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

[manntra]

I think I will go for the beer flight this time around at Biergarten. Last time I had a liter and it was too much so maybe the smaller glasses will be easier for me to consume!
I remember you saying that you have to shop alone! Hope you got a trip in to Basin this time!

Tracy

 

[bunny]

I loved Pods short shorts. and the picture of him holding your son. My son is 11 and still tries to get me to pick him up when he is tired. So far your trip report is awesome. Please keep going.

 

[Flossbolna]

just came across your report and I love it! How wonderful that you got to go on vacation with everyone in your family! I hope the other days went as well as the first one!

 

[podsnel]

Back at Kidani, the boys were all in front of the TV to watch the last game of the World Series. Now, we are BIG Yankees fans in my house, so this was a night we had been waiting for for a long time (being that as soon as my kids were old enough to follow a team, the Yankees had not made it near this series!). Only difference with tonight's game...was that today we had all woken up and been out the front door at 6am, so the troops were a wee bit sleepy. Sean had no problem going into the master bedroom and snuggling into that nice, oh-so-comfy king size bed, and was out like a light. But we could move him later, right? Ummm....maybe not so much. Anyway, my other two sons made it pretty far into the game, but as you may or may not recall, it was a very late game, so eventually, they were sawing wood just like their older brother.

Looks pretty comfy, huh? Well, we waited until the end of the last inning, and Pods started waking them up. I have to say, the thought of him hoppin' around the room, shaking the kids, telling them to get up, back and forth from the chair to the couch and back and forth, over and over...well, it still cracks me up, even now. Because the kids were zombies! They would sit up, eyes shut tight, then fall right back down and continue snoring. So, so hysterical!!

"C'mon! C'mon! This is it!! This is IT!!!!"

Yay! I got one out of bed!!

That's right Ty!! Open those eyes!! It's what we've been waiting for!

NOOOOO!!!! Not asleep again!!! GET UP!!! GET UP!!!!

I was laughing so hard at him the whole time. He had been waiting for years for this moment, he actually talked about it all the time, how excited they would all be watching the Yankees win the World Series- and here his favorite co-fans were too busy catchin' zzzz's to worry about catching the end of this important game. Well, fortunately, they eventually rallied, and were there to see the finish. Look at how proud Pods is of himself that he persisted and got them up!

WOO-HOO!!!!! GO YANKEES!!!!!!

Well, after all that, it was back to bed- with Pods & Sean & I sharing the king until 3 or 4 in the morning when Pods had had enough and crawled out onto the couch with Tyler. Poor, poor Pods. Works his tail off, pays for all the vacations, jumps around like a jack rabbit, sleeps on the couch.

In the morning, we were headed to DAK and were planning to spend a mellow day hanging around Kidani a bit after that. Hope you'll join us in the next post!

 

[podsnel]

I think I will go for the beer flight this time around at Biergarten. Last time I had a liter and it was too much so maybe the smaller glasses will be easier for me to consume!
I remember you saying that you have to shop alone! Hope you got a trip in to Basin this time!

Tracy

No trip to Basin on this trip, although I meant to go! I DID however end up ordering some soaps, etc online- I even kept a couple for myself this time, the one with the Christmas stockings smells like peppermint, it REALLY smells great- almost makes it worthwhile to get dirty just so I can lather up!! I WILL be shopping there in May, though- you can count on it!

I loved Pods short shorts. and the picture of him holding your son. My son is 11 and still tries to get me to pick him up when he is tired. So far your trip report is awesome. Please keep going.

So last night after I read this I said, "Pods- you've got another fan of your short-shorts" and showed him the pic again. He said, "Wow. That's pretty bad." We had a REALLY good laugh over it- thanks!

And not to worry- I'll keep going. Knock on wood, this is my 8th TR in since June '08, and ALL have been finished. Knock on wood again!!

just came across your report and I love it! How wonderful that you got to go on vacation with everyone in your family! I hope the other days went as well as the first one!

Hi there, and thank-you! And yes, most of the trip was fantastic, it was wonderful. just a couple of times he wasn't happy....but that's not yet....

 

[dvc4life]

Loved the short short pictures. Reminds me of some photos of my DH. Only he had knee high white socks too! Sexy!!!!!!

Biergarten looks so good! I would love to try it but DH is not a big buffet fan. He prefers sit down and be waited on meals. I will keep showing him photos and maybe someday I will get him there! We always stop at the Germany booth while at F&W fest and love it. At least I do, but who can pass up sausage and sauerkraut??????



Ok, I'm ready for the next post.

