drusba
I went to Iowa once, and it was closed.
- Joined
- Aug 19, 1999
- Messages
- 14,899
Stayed at AKV Jan 1-9, five total (all basically adults now; youngest is 18). Nothing of great moment to report but some things:
1. Had 2BR dedicated savanna view, Kidani. Requested and got close to lobby and lower (3d floor) and did on-line check-in. On line check-in is to some extent pointless at Kidani because when you arrive there is no special line for those who have done so but you just get in regular check-in line. Checked-in at about 1:30 and room was ready (a first at AKL for us).
2. Room was on south wing just past community hall. Parking was ideal and right near Timon elevator. Room was fine when we arrived, no problems (and we do a check when we arrive). Still am not a fan of the dim lighting in the room (I have "old" eyes) but we accept it. Otherwise, room is ideal, large size, three baths, comfortable beds. The only continuing moment in the room where I really hate Disney is for the about ten seconds it takes me to change the channel after turning on the TV and hearing the I-really-want-to-beat-her-to-death voice of that young woman promoting Disney parks (she is probably at least 45 now because it has been the same repeated show for at least 15 years).
3. Animals were scarce in morning but fairly plentiful in afternoon, giraffes, zebras, ostrich and various cattle/antelope (I can never remember the different names). There was a feeding area in a tree for giraffes very close to where we were, and as they feed stuff is dropped to the ground for other animals. This led to our discovery that zebras are very nasty animals. One day the food came and a zebra decided it wanted what was falling on the ground without the pleasant company of others. It proceeded to file an ejectment action against the others present -- three giraffes, a couple ostrich and even some other zebras. That consisted of its approaching each animal, then doing a sudden 180 degree turn and attempting to punch the snot of the other animal with its rear hoofs. It succeeded in clearing the area. It then fed on a few pieces and decided to head to another feeding area and conduct the same ejectment action.
4. Weather was some of the best we have had that time of year -- in the 70s most days and 60s others with very little rain. January 6 was about our coldest day as it was in the 40s by the evening. Orlando looked like it has had very little rain. You can see a lot of brown, dryed out areas outside of where Disney provides watering and outside the parks. It was not quite warm enough for pool (at least for us, many others thought otherwise)although we made trip and hit hot tub (good).
5. Park crowds. This is a little new. Usually when we go this time of year, you still have Christmas size crowds through about Monday (Jan 3) and then they taper off substantially. Well, we had close to Christmas sized crowds through January 3 and then they tapered off but only a little.The crowds remained far larger than we normally see that time of year the whole week with very long stand-by lines for all popular rides most of day (with Soarin well over 2 hours). Perhaps Disney travel is picking up or perhaps more schools are turning to having the entire first week of January as one of their two Christmas break weeks.
6. Busses. overall good the whole week. One problem day -- leaving AK Jan 8 near closing. We hit bus line and crowd was already backed up beyond the usual key area for AKV. We waited forever. By the time a bus came, the AKV line was backed up to well beyond where the bus area begins. All other resorts had short or no lines. When a bus finally came, it had to put on a parson in a wheelchair, which is fine but the driver could not get the drop ramp to work. Took almost 20 minutes to get problem figured out (someone else had to come and help). We made second bus not first; total wait time 55 minutes. Another day (leaving MK) we also had a long delay but it was not a bus issue. There was an accident on the main drive out of MK and it held up traffic for about a half hour (busses finally were instructed and guided to do U-turns and head elsewhere). Looked ominous but did not find any report of the accident later in any news source. Otherwise never waited more than 10 minutes for a bus.
7. Sanaa was excellent, as was Boma. Some others that were a little surprising: (a) Tusker House at AKV was amazingly good this year, better than any other time we have been, on everything including main courses, soups, salads and desserts, likewise Crystal Palace; (b) we tried the new Mexico restaurant, La Hacienda; this place is a winner, inside extemely impressive with floor to ceiling windows overlooking water and the ceiling is about 30 feet up, service was outstanding as was food although it sticks to trying to please amercian palates by not making anything overly spicey; (c) Hollywood and Vine was particularly medicocre this year with mostly tasteless dishes or things that just didn't taste like what you think they should.
8. Many of the Christmas decorations stayed up the week. Though as usual impressive, it just seemd to be somewhat less than what it usually is.
9. Other: CMs all around were good, no issues except I called housekeeping to get an extra blanket and they brought us two extra sheets; tried hard to figure out how that got lost in the translation (corrected quickly). Also called for extra hangers and they brought those -- I do not understand why they give you only enough hangers for about two people in a 2BR unit. Broke a glass. Don't do it. Dropped it on the counter while attempting to take it out of closet and it shattered into a million pieces, some traveling as far as the sleeper chair (if you know the kitchen/living room set up you will know that is a distance of about 15 to 20 feet). Basically we had to shut down the kitchen and living room and do a complete clean-up with pieces of glass everywhere. (Note, they did readily replace the glass). Did both Hoop Dee Doo and Cirque this year and both remain excellent; Cirque has made some changes -- there is now a premier juggling act (the guy is the best I have ever seen) and the large wheel act was this time rope jumping. No DVC rumors from anyone. Did golf courses a few days including Osprey -- though Four Seasons constrction is going on it still seems to be not all that much except for the main entrance area for it. No set time yet for Osprey to be turned over to Four Seasons. Hint for those that might consider the DVC annual discount golf pass but want to play rounds in the morning before ten. If you will do multiple even days, like 2 or 4 total, the Disney 2-day pass that anyone staying on site can buy is cheaper than doing DVC discount -- actual per day price turns out about the same as discounted DVC price but you don't have to buy the $50 annual DVC golf card.
