A Tale of 2 Trips: Oct 2015 & Feb 2016 PTR *NEW* 2/20 November 2015 TR Started!

[amazingact21]

As soon as I read your comment about AKL in my TR, I went searching for info on your upcoming stay! And now, obviously, I'm following along for this PTR.

A split stay with a newborn? You are a brave mom! That would stress me out more than the flying!
I think Paxton would have been bummed if you didn't go back during October again. While having a 2 month old can be intimidating, in some ways it'll be easier than when you go at her 6 month mark. At that age, so long as they are fed, comfortable, and clean, they are pretty content. (Not to mention toting around a 2 month old sized baby will be less heavy than a 6 month old.)


Your February trip sounds like a lot of fun. I'm sure your family will love getting the opportunity to spend so much time with all the kids. And if October is too warm, February will give you some relief from the heat.

 

[hokieinpa]

It sounds like 2 great trips! Disney and Universal APs!!

We're renting DVC points at AKL Jambo House in May so I'm excited to hear about your plans! We're renting a 2 bedroom for SO much cheaper than the family suites at AOA! I agree that the prices really shocked me!

Excited to read more about your plans!

 

[Dugette]

Whew, I'm finally here!

I'm so excited to hear about both of your trips! I hope everything goes really well. Love that you are renting points to stay at AKL. Great resort, fun animal viewing, nice rooms, fantastic dining options.

I'm so glad that DD arrived at the perfect time for you to not have to change any plans.

 

[khertz]

As soon as I read your comment about AKL in my TR, I went searching for info on your upcoming stay! And now, obviously, I'm following along for this PTR.

A split stay with a newborn? You are a brave mom! That would stress me out more than the flying!
I think Paxton would have been bummed if you didn't go back during October again. While having a 2 month old can be intimidating, in some ways it'll be easier than when you go at her 6 month mark. At that age, so long as they are fed, comfortable, and clean, they are pretty content. (Not to mention toting around a 2 month old sized baby will be less heavy than a 6 month old.)


Your February trip sounds like a lot of fun. I'm sure your family will love getting the opportunity to spend so much time with all the kids. And if October is too warm, February will give you some relief from the heat.

Haha I have so much going into this trip that could stress me out, but I am trying not to think about any of it!! lol I know we are pretty crazy to even attempt this, but we know full and well it will be a different kind of trip and that we are not setting out to see and do everything! I am thinking & hoping that she will be the easiest traveler in the bunch. It will definitely be different at 11 weeks old than at 6 months, but I am looking forward to seeing how she enjoys each trip.

My poor aunt is STRESSING about the weather in February that it might be really cold! I keep trying to tell her there is just no way to predict weather in Florida and to just prepare for everything and pack layers, so hopefully she will chill. I know my parents and sister are really excited to get to visit with both kids now!

It sounds like 2 great trips! Disney and Universal APs!!

We're renting DVC points at AKL Jambo House in May so I'm excited to hear about your plans! We're renting a 2 bedroom for SO much cheaper than the family suites at AOA! I agree that the prices really shocked me!

Excited to read more about your plans!

We are so excited about both! Having the APs will be great, and maybe it will prompt another trip later in 2016

The AoA suites were OUTRAGEOUS for the week we wanted. I couldn't believe it! Not that renting AKL was much cheaper, but for the price we are paying, I'd rather stay in a deluxe DVC resort than a value, no matter how great the themeing is there. Hopefully I can provide some insight before your trip!

Whew, I'm finally here!

I'm so excited to hear about both of your trips! I hope everything goes really well. Love that you are renting points to stay at AKL. Great resort, fun animal viewing, nice rooms, fantastic dining options.

I'm so glad that DD arrived at the perfect time for you to not have to change any plans.

Glad you made it!!

We were hesitant about renting points at first, but now I think we are making the best decision since we wanted to stay onsite. I am really looking forward to finally seeing the resort since I have always wanted to visit there but we have never had the opportunity.

I was SO relieved. She truly came at the perfect time so as not to interfere with our Disney trip or seeing DS off to his first day of Pre-K which was another worry of mine since her due date was just a few days before his first day of school.

