Discovering DVC timandlesley style-A PTR, 19 days TRIP REPORT LINK PG.119!!!!!

[Happydog]

Thanks for sharing, as always! The Pirates club sounds perfect! As a mom of two boys I see it being a big sell for ours, if not this trip then in December! RE the choice at AK, I think holding on with what you have is the best bet -- You can always check out the pool, etc. right? May have some "new construction" challenges, and the convenience for Mara etc. seems to be the wise choice... You will have plenty of vacations to try it, right?

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Wow! Time is really flying.

Thanks for the Earth review. I was debating taking my DD who is also 5. I think we will go this weekend. I was worried about it being too gory. She watches Animal Planet all the time , but if it gets hairy , we turn it. So I appreciate the heads up on the movie!!

 

[punkin413]

loved the beach mini TR!!!! it looks like a blast. the story about the seagulls was so scary for me! crazy! oh, and thanks for the heads up that t-rex takes ressies 6 months out. my boss is going in december and i know she was interested in going there.

 

[Trentmom]

Kadani Village looks beautiful

So excited about Pirates experience for the boys

 

[Nicole786]

I don't like the lack of CS either, did you see allears.net info? It's right on the home page and has some really cool info!! I would stick with Jambo house for now. AKV looks almost identical to the lodge except its a much smaller lobby. I do like how the buses stop at Kidani before Jambo though that might be something to consider.

 

[podsnel]

Did you see this blog? It has 3 installments, a TON of info on Kidani & GORGEOUS photos-
http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2009/04/animal_kingdom_lodge_kidani_vi.html

Do you ALWAYS have breakfast at the hotel? Or do you sometimes go to the parks early for breakfast?

I LOVE your tr's- you have such a fun family!! I always wondered about Kiawah- I've only been to HHI, and I thought it was awesome! Kiawah looks very similar-

 

[IluvXU]

Okay my two cents... I would switch if I could.

The pool area is beyond fabulous... love all the pics, the kids would love it, and they might outgrow some of it in the next few years.

Secondly you are there for 18 days... you will have lots of time to really enjoy the pool and if need be to stop and get a breakfast at the parks.

Thirdly could you get some cereal bowls and eat a bowl in the room... the get a morning snack.

Fourth it is brand spanking new... I cannot imagine how nice that would be.

Finally don't you have a lot of breakfast ADRS .... how many mornings do you really need to have a big breakfast!


Either way it will be fantastic!

Also I know that you said Lauren liked it, but do you think a three year old would make it through? I want to take the girls...

have a fantastic weekend,

Laura

 

[White as Snow]

Oh my goodness, Kidani looks like it will be a dream!

The pirate version of BBB sounds SO neat! Have told Luke about it yet, or is it going to be a surprise?

I need your planning skills right now! I have very little time to plan the itinerary for our May/graduation trip (ptr link below) and am having planning stage fright or something because I'm SO afraid I'll plan poorly and run us into huge crowds!

The 50s will FLY by - I love the countdown calendar - so cute!

 

[timandlesley]

Oh my goodness, Kidani looks like it will be a dream!

The pirate version of BBB sounds SO neat! Have told Luke about it yet, or is it going to be a surprise?

I need your planning skills right now! I have very little time to plan the itinerary for our May/graduation trip (ptr link below) and am having planning stage fright or something because I'm SO afraid I'll plan poorly and run us into huge crowds!

The 50s will FLY by - I love the countdown calendar - so cute!

I know, doesn't it!!! I wonder what the costs for the pirate thing will be. Yes, I told Luke, he wasn't that excited to be honest, I was bummed, I'm sure he will once he understands more what it is and we can give him details. I'll start sending planning vibes your way ; )
Lesley

Okay my two cents... I would switch if I could.

The pool area is beyond fabulous... love all the pics, the kids would love it, and they might outgrow some of it in the next few years.

Secondly you are there for 18 days... you will have lots of time to really enjoy the pool and if need be to stop and get a breakfast at the parks.

Thirdly could you get some cereal bowls and eat a bowl in the room... the get a morning snack.

Fourth it is brand spanking new... I cannot imagine how nice that would be.

