Well, I have to admit I had hoped to dazzle everyone with a warm yet witty trip report upon our return. Yes, you'd of all been waiting desperately for the next installment of my fabulous prose 
But, my mama didn't raise no fool! I know an act too hard to follow. delswife has written one of the best trip reports ever. I'm printing it to show to a girl from Maine at work...their humor is almost identical
So instead I will stick to the facts.
Cast members:
DH (49) He who obeys my every vacation command
Me (49) Planner of great vacations
This was a huge trip for us! Our first two weeks-in-a-row vacation. All this to celebrate our 30th anniversary!! Several years ago, DH actually suggested the intinerary for this one...a week at WDW followed by a seven day Magic cruise. We booked the cruise first, but I couldn't decide about the rest. The FTP ad caught my I, soon it was a done deal. We would stay at the AKL (concierge) then stay in a suite aboard the Magic. But then I got to thinking, our kids (grown, 25 & 22) would love a vacation, and I wanted them with us to celebrate. The suite was traded for a verandah and two insides, so they could bring a guest.
The months kind of crawled by, but I used the time to study these boards. Thanks to all the DIS members for the useful tips and info posted here.
We left early 10/11, the plan being, check in early and enjoy a day at the parks. Well, park, actually. We couldn't wait to go to EPCOT to ride MS. But we got to bed very late. Hadn't even left the gate and already diverting from the plan
So we boarded our 0 dark-thirty flight excited, but really tired. Switched planes in Atlanta without a hitch, even though we did not have assigned seat when we left Fayetteville
The flight was overbooked I found out when I attempted to print out boarding passes at home...see gate agent in Atlanta!! Oh no! But no problem, got to the gate right at boarding time and our seats were there (a little pixie dust, maybe?)
FL Tours was waiting for us at the baggage claim and soon we were in a stretch limo ( another first...we were like two kids in a playgound!) heading to AKL.
This resort is fabulous! The concierge staff was fabulous! The room was fabulous! The...okay, you get the idea. This is one lovely place. You truly could stay here and never leave the property and have a great time. We felt so pampered.
Now remember I said we were tired. Everything was great until we went outside to check out the animals. We had grabbed a bite to eat at the Mara, checked out the pool, then headed to Arusha Rock. Lots of animals, beautiful landscaping...then I hit it! The Wall. Walked right into it. Now, before you go and think "Well THAT was a pretty stupid thing to do", let me clarify. If you work night shift like I do, you know this wall. Somewhere around 3 a.m. on your first night back, you find this wall. You are overcome with the sleepies. At work, you grab a cup of coffee, get up and find something to do. But this was VACATION. I didn't want to find something to do. I wanted a nap. But, our room wasn't ready, so we settled in at the lounge. Thankfully, it was pretty empty that time of day. My husband would nudge my foot and say, "Your mouth is open". Then I'd nudge him and say " You're snoring" Between our rumpled traveling clothes and carry-on bags, I think we looked like a couple of vagrants instead of the suave, classy couple gracing the pictures of the lounge. The staff either felt very sorry for us, or just wanted us to move our act somewhere else, because periodically they would give us little updates (Sorry, your room's STILL not ready)
Then, YES! Your room is ready! Thank you! I looked at my DH of not quite 30 years and said "Race ya!" Man, I washed my face and hit those sheets so fast!
I heard my husband come out of the bathroom and he starts turning on lights. Hey, what 's up with this?! I was just about asleep. But I look, and he's holding out a small white box tied with a pretty ribbon. He says, " I wanted to wait for our anniversary, or think of something really clever and romantic...but I think you'll just like looking at this for the next week"
Well, I am now uncharacteristiclly speechless. My eyes are tearing up. I mean, what has he done? This trip was our present to each other. I open the box and there is the most beautiful anniversary ring I have ever seen! This was SO special. A few years ago, our house was robbed, my engagement ring was taken. I hadn't tried to replace it, just didn't seem the same, but I did miss it. Now, here's my husband mumbling about ' diamond anniversary' and this is 'long overdue' and suddenly, I'm not so tired anymore
After a little nap we decided some dinner was in order. We'd been dying to check out Jiko, so we freshened up and headed downstairs. Whoa! It was packed! No available seating left, so we opted for the bar. This was where I made what was to be the sceond big vacation mistake. Except for a few PS, I thought we'd just wing it. We've been before in October and never had a problem getting seated anywhere. Not this time! But mor about that later.
We actually had a very nice meal at the bar. Chatted with the couple next to us and joked with the two CMs working the bar. The food here is great, we knew we'd eat here again before the week was out.
After dinner we just strolled around the grounds, then decided to call it a night.
