From the Sea to the World - Completed!

[Flossbolna]

Good choice in making it to OKW instead of offsite and then driving again.

I was thinking as I was looking at pictures that boy does that look familiar as I stayed there for the half marathon in Jan.

No Oliva's - I am sure you were sick of even looking at food by the end of the cruise. Wendy's is quick easy and not too bad for a quick meal.

I am really glad that we added that one night at OKW as it gave us both a new appreciation of that resort!

We had Olivia's planned for another day during the trip and we just wanted something quick and cheap. And yes, after all the food on the cruise, we did not feel like we needed a nice sit down meal anyway. The idea of some fast food was quite welcome!

Good Choice , it is always better to be close to the Mouse !!!!

Yes, it worked out very well!

Lovely update! The room at OKW does look really spacious! And WOW what a storm! That looked really scarey! Looking forward to you Disney stay...

The room was spacious. I know it is not double the space, but it certainly felt like it. Very nice! I think if you want to share the room as a family of four, this is the perfect place to stay at!

 

[englishrose47]

Good to see you back !!! I have been super busy and now am working on a back up plan for next month IF the GAC is no longer !!!!! Thanks for the warning about ir !!Always better to be prepared !!!!

 

[Flossbolna]

Wow, that rain storm mean business! I know what you mean about disembarking from the ship. Not very magical, but I'm not sure how they can make it better.

The problem is really that they don't have a lot of time to turn the ship around for the next passengers, so I understand that that is just the process that is required. Maybe if the terminal would have been nicer, it would have helped? But I think PC is nicer than the terminal they used in Miami.

She sure looked good in your pictures. And some people go in with unrealistic expectations.

I guess it is like reading reviews of a hotel that you stayed at on tripadvisor. There will always be someone who claims that the place which you liked is a total dump and the worst place ever.

You and I are very simliar here. They are nice to see once, but I'm not much for shows either. They are very well done, just not my favorite thing to do.

Yes - and not going to them gives you a relatively empty ship to explore. Which is much better than most shows!

Totally agree! If I'm in a new place, I'd like to have enough time to truly see everything. It's hard when you only have a few hours to explore.

I guess one can take it is a method to find out where you want to return and spend more time in the future.

Spending more time at WDW is never a bad decision.

Worked out very well for us!

Looks like a nice room! The theme there has never been my favorite, but it looks like a very nice place to stay.

Michael's take on OKW is that it looks like any condo complex in Southern Florida and he does not want to spend his vacation in a hotel themed to his everyday life. But I was surprised how much charm OKW had when you actually belong there. It was really nice!

 

[Flossbolna]

I honestly never think of OKW as an option, either. But the new decor does look lovely!! We are planning a trip in February and decided on BCV, but perhaps we should save the additional points and go with OKW.

That rain is a serious downpour! I'm glad that you were able to safely make it!

Compared to the old decor the new is just a totally different league! For February I would be afraid that the weather would be too cold for Stormalong bay and I would hate to stay at the BCV and not be able to use that pool!

Magdalene! And also to Katharina!!! Can't wait to also hear a little about your trip too!

Hi GoofyFan!!

Good to see you back !!! I have been super busy and now am working on a back up plan for next month IF the GAC is no longer !!!!! Thanks for the warning about ir !!Always better to be prepared !!!!

The recent comments I have seen is that it starts on 10/9! Hope it works out for you! But since Pat is helping you out and she is such a planning pro, I am sure you will be able to handle it.

 

[Flossbolna]

Day 10

Today we would move on to AKL, but I started the day with another run! I thought this would be a great way of checking out the resort a bit more. On the resort map it said that there was a map of a jogging trail available at the front desk. So I ran there, but then found out that no such thing existed. But a friendly CM told me where there were trails, so I continued my run and found the start of the trail that leads to Downtown Disney. Running around I realised that while the resort appears to be very spread out, it is actually not that far between places. We were in Turtle Pond Road and from there the walk to the main building was really easy, and there was the quiet pool very close, too.

Originally I had planned to get some breakfast at the small counter service place at the main building, but when I was there, nothing really appealed to me, so I ran back home and put some coffee on and had the granola bar that I had picked up the night before.

To be honest, this was the last time that trip that my running shoes were used for running… I had better intentions, but they did not work out.

I remembered to take a picture of our patio in the daylight:

And then we replaced the car and headed over to AKL. Once there we proceeded to check-in. I had not done online check-in, because I had made some very specific room requests which I had emailed to DVC. We had a standard view one-bedroom and since at Jambo House these are the pool view rooms, I wanted to make sure that we did not get one of the rooms that overlook the roof above Boma. Well, we did not get any of my requests. But once the CM showed us that the room was going to be on Kudu Trail, I did not complain. this could only mean that we had gotten a room with a savanna view. And who would not prefer to see animals outside their window instead of a pool? At least it would not be a view of roof tops which I had wanted to avoid!

But the room was not ready. So we left our luggage with the bell people and then went out to do some more exploring. One of the advantages of having a car.

I had said that I wanted to have a look at the new Art of Animation resort – so this is where we went. I also knew that Laura (rachelandtori) whom I knew from the AKl FAQ thread would be at that resort on this day and I had her phone number to give her a call and maybe meet her while we were there.

