Plans are made to be broken … aren’t they? Our first trip home to AKV

[Epcot luvr]

Great reporting, this is going to be a fun read!

[BigDogHU75]

Originally Posted by Donald is #1

So exciting! I can't wait to hear your impressions of the room.

We loved the room! Stay tuned for the pictures.

Originally Posted by that's nice

subbing!!!!

Welcome!

Originally Posted by Epcot luvr

Great reporting, this is going to be a fun read!

Thank you. I hope you continue to enjoy the report.

[BigDogHU75]

I am back! Sorry for the delay. It was a busy work week. Needless to say, I am glad the weekend is here.

I left off with us heading to the first room that was ready, Room 5512. The CM's directions were spot on. We had no trouble finding the room.



I was excited about seeing the room. In fact, we were all excited about seeing the room and we were not disappointed. The room was beautiful! And, it was very spacious. It would accommodate my parents and DU very well.



Kitchen


Closet across from Kitchen Island




DM liked the wall hangings and the pictures. In particular she liked the plates that were hanging on the wall behind the kitchen/dining table. She was wondering how she could take them home with her. Luckily, they were still there when we checked out.




Hallway leading to the laundry closet, bathroom on the left and the master bedroom on the right

[BigDogHU75]

We were impressed thus far. DM & I continued to take pictures. Here are some of the many we took.

Bathroom

Bathroom mirror







Picture of the bedroom taken from the bathroom

Bedroom





Me standing between the TV & the armoire in the bedroom. There is also a desk in the bedroom.


DS & DM sitting in the chair in the bedroom


Parents are so happy it is a king-size bed

[BigDogHU75]

Left view



Right view

[BigDogHU75]

After soaking in the sun and enjoying the view from the balcony, we decided it was time to unload the van. We headed to the living room. DM & I entered the balcony from the bedroom. This was our first time really seeing the living room. We manged to snap a few pictures.

Living room




Trying to change DS’s diaper

After changing DS’s diaper, I called the front desk to see if the two-bedroom was ready. We were hoping that it was since my plan was to unload my parents’ belongings and then go to our room and unload our luggage. But, at last, that would not be the case. Nevertheless, we headed downstairs anyway to start the process of unloading the van.

As I stated before, the van was packed. (This might seem like déjà vu to some. Once I started typing this part of the report I realized that my order was off. Sorry for the confusion.) Now back to the TR. I felt sorry for bell services. First, my DM was trying to “help” bell services by giving the CM advice on how to load the luggage cart while she was shoving everything into a plastic trash bag trying to condense things. OMG! Could it get more embarrassing? Meanwhile, my DS had climbed into the van, got into his car seat, found his Nilla Wafers and started snacking on them. Then, once he was done, he found the bag of Cheetos and started snacking on them. I did not notice that he had done this since I was trying to keep my DM out of the way of the CM from bell services. DH was not watching DS because he was too busy making sure he had all of his gadgets. When I saw DS he was out of the van standing near his grandfather, who had been standing back watching all of this unfold. DS was sharing his Cheetos with him. His poor little hands were covered in orange goo. I could not help but laugh and feel bad for him all at the same time. His parents had forgotten to feed him so he had to take matters into his own hands. Shame on us! I did take the time to clean him up a little.

When the CM was finally finished with unloading our stuff, we had to put everything on two carts. We tried to keep things separate so it would be easier for bell services and us but that was not happening. So, we just decided that everything would be brought up to my parents’ room when someone from bell services was available to bring it up.
I took the card that the CM from bell services gave us and handed it to the CM at the desk who told us that our luggage would be brought to our room in approximately 15 minutes. We headed back up to the room and waited for the luggage to arrive which did not take long at all.

Bell Services brought up our luggage. The CM was kind enough to separate our luggage into two sections (or should I say piles) – the stuff that was staying & the stuff we were taking to the other room. After giving the CM a tip, I began helping DM find space in the cabinets to put away the food. Some of my comments during this process:

“Why do you need cream of mushroom soup?”
“How many cans of chicken broth did you bring?”
“You do realize we have dining reservations?”

After filling up the cabinets, refrigerator, and freezer, I called down to the front desk to see if our other room was ready. It still wasn’t. However, DU & DMIL called DH and told him that they had arrived. DS & I went down to greet them. They were sitting outside on the bench. I wish I remembered my camera. Their car had been unloaded. DU warned me about the stuff that DMIL brought. I laughed. I thought he was exaggerating. I later discovered that he was not. I took them to bell services where they handed in their ticket. I also checked to see if our room was ready. It was! Room 5427 was ready. So, we headed upstairs.