Finally don't you have a lot of breakfast ADRS .... how many mornings do you really need to have a big breakfast!


Either way it will be fantastic!

Also I know that you said Lauren liked it, but do you think a three year old would make it through? I want to take the girls...

have a fantastic weekend,

Laura

Laura, you bring up some GREAT points, you inspired a phone call I'll post what happened in a minute : )
As for the movie, I don't know, probably would be long for her, could you and Hannah just go??
Lesley

Did you see this blog? It has 3 installments, a TON of info on Kidani & GORGEOUS photos-
http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2009/04/animal_kingdom_lodge_kidani_vi.html

Do you ALWAYS have breakfast at the hotel? Or do you sometimes go to the parks early for breakfast?

I LOVE your tr's- you have such a fun family!! I always wondered about Kiawah- I've only been to HHI, and I thought it was awesome! Kiawah looks very similar-

Yes, our DVC guide sent it to me today actually. We have several sit down breakfasts planned during our AKL stay, I'll update what we decided about Kidani in a minute
Glad you enjoy the TR's, we do have fun ; ) Kiawah is GREAT, I've never been to Hilton Head, just Kiawah and Myrtle Beach, Kiawah is THE BEST!

I don't like the lack of CS either, did you see allears.net info? It's right on the home page and has some really cool info!! I would stick with Jambo house for now. AKV looks almost identical to the lodge except its a much smaller lobby. I do like how the buses stop at Kidani before Jambo though that might be something to consider.

I know, I wonder why they didn't put some small counterservice there. Yes, I saw the info on allears. Yes, the bus stop is definitely an advantage of Kidani too.

Kadani Village looks beautiful

So excited about Pirates experience for the boys

Doesn't it, great pics have been posted, can't wait to see it in person.
The pirate things is so cool, long time coming, can't wait til' they release more info and take ressies.

loved the beach mini TR!!!! it looks like a blast. the story about the seagulls was so scary for me! crazy! oh, and thanks for the heads up that t-rex takes ressies 6 months out. my boss is going in december and i know she was interested in going there.

Glad you enjoyed it, OMG those seagulls were REALLY scary! Glad you got a heads up about Trex

Wow! Time is really flying.

Thanks for the Earth review. I was debating taking my DD who is also 5. I think we will go this weekend. I was worried about it being too gory. She watches Animal Planet all the time , but if it gets hairy , we turn it. So I appreciate the heads up on the movie!!

I know, time is flying and that is GREAT!!! Your welcome about the movie review, let me know what you think.

Thanks for sharing, as always! The Pirates club sounds perfect! As a mom of two boys I see it being a big sell for ours, if not this trip then in December! RE the choice at AK, I think holding on with what you have is the best bet -- You can always check out the pool, etc. right? May have some "new construction" challenges, and the convenience for Mara etc. seems to be the wise choice... You will have plenty of vacations to try it, right?

You are welcome, I agree pirates sound great, can't wait for more info about it. Yes, we'll definitely be checking out the pool!

Hi Lesley! Too funny, I don't know if you saw it, but I posted an update this morning about the boys new pirate thing! Thanks for the info about the add on...in today's world of uncertainty I think you made a good decision The opportunity to add on will ALWAYS be there! As far as switching to Kidani, if you were on the regular dining during that portion of your trip, then I might say go for it but being that you will be on the deluxe dining, I would stick with Jambo. Going right downstairs to the Mara will be better then worrying about catching a bus. Also, if you did stay at Kidani and decided just to grab snacks instead of counter service then you will have alot of credits to try and use up and then the value of the plan would go down! I hope that made sense! YAY for the 50's

Diane

I didn't see it at first, great minds think alike : ) Are you guys at Jambo? I thought you were, were you tempted to switch??

I just got caught up and I'm glad you all had a great time at the beach! It looks like a gorgeous area I love the countdown calendar too!

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

Lesley--Those pictures are amazing!

I am not sure what you should do. I think whatever your family would enjoy the most. If a big breakfast is important than I would just stay at Jambo House.

That is so cool about the new BBB experience for boys.

I am planning on seeing that new Earth movie. I am glad you all liked it!

