3 Families doin' a Surf & Turf Trip! AKL CL & Dream...Good-Byes

[emma212010]

Back to school already?? Wow! And congratulations Jesse on Kindergarten!

That is so scary about the flight cancellations! That rain was pretty bad! I hope they get in ok!

I love the smell of the Poly too!!!! It's so Disney for me!

We explored resorts our first day, and it was so hard going to the parks and not going in!

 

[jennyjinx3]

Heather: We love the Poly smell too...DH will tell me if he even remotely smells something tropically dampish he will say "Smell that??? Polynesian"

I would be sad also driving by the MK and NOT going in. That is cruel.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I've had the same, "Ahhh! We aren't staying in the MK resort area!" angst, too. It's happened twice while staying in the Epcot area. I think when you stay at AKL though, you feel so detached from the parks, that the 'angst' doesn't hit as hard as it does when you start seeing the monorail or Wishes in the distance or something MK-related. I suppose, too that having a cruise to look forward to after WDW is a good distraction

When's dinner?

 

[hstrickland]

I'll be trying out OKW for the first time. Really looking forward to it. Went for the first time in December last year and just loved it, everything was so beautiful. And the weather was perfect to boot.

You should go, quick trips are such a nice getaway from real life.

I keep hearing really poisitve things about OKW, especially the space that the rooms offer. Can't wait to hear your perspective on the resort. You'll have a great time...it's Disney

Very nice pictures!

I can't get over all the construction at GF!

The Avengers monorail is so cool! Reid would love to see that. I wonder if they have already taken it off or if it will still be up when we go.

I have no idea about the monorail. But ya know, they kept Tron around for quite some time. Yall need to make a quick trip over to the GF just see everything...worth the time.

Sorry to hear you didnt get a chance to try out the Kitchen Sink. I have always read the best time to get a seat is right at opening

We are staying at BW in Dec and are hoping to get over there one day to try it...who knows if we will have any luck.

You're probably right...get there when it opens or even before. We went a couple of years ago but don't remember it being crowded at all. I wish we had done the Kitchen Sink then, but we were soooooo full that we couldn't put another bite in our mouths. At least you will be fairly close to B&C...if you can't get in one day, maybe you can try it again.

Back to school already?? Wow! And congratulations Jesse on Kindergarten!

That is so scary about the flight cancellations! That rain was pretty bad! I hope they get in ok!

I love the smell of the Poly too!!!! It's so Disney for me!

We explored resorts our first day, and it was so hard going to the parks and not going in!

Seeing MK and Cinderella Castle and not going in was like a bad dream....it was right there but we couldn't touch it And yes the rain was terrible! I was actually surprised to see how many people were still at MK. I thought for sure the rain would have thinned out the crowds, but that didn't seem to be true.

Heather: We love the Poly smell too...DH will tell me if he even remotely smells something tropically dampish he will say "Smell that??? Polynesian"

I would be sad also driving by the MK and NOT going in. That is cruel.

Ha!!! Bill and I do the same thing!!! Glad we aren't the only ones.

I've had the same, "Ahhh! We aren't staying in the MK resort area!" angst, too. It's happened twice while staying in the Epcot area. I think when you stay at AKL though, you feel so detached from the parks, that the 'angst' doesn't hit as hard as it does when you start seeing the monorail or Wishes in the distance or something MK-related. I suppose, too that having a cruise to look forward to after WDW is a good distraction

When's dinner?

dinner will served at some point tomorrow, but I can't promise that it will be appetizing

 

[RGirl]

Thanks for the little resort tour! I haven't seen pics of the construction at the GS before - very interesting! I can imagine it was so hard to be RIGHT THERE and not able to go into the MK.

I know, I know!! Just do it! If we're in a villa, guess the counter service won't be a huge deal anyway. And we usually eat TS, so what the heck am I worried about, right?!

Well, you'll remember from my TR that I was truly disappointed in the lack of CS options. I mean, sometimes you just want to grab something quick and take it back to the room or something. That said, I would stay at the BW again in a heartbeat. The location was beyond amazing, and being able to walk along the boardwalk every morning and evening was really special.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Oh man, I was all geeked about my BC ressie for October 2013, but the monorail resorts are like a drug, I just don't know if I can do it!!!! We had a TPV at the GF booked once, those pictures of the lobby reminded me. I am hoping to talk DH into the GR DVC, I have some time!

Love the pictures, we did that same torture of not going into the MK last spring break during our BB trip when we stayed at POR. Even though we dined at Ohana and Chef Mickey's, we rode the monorail, watched fireworks and movies at the Poly, but there is just something of a buzz around those 3 resorts!

I will try to stay caught up this week on DH's phone, but no internet at our cottage - torture! I paid in full today for our cruise - ouch, but yeh! Looking forward to the future updates. Have a great week at school!

