TeresaNJ
Magic Begins With Me
- Joined
- Sep 13, 1999
- Messages
- 5,784
Cast of Characters:
Teresa, 44, wife and mother, official Disney fanatic, known as obsessive by those not in "the know".
Harry, 29, DH of Teresa. (God, I cringe, when I write his age! He looks and acts much more mature than his age, though). All-around good guy and new Disney fanatic.
Mike, 20, Teresa's DS, loves Disney almost as much as his mom.
Dan, 21, Mike's bud, and Teresa and Harry's "just like a son".
The last I left you we were almost ready to go. We had our resort ressies and air tickets (Harry and I had our tickets several weeks before we knew Mike and Dan were going, but luckily we were able to get Mike and Dan seats on the same plane as us coming and going, and in fact they were sitting in the same aisles as us). We were even able to get them the same great rate of $161 r/t. Our ressies had been made with Atlantis Limo to pick us up at the airport by our good friend Scoobey. If you're ever in need of transportation from and to the airport and even from the Disney resorts to Universal or Sea World, etc., Atlantis Limo provides great service. Scoobey has gone out of his way for us many a time. My bags had been packed for almost a week and I was ready!!
Since we were leaving my 15yo daughter, Lauren, at home with her grandmom and friend, Michelle, I had printed out a list of her rules and regulations while we were away, cell phone and phone numbers of every close family member and friend, and the phone numbers of the resorts we were staying at, and posted it on the refrigerator where she would be sure to see it daily, lest she "forgot" any of the rules
. I did feel somewhat guilty for leaving her home, but really there was no choice in the matter, since as I explained in the prelude, she had missed too many days of school, and if she missed anymore, she would have to repeat ninth grade. She is a very smart kid, scores in the 99th percentile on all the national standardized tests, but is a typical 15yo who thinks she knows everything. Our school district counts 4 latenesses as an absence, whether you are 1 minute late or 1 hour late. Lauren was late many times secondary to her friend Michelle picking her up late in the morning, and they would miss the bell by a few minutes. If Lauren had taken the school bus she wouldn't have had this problem, but according to her thinking, it is only a 5 minute ride to school from our house, but she'd be on the bus for at least 20 minutes coming and going, and why should she do that?
Maybe to avoid being late, I ask? Of course, mother's know nothing though
Therefore, Lauren was over the alloted unexcused absences, and had to stay home.
In order to save a vacation day for the guys, I thought we would leave Friday evening so that they would be able to work on Friday. Our flight was to leave out of Philly at 6:55 pm, arriving in Orlando at 9:41pm. We would have to leave our house by 4:30 to compensate for rush-hour traffic, and to give us time to drop our car off at "Smart Park", and then have the Smart Park van drop us off at the airport. We've been using "Smart Park" ever since I had a horrible experience with an airport tranport company (the kind that picks you up at your door) several Disney trips ago.
In spite of my thoughtfullness, Dan and Mike took Friday off, and Harry only worked a half day, so we could have left earlier, but thank God we didn't. The boys arrived at my house around noon, too excited to wait any longer. We secured the zippers on our luggage with different colored ribbons (the easier to pick out your bags on the carousel, and to secure the luggage from opening during handling). While the guys discussed sports, the Flyers and Sixers, etc., I left to pick up Lauren from school. School lets out at 2:20, so I would be able to see Lauren for a few hours before we left, and I do mean "see" as I'm sure she would head right to the phone and computer to IM her friends, and wouldn't be interested in talking to me. After all, she is 15, who wants to talk to their mom instead of their friends?
While waiting in the school parking lot for Lauren to come out, I had one of my Disney CD's playing, day-dreaming about what AKL would be like. I was so curious to see it after reading so much about it, pros and cons. I made sure the music was low so none of the kids coming out of school could hear it, in order not to embarrass Lauren, as she thinks I'm so corny with my love of Disney. She says I'm "obsessed". Anyway, after a few minutes, I see Lauren limping out of school, leaning on her friend's arm. My first thought is that she sprained her ankle in gym class. Okay, we can handle that, a little ice, elevation, ibuprofen and grandmom's attention.