Aren't they amazing, make it VERY tempting. Let me know what you think of earth.

Oh My Goodness Gracious!! Kidani Village is absolutely gorgeous!! Thanks for sharing all of these pictures. We're staying at a Studio Room in Jambo House in September and now I'm almost regretting not trying to stay in Kidani Village... We might try to get an ADR at Sanaa though... I know from your last TRs that your family really, really does take advantage of the CS restaurants. I could see this really being an issue... It says that everyone staying at either part of AKL can experience the things at the other half--so this includes the pool, right? If so, you could make it a special swimming time and go over and use the Kidani Village kids area Wow--so gorgeous! I'm sure whatever you decide will be GREAT and there's always forever--You have DVC!!!

My goodness gracious I agree ; ) I am tempted about Sanna, but not sure if Tim would like their food and want to try out Boma this trip. I believe we'll have full access to both pools so that is cool!
Lesley

Lesley, your commentary on the movie makes me want to go see it! You should be a critic.

Hey, that would be a fun side job : )

Yeah, I saw those pics yesterday. They look amazing.

Me personally, I would stick with where you have breakfast options. A big breakfast is essential for Disney in the summer, or anytime for that matter. Plus taking a bus to Jambo house seems like it would be inconvenient, and eat up precious Disney time. I would wait and see what people report about actually staying there. Since it is new, they might have some "kinks" to work out. Although, that pool looks AWESOME!!!

Wow!! Time sure does fly!!! Doing the 50's Dance with ya'!!!

Thanks for the input : ) Thanks for dancin' with us

 

[timandlesley]

Hi everyone!
Disney update first:
After looking at the new pictures that were released today of Kidani that were AMAZING I called DVC and found out they only had 2 of the 7 nights of ours available. SO I put us on the waitlist. . . . I'm not holding my breath that it will come through, but it makes it fun and I figure we'll end up where we are supposed to be . I'll let you know if it comes through.
I had the most STRESSFUL day at work today and came home with a terrible headache and in a super bad mood. But it was BEAUTIFUL here (finally 80's and sunny) so we headed to Kings Island, what a great night. They have a new roller coaster called Diamond Back there, OH MY GOSH it was the MOST AMAZING RIDE I HAVE EVER RIDDEN, I felt like I was flying. Opening day people were waiting 6 hours to ride it, Tim and I both WALKED on tonight. Instantly the stress of my day and headache was gone, GREAT feeling.
I hope each of you have a wonderful weekend.
Lesley

 

[IluvXU]

Hi everyone!
Disney update first:
After looking at the new pictures that were released today of Kidani that were AMAZING I called DVC and found out they only had 2 of the 7 nights of ours available. SO I put us on the waitlist. . . . I'm not holding my breath that it will come through, but it makes it fun and I figure we'll end up where we are supposed to be . I'll let you know if it comes through.
I had the most STRESSFUL day at work today and came home with a terrible headache and in a super bad mood. But it was BEAUTIFUL here (finally 80's and sunny) so we headed to Kings Island, what a great night. They have a new roller coaster called Diamond Back there, OH MY GOSH it was the MOST AMAZING RIDE I HAVE EVER RIDDEN, I felt like I was flying. Opening day people were waiting 6 hours to ride it, Tim and I both WALKED on tonight. Instantly the stress of my day and headache was gone, GREAT feeling.
I hope each of you have a wonderful weekend.
Lesley

I saw you and Lauren when we were on Aviatar, so glad that you rode the new rollercoaster. We were a bit too bus with the three, but it sure was a fantastic night at Kings!

BTW it must be in the air... we had a terrible day too at school!

