A Mom, two Yaks, and a Yeti take on the World...

[Tink-aholic]

Trip report time! We just got back yesterday and I can't wait to relive the magic! Let me introduce you to our cast of characters:

Surly Teenager (noted as ST from now on), 15

Gimpy Teenager (known as GT), 13

Hairy Husband (Yeti), 36

...and ME (37)

A little background:

This is our first vacation as a foursome (and our first Welcome Home since buying into DVC last year). ST is actually my half-brother who came to live with us last August. He is obsessed with trying to look "cool" (Yeti calls him "Blue Steel" for you Zoolander fans) and everything embarrasses him. GT is my son and has a broken arm at the moment. Last Christmas, his arm snapped due to a previously-undiagnosed bone tumor. Several breaks and a bone-marrow transplant later, GT did a toned-down tour of the World (no vigorous rides on his schedule) all while wearing a brace. We have planned a three-day weekend at the end of school for him to ride everything he missed this time (assuming he gets a clean bill of health from the surgeon).

Yeti is a Disney convert; as in he never really cared one way or the other...and now spends almost as much time on the DISboards as I do!

And me? I like to plan the trips almost as much as I enjoy taking them!

On with the TR....

We began planning this trip the day after we returned last August, while our DVC tour was still fresh in our minds (as was the ink on our contract!). We had lots of "developer" points to use, and we decided that it would be a great idea to invite all of Yeti's immediate family along with us for a Grand Gathering. So, to everyone's great excitement, I booked two 2BR Savannah views at AKL for 18 people. Boy, was I naive (and more than a little crazy, I think)!

Throughout the year and for several reasons, almost all of the family dropped out and we decided just to take our four away and cancelled one of the 2BRs. I changed all of the ADRs (still getting the "good" ones) and made my plans. As the time grew closer, I contacted the boy's schools to make sure they could be out of school for a week. You see, I am a teacher in a different district and we never get vacations at the same time -- except for summer, when my husband doesn't get ANY time off at all! I ordered the groceries, Yeti ordered an Owner's Locker, and we were off! Wha-hoo!

We arrived into MCO late on Saturday night and ended up at AKV around 11PM. At check in, we were told that we had an "obstructed" view of the construction (which we could pay to change -- I declined), and we could not have the Disney Dining Plan because we hadn't paid for it 2 days in advance. WHAT? Yeti was furious with me. How could I spend so much time on the DIS and not know that the DDP had to be paid in advance? I calmed him down and told him that I had requested it at time of reservation and I was CERTAIN that it would be taken care of. We told Bell Services to bring up our groceries and asked them to hold our luggage; we had enough items in our carry-ons for the night. Up to the room!

Several miles (or so it seemed) later, we were brought into a set of rooms that were almost identical to the tour-rooms (almost because we had a four-legged island in the kitchen instead of a mounted counter). It was even better than I had remembered! I couldn't tell what the view was like outside (and was honestly too tired to care). We put away the groceries and went to bed.

When I woke up, the clock in the room had been dimmed (so I couldn't see what time it was). I giggled when I discovered that Yeti and I were sleeping on opposite edges of the king-size bed and there was enough room between us for both the boys to sleep comfortably. Yeti and I share a queen bed at home and are used to staying on our "own" sides...so I guess that behavior crossed over even when there was room to spare!

 

[ChelleinNC]

subbing

Sure hope the DDP issue got resolved-- you have to request it at least 48 hours in advance, but you pay for it at check in. The CM that checked you in gave you wrong info

 

[Tink-aholic]

Thanks, ChelleinNC. Yes, I got the DDP straightened out. I don't spend all of that time on here for nothing!

So, it was 6:20AM and I meander out onto the balcony to see what I can see. Immediately, I see three big ox-looking fellas with HUGE white horns. Several rabbits catch my eye, probably because they are running around the whole savannah. A ridiculously loud bird that looks like it might be a crane walks across the front of the savannah. Beyond a fence, I think I can make out a shape of a wildebeest (well, it looks like it could be -- my only frame of reference is the Lion King!). Hmm. Interesting, but not all I was expecting. I peek around the corner to see how much of the construction is visible and...

