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

[pas130]

Nice signature...."Trip of Many Changes"....fits you perfect!!

Almost there Heather!!!! Hope no more germies!!!!

 

[livsmom04]

Day 2 Continuation &

Stephen was finally located&or perhaps I should say he located us. We actually gave him a little more freedom on this trip. Pop bought him a waterproof watch so he could keep up with the time. Stephen truly did a great job with his new found responsibility&.and he was just in time for some early morning pool fun&.The Flamingo & Pelican Activity by Flamingo Pond (next to pool).

In the rooms, youll find several informational sheets about Jambo House & Kidani Village. The activity sheet, like the one below, has TONS of free activities for all ages.

The Flamingo Activity started at 9:30am&very informative and extremely kid friendly!! This guy was one of the conservationist from Africa &.if I remember correctly, his name was Rens.

He pointed out the different parts of the flamingo head and what each part was used for&.

Rens then explained how flamingos eat shrimp&.he used a tub of water, a comb and sequins to demonstrate the process. Each child was given a chance to experiment with the feeding process.

After this demonstration, it was time for the Pelican Activity. Another cast member did the presentation about ways pelicans eat. Once again, extremely kid friendly and worth the time.

Time for the waterslide!!! Disney did a great job of camouflaging the slide, for the most part. Pop got this shot in the pool looking up at the top of the slide&.he was ready to try out his new underwater camera!!

Stephen did the slide a few times, but decided it was a bit slow for him. He said it wasnt as fast as the Poly and CR. Faith, on the other hand, LOVED it!!! For a solid hour, this is what she did!

And no worries&.while Jesse may appear to be unconscious, hes completely alive. Perhaps a bit tired&but still going steady.

While Faith and Jesse continued to exhaust themselves on the slide, Stephen and I struck up a conversation with some of the wildlife conservationist.

These guys were super friendly and FULL of valuable information about the animals. Both were college students from Africa studying wildlife conservation. Each of them handed us a card that looked like this&

Each wildlife CM carried these cards with them. It gives you their name and their home country with info about that country on the back of the card. They also told us about the Cultural Safari that takes place each night at 7:30pm near the lobby (more on that later).

Ive said it once (or twice or three times) and Ill say it again&.the staff at AKL is by far the friendliest Ive met at WDW.

Back to the pool&..

Ya never know who or what might join you for a swim&..

I kept hoping the ducks would leave. When they visited us at the WL pool a couple of years ago, the staff shut it down due to the ducks using the pool as a toilet

The kids insisted that MaHopie and I take our turn on the waterslide&not exactly what I wanted to do, and I couldnt come up with a logical excuse not to&..

Still not sure why my hands are raised above my head like its a roller coaster&.and Stephen was right&not that fast.

MaHopies turn&.hands up& bracing herself for impact&.

Pop had fun with his new camera&.

Our pool time was great!! Not too hot&not too many people&.perfect!!!

Before returning to the room, Pop captured a few more wildlife shots&

Up next&&Kidani Village and lunch at Sanaa

What kind of camera did he get? I'm looking for a new waterproof camera for our trip in June.

 

[hstrickland]

The tour sounds great! I love all of the photos (now I'm the one repeating myself )

I guess that when we finally bite the bullet and book a cruise I'll have to be sure to secure a Palo reservation.

The hidden Remys are great. What an awesome touch.

Yeah...I thought the Remys were really cute, too. While we really enjoyed our Remy experience, I'll probably do Palo the next go round.

Almost there Heather!!!! Hope no more germies!!!!

Thanks....I'm all packed and ready to go. The weather is supposed to be perfect Keeping my fingers crossed!

What kind of camera did he get? I'm looking for a new waterproof camera for our trip in June.

Not really sure...it's a case that fits over his digital camera. It worked well for the most part. If you're wanting a waterproof camera for basic stuff like pools, beaches, a little snorkeling, then it's fine. If you want something really heavy duty, then it might not work. I'll see if I can find out what kind it is and let you know.

 

[amandaw]

I'm glad to hear they enjoyed the ship tour. That's one of the things I'm really wanting to do on our cruise. I've already told Ed that he may be on "Reid duty" while I go off for the tour.

I hope y'all have a safe & magical trip to celebrate Faith's birthday! And that everyone stays well!

 

[livsmom04]

Just got caught up on the TR. AKL looks like its a great resort to stay at. We are heading to the world in June and have thought about upgrading where we are staying to AKL. Not so sure yet though. We will have to see budget wise if we can. Have a good time on your Mini Trip and birthday trip for Faith! What a great surprise for her.