 

[Trentmom]

Hi everyone!
Disney update first:
After looking at the new pictures that were released today of Kidani that were AMAZING I called DVC and found out they only had 2 of the 7 nights of ours available. SO I put us on the waitlist. . . . I'm not holding my breath that it will come through, but it makes it fun and I figure we'll end up where we are supposed to be . I'll let you know if it comes through.
I had the most STRESSFUL day at work today and came home with a terrible headache and in a super bad mood. But it was BEAUTIFUL here (finally 80's and sunny) so we headed to Kings Island, what a great night. They have a new roller coaster called Diamond Back there, OH MY GOSH it was the MOST AMAZING RIDE I HAVE EVER RIDDEN, I felt like I was flying. Opening day people were waiting 6 hours to ride it, Tim and I both WALKED on tonight. Instantly the stress of my day and headache was gone, GREAT feeling.
I hope each of you have a wonderful weekend.
Lesley

Good luck on the wait list. But you are right, don't stress about it and just see what happens when the time comes...that will be wherever you were meant to be in the first place

King's Island looks like such a blast. When Trent get a few years older, hope to take him to Ohio to Cedarpoint...That place looks awesome. Have you ever been there ?

 

[lmillercrew]

I am so far behind. Last I read, you were leaving for your beach trip!! I'm so glad that you had a nice vacation and that you were able to spend time with your family.
I think that you should stay at Kinadi, (I think I spelled that right) if you can get in. Either way, I know you'll have fun.
I wish my DS was little and would want to do that pirate thing. Hopefully they will make it fun for bigger boys like Luke.

 

[MRNsMommy]

Good luck with Kidani! It really does look amazing! And if not this time, then there's always the next!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Lesley! I'm finally all caught up. I've had such a busy April - just got back from Vegas on Monday. I'm glad you had such a great Easter weekend - looks like an amazing place! I'm so excited for you about Kidani! We tried to go see it in March, but they wouldn't let us over there yet, and we missed the showing at SSR. I would stay there, because it is brand spankin new and so cool! I don't know why they don't have CS, though. What's with all the African food in Africa!

 

[Loafmastermom]

Wow, walked right on Diamondback! impressive. I figured the waits would be around for weeks. Before we left Mason, I worked on the 4th floor of Luxottica and we spent the winter months watching them build the ride from our windows. We'd come back from lunch and be like "looks like we got another hump put up today".

 

[kaysmommie]

Kings Island sounds like a fun night out after a lousy day. Hope you are enjoying the beautiful weather today too. Hoping your wait list comes through for Kidani, it looks amazing. Thanks for the info on the tipping envelopes. it should work out great.

 

[dddisrunner]

Hi everyone!
Disney update first:
After looking at the new pictures that were released today of Kidani that were AMAZING I called DVC and found out they only had 2 of the 7 nights of ours available. SO I put us on the waitlist. . . . I'm not holding my breath that it will come through, but it makes it fun and I figure we'll end up where we are supposed to be . I'll let you know if it comes through.
I had the most STRESSFUL day at work today and came home with a terrible headache and in a super bad mood. But it was BEAUTIFUL here (finally 80's and sunny) so we headed to Kings Island, what a great night. They have a new roller coaster called Diamond Back there, OH MY GOSH it was the MOST AMAZING RIDE I HAVE EVER RIDDEN, I felt like I was flying. Opening day people were waiting 6 hours to ride it, Tim and I both WALKED on tonight. Instantly the stress of my day and headache was gone, GREAT feeling.
I hope each of you have a wonderful weekend.
Lesley

I hope your waitlist comes through! I would love to stay there but we are at SSR the first 12 nights and BWV the last 3 so no Kidani for us this trip! I am hoping to check it out though the night we eat at Boma! So cool about the new ride. I googled it and watched it and it looks SO FUN!!!

 

[timandlesley]

I hope your waitlist comes through! I would love to stay there but we are at SSR the first 12 nights and BWV the last 3 so no Kidani for us this trip! I am hoping to check it out though the night we eat at Boma! So cool about the new ride. I googled it and watched it and it looks SO FUN!!!

DUH Diane, sorry, I knew that because you were saying you'd stayed there before and wanted to try BWV, sorry my brain wasn't working today.
We need to get our dates together and find our by the pool drink night!!!

Kings Island sounds like a fun night out after a lousy day. Hope you are enjoying the beautiful weather today too. Hoping your wait list comes through for Kidani, it looks amazing. Thanks for the info on the tipping envelopes. it should work out great.

Kings Island was a fun night out. . Thanks, I hope the wait list comes through too. Glad the tipping envelopes idea helped you!

