A Halloween Adventure in Autism (11/7) Prayer Request for Catie (p.129)

[kimmylaj]

that sounds like an awesome start to the trip. my dh would be in love with you, sleep in, late breakfast, pool. wow. unfortunately i have not learned to slow down and enjoy so i have been known to be the first car in the parking lot and the first person at the turnstyles. oh well if you can do it i guess there is hope for me. again i cant believe how grown up the kids look. they are too cute. and ryan has the same shirt as billy, i had to buy it as he fell in a puddle of ketchup in pecos bills and needed something new to wear, i do love it though

 

[Hedy]

Kathy! How could I be reading your TR's for nigh on three years and not know about Ed's terrible lifestyle issue regarding that team (I kid...I kid...mostly)
For some reason, the "He's wet!" made me laugh out loud.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Great update Kathy! All of Animal Kingdom seems amazing! I'm glad you were able to push your ADR a litle later and accomodate Ed & the girls' need to catch a few more winks. Can't wait to see the pool!

 

[AmandaSparks730]

AKL/AKLV looks gorgeous! (One day...one day...)

We're trying to plan an AUGUST 2010 PRE-SENIOR YEAR trip...but we can only go if there's free dining.

*crosses fingers*

ETA: Did I just say "Senior Year"?!? Deargod...

 

[MRYPPNS]

Good plan to take it easy before the party that night....which I'm dying to hear about!

 

[jcc0621]

Fabulous update. I definitely think down days are needed. I am loving all of your pictures of AKV and AKL. We won't be going back for a few years, but we will be staying at AKL when we do.

 

[KathyRN137]

Joining in! I hope I can keep up with this TR! (Come Jan. 13th, I start my FINAL semester of nursing school! )

Love the start though, I'm hooked!

Hi Beka! Great news; you're really in the home stretch now!

True! I did think of you tho! There will be other trips, i'm sure of it!

I hope so; I'll hop over to read about yours as soon as I can!

Thanks for noticing my ticker!!

Yay! We're home! We're HOME!! It's gorgeous!

Both Jambo and Kidani look stunning! I am looking forward to getting to see both when I end up going!! Just the art alone would draw me there.

So great to see everyone in such gleeful moods, and ready to enjoy their stay. Easing into it was definitely a wise choice.

Glad you had the washer and dryer to take care of laundry as you needed to.

But you know what the neatest thing for me to read about was? The African hostesses dancing!! I would have been right up there with Billy trying out my moves.

I agree! That was definitely one of those fun, impromptu Disney moments that take you by surprise and just add to the magic!


Kathy

 

[Charleston Princess]

What a lovely way to ease into your Disney vacation -- animals outside your window, breakfast at Boma, gazing at those awesome pumpkins, and heading out to swim!!! All of it sounds just wonderful!

 

[KathyRN137]

Hi Kathy...

I just noticed your dreaming ticker is gone.... sorry to hear no trips are in the immeditate future...but you know you will be back, and I know someday we'll be there togehter...


Margaret also saw your sad little Minnie and she said

"awww poor Minnie"



J~

Margaret is sweet... give her a big kiss!

I'll second what Margaret said "awwww poor Minnie"...she really does look sad...

Happy New Year Kathy to you and your family!... I'm glad to see you're posting again...

That, however, did not diminish the little thrill I felt passing through those doors for the first time, knowing that we had an entire week of Disney fun ahead of us.

I love this line...it gave me tingles...I know that feeling too...

I think your photos are absolutely lovely and it is your perogative as the author to take the artistic license to insert whatever photos you feel represent the moment you are describing whenever you'd like...

That bed looks amazing...I can just imagine snuggling into it...

Billy's looking pretty happy at the moment...I hope he doesn't get too sick too soon....

Hi Triple-P! I think we all know that little first day thrill. (Okay, so it's a BIG thrill!) I always feel like I did when I was a kid and it was the start of summer vacation!

Sounds like a great first night to me! That room really is amazing!!