Our first stop was Room 5512 since that is where my DU would be staying. We waited for bell services which arrived about 10 minutes later. OMG! My DMIL brought more than my DM! Did I not email her the itinerary? I really should have taken a picture of all the stuff. But, it would not have done any justice. Everything (food wise) was so neatly packed in three clear plastic containers. My DU was laughing because he had told me that they were loaded down and everything that DMIL had packed could not fit in the car.

Now, at this moment, I feel that it is only appropriate to explain how my DMIL came to bring all this stuff with her. When I had typed out the itinerary for the trip, I also included a list of food items I was going to bring so that we would not have to buy all of our meals. I also wanted to have some food items that I knew DS would enjoy. I emailed the full itinerary to DMIL so that she knew what was planned. I was not expecting her to buy any food items because we would have that covered. Well, DMIL emailed me back and told me not to worry about bringing food items because she would bring those and she would especially bring stuff her one and only grandchild would enjoy. When I read the list, I did not believe that she would actually bring all of the things on the list. Here is a snapshot of what was on the list: peanut butter, assorted jellies, apple & white grape juice & juice boxes, snacks for grandson - teddy grahams, gold fish, pretzel crackers, half turkey, boneless chicken breasts, chicken legs, turkey burgers, hot dogs, hamburger & hot dog buns, pork loin chops, pancake mix, eggs, butter, bacon, and the list went on. And, I kid you not; everything that was on the list was in those containers.

So, we unloaded DU’s belongings. DU wasn't a slacker in the food items department either. Did I mention he brought homemade corn bread and a homemade pound cake?

Then we took DMIL’s things to Room 5427 which was right down the hall. We made a left out of Room 5512 and went straight down the hall, 5427 was on the right. When we arrived, mousekeeping was still working on the other room. Room 5427 was the studio. Room 5425 was the one-bedroom. We had both bedrooms which formed the two-bedroom lock-off.

While mousekeeping was working on Room 5425, the CM from bell services unloaded DMIL’s belongings. After tipping the CM, we then trekked back down to room 5512 to get my belongings. By the time we got back to the rooms, mousekeeping was finished. Now, all we had to do was settle in and unpack all of this stuff. Stuff was everywhere. We unpacked what we needed. But, we could not do too much because DS was getting hungry and he was ready for some real food. DMIL was not going to allow her grandson to go hungry. She told everybody that she would be cooking hot dogs and turkey burgers. She barely settled in before she started fixing food her child, I mean her grandchild.

[Epcot luvr]

Wow, what a beautiful spot the room, view, balcony, the family ! This looks like heaven. I love DM and the plates, I'd would have been thinking the same thing. She is a character I can tell already. I'll be following along.

[BigDogHU75]

Originally Posted by Epcot luvr

Wow, what a beautiful spot the room, view, balcony, the family ! This looks like heaven. I love DM and the plates, I'd would have been thinking the same thing. She is a character I can tell already. I'll be following along.

It was heaven. The place was so serene. I could have stayed in the room for hours just sitting on the balcony. DM did one day. Keep following along. She is DEFINITELY a character.

[that's nice]

Nice report so far. That room looked really nice and that view is awesome!!!!! I will be following along.

Tim

[mouseketeer70]

So far your trip report is reminding me of traveling with my DH and our 3 kids and my parents to Disney. So glad to see others joined DVC partly for the big family trip aspect. We stayed in a 2 bdrm at SSR in November. We barely fit in the van on the drive down even though we had our groceries delivered.
Can't wait to hear and see more of AKV since we might change our next trip to stay there. One goal of ours since joining DVC is to try all of them.

[tink1957]

Wow...what a view & what beautiful rooms. I may have to change my mind about which resort to stay at next time. My DS has always wanted to stay there since we ate at Boma on our 1st trip. Can't wait to read more.

[Donald is #1]

Originally Posted by BigDogHU75

[SIZE="5"][COLOR="Purple"]

After giving the CM a tip, I began helping DM find space in the cabinets to put away the food. Some of my comments during this process:

“Why do you need cream of mushroom soup?”
“How many cans of chicken broth did you bring?”
“You do realize we have dining reservations?”

After filling up the cabinets, refrigerator, and freezer....

