too much oak- it feels like I'm drinking wood. That was not the case with that one. Have a great trip, i hope you tell us all about it!!

I love "to fly" too!
Isn't the pool at Kidani so nice?! And yes the slide is way better than at Jambo! We played Bingo and won a play-do set...gave it to a family next to us that just joined DVC
Great picture of Sean and the Chef! It's so awesome that they are so accommodating!
Food at Sanaa looks so good and it has gotten great reviews from everyone!

Tracy

I agree, that pool is sooooo nice. Wish we would have gotten there just a little earlier, we would have all played Bingo. Well, there's always next time, right? And that was so nice of you to share the magic!!

 

[manntra]

Wow Ellen!!!! Beautiful pictures of your view and of Kidani!! I am thinking I was on the same "side" as you when I was there in October....I was on the 3rd floor and if you were in the lobby you would go off to the right side....I never remember my room number....it's amazing I ever get to the right room at night!! From now on I am taking a picture of my room number so I remember!!
Tracy

 

[podsnel]

We were on our way to the bus stop, hoping our bad-bus-timing had run out and we'd be hopping on a bus to Magic Kingdom quickly.

While we waited....

We were in luck!! We wanted to go to MK, and there was a BUS actually going to MK!!! Yippee for us! Soon we were there, and so, so happy to be in the park.

The first ride we went to was Buzz Lightyear....Sean just loves him, and well, so do we all!

The tea cups were still closed (they were scheduled to open SOMETIME this week) so that was sad because it's another of Sean's favorites, but we were able to ride the two mountains that were open (SM was stll closed) and a few others that Sean enjoyed (he won't go on those mountains anymore).

After a couple of hours, it was back to AKV for dinner at BOMA- yum....
We sat in the back of the bus, all 3 of the boys were in the last seat having a laugh attack!!

Don't you love it when all your kids are laughing together? Now, I thought I was clear on the buses- they all stop at Kidani first, Jambo second, except for DTD which does the opposite. We were headed to Jambo. So in the back there are no windows, you can't really tell where you are. The bus stopped, almost everyone got off, we drove, and stopped again. We all went to get off at Jambo, except...we were at Kidani!! I asked the bus driver, "Don't all the buses stop at Kidani first?" And he said yes- except when they come from MK they stop at Jambo first. But he said not to worry, he'd be happy to take us to Jambo. I still don't know what's going on about this, but it all worked out I guess.

There is such a contrast between Jambo and Kidani! Jambo is soooo impressive, so hustle bustle, soooo dramatic. Kidani is much more quaint and relaxing, but I think very, very beautiful as well. I do love both atmospheres, though. I also think it's very appropriate that the DVC building IS more relaxed, because I think DVC vacations tend to be more relaxed. We know we're going back, what's the rush- right? Anyway, we didn't spend alot of time taking in the grandeur of the lobby- we were HUNGRY!! On to BOMA!

The best thing about a buffet? Lots and LOTS of french fries for Sean!! We all got something to eat right away. Here's a few of our plates-

Love the soups there, this was a seafood one-

I think this was a Magic Star?

More soup for you!

And how could we eat at Boma without hummus? And more of that yummy falafel? Yes, I know they look like little turd balls- but those are the yummiest turd balls around!! (Not that I really can compare....)

T&T piled up their plates with zebra domes and other desserts, and after finishing up, we decided to go to outside to check out those night vision goggles. On the way, we passed the playground, which Sean just had to go explore-

We also passed a couple in a secluded hot tub that was having a little too much fun. Walk fast kids!! The night vision was a BIG hit with T&T, they loved it. Glad there were lots of animals for them to check out!! Also glad they didn't point in the direction of the aforementioned hot tub.

We decided to walk back to Kidani, and I have to say, that walk looks MUCH worse than it really is. It was probably 5 or 7 minutes- piece of cake! A couple pics of the library-

Before we headed back to the room where we all fell fast asleep...except for Pods. Who ended up out on the couch, while Sean, Timmy & I snoozed away together in that great big bed! Poor, poor Pods!! Actually, he said the sofabed was very comfy, so don't feel too bad for him.

In the morning- it was time to leave Kidani. Oh No!! We don't wanna go!! I'm sure you are asking, well, why ARE you going?? WHY oh WHY would anyone stay in 3 places in 6 nights???

Stay tuned to find out....

 

[dallastxcpa]

Love, Love, love your trip reports. I am so glad that Sean decided to go this time. It's never the same when one member of the family is not there. My step kids haven't been with us since 2004 because of college schedules and such. I can't wait until they get to go with us again.

 

[DB&KS]

I just love that I laugh out loud when I read your updates, it always catches me by surprise which makes me laugh even more . Great update and I can't wait to hear what's next.