 

[jennyjinx3]

Oh man, I was all geeked about my BC ressie for October 2013, but the monorail resorts are like a drug,

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Oh man, I was all geeked about my BC ressie for October 2013, but the monorail resorts are like a drug,

I see you are getting your 'fix' in about a month!

 

[jennyjinx3]

I see you are getting your 'fix' in about a month!

I know...it is starting to sink in now too! When your wait starts over 365 days ago, it is hard to believe it is coming soon.

Have fun at your cottage, I 'suffered' through no internet in June up North, not pretty but so nice at the same time.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

I know...it is starting to sink in now too! When your wait starts over 365 days ago, it is hard to believe it is coming soon.

Have fun at your cottage, I 'suffered' through no internet in June up North, not pretty but so nice at the same time.

I was trying to explain to Heather that we say 'up North' here - . Yes, no internet, but several Disney books loaded on my kindle and podcasts on my ipod - just a disboards withdrawl!

Enjoy your last 4 weeks of anticipation! Did you request a building at Poly? Have you tried other resorts?

 

[Yellowbellow]

I wish we had counted the times we found Jesse in front of a TV.
Think I will look through the photos to see how many photos we have of him in fornt of a TV while at WDW.

 

[jennyjinx3]

I was trying to explain to Heather that we say 'up North' here - . Yes, no internet, but several Disney books loaded on my kindle and podcasts on my ipod - just a disboards withdrawl!

Enjoy your last 4 weeks of anticipation! Did you request a building at Poly? Have you tried other resorts?

We have requested Tokelau again, last year was our first stay at the Poly in Tokelau. 2010 was offsite, our first trip ever as a family...DH had been when he was 12, I had never been !! This is how I explain my obsession....missing out as a child!!

 

[shan23877]

It would have been so hard to be that close to MK and have to pass it by. I feel for you guys.

Thanks for the tip about the AG outfits! That's gonna be a real necessity for us if we do take the AG plunge!

 

[Sue M]

9 pairs? You were busted!! I shouldn't laugh though, cause I haven't really begun to pack up the shoes

Exactly 1 week tomorrow we leave for Ft. Lauderdale it's been hot, hot, hot here so I'll be climatized for Florida, except we don't have the humidity factor on the west coast!

It's a good thing you were staying at AKL, if I weren't going to the parks, staying at an MK resort would be a special kind of torture. Couldn't do it!

I also love the smell at Poly, and BC too!!

So much GF construction. I think their CS Gasperillas will be closed during our trip, on MK days, sometimes we like eating there, I like the lobster salad! And daughter likes the lobster Mac & cheese!

Cool monorail pic!!

Getting very excited about our trip

 

[hstrickland]

Oh man, I was all geeked about my BC ressie for October 2013, but the monorail resorts are like a drug, I just don't know if I can do it!!!! We had a TPV at the GF booked once, those pictures of the lobby reminded me. I am hoping to talk DH into the GR DVC, I have some time!

Will the GF be ready by 2013?? If so....ya might want to give it a try Have you done CR, yet or is that the resort you aren't crazy about?? Can't remember....Why not a split stay?? Not sure I'm up to split stays...I hate packing and unpacking.

Love the pictures, we did that same torture of not going into the MK last spring break during our BB trip when we stayed at POR. Even though we dined at Ohana and Chef Mickey's, we rode the monorail, watched fireworks and movies at the Poly, but there is just something of a buzz around those 3 resorts!

I will try to stay caught up this week on DH's phone, but no internet at our cottage - torture! I paid in full today for our cruise - ouch, but yeh! Looking forward to the future updates. Have a great week at school!

Hope you have a great time "up North"! Anything past Atlanta is up north for me...so basically y'all are like in the artic somewhere....

I wish we had counted the times we found Jesse in front of a TV.
Think I will look through the photos to see how many photos we have of him in fornt of a TV while at WDW.

Let's make a mental note for the next trip....if we lose him, he's probably in front of a TV!

It would have been so hard to be that close to MK and have to pass it by. I feel for you guys.

Thanks for the tip about the AG outfits! That's gonna be a real necessity for us if we do take the AG plunge!

My guess....if she doesn't get an AG doll this year, she'll get one soon after Did you check out Etsy?? They have some cute doll stuff.

9 pairs? You were busted!! I shouldn't laugh though, cause I haven't really begun to pack up the shoes

Keep in mind that we had a cruise...just wasn't sure what I would need

Exactly 1 week tomorrow we leave for Ft. Lauderdale it's been hot, hot, hot here so I'll be climatized for Florida, except we don't have the humidity factor on the west coast!

Can you see my face getting green.....with envy that is!??! You're gonna be in FL and I'll be in....well.....I'll be in "the forbidden word"

It's a good thing you were staying at AKL, if I weren't going to the parks, staying at an MK resort would be a special kind of torture. Couldn't do it!

