MelessaG
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2004
- Messages
- 1,295
Cast of Characters
Me- WDW nut who just may love planning trips more than taking them
DH-reluctant escort who I think may enjoy WDW more than he lets us know
Little Tink- almost 7 year-old WDW vet and budding park commando like mom
Sonny Boy-4 year-old "Stitch" fan who acts a lot like 626
Bitty Princess-2 year-old Diva
Baby Girl-6 month old along for the ride
MeMe-My mom and doting grandmother
PaPa-my Dad and mentor in vacationing 'commando-style'
DSis-My youngest sis, pregnant on the trip wed last July
DBIL-Sis' new husband, an unknown quantity, and birthday boy this trip
Leaving Little Tink behind with MeMe and PaPa, DH and I took the others to the AKL to check in. I warned him that it might be a long wait, because we didn't take care of it in the morning as I had planned. I was also a little concerned about walking into the lobby of a Disney Deluxe resort looking like I had just spent the day in the theme parks. DH thought this was very funny and with good reason when we walked into the lobby about found oursevles surrounded by many other families who looked just the same. To my pleasant surprise, we walked right in and right up to the check-in desk. Everything was in order and we had been upgraded from a pool view to a Savannah! The only glitch was that we had a room with two doubles when I knew Little Tink and Sonny Boy would need bunk beds. I politely asked if it would be possible to change that and about 45 seconds later, we were all settled. In about 5 minutes we had our room keys and a map. I was so excited I was bouncing more than the kids. Of course, they didn't know about the Savannah view, yet.
We did have a pretty good hike each day from the elevator, but no one was complaining. We were at the AKL! We walked into the room. The kids admired the Mickey soaps, the bunk bed, and the TV cabinet (which was beautiful) when I summoned them over to the curtains and opened them. We walked out onto the balcony and saw giraffes! Of all animals, giraffes are my personal favorite, so I knew we had the right room. The kids were enthralled, and just sat out on the balcony mesmerized. Before long, our suitcases were brought up and we had the Pack-n-Play set up for Baby Girl. I loved the Mickey sheet provided, and even more, I loved that I got to leave our Pack-n-Play downstairs in the car. I let Bitty Princess enjoy our view all that she could, because in order for us to stay at the AKL, one of the kids had to stay at the timeshare each night. (before you feel too sorry for Bitty Princess, she loved staying with MeMe and PaPa and getting spoiled rotten and I loved not having to worry about her climbing on the bunks, not to mention letting someone else deal with her 2 year-old tantrums for a change)
We had plenty of time to get settled and cleaned up for our 6:30 PS at Boma's. In fact, we got there early. My sister is a vegetarian and BIL has had to change his diet somwhat since they got married. Both of them love spicy food and it was BIL's birthday and I wanted them to have a special treat. Once everyone arrived (with Little Tink sporting two more new pins on her lanyard-thanks MeMe!), I checked in and, with a minimal wait, we were seated. (I have to mention here how impressed I am at how easily WDW can seat such big parties of people.) Our server was very helpful-I say that because Dad wanted to know all about the pressed pot coffee and Mom wanted some SOuth African wine advice. Given my Disney expertise, they looked to me but I drink neither coffee or wine and was clueless. I guess the server (can't remember his name) gave some good answers because they ordered both and were very happy. Then it was time to load our plates...
I once spent almost two years in Italy, where I befriended several African immigrants. So, some of the food was familiar to me-and very welcome. I loved the FuFu and the potatoes with Afritude best. BIL wasn't quite as daring as I thought, and mostly ate the salmon and some mac and cheese from the kids' section. DH likes his food spicy as does DSis, they both made several trips before dessert. I wish I could give the detailed bite-by-bite reports that I read here, but I spent most of this trip sneaking bites while making sure my kids were eating something without making themselves a nuisance to those around us. I did love the Zebra Domes and the banana bread pudding.
DSis must have told our server it was DBIL's birthday (he made me promise I wouldn't), because he brought over a little Mickey-head cake and candle at the end of the meal. He didn't make anyone sing because he said he didn't think BIL would like it. I think BIL was happiest with an acknowledgement of his day without any accompanying humiliation. (he's still new, we'll get him next time) Dinner was good, but I could tell Bitty Princess was getting tired so it was time for MeMe and PaPa to go, after a brief tour of our room. Little Tink had been in the parks, and was really excited to see where she would be staying. It was dark and the animals were gone, but that worked to our advantage because Bitty Princess had no misgivings about leaving and the other kids were quite willing to go to bed. Once they were settled and Baby Girl was tucked in, I finally spread out on our bed. I don't know if it's the AKL or the fact that I was tired, but I remember thinking that it was possibly one of the most comfortable beds I had ever slept on, and that was about my last thought before I fell asleep too.