 

[skier_pete]

Hey there. Joining in, of course.

Though I would chime in on your question about AKL Jambo vs Kidani. We have only stayed there once, but we own our DVC at AKV (technically at Kidani, but that doesn't matter in any way) so I have done quite a bit of research on the two resorts.

I think you are making the right move staying at Jambo House vs Kidani, especially if you are staying in a standard room. The big problem I see with Kidani is that since it is a DVC-only resort, they have left off some of the amenities. The biggest being there is NO QS restaurant at Kidani, which I find sort of disappointing. The big ADVANTAGE at Kidani, is that IF you are getting a Savannah room, then you can get them much lower/closer to the Savannah. DVC at Jambo is the 5th/6th floor ONLY, so if you stay there you are on an upper floor. When we were in Jambo for our only stay, we had a savannah view, and while it was great, you are looking DOWN on the animals. When we go back if we were to do a Savannah room, I would want to be closer to the ground so I am looking OUT at the animals.

Other than the lower Savannah rooms, I think just about everything about staying at Jambo is better. Kidani is HUGE size wise, and though Jambo is also very long, you definitely are less likely to get the lengthy walk you might get at Kidani. Even at Jambo, we were at the very END, and it is a good 5-minute walk to the lobby. You should contact the person you are renting from and request a room "close to the lobby". Another option would be to request a "pool view" which would also be relatively close to the lobby.

While the Savannah rooms are awesome, there's nothing wrong with the Standard rooms, you certainly have plenty of opportunities to see the Animals around the resort. (The hallways all have windows out on the Savannah, so you see them just walking to your room.)

Make sure to take some time at the resort, they have some great activities for Paxton around the pool/kids club all day. The Uzima pool is another plus on Jambo, though I haven't yet been to the Kidani pool which is also supposed to be very nice, but not as big. We've been to the BWV, POFQ, POR, CBR, and Pop pools, and without a doubt Uzima is the best pool we've been to. (Hitting Stormalong Bay in 3 weeks, I have the feeling Uzima will come in 2nd to that one.) Uzima is SOO big, even though there were a lot of people there it never felt crowded. It has the zero entry and a LOT of shallow (<3 feet) space. The slide is great too! Of course, being that you are from Louisiana, it'll probably be too cold for you to swim in February. (Us Northerners wouldn't think twice!)

Even though we are staying at Beach Club and the Poly in a few weeks, I am a little jealous that you are getting to stay in our "home" before we do!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Joining in!

As a AKV owner as well, we also enjoy Jambo House more than Kidani. I like being in the same building at the gym, the bar and the dining options.

 

[khertz]

Hey there. Joining in, of course.

Though I would chime in on your question about AKL Jambo vs Kidani. We have only stayed there once, but we own our DVC at AKV (technically at Kidani, but that doesn't matter in any way) so I have done quite a bit of research on the two resorts.

I think you are making the right move staying at Jambo House vs Kidani, especially if you are staying in a standard room. The big problem I see with Kidani is that since it is a DVC-only resort, they have left off some of the amenities. The biggest being there is NO QS restaurant at Kidani, which I find sort of disappointing. The big ADVANTAGE at Kidani, is that IF you are getting a Savannah room, then you can get them much lower/closer to the Savannah. DVC at Jambo is the 5th/6th floor ONLY, so if you stay there you are on an upper floor. When we were in Jambo for our only stay, we had a savannah view, and while it was great, you are looking DOWN on the animals. When we go back if we were to do a Savannah room, I would want to be closer to the ground so I am looking OUT at the animals.

Other than the lower Savannah rooms, I think just about everything about staying at Jambo is better. Kidani is HUGE size wise, and though Jambo is also very long, you definitely are less likely to get the lengthy walk you might get at Kidani. Even at Jambo, we were at the very END, and it is a good 5-minute walk to the lobby. You should contact the person you are renting from and request a room "close to the lobby". Another option would be to request a "pool view" which would also be relatively close to the lobby.

While the Savannah rooms are awesome, there's nothing wrong with the Standard rooms, you certainly have plenty of opportunities to see the Animals around the resort. (The hallways all have windows out on the Savannah, so you see them just walking to your room.)