Wow! This got a little more long-winded than I intended. Dirty laundry is calling out to me
Later!
Loretta
But, my mama didn't raise no fool! I know an act too hard to follow. delswife has written one of the best trip reports ever. I'm printing it to show to a girl from Maine at work...their humor is almost identical
So instead I will stick to the facts.
Cast members:
DH (49) He who obeys my every vacation command
Me (49) Planner of great vacations
This was a huge trip for us! Our first two weeks-in-a-row vacation. All this to celebrate our 30th anniversary!! Several years ago, DH actually suggested the intinerary for this one...a week at WDW followed by a seven day Magic cruise. We booked the cruise first, but I couldn't decide about the rest. The FTP ad caught my I, soon it was a done deal. We would stay at the AKL (concierge) then stay in a suite aboard the Magic. But then I got to thinking, our kids (grown, 25 & 22) would love a vacation, and I wanted them with us to celebrate. The suite was traded for a verandah and two insides, so they could bring a guest.
The months kind of crawled by, but I used the time to study these boards. Thanks to all the DIS members for the useful tips and info posted here.
We left early 10/11, the plan being, check in early and enjoy a day at the parks. Well, park, actually. We couldn't wait to go to EPCOT to ride MS. But we got to bed very late. Hadn't even left the gate and already diverting from the plan
So we boarded our 0 dark-thirty flight excited, but really tired. Switched planes in Atlanta without a hitch, even though we did not have assigned seat when we left Fayetteville
The flight was overbooked I found out when I attempted to print out boarding passes at home...see gate agent in Atlanta!! Oh no! But no problem, got to the gate right at boarding time and our seats were there (a little pixie dust, maybe?)FL Tours was waiting for us at the baggage claim and soon we were in a stretch limo ( another first...we were like two kids in a playgound!) heading to AKL.
This resort is fabulous! The concierge staff was fabulous! The room was fabulous! The...okay, you get the idea. This is one lovely place. You truly could stay here and never leave the property and have a great time. We felt so pampered.
Now remember I said we were tired. Everything was great until we went outside to check out the animals. We had grabbed a bite to eat at the Mara, checked out the pool, then headed to Arusha Rock. Lots of animals, beautiful landscaping...then I hit it! The Wall. Walked right into it. Now, before you go and think "Well THAT was a pretty stupid thing to do", let me clarify. If you work night shift like I do, you know this wall. Somewhere around 3 a.m. on your first night back, you find this wall. You are overcome with the sleepies. At work, you grab a cup of coffee, get up and find something to do. But this was VACATION. I didn't want to find something to do. I wanted a nap. But, our room wasn't ready, so we settled in at the lounge. Thankfully, it was pretty empty that time of day. My husband would nudge my foot and say, "Your mouth is open". Then I'd nudge him and say " You're snoring" Between our rumpled traveling clothes and carry-on bags, I think we looked like a couple of vagrants instead of the suave, classy couple gracing the pictures of the lounge. The staff either felt very sorry for us, or just wanted us to move our act somewhere else, because periodically they would give us little updates (Sorry, your room's STILL not ready)
Then, YES! Your room is ready! Thank you! I looked at my DH of not quite 30 years and said "Race ya!" Man, I washed my face and hit those sheets so fast!
I heard my husband come out of the bathroom and he starts turning on lights. Hey, what 's up with this?! I was just about asleep. But I look, and he's holding out a small white box tied with a pretty ribbon. He says, " I wanted to wait for our anniversary, or think of something really clever and romantic...but I think you'll just like looking at this for the next week"
Well, I am now uncharacteristiclly speechless. My eyes are tearing up. I mean, what has he done? This trip was our present to each other. I open the box and there is the most beautiful anniversary ring I have ever seen! This was SO special. A few years ago, our house was robbed, my engagement ring was taken. I hadn't tried to replace it, just didn't seem the same, but I did miss it. Now, here's my husband mumbling about ' diamond anniversary' and this is 'long overdue' and suddenly, I'm not so tired anymore
After a little nap we decided some dinner was in order. We'd been dying to check out Jiko, so we freshened up and headed downstairs. Whoa! It was packed! No available seating left, so we opted for the bar. This was where I made what was to be the sceond big vacation mistake. Except for a few PS, I thought we'd just wing it. We've been before in October and never had a problem getting seated anywhere. Not this time! But mor about that later.
We actually had a very nice meal at the bar. Chatted with the couple next to us and joked with the two CMs working the bar. The food here is great, we knew we'd eat here again before the week was out.
After dinner we just strolled around the grounds, then decided to call it a night.
Wow! This got a little more long-winded than I intended. Dirty laundry is calling out to me
Later!
Loretta
