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

[timandlesley]

Wow!!Great startAll of you look so happy, but especially Lauren!! She also looks sooo grown up!!
Hopes for continued safe travels!!

Yes, Lauren was on cloud nine, I know, my baby is growing up : (

Yay! The TR has started! Can't wait to hear about your 19 days!!! AKL looks awesome! I need to stay there, heck, I need to visit!

AKL is awesome, can't wait for you to experience it.

Loving the TR I can't wait to read more!

Welcome and thank you!

Unbelievable.. you guys are already starting the report before you are even home!!! Well since I started your pre-trip report I have ordered the Disney vacation DVD just to take a peak.... so I am looking forward to reading your reviews about it... Have not received it yet in the mail... Looking forward to more wonderful writing... this is so exciting!!!!

DVC is so awesome, especially owning at AKL, I'm so glad we own there. Glad you are enjoying the TR so far.

WOW what a difference a year makes. I can't believe how grown up Luke and Lauren look. I'm so glad you all had a wonderful time. for a safe trip home.

You have been so great keeping us updated throughout your trip and now you've started your trip report before you're even home!!!! I love reading all your reports. Thanks for being so dedicated!

I know, everyone is growing up so fast in this house. Glad you are enjoying the reports.

Hey Tim and Lesley,
Remember us? Kept up on your PTR but never wrote anything. Can't get on the internet any more at work so it leaves me little time for Dissing.

Welcome back from your awesome trip! AKL looks fabulous. Sophie says she wants to stay there next time. We left Disney the day after you got there. Had a wonderful stay at the Yacht Club. We loved being able to walk to Epcot.

Can't wait to hear more about your trip!

Alice

P.S. When will you be in Grand Haven? The girls and I are headed up with my sister and her kids on the 18th.

Hey Alice, of course I remember you! AKL is fabulous, you should take Sophie there, it is incredible! How did you enjoy the Yacht Club, being able to walk to Epcot would be great. We're in Grand Haven on the 18th as well, we'll have to meet up again!

This sounds like its gonna be a fun ride - subscribing!!

Welcome!

YEAH~! What a great start to your trip report! I completely agree about taking that first Disney bus ride to the parks- there is something so magical about that!

... looking forward to reading more...

I know, so magical! Glad you are enjoying it so far.

What a great start!! Your room looks awesome and your view is amazing.

Sorry your waitress was so rude. But it seems like it didn't ruin your day.

The view was amazing, wish I was sitting on that balcony now!

Lesley, we missed you at AKL by about 2 hours. We made a two day impromptu trip to Disney on our way home from the beach--and on Father's Day we stopped by AKL to look at the Savannah for a bit before we had dinner at Beaches and Cream. I can't believe we almost had an unexpected meeting--I would definitely have recognized you and the kids--though you wouldn't know me from a hole in the wall!

Thank you so much for starting your trip report! So far it's great. Can't wait to keep reading.

So funny, sorry we missed eachother. How did you like Beaches and Cream? It's o.k., if you ever see us be sure to say hi!
Lesley

Wow, Lesley, you amaze me! You just spent 19 days in Disney, and you've already started the report! No complaints here though! I, like all your other faithful readers having been patiently waiting for this!

I hate to hear about the service at Sci-Fi...We have a ressie there for our trip, so I certainly hope we don't end up with the same lady. But good for y'all for not letting it ruin the rest of your day!

I'm glad to hear that y'all loved AKV so much, and I can't wait to hear what you thought about SSR...We're thinking of buying there ourselves, so I'm excited to hear your review!

Glad you are enjoying it, I just love writing about our adventures, and wanted to get some done since we leave for another trip in a week. AKV is incredible, we liked SSR but it had many downsides to it that I'll discuss, definitely happy we own at AKV!
Lesley

Great start to your trip! Can't wait to read more!!!

Welcome!

Great start! I'm so excited that there are 18 days left to read about!!

YEAH!

I can't believe you started already . That's great that you already had two DIS meets and haven't even been there for a whole day yet . Your Studio at AKL looks amazing. Sorry about the rude waitress in Sci- FI , We had a great one in May. She suggested we switch drinks with our kids since we wanted them to have shakes. She even brought out Thomas a special dessert for his Bday. Anyway can't wait to hear more.

The studio was amazing. I can't stand rude waitresses, sorry you had a bad one too!
Lesley

Awww..how fun! Nice to see you started and hopefully you guys made it home safely and w/out too many issues. You really like Southwest, huh? I hear nothing but wonderful things about them but have never flown them, yet!