This reminds me so much of what my mother would do! She lives in an assisted living facility and gets all her meals there. So when I took her to Walmart this afternoon, what did she buy? Baking pans!!! Why? I have no idea.

Originally Posted by BigDogHU75

But, we could not do too much because DS was getting hungry and he was ready for some real food. DMIL was not going to allow her grandson to go hungry. She told everybody that she would be cooking hot dogs and turkey burgers. She barely settled in before she started fixing food her child, I mean her grandchild.

This reminds me so much of my grandmother! Of course, she would even do it when we weren't hungry. I remember going to visit her and first question would be "Are you hungry?". I would say no and 15 minutes later, she would be making me something to eat.

[BigDogHU75]

Originally Posted by that's nice

Nice report so far. That room looked really nice and that view is awesome!!!!! I will be following along.

Tim

Thank you for following along. The room was beautiful and the view was awesome. I wish I would have sat on the balcony more than I did. It was so peacful and beautifull.

Originally Posted by mouseketeer70

So far your trip report is reminding me of traveling with my DH and our 3 kids and my parents to Disney. So glad to see others joined DVC partly for the big family trip aspect. We stayed in a 2 bdrm at SSR in November. We barely fit in the van on the drive down even though we had our groceries delivered.
Can't wait to hear and see more of AKV since we might change our next trip to stay there. One goal of ours since joining DVC is to try all of them.

Traveling with the family is always adventure that I would not trade for the world. I love vacationing with family and friends and that is one of the reasons why DVC appealed to me.

I am sure you will not be disappointed if you stay at AKV. One of my goals is to stay at all of the DVC properties too but DH is so impressed with AKV. We are staying at BCV for one night this Sept. I am going to try to see if we can swing it so we can stay 2 nights. SSR looks beautiful. Hoepfully, I will be able to persuade DH to try a few nights there.

Originally Posted by tink1957

Wow...what a view & what beautiful rooms. I may have to change my mind about which resort to stay at next time. My DS has always wanted to stay there since we ate at Boma on our 1st trip. Can't wait to read more.

You will not regret staying at AKV and I am sure your DS would enjoy not only the view but all of the activities they have for the kids.

Originally Posted by Donald is #1

This reminds me so much of what my mother would do! She lives in an assisted living facility and gets all her meals there. So when I took her to Walmart this afternoon, what did she buy? Baking pans!!! Why? I have no idea.

This reminds me so much of my grandmother! Of course, she would even do it when we weren't hungry. I remember going to visit her and first question would be "Are you hungry?". I would say no and 15 minutes later, she would be making me something to eat.

It was a sight to behold. All of the groceries that both mothers had could have fed a small army and both tried to cook everything they brought. DS would sometimes eat breakfast twice since both grandmothers did not want him to be hungry. It was so funny.

Another update will be posted later this evening.

[wdwgirl03]

Originally Posted by BigDogHU75

Hello! Welcome to my first trip report. I decided to write a trip report because all the trip reports that I have read have been so informative, funny, and helpful. Also, they tell a great story that makes me feel like I am living the experience with them and helps to make the countdown to my next trip to Disney World more bearable (shout out to GlendaMax, brookelizabeth, wdwgirl03, joech, and Donald is #1). Though we have never met your trip reports helped make the wait more bearable.

My plan was to write down what we did at the end of each day. I was going to take pictures of everything, including the food and the menus. Well, that went right out the window as soon as we arrived. Hey, I can only get better with time which is more of a reason to take as many trips as possible. I do have a good memory and did take some pictures, so, I hope you enjoy my first attempts at writing a trip report. Now, let’s begin.

By the way, here are a couple of details before we begin:

Dates: February 7 – 14, 2009
Resort: Animal Kingdom Villas – Rooms 5425, 5427, & 5512
Transportation to Disney World: Van
Parks Visited: Epcot, MK, AK, & DHS

Hey, I just found your TR and realized that I am in your shoutouts! That's enough to get me on board with your TR...

I am very jealous of AKV being your "home." Not that I don't love our home resort at Saratoga Springs! But AKV is a pretty awesome resort. Can't wait to read more about your trip!

[DaPanMan]

I'm sitting here, laughing to myself, and wondering if we are related. I have completely experienced this type of travel. You basically bring everything with you but the furniture and the kitchen sink.

I was rolling about the part where your DMIL was telling the CM how to load the cart and your DFIL just watched. Sounds like a very wise man.

Can't wait to hear more........and SOON!!!!!