Been There, Done That and ThenSome:Timandlesley Do Disneyfor18days!11/2 TR IS UP!pg79

[Happydog]

WHAT a great first entry to your TR!! BOOOOOOO on that evil server, maybe the sci fi alien in the movies needs to throw her off a building or slime her...

Okay I am on page 2.... going back for more!!

 

[Luv2trav]

I am a long time lurker of your reports.. I am so jealous you spent 19 days.. I couldn't imagine. I'm looking forward to reading all about your trip.

 

[3amigos]

Hi Lesley,
Welcome back. I am enjoying the start of your report and can't wait to read more. Looking forward to hearing your comparisons on AKL and SSR. We have stayed at both and prefer SSR, that is what is so great about DVC so many options! Glad to have you back!

 

[HockeyMomR]

I'm in! Love the AKL lobby - thanks for the pics

 

[jcmc]

19 days..........one can only dream, super start!

 

[Sav&Seb]

What an amazing start! I was laughing when the kids were wondering about their bed! My kids would have made hubby and I sleep on the pull out couch and taken the bed Can't wait to read more!

 

[LuvnDizney]

Yeah!! Another TR! I loved reading your trip report last year. 19 days! I would be so excited to have that much time in the world, exploring every aspect of WDW!! Can't wait to read more.


Melissa

 

[Disneyvirg]

Welcome home! Great first installment. I followed your last TR - it was great and gave us a bunch of great ideas for our first trip.

Can't wait to read about the rest of your trip.

I'm really curious, too, to hear all about your DVC membership and how you liked it. We're in the early stages of considering whether it would be beneficial for us or not.

 

[jwwi]

Wow page 6 already! Love the pictures of AKV, they look so nice. How fun to visit for the 1st time. I also could not believe how tall Lauren looks, she is growing up. This looks like a fun report already, and love the retro TV with a list of what is coming up. I think you did that last year, and am happy to see it again.

 

[The Marsons]

Yeh, been waiting for your trippie to start and it didn't disappoint!

Your first day was excellent and you all look so happy!

Had to lol at Tim kissing the floor, we do that at Port Orleans Riverside!

 

[smwf71]

Subbing - hadn't even logged in in so long, I forgot my user name! I've just been reading, but still checking regularly! I am so glad you had fun! I still look for you guys every time we go to KI or anywhere in Cincy. I'm sure Lauren and Carrigan would have fun playing together. Can't wait to read more!

 

[Cory's Gal]

Jumping in here! Followed your PTR, and I am excited to hear about your LONG trip!! No judging here about running around in their underwear either...Bummer that the Sci-Fi waitress wasn't too magical, I love seeing how Lauren and Luke get along, my kiddos are three years apart with my son being older too, I feel like I am getting a peek at what they will be like when they are older Can't wait to hear more about your adventures!

 

[timandlesley]

So glad you are back safe, and had a great trip... you are now bookmarked and I can't wait to read more!!!

Angela

Thank you!

Wow, great start! Too funny about the kids in the halls in their undies. Also love the pic of Luke and Tim kissing the floor. Looking forward to reading the rest of your adventures.

Glad you are enjoying it so far.

Great way to spend my lunch hour-reading about your first day!! Your view from your room looks awesome!! Great day so far well except for Sci Fi. Cannot wait to read more!! Now I gotta get back to work..

Glad you were able to enjoy on your lunc hour.

Wow, what a great first update from the airport. Your view from the balcony at AKL is beautiful! I'm impressed that Lauren has been doing TOT for over 2 years now. My girls ages 8 and 5 will not come near it.

We had a similar experience at Sci Fi our first visit and because of it have not returned. Our waitress did not yell at us but was non-the-less terrible. Our dinner took over 2 hours and it was mostly for waiting for her to actually come by our table. First to order, then for food, forget needing anything after the food was served, and then for our ticket. I was disappointed as it really is a fun environment. You'd think they could find a little better wait staff for that restaurant.

Looking forward to your next update.