 

[Lisa29]

Yay, your countdown is 1 day!!!!! You must all be so excited. Hope you have a great trip.

 

[jwwi]

Hope you are having a great trip. Let me know what you think about POR. I hope you enjoyed your stay there.

I have been really enjoying your TR. I'm not sure if I will take a cruise anytime soon, but the ship looks so beautiful. Your kids look like they are having so much fun too. Maybe when I have grandchildren to take I can talk my DH into going on the DLC.:

Your room looks so nice, a veranda looks like the way to go, and by the look of the ship compared to the others in port in the Bahama's, the DCL has many verandah's. The food looks so tasty, and for the most part I think that is what you have reported. Did you enjoy a particular restaurant more that another? I am loving your ship photos, just so interesting. I would be another crazy early riser, taking pictures all over the ship. My DH can sleep half the morning away, and that is why I go to WDW with my sister much more than my DH. My kids are all grown, but we did have a few memorable trips when they were younger.
Did you have a favorite day on the cruise? I know many people report that Castaway Cay is wonderful, so it must be nice to get to stop there twice.
Thank you again for sharing all your stories and pictures with us. You do a great trip report!

 

[Disney9.9.10]

That ship tour looks wonderful! Lots of great pictures. It really is too bad that you didn't get that reservation!

 

[jennyjinx3]

I hope you are all having a magical weekend!!

 

[RGirl]

Hi Heather! Sorry I meant missing for so long, but I'm back now and all caught up!

Your pictures are just beautiful - I feel like I have toured the dream. And your family pictures turned out amazing - I am totally thinking we should do this on the Fantasy. The photo disc costs so much, but if we could get professional family pics like that along with all the other pics, I think it might be worth it.

I cannot wait to hear about Faith's birthday trip! We are staying in one of those royal rooms in August, so I'm WAY excited to see your pictures and hear all about it.

 

[pas130]

Thanks....I'm all packed and ready to go. The weather is supposed to be perfect Keeping my fingers crossed!

I just know Heather and crew are having a fabulous trip

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Sure wish we would have taken advantage of the adult dining after seeing those pics!!!

Hope you are having fun!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Hope you guys had a blast. Can't wait to hear all about it!!

 

[pas130]

Me too me too!!!!

 

[Sweetpeamd]

I can't wait to hear about your big weekend!!!!!!

 

[hstrickland]

I'm glad to hear they enjoyed the ship tour. That's one of the things I'm really wanting to do on our cruise. I've already told Ed that he may be on "Reid duty" while I go off for the tour.

I hope y'all have a safe & magical trip to celebrate Faith's birthday! And that everyone stays well!

Yep...Ed will have to do "Reid duty" because the Kid's Club won't be open. As much as you love Disney, you need to take advantage of the tour....I think it only lasted a couple of hours.

Just got caught up on the TR. AKL looks like its a great resort to stay at. We are heading to the world in June and have thought about upgrading where we are staying to AKL. Not so sure yet though. We will have to see budget wise if we can. Have a good time on your Mini Trip and birthday trip for Faith! What a great surprise for her.

AKL is great; however....Bill and I realized that we could probably be happy staying in a mod AND save a pile of money. POR was really nice...grounds were beautiful. I have lots of pics to share

Yay, your countdown is 1 day!!!!! You must all be so excited. Hope you have a great trip.

We did!! We did!! Now I have to go back and change my ticker

Hope you are having a great trip. Let me know what you think about POR. I hope you enjoyed your stay there.

We had a great time! And I really did like POR. Can't wait to share my pictures!

I have been really enjoying your TR. I'm not sure if I will take a cruise anytime soon, but the ship looks so beautiful. Your kids look like they are having so much fun too. Maybe when I have grandchildren to take I can talk my DH into going on the DLC.:

That's an idea! And I have a feelilng it won't be hard to do. According to my parents, people will do anything for their grandkids

Your room looks so nice, a veranda looks like the way to go, and by the look of the ship compared to the others in port in the Bahama's, the DCL has many verandah's. The food looks so tasty, and for the most part I think that is what you have reported. Did you enjoy a particular restaurant more that another? I am loving your ship photos, just so interesting. I would be another crazy early riser, taking pictures all over the ship. My DH can sleep half the morning away, and that is why I go to WDW with my sister much more than my DH. My kids are all grown, but we did have a few memorable trips when they were younger.

