Finding the Magic ~ 3/27 a must watch for all disney fans!

[All7OfUs]

As you can probably guess, I have traveled MANY times without my DH and 5 kids to LOTS of foreign countries. I don't know if it will help, but here's a couple of things I did/do:

1) Have a good stern talk with them BEFORE you travel about your expectations. And that it is ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE they listen and obey EVERY time you say something. I even went to far as to tell them their lives may actually depend on that.

2) Take gum for sore ears, and a few snack (bagels work great or granola bars) for the unexpected delays/cancellations.

3) Put them in matching shirts. They will stand out and be remembered by the crowd and therefore less likely to be lost or snatched.

4) Make sure they get lots of rest bofore.

5) Let them take the iPod or gameboy, it will really help during those times of waiting.

6) Take a goody bag for them to open at various times along the way. Small treats like paper games, gummy bears, whatever. They are great for rewards.

Swallow a huge extra dose of patience- I have had to SOOOOO many times I can't even count. there were so many times that mommy almost had a meltdown (and a few times I actually did) and hey, a whole bunch of prayer helps a heap as well!!!

Hope you feel better VERY quickly and that your trip will be a huge fun thing!!

 

[NateNLogansDad]

I am loving your TR! We will be staying here for the first time in October this year! Unfortunately, we will be tagging along with my wife's mothers brother and sisters with all their family's in toe which for me means a Value Room so we can be near them. BUT we will be at the AKL for the first time

Keep up the good work. I need to learn what I can about the resort in the next 9 months

 

[dismagiclover]

My family loves the Animal Kingdom lodge too. It really does feel like you've been transported to another place. And there is nothing like waking up to views of African animals out your window. I hope it doesn't take you too long to find your room. And I really hope you get better quick and have a fabulous time in Mexico!

 

[mom2mek]

Hope you are feeling better today!

Great update - I love you "leaving one eye" there - I'll have to borrow that!! There is something about Disney that allows us to let our guard down just a tad, isn't there?

Can't wait to see your view!!

Sara

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

subbing! Your shots are great, what do you shoot with???

 

[PrincessV]

Each time we’ve been on the property we have had this emotional attachment to it.

I know just what you mean - there's something so special about AKL/AKV!

There are no bright florescent lights in the Lodge. Many who have come before us have complained about the resort lighting. I found it to be in complete check of the ambiance that the Imaginears were imagining.

ITA... for the lobby and public areas. Maybe even for the living rooms of the villas. But good grief - would it kill them to put a higher wattage in the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen lights? I couldn't find a white sock on a dark brown carpet with the windows open and every light on, lol!

Her next words all began blend together. I heard a few bits and pieces about where the room was, and it being pretty far down hall.

Ooooooh boy.... Both Jambo and Kidani easily rival the "Longwalk Villas" for endless hallways. I'm worried for you now!


Feel better!

 

[DisneyJo]

Get better soon Jen

Uh oh I hope you find your room soon and glad you got your eye back

 

[MEK]

Loved your update.

I hope you feel better really soon and enjoy your trip to Mexico.

AKL is one of my favorites. I agree with you. It is like being transported into a completely different culture. Out of all the resorts I have stayed in (all the values, all the mods, SSR, AKL, WL, and BLT) it is the most immersive. I am staying at BCV this May, but I am sure it won't be the same as AKL in that regards. We stayed in Kidani and absolutely loved it. But I really loved going over to AKL. I love the savannah. I love the cool cast members. I love all the cool artwork and I think the restaurants are fabulous.

I am really looking forward to reading more!

 

[princessjv]

Thank You Everyone for the well wishes! I think I broke my fever once and for all ... It's time to go to Mexico! We are leaving early Friday morning. Tomorrow I need to go get some pesos, food for the plane, pick up my house and Tink and I need to get our Mani/Pedi's! A lot to do last minute, but it will all be fine. Soon I'll be sipping a beverage on the beach!

As you can probably guess, I have traveled MANY times without my DH and 5 kids to LOTS of foreign countries. I don't know if it will help, but here's a couple of things I did/do:

All great tips! I esp. like threatening them with their life.

I am loving your TR! We will be staying here for the first time in October this year! Unfortunately, we will be tagging along with my wife's mothers brother and sisters with all their family's in toe which for me means a Value Room so we can be near them. BUT we will be at the AKL for the first time

You'll LOVE, LOVE, Love this resort! So will your boys!

My family loves the Animal Kingdom lodge too. It really does feel like you've been transported to another place. And there is nothing like waking up to views of African animals out your window. I hope it doesn't take you too long to find your room. And I really hope you get better quick and have a fabulous time in Mexico!

It is amazing how they themed this resort so PERFECTLY! I just get warm fuzzes thinking about it!

Great update - I love you "leaving one eye" there - I'll have to borrow that!! There is something about Disney that allows us to let our guard down just a tad, isn't there?