Yeah, it's funny, Lauren was the brave one in the family and would ride anything as soon as she was tall enough for it, this year it's like she suddenly became fearful but once we got her on them she LOVED them. Sorry about your horrible Sci Fi experience- stinks cause the atmosphere there is so great.

WOO HOO you've started your trip report. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your reports, and I can't wait for this one. Last year, my sis Purplepeg, used to call me in the evening as our computer was down and she would read me your reports. i can't wait to make my tea in the evenings and spend it reading your reports.

Thank you, you are too sweet. I remember purplepeg telling me about reading them to you last year, too funny!

WOW, Lesley, your started your TR already,
you are sooooooooo on the ball!! I'm lovin it
already. Keep it coming......I'm feeling like
I'm right there with ya all!!!

Thank you, I will keep em' coming - Tim is uploading some video from day 2 today and then I'll have that post ready to go.

Great start to the TR.

I just have a Q about AK DVCs. So is it really intergrated into the resort, and not like VWL where there is a separate building for them?

Yes, at AKL at the Jambo house it's in the normal hotel, it's great. Kidani is a resort all in itself that is for DVC.

I have been reading your reports for forever now. I am glad to catch one at the beginning. 19 days! Wow you guys were super lucky!

Well, glad you could catch us at the beginning this time. Actually I went back and realized it was 18 days and had to change the title, I was counting the hotel stay on the 20th as our total which was a mistake.

I work right off of Sprinkle Road! I had no idea it was actually named after someone. That's so cool!

I'm looking forward to hearing about the rest of your DVC experience. You are really making the most of it! I'd love to join someday

That is too funny- yes, my great grandfather Stanley Sprinkle (great man, he died when I was 10), his family farm used to be on that road. Joining was the best thing we ever have done, so happy to be DVC owners now!

Yay! You've started. What a great start minus the haggy waitress and the MIA zebra domes. Does the trip mojo improve? I can't wait to read more!

Yes, trip mojo improves but we do have a few snags along the way!

Great start to the report. I can't believe you just posted it yesterday and there are already so many pages of comments. I feel like I am late to the party!

Looking forward to more!

I know, crazy, but such fun! Welcome to the party - you're not late, still on day 1!
Lesley

19 days, how fun! We just purchased last year at AKV as well, and our first trip to Kidani is in a few weeks! Our developer points were used in Nov at SSR...looking forward to your compare of the two...AKV is our favorite! We have 2 DDs same ages as your kids as well. Can't wait to hear more!

Actually I made a mistake and it was 18 days (I accidentally counted our hotel stay on the 20th which wasn't Disney) so I changed the title. AKV is our favorite too, I'll compare them later for sure.
More coming up today!
Lesley

 

[timandlesley]

O.K. I am signing on! Great first installment can't wait to hear more!!! I was wondering if Lauren was able to ride on Rockin Roller Coaster this year? My daughter is going into 1st grade and she was not tall enough last year but we r hoping she can ride it this upcoming Oct.-Nov. when we go.

No, Lauren missed it by an inch, big bummer - but next time!

Yay! I love your trip reports and looking to reading each and every one of them.

Thanks, glad you came back for more!

WOW...you guys are on a roll....

Too cute about flat Shay and Tyson.

Lauren's hair is adorable in pigtails
Your southwest flight sounded great
AKL looks awesome. What a beautiful view you had
That is too funny about Minnie AP
That is a riot that you had same conversation with your kids that Diane had with her kids about the pull out
You must have had the same waitress we had in SCI Fi in 2006.
Have not been back there since her. She was so rude and never really talked to usTO take our order, just looked at us....
Gave us wrong drink orders....took 10 mins to bring right one back
Then forgot Trent milk and he is hysterical crying as he was so tired.... It took her another ten mins to finally bring his drink out and never apolgized
God still makes me mad
Enough of that
Love how excited you all are and how giddy you are
Underwear pic(save that for future girlfriends and boyfriends)
Great Update

Thanks, glad you are enjoying things so far. Man, I sure am hearing a lot about negative Sci Fi experiences, this was our first one, oh well. Yes, the underwear pic will be saved for blackmail in the future : )

I will try my hardest to keep up. We just bought DVC during our last trip too, SSR , but stayed AKV and OKW GV as it was before we owned and we stayed with our wonderful friends. We stayed in a 2 bedroom in Jambo with a SV and it was amazing! Look forward to reading more!

