Oh the places We Go, The People We see

[TinksMomma]

Love the update! The story about the kids totally made me teary!!!

 

[jenseib]

Love the update! The story about the kids totally made me teary!!!

It was so cute

 

[Woth2982]

Yay! You finally made it to Disney property! So crazy you saw your old co-worker on the fake monorail! Did Claire say anything when she saw that you were in the AKL line? I know she had an idea, but this must have confirmed it for her.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Just checking in.

Corinna

 

[jenseib]

Yay! You finally made it to Disney property! So crazy you saw your old co-worker on the fake monorail! Did Claire say anything when she saw that you were in the AKL line? I know she had an idea, but this must have confirmed it for her.

Oh yeah!! I forgot to mention that. I'll include it in the next update.

Just checking in.

Corinna

welcome back!

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

Loved our stay at AKL in 2010, too bad it was 30 degrees out and we couldn't use the pool

 

[AnnaBeth2012]

I hope you don't mind, but I borrowed some of your pics for the scrapbook I'm making for my kids. I never got a good pic of the welcome to WDW sign and our ME bus said cruise line. I don't want my kids to be confused when they look at the scrapbook since I called it the magical express bus (and they're starting to read). So, thanks!

 

[jenseib]

Loved our stay at AKL in 2010, too bad it was 30 degrees out and we couldn't use the pool

Oh yeah..I remember that. We lucked out and had perfect swimming weather. Claire was in the pool a lot.

I hope you don't mind, but I borrowed some of your pics for the scrapbook I'm making for my kids. I never got a good pic of the welcome to WDW sign and our ME bus said cruise line. I don't want my kids to be confused when they look at the scrapbook since I called it the magical express bus (and they're starting to read). So, thanks!

No problem!!

 

[jenseib]

Now one thing I forgot to mention. I had not told Claire where we were staying our first night. I am terrible at keeping surprises, plus I wanted her to be in on the planning, so a complete surprise trip was out of the question. Also the whole family knew and she was in on the very first planning meeting with family, so she knew about the trip before my sister even did.
So my one try at a surprise was to not tell her our first nights stay. Well that didn't go real well because I told my Mom one day and Claire was standing right there. Luckily she wasn't paying much attention, but I was pretty sure she had a good idea. She asked for months, trying to trip me up, but I held on. But I knew she heard me say Animal Kingdom. She still wasnt sure and even the name didnt mean a lot to her without a book with pictures.
Once we got off the plane and headed to the bathroom I did tell her then and she was excited. But I could tell she still wasn't sure where this exactly was or what it meant.

The one thing she did know was that it was the last stop and it was taking forever to get there.

Finally we were en route to our destination.

And here we are!!!! It was now around 11:30.

We got off the bus and waited for our carry on.

And then we made our way to the lobby.

We were both wide eyed and excited. Neither of us have ever been here at all, not even for dinner or to tour, so it was so exciting to see a new resort for the first time.

We went inside and got in the online check in line, which consisted of just us.

And checked in.

Our guy was nice, but very slow. He left for a few minutes and came back with a package.

Good thing he was on the ball because I wasnt. I had forgotten about getting this box. Earlier in the week, one of the gals from our cruise group had to cancel suddenly. She said she was sorry and if anyone wanted their Fish Extender gift from her, she would gladly send it. I told her if she wanted to, she could send them all to me at AKL and I would be happy to pass them out for her. I knew she had worked hard on her gifts and I would hate to see them go to waste. The package was waiting for us.

We grabbed that and our packet and were told the room would be ready by 3. They would text me when it was ready. Now I know how many people have been told this only to never get a text, so I knew I would have to check back later. Lets just throw this out now. I stayed in 3 Disney resorts and all said they would text .....I did not receive ONE single text from any of them.

Claire received a princess crown too since I listed we were celebrating her birthday. I have never seen this before, and she seemed a bit unsure about it. LOL

I was disappointed that our room wasn't ready. I was hoping to have a nap before the party this evening, but we still had time.

So with this box (which was not huge, but awkward to carry), and a carry on, plus we each had a back pack on and Claire had another bag she was carrying, we just kind of set out to rearrange our bags and then send some off to luggage services for a while.

We decided to find a bench outside to do our business.

Passing the pool made Claire very excited and she couldnt wait to get in it.

We found a secluded area and opened up the bags and got what we needed for the day packed into one bag and put the rest in the others and headed back to luggage services. I must say in the short time I was carrying that box, I was becoming annoyed with it. It was just hard to carry with all our other stuff, so I was glad to be rid of it for a while.