 

[podsnel]

As usual, the morning came too quickly, and I had to finish packing us up. Today we were checking out of Kidani after only 2 nights, and were moving over to the dark side ...aka, Universal....for the weekend. ANd then coming back to WDW and BLT on Sunday night. Why oh why were we doing this????? Well....originally, at 11 mos out, I had booked Kidani for 5 nights followed by 2 nights at HRH (Hard Rock Hotel), traveling Sunday to Sunday. We had planned to go to Universal because Tyler LOVES the roller coasters there, we thought Timmy might get brave on this trip and love them, too, and Sean sometimes loves all the DR Seuss stuff. We also always take a 1/2 day off from the parks to go out to Spring Hill (on the west coast) to visit Pods' Aunt Irma. ANd for that reason we need a car. Then we would just fly home from Tampa (which is about an hour from her). So the car + Universal fits together. But....this was NJ week. And Continental (the only direct flight to MCO out of Newark Airport) is very, very aware that it IS NJ Week, when the teachers convention (that no teachers go to) takes place and we all take off as a result. Airfares are over double the usual price, just like it's Easter or Christmas. I kept hoping they would come down, but they never did. So.....we had a change of plans. If we went down on Weds, and came home on Tuesday, we would save $1000. That's a LOT of Mickey bars!! We wouldn't be able to stay as long, and we still wanted to hit Universal on the weekend...because of the higher points needed for a weekend at Kidani. It would STINK for me, having to unpack and pack 3 times, but to save $1000 I could live with it. I just never unpacked our clothes- and I put the WDW clothes in one piece of luggage, and the Universal stuff in another. That made it a little easier. Although, FWIW, now that we have more points (from adding on at BCV) and the points have been reallocated making weekend stays a little less insane, we would just stay at WDW the whole time, and rent a car for a couple of days for Universal and to visit Aunt Irma. Ok...enough talking! On to some photos!!

On this morning, Pods & T&T were going golfing at Osprey Ridge. T&T were SO excited, because they had never played 18 holes before. I was spending the day with Sean, we were going to go wherever he chose, based on the options given to him in his "book". While waiting for bell services to get the luggage to store for the day, I took some last minute room pics-

Sean waited on the balcony-

The bellman took our luggage and we were on our way to DTD- Sean had a VERY strong preference for where we would spend the day. He wanted to hit those Golden Arches of McDonald's!

The bus stop being constructed-

A bus for DTD came almost immediately!! Looks like we weren't the ones in our family with the bad bus karma!! 4 large fries later....

Back in a bit with all the fun we had!

 

[podsnel]

Wow Ellen!!!! Beautiful pictures of your view and of Kidani!! I am thinking I was on the same "side" as you when I was there in October....I was on the 3rd floor and if you were in the lobby you would go off to the right side....I never remember my room number....it's amazing I ever get to the right room at night!! From now on I am taking a picture of my room number so I remember!!
Tracy

HAHA- I am the same way with the room numbers- fortunately everyone else remembers where I'm going. We were on the 3rd floor- if you were facing the front doors of the resort, we were on the right side. Just a little bit down from the elevator- a fabulous location!

Love, Love, love your trip reports. I am so glad that Sean decided to go this time. It's never the same when one member of the family is not there. My step kids haven't been with us since 2004 because of college schedules and such. I can't wait until they get to go with us again.

It is nice to feel "complete" with everyone together. And thanks!! Hey- how did you like HHI? any chance you'll go back to your TR...I'd love to read it!

I just love that I laugh out loud when I read your updates, it always catches me by surprise which makes me laugh even more . Great update and I can't wait to hear what's next.

Thanks! You made me smile!!

 

[manntra]

That is very weird about the MK bus stopping at Jambo first on the way back I am really sure that it wasn't like that in October.....I thought the only one that stopped at Jambo first was DTD.
I agree with you completely on the Jambo vs Kidani...after the quaintness and quiet resolve of Kidani when I went to Boma for breakfast it was people people everywhere!!
You just totally tired me out with all of your moving around but it was for a very good reason! Looking forward to your Universal update as I never leave the bubble! I will venture over there once Harry Potter opens and I will bring my nephews back.
I saw over on MEK's TR that you will be at DTD on Saturday the 1st....I am thinking about staying at POFQ that Saturday because I want to spend some time at DTD before I check in at Kidani on Sunday....Then on Sunday I will be at the Wave for dinner (about 45 min before MEK ) then MK for EMH. So I am sure between those two nights we will see each other...I have been asking her to get on FB since her TR is done

Tracy

 

[podsnel]

That is very weird about the MK bus stopping at Jambo first on the way back I am really sure that it wasn't like that in October.....I thought the only one that stopped at Jambo first was DTD.
I agree with you completely on the Jambo vs Kidani...after the quaintness and quiet resolve of Kidani when I went to Boma for breakfast it was people people everywhere!!
You just totally tired me out with all of your moving around but it was for a very good reason! Looking forward to your Universal update as I never leave the bubble! I will venture over there once Harry Potter opens and I will bring my nephews back.
I saw over on MEK's TR that you will be at DTD on Saturday the 1st....I am thinking about staying at POFQ that Saturday because I want to spend some time at DTD before I check in at Kidani on Sunday....Then on Sunday I will be at the Wave for dinner (about 45 min before MEK ) then MK for EMH. So I am sure between those two nights we will see each other...I have been asking her to get on FB since her TR is done

Tracy

Yes- it's very weird about the bus- because when i took the MK bus back other times, it went to Kidani first- so I think the bus driver was wrong, to be honest. Maybe he was used to the DTD route.