As Lauren got in the car gingerly, she announces that she can't pee (pardon the expression, but everyone knows that the words urinate or void aren't part of a 15yo's vocabulary, nor mine at that moment). What do you mean you can't pee, I yell. When did this start? Oh my God, now I'm panicking in my head. Outwardly though I remain calm and ask Lauren to explain her symptoms. She said that she could "go" fine last night, but this morning when she got up and "went", she still felt like she had "to go". Then during school she felt like she really had "to go", but when she did only a little blood came out and it really hurt. S---!! This was not a little urinary tract infection, but a full blown one. Okay, I tell myself, remain calm and think. Shoud I try to get her a doctor's appointment for today (yea right) and call her father at work and ask him to take her or should I take her to the ER right now. Let's see, it's 2:30 now, would we be able to get to the ER, be seen and treated, pick up the medicine at the pharmacy all in two hours. Keep on dreaming I thought. Well, I had no choice, there was no way I could leave her like that. Lauren could tell by my face how upset I was and told me she was sorry, that she'd be okay. That made me feel even more guilty. She said she could wait until tonight to let her dad take her to the ER. I felt even more guilty then to think that she thought I would go to Disney just like that and leave her in that condition. If any of you have had a UTI, you know how painful and uncomfortable it is, not to mention that it could develop into a full-blown kidney infection and worse.
Well there was no other choice, so we were off to the ER. I called home on my cell phone to let the guys know where we were. Mike answered and said Harry went to pick up some pizza for everyone, and he would relay the message. Mike told me not to worry, we have plenty of time. Oh, how naive he is I thought.
Fortunately, I worked in the ER for many years, and now work in the ICU at the same hospital, so I knew alot of people there. Hopefully one of the ER docs that I was close with would be on, and we wouldn't have to wait. Lauren and I were at the ER in 15 minutes. As I rushed in the door and Lauen limped in, I looked around to see if there was anyone I recognized. As I rushed past the triage nurse who I didn't know, (alot of new staff), I saw there were many people waiting to be seen. Thank God the admission clerks were the same two woman I have worked with for years. I explained the problem, that I had to leave for the airport in 90 minutes, and which doctor was on? As luck would have it, it was Karen, a great ER doctor, and one I have known for a long time. Karen came out to talk to me and Lauren, and felt comfortable enough prescribing her an antibiotic without us having to sign-up to been seen, and sending a urinalysis to the lab. Thank God! If any of you have been to an ER you know how long it could take to wait for lab results. Karen knowing that she could trust me to evaluate Lauren's symptoms correctly did me a big favor. All she asked was that if Lauren didn't feel better by the next day or was still urinating blood or still having a problem urinating, that she go to the lab to have the UA done. She gave us a sterile cup for the sample should we need it, and a prescription for Bactrim, which is the standard UTI antibiotic. By now it was almost 3:30. One hurdle down, what are the chances of the pharmacy being able to fill the prescription right away? Of course, I could always drop it off and let Lauren's dad pick it up that evening when it was ready, but I really wanted Lauren to take a dose right away, before the symptoms got worse. Every time I've dropped a prescription off at any pharmacy I've always had to wait at least an hour, usually more. With my fingers and everything else crossed, I pull up to the drive-in window at the pharmacy, and the clerk takes the prescription, asks the standard questions, and says it will be ready in 15 minutes.