Can't wait to see your view!!

Sara

The view is up next! I loved it!

Yes- do use the one eye. Seriously they think that I really have some magic mom power.

subbing! Your shots are great, what do you shoot with???

ohhh Thanks! I have to tell you that I do love taking great shots... but this trip I was not into it! I used a newish point and shoot for much of the trip. It's a Panasonic Luminix. Hubs did his research for a small point and shoot and sadly it isn't living up to what I wish it would. Oh well!

I also had my Cannon Rebel with, so if I had good shots, my guess is I had the big camera with me at the time.

:
ITA... for the lobby and public areas. Maybe even for the living rooms of the villas. But good grief - would it kill them to put a higher wattage in the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen lights? I couldn't find a white sock on a dark brown carpet with the windows open and every light on, lol!

Yes! The vanity area for sure could

Uh oh I hope you find your room soon and glad you got your eye back

We did find our way!

AKL is one of my favorites. I agree with you. It is like being transported into a completely different culture. Out of all the resorts I have stayed in (all the values, all the mods, SSR, AKL, WL, and BLT) it is the most immersive. I am staying at BCV this May, but I am sure it won't be the same as AKL in that regards. We stayed in Kidani and absolutely loved it. But I really loved going over to AKL. I love the savannah. I love the cool cast members. I love all the cool artwork and I think the restaurants are fabulous.

I am really looking forward to reading more!

I'm very interested in hearing the differences between the two resorts. What did you like about Kidani?

You'll LOVE BCV. Esp. the POOL!

 

[mrsksomeday]

I really am loving your trip report, you have a way with words.

I am happy you got a room in the area you wanted. Those resorts are huge I could see how you could get lost.

It is great that your fever broke. Have safe travels and a wonderful trip.

 

[mom2mek]

Have a great trip, Jen!!

Sara

 

[princessjv]

I really am loving your trip report, you have a way with words.

Awwweee... Thank you@ You are always sooo kind!

Have a great trip, Jen!!

Sara

Thanks Sara!

-----------------------------------------



MAJOR Issue!!!! Hubs flight out tomorrow is being cancelled!!! They are trying to re-route him from Arkansas to Cincinatti or back home (which would be great, then he could fly with us... but there is NO guarentee...all flights are overbooked!)


Can I just lay down and cry?


Is this a sign that our Mexican Vacation is doomed? First Tink is sick, then me and now Hubs is STUCK!

 

[Miz Diz]

Is this a sign that our Mexican Vacation is doomed? First Tink is sick, then me and now Hubs is STUCK!

[/COLOR][/B]

Did you make it to Mexico?


Tink sounds just like my Baby Girl!
Love your writing. Can't wait to read more.

 

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

MAJOR Issue!!!! Hubs flight out tomorrow is being cancelled!!! They are trying to re-route him from Arkansas to Cincinatti or back home (which would be great, then he could fly with us... but there is NO guarentee...all flights are overbooked!)

Oh no! I am so sorry. Good thoughts to you that it will all work out in your favor

 

[lovegrumpy]

Hope hubby can make it home.

 

[mkluvsmickey]

I agree with you about the feeling you get at Animal Kingdom Lodge. I didn't think I'd like it there as much as I do. Such a great feeling being there! And man, those hallways are long, I can totally see how one could get lost.

Glad you are feeling better and ready for your trip to Mexico tomorrow. Was hubby able to get home? What a mess! Soon you will be able to relax though. Have a great time!!

 

[princessjv]

Great News!

Hubs got a flight out of Arkansas to Atlanta, before they cancelled all flights out. So as long as ATL doesn't shut down he'll be able to catch his connection tomorrow morning. I feel bad for Hubs. He had to rush from his client, rusn to his hotel and pack, check out and run to the airport in attempts to catch any flight out of the airport before they cancelled everything in the morning. What a way to start his b-day trip!

Thanks for all of the well wishes!

Here is my promised update. Now I'm off to catch a few zzz's before an early wake up. A car is coming for the kids and I at 6:30. That's early for us!

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Have a safe trip! Hope the hubby is doing OK.

 

[princessjv]

We left off with me totally getting my kiddo's & myself lost.


Lost, Lost, LOST!



We had traveled down the never-ending hallway, until it ended, and our room was not there. It was as if the room numbers just vanished.


Here we were, at the end of the worlds longest hallway {if you think Boardwalk hallways are long…}, me pushing a stroller containing not a child, but a duffle bag, a back pack hung from each handle bar, my purse over my shoulder, Tink holding my purse, so she stays with me, Peter 100 steps behind us {which is a norm for him} pulling the rolling suitcase and we were lost.


Poo!

I must have looked lost because another guest stopped me and asked where I was headed.

When I gave him my coordinates---- He said he had no clue.

