13 glorious days at Christmas - Kidani & Jambo Club Level

[momof2disprincesses]

We just returned on Jan. 1 from a glorious 13 day Christmas trip to WDW.

Here's our family:

From left: Kaylee (dd16), Amanda (dd20), me (Jodi), David (dh)

Our trip began a day earlier than planned. We are from Appleton, WI and had a blizzard on the day we were supposed to leave (Thurs. Dec. 20). So we quickly made arrangements at work and dd16's school and left 24 hours early, adding 1 more day of magic to our trip.

We drove straight through. Unfortunately, this was one of the toughest drives we've ever had. It normally takes us 24 hours, but this time it took 27+ hours and the last half was in strong winds and heavy rain. Plus, dd20 was sick for more than half the drive too. She is studying abroad in India now (left from Orlando) and had been taking typhoid pills, which made her very sick.

But we did make it! We were going to stay 1 night at the Radisson in Celebration before checking in to Kidani but called and they added on one more night, so we wound up there for 2 nights total.

It was a fine hotel, but we were anxiously awaiting our stay at Kidani.

More to come...Kidani photos, lots of Jambo House club level photos, new Fantasyland, Osborne lights, food porn and much, much more!

 

[SusieBea]

 

[momof2disprincesses]

After a long & exhausting drive, we were happy to hit the showers and go to bed. I think each one of us was sound asleep within seconds of our heads hitting the pillows.

Friday, Dec. 21 was our Magic Kingdom Day! We had tried to be there at rope drop, but that didn't happen. Instead, we arrived around 9:30am.

We headed to guest services to try to upgrade our DVC AP's into PAP's. The first CM simply said we couldn't do it. I asked if she would please check with a manager and when she came back, she said we were able to upgrade but couldn't get any money back. I was just happy we were able to upgrade them.

Then we headed to Fantasyland. Here are some of our photos:

 

[DizDaD7]

Wow...I'm really jealous....A 13 day trip is Awesome....A 13 day trip during Christmas is Incredible..I'm sure...Can't wait to hear about it...BTW Love the shirts..

 

[momof2disprincesses]

And more Fantasyland photos:

DD20 with an adorable Dumbo. We took this picture for one of her best friends who's favorite character is Dumbo.

A sneak peek at the upcoming Seven Dwarfs Mine Train!

Right now a train to nowhere!

Up next...a delicious lunch at Be Our Guest!

 

[lilpooh108]

Following along! We've just booked AKV Club for this coming December. Would you mind posting lots of pics of the Club Lounge food and describing your experience for the Club room during your trip report? Thanks!

 

[momof2disprincesses]

Following along! We've just booked AKV Club for this coming December. Would you mind posting lots of pics of the Club Lounge food and describing your experience for the Club room during your trip report? Thanks!

I was a crazy person with my club level photos!

Stay tuned...I promise to get you VERY excited about your stay. If I could live club level for the rest of my life, I'd feel like I'd died and gone to heaven.

We also did the sunrise safari which was really spectacular! Those photos coming too!!

 

[a742246]

I am glad you had a great trip. Looking forward on reading more.

 

[momof2disprincesses]

We got in line for lunch at Be Our Guest right around 11:20am and it was a good half hour wait in line, but WELL worth it. It is now my new favorite MK quick service restaurant.

Here's a few photos while waiting in line:

It took me FOREVER to get this photo with no one in front of this, but well worth it.

DD16 with the armor guys. I loved how they talked to each other across the hall!

Next up...the food!

 

[momof2disprincesses]

And now the best part...THE FOOD!

We ordered 1 appetizer, 2 sandwiches & 3 desserts to share among the 4 of us.

After you order, you receive a little Mickey device so they know how to locate you. Here's how your food gets delivered to you...hot on top, cold on the bottom.

French onion soup:

Turkey sandwich. This was served warm and was so delish!

The ham & cheese sandwich. Also warm and delish!

And now the best part...desserts! I liked them all a lot but my favorites in order was strawberry, lemon and then chocolate but seriously there was not a "loser" among them!

 

[momof2disprincesses]

After lunch we explored some more in Fantasyland and rode on the Journey of the Little Mermaid.