As we walked back inside I took a couple of quick shots.

And on to the elevator to go up to the lobby again.

I think I heard a choir of angels sing when I dropped off our bags. I felt a little less like a pack mule now.

 

[dizneeat]

Ahhhhhhh, you arrived! And how good you were to keep the secret. I bet Claire was super excited once she found out where she was really going.

I have never seen them hand out crowns, but it is a cute touch!

Glad you were able to get "rid" of your luggage and I really hope that you will get to your room soon!

 

[lovethattink]

I am trying to catch up after company at our house for Thanksgiving week then spending a few nights at Pop Century. I guess I'll start from most recent and work back.

I didn't realize you had never been to AKL. I love that resort! It's a shame your room wasn't ready and that you started out with your hands more than full. The resort reminds me of WL when you first walk in. Your pictures are great. Doesn't look like the pool deck was crowded at all. That was very kind of you to offer to hand out the fish extender gifts.

Did you do online check in?

 

[jenseib]

Ahhhhhhh, you arrived! And how good you were to keep the secret. I bet Claire was super excited once she found out where she was really going.

I have never seen them hand out crowns, but it is a cute touch!

Glad you were able to get "rid" of your luggage and I really hope that you will get to your room soon!

Once we got there she was REALLY excited and as the day wore on she loved it even more. When she saw they had balconies she prayed we would have on in our room too. This was her favorite place and she still talks about it daily.

I am trying to catch up after company at our house for Thanksgiving week then spending a few nights at Pop Century. I guess I'll start from most recent and work back.

I didn't realize you had never been to AKL. I love that resort! It's a shame your room wasn't ready and that you started out with your hands more than full. The resort reminds me of WL when you first walk in. Your pictures are great. Doesn't look like the pool deck was crowded at all. That was very kind of you to offer to hand out the fish extender gifts.

Did you do online check in?

Very similar to WL and I felt like I had been thre even though we never have. We really enjoyed it.
Yes, I did online check in this trip. It was the first time I ever did and only because I didn't have a request for any particualr room or area.

 

[Timon]

Yay another Jen trippie

Too funny about running into Lynne!

What a great story/surprise about that family on the bus with you!

Looking forward to the rest

 

[jenseib]

Yay another Jen trippie

Too funny about running into Lynne!

What a great story/surprise about that family on the bus with you!

Looking forward to the rest

Hi Cass!!! I was totally shocked to see Lynne. Last I knew she had canceled that trip and I never gave it another thought. It was so strange that we both were in the same monorail car.

Those kids were just so darn cute. I love how they kept doubting it and coming up with little stories why it could or could not be Disney.

 

[GoofyWife]

I'm here - better late than never - have to go back and catch up on your other trip report and then come back here for this one! So envious of everyone's trips!

 

[jenseib]

I'm here - better late than never - have to go back and catch up on your other trip report and then come back here for this one! So envious of everyone's trips!

Welcome!!! I am going pretty slow so far, but I am trying to work on the other one a little more so I can get that one finished up soon...or sooner at least.

 

[MEK]

I love your matching t-shirts. They are so cute. Claire looks totally asleep getting on the plane, but wide awake getting off.

Can I tell you that I just got a new computer and your pictures are prettier than ever on this new screen!

I love AKL! So pretty. I know what you mean about feeling like a pack mule (since I am lovingly called the sherpa by some of my DIS friends), because I felt the same way when I checked in at VWL in October. At 1:30 my room wasn't ready and I didn't really feel like checking anything, so I just dragged it around until my room was ready. Makes it hard to take pictures!

 

[dolphingirl47]

I am glad that you both liked AKL. This is probably my favourite WDW resort.

Corinna

 

[francis6306]

Loved our stay at AKL in 2010, too bad it was 30 degrees out and we couldn't use the pool

I thought something was different about our bus back to the Airport! We must have gotten a newer bus with seatbelts. I figured that maybe I had just not noticed seatbelts on the ride to the resort.

Looks like you guys are off to a great start though! OHH and I LOVE Cheesecake Factory! We had several in Atlanta- and I LOVE it! Their food is just wonderful!!

 

[SunLuvr321]

Just came over from your Comedians with Guitars Trip Report. I have to catch up on this one!

We are sailing on the Dream in February for our first Disney Cruise and can't wait to read about your cruise!!