A Magical Place at a Magical Time of Year

[swwake]

235 days until Disney.

What item used extensively throughout WDW, but never in Disney's Animal Kingdom, was patented on January 3, 1888?
A The gas engine
B The drinking straw
C Plastic
D Styrofoam cups

 

[annmarieda]

235 days until Disney.

What item used extensively throughout WDW, but never in Disney's Animal Kingdom, was patented on January 3, 1888?
A The gas engine
B The drinking straw
C Plastic
D Styrofoam cups

Oh, Oh!!! I think I know this one... a drinking straw?

 

[Native NYer]

235 days until Disney.

What item used extensively throughout WDW, but never in Disney's Animal Kingdom, was patented on January 3, 1888?
A The gas engine
B The drinking straw
C Plastic
D Styrofoam cups

I'm going with B also.

 

[swwake]

Ann and Jen, you are both correct!

Marvin C. Stone patented the first waxed drinking straw on January 3, 1888. Straws, balloons, and cup lids are prohibited at Animal Kingdom to protect its inhabitants from potential choking hazards.

 

[Native NYer]

Oh how I wish I were at AK right now.

BTW, how did you like AKL CL?

 

[swwake]

BTW, how did you like AKL CL?

Good question. Tough answer.

The short answer is: of course we loved it.

Pros:

• VIP treatment from IPOs before the trip
• Custom itinerary when we arrived
• Great room location and savanna view
• Sunrise safari (and breakfast at Pizzafari was out of this world!)
• Not a huge price increase over a standard savanna view
• Turndown service and more chocolates than I'd ever eat

Cons:

• Only beer, wine and liqueurs offered, and a limited selection at that (my DH drinks bourbon almost exclusively)
• Because we were up early two mornings (for safari and surfing Typhoon Lagoon) and the other mornings we slept in, we missed the "breakfast" offerings in the Concierge Lounge. We were NEVER there during mid-day/afternoon offerings (that is park time). And we stayed late at the parks and rarely made it back by the 10pm close on desserts and cordials. So we never used the CL.
• We didn't use (or have a need to use) the Concierge CMs in the Concierge Lounge.
• We arrived after the CL podium had closed for the day, so we had regular check-in at the normal desk. (Which is fine; there was no line.)

Bottom line: The Sunrise Safari was worth the extra cost. But now that they offer the new Africa Trek or whatever (which I am DYING to do), I'm not sure I'd bother. If you want the Sunrise Safari and the CL experience, consider doing what others do and book just one night (if you don't mind a split stay).

On the other hand, staying at AKL (regardless of CL):

Pros:

• Absolutely BEAUTIFUL resort, surroundings, pool
• Waking up to the animals off of our balcony
• Boma for dinner once and breakfast twice
• Beautiful themed room and furnishings (we had bunk beds, didn't need/use them)
• Stellar CM service
• Awesome pool bar
• The Mara had unique and tasty offerings
• Nightvision goggles
• Super cool gift shop
• Indoor firepit and outdoor at Arusha Rock are great places to enjoy a cocktail
• Victoria Falls and its great bartenders
• Jiko
• Did I mention Boma?

Cons:

• Ridiculously far from every park and anywhere else you'd want to go in the World. We feel like we spent 2+ hours a day on a bus or waiting in line for a bus.
• Sometimes when we slept in, there were no animals outside when we woke up. They take them in at about 9:30 or 10am while they clean up the savanna (maybe they are feeding them?).
• It was always dark when we got home, so it was hard to see the animals.
• I didn't feel like we spent enough time at the resort. We were always on the go. So I'm not sure if it's worth the Deluxe if you're not going to be in the room.
• Victoria Falls closed at 11 or 12 every night (depending weeknight/weekend), so we sometimes missed a wind-down cocktail altogether.

Bottom line: Definitely worth a stay if you can talk yourself and your party into committing significant time at the resort. I have read TRs of people who spend 1 or 2 days just at the resort, not visiting a park. That might be the best way to get the most out of it. Also, if we were to do it again (and I won't rule it out), I think we'd rent a car and see if we felt like we spent less time commuting.

I am SO looking forward to a Deluxe on the monorail. I am betting we'll spend more time at the resort. Why can't they move AKL over there?

 

[swwake]

234 days until Disney.

There is a strange animal in the mosaic mural in the fourth-floor lobby of Disney's Contemporary Resort. What is it?
A a two-headed cow
B a five-legged goat
C a two-headed bird
D a four-legged man

 

[Native NYer]

Thanks for the AKL review! The distance is really the deciding factor. We've only stayed at the Poly, CR, BLT, and YC. I've love to try AKL (and CL because it isn't that much more than a savanna view), but I don't know if I want to be that far from the rest of the World.

234 days until Disney.

There is a strange animal in the mosaic mural in the fourth-floor lobby of Disney's Contemporary Resort. What is it?
A a two-headed cow
B a five-legged goat
C a two-headed bird
D a four-legged man

B a five-legged goat.

Have you booked your December trip?

 

[swwake]

Thanks for the AKL review! The distance is really the deciding factor. We've only stayed at the Poly, CR, BLT, and YC. I've love to try AKL (and CL because it isn't that much more than a savanna view), but I don't know if I want to be that far from the rest of the World.



B a five-legged goat.

Have you booked your December trip?

Give AKL a shot for a split stay. I bet you'd find it worth it. Have you ever been over there to look around, have Boma or Jiko?

Answer will come up later

Yes, our trip is booked. Maybe I'll make the details my next post. I guess I never really made it clear early in this PTR.

 

[swwake]

I'm not sure I ever shared our dates.

Katie will get home from college on December 15th (if not a couple of days earlier, depending on her final exams schedule). Haley's last day of school (Junior in HS) will be Friday, the 16th.

We will be taking Haley out of school early on Friday (or she may stay home altogether).

Friday, Dec 16 - Fly to MCO, stay at Hard Rock Hotel at Universal
Saturday, Dec 17 - Wed, Dec 21 - Poly, fly home late afternoon flight.

 

[haleyelise]

I tried to post pictures of my Ariel cosplay but it said I must have ten or more post... so I will post random bulletins so it'll let me show you

 

[haleyelise]

#8 post

 

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#7

 

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#6

 

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#5

 

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#4

 

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#3

 

[Native NYer]

I've been to AKL, but haven't tried Boma or Jiko yet.

Oh you'll beat the holiday crowds! Osbourne lights are amazing! So worth it!

 

[haleyelise]

#2

 

[haleyelise]

#1