AKL looks beautiful! How nice to get the flowers and books from your agent! Sorry your waitress was rude (and yes she was rude!) to you but no way was it going to ruin your start!

Your family is beautiful and Luke and Lauren are just stinkin' adorable! I love seeing all the excitement in the pictures!! I can't wait to see more!

Heather

We made it home safely. Luke and I had head colds (got them the last 2 days in Disney) and the flight home made for HORRIBLE ear popping for us, I was in so much pain and luke cried the whole drive home from the airport, it was miserable, my ears still aren't 100% this morning. It was nice of Derek to send us the flowers and books. Thanks for the adorable kid comments, too sweet!
Lesley

 

[timandlesley]

so cool about your Dis meets! LOVE your view I can't wait to hear all about this amazing trip!

Yes, the Dismeets were great! More to come, thanks for reading!

I can't believe your trip is over already! Thanks for starting the trip report so fast. I look forward to them every year and it helps me make it through till my next trip.

you're welcome, I wanted to get a start on it since we leave again soon for another trip.

Great start Lesley ! Love all the pics of AKL I can't believe how grown up Lauren looks in the pics.

That is too funny that you saw Diane the first day.

There are a ton more pics of AKL so stay tuned! Yes, we run into Diane and her family quite a bit on this trip- stay tuned!

Wow Lesley, you sure know how to hit the ground running! Looks like a great trip so far, it's awesome you were able to talk some sense into Lauren about riding TOT! I'm glad she remembered she liked it.

I do have a question about the hallway undie run........
How did you keep Tim from joining in?

You are too funny!!! I didn't take pics of Tim joining in : ) : ) Just kidding : )

You beat us. I guess we only bought into the DVC a few weeks before you BUT we still haven't vacationed with our points yet.
We did stay in a DVC resort last January but we used my friends points.

I can't believe you started your TR already!!! I am just now fishing up with my January trip! I want to get it finished so that we can start to get excited about our next DVC trip!!! We are splitting up the stay between the Wilderness Villas and Bay Lake Tower!!!

Great start!
-nat

I hope you get to visit soon, it is just amazing. Bay Lake Tower will be great, that's where we are staying in October, can't wait!
Lesley

Hooray! Lovin' the trip report so far!

Thanks!

subbing! we will be in kidani in dec...looking foward to seeing more akl!

Thanks! Kidani looked beautiful!

I can't believe you have already started your TR! I am suddenly feeling very homesick for AKL right now!

You had me wanting to experience it so bad through your TR and experiencing it myself was just amazing, what an AWESOME resort!

Subbing to your report...like I could pass up 19 days of Disney!!

Welcome!

Yay! You started! Can't wait for the 22nd to start since we're both at the MK that day.

Too funny, it will be interesting to see how we just missed eachother that day.

Yeah!!! Tim and Lesley are back with details of their fun adventures. This should keep me dreaming til my next trip!

Have fun reading : )

Can't wait to read the next installment....

Already typed up, just waiting on Tim to upload the video : ) Stay tuned.

Welcome Home Gang!!!! I am so glad that you had such a wonderful time while you were away!!! You have already convinced me with those first few pictures that our next trip...after September...is DEFINITELY to stay at AKL!!!! I can't wait for more!

Thanks! AKL is AWESOME, you will love it, definitely put it on your list for the next time around!

See what happens when I try to be a good student and catch up on my online classes? I miss the beginning of a timandlesley report and am subjected to page 3.

Oh well...

I love the start of the TR, Lesley. AKL is so beautiful. I can't wait to hear all about your 19 (!!!) days in Disney.

You are too funny, well, congrats on being a good student, page 3 isn't so bad, you're still important to me : ) Glad you are enjoying the TR!
Lesley

wooHoo!! You guys have started!!!

Great start.. Can't wait to read more!!!!

Thanks!

Great start! Living vicariously through you since we aren't able to go this year We've never stayed at AK, but I'm really loving it from your pictures, may have to try it out next trip!! Can't wait for the next installment

So sorry you aren't able to go this year, hopefully this can bring some of the magic your way.

Can't wait to hear more!

Coming soon, already typed up but waiting on Tim to upload video.

So excited that you started this!!

Thanks Nicole

All caught up and off to a great start! I'm so excited to read it!

You should have complained about that waitress at Sci Fi. That is crazy rude! Poor Tim as it was Fathers Day!