2 bedroom at Jambo with a SV would be AMAZING!!!! How awesome!

Wow, your kids are so adorable!! I can't wait for our first stay in AKV in Sept!! I love your view of the pool! Isn't it great how far points stretch in a studio?! But I must admit, my heart belongs to the one bedrooms!!
Amazing, two dis-meets and your trip is just starting!! Looking forward to more!!
Oh, I lol at the pic of the kids running down the hall in undies. Too funny!

You are gonna love AKV in September. Yes, points sure do stretch far ina studio, I don't want to try a 1 bedroom and be spoiled : )

WHAT a great first entry to your TR!! BOOOOOOO on that evil server, maybe the sci fi alien in the movies needs to throw her off a building or slime her...

Okay I am on page 2.... going back for more!!

Glad you are enjoying it so far, too funny about the waitress - I agree!

I am a long time lurker of your reports.. I am so jealous you spent 19 days.. I couldn't imagine. I'm looking forward to reading all about your trip.

So happy to see people coming out of "lurkdom" to post, welcome! It was actually 18 days- I had to change the title, I realized I was counting our night at the hotel in Indy on the 20th which made it 19, but yes, 18 was still a long long time inDisney!

Hi Lesley,
Welcome back. I am enjoying the start of your report and can't wait to read more. Looking forward to hearing your comparisons on AKL and SSR. We have stayed at both and prefer SSR, that is what is so great about DVC so many options! Glad to have you back!

Interesting you prefer SSR, I personally prefer AKL but like you said, that is what is so great about DVC, options options options. We can't wait to try Bay Lake Tower in October!

I'm in! Love the AKL lobby - thanks for the pics

You're welcome, tons more AKL pics to come in this report!

19 days..........one can only dream, super start!

Actually it was 18, I had to change the title - I was counting our hotel stay in Indy on the 20th, but yes, 18 days was still a dream!

What an amazing start! I was laughing when the kids were wondering about their bed! My kids would have made hubby and I sleep on the pull out couch and taken the bed Can't wait to read more!

Oh Tim and I were VERY firm on that "we are the ones paying, you sleep on the pull out couch" : )

Yeah!! Another TR! I loved reading your trip report last year. 19 days! I would be so excited to have that much time in the world, exploring every aspect of WDW!! Can't wait to read more.


Melissa

Glad you are back for more!

Welcome home! Great first installment. I followed your last TR - it was great and gave us a bunch of great ideas for our first trip.

Can't wait to read about the rest of your trip.

I'm really curious, too, to hear all about your DVC membership and how you liked it. We're in the early stages of considering whether it would be beneficial for us or not.

Glad you enjoyed the first installment and can get ideas from our TR's, hope you get more this year. Just LOVE DVC, let me know if you have any questions! It was the best thing we have done, only regret is we should have done it sooner.

Wow page 6 already! Love the pictures of AKV, they look so nice. How fun to visit for the 1st time. I also could not believe how tall Lauren looks, she is growing up. This looks like a fun report already, and love the retro TV with a list of what is coming up. I think you did that last year, and am happy to see it again.

Glad you enjoy the AKL photo's, lots more to come in this report. I know, my baby is getting so big!!! Tim did the retro TV for me, yes, we did them last year too, I just love em' : )

Yeh, been waiting for your trippie to start and it didn't disappoint!

Your first day was excellent and you all look so happy!

Had to lol at Tim kissing the floor, we do that at Port Orleans Riverside!

Glad you enjoyed it so far. Thanks for reading!

Subbing - hadn't even logged in in so long, I forgot my user name! I've just been reading, but still checking regularly! I am so glad you had fun! I still look for you guys every time we go to KI or anywhere in Cincy. I'm sure Lauren and Carrigan would have fun playing together. Can't wait to read more!