Are my ears deceiving me? Fifteen minutes? Halleluah, we may make it after all. While we're waiting, Lauren decides she'd like some water ice, so we drive to the custard stand across the street. I figure it's the least I can do since I won't be able to comfort her tonight. Meanwhile, I call home again to give them an update. My DH, Harry, answers, and says when Mike told him Lauren and I went to the ER he almost had a heart attack. He thought we were in a car accident. Anyway, I told him I should be home by 4:30, and he told me not to rush, we still had plenty of time. Lauren and I went back to the pharmacy to get the medicine, I bought her a Sprite, and told her to take a dose right now. I had to make sure she would be feeling better soon, plus I was really worried that the UTI would get worse, and I was afraid she would wait too long to call her dad to take her to the ER again if need be. I also called Lauren's dad at work to give him an update so he could keep tabs on how she was feeling. I really wanted Lauren to stay at his house while we were away, but she insisted she'd rather stay home with her grandmother, as she said it was too much of a hassle to get ready for school as all her "stuff" was home and she didn't feel like carting it all to her dad's. He only lives two miles from us, and works about 15 minutes away, so I knew he would be readily available should Lauren need him. Unfortunately grandmom doesn't drive, and isn't good in a crisis anyway. In fact, she "melts down" in a crisis, so I didn't even want to tell her about Lauren's UTI. She wouldn't be coming over until that evening anyway, so I figured no need to tell her and upset her.
I pulled in the driveway at exactly 4:30, made sure Lauren was okay and that Michelle was on her way over, kissed Lauren and Winnie (our dog) good-bye, and off we went . Yea!! As excited as I was though, the damper of guilt was on my shoulders.
The guys were right, we arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare. Check-in went smoothly, we got our boarding tickets, and the flight was on time. In fact, we made such good time that we landed in Orlando at 9:10, a full half-hour early. What a great feeling! I called Lauren as soon as we landed and she said she was feeling alot better, and was able "to go" pretty well, with only a little discomfort. Feeling less guilty, I allowed myself to get excited again. We bounced to the appropriate luggage carousel, got our luggage with no problem, and looked around for Scoobey. Now in all the times I've used Atlantis limo, Scoobey has always been waiting for us as we got off the escalator, and went with us to get our luggage. We didn't see him right away, but figured he wasn't there yet since we were so early. So we retrieved our luggage, and went to stand by the elevators that take you to the pick-up area. 9:30, no Scoobey, 9:45, still no Scoobey, and the airport is pretty much deserted at this point. Now I start to panic again. Did he forget us, where is he, he is never late? I usually always call him or e-mail him the day before we are to arrive to confirm our ressie, but this time I didn't. I pull out my confirmation slip, and the correct date and time are on there. My husband goes back to the escalator and looks there, but the only people around are the cleaning people. We go back to the waiting area, and there is virtually almost no-one around, it was very eerie. I felt like I was in the "Twilight Zone". Well, we figure, we could always call a taxi. I decide to call Scoobey on my cell phone. Why I didn't do that right away is beyond me. Scoobey answers and tells us he is pulling up right at that minute. Apparently his last customer's flight was late getting in, therefore he was late getting to us, plus we were so early it felt like we waited forever. He apologized over and over. Hey, no problem, things like that can't be helped. I was just happy to see him.
Hooray, we're on our way to AKL!
inkbounc As we drive along, Scoobey points out all the new resorts, and tells us how awsome AKL looks as you pull up to it. I can't sit still I'm so excited. Finally, we can see what looks like thatched roofs, from a distance. There is the AKL sign on the right, exactly like the picture we saw. As we drive up to the entrance, over come a few cast members to welcome us and help us with our luggage. I don't think I've ever arrived this late to a Disney resort before. It is about 10:15pm. The first thing you notice as you arrive to AKL is flickering lights set in the foliage. the smell of campfires in the distance, and lilting African music to lull your senses. It was a very heady experience. As we walked through the lobby doors, I noticed the engravings on the outside lobby wall, beautiful mosaics set in the concrete walkway, ornately carved entrance doors, and then the massive lobby, with it's dimly lit chandeliers, large, leather, comfy couches and chairs set in cozy, intimate groupings, along with other brightly patterned furnishings. There was so much to see, but we needed to check in. We were called up to the desk right away, and check- in went without a hitch. I was slightly let-down when the female cast member told us she was just about to leave for the night, as her shift was done at ten, when we arrived. I told her we would wait for the next cast member, and then she apologized and told us she didn't mean to make us feel bad. I still thought it was thoughtless thing for her to say though.
