AKL September 2007!

[ktink]

I'm glad I could be of "use" and will try to use my powers only for good.

If anything we could blame DIS for allowing us to have so much information and discussions that we become a danger to ourselves! And I would not have it any other way.

I am in fact a major danger to myself on these boards. I must say space ranger, carol/ houston, prejean princess and really everyone, I really enjoy all of your posts and yall are always so delightful. This has been alot of fun just conversing w/ yall. You know after dealing w/ numbers and all of the responsibilities at work all day it is so nice to come here and just talk Disney.

 

[carol/houston]

: I pray the time goes fast until then and then nice and slow while we are there to enjoy it.

 

[thunderbug548]

I just made our ressie for AKL pool view and all our ADRs for Sept 2-8. Yea!! No free dining for us though- too much food. I'd rather have my AP discount!

 

[blushbluebride]

Well im staying at All Star Movies the 3rd thru the 7th lol

 

[space ranger 1]

Well im staying at All Star Movies the 3rd thru the 7th lol

Congratulations on the upcoming wedding, Disneymoon and hopefully scoring free dining on top of it all.

 

[MissLiz]

Can I just say that this week was awful?!?!?!

I was stressed all week and I thought we were going to have to do some major switching for our Sept trip.

I work very part-time doing travel for friends and family. I have two families leaving Sunday for a vacation in Jamaica. The commission for that was going to pay for a lot of our AKL stay, so we wouldn't have to come up with anything extra.

Well, they called on Monday saying that 4 people out of the group had not received their passports yet, even though they sent in the applications in February!!! So, they were looking to reschedule for July sometime---okay, fine, at least they didn't want to cancel, BUT! I wouldn't receive my commission check until August....a little too late for final payment for WDW!

So I was figuring, well, we could always stay at a Mod, but DH really wants to stay at AKL and that's one of the main reasons we are going this year when we said we weren't going to go...blah, blah, blah.

All week I went back and forth with them trying to figure something out. Then, I got an email on Thursday about the possibility of the passport rule to the Caribbean being suspended and in reply, both families said that they received their passports late Thursday evening!!!!!

No more worries!!! I'm getting the commission!!!!!




Sorry for the vent, but I had to get it out.....I've been freaking out all week!

 

[carol/houston]

Thunderbug, welcome to the AKL September board. We will be arriving the day you check out so save some of the magic for us ( ). Were do you live? We are in Houston and would love to be closer in order to get AP's....airfare to Disney eats our lunch!!


MissLiz, glad everything is working out.

 

[Lewanc]

Welcome MissLiz! We will be at AKL some of the time you are there. I'm a MIL so I can relate to what you are saying. My daughter is the Disney planner so I don't really fit the same situation as you have. I travel a lot with my daughter and her family. Thankgoodness I have such a wonderful son-in-law. He usually just goes with the flow...whatever we want to do is okay with him. Can't wait for our trip!!

Hi Carol/Houston -- You must be a great MIL, and so lucky to have a SIL, that doesn't mind your being an important part of the vacation planning, and willing to go with the flow . When I read your post, I thought so much of our family situation when my mom was alive, as she and my dad were always included in our vacation plans. Whenever we said "we're going", she would just reply "when"?? We were blessed to have shared so many happy vacation memories, especially at Disney .

I'm sure you will enjoy your stay at the AKL, as the decor of the lodge and rooms are very authenic. The AKL is one of my favorite weekend retreats, and we dine there at least once a month. If you should find yourself at Bomas during your visit, be sure to try "Frunch", its a fruit drink, very good, as is the food selection, whether ethnic or american. The other restaurant at AKL I like is Jinko. In my opinion, it is more adult oriented, but the food is also great. Be sure your daughter makes advanced dining reservations, as from reading the Disboards, it seems getting table service restaurant reservations is becoming a job in itself.

Have a wonderful vacation!!!

 

[thunderbug548]

Thank you!! We live in Brandon which is just east of Tampa. I love being so close and am blessed to have a dh that loves Disney almost as much as me. We'll try to leave some magic for everyone else while we're there.

 

[carol/houston]

Hi Carol/Houston -- You must be a great MIL, and so lucky to have a SIL, that doesn't mind your being an important part of the vacation planning, and willing to go with the flow . When I read your post, I thought so much of our family situation when my mom was alive, as she and my dad were always included in our vacation plans. Whenever we said "we're going", she would just reply "when"?? We were blessed to have shared so many happy vacation memories, especially at Disney .
[/QUOTE


Lewanc, THANK YOU!! (your post brought tears to my eyes as I had many special vacation memories with my Mom). Having an only child makes having great inlaws wonderful! We have had many wonderful family vacations and many more to come. Family is very important to all of us!

We are looking forward to our stay at AKL. Thanks for the information.

As far as our ARD's my DD has made them and changed them a number of times and each time she says "These are perfect". Today she told me she is wanting to try to get fried oreos as her dessert when we have dinner at Boma's. Who knows how many times the ARD's will change before Sept. As long as she is having fun, we don't care!

