"Where the Spirit of Africa Comes Alive!" - Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge!
As this was our first time staying at a Deluxe, and what DD's lifetime dream (she's only 11) was to stay at AKL! When the Fairytale Package was first announced I jumped at the chance to fullful her dream!
We woke up wondering what in the world this day would bring but no more surprises at the Radisson! We did our usual, packed what little we used and out the door! DD was too excited to go out for breakfast and just wanted to get to AKL!
It never fails to amaze me when I see the Gates to the World how I revert to a big kid! Jumping up and down in the driver's seat while DD is slinking in the back hoping nobody notices this mad woman! I turn back and then all of a sudden she joins me in my happy dance! Now we have two very excited peoples jumping up and down! It must have looked the pretty site! I follow the signs and soon we are entering our sacred domain.
I am in awe. I was not prepared for what I was seeing. The beauty of the place and this was before I even reached the Gatehouse! I pull up, am asked my name and lo and behold! I'm on the reservations list! YIPPEEE! At least they know I was a comin'!
I continue driving up and there, standing in a row were CM's dressed in their safari outfits. All beckoning me to their humble abode! I stop the car, and get out drinking in the architecture. I hear someome say something but am anxious to get inside. I valet and have him take the luggage to it's holding cell! I am informed that my room may not be ready so just come back later to get my luggage! BLAH, BLAH, BLAH! By this time I had tuned him out and was just concentrating on getting inside. As the sliding doors opened and we walked inside, my breath was taken away! It was majestic! I felt like I had been transported to Africa!
But alas, reality was to bite me! Long Story short, My reservation was wrong and took a long time to straighten out!
Good thing we got there early or else we would have missed our reservations for Rainforest Cafe.
We are taken to our room, 3415, Zebra Trail! DD fell in love with the room! First thing we do is look out to see our view! Breathtaking! Cattle and Zebras Abound! But alas, we were off and running! DD was famished and so was I! But first had to stop off at Guest Services to have my key replaced! It would not work!
We've always enjoyed the Rainforest, and this trip was not exception! The only dissapointment was I wanted a Mango Tango but they had changed their drink menu! Settled for the Rita Cheetah which turned out to be a good substitute!
After lunch we were to go to do the Tour but alas that did not happen. There was a mix up as to where we were to meet the bus. Thought to myself, why would this go smoothly? So we head back to the Lodge! There is a message that I can pick up our Spirit Tickets at Guest Services so proceed to do so! I get there and they ask "So how do you wish to pay for this?", I reply, "My Wishes?!?!" "But you don't have wishes!" "Yes I do!" "Well according to our computer, you don't!" It's back to the room to dig out the paperwork once more to prove that yes Disney took my money and I did have wishes on my reservations! Thank Goodness my paperwork had showed up before we left. I was promised that a set would be waiting for me upon check in but they did not show up until Wednesday! A lot of good that would have done me in this situation! Love their new computer system!
After all was finally settled, head back to the room to decide what we were going to do. We were suppose to be doing the tour but when I returned to the room the phone rang! My thoughts, "now what's wrong!" But it was Ricardo, my guide. He profusely apologizes that we missed the bus and convinces me to do the tour now! DD is not interested at this point and time but is convinced with the promise of a ride to any park she wants to go to afterwards. I tell her that this was the time that was earmarked so let's get it over with! It's lightly raining outside anyways! We are picked up and taken to Boardwalk! WOW! I like. DD is feeling better about this now. We are taken inside and asked to wait for Ricardo. He proceeds with his sales pitch but I inform him that I have "Friends" that have told me about DVC
I would like to take the tour of the Models, please. Big Mistake! The Pictures of SSR do not do it justice! It all a whirlwind after this point. Next thing I know, I'm telling Ricardo put thru the downpayment on Monday and send me the paperwork! I'm on vacation and don't want to waste anymore time! We shake hands and off to the Land of Magic! After touring around MK, we head over to Epcot!
We missed our reservations at San Angel Inn but make it for Rose and Crown. DD does not like the Fish and Chips. ICKY, in her words. But I enjoy the Prime! It's amazing that I could still eat anything after spending so much money!
DD goes out on the patio to catch Illuminations but I stay inside to finish my dinner. Afterwards we leisurely walk back to the buses. The whole time I'm thinking, "OMG, I'm gonna be a DVC'er!" DD's thoughts, "Yes we are gonna be coming back, and back, and back again and again and again!"
We go back to AKL and watch the animules for awhile. Head back inside to hit the hay for tomorrow promises to be another great day! (I hope!) At least this day ended with a great big smile on DD's face which is all I live for!
Tomorrow is Lunch with a Disney Artist at the Derby and Spirit of Aloha!