After we checked-in, a wonderful castmember, unfortunately I don't remember his name, took us on a brief tour of the resort and then to our rooms. I can not adequately describe what a beautiful resort AKL is. From the huge glass wall that looks out over the firepit where you can sit and listen to an African storyteller or just listen to the quiet strains of music in the background while smelling that wonderful campfire aroma, to the amazing African artifacts; the rockers set around the circular fireplace in the lobby where you can relax with a drink while mesmerized by the fire, the delicious smells coming from Boma and Jiko, and the happy, smiling faces all around, this resort is an incredible experience all on it's own.
As we entered our room and I took in the wonderfully themed furnishings, our castmember opened the curtains and door to the balcony for us so we could look out on the savannah. What a moment. There cuddled close together, laying peacefully were three Ankole cattle. I couldn't believe it. They were right there! !
I never imagined we'd be this close to the animals. We rushed out of our room to Mike and Dan's room across the hall. Their room was above Mara's roof, and they had a partial view of the pool and hot tub, nice nontheless. We told them to come to our room so they could see the cattle. We then rushed back to our room to look some more. I was a little skeptical of how I would like the themeing, as I'm more of a country or beachy girl, but I thought our room was beautiful. The bedspreads were bright and cheery, the carved furniture amazing, and I didn't think it looked dark at all, contrary to some reports. If I ever figure out how to post pictures I will; I have some great ones.
After examing the room, we all decided to explore the resort a little bit. Everyone was hungry, and since it was now only about 11pm, Mara was still open. As we walked by the pool, I was astounded at how large it was, and how pretty. I had read some pretty depressing reports about AKL's pool, so it surpassed my expectations. A few people were swimming lazily, as the moonlight reflected off the water. Very pretty! Mara was a delight, brightly decorated in a pretty sky blue color, with foliage painted in a jungle-type theme on the walls and ceiling, and bird-like sculptures hanging from the ceiling along with punched-tin light fixtures that looked like they were lit with real fire, but of course, weren't. Dan and Mike had chicken strips and french fries, while Harry had the bbq tofu with noodles and bread sticks. I shared everyone's food as I wasn't that hungry, and was too excited to eat. We bought our four souveneir refillable mugs, and Dan bought some beer for him and Mike to take back to their room (very, very expensive). I cautioned them not to have more than one or two, as we were doing EE in the morning at the MK, and I didn't want to hear any excuses about them being tired. I realize Mike is under-age, he won't be 21 until March, and I don't condone his drinking, but decided they didn't even have to tell me, so I wasn't going to make a federal case over it. While Dan and Mike went back to their room, Harry and I explored a little bit. We sat outside at the firepit for awhile, looking at each other in amazement and thinking how lucky we were to be there, together at that moment. Then we went inside and sat and rocked at the lobby fireplace for awhile. The lure of seeing the animals was too great though, and we went back to our room where I sat on the balcony until 1:15 am just watching. Eventually the zebra appeared and a few giraffe. I had to actually force myself to go to bed. Harry had passed out about a half hour ago, and was cozily snuggled under the covers. What a great day. What started out as a potential disaster turned out to be magical.
To come: Day Two, "Breakfast with the Princesses", or "Will the Boys be Mortified"
(THIS IS REALLY DAY 3, SEE BELOW)!! SORRY!!
If you didn't read the prelude, go here!
OOPS, I made a BOO-BOO- Breakfast with the Princesses is Day Three, not Day Two. I had just woken up from working the night shift when I wrote this trip report, and DD Lauren closed out Internet Explorer to check her e-mail on AOL when I got up to answer the phone, not realizing what I was doing, and I lost the whole report and had to start over. GRR!!! Anyway, I guess I was a little confused at the time. Day Two should read: Waking Up the Animals at AK, or "You got us up at 6am for this"!