 

[ktink]

This may come as NO surprise to some of you but... we're entertaining the thought of changing back to AKL. DH and I will be going back to WDW w/out the kids and we're thinking of cutting costs and applying to the next stay. Right now I've got us at Poly for Sept and ASMu in Feb, DH has suggested AKL or WL this trip and then the other next trip.

 

[ktink]

Well I'm sad to say that we will NOT be at AKL in September unless something opens up. They had no availability. That's what I get for filly fartin around. But I did change to WL and I was so disappointed that DH told me when we go Jan 31- Feb 3 that we could stay at the Polynesian. Oh, well it's all in a days work, ehh.

 

[space ranger 1]

Well I'm sad to say that we will NOT be at AKL in September unless something opens up. They had no availability. That's what I get for filly fartin around. But I did change to WL and I was so disappointed that DH told me when we go Jan 31- Feb 3 that we could stay at the Polynesian. Oh, well it's all in a days work, ehh.

Well WL looks great too, so that will be awesome.

But remember now you have two additional things going for you:
1 - You were about to run out of options to look at, now you can check daily on availablity and switch back to AKL as soon as it becomes available again. That will help fill the time.
2 - This will really help you on your way to a goal of 7,000. Think of all the additional posts this will generate.

So really this is a good thing. It will give you more time to plan changes and more reasons to post. And we all need to spend more time posting, how else are we going to pass the time.

Well back to my paying job so I can make this happen for us in 88 days!

 

[ktink]

Well WL looks great too, so that will be awesome.

But remember now you have two additional things going for you:
1 - You were about to run out of options to look at, now you can check daily on availablity and switch back to AKL as soon as it becomes available again. That will help fill the time.
2 - This will really help you on your way to a goal of 7,000. Think of all the additional posts this will generate.

So really this is a good thing. It will give you more time to plan changes and more reasons to post. And we all need to spend more time posting, how else are we going to pass the time.

Well back to my paying job so I can make this happen for us in 88 days!

You hit the nail on the head. DH says it's the over achiever in me that can't leave well enough alone. Now that my Leadership class is over I don't have a project to occupy my time and I'm messing w/ our vacation. Sadly, that's not the case I just keep obsessing over the resort. I'm hoping I've learned my lesson.

 

[PrejeanPrincess]

Hey guys, just checking in. Sept. will be here before you know it and I am sooooooooo excited. I can't wait until we walk into AKL for the 1st time. Just thought I would share my excitement. He have 80 something days to go. YEY

 

[Lewanc]

Hey guys, just checking in. Sept. will be here before you know it and I am sooooooooo excited. I can't wait until we walk into AKL for the 1st time. Just thought I would share my excitement. He have 80 something days to go. YEY

Hi There PrejeanPrincess -- Share your 1st time excitement whenever you feel a need to do so. I'm local Disney, and even though we have visited many times since opening, I too still get excited when we go down for weekend R&R, or to dine at Boma's and Jinko. The AKL is one of hubby's favorite resorts. Even though we have a fireplace at home, quite often when we have cool days here, we will go down to dine at sit at the fireplace in the lobby, and chat for a while before coming home.

Keep posting on the Disboards, sure you will find others to chat with to help make the 80+ days pass quickly, and before you realize, you will be walking into the lodge grand lobby to begin an experience that is one of the most unique of all the Disney resorts.

Will check-in with you from time to time till September to see how you're doing with your count down.

 

[Momto2boysSC]

I'm corrupting my children......

Last night DS#2 totally BONKED his head and let out a BLOODCURDLING scream - the kind where he was quiet for about 20 seconds before the scream came out. So horrible that I was sure the neighbors were on the phone with DSS. So I rush to the freezer to get our "ouchy pig" (the best invention ever - a stuffed pig with mushy, cold gel inside to keep the swelling down). Of course, ouchy pig is cold, and he doesn't want to hold it on his forehead. I told him if he would just hold it on his head I would tell him Disney stories.

Thank goodness for all of you and your AKL stories. Having never been, I could knowledgeably tell him what animals we would see, he would have a bunk bed in his room; he could slide down the water slide, etc.... Any time he took ouchy pig off his forehead I would quit talking. Then he'd want more of the story and he'd put it back on and I'd keep talking. Totally corrupting them. Of course, anything to keep the swelling down!

Of course, this means that on the day we leave for Florida, we won't actually tell them we're coming to Disney. It's about a six hour drive (which means eight hours with them and stopping and eating......) and I just don't think I can take the "are we there yet" comments!!!!!

But we all CAN'T WAIT!!!!!! I think I am more excited than our 6 year old!

I love reading about everyone's plans. We could never afford AKL without the free dining. And sometimes (well, lots of times) I just start to panic about $$ and think I'll just change to a cheaper resort and then I think, "NO WAY!" This is MY vacation, too, and I want it to be a great one!!!!! And DH has never been so I want to suck him into it so that we can come back. And I think that will be easier to do if he enjoys the resort!!!!! I just wish we could afford the concierge level so we could go on one of the special safaris.