The veranda was awesome. I have the tendancy to get motion sickness (I know...sounds crazy since I love a cruise) so the veranda is a must do for me...I don't feel so enclosed and confined. Ya know...not sure which restaurant was my favorite. They are all so different. The atmosphere at Animator's Palate was super cool for the kids, so I'll lean in that direction.

Very nice that you have a sister to go with to Disney! Wish my sister lived closer so she could go. As you know, she has small children and lives in CT.
She loves Disney, too...maybe not as much as me...but she still likes it.

Did you have a favorite day on the cruise? I know many people report that Castaway Cay is wonderful, so it must be nice to get to stop there twice.
Thank you again for sharing all your stories and pictures with us. You do a great trip report!

Hands down...Castaway Cay!! Since I love the water so much it was perfect having 2 days. Our second day at CC was sooooo much better than the first. Lots and lots and lots of pics to show Glad you are enjoying...it's fun for us to share our memories (we get to relive the trip all over again)

That ship tour looks wonderful! Lots of great pictures. It really is too bad that you didn't get that reservation!

I know...hopefully there will be a next time....

Hi Heather! Sorry I meant missing for so long, but I'm back now and all caught up!

I know all about being MIA! Life gets crazy and busy and so cuts into our Dis time

Your pictures are just beautiful - I feel like I have toured the dream. And your family pictures turned out amazing - I am totally thinking we should do this on the Fantasy. The photo disc costs so much, but if we could get professional family pics like that along with all the other pics, I think it might be worth it.

You're right...the disc is expensive! But if you look at it from a "professional family photo" standpoint then it's not so bad. I couldn't believe how much patience the photographer had! Guess that's a job requirement when you work for Disney

I cannot wait to hear about Faith's birthday trip! We are staying in one of those royal rooms in August, so I'm WAY excited to see your pictures and hear all about it.

You know I have pics!!!

I just know Heather and crew are having a fabulous trip

I hope you are all having a magical weekend!!

We did! We did! We did!!! Great resort!!!

Sure wish we would have taken advantage of the adult dining after seeing those pics!!!

Hope you are having fun!

Well...you will have that opportunity!! Take advantage of it...send the kids to the clubs

Hope you guys had a blast. Can't wait to hear all about it!!

Me too me too!!!!

I can't wait to hear about your big weekend!!!!!!

So many photos to share! Enchanted Tales with Belle...AWESOME...so sweet. Especially since Bill was the Knight, Faith was Phillipe the horse, and Jesse was the Beast.....precious! He even got to dance will Belle!!

 

[pas130]

Welcome home!!!!!!

Pics to follow soon!!!

 

[Pinkocto]

Welcome home Heather! Can't wait to see your pictures, glad you all had a great trip

The ship tour looks great, I totally missed that on the navigator.

 

[hstrickland]

Day 8
Lunch at The Royal Palace



I believe we left off with Bill, Pop, Hopie and Sean strolling around the ship on a relaxing adult (no kids) tour &&.and me???? I had the kids&.

Stephen (who was MIA for most of the trip) went to The Edge. He said he was done with baby stuff. Guess he was referring to the Mickey slide and pool that had hundreds of 3, 4, and 5 year olds running around


After Jesse and Faith finished their brunch, they wanted to venture back to the Oceanears Club (fine with me &.)


Bill, Pop, Hopie and I decided we would grab a quick bite to eat at &.

And did I say quick???....let me rephrase that. I meant to say slow - like at a snails pace slow! Not that we were in any hurry or anything. I was just a bit surprised at the inadequate service.

We started out with a shrimp cocktail&.pretty good, nothing over the top but good.

I had the Pan-Seared Tilapia with cheese grits and caramelized onions (I know&probably sounds disgusting if you dont like grits ) but it was really good.

Bill had the burger&.also very good.

And of course we had dessert. I cant ever recall a time that we didnt have something sweet to eat with lunch or dinner


Not sure if this is the mango cheesecake or apricot tartlet (not that it matters)

I do know this is apple strudel&..

After our extended lunch, we noticed that Woody and Jessie were available for pictures. We knew without a doubt that our Jesse would be super upset if he didnt get a picture with them. So&.we grabbed them from the kids club and Hopie stood in line&.the very LONG line, let me add.


Sean and Jonah had the same idea, but were way ahead of us.

These were two happy little boys!

Remy was out-and-about for pictures, too, but Jesse had no interest in him.

The windows of the ship make perfect places to grab a few candid shots&.

Up next&.Pirates Night and dinner at the Royal Palace.....again




​

 

[MomToPrincePhillip]

Yay an update! Thanks!