Day Two: Awakening of the Animals Ceremony and Fantasmic/MGM
Teresa, 44, wife and mother, official Disney fanatic, known as obsessive by those not in "the know".
Harry, 29, DH of Teresa. (God, I cringe, when I write his age! He looks and acts much more mature than his age, though). All-around good guy and new Disney fanatic.
Mike, 20, Teresa's DS, loves Disney almost as much as his mom.
Dan, 21, Mike's bud, and Teresa and Harry's "just like a son".
The last I left you we were almost ready to go. We had our resort ressies and air tickets (Harry and I had our tickets several weeks before we knew Mike and Dan were going, but luckily we were able to get Mike and Dan seats on the same plane as us coming and going, and in fact they were sitting in the same aisles as us). We were even able to get them the same great rate of $161 r/t. Our ressies had been made with Atlantis Limo to pick us up at the airport by our good friend Scoobey. If you're ever in need of transportation from and to the airport and even from the Disney resorts to Universal or Sea World, etc., Atlantis Limo provides great service. Scoobey has gone out of his way for us many a time. My bags had been packed for almost a week and I was ready!!
Since we were leaving my 15yo daughter, Lauren, at home with her grandmom and friend, Michelle, I had printed out a list of her rules and regulations while we were away, cell phone and phone numbers of every close family member and friend, and the phone numbers of the resorts we were staying at, and posted it on the refrigerator where she would be sure to see it daily, lest she "forgot" any of the rules
. I did feel somewhat guilty for leaving her home, but really there was no choice in the matter, since as I explained in the prelude, she had missed too many days of school, and if she missed anymore, she would have to repeat ninth grade. She is a very smart kid, scores in the 99th percentile on all the national standardized tests, but is a typical 15yo who thinks she knows everything. Our school district counts 4 latenesses as an absence, whether you are 1 minute late or 1 hour late. Lauren was late many times secondary to her friend Michelle picking her up late in the morning, and they would miss the bell by a few minutes. If Lauren had taken the school bus she wouldn't have had this problem, but according to her thinking, it is only a 5 minute ride to school from our house, but she'd be on the bus for at least 20 minutes coming and going, and why should she do that? Maybe to avoid being late, I ask? Of course, mother's know nothing though Therefore, Lauren was over the alloted unexcused absences, and had to stay home.In order to save a vacation day for the guys, I thought we would leave Friday evening so that they would be able to work on Friday. Our flight was to leave out of Philly at 6:55 pm, arriving in Orlando at 9:41pm. We would have to leave our house by 4:30 to compensate for rush-hour traffic, and to give us time to drop our car off at "Smart Park", and then have the Smart Park van drop us off at the airport. We've been using "Smart Park" ever since I had a horrible experience with an airport tranport company (the kind that picks you up at your door) several Disney trips ago.
In spite of my thoughtfullness, Dan and Mike took Friday off, and Harry only worked a half day, so we could have left earlier, but thank God we didn't. The boys arrived at my house around noon, too excited to wait any longer. We secured the zippers on our luggage with different colored ribbons (the easier to pick out your bags on the carousel, and to secure the luggage from opening during handling). While the guys discussed sports, the Flyers and Sixers, etc., I left to pick up Lauren from school. School lets out at 2:20, so I would be able to see Lauren for a few hours before we left, and I do mean "see" as I'm sure she would head right to the phone and computer to IM her friends, and wouldn't be interested in talking to me. After all, she is 15, who wants to talk to their mom instead of their friends?
While waiting in the school parking lot for Lauren to come out, I had one of my Disney CD's playing, day-dreaming about what AKL would be like. I was so curious to see it after reading so much about it, pros and cons. I made sure the music was low so none of the kids coming out of school could hear it, in order not to embarrass Lauren, as she thinks I'm so corny with my love of Disney. She says I'm "obsessed". Anyway, after a few minutes, I see Lauren limping out of school, leaning on her friend's arm. My first thought is that she sprained her ankle in gym class. Okay, we can handle that, a little ice, elevation, ibuprofen and grandmom's attention.