The sympathetic guest directed my posse’ back down the hallway to a phone, in which I was told that I was on the total wrong side of the resort.

Oupsie!

Lesson learned?

Don’t get too excited at check in and forget to listen and read where on earth you are going.

I learned that lesson.

{The hard way.}

Oh well.

I’m not sure if we could have been any further away from where our room actually was.

We headed back down the hall, into the main lodge, gave a quick {hi/bye} to the DVC guy who had seen us minutes before and headed straight to the OTHER side of the resort.


Way too cool for school theming!

What we were about to find out is that our room was {Literally} on the opposite side, of the resort.

After our 3 hour tour of the Animal Kingdom Lodge, pulling my kids along, down the long corridors, with our too many carryon luggage pieces for one person to possible handle on their own…

{Kids stopping every 50 feet to peak out the hallway windows to search for animals.} ~ AHHH! THIS IS THE DIFFERNECE IN HALLWAYS FROM THE BOARDWALK! AKL has "carrots" aka windows looking out to the savanna, along the way to get you down the fall.


When animals were spotted the entire hallway would hear {whether of not wanted to} the squeals of delight that THEY {my kids} in fact FOUND an ANIMAL.

I was trying to tell them to wait until we were in our room. There would be plenty of animals to watch, trying to persuade my kids to move along!

Finally…

We found our room!

{Insert the sounds of Angels singing!}

My kids performed what would be the ritual for the next 11 days.

They fought over who would get to open the door!

{Go figure.}

It was at that point they began taking turns opening the door of our new home{s}. Just one of several lessons {sharing} they had to deal with… fast!

We were in a studio in the Villa’s. Like the rest of the resort, when we opened the door we were greeted with dim lighting. I have heard complaints about the lighting in this resort, and I like others had to adjust to this minor irritant. Yes, it was darker than what one might be used to, and yes putting makeup on is more of an obstacle.

At the same time the lighting is in complete theming of the resort, and at a benefit of the animals that we are privy to observe whilst at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

{a titch better lighting in the vanity area may make a girl pee herself with delight... just sayin}.

After opening the door there was a small portion of a “hall”, with our “kitchenette” on the right. Granite counter tops, nice toaster, coffee maker, fridge and microwave sit in the area.


Tink may be attempting to be in this picture.
Straight across of the kitchenette is an ample vanity area, again with granite counter tops, in addition double sinks and a beautiful mirror.
{Ours also included a fun little towel mouse!}


The bathroom was clean, with the addition of the curved shower bar, which remarkably adds just enough “extra space whilst showering”. {Thanks Disney for the “extra” comfort!}









The living area included a queen-sized bed, with pillows and bedding in colors themed perfectly. All of the furniture is rich, dark & chunky. My only complaint of the room came from it’s lack of storage.






There is one chest of drawers and armoire with shelves, but the armoire also contains the pack and play, extra bedding and the vacuum that comes with the room.






The only savior I found in the space department was that the queen-sized bed was up off the floor. The bed did not contain the dreaded floor board that many resort rooms have, so all of our luggage could easily be slipped under the bed and out of the way.





The best part of the room was not inside of it’s walls, it laid outside.




Our deck!





With it’s ample size {the length of the room}, the deck gave what was worth the price of the room… in gold.


The view from our balcony was of the animals roaming, in what was as similar to a true savanna, as one would hope for inside of North America.




We would spend hours and hours watching, waiting for animals in the days to come. Enjoying both the sights and sounds of the animals within the savanna.



It was truly a room with a great view!



The kids and I were quick to drop everything we had and run to the balcony. Who was out there? Zebra’s & Giraffe! ???







Looking to the left




I finished taking the obligatory room photo’s and the kids enjoyed roaming around the room. It was a discovery time for them! They opened drawers, doors, peeked under pillows and made themselves at home.


We were excited to show Hubs the room. We knew that he would LOVE it! But at this point the poor guy was stuck in an airport awaiting a connecting flight to Orlando.


We gave Hubs a call and the kids were excited to share everything they had experienced. I could tell that Hubs was anxious to get there and begin our vacation… all together!


Since Hubs had our luggage there was only so much I could do to get settled.


I unpacked and strategized where I’d put the rest of our items, once our luggage was there.

{Which had to be done in the most creative manner, since storage space was at a prime.}


We had come from a chilly fall day up north, and the day was warm in Orlando. Being alone with the kids made me a bit nervous to venture too far. {I got over it fast!}


It was a perfect time to go explore!

 

[MeMom]

Looks like you've been posting instead of sleeping.

I love all the pictures. Jill, the girls, and I stayed in a room that looked just like that for her Mother's Day surprise gift to me. Sitting out on the balcony overlooking the pool was just fabulous. It would have been a wonderful trip if we had just stayed right there the whole time and never have seen a park. So nice!

Safe and happy travels to you this week!