City, Sand, and Savanna - New Fantasyland construction pictures (pg 145)

[englishrose47]

Originally Posted by Sam33

Joke's on you, I named the giraffe Judy!

I thought it was Carol!!!

[Poolrat]

Originally Posted by englishrose47

I thought it was Carol!!!

I SO was going to say that.

[RGirl]

Originally Posted by glennbo123

I'm jealous that you've been able to go in October, the weather must be so much more comfortable. But of course, we've been tied-down by the dreaded school calendar. Oh well. Hey, it just makes you enjoy the pools that much more.

Yep - we are now tied to that school calendar too. I am already missing those carefree days of preschool! I am actually pretty nervous about going in August - we have never experienced real crowds, and the heat will be insane. But you are right - I think the best plan is to head back to the resort midday and enjoy the pool.

Originally Posted by glennbo123

That sounds like our problem -- we always want to go back to our old stand-by's, but try new ones too? Thus, the trips get longer and longer.

I hear ya! We are only doing 7 days at WDW this time (I think we had 10 or 11 in 2011), but we are tacking on a 7-day DCL cruise, so, well, I couldn't really justify MORE time at WDW to my boss!

Originally Posted by glennbo123

Do you remember the old Remington shaver commercials..."I liked the shaver so much, I bought the company." ? Well, we loved our 2001 AKL stay so much, we had to buy into DVC.

I totally remember those commercials! I fear that a stay at AKL would have the same effect on me, and right now, buying DVC wouldn't be totally fiscally responsible! Nonetheless, I am so looking forward to staying there someday. If there is ever a code or discount on deluxe rooms that comes out during a planned trip, I will be switching to AKL very quickly. We LOVED the BWV last trip and it would be hard to pass up another stay there, but I am really drawn to AKL. Looking forward to trying POR for the first time too though!

[marvali]

Okay, trying to catch up a little. Sorry I missed the last update; you got some great pictures in spite of the rain.

I always wonder what the animals think about all the rain they get in Florida, since it isn't something they probably see that much of in their natural habitat......

And I agree that it is very hard to get a really great picture of the Jambo lobby. That window that you love so much at the end lets in way too much light to get the details of the lobby very well unless you do it in pieces. Hey maybe next time you might want to try piecing a bunch of pictures together to make one of your famous panorama shots so you can pick up more of the lobby details.

[englishrose47]

Originally Posted by Poolrat

I SO was going to say that.

I am glad someone else remembered Carol the Giraffe !!!

Originally Posted by marvali

Okay, trying to catch up a little. Sorry I missed the last update; you got some great pictures in spite of the rain.

I always wonder what the animals think about all the rain they get in Florida, since it isn't something they probably see that much of in their natural habitat......

And I agree that it is very hard to get a really great picture of the Jambo lobby. That window that you love so much at the end lets in way too much light to get the details of the lobby very well unless you do it in pieces. Hey maybe next time you might want to try piecing a bunch of pictures together to make one of your famous panorama shots so you can pick up more of the lobby details.

Good Morning Marv, so nice to see you around !!!

[Elianor]

Back again and caught up finally! I loved the pictures of AKL. We had a family discussion on the trip back and we've all decided that it's our favorite resort so far.

Relax, no pressure for updates or anything!

[glennbo123]

I guess it's been a long time since I've worked on replies. Sorry about that.

Originally Posted by natebenma

Great update.

Thanks Dee!

Originally Posted by natebenma

Sorry to hear your trip coincided with monsoon season. That was some downpour!!!

That instagram picture captured it best. The rain was off and on though, and got a little better later in the day....but I definitely had no desire to go a park at the moment I was taking that picture. Yuck!

Originally Posted by natebenma

The pictures of the animals on the savannah are awesome!!! The closeup of the crane is beautiful. The zebra on its back is a really unique shot. You sure don't see that every day!

Thank you!

So true. All of the zebras I see every day are totally standing on all four's.

Originally Posted by natebenma

Now I may know my fishies, but you impressed me with all the animal nomenclature.

I did look up one or two.

Originally Posted by natebenma

The ladies looked very nice for their tea. I'm guessing whatever you guys ended up doing, it wasn't quite as refined.

Oh, I don't know about that -- we practiced making artificial passing-gas noises using our armpits.

Originally Posted by KatMark

Slowly catching up after my week away from the DIS last week.

I'm glad you're feeling better.

Originally Posted by KatMark

Love all the animal photos (although the giraffes are my favorite). I so want to go back to AKL and we hope to do that in 2014 (this year we're already booked at BCV, OKW and BWV).

I always make sure to include plenty of giraffe pictures, 'cause I know they're your favorite.

Originally Posted by KatMark

It's so nice to see that James enjoys his time in the community center.

He loves that place. He could live there!