...and so comfortable! The five of us fit just fine in the one-bedroom villa. That sleeper-chair and second bathroom was a great idea!

WooHoo an update!! I love Kidani, holy cow, it just looks amazing; I wonder if I could (ahem) entice DH into DVC next trip...

You could always do a "test run" by renting points... I think once you've stayed at a DVC resort it becomes irresistable!

Kathy, your last installment really captures the feeling of excitement that comes with the start of vacation I'm really looking forward to future installments.

And I'm looking forward to having you along!


Kathy

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Wow, Animal Kingdom Lodge is just stunning. Beautiful photos!

 

[joy13]

What a great start to the vacation! Those hostesses at Boma look so friendly and nice -how fun!

 

[KathyRN137]

I KNOW there's a way to subscribe without posting a lame message like this one, but darned if I can't find it this morning. Anyway, loving your TR as always, Kathy. Can't wait to hear more!

Aw, just leave messages anyway! I like to hear from my friends!

Ah! What a very nice way to start the trip. Isn't that bed at Kidani awesome?! Loved it.

I like your idea of a lazy day on the first day too.

Hi Brook! Ah, another report I need to get back into... can't wait to read about your New Year's Eve at Disney!

I'm joining in too if you don't mind! Our adopted son is newly diagnosed with Autism so I'm really interested in reading along about your vacation if you don't mind. Sounds like a hectic start but at least you made it!!!

Mind? Of course I don't mind! It's great to have you along!
Life with Autism means never a dull moment!

Peep fest June 2012........just throwing a date out there....

Oh, don't worry. I will be there... either with the family or on my own! I wouldn't miss it, Jordan!


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

trifecta of updates!

what a great way to start vacation--sleeping in a bit. easing into vacation!

boma sounds good. I'm doing a dinner there and maybe a breakfast....

It sounds like the decor of AKV is awesome. I'm glad I'm trying it at least.

You are going to love it! Normally I'm always thinking that we'll try something new the next trip, but we loved Kidani so much that I'm very tempted to stay there again!

A hat trick of trip report fun!

We haven't experienced Boma yet. It's on our short list for next trip.

Definitely do it! And plan some time to explore the resort and the savanna!

Excellent update Kathy! What a lovely, relaxing morning at AKL. I just love it there. I agree that the art work at Kidani is fascinating. It is like a mini museum.

Your morning pics of the savannah are lovely. And those cool punkin carvings! Wow! What a neat idea!

Glad everyone enjoyed breakfast. I hope your cell phone charger arrives soon. That is the worst feeling.

Can't wait to see your pool pics and hear about the rest of your day!

Thanks! It is a gorgeous resort... between the artwork and the wildlife there is so much to look at!

The cell phone drama continues...

that sounds like an awesome start to the trip. my dh would be in love with you, sleep in, late breakfast, pool. wow. unfortunately i have not learned to slow down and enjoy so i have been known to be the first car in the parking lot and the first person at the turnstyles. oh well if you can do it i guess there is hope for me. again i cant believe how grown up the kids look. they are too cute. and ryan has the same shirt as billy, i had to buy it as he fell in a puddle of ketchup in pecos bills and needed something new to wear, i do love it though

Honestly, it took me several trips to learn the value of relaxation while at Disney... they say, "Happy Wife, Happy Life," but I found that when we're on vacation it's more like, "Happy Hubby, Happy Life!" And when he's happy, I'm happy!


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

Kathy! How could I be reading your TR's for nigh on three years and not know about Ed's terrible lifestyle issue regarding that team (I kid...I kid...mostly)
For some reason, the "He's wet!" made me laugh out loud.

I laughed, too!
And Hakuna Matata when it comes to sports!

Great update Kathy! All of Animal Kingdom seems amazing! I'm glad you were able to push your ADR a litle later and accomodate Ed & the girls' need to catch a few more winks. Can't wait to see the pool!

The pool complex is just amazing!