 

[podsnel]

Loved the short short pictures. Reminds me of some photos of my DH. Only he had knee high white socks too! Sexy!!!!!!

Biergarten looks so good! I would love to try it but DH is not a big buffet fan. He prefers sit down and be waited on meals. I will keep showing him photos and maybe someday I will get him there! We always stop at the Germany booth while at F&W fest and love it. At least I do, but who can pass up sausage and sauerkraut??????



Ok, I'm ready for the next post.

Your DH sounds sooooooooooo good lookin'! I bet those white socks REALLY made the short shorts POP! (Even Pods is impressed by his fashion sense.)

Biergarten was very, very good. My pic of the food is not so great, I think that was Timmy's plate, it looks very plain. But there was a nice variety at that buffet and it all was yummy. And the atmosphere was really wonderful- I look forward to going again! You should tell your DH he can wear lederhosen there with his socks- maybe THAT will entice him to try it!

 

[podsnel]

Here are some old scrapbook pages from that first trip with Sean & Tyler. Hope you like them!

Awwww......

 

[dvc4life]

Your DH sounds sooooooooooo good lookin'! I bet those white socks REALLY made the short shorts POP! (Even Pods is impressed by his fashion sense.)

Well you know, the late 80's! He dresses much better today.

 

[podsnel]

On Thursday morning, we were going to head to DAK for some fun. The regular bus stop was getting a lid the whole time we were there, so we just had the very quick walk out front under the Port Cochere. So yesterday, we couldn't get a MK bus, and this morning, we waited forever for an AK bus. I think we were just getting to the bus stop right after the last bus had come, either that or consistently picking the wrong park! If we had been heading to AK yesterday and MK today, I would be writing that the bus service is FABULOUS!! Ah well, such is the life of the WDW bus system- you either hit it or you don't. I'm just glad that AKV doesn't share with a bunch of other resorts- dedicated buses are a GOOD THING!

Soon we were going for the quick ride to the park-

And in!

The first place we were headed was EE- we all love this ride, except Sean. Although he does enjoy watching it! I waited with him outside while the other 3 went first-

And when they came out, i rode with Tyler. Tim was being a little funny about riding again- which is how he is. Sometimes he wants every thrill, sometimes he wants IASW. Well, ok, he never wants IASW, but you get the idea. Tyler and I got up to the ride, and the CM asked, "Do you want to ride in the front row?" I've never done THAT before, and neither had Tyler, so we were SO EXCITED!!! MEK, I was thinking of you the entire time- your DH did a great job taking all those pics- after a certain point, I was having too much fun to take out the camera!! And, probably screaming too much as well! Anyway, here are a few that I did manage to take-

If you have never ridden EE in the front row, I have to say, it is a whole OTHER experience!! That drop looks a LOT bigger when there is noone between you and it! Just a really, really awesome/scary/fun ride- we are so LUCKY we got to do it.

I feel so bad my hand is covering that kid's face! Sorry kid!

After our big adreneline rush to kick off our day, we walked over to DinoLand to ride TS with Sean, one of the rides that was in the book and that he enjoys.

Then the others went on PW while we watched-

Those daredevils!

Everytime we watch them on this ride, Goofy comes out! He must wait for us to show up!

Then it was over to Dinosaur, where we saw the Photopass guy. This was with my camera, though- my pics just came out better here, and most all cases to be honest.

Notice the Yankees shirts? The day before, the parks were FILLED with Phillies fans- but not today! Not one Phillies shirt anywhere- guess all the Phillies fans went home Wednesday night! We went to ride Dinosaur, and as soon as we got to the front, they said they were having technical difficulties and gave us FPs for later. AGAIN! Just like TT! Oh well...the boys wanted to ride KRR, and Sean wanted some french fries, so we did that, Sean and I watching from the bridge while he enjoyed his snack.

They got a little wet, not too too bad-

It was time to head back to Kidani, anyway. Our first family trip as DVC members, and we were planning to try something new with the kids- called "Let's hang out and enjoy life at WDW." Would it work? You'll have to wait and see....

 

[podsnel]

Well you know, the late 80's! He dresses much better today.

Yes...I know...the 80's were pretty scary!! In oh-so many ways....

 

[manntra]

Front row on EE is the BEST!!
So funny about Pods trying to wake everyone up! Glad he finally succeeded!
Goofy seems to have exceptionally long legs doesn't he?
I had good service at Kidani for the buses...I liked being first! Although if it got too crowded I gave up my seat...nice on the way back too being dropped off first!