Make sure to take some time at the resort, they have some great activities for Paxton around the pool/kids club all day. The Uzima pool is another plus on Jambo, though I haven't yet been to the Kidani pool which is also supposed to be very nice, but not as big. We've been to the BWV, POFQ, POR, CBR, and Pop pools, and without a doubt Uzima is the best pool we've been to. (Hitting Stormalong Bay in 3 weeks, I have the feeling Uzima will come in 2nd to that one.) Uzima is SOO big, even though there were a lot of people there it never felt crowded. It has the zero entry and a LOT of shallow (<3 feet) space. The slide is great too! Of course, being that you are from Louisiana, it'll probably be too cold for you to swim in February. (Us Northerners wouldn't think twice!)

Even though we are staying at Beach Club and the Poly in a few weeks, I am a little jealous that you are getting to stay in our "home" before we do!

Thanks for all of the great info on Jambo vs. Kidani! That was just the kind of info I was looking for. We were definitely planning to put in a request to be close to the lobby, so when we are dead tired at night we don't have a long walk to the room.

I saw some pictures of the splash pad area at Kidani and it looks AMAZING. I'm really hoping it won't be too cool outside to check it out since we will likely spend most of our arrival day there and possibly the day of the Halloween party at the resort. You are spot on with us tolerating the cold less though so that might not be a possibility! But it sounds like there is a lot of other things to do and see at the resort though besides the pool.

Joining in!

As a AKV owner as well, we also enjoy Jambo House more than Kidani. I like being in the same building at the gym, the bar and the dining options.

Welcome along!

I'm really glad to here that we are okay with Jambo. The guy we rented from gave the impression that he was surprised to find anything at AKL at all, so we were happy to just get a reservation and weren't really concerned about where we would be located there because I'm a lot more excited to stay at AKL than I would be about Saratoga Springs which is the only other place that seemed to have availability.

 

[marDgreen88]

I had no idea you had started a PTR, woo! Awesome. Unfortunately I'm missing y'all by like a week in the fall. Boo.

Okay so I don't really have any input on the Jambo vs. Kidani thing, because I've only stayed at Jambo house in a standard room. But listen. You will LOOOOOOVE AKL. It is everything a Disney resort should be and it quickly became my favorite. So in my opinion at least, you made a great choice!

The big family trip sounds like it'll be so awesome!

 

[MataHari22]

My poor aunt is STRESSING about the weather in February that it might be really cold! I keep trying to tell her there is just no way to predict weather in Florida and to just prepare for everything and pack layers, so hopefully she will chill. I know my parents and sister are really excited to get to visit with both kids now!

Honestly, this is what I am stressing over with my trip in November. The first trip I ever went to WDW was in November and it was freezing! It's the unknown that is killing me. I try hard to pack lightly. I only bring my back pack as a personal item and a carry on.

 

[khertz]

I had no idea you had started a PTR, woo! Awesome. Unfortunately I'm missing y'all by like a week in the fall. Boo.

Okay so I don't really have any input on the Jambo vs. Kidani thing, because I've only stayed at Jambo house in a standard room. But listen. You will LOOOOOOVE AKL. It is everything a Disney resort should be and it quickly became my favorite. So in my opinion at least, you made a great choice!

The big family trip sounds like it'll be so awesome!

Aw, that stinks! We are just missing a couple of DIS'ers when we go in February, but we have a few potential meets for October. When are you going?

Yay! I'm so excited to read all of the AKL love! I never really had it in my mind to stay there but when we started looking into DVC rental it was the only place we came across besides Saratoga Springs, where I have NO interest in visiting. The more I think about it the more excited I get!

We make ADR's tomorrow...I can't wait!

Honestly, this is what I am stressing over with my trip in November. The first trip I ever went to WDW was in November and it was freezing! It's the unknown that is killing me. I try hard to pack lightly. I only bring my back pack as a personal item and a carry on.