AKL/AKLV looks gorgeous! (One day...one day...)

We're trying to plan an AUGUST 2010 PRE-SENIOR YEAR trip...but we can only go if there's free dining.

*crosses fingers*

ETA: Did I just say "Senior Year"?!? Deargod...

Please... Tricia starts High School next year! How did I get so old??
I will keep my fingers and toes crossed for a visit from the Free Dining Fairy!

Good plan to take it easy before the party that night....which I'm dying to hear about!

Definitely... when you plan two late nights back-to-back you just can't try to push it too hard!

Fabulous update. I definitely think down days are needed. I am loving all of your pictures of AKV and AKL. We won't be going back for a few years, but we will be staying at AKL when we do.

I will have plenty more pictures of Kidani for you in the weeks ahead! And I understand about not going back for a while; we're in the same boat.


Kathy

 

[irish dancer]

What a great way to start a vaca!! We too LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it at AKV. The resort is simply beautiful and the rooms are huge and that extra bathroom for the kids is too good to be true.

I forgot my phone charger one year, we realized it before we got to the resort though and picked up a new one at the airport.

Can't wait to hear about MNSSHP.......

 

[KathyRN137]

What a lovely way to ease into your Disney vacation -- animals outside your window, breakfast at Boma, gazing at those awesome pumpkins, and heading out to swim!!! All of it sounds just wonderful!

It was one of the best days of our vacation! As the children get older I'm sure the way we "do" Disney will change and flex. Teenagers just are not going to be into doing daily rope drops!

Wow, Animal Kingdom Lodge is just stunning. Beautiful photos!

Thanks, we had a fantastic stay there!

What a great start to the vacation! Those hostesses at Boma look so friendly and nice -how fun!

It was fun to see Billy dance around with them. The drumming and the singing really made it feel like a party that morning!


Kathy

 

[jcc0621]

I will have plenty more pictures of Kidani for you in the weeks ahead! And I understand about not going back for a while; we're in the same boat.

We made the decision mostly because of all the contruction they are going to be doing in FL and ToonTown. Don't want to see what they are doing piecemeal. Want to see everything when it is DONE! Finanaces also had a part of it. We'd like to stay at AKL or BW and to do that we need to save, save, save....Don't want to do it half way, KWIM?

 

[KathyRN137]

What a great way to start a vaca!! We too LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it at AKV. The resort is simply beautiful and the rooms are huge and that extra bathroom for the kids is too good to be true.

I forgot my phone charger one year, we realized it before we got to the resort though and picked up a new one at the airport.

Can't wait to hear about MNSSHP.......

Ahh, if only! One thing's for sure, I will never forget to pack my charger again!
It wouldn't have been so bad if Tricia hadn't forgotten hers as well. Ooops!


Kathy

 

[eandesmom]

What a great start to your vacation! Lazy morning are the best and really hard to make yourself do when you know how much there is to see out there.

That Frunch sounds so yummy, someday I hope to have some!

Wonderful pictures, wonderful moods, I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[KathyRN137]

We made the decision mostly because of all the contruction they are going to be doing in FL and ToonTown. Don't want to see what they are doing piecemeal. Want to see everything when it is DONE! Finanaces also had a part of it. We'd like to stay at AKL or BW and to do that we need to save, save, save....Don't want to do it half way, KWIM?

Well now, that's an excellent point about the construction. If you do choose AKL, the extra $$ for the savanna view is sooo worth it! We borrowed a few points from our next DVC use year so we could have it and I did not regret it!

The timing of our next trip also has a lot to do with the kids (mainly Tricia) getting older. She will be starting High School next year and even missing 2 days for a vacation during Jersey Week would be stressful. We're looking at either President's Week or Spring Break of 2012... possibly the first week of summer vacation but that is tough because here they have school through the 3rd week of June... And summer in FLA is just so sticky-hot! Ugh!

In any case, the days of going during a Value or Regular Season are over for the moment!


Kathy