Wow, walked right on Diamondback! impressive. I figured the waits would be around for weeks. Before we left Mason, I worked on the 4th floor of Luxottica and we spent the winter months watching them build the ride from our windows. We'd come back from lunch and be like "looks like we got another hump put up today".

I know, I couldn't believe it! The way they interlaced it throughour the park is quite impressive ; )

Hi Lesley! I'm finally all caught up. I've had such a busy April - just got back from Vegas on Monday. I'm glad you had such a great Easter weekend - looks like an amazing place! I'm so excited for you about Kidani! We tried to go see it in March, but they wouldn't let us over there yet, and we missed the showing at SSR. I would stay there, because it is brand spankin new and so cool! I don't know why they don't have CS, though. What's with all the African food in Africa!

Yeah, glad you are caught up. Never been to Vegas. . .. I hope we get to stay there, we'll see what happens with our wait list. Funny about the food in Africa! Actually I've seen threads started about people complaining about that, too funny!

Good luck with Kidani! It really does look amazing! And if not this time, then there's always the next!

Thanks, we'll see what happens!

I am so far behind. Last I read, you were leaving for your beach trip!! I'm so glad that you had a nice vacation and that you were able to spend time with your family.
I think that you should stay at Kinadi, (I think I spelled that right) if you can get in. Either way, I know you'll have fun.
I wish my DS was little and would want to do that pirate thing. Hopefully they will make it fun for bigger boys like Luke.

Well, glad you are getting caught up. I'm hoping the pirate thing opens up when we're there and that we can get a ressie for Luke - I'll be interested to see what it is exactly!

Good luck on the wait list. But you are right, don't stress about it and just see what happens when the time comes...that will be wherever you were meant to be in the first place

King's Island looks like such a blast. When Trent get a few years older, hope to take him to Ohio to Cedarpoint...That place looks awesome. Have you ever been there ?

Thanks, we'll see how it turns out.
Yes, we've been to Cedar point, lots of great coasters there. Cedar Fair bought Kings Island so now we are getting the great rides too!

I saw you and Lauren when we were on Aviatar, so glad that you rode the new rollercoaster. We were a bit too bus with the three, but it sure was a fantastic night at Kings!

BTW it must be in the air... we had a terrible day too at school!

Too funny, you should have screamed at us. We were babysitting so we had extra kids in tow. Hope your school days get better . . .summer will be here SOON!!!
Lesley

 

[timandlesley]

Hi guys, boy was it an AWESOME WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was in the mid-80's and sunny here without the humidity, it was WONDERFUL! We got tons of stuff done in the yard, got new sprinklers and outdoor stuff so the kids could have fun outside. Kids had soccer and baseball games and we got lots of sun.
Now if I could just get a nap................ so sleepy!
Anyway... 56 days until Disney
I have all of the money in an envelope downstairs to pay for our Disney Dining when we check in. This not being allowed to pay for dining until you get there has me confused. I don't want to carry it in cash. I don't want to put it in our checking account because I think there is a limit on how much can be charged each day on our bank card and don't want to be denied at check in without a backup plan. I'm contemplating getting travelers checks for our dining money. I don't know what to do.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Now that they have the Pirate experience HOPEFULLY coming out for our trip I wanted to book BBB for Lauren. I figure, she'll only be young enough to enjoy this experience a few more years and we didn't do it last year so what the heck. BOY was it hard to find a ressie. I wanted it to be on a day/night where we had a dining with princess meal. So I got her in at 1 o'clock at the Magic Kingdom botique on the night we have 1900 Park Fare. Now I guess I have to get her a Cinderella dress to wear too huh, shoot this is getting pricey. Thing that stinks about that ressie is we're at HS that day, so I guess after lunch at Hollywood Studios Lauren and I will have to head over there and the boys can meet us at the hotel before dinner. I guess it will all work out.
I need to type up our dining ressies, start working on tipping money, etc. Get packing lists together, figure out souvenier money, overall budget, etc. I guess I will focus on all of that as soon as school gets out (only 26 more school days!).
Well, I hope each of you had a great weekend!
Lesley
Lesley