Originally Posted by KatMark

Glad to see the rain eased up by the time you got to Jambo House (love that lobby).

It did get better throughout the day.

That lobby is so impressive!

Originally Posted by KatMark

The girls looked lovely as they prepared to depart for their tea.

Aw, thanks!

Originally Posted by Poolrat

Yeah Yeah A day late and 1 Judy short.

What're you gonna do?

Originally Posted by Poolrat

Rain Rain Go away, all Debbie wanted to do was stay around and play.

I guess Debby didn't realize I had been planning this vacation for quite some time now. Hmmm, how can I find an "exasperated" smiley?!

Originally Posted by Poolrat

Good for you making it down to do a workout. I commend you.

I think it was Judy's idea, truth be told.

Originally Posted by Poolrat

Good idea on the big breakfast.... after the workout.

That was my idea, truth be told.

Originally Posted by Poolrat

Sorry Gram and Poppy had a hard as nails shower.

And painful as needles. I can't remember if I ever asked them about it. I probably forgot by the time I got dried off and dressed.

Originally Posted by Poolrat

Beautiful shots of the animals. Looks like it really did clear up.

Maybe enough for some pool time ??

Who, moi?

[glennbo123]

Originally Posted by englishrose47

I thought it was Carol!!!

Originally Posted by Poolrat

I SO was going to say that.

Originally Posted by englishrose47

I am glad someone else remembered Carol the Giraffe !!!

It sounds familiar, but I forget -- was Carol the Giraffe named after your friend and co-escort Carol?

[glennbo123]

Originally Posted by RGirl

Yep - we are now tied to that school calendar too. I am already missing those carefree days of preschool! I am actually pretty nervous about going in August - we have never experienced real crowds, and the heat will be insane. But you are right - I think the best plan is to head back to the resort midday and enjoy the pool.

I was starting to look forward to the time when our kids would be grown and Judy and I could go for Food & Wine, and then she had to go and get a job as a teacher!

Originally Posted by RGirl

I hear ya! We are only doing 7 days at WDW this time (I think we had 10 or 11 in 2011), but we are tacking on a 7-day DCL cruise, so, well, I couldn't really justify MORE time at WDW to my boss!

Oh I'm sure he/she is totally reasonable and that if you just explained the situation, how you would like to try all of the restaurants at Disney World, they would give you as much time-off as you would need.

Okay, back to reality.

Originally Posted by RGirl

I totally remember those commercials! I fear that a stay at AKL would have the same effect on me, and right now, buying DVC wouldn't be totally fiscally responsible!

I never said it was fiscally responsible when I did it! We just couldn't resist.

Originally Posted by RGirl

Nonetheless, I am so looking forward to staying there someday. If there is ever a code or discount on deluxe rooms that comes out during a planned trip, I will be switching to AKL very quickly. We LOVED the BWV last trip and it would be hard to pass up another stay there, but I am really drawn to AKL. Looking forward to trying POR for the first time too though!

I think BWV will be our next stay. There, you got a scoop!

Originally Posted by marvali

Okay, trying to catch up a little. Sorry I missed the last update; you got some great pictures in spite of the rain.

Hey, good to see you Marv. You must be swamped too. I have my nostrils sticking out of the water and that's about it.

Originally Posted by marvali

I always wonder what the animals think about all the rain they get in Florida, since it isn't something they probably see that much of in their natural habitat......

Good point. Maybe they're going, "Boy, it sure is humid today."

Originally Posted by marvali

And I agree that it is very hard to get a really great picture of the Jambo lobby. That window that you love so much at the end lets in way too much light to get the details of the lobby very well unless you do it in pieces. Hey maybe next time you might want to try piecing a bunch of pictures together to make one of your famous panorama shots so you can pick up more of the lobby details.

Yes, it's difficult to photograph well because of the big difference in the lighting between most of the interior and that window. But it's so dramatic when you're there....everyone reading this will just have to go see it!

The panoramic's are difficult with the different exposure-levels too. Maybe more so, actually. But it might be a challenge to try.

Originally Posted by Elianor

...

Seeing Elianor posting makes it official -- I'm behind on posting an update!

Originally Posted by Elianor

Back again and caught up finally! I loved the pictures of AKL. We had a family discussion on the trip back and we've all decided that it's our favorite resort so far.

I couldn't agree more!

If you told me, I forgot...is that where you stayed? Just recently?

Originally Posted by Elianor

Relax, no pressure for updates or anything!

I'm trying to get Judy or Marlene to give me a run-down on the Tea. I'd like Marlene's perspective, but her schedule is crazy. She'll be gone this weekend on a retreat, so maybe I'll just have Judy fill me in so I can get the chapter finished and posted.