Welcome, glad this forced you to remember your user name : ) If you ever see us at KI be sure to say hi!

Jumping in here! Followed your PTR, and I am excited to hear about your LONG trip!! No judging here about running around in their underwear either...Bummer that the Sci-Fi waitress wasn't too magical, I love seeing how Lauren and Luke get along, my kiddos are three years apart with my son being older too, I feel like I am getting a peek at what they will be like when they are older Can't wait to hear more about your adventures!

Glad you are here to follow along. Thanks for not judging : )Yes, with Luke and Lauren they mainly get along swimmingly but with any siblings they have their moments

 

[dinkerbelle]

Great report so far! Looking forward to the next installment!

 

[stacikristine]

YAY! I'm so glad you all have started your TR! Your family is just great. AKL looks AMAZING! I can't wait to be there in 72 days!!! Sorry the waitress was so mean on Father's Day...that really stinks. But it's great that you were able to go back and hang out at such a gorgeous resort Oh--and how did paying with traveler's checks for the DDP work?

 

[arizonacolbys]

Great trip report so far! AKV is beautiful! Can't wait to hear about how SSR compares - we'll be there in less than 4 weeks! We're taking our baby girl on her first trip to WDW & are SO excited!

 

[aldisneygrl]

Welcome Back!!! Haven't had time to read it yet, but I wanted to mark my spot!

Ok, caught up. Glad I wasn't too far behind.

Sorry your waitress dampened your Father's day.

I know what you mean because I feel like I "know" your family since I have been along for the ride with all of your TR. You do such a wonderful job of making us feel like we are right there with you. Thanks so much for sharing your family and your Disney adventures with us.

I can't wait to read about what all you got to do during your 18 days. I know I will never be able to do that myself, but I will get to do it "via" you.

Can't wait for more....

 

[timandlesley]

So when I left you we were going to sleep after our first night at the beautiful Animal Kingdom Lodge. The next morning was our Crystal Palace 8:00 a.m. reservation- so I had a wake up call for 6:45 scheduled. The kids always LOVE the wake up calls so I let it ring a bit but no one answered so I had the privilege of hearing Mickey and Stitch wake us up for the first time of the trip. I got myself dressed and let everyone sleep until a little after 7:00 then had them wake up and get dressed and we stumbled down to the bus stop.

It was one of those HOT and HAZY Florida mornings that are reflected by the fog on my camera:

I went through the line of the people with bags/stroller with Lauren and Tim and Luke snapped a few photo’s and soaked it in:

One of the things I’ve always loved at the 8:00 reservation at Crystal palace was that they have the gates open early and you can walk down Mainstreet around 7:45, enjoy empty streets, etc. This was weird this time, they were holding everyone until 8:00 a.m. so there was a LONG line backed up through security of those of us with reservations at Crystal Palace and the castle waiting to get in. There were some very upset people about this and a WONDERFUL CM walking around asking people “when is your reservation” and they would respond “8:15” and she’d say “Ohhhhh, you have PLENTY of time, relax, your in the Magic Kingdom” and she’d go to the next person and repeat the same thing – she was so sweet and certainly put a smile on my face.
Well at 8:00 they finally let us all in, YEAH!!! Our first stroll on Main Street USA always feels SO good!

Didn’t have the streets to ourselves as we were used to on these early ressies
,

but I was “RELAXED” because “I AM IN THE MAGIC KINGDOM!”
Tim and I had read online about all of the renovations Disney was doing and how many tarps were everywhere as a result, we have never seen this much going on like that in the summer. Here was one example right on Main Street:

Happy Lesley in the Magic Kingdom:

Happy kids in the Magic Kingdom:

The BEAUTIFUL Crystal Palace:

We were seated in the back right of the restaurant (one of my favorite places to sit because you can see the castle). Our server was nice and very prompt. We enjoyed the yummy buffet- I just love the breakfast buffet here, so much variety, fresh fruit, breakfast casseroles- YUM. It is a wonderful way to start off your day at the most Magical place on earth!
The characters started coming around quickly. Luke started his day off with a great big Pooh bear hug!