As Lauren got in the car gingerly, she announces that she can't pee (pardon the expression, but everyone knows that the words urinate or void aren't part of a 15yo's vocabulary, nor mine at that moment). What do you mean you can't pee, I yell. When did this start? Oh my God, now I'm panicking in my head. Outwardly though I remain calm and ask Lauren to explain her symptoms. She said that she could "go" fine last night, but this morning when she got up and "went", she still felt like she had "to go". Then during school she felt like she really had "to go", but when she did only a little blood came out and it really hurt. S---!! This was not a little urinary tract infection, but a full blown one. Okay, I tell myself, remain calm and think. Shoud I try to get her a doctor's appointment for today (yea right) and call her father at work and ask him to take her or should I take her to the ER right now. Let's see, it's 2:30 now, would we be able to get to the ER, be seen and treated, pick up the medicine at the pharmacy all in two hours. Keep on dreaming I thought. Well, I had no choice, there was no way I could leave her like that. Lauren could tell by my face how upset I was and told me she was sorry, that she'd be okay. That made me feel even more guilty. She said she could wait until tonight to let her dad take her to the ER. I felt even more guilty then to think that she thought I would go to Disney just like that and leave her in that condition. If any of you have had a UTI, you know how painful and uncomfortable it is, not to mention that it could develop into a full-blown kidney infection and worse.
Well there was no other choice, so we were off to the ER. I called home on my cell phone to let the guys know where we were. Mike answered and said Harry went to pick up some pizza for everyone, and he would relay the message. Mike told me not to worry, we have plenty of time. Oh, how naive he is I thought.
Fortunately, I worked in the ER for many years, and now work in the ICU at the same hospital, so I knew alot of people there. Hopefully one of the ER docs that I was close with would be on, and we wouldn't have to wait. Lauren and I were at the ER in 15 minutes. As I rushed in the door and Lauen limped in, I looked around to see if there was anyone I recognized. As I rushed past the triage nurse who I didn't know, (alot of new staff), I saw there were many people waiting to be seen. Thank God the admission clerks were the same two woman I have worked with for years. I explained the problem, that I had to leave for the airport in 90 minutes, and which doctor was on? As luck would have it, it was Karen, a great ER doctor, and one I have known for a long time. Karen came out to talk to me and Lauren, and felt comfortable enough prescribing her an antibiotic without us having to sign-up to been seen, and sending a urinalysis to the lab. Thank God! If any of you have been to an ER you know how long it could take to wait for lab results. Karen knowing that she could trust me to evaluate Lauren's symptoms correctly did me a big favor. All she asked was that if Lauren didn't feel better by the next day or was still urinating blood or still having a problem urinating, that she go to the lab to have the UA done. She gave us a sterile cup for the sample should we need it, and a prescription for Bactrim, which is the standard UTI antibiotic. By now it was almost 3:30. One hurdle down, what are the chances of the pharmacy being able to fill the prescription right away? Of course, I could always drop it off and let Lauren's dad pick it up that evening when it was ready, but I really wanted Lauren to take a dose right away, before the symptoms got worse. Every time I've dropped a prescription off at any pharmacy I've always had to wait at least an hour, usually more. With my fingers and everything else crossed, I pull up to the drive-in window at the pharmacy, and the clerk takes the prescription, asks the standard questions, and says it will be ready in 15 minutes.