I also love the smell at Poly, and BC too!!

So much GF construction. I think their CS Gasperillas will be closed during our trip, on MK days, sometimes we like eating there, I like the lobster salad! And daughter likes the lobster Mac & cheese!

Cool monorail pic!!

Getting very excited about our trip

Why are they closing Gasperillas??? We didn't get over that far to see if it was closed or not. I can assure you that if we do a park free trip in the future, I will NOT go near the MK....just not gonna happen.

How many days will yall be in FL???

 

[DisneyDoc5]

We have requested Tokelau again, last year was our first stay at the Poly in Tokelau. 2010 was offsite, our first trip ever as a family...DH had been when he was 12, I had never been !! This is how I explain my obsession....missing out as a cild!!

I have the same adult introduction to Disney - making up for lost time right! I only went as a kid 1x just for the day to MK, and as a teen 1x for the day. We stayed in Tokelua as well, I would want that or Samoa.

Hi Heather - no split stays for me, I like to unpack and settle in. We stayed at CR once, loved it, it's a close tie with Poly, but I love the Hawaiian theme. Have a great week!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Oh my! That IS a tease being so close to the MK but not going in. I totally know what you mean about the smell. Not sure I'd recognize the Poly scent just b/c I have only been there a few times but the BC scent is

Looking forward to hearing about Boma, and of course the cruise!!

 

[hstrickland]

Hi Heather - no split stays for me, I like to unpack and settle in. We stayed at CR once, loved it, it's a close tie with Poly, but I love the Hawaiian theme. Have a great week!

Aren't you on vacation? Are you posting from Bret's phone? I'm impressed.....scared to post anything from mine. I'm always afraid it will post something funky. Split stays aren't for me either...UNLESS I was going to be there for like 2 weeks. Of course I say that... it has actually crossed my mind for our next big Disney trip.....EP resorts/MK resorts. That would mean that I would have to extend my 7 day trip to maybe a 10 or 11 dayer

Oh my! That IS a tease being so close to the MK but not going in. I totally know what you mean about the smell. Not sure I'd recognize the Poly scent just b/c I have only been there a few times but the BC scent is

Looking forward to hearing about Boma, and of course the cruise!!

I'll never do that again....seriously. It gives me a headache thinking about it And I lied about Boma....that will not be the next one....but the next

 

[hstrickland]

Day 4
An Arusha View​

After returning from a whirlwind tour of the resorts, we were in need of a quick snack in the lounge. It wasn’t crowded at all….guess everyone was at the MK As I’ve mentioned previously, we were super impressed by the hospitality of the AKL CMs. Well…once again, they have gone above and beyond.

While the adults were relaxing at a quiet table, this young lady had color pages, tattoos, and stickers for the children. At first I thought she was just going to give them the stickers and be on her way. Much to my surprise, she sat down with them and started to color and chat….totally interacting with the kids. Faith, Jesse, and Stephen loved it! And it wasn’t for only a few minutes…..she told them about her country, the language she speaks, etc.

We had to pry the kids away from the children’s area….they needed to go back to the room and get ready for dinner.



Pop decided to snap a few (well, a ton) of photos while relaxing on the balcony. As you can see, lots of animals were roaming around the Arusha savannah…

It was super neat to see all the giraffes in one spot!

If you’re a camera bug, don’t forget the telephoto lens!!! It’s a must if you’re sitting on the balcony. Pop spotted this vulture perched on top of a suite.

Way cool to watch these guys eat….fyi….giraffes have tongues that are 18 inches long and blue! The kids were amazed to say the least.

Looks like this fella is wanting to tell us something….

A zebra finally wandered up within camera shot. The giraffes seemed to be out the most….zebras not as much.

Faith had been busy getting Sophia ready for dinner….now she’s dressed and ready to enjoy an evening at Boma (or so she thinks)

Before going to dinner, Stephen decided to try the concierge desk at the AKL to see if they had any pins he was interested in.

Surprisingly enough, this is where we found Jesse…..you’re shocked, I know….

After a few minutes, a crowd ensued to watch the Disney Channel…..

Up next….dinner at Boma (and that’s a promise)




​

 

[chattadisser]

Heather, isn't that cruel and unusual punishment to yourself to be that close to the MK and not go in? I think I would have bolted and ran for the turnstiles!

Your trip report is making me make a case for an upgrade to CL at AKL in October. Of course, it all depends on AP discounts when they come out.

Thanks for the tip on the outfits for AG dolls, I'm sure that is going to be on our list for must have's. Sophia looks wonderful in her Minnie dress, it's just like the one they have for the little girls!

Can't wait to hear about Boma, I liked it but after Jiko....

I'm off to go pack in unnoticed...I guess that means I'll be hiding in the closet.

Christine