And so did Lauren:

Kids with Pooh:

This Pooh was really interactive and fun. Tim and I interacted with him too and he kept tickling the back of my neck- sweet sweet Pooh ; )
Next up was Eyore:

Then I was hearing screams from my purse because Tyson and Shae wanted to join in on the action (sorry guys, I was just so stinkin’ hungry!):

Then they announced they were doing the parade around the restaurant which they kids enjoyed:
Here is some video Tim took of the celebration:


Here is an extremely happy Lauren skipping back to our table after the parade was over:

By this time it seemed that it was going to be another half an hour for Tigger and Piglet to come around to our table and it was 8:50, the kids and OF COURSE Tim and I were getting antsy about being out there before rope drop. The kids voted to go hit rope drop (SURE KIDS!!!) So we paid the bill and headed outside.
We got some quick castle shots before heading for the rope:
(I don’t know what I was thinking wearing a visor this day for our only family castle shots – oh well!)

The beautiful castle!

Tim and Luke running towards the castle and just being kids in the Magic Kingdom:

Tim and Luke acting like Walt and Mickey:

And this is one of my favorite shots of the trip, JUST LOVE THIS PICTURE!!!!

CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST

 

[timandlesley]

Then we headed up to the castle to our favorite rope drop location.

Here is my happy happy Lauren with the empty Fantasyland streets behind her:

Then we got a pleasant surprise visitor:

Man, that lady has such a great gig, I’m telling you, when I retire I’m moving to Disney World to be the Fairy Godmother- does it get any better than that job!?!?!
Well, since there weren’t many people around the kids decided they wanted to try and wake up Tink. We didn’t do it last year and the year before last when we did it Luke got to do it, so Lauren wanted a turn. I gave them the normal “you may not get a chance but we can try” speech and they were all geared up and excited to try. Well, the rope dropped and they did a mad dash to the Tinkerbells Treasures door closest to the castle- there were two teenage (maybe young twenties) girls doing the same mad dash, we both were upset when the doors were locked. Well, Tim went around to the right side of the building and discovered the other door was wide open and yelled “It’s open over here Les” so we ran over, followed by the older girls. Luke ran in and said “I want to wake up Tinkerbell!” Well, what is SUPER SUPER SUPER cool and I’m excited to share this (if you haven’t heard already), THEY HAVE CHANGED THIS!!!! The lady got the names of EVERYONE who wanted to wake up Tinkerbell in the store (by this time there were like 8 children):

She took each of their names and wrote them on a certificate:

And then we ALL PARTICIPATED TOGETHER in the ceremony:

The kids were clapping and chanting “WAKE UP TINKERBELL, WAKE UP TINKERBELL!”

Then, what happened before still happens, the store has pixie dust lights go all over the place which is awesome, but what is enhanced and better than before, is then Tinkerbell appears on a big screen behind the counter and waves to everyone:

Then the wonderful CM sprinkled all of the participants with pixie dust:

The kids were on cloud nine and I was so excited because not only did my kids get to do it this year but other kids weren’t denied the opportunity. So if you are in the Magic Kingdom at rope drop, give it a try, as long as you get there within the first 5 minutes or so of Tinkerbells Treasures opening you should have a shot!!!
Then we headed into an empty Fantasyland (I JUST LOVE THE FEEL OF FANTASYLAND AT ROPE DROP!!!)

(do you see the construction facades here too)
We went to Peter Pan:

Then it was off to Small World (you can see the construction here too, the entrance is different due to the construction walls that are up):

Nothing like having Small World to yourself in the morning:

Lauren was so happy to ride, this is her FAVORITE ride and she couldn’t wait to experience it again this year:

One of the best things about having Small World to yourself, is we each get our own row on the boat : )

The empty boats in front of us:

Tim to say good bye to small world in many different languages:

Here’s a happy Luke exciting the ride:

Then we headed over to Philarmagic:

CONTINUED IN NEXT POST