It is so hard to predict Disney weather in the "off" seasons, but I guess we have been lucky enough to always have laundry facilities so we don't have to overpack to plan for every possibility. We went in November a few years ago and the weather drove me nuts. It was cool in the shade and hot in the sun so I was constantly taking my jacket on and off.

 

[MataHari22]

It is so hard to predict Disney weather in the "off" seasons, but I guess we have been lucky enough to always have laundry facilities so we don't have to overpack to plan for every possibility.

Yeah, I suppose I could do laundry at the resort. It's finding the time to do it...
I will have one day where we would be leaving later in the day because we are going to a late lunch and the. MVMCP that night. I kind of think I will need to rest and sleep late that day, though.

 

[khertz]

Yeah, I suppose I could do laundry at the resort. It's finding the time to do it...
I will have one day where we would be leaving later in the day because we are going to a late lunch and the. MVMCP that night. I kind of think I will need to rest and sleep late that day, though.

Oh yes, it's definitely harder to do laundry when you have to use communal machines. I love staying at our timeshare because we have it in our unit so it's easy to toss in a load at the end of the day when we are getting ready for bed. Plus we can wash a lot during the week so most of our clothes go home clean!

If you're going to a party, resting and relaxing is probably the better plan than trekking back and forth to the laundry facilities. You want to be able to enjoy the whole thing because it sure isn't cheap!

 

[khertz]

Sorry it has been awhile since there have been any updates yet. A lot has been happening, both Disney related and real life related! Life update first...DD is here! She came early Sunday morning on 8/2, 8 days before her due date. DH and I had been stressing about when she would come because I had mistakenly given us a VERY narrow window for her to come early and still have our upcoming October trip covered by my maternity leave. She arrived at just the perfect time! Our trip will not be affected, and I won't miss DS's first day of Pre-K, which was another worry of mine. Anyway, here's a couple pictures of our newest arrival!

dd1 by disneymom1024, on Flickr


dd2 by disneymom1024, on Flickr


ddds1 by disneymom1024, on Flickr
​

Of course we are all enjoying the heck out of our little princess! DS is also really enjoying being a big brother, and has loved being able to help as much as possible. He is also loving that so much family has been coming to visit!

And now, I want to post our basic October itinerary! I don't foresee too much changing, but I guess it's always possible. For now though, this is where we plan to be every day on our trip! I am overlapping dates with a few other DIS'ers so if we are going to be in the same place at the same time, let me know!

October 2015
​

Saturday October 17th
• Depart MSY at 9:05 am
• Arrive 11:50 am & pick up rental car
• Stop for lunch along the way
• Check in at Royal Pacific Resort
• Visit Islands of Adventure in evening

Sunday October 18th
• Early entry to WWoHP Hogsmeade
• Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure (don't really have a plan, just bouncing back and forth between the parks)
• Mass 6 pm Mary Queen of the Universe

Monday October 19th
• Check out of Royal Pacific Resort
• Early entry at WWoHP
• Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure
• Check in at Bonnet Creek Resort in evening

Tuesday October 2oth
• Epcot in am (?? May just hang at resort)
• Early break and long nap
• Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

Wednesday October 21st
• Hollywood Studios
• Break at resort
• Magic Kingdom evening
• Festival of Fantasy at 3 pm
• MSEP at 9 pm
• Wishes at 10 pm

Thursday October 22nd
• Epcot Rope Drop
• Break at resort
• Hollywood Studios evening
• Characterpalooza - If this is still happening...According to Kenny the Pirate, it may have or will be going away!
• Fantasmic 7:30 pm

Friday October 23rd
• Animal Kingdom Rope Drop
• Stay in AK all day?
• Evening at Hollywood Studios or Epcot if done with AK/too crowded

Saturday October 24th - DS's 5th birthday!
• Magic Kingdom all day
• Festival of Fantasy at 3 pm
• MSEP at 9 pm
• Wishes at 10 pm (either see the shows again or if it doesn't work out earlier in week)

Sunday October 25th
• Check out of Bonnet Creek
• Park of choice
• Depart MCO at 5:35 pm

Originally, we were supposed to leave early Sunday morning to go home because DS would be going back to school the next day. But he actually has Monday off for teacher in-services so we rebooked for a later flight so that we could have a whole extra day! It will suck for me because I go back to work Monday after 12 weeks off, but it's worth it to have our trip all work out as planned. And I'm glad we will have the extra day because then we can really not stress about fitting everything in. I know our pace will be vastly different with an infant along!