Tracy

 

[podsnel]

Front row on EE is the BEST!!
So funny about Pods trying to wake everyone up! Glad he finally succeeded!
Goofy seems to have exceptionally long legs doesn't he?
I had good service at Kidani for the buses...I liked being first! Although if it got too crowded I gave up my seat...nice on the way back too being dropped off first!

Tracy

I liked being first on those Kidani buses, too! Our buses were never crowded enough that we needed to stand for anyone at Jambo, though.

And yes...Goofy seems to have freakishly long legs. GAWRSH!

 

[podsnel]

We were going to Sanaa for lunch. This would be my second visit here, and my family's first. I love this restaurant for so, so many reasons- the food is delicious and unique (I could live on that bread service), the restaurant itself is absolutely stunning, and where else in the world (and maybe not even just WDW, but THE world) can you dine and while enjoying zebras and giraffes right outside the restaurant? All of this adds up to a VERY one-of-a-kind dining experience. But why else do I love Sanaa? Flying lessons. They offer some wonderful wine flights!

The first thing I checked on when I got to the podium was the Sean/french fries situation. Sanaa has never served french fries to anyone. They can't- they don't have a fryer in the kitchen. So I wanted to be sure that dietary services had called the restaurant today and that we would still be able to eat here (as I had left a message for DS that morning telling them Biergarten didn't know anything about us coming last night and wanted to be sure the other restaurants would). Yes, they had been contacted! Excellent! This way to our table-

We ordered, including the fries- and the waiter, or someone, told us that he didn't know WHO we WERE, but that today the chef would be making FFs in Sanaa for the very first time- that the chef had come up with some way to cook them, as Sanaa does not have traditional cooking apparatus in their kitchen. WOW. They were doing all of this for our son- how AMAZING was that?? Sanaa is the BEST!!

Sean & I read "PB Bear" while we waited- in the way we always do, I read the words (he can read them, too, this is just what we do) and he "reads" the pictures (it is a rebus book, with pictures for some of the words).

The newish wine flight list-

I ordered the Richards Bay flight, because it came with 2 chenin blancs, and I love me some Chenin Blanc!-

I LOVE to fly!! Then the bread service came out- we had Naan, Onion Kulcha & Paneer Parantha with Coriander Chutney, Red pepper Hummus and Cucumber raita-

We tore into the breads. Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....this is one of my favorite things to eat ever, anywhere. That chutney is soooo spicy and soooooooo delicious and those breads are so different....yummmmmmmmmmmmm!! DS12 decided to play some music on his phone, the "Chicken Song"- not the one you dance to, the one that's from Benny Hill. He thinks this song is HILARIOUS....and I was freaking out for him to shut it down....but he kept it really low and mostly was just acting stupid for his, timmy & Pods' amusement. And there was no one sitting anywhere near us, thank goodness.

The best behaved man in the family-

When the fries came out, we asked if we could thank the chef, so he came out to say hello and take a pic-

Love, love, LOVE Sanaa!! Love, love, LOVE Disney!!

Pods & I ordered the same thing- Slow cooked in Gravy, Shrimp with Green Curry Sauce and Short Ribs, I got them with Jasmine rice, he ordered the Five Grain Pilaf (which I told him not to order because it tastes like dirt. So then he told me this pilaf isn't very good- it tastes like dirt.). However, everything else is delicious, and we gobble up as much as we can, although clearly, after all that bread, we could have just shared one entree.

The thing about those shrimp- they are poached so perfectly in that curry...you know how when shrimp are cooked just right, and they snap! when you bite into them? That is what those shrimpies do. Ty & Tim had ordered pizza off of the kids menu-

which came with carrots and even MORE stupidity-

I focused on the friendly skies-

While Pods finished his African beer (sorry I forget which!). We enjoyed the OTHER animals that were outside-

Too bad we weren't at the window, but those are mostly tables of 4. We thanked our wonderful waiter, Christopher,

And then headed out. Cont'd next post-

 

[podsnel]

As we left Sanaa, I took a few photos-

Time to go for a swim!! On the way back to our room to change-

Tim in the elevator-

Outside of the elevator-

Soon we were at the new pool- most important of all, would the slide at Kidani be better than the BORING snoozer slide over at Jambo?

What a relief, the boys agree, this slide is much, much better! I went for a walk-

And when i noticed the Maji bar had Tangerine Dreams, i ordered one to share with Pods- to me, this is the BEST frozen cocktail, it is not too sweet, and it tastes like a creamsicle. MMM!!

I was happy to see that animals could be seen from here, and the Red River Hogs, which had been in a cage being acclimated on my DISmom visit in the spring were now released and lovin' life. They are too cute!!