And I could ramble on for days......instead I'll just sit back and read what everyone else has to say!

 

[I Run Long]

I'm so glad your son is all right. Boy that must have been scary. This is our first trip to WDW and, of course, AKL and like you we could never afford it if it weren't for the free dining. I'm so glad I'm not alone - I panic too when I think of the $$$ we're spending. I keep thinking, maybe we should cancel and put the money towards some of our bills. Then I shake my head and think, "when was the last time I had a vacation?" I know - it was 1992!!! Yes, before kids. Now I think I really deserve that vacation. Does that assuage my guilt? No way! But I keep thinking those positive thoughts hoping the guilt will at least lessen. I just hope I can let go some of the purse strings and allow myself to spend more that $5

 

[carol/houston]

Momto2boysSC and I Run Long,

When you start thinking about the $$ just remember the memories you are making with your children are priceless!! Something may happen in the future that won't allow you to do this and you will have these special memories. These are wise words coming from a Grandmother who loves spending time at WDW with her daughter, son-in-law, and 4 grandchildren. I would not trade those memories for anything. I just want to make as many new ones as possible.


Momto2boysSC, I'm glad your son is okay...I know he enjoyed the stories. Just think of the stories he will have when you get back from your trip!

 

[Lewanc]

I'm corrupting my children......

Last night DS#2 totally BONKED his head and let out a BLOODCURDLING scream - the kind where he was quiet for about 20 seconds before the scream came out. So horrible that I was sure the neighbors were on the phone with DSS. So I rush to the freezer to get our "ouchy pig" (the best invention ever - a stuffed pig with mushy, cold gel inside to keep the swelling down). Of course, ouchy pig is cold, and he doesn't want to hold it on his forehead. I told him if he would just hold it on his head I would tell him Disney stories.

Thank goodness for all of you and your AKL stories. Having never been, I could knowledgeably tell him what animals we would see, he would have a bunk bed in his room; he could slide down the water slide, etc.... Any time he took ouchy pig off his forehead I would quit talking. Then he'd want more of the story and he'd put it back on and I'd keep talking. Totally corrupting them. Of course, anything to keep the swelling down!

Of course, this means that on the day we leave for Florida, we won't actually tell them we're coming to Disney. It's about a six hour drive (which means eight hours with them and stopping and eating......) and I just don't think I can take the "are we there yet" comments!!!!!

But we all CAN'T WAIT!!!!!! I think I am more excited than our 6 year old!

I love reading about everyone's plans. We could never afford AKL without the free dining. And sometimes (well, lots of times) I just start to panic about $$ and think I'll just change to a cheaper resort and then I think, "NO WAY!" This is MY vacation, too, and I want it to be a great one!!!!! And DH has never been so I want to suck him into it so that we can come back. And I think that will be easier to do if he enjoys the resort!!!!! I just wish we could afford the concierge level so we could go on one of the special safaris.

And I could ramble on for days......instead I'll just sit back and read what everyone else has to say!

Hi There -- Don't think you're corrputing your kids, just being a good mom. Looking at the pic of your kids, seems like they could be a ball of fun, know they will keep you busy during your vacation. Sorry to hear about your son's mishap, but boys will be boys.

When you enter the lodge to check-in, all your reservations re $$, will be forgotten. As you enjoy the decor of the lodge/accommodations, viewing the animals on the savannahs, possibly sitting in the lobby by the magnificant fireplace (yes, it probably will be hot), or just strolling around the lodge, you will know you made the right decision to vacation at AKL. You also spoke of a cheaper resort, after staying at the AKL, you won't even consider a Value in the future. The AKL is my hubby's favorite resort, hopefully, your husband will be of the same opinion. The AKL and Wilderness Lodge are more "man type" resorts, so he just may get hooked. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

Concierge and the sunrise safari are great, the room appointments are upgraded from a deluxe room, special key to concierge level, and all other standard concierge services. We have stayed concierge, but prefer the suites, as we have more space. In my opinion, the only difference between the sunrise safari and the park safari is that the sunrise safari is so serene and gives the feeling of waking in the savannah to the sounds of nature. As there is a small group, the guide has more time for Q&A, and a little longer time viewing the animals.

I think you're going to enjoy your stay, and before checking out, you will probably be thinking of what you want to do on your next trip. Once you're hooked on Disney, no matter where you vacation, there's no place like Disney, and you have to get your Disney fixes, the worst part, there's no cure for the fever. Disney has become a tradition in my family for 3 generations, and we never tire of visiting.

By the way, be sure to see the Lion King when in the AK park, and check the Disney information channel on your room TV to get the must sees. Check with the front desk to see if they still do the Mickey/Minnie wakeup call. My grandson used to get a kick out of it when he was younger.

Have a great vacation!!!