1. Had 2BR dedicated savanna view, Kidani. Requested and got close to lobby and lower (3d floor) and did on-line check-in. On line check-in is to some extent pointless at Kidani because when you arrive there is no special line for those who have done so but you just get in regular check-in line. Checked-in at about 1:30 and room was ready (a first at AKL for us).
2. Room was on south wing just past community hall. Parking was ideal and right near Timon elevator. Room was fine when we arrived, no problems (and we do a check when we arrive). Still am not a fan of the dim lighting in the room (I have "old" eyes) but we accept it. Otherwise, room is ideal, large size, three baths, comfortable beds. The only continuing moment in the room where I really hate Disney is for the about ten seconds it takes me to change the channel after turning on the TV and hearing the I-really-want-to-beat-her-to-death voice of that young woman promoting Disney parks (she is probably at least 45 now because it has been the same repeated show for at least 15 years).
3. Animals were scarce in morning but fairly plentiful in afternoon, giraffes, zebras, ostrich and various cattle/antelope (I can never remember the different names). There was a feeding area in a tree for giraffes very close to where we were, and as they feed stuff is dropped to the ground for other animals. This led to our discovery that zebras are very nasty animals. One day the food came and a zebra decided it wanted what was falling on the ground without the pleasant company of others. It proceeded to file an ejectment action against the others present -- three giraffes, a couple ostrich and even some other zebras. That consisted of its approaching each animal, then doing a sudden 180 degree turn and attempting to punch the snot of the other animal with its rear hoofs. It succeeded in clearing the area. It then fed on a few pieces and decided to head to another feeding area and conduct the same ejectment action.
4. Weather was some of the best we have had that time of year -- in the 70s most days and 60s others with very little rain. January 6 was about our coldest day as it was in the 40s by the evening. Orlando looked like it has had very little rain. You can see a lot of brown, dryed out areas outside of where Disney provides watering and outside the parks. It was not quite warm enough for pool (at least for us, many others thought otherwise)although we made trip and hit hot tub (good).
5. Park crowds. This is a little new. Usually when we go this time of year, you still have Christmas size crowds through about Monday (Jan 3) and then they taper off substantially. Well, we had close to Christmas sized crowds through January 3 and then they tapered off but only a little.The crowds remained far larger than we normally see that time of year the whole week with very long stand-by lines for all popular rides most of day (with Soarin well over 2 hours). Perhaps Disney travel is picking up or perhaps more schools are turning to having the entire first week of January as one of their two Christmas break weeks.
6. Busses. overall good the whole week. One problem day -- leaving AK Jan 8 near closing. We hit bus line and crowd was already backed up beyond the usual key area for AKV. We waited forever. By the time a bus came, the AKV line was backed up to well beyond where the bus area begins. All other resorts had short or no lines. When a bus finally came, it had to put on a parson in a wheelchair, which is fine but the driver could not get the drop ramp to work. Took almost 20 minutes to get problem figured out (someone else had to come and help). We made second bus not first; total wait time 55 minutes. Another day (leaving MK) we also had a long delay but it was not a bus issue. There was an accident on the main drive out of MK and it held up traffic for about a half hour (busses finally were instructed and guided to do U-turns and head elsewhere). Looked ominous but did not find any report of the accident later in any news source. Otherwise never waited more than 10 minutes for a bus.
7. Sanaa was excellent, as was Boma. Some others that were a little surprising: (a) Tusker House at AKV was amazingly good this year, better than any other time we have been, on everything including main courses, soups, salads and desserts, likewise Crystal Palace; (b) we tried the new Mexico restaurant, La Hacienda; this place is a winner, inside extemely impressive with floor to ceiling windows overlooking water and the ceiling is about 30 feet up, service was outstanding as was food although it sticks to trying to please amercian palates by not making anything overly spicey; (c) Hollywood and Vine was particularly medicocre this year with mostly tasteless dishes or things that just didn't taste like what you think they should.
8. Many of the Christmas decorations stayed up the week. Though as usual impressive, it just seemd to be somewhat less than what it usually is.
9. Other: CMs all around were good, no issues except I called housekeeping to get an extra blanket and they brought us two extra sheets; tried hard to figure out how that got lost in the translation (corrected quickly). Also called for extra hangers and they brought those -- I do not understand why they give you only enough hangers for about two people in a 2BR unit. Broke a glass. Don't do it. Dropped it on the counter while attempting to take it out of closet and it shattered into a million pieces, some traveling as far as the sleeper chair (if you know the kitchen/living room set up you will know that is a distance of about 15 to 20 feet). Basically we had to shut down the kitchen and living room and do a complete clean-up with pieces of glass everywhere. (Note, they did readily replace the glass). Did both Hoop Dee Doo and Cirque this year and both remain excellent; Cirque has made some changes -- there is now a premier juggling act (the guy is the best I have ever seen) and the large wheel act was this time rope jumping. No DVC rumors from anyone. Did golf courses a few days including Osprey -- though Four Seasons constrction is going on it still seems to be not all that much except for the main entrance area for it. No set time yet for Osprey to be turned over to Four Seasons. Hint for those that might consider the DVC annual discount golf pass but want to play rounds in the morning before ten. If you will do multiple even days, like 2 or 4 total, the Disney 2-day pass that anyone staying on site can buy is cheaper than doing DVC discount -- actual per day price turns out about the same as discounted DVC price but you don't have to buy the $50 annual DVC golf card.
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