There was also a naturalist stationed there to answer questions. Nice! Back at the pool, the last round of bingo was going on while our boys swam, and Sean and Pods enjoyed the hot tub-

Then it was time for the usual, Sean doing laps around the perimeter of the pool and everywhere else in creation. Good thing I had my running flip-flops on!

When we left the pool, they were about to start some more games at the pool for the younger kids. Although I wouldn't trade my shoes for anyone else's, I am envious of those families who bought DVC with young ones and would be able to enjoy all this kid stuff together. We headed back to the resort, to go enjoy our savannah view-

Had a great 1st visit to Samawati Springs and Uwanja Camp, it is extremely well themed and lovely to look at, I'm sure we'll make loads of memories there in our life together.

 

[Mom2BCCC]

I am really enjoying your trip report. My friend's DS7 is autistic - I've been trying to get her to come to WDW with us. We are AKV owners and his favorite thing in the world is Giraffes. I think he'd love it! His mom, however, does not think he would do well. He only eats muffin tops and chicken nuggets. I've told her that the food thing shouldn't be a problem, we could always eat in the villa. Her DS also refuses to get on a plane, they have had to call off two trips to visit her mom because they got to the airport and he would not go through security. I'm going to share your story and your tips with her. Maybe someday soon...

 

[podsnel]

I am really enjoying your trip report. My friend's DS7 is autistic - I've been trying to get her to come to WDW with us. We are AKV owners and his favorite thing in the world is Giraffes. I think he'd love it! His mom, however, does not think he would do well. He only eats muffin tops and chicken nuggets. I've told her that the food thing shouldn't be a problem, we could always eat in the villa. Her DS also refuses to get on a plane, they have had to call off two trips to visit her mom because they got to the airport and he would not go through security. I'm going to share your story and your tips with her. Maybe someday soon...

That is so generous and kind of you- I hope she will be able to come with you one day!! Some things I thought of- of anywhere on earth, Disney is THE MOST ACCOMODATING place for a child with autism (I think- and so do many, many of my friends who have autistic kids). The CMs never flinch, they never make you feel like your child is out of place or has done something wrong, they truly work with you to make it a magical vacation for the whole family. The food thing is easily remedied by calling that number and putting all the ADRs on the list they send along with whatever the diet is. There will be muffin tops and nuggets in every restaurant- even the ones where they don't usually have them. If they forget, call right away again, and there will not be an issue the rest of the trip.

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.

 

[Harlemgirl720]

I have truly enjoyed your TR. You are truly blessed. I am looking forward to my first visit home next month. It will be just my son and I, so a studio sv for us at Kidani. First we have 3 nights at SSR and the remaining 3 at Kidani. Hope the weather cooperates. I thought about having a meal at Sanaa but I don't know if my DS (10) would enjoy it. So it will be Boma, his favorite.

BTW, great world series, huh? Have the pleasure of looking at yankee stadium out my bedroom window everyday. It was sheer bedlam across the water. The best.

 

[Flossbolna]

Thanks for the many pool pictures! We will be staying at AKL (not DVC) at the end of January. For the first few days the Jambo House pool will still be closed for refurbishment, but now I am really excited about trying out the Kidani pool! I just hope the current cold weather will go away until then.

 

[podsnel]

I have truly enjoyed your TR. You are truly blessed. I am looking forward to my first visit home next month. It will be just my son and I, so a studio sv for us at Kidani. First we have 3 nights at SSR and the remaining 3 at Kidani. Hope the weather cooperates. I thought about having a meal at Sanaa but I don't know if my DS (10) would enjoy it. So it will be Boma, his favorite.

BTW, great world series, huh? Have the pleasure of looking at yankee stadium out my bedroom window everyday. It was sheer bedlam across the water. The best.

My first DVC stay was in an SSR studio, too! I hope you will love your DVC as much as we love ours! And we ate at BOMA too- we had dinner there that night. All the restaurants at AKL/V are very good, I enjoy them all. And NICE VIEW from your bedroom!! My boys want to know if they can sleep over about 100 times next summer!!

Thanks for the many pool pictures! We will be staying at AKL (not DVC) at the end of January. For the first few days the Jambo House pool will still be closed for refurbishment, but now I am really excited about trying out the Kidani pool! I just hope the current cold weather will go away until then.

Hey- the Hot tubs will still be fun even if it's cold outside! But I really hope it warms up for you- the Jambo pool is huge and beautiful, but has the most boring slide- Kidani's pool is much, much more fun! I have my fingers and toes crossed for you for a heat wave...