O.

M.

G.

Out from behind a tree comes a giraffe. And it is RIGHT THERE. I had no idea they would be so close! He stood there, just staring at me. He looked almost cartoonish, he was so cute! I broke eye contact first and ran into the boys' bedroom to wake up GT.

Bleary-eyed and barefoot, GT grudgingly comes out on the balcony (we think he is practicing to become another ST). His tune changes right quick when he sees the giraffe looking him in the eye! GT is so excited, he is practically jumping up and down. He also spots the first of five zebras. We debate about whether or not to wake up ST, but decide it is probably safer to wake the Yeti.

Coffee in hand, the Yeti comes out onto the balcony. He is practically as excited as GT and I! It is the Yeti who spies Kidani, the new baby zebra. He looks just like a regular zebra, only about the size of a dog. The Yeti goes in to get the camera, and I break down and wake up ST. True to his nickname, ST is surly...but is interested in all of the activity on the savannah.

I dish up muffins and juice and we all sit outside for a while, watching all of the comings and goings. More people come out on their balconies and I am suddenly aware that I am standing in only my jammies. Luckily, the Yeti has already called Bell Services for our luggage and I can have a shower.

Walking into the master bathroom, I immediately notice a problem. I am on the shorter side for women (I am 5'4") but I know LOTS of women shorter than I. While beautiful, one would need to be an Olympic gymnast to hurdle the side of that granite and tile tub! After several very ungraceful attempts, I finally manage the deed.

Freshly showered and dressed, I call Guest Services. Seems that we were misinformed about the DDP the previous night (I KNEW it!). All I have to do is come down to the front desk and they can put the plan on for us. Yippee!

An hour later, after a wonderful CM named Celeste added our DDP, we are on our way to the buses for DHS.

 

[ChelleinNC]

Glad to hear the DDP issue worked out

As for the tub at AKV, guess I'd be in trouble I'm 5' 3 1/4" on a tall day

 

[Donald is #1]

I'm on board!

 

[Tink-aholic]

So it is later on Sunday morning (around 10:30ish) when we walk through the gates of Hollywood Studios -- my first time since the name change. For some reason, MGM/DHS had always been my least-favorite park. It was the smallest and seemed to have much less to do than the others. It had improved significantly with the addition of Fantasmic and the R&RC, but it was always the "afterthought" park for me. Today, however, armed with information about the least crowded parks, we headed for DHS first. It turned out to be my favorite park of this trip.

We all had discount passes from UCT, and because of my time on the DIS, I knew to use the passes first before heading to Guest Services to upgrade to PAPs. With our DVC discount, we saved a BUNDLE -- we bought four PAPs for the price of three!

Passes in hand, we split up so the boys could do what they wanted (a first for us) and we could do what we wanted. We all had walkie-talkies and cell phones for good measure. Yeti and I strolled around, shopped, did the backlot tour, and gathered some fast passes. We watched the most charming "atmosphere" show of the Green Army Men from Toy Story 2. They had kids marching around with them and just had the Yeti and I in stitches! We met the kids for lunch at the Backlot Express (just burgers and fries -- they were okay, but nothing to get excited over) and then we started to head back to the gate to go back to the room. We wanted to swim and possibly nap before our ADRs at Whispering Canyon Cafe. The boys seemed to be uncomfortable about being left in the park, so they tagged along with us. As we walked up to the bus area, the bus for our resort just pulled up.

Back at the resort, the Yeti bought the boys arcade cards and showed them where the pool was. We tried to nap, but were too excited about being there. We hopped in our bathing suits and went down to the pool. It was spectacular! We just loved it. After lounging for a while in the water, the Yeti got out and explored around the pool area. Then, it was back to the room to get ready for dinner.

 

[IATink]

How cool to see the giraffe so close! I have never been to the AKL, but we are going to visit it on our next trip. It sounds so nice!

Can't wait to read more!