But first just a few more pictures of Be Our Guest

Then the girls and I did something we've NEVER done before, in 30 trips. We rode Cinderella's Carousel! DD20 was even lucky enough to ride on Cinderella's horse (the one with the gold bow on the tail)!

 

[Splashboat]

I'm in

 

[rockinrollercoasters]

We will be at Kidani for spring break and Jambo club level for Thanksgiving so I'm excited to see all your pictures and hear about your trip! I already love the pics of the new Fantasyland. With teenage boys I will really have to come up with a good excuse to get them to wait for lunch at BOG!

 

[momof2disprincesses]

After the Ariel ride, we used our fast passes for a few other rides and then wound up back in Fantasyland and wanted to check out Gaston's Tavern.

This was nearby and I thought it was so cute.

We did get 1 LeFou's brew to try, but not in the souvenir mug. It tasted just like the description, frozen apple juice with a hint of toasted marshmallow. Based on that description I didn't think I'd like it but I was surprised that it really was pretty good. I don't think I'd get one all to myself because after a few sips, I had enough.

More pictures from Gaston's Tavern:

 

[momof2disprincesses]

Here's just a few more random shots from MK.

We didn't actually watch the parade, but I shot this as we walked by the end of it.

Then we did something else we've never done before. We watched the flag lowering ceremony. My DH is a veteran (Marine Corps) so it would be really cool to see about having him do this one day. It's my understanding that they pick a veteran to do it every day. Anyone know how they pick the veteran?

 

[momof2disprincesses]

The next day was Sat. Dec. 22. We checked out of the Celebration Radisson and because we had upgraded to PAP's, we decided to head to Disney Quest. We'd been there only once before many years ago.

We got there right at opening (11:30am) and stayed for a little over 2 hours. It was fun! First things we did were the jungle cruise virtual ride and the POTC virtual ride. At that time, there were only short waits. Then we did the Aladdin carpet ride. Then I played Ms. Pac Man for awhile (I'm a child of the 80's) so that was a highlight!

After that, we were getting hungry and it was getting a little more crowded.

Sorry I didn't take any pictures at DQ. We didn't want to bring a bag, so I didn't have the camera.

After DQ, we headed to Planet Hollywood for lunch. Again, no camera, so no pics, but I know I had the Texas Tostadas - 5 crispy mini tortillas topped with barbeque chicken, sauteed onions, Monterey Jack and sharp cheddar cheese, sour cream and pico de gallo. - $8.99

That is my favorite thing at Planet Hollywood. DD20 got the World Famous Chicken Crunch - Tender strips of chicken breast with a crunchy, sweet coating, served with Creole mustard. - $8.99

We shared each others and both were very yummy!

Today was our day to check in at Kidani, but it was still before 4pm and we really didn't want to check in until we were sure our room would be ready, so we headed over to check out the new Art of Animation resort. I took a ton of pictures there. It was chilly, so there weren't a lot of people in the pool or even outside, so we got some pictures of an almost empty resort.

DD16 loves Perry from Phineas & Ferb, so DH bought her one. She put her Christmas hat on him but made him stay in the car....poor guy!

Lots more AOA pics coming!

 

[momof2disprincesses]

More pics from AOA:

The BIG BLUE pool

These 2 had this huge pool all to themselves (probably because it was like 60ish degrees outside!)

Fish face!

What a cool play area!!!

 

[momof2disprincesses]

Even more AOA pics. We walked around most of the resort. Cool place! We will probably pay oop and stay here at some point...at least once.

 

[momof2disprincesses]

We stopped at the food court and got a few yummy snacks before leaving AOA.

Pulled pork sandwich & chips.

Meatball sandwich with Caesar salad

Cheesy pesto bread

And last but not least, this adorable and yummy guy

Final shots as we left AOA

Next up...we check into our 1 bedroom standard view at Kidani!!!

 

[lilpooh108]

WOW! The Lion King fixtures look AMAZING!

Are those a part of the resort...like a playground, or is it just giant fixtures and you walk around them (like they're the entrance to the Lion King section)? That seriously makes me want to stay there. My DD would totally freak out.