Scratch
As this was our first time staying at a Deluxe, and what DD's lifetime dream (she's only 11) was to stay at AKL! When the Fairytale Package was first announced I jumped at the chance to fullful her dream!
We woke up wondering what in the world this day would bring but no more surprises at the Radisson! We did our usual, packed what little we used and out the door! DD was too excited to go out for breakfast and just wanted to get to AKL!
It never fails to amaze me when I see the Gates to the World how I revert to a big kid! Jumping up and down in the driver's seat while DD is slinking in the back hoping nobody notices this mad woman! I turn back and then all of a sudden she joins me in my happy dance! Now we have two very excited peoples jumping up and down! It must have looked the pretty site! I follow the signs and soon we are entering our sacred domain.
I am in awe. I was not prepared for what I was seeing. The beauty of the place and this was before I even reached the Gatehouse! I pull up, am asked my name and lo and behold! I'm on the reservations list! YIPPEEE! At least they know I was a comin'!
I continue driving up and there, standing in a row were CM's dressed in their safari outfits. All beckoning me to their humble abode! I stop the car, and get out drinking in the architecture. I hear someome say something but am anxious to get inside. I valet and have him take the luggage to it's holding cell! I am informed that my room may not be ready so just come back later to get my luggage! BLAH, BLAH, BLAH! By this time I had tuned him out and was just concentrating on getting inside. As the sliding doors opened and we walked inside, my breath was taken away! It was majestic! I felt like I had been transported to Africa!
But alas, reality was to bite me! Long Story short, My reservation was wrong and took a long time to straighten out!
Good thing we got there early or else we would have missed our reservations for Rainforest Cafe. We are taken to our room, 3415, Zebra Trail! DD fell in love with the room! First thing we do is look out to see our view! Breathtaking! Cattle and Zebras Abound! But alas, we were off and running! DD was famished and so was I! But first had to stop off at Guest Services to have my key replaced! It would not work!
We've always enjoyed the Rainforest, and this trip was not exception! The only dissapointment was I wanted a Mango Tango but they had changed their drink menu! Settled for the Rita Cheetah which turned out to be a good substitute!
After lunch we were to go to do the Tour but alas that did not happen. There was a mix up as to where we were to meet the bus. Thought to myself, why would this go smoothly? So we head back to the Lodge! There is a message that I can pick up our Spirit Tickets at Guest Services so proceed to do so! I get there and they ask "So how do you wish to pay for this?", I reply, "My Wishes?!?!" "But you don't have wishes!" "Yes I do!" "Well according to our computer, you don't!" It's back to the room to dig out the paperwork once more to prove that yes Disney took my money and I did have wishes on my reservations! Thank Goodness my paperwork had showed up before we left. I was promised that a set would be waiting for me upon check in but they did not show up until Wednesday! A lot of good that would have done me in this situation! Love their new computer system!
After all was finally settled, head back to the room to decide what we were going to do. We were suppose to be doing the tour but when I returned to the room the phone rang! My thoughts, "now what's wrong!" But it was Ricardo, my guide. He profusely apologizes that we missed the bus and convinces me to do the tour now! DD is not interested at this point and time but is convinced with the promise of a ride to any park she wants to go to afterwards. I tell her that this was the time that was earmarked so let's get it over with! It's lightly raining outside anyways! We are picked up and taken to Boardwalk! WOW! I like. DD is feeling better about this now. We are taken inside and asked to wait for Ricardo. He proceeds with his sales pitch but I inform him that I have "Friends" that have told me about DVC
I would like to take the tour of the Models, please. Big Mistake! The Pictures of SSR do not do it justice! It all a whirlwind after this point. Next thing I know, I'm telling Ricardo put thru the downpayment on Monday and send me the paperwork! I'm on vacation and don't want to waste anymore time! We shake hands and off to the Land of Magic! After touring around MK, we head over to Epcot!We missed our reservations at San Angel Inn but make it for Rose and Crown. DD does not like the Fish and Chips. ICKY, in her words. But I enjoy the Prime! It's amazing that I could still eat anything after spending so much money!
DD goes out on the patio to catch Illuminations but I stay inside to finish my dinner. Afterwards we leisurely walk back to the buses. The whole time I'm thinking, "OMG, I'm gonna be a DVC'er!" DD's thoughts, "Yes we are gonna be coming back, and back, and back again and again and again!"
We go back to AKL and watch the animules for awhile. Head back inside to hit the hay for tomorrow promises to be another great day! (I hope!) At least this day ended with a great big smile on DD's face which is all I live for!
Tomorrow is Lunch with a Disney Artist at the Derby and Spirit of Aloha!
Scratch