Now let's talk strollers! I stressed about this for awhile and trying to figure out what would work best for our situation. We contemplated buying a sit & stand type of stroller, but realized we really would only use it on vacation so it wasn't worth buying one. We also didn't want to deal with 2 strollers. In the end, we decided to bring with us the umbrella stroller for DS just to use in the airports and I will wear DD. Then I rented a City Mini Double from A Baby's Best Friend for us to use the entire week of the trip. I asked around on the Family board and it sounds like DD would be fine in it while it's fully reclined. Plus DS could hitch a ride whenever he wants. It wasn't expensive and it comes with a free rain cover! We have rented a rocking chair from them before, and it was such an easy process to rent from them, so I was happy to rent from them again.

We just recently did our ADR's for the February trip, plus we have the ones we have booked for October, so I think that will be the next post!

 

[MataHari22]

Congrats! She's adorable.

 

[hokieinpa]

Your plans look great! Lots of MK time which is perfect since there are great rides for Paxton and DD can ride along on almost everything.

The stroller plan sounds great. Wearing DD will take life easier than having to unbuckle her from the stroller every time you get on a ride, especially if she is sleeping! We rented a City Mini last trip and it was a great stroller!

Excited to read about your ADRs!

 

[khertz]

Congrats! She's adorable.

Thank you! We are pretty in love.

Your plans look great! Lots of MK time which is perfect since there are great rides for Paxton and DD can ride along on almost everything.

The stroller plan sounds great. Wearing DD will take life easier than having to unbuckle her from the stroller every time you get on a ride, especially if she is sleeping! We rented a City Mini last trip and it was a great stroller!

Excited to read about your ADRs!

Thanks! We are absolutely heavy handed on MK for the next couple of trips for exactly that reason. It has the most that we want to do and can do with 2 little ones!

I'm pretty sure she will spend 90% of the time in the carrier, but having the backup of the double stroller will be good for those few times both kids want to be in it. I'm glad to hear you had a good experience with the City Mini. I saw a lady using one in Disneyland on our March trip, and when she went to fold it up and just grabbed those straps and yanked and it all folded together, I was amazed! I told DH that was what I wanted for the trip! lol

 

[jdfmommy]

your daughter is just beautiful! Congratulations!! Great that all the timing has worked out! Looking forward to reading about your plans. I've only ever heard awesome things about the City Mini; I'm sure renting the double will work out well for you!

 

[Imagineer5]

Sounds like a wonderful trip! I am so excited to hear all about it LOL!

As for the stroller, that sounds like a great plan if you don't intend to use in much with Paxton riding other than at Disney. City Mini's definitely have a nice fold!

 

[khertz]

your daughter is just beautiful! Congratulations!! Great that all the timing has worked out! Looking forward to reading about your plans. I've only ever heard awesome things about the City Mini; I'm sure renting the double will work out well for you!

Thank you so much! We are all totally in love.

I'm so thankful that the timing worked out, because I was SO panicked when I realized we were cutting it kind of close! Luckily she came at just the right time not to affect the trip, and so that I didn't have to miss out on any of the events around DS starting Pre-K, which was my other worry.

The City Mini gets great reviews, so I'm looking forward to having it for the trip and not having to lug our huge stroller through the airport.

Sounds like a wonderful trip! I am so excited to hear all about it LOL!

As for the stroller, that sounds like a great plan if you don't intend to use in much with Paxton riding other than at Disney. City Mini's definitely have a nice fold!

DS can manage most places on his feet, so the more we thought about it, the more we realized we didn't really need any sort of double stroller. I was AMAZED when I saw that easy fold, so I'm really looking forward to trying it out in October! If it works out well, we will definitely be renting one again for February.

 

[leshunlenese]

I have been loving oll the beautiful photos of the DD and DS! We will both be in MK on the 25th! Ill be keeping an eye out for you!!!!