We like to spend time at the resort and check it out on our first day too! So fun!

You're right, I should have complained, but just wanted to get the heck out of there.

Hi Tim and Lesley! I'm the one you recommended Derek to on NYE last year.You had PM'd me. Had my points in my acct on NYD!!! THANKS! Wonderful to see your pics of AKL. We have approx 40 days to check into AKVJambo,too 1BDR. for our first stay ever as DVC. I also understand that all 1BDR standard view are pool view, so happy to hear you confirm this. Didn't you also have a sleeper chair in there? I wish to ask for a room close to elevators, and straight down into pool,Mara, etc. like yours. I'll have to try to remember that room number, do you happen to have a floor map/plan to share? YUM those DOMES look so good! We'll be here to follow along with you!

Well hello, hope you are enjoying owning DVC, wait until you experience AKL for the first time as owners, it is awesome. no, there isn't a sleeper chair. All of the standard rooms are located with the pool view so are close to the elavators. I don't have a floor plan to share but they are on line.
Lesley

wow! 19 days that's amazing!! I am subbing, can't wait to hear more, especially because i am staying at AKL in 2 weeks, like you!

Have fun at AKL, you will love it!

It was cute that Luke and Lauren were able to take their new friends with them. We are thinking about buying DVC resale AKV and this has fueled the fire baby, I really like AKV. How was the sleeper sofa for the kids?

Yes, they had fun with Shae and Tyson. Glad I could fuel the fire : ) Sleeper sofa was fine, they didn't complain (too much : )

Wow! You're up to 4 pages already! I can't wait to hear all about it. I already commented on your blog...I'm the one from Grand Haven. I live in Kalamazoo now but 80% of my family still lives there. And my parents anniversary is on the 16th! I hope you enjoy your trip to Grand Haven. It's a beautiful place!

I know, always amazes me how many people enjoy reading, that's why I love doing it so much. Thanks for reading/commenting on the blog. Sprinkle Highway in Kalamazoo is named after my great grandfather (great man) Stanley Sprinkle. . .small world. Can't wait for Grand Haven, it is beautiful, love it there!
Lesley

Yeah....you started your trip report! I love to read your trip reports since my kids are the exact same age! It's funny to look at Luke & Lauren to realize how much they both have grown, but yet it's hard to notice in your own children sometimes (maybe that's wishful thinking that they are still your babies!).

Anyways, can't wait to read your TR!!!

Glad you enjoy reading them! Yes, they will always be my babies!

Wow, this is kind of like Disney, I had to get in a long line to post.
Love the title. Funny all the things you find after several visits that you just walked right by the other times.
I totally agree, pictures do not do AKL justice. The lobby alone is breathtaking.
Can't wait to read all about it.

Too funny, sorry for the long line : ) I know, the lobby is so pretty isn't it!

 

[timandlesley]

Great start!!!!

Sorry to hear about the bummer waitress at SciFi - I give you credit. I might have started crying if she had yelled at me!!!

Well, if it was me I might have started crying, but tim's not that type of guy when it comes to customer service : )

Absolutely WONDERFUL start! Thanks for starting so quickly.

You're awesome!

Sorry about that mean ole waitress, but glad it didn't ruin your first day! Hope the pull out was comfy for the kids. Loved the gifts from DVC...I'm SO tempted to join! Can't wait to read more...

Glad you are enjoying it so far. The pull out was o.k. for the kids, don't know if we'll get away with it when their teenagers but we'll take advantage of it now. Joining was the best thing we could have ever done!
Lesley

 

[billnang]

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

Angela

 

[tmkinney]

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.

 

[disneyfan61]

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..

 

[pmama]

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.

 

[Queenofallthings]

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.

 

[sharonW]

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!!!

 

[vassar36]

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?

 

[penguingirlie]

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!

 

[thumperbelle3]

I know, always amazes me how many people enjoy reading, that's why I love doing it so much. Thanks for reading/commenting on the blog. Sprinkle Highway in Kalamazoo is named after my great grandfather (great man) Stanley Sprinkle. . .small world. Can't wait for Grand Haven, it is beautiful, love it there!
Lesley

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

 

[Lovemy3babes]

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!

 

[ArielSRL]

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!

 

[Minnie824]

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!

 

[jblb1020]

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.

 

[Shell & Ted]

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

 

[Trentmom]

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 us

TO 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

 

[rentayenta]

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!

 

[SunnieRN]

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!