AKV CL PTR/TR - taking practically first timers -TR starts on P. 17 (completed)

[Pinkocto]

I know.... I should not complain, I mean we are going on vacation, it is just not where all the fun is, but they are wonderful and relaxing.... I will just focus on the upcoming one... Does anyone want to hear about it?

Absolutely!

 

[dolphingirl47]

Thank you hopefully I'll get it started soon. Must finish it before the next trip.

I know that feeling. Still, I only have 4 more installments to go.

Corinna

 

[tiggrbaby]

I know.... I should not complain, I mean we are going on vacation, it is just not where all the fun is, but they are wonderful and relaxing.... I will just focus on the upcoming one... Does anyone want to hear about it?

 

[Pinkocto]

Let Operation Family Vacation Commence.

Would you believe this is the only picture of the four of us together.

Counter-clockwise from bottom left: Melanie (SIL), Jeanette (mom), me (Pam), and Richard (DB)

We had a 7:25am flight and I probably only got 4 hours of sleep I was so excited. It seems like Labor Day morning is a perfect time to fly because our flight was quite empty. It was so nice not to be squeezed in with strangers. We actually landed about 25 minutes early which was fantastic.

Mom and M:

They wanted me to squeeze in with them, but I’m not the squeezing type so just took a picture of them.

I love getting to the atrium and having the feeling that the whole trip is ahead of me.

R’s first order of business was to find a place to smoke.

He was on the other side of the column.

He found his first hidden Mickey.

When he lit a second cigarette I couldn’t take it anymore and said I’d meet them at the DME area. This got the group moving. He stayed on the other side of the columns. We waited less than a minute to be taken to a bus which was so perfect. Waited probably 10 minutes for more people and were on our way to Jambo House. Ours was the last stop, and we were there by 10:50.

R was captivated by the Disney movie in the DME.

I was so excited to be back

We first went into the lobby, but then I remembered CL meets you curbside, so I left them and went to see if I could find a CL CM.

The wonderful Jean (male) was the first one I found and he verified our names in his special book and took us up to the CL in the elevator. We were told to enjoy the CL and someone would be with us ASAP.

We had some snacks and Jungle Juice and then Debbie came and found us. I checked in first, and asked her if it was possible that R & M get a savannah view if there was only one of them. She looked at their paperwork and they actually had one already which was perfect. I had it noted on their reservation that they were celebrating their anniversary, and the CMs had already started the pixie dust.

Once R & M checked in also we headed for a tour of the resort.

 

[Angel16]

What a great start Pam. I love the pictures of you all walking into AKL for the first time. That is one of my favorite times on vacation. I imagine R & M where amazed by the lobby. Where were was your villa located? Did you get those wonderful sixth floor villas?

Ann

 

[dolphingirl47]

Great start. It was lucky that the flight was relatively empty and I know what you mean about the atrium of MCO.

Corinna

 

[tiggrbaby]

Yay for your TR! I got all goose-bumpy with your lobby pics!

 

[dgbg100106]

Yay..... that is so wonderful... I love that lobby!

 

[PNO4TE]

Thanks for your update, Pam!

 

[Pinkocto]

What a great start Pam. I love the pictures of you all walking into AKL for the first time. That is one of my favorite times on vacation. I imagine R & M where amazed by the lobby. Where were was your villa located? Did you get those wonderful sixth floor villas?

Ann

Thank you They absolutely were. I had thought I'd get a video of their reactions, but I guess I forgot about it when we were in the moment. I was just so happy to be back! I actually got us two studios, didn't want to be in the same room with them... but they were both on the 6th floor. It was so nice to be so close to the CL.

Your trip is coming up fast!

 

[Pinkocto]

Great start. It was lucky that the flight was relatively empty and I know what you mean about the atrium of MCO.

Corinna

Thank you More to come shortly.

 

[Pinkocto]

Yay for your TR! I got all goose-bumpy with your lobby pics!

It was so nice to be back. I can't find a better word than a peacefulness that came over me when I walked into the lobby. I hope that doesn't sound silly.

 

[Pinkocto]

Yay..... that is so wonderful... I love that lobby!

It is so beautiful!

 

[Pinkocto]

Thanks for your update, Pam!

More to come shortly, just uploading some more photos.

 

[Pinkocto]

After checking in we took R & M on a tour of the resort starting with the pool area. It was so convenient to be staying on the 6th floor, everything was very easy to get to. Straight down the elevators to the 1st floor and out to the pool.

I love how lush the pool area is.

I was still getting used to the new camera and must have accidentally hit the monochrome button. I think these turned out quite nicely though.

I was wondering why the camera wasn’t picking up any colors… quickly realized what was wrong and changed the settings.

Continuing the tour we found some parts of the pool area I had never seen before.

This area is where we happened upon the night vision goggles later that evening.

After finishing the pool loop we headed back to the lobby and then to the Outlook. I really wanted to get rid of my backpack before heading to the park so was hoping our rooms would be ready while we were exploring.

It was very very hot so we headed back up to the CL for some refreshments. M fell in love with Jungle Juice, no surprise, and R already found the beer. Come to find out they didn’t want to head to the park without changing their shirts. The matching shirts I got for everybody were just too hot for them… complain complain complain.

 

[franandaj]

Nice photos! Looks like a very relaxing start to the trip!

You got a picture of my room balcony when we stayed CL. It was a 1bedroom on the second floor. It's that corner balcony on the upper left of your pic. Memories

This area is where we happened upon the night vision goggles later that evening.

.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I loved all the photos from the pool area and really thought the monochrome photos worked well.

Corinna

 

[dgbg100106]

Beautiful to see it again!

 

[Pinkocto]

Nice photos! Looks like a very relaxing start to the trip!

You got a picture of my room balcony when we stayed CL. It was a 1bedroom on the second floor. It's that corner balcony on the upper left of your pic. Memories

Thanks I had no idea they had CL rooms on the second floor. Could you see the animals from your balcony? That was a nice area away from all the pool noise.

 

[Pinkocto]

I loved all the photos from the pool area and really thought the monochrome photos worked well.

Corinna

Thanks I had no idea what was going on with the camera. Kept thinking 'why isn't it picking up any color?...' too funny. I didn't know they turned out until after I got home.

I kept taking pictures of the pool throughout the trip, the landscaping is so beautiful.