Are my ears deceiving me? Fifteen minutes? Halleluah, we may make it after all. While we're waiting, Lauren decides she'd like some water ice, so we drive to the custard stand across the street. I figure it's the least I can do since I won't be able to comfort her tonight. Meanwhile, I call home again to give them an update. My DH, Harry, answers, and says when Mike told him Lauren and I went to the ER he almost had a heart attack. He thought we were in a car accident. Anyway, I told him I should be home by 4:30, and he told me not to rush, we still had plenty of time. Lauren and I went back to the pharmacy to get the medicine, I bought her a Sprite, and told her to take a dose right now. I had to make sure she would be feeling better soon, plus I was really worried that the UTI would get worse, and I was afraid she would wait too long to call her dad to take her to the ER again if need be. I also called Lauren's dad at work to give him an update so he could keep tabs on how she was feeling. I really wanted Lauren to stay at his house while we were away, but she insisted she'd rather stay home with her grandmother, as she said it was too much of a hassle to get ready for school as all her "stuff" was home and she didn't feel like carting it all to her dad's. He only lives two miles from us, and works about 15 minutes away, so I knew he would be readily available should Lauren need him. Unfortunately grandmom doesn't drive, and isn't good in a crisis anyway. In fact, she "melts down" in a crisis, so I didn't even want to tell her about Lauren's UTI. She wouldn't be coming over until that evening anyway, so I figured no need to tell her and upset her.I pulled in the driveway at exactly 4:30, made sure Lauren was okay and that Michelle was on her way over, kissed Lauren and Winnie (our dog) good-bye, and off we went . Yea!! As excited as I was though, the damper of guilt was on my shoulders.
The guys were right, we arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare. Check-in went smoothly, we got our boarding tickets, and the flight was on time. In fact, we made such good time that we landed in Orlando at 9:10, a full half-hour early. What a great feeling! I called Lauren as soon as we landed and she said she was feeling alot better, and was able "to go" pretty well, with only a little discomfort. Feeling less guilty, I allowed myself to get excited again. We bounced to the appropriate luggage carousel, got our luggage with no problem, and looked around for Scoobey. Now in all the times I've used Atlantis limo, Scoobey has always been waiting for us as we got off the escalator, and went with us to get our luggage. We didn't see him right away, but figured he wasn't there yet since we were so early. So we retrieved our luggage, and went to stand by the elevators that take you to the pick-up area. 9:30, no Scoobey, 9:45, still no Scoobey, and the airport is pretty much deserted at this point. Now I start to panic again. Did he forget us, where is he, he is never late? I usually always call him or e-mail him the day before we are to arrive to confirm our ressie, but this time I didn't. I pull out my confirmation slip, and the correct date and time are on there. My husband goes back to the escalator and looks there, but the only people around are the cleaning people. We go back to the waiting area, and there is virtually almost no-one around, it was very eerie. I felt like I was in the "Twilight Zone". Well, we figure, we could always call a taxi. I decide to call Scoobey on my cell phone. Why I didn't do that right away is beyond me. Scoobey answers and tells us he is pulling up right at that minute. Apparently his last customer's flight was late getting in, therefore he was late getting to us, plus we were so early it felt like we waited forever. He apologized over and over. Hey, no problem, things like that can't be helped. I was just happy to see him.
Hooray, we're on our way to AKL!inkbounc As we drive along, Scoobey points out all the new resorts, and tells us how awsome AKL looks as you pull up to it. I can't sit still I'm so excited. Finally, we can see what looks like thatched roofs, from a distance. There is the AKL sign on the right, exactly like the picture we saw. As we drive up to the entrance, over come a few cast members to welcome us and help us with our luggage. I don't think I've ever arrived this late to a Disney resort before. It is about 10:15pm. The first thing you notice as you arrive to AKL is flickering lights set in the foliage. the smell of campfires in the distance, and lilting African music to lull your senses. It was a very heady experience. As we walked through the lobby doors, I noticed the engravings on the outside lobby wall, beautiful mosaics set in the concrete walkway, ornately carved entrance doors, and then the massive lobby, with it's dimly lit chandeliers, large, leather, comfy couches and chairs set in cozy, intimate groupings, along with other brightly patterned furnishings. There was so much to see, but we needed to check in. We were called up to the desk right away, and check- in went without a hitch. I was slightly let-down when the female cast member told us she was just about to leave for the night, as her shift was done at ten, when we arrived. I told her we would wait for the next cast member, and then she apologized and told us she didn't mean to make us feel bad. I still thought it was thoughtless thing for her to say though.After we checked-in, a wonderful castmember, unfortunately I don't remember his name, took us on a brief tour of the resort and then to our rooms. I can not adequately describe what a beautiful resort AKL is. From the huge glass wall that looks out over the firepit where you can sit and listen to an African storyteller or just listen to the quiet strains of music in the background while smelling that wonderful campfire aroma, to the amazing African artifacts; the rockers set around the circular fireplace in the lobby where you can relax with a drink while mesmerized by the fire, the delicious smells coming from Boma and Jiko, and the happy, smiling faces all around, this resort is an incredible experience all on it's own.