[Disneybuckeye]

[/QUOTE] Yeah, I wasn't sure that I'd be able to move it. That's interesting about DL...I don't have any experience with how far in advance you need to make reservations there.
Have you always signed like that? I don't think I knew your name before.[/QUOTE]

I don't even know when they start taking reservations, but at less than 3 weeks I got us into the Carthay Circle Theatre for the WOC lunch and Blue Bayou for dinner. We had our choice of walk up restaturants at 6PM on a Friday night at Downtown Disney. It was very nice not to have to plan and worry.

Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't sign my name. Now you know me which might be a good or bad thing.

For the record I loved DLR, We could not get into the VGC at that late date, but from the time we walked out of the front gates we were back in our offsite hotel in less than 20 minutes. It is also a different feel out there as you can tell a lot of the guests are locals. It was also strange walking into DL as the buildings on Main Street are on a smaller scale and the castle seemed (is) tiny. As far as parks go they are wonderful.

Carland is fantastic. I actually think I might have liked it a little more than WWOHP due to not being so cramped. Space and Pirates are so much better and Indiana Jones beats Dinosaur. I am really glad I had the opportunity to visit and I hope to make it back again someday and stay at the VGC.

Anyway, enjoyed your latest update. We usually take a day or two off when we go and it is nice to sleep in and relax. Hope the rain moves off soon.

[englishrose47]

Originally Posted by glennbo123

It sounds familiar, but I forget -- was Carol the Giraffe named after your friend and co-escort Carol?

Yup

[Poolrat]

Originally Posted by glennbo123

It sounds familiar, but I forget -- was Carol the Giraffe named after your friend and co-escort Carol?

I thought it was when I had a safari driver that had a favorite giraffe and he named it Carol.

Originally Posted by glennbo123

I was starting to look forward to the time when our kids would be grown and Judy and I could go for Food & Wine, and then she had to go and get a job as a teacher!

Fall break ???? Annual leave days???? Maybe just get <cough><cough> sick???

Originally Posted by glennbo123

I think BWV will be our next stay. There, you got a scoop!

Originally Posted by glennbo123

Hey, good to see you Marv. You must be swamped too. I have my nostrils sticking out of the water and that's about it.

Hey that's my line with it being water and all

Apparently "swamped " is going around.

Originally Posted by glennbo123

Seeing Elianor posting makes it official -- I'm behind on posting an update!

[englishrose47]

Carol was sooo happy to hear she had a Giraffe named after her

[glennbo123]

Originally Posted by Disneybuckeye

I don't even know when they start taking reservations, but at less than 3 weeks I got us into the Carthay Circle Theatre for the WOC lunch and Blue Bayou for dinner. We had our choice of walk up restaturants at 6PM on a Friday night at Downtown Disney. It was very nice not to have to plan and worry.

That's good to hear. I'm hoping to check out DL for a couple of days next year.

Originally Posted by Disneybuckeye

Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't sign my name. Now you know me which might be a good or bad thing.

Good, I'm sure!

Originally Posted by Disneybuckeye

For the record I loved DLR, We could not get into the VGC at that late date, but from the time we walked out of the front gates we were back in our offsite hotel in less than 20 minutes. It is also a different feel out there as you can tell a lot of the guests are locals. It was also strange walking into DL as the buildings on Main Street are on a smaller scale and the castle seemed (is) tiny. As far as parks go they are wonderful.

For our couple-day stop at DL next year, which I mentioned above, I'm hoping that we can get into VGC. If not, it's good to know that you liked the DLR. I'm sure Main Street and other areas will seem familiar, but different.

Originally Posted by Disneybuckeye

Carland is fantastic. I actually think I might have liked it a little more than WWOHP due to not being so cramped. Space and Pirates are so much better and Indiana Jones beats Dinosaur. I am really glad I had the opportunity to visit and I hope to make it back again someday and stay at the VGC.

I know what you mean about WWoHP feeling cramped! Carsland sounds great.

Originally Posted by Disneybuckeye

Anyway, enjoyed your latest update. We usually take a day or two off when we go and it is nice to sleep in and relax. Hope the rain moves off soon.

It's so nice to have that day-off in there, to recharge from all of the go-go-go.

[glennbo123]

Originally Posted by englishrose47

Yup

Okay, I was on the right track!

Originally Posted by Poolrat

I thought it was when I had a safari driver that had a favorite giraffe and he named it Carol.

This is how rumors get started.

Originally Posted by Poolrat

Fall break ???? Annual leave days???? Maybe just get <cough><cough> sick???

No Fall break really. But I think Judy is coming down with a little cough.

Originally Posted by Poolrat

Hey that's my line with it being water and all

Apparently "swamped " is going around.

It does seem that a lot of people are pretty busy right now. Oh well, we DIS what we can.

Originally Posted by Poolrat

Hang tight.

Originally Posted by englishrose47

Carol was sooo happy to hear she had a Giraffe named after her

Oh, I'll bet!