AKV CL PTR/TR - taking practically first timers -TR starts on P. 17 (completed)

[Pinkocto]

Originally Posted by susieq76

We JUST bought DVC this past Saturday and are planning 2 nights for just DH and I CL at AKL in Jan... so I am so into this report!!!! Yay! Keep it coming!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Did you book it already? If not, you can already use your points, just call member services. Which home resort did you choose?

[susieq76]

Why, AK, of course

I plan on calling member services as soon as DH advises of which Saturdays he is working... He's taking his time calling me...

[Pinkocto]

Originally Posted by susieq76

Why, AK, of course

I plan on calling member services as soon as DH advises of which Saturdays he is working... He's taking his time calling me...

Shame on him, you've got planning to do!

[papertraveller]

Hi Pam,

I'm enjoying your trip report -- you arrived at WDW just as we were heading home!

Looking forward to meeting you onboard the Fantasy in March!

[MEK]

Love your pictures and the T-shirts! The pictures are all turning out so nicely and the lodge is just so lovely.

[Pinkocto]

Originally Posted by papertraveller

Hi Pam,

I'm enjoying your trip report -- you arrived at WDW just as we were heading home!

Looking forward to meeting you onboard the Fantasy in March!

Welcome! thanks so much.

I hope you had a fabulous trip

I can't wait for the cruise! Can I ask what you decided the travel insurance?

[Pinkocto]

Originally Posted by MEK

Love your pictures and the T-shirts! The pictures are all turning out so nicely and the lodge is just so lovely.

Thank you so much lots more to come, I kept trying to figure out the right settings.

I agree, Disney really did a spectacular job.

[dvc at last !]

I am so interested also ---
We are staying at for the first time at AKV -Jambo - CL in about 2 weeks. We received an invitation to the Sundown Mingle.
Did you go to that ?
If so - what is it all about ?

Thanks.

[Pinkocto]

Back up to the CL and we got some more snacks. Somehow I missed taking pictures, not sure what happened. R & M said they were just too hot and needed to change before we headed out. Did they bring clothes in their carry-ons? Of course they didn’t. They were planning to wait until their luggage was delivered… I couldn’t get through to them that official check-in was not until 4pm. As we were enjoying our snacks I got the text that my room was ready so we headed over to check it out. It was absolutely the perfect location, first room closest to the elevators.



















The freezer is actually tall enough to put in some water bottles. It was nice to take them to the park so when they melted we had cold water with us.



Everyone settled in to relax and wait for R & M’s room to be ready.



While we waited both of our suitcases arrived so we unpacked and then relaxed a little more. We waited until 2:00 and headed out. Thankfully we did because M didn’t get the text until around 3:30.

I think even the bus area is lovely.



We got to HS at 2:30 and after R had a rather lengthy smoke break even though he had just had one at the resort we headed straight to Toy Story Mania. I walked right past the FP machines since I was sure they were closed and saw the stand by line was 60 minutes. I was a bit sad because I really wanted them to experience it, and R said ‘why don’t we get FPs?’ There were actually 3 machines open that I hadn’t seen so I raced into line. The CM said that there were only 10-15 left so even if you were in line you might not get any. Well of course I hoped I would but the lady in front of me just kept putting ticket after ticket in and sucked the machine dry. I couldn’t help but be upset.

After giving up on TSM we headed to the Backlot Tour. We had about a ten minute wait and encountered a lot more people then I expected. Since it was actually Labor Day it made sense there were crowds, but I still didn’t want them there.



These were some props from Pirates of the Caribbean. I absolutely love those movies so was just fascinated.













While in line to get to the props warehouse I commented that after we were done we could go and get ice cream. Someone overheard me and told his wife that they needed to follow us; any excuse for ice cream was a good one. We were at Disney, that’s the only excuse we needed. That was strangely not the last time I’d see him.

I think those hats are for the Tumble Monkeys in Festival of the Lion King.



We happened to be in the first part of the tram so were not on the area that shakes. M remembered very clearly how frightened she was on her last trip, and her parents played right into it saying they were in danger and what not. They were so bad. Thankfully she was not scarred after this journey.



I really wanted to get to this show but it never happened on this trip.





I’m sorry for the reflection on this one, but I really liked seeing where the actor’s head would fit. Made the costume much less scary. Of course I can’t see it in the movie and am always terrified, but this makes it a little better.





It was a very nice first ride of the trip.

[Pinkocto]

Originally Posted by dvc at last !

I am so interested also ---
We are staying at for the first time at AKV -Jambo - CL in about 2 weeks. We received an invitation to the Sundown Mingle.
Did you go to that ?
If so - what is it all about ?

Thanks.

It's basically a meet and greet for DVCers staying at AKV, both Jambo House and Kidani. They have drinks and appetizers, I think it's from 4-5 and only done 2 times a week. Only a limited amount of people can attend because it's done in a small area. I think they also give a small gift as well. You don't have to stay the whole time if you don't want to.

We didn't go since the CL has more than enough drinks and snacks. I guess I wasn't in the socializing mood either. It sounded like a nice event though.

Congratulations on your upcoming trip!

[Leshaface]

Great updates Pam!

Uh oh, i'm assuming there is more complaining and smoke breaks to be had later on in your TR???

Btw, I LOVE the way those black and white photos came out, even if it was by accident.

I cannot WAIT to stay at AKL in December!

[dvc at last !]

Originally Posted by Pinkocto

It's basically a meet and greet for DVCers staying at AKV, both Jambo House and Kidani. They have drinks and appetizers, I think it's from 4-5 and only done 2 times a week. Only a limited amount of people can attend because it's done in a small area. I think they also give a small gift as well. You don't have to stay the whole time if you don't want to.

We didn't go since the CL has more than enough drinks and snacks. I guess I wasn't in the socializing mood either. It sounded like a nice event though.

Congratulations on your upcoming trip!

Thanks.
I am enjoying reading about your trip - and I love your pics !

[Pinkocto]

Originally Posted by Leshaface

Great updates Pam!

Uh oh, i'm assuming there is more complaining and smoke breaks to be had later on in your TR???

Btw, I LOVE the way those black and white photos came out, even if it was by accident.

I cannot WAIT to stay at AKL in December!

Thank you!

It's only day one and you're already getting a feel for the trip

Thanks so much, I'm just so glad I didn't delete them. I especially love the second one I posted.

It is such a fabulous resort. I can't wait to see how you feel about it I hope I don't miss it too much in December.

[Pinkocto]

Originally Posted by dvc at last !

Thanks.
I am enjoying reading about your trip - and I love your pics !

Thank you lots more pictures to come.

[dgbg100106]

thanks for the updates and looking forward to more pics!