The moving totally tired me out, too- thankfully, that will NOT be happening in May or when I go back in September. In October it will, but that's different...2 nights BCV, 7 nights DCL, 1 night Vero (I hope!). A much longer timeframe.

I am VERY happy we'll meet in May!! It seems there are alot of women who are going to be there then without their usual suspects! I'm looking forward to a DISmeet (or 2).

Hope MEK goes on FB- she is on this thread, just on the other board (I post this TR on DVC & the TR board- she follows on the other one). We need to friend each other there, too!!

 

[podsnel]

Sean had his fries bag in-hand, and we were off to find something for me to eat. I have been DYING to try EOS, and this seemed like the perfect time. We opened the door, and HOLY CANNOLI BATMAN!!! That's a LONG LINE!!!

It started AT the DOOR!! I almost turned and left, thinking Sean isn't good with lines...but, he had his bag'o'fries, so i thought I would give it a shot- I could always leave if Sean was unhappy, right? Well...Sean was just fine!! And, surprisingly, that line moved VERY quickly- what an efficient, smoothly run system! Being this was my first visit, I ordered The Original 1762-Roast beef, creamy horseradish sauce and cheddar cheese served hot on an artisan loaf.

Opened up-

It was DELICIOUS!!! I know it looks like what's the big deal, but trust me!! It IS a big deal!! I will definitely be eating here again.

While I sat on a bench and ate my yummy sandwich, Sean got to explore the open and empty area- always, as we know, a good thing.

When I was finished, we headed over to Once Upon a Toy. Sean made a beeline for this guy-

And I was so happy to see that he STILL loves Buzz. We went inside, where Sean played with the Mr Potato Head computer-

Then checked out a few other stores, like WOD and TrenD-

Where he was an absolutely perfect window shopper- about a million times better than any of the other men in the family would be!!

A couple more pics outside for Mommy-

Can I tell you how AGREEABLE he was? He was soooooo wonderful! He was perfectly happy to do almost anything! Although he did NOT want to ride in the balloon!! So we skipped that. All-in-all, a wonderful time in DTD, a place Sean had never visited before. AWESOME!!!

We were just about done here, so we decided to hop on the bus and go over to MK for the rest of our day together. The bus to the Contemporary Resort was waiting, and we hopped right on. It was then that I checked my phone for messages- Karajeboo had texted me that there was a lunatic on a shooting spree in downtown Orlando and I-4 was closed while they were looking for him. I relayed the info to the other couple on the bus, and texted it to Pods, while we all waited for updates from Kara. This was the day after the craziness at fort hood- how awful it all was. Fortunately, Kara texted back that the two incidents were NOT related, and that this was NOT a terrorist act. Either way, it doesn't make for a happy ending for all those families affected by both of these horrible tragedies. But at least we all felt safe in the Happiest Place on Earth.

Next up...what does Sean like to ride in MK?? And what does he absolutely HATE, much like his brothers?? See you soon!

 

[Hunclemarco]

Ok...my heart nearly stoppped when i saw the pics of Earl! We love it there. Infact Earl has become part of our family We were there the first week of December for a no park trip, and that's what we had for lunch and dinner. Can't beat 6.00 for a sandwich. I liked the Hawiian Chicken, my friends liked the All American. We saw those lines there too, but it goes rather quickly Soup is great too!

Love reading your TR, looking forward to more!

 

[5forDiz]

Good to know 3 resorts in 6 days can be done Ellen, my hat is off to you ! Although I will not dare have our eldest DD19 read your post - she will be bringing along two of her BFFs on our trip in August & these girls are twisting my arm to split between 2 or 3 resorts because they want to 'keep it fresh'. Yeah right! for me all that resort hopping will translate into being ~fresh~ outta energy Our family has yet to stay at AKV, BLT & THV so DD keeps trying to play that card with me about how FUN it will be to sweep them all in one trip ( oh puh-leeeeez maybe if I was 19 like she is ). So far we are just planning to do 6 or 7 nights so I do not see this being realistic, not to mention DH, DS & youngest DD really do not seem too enthusiastic.

Soooo nice to read this TR and how much your DS Sean is enjoying things Your afternoon together at DTD sounds perfect and glad to hear you got to Earl of Sandwich my family always wishes EOS would open nearby our home.

Looking forward to your next installment !
laura