As we entered our room and I took in the wonderfully themed furnishings, our castmember opened the curtains and door to the balcony for us so we could look out on the savannah. What a moment. There cuddled close together, laying peacefully were three Ankole cattle. I couldn't believe it. They were right there! !
I never imagined we'd be this close to the animals. We rushed out of our room to Mike and Dan's room across the hall. Their room was above Mara's roof, and they had a partial view of the pool and hot tub, nice nontheless. We told them to come to our room so they could see the cattle. We then rushed back to our room to look some more. I was a little skeptical of how I would like the themeing, as I'm more of a country or beachy girl, but I thought our room was beautiful. The bedspreads were bright and cheery, the carved furniture amazing, and I didn't think it looked dark at all, contrary to some reports. If I ever figure out how to post pictures I will; I have some great ones.After examing the room, we all decided to explore the resort a little bit. Everyone was hungry, and since it was now only about 11pm, Mara was still open. As we walked by the pool, I was astounded at how large it was, and how pretty. I had read some pretty depressing reports about AKL's pool, so it surpassed my expectations. A few people were swimming lazily, as the moonlight reflected off the water. Very pretty! Mara was a delight, brightly decorated in a pretty sky blue color, with foliage painted in a jungle-type theme on the walls and ceiling, and bird-like sculptures hanging from the ceiling along with punched-tin light fixtures that looked like they were lit with real fire, but of course, weren't. Dan and Mike had chicken strips and french fries, while Harry had the bbq tofu with noodles and bread sticks. I shared everyone's food as I wasn't that hungry, and was too excited to eat. We bought our four souveneir refillable mugs, and Dan bought some beer for him and Mike to take back to their room (very, very expensive). I cautioned them not to have more than one or two, as we were doing EE in the morning at the MK, and I didn't want to hear any excuses about them being tired. I realize Mike is under-age, he won't be 21 until March, and I don't condone his drinking, but decided they didn't even have to tell me, so I wasn't going to make a federal case over it. While Dan and Mike went back to their room, Harry and I explored a little bit. We sat outside at the firepit for awhile, looking at each other in amazement and thinking how lucky we were to be there, together at that moment. Then we went inside and sat and rocked at the lobby fireplace for awhile. The lure of seeing the animals was too great though, and we went back to our room where I sat on the balcony until 1:15 am just watching. Eventually the zebra appeared and a few giraffe. I had to actually force myself to go to bed. Harry had passed out about a half hour ago, and was cozily snuggled under the covers. What a great day. What started out as a potential disaster turned out to be magical.
To come: Day Two, "Breakfast with the Princesses", or "Will the Boys be Mortified"
(THIS IS REALLY DAY 3, SEE BELOW)!! SORRY!!If you didn't read the prelude, go here!
OOPS, I made a BOO-BOO- Breakfast with the Princesses is Day Three, not Day Two. I had just woken up from working the night shift when I wrote this trip report, and DD Lauren closed out Internet Explorer to check her e-mail on AOL when I got up to answer the phone, not realizing what I was doing, and I lost the whole report and had to start over. GRR!!! Anyway, I guess I was a little confused at the time. Day Two should read: Waking Up the Animals at AK, or "You got us up at 6am for this"!
Day Two: Awakening of the Animals Ceremony and Fantasmic/MGM