Me- WDW nut who just may love planning trips more than taking them
DH-reluctant escort who I think may enjoy WDW more than he lets us know
Little Tink- almost 7 year-old WDW vet and budding park commando like mom
Sonny Boy-4 year-old "Stitch" fan who acts a lot like 626
Bitty Princess-2 year-old Diva
Baby Girl-6 month old along for the ride
MeMe-My mom and doting grandmother
PaPa-my Dad and mentor in vacationing 'commando-style'
DSis-My youngest sis, pregnant on the trip wed last July
DBIL-Sis' new husband, an unknown quantity, and birthday boy this trip
Leaving Little Tink behind with MeMe and PaPa, DH and I took the others to the AKL to check in. I warned him that it might be a long wait, because we didn't take care of it in the morning as I had planned. I was also a little concerned about walking into the lobby of a Disney Deluxe resort looking like I had just spent the day in the theme parks. DH thought this was very funny and with good reason when we walked into the lobby about found oursevles surrounded by many other families who looked just the same. To my pleasant surprise, we walked right in and right up to the check-in desk. Everything was in order and we had been upgraded from a pool view to a Savannah! The only glitch was that we had a room with two doubles when I knew Little Tink and Sonny Boy would need bunk beds. I politely asked if it would be possible to change that and about 45 seconds later, we were all settled. In about 5 minutes we had our room keys and a map. I was so excited I was bouncing more than the kids. Of course, they didn't know about the Savannah view, yet.
We did have a pretty good hike each day from the elevator, but no one was complaining. We were at the AKL! We walked into the room. The kids admired the Mickey soaps, the bunk bed, and the TV cabinet (which was beautiful) when I summoned them over to the curtains and opened them. We walked out onto the balcony and saw giraffes! Of all animals, giraffes are my personal favorite, so I knew we had the right room. The kids were enthralled, and just sat out on the balcony mesmerized. Before long, our suitcases were brought up and we had the Pack-n-Play set up for Baby Girl. I loved the Mickey sheet provided, and even more, I loved that I got to leave our Pack-n-Play downstairs in the car. I let Bitty Princess enjoy our view all that she could, because in order for us to stay at the AKL, one of the kids had to stay at the timeshare each night. (before you feel too sorry for Bitty Princess, she loved staying with MeMe and PaPa and getting spoiled rotten and I loved not having to worry about her climbing on the bunks, not to mention letting someone else deal with her 2 year-old tantrums for a change)
We had plenty of time to get settled and cleaned up for our 6:30 PS at Boma's. In fact, we got there early. My sister is a vegetarian and BIL has had to change his diet somwhat since they got married. Both of them love spicy food and it was BIL's birthday and I wanted them to have a special treat. Once everyone arrived (with Little Tink sporting two more new pins on her lanyard-thanks MeMe!), I checked in and, with a minimal wait, we were seated. (I have to mention here how impressed I am at how easily WDW can seat such big parties of people.) Our server was very helpful-I say that because Dad wanted to know all about the pressed pot coffee and Mom wanted some SOuth African wine advice. Given my Disney expertise, they looked to me but I drink neither coffee or wine and was clueless. I guess the server (can't remember his name) gave some good answers because they ordered both and were very happy. Then it was time to load our plates...
I once spent almost two years in Italy, where I befriended several African immigrants. So, some of the food was familiar to me-and very welcome. I loved the FuFu and the potatoes with Afritude best. BIL wasn't quite as daring as I thought, and mostly ate the salmon and some mac and cheese from the kids' section. DH likes his food spicy as does DSis, they both made several trips before dessert. I wish I could give the detailed bite-by-bite reports that I read here, but I spent most of this trip sneaking bites while making sure my kids were eating something without making themselves a nuisance to those around us. I did love the Zebra Domes and the banana bread pudding.
DSis must have told our server it was DBIL's birthday (he made me promise I wouldn't), because he brought over a little Mickey-head cake and candle at the end of the meal. He didn't make anyone sing because he said he didn't think BIL would like it. I think BIL was happiest with an acknowledgement of his day without any accompanying humiliation. (he's still new, we'll get him next time) Dinner was good, but I could tell Bitty Princess was getting tired so it was time for MeMe and PaPa to go, after a brief tour of our room. Little Tink had been in the parks, and was really excited to see where she would be staying. It was dark and the animals were gone, but that worked to our advantage because Bitty Princess had no misgivings about leaving and the other kids were quite willing to go to bed. Once they were settled and Baby Girl was tucked in, I finally spread out on our bed. I don't know if it's the AKL or the fact that I was tired, but I remember thinking that it was possibly one of the most comfortable beds I had ever slept on, and that was about my last thought before I fell asleep too.