So, after a short drive we parked the car and walked into the main lobby building.

We walked around a bit and I took some pictures. The hotel is certainly impressive, but I did not like it very much. I know a lot of people love it, but to me it looked garish, cheap and not like the Disney I love. I love themed environments, but I love them to have a sense of adventure and to be a romanticized version of reality. Here you are stepping in a cartoon world, that is not even a really built out version of the cartoon as it still used the sides of the buildings as canvas. Cartoons are flat and have little detail – that’s their nature and style. Therefore for me a cartoon world is not the best to be realized in our world which has far more textures and details. All this is missing. And to me that creates a fake atmosphere. Somehow the decorations at the other value resorts bother me far less as they are honest about what they are: decorations. But here there is an attempt to “theme” which falls short in my opinion. So, that’s why I was not impressed. And for the prices they charge I am even less impressed (unfortunately this becomes more and more an issue for the Disney hotels in general…).

But this will not prevent me from showing you the pictures I took:

After some exploring we headed to the food court to get some lunch:

We both opted for the make your own salad option. This is very nice, but I noticed that we had different CMs helping us and the CM who put my salad together was not very generous with some items, I had the salad with the croutons and I think you can even see it in the picture that it was a smaller portion…

The salads were delicious and those black bowls were real dishes, not plastic and you get real cutlery as well. Very nice! The only thing that was not nice about these salads was the price, I think they were 10$ each.

We also got some ice cream for dessert there, but I don’t have a picture of it. The ice cream was delicious, but again pricey. It might have been the shock especially after coming off the ship. But this time it seemed that I often was rather taken aback at how expensive food at WDW had become.

I had tried to get in touch with Laura a few times, but there were problems with cell reception and we finally were able to connect while we were having our lunch and I think she arrived while we were eating our ice cream. We sat in the food court for quite some time and chatted – mainly about cruising. She told us about her cruises with Norwegian and those sounded wonderful as well. Of course I kept telling her how much I loved my cruise on the Wonder (I think everyone who asks me about the cruise regrets asking when I go on and on and on about how wonderful this was!)-

By the time we headed back to AKL it was 3:30pm. I had hopes that we would be able to get our room number, but no luck there. Our room was not ready. Hmpf. I know check-in for DVC is not until 4pm, but I was slightly annoyed. So we kept waiting and I talked to them again. At 4:10pm I was getting rather annoyed and talked to them again. And then at around 4:20pm when I was thinking about really complaining they told us that the room was ready.

Next: Our Fourth (and Final) Home

 

[GoofyFan1515]

I somewhat agree with your assessment of AoA. I was not personally overly impressed with the resort just viewing it from the "outside." Maybe staying in a room might change that a little once you get to enjoy the theming there. I'm sure that attitude might be a little different with small kids. I'm sure they would be immersed in the theming!

Can't wait for you to arrive at your room in AKL! What a great resort with wonderful theming!!!

 

[Poolrat]

The recent comments I have seen is that it starts on 10/9! Hope it works out for you! But since Pat is helping you out and she is such a planning pro, I am sure you will be able to handle it.

I certainly hope I can be a help to Rosie. I am so busy too that planning may be in my head on the way down.



Sorry you could not get in your room until after 4pm. Also I would be miffed too if the make your own salad was skimpy because it was made by someone else.

I think AoA is a little "flat" Seems like they intentionally made it so that it can be re-themed easily if needed.

Almost like they didn't want to invest in it.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

To be honest, this was the last time that trip that my running shoes were used for running… I had better intentions, but they did not work out.

Story of my life as far as running is concerned.

Well, we did not get any of my requests. But once the CM showed us that the room was going to be on Kudu Trail, I did not complain. this could only mean that we had gotten a room with a savanna view. And who would not prefer to see animals outside their window instead of a pool? At least it would not be a view of roof tops which I had wanted to avoid!

Sounds like a win to me!

We walked around a bit and I took some pictures. The hotel is certainly impressive, but I did not like it very much. I know a lot of people love it, but to me it looked garish, cheap and not like the Disney I love. I love themed environments, but I love them to have a sense of adventure and to be a romanticized version of reality.

I understand where you're coming from. To be fair, I think Disney had some existing buildings they were stuck with retro-fitting, and the value resorts generally are dressed-up boxy motel buildings. But I do agree that the price makes it feel like less of a "value" resort. And I prefer the romanticized-reality themes too.

I had tried to get in touch with Laura a few times, but there were problems with cell reception and we finally were able to connect while we were having our lunch and I think she arrived while we were eating our ice cream. We sat in the food court for quite some time and chatted – mainly about cruising. She told us about her cruises with Norwegian and those sounded wonderful as well.

Always nice to have a DIS-meet!

 

[nodnol]

Very interesting what you wrote about AoA. I see your point, but I still think the Cars section has some great stuff. But Maybe that's only because I lake the film so much. You made me really curious about how I would feel about it when being really there - instead of just seeing pictures.

Your salad looks smaller, but then there must be something wrong with the perspective, as your bowl looks even smaller...

I'm looking forward to your pictures of AKL, I really wish I had some definite travel plans for WDW. Well, at least DH tells everyone about how great DLP was and how it exceeded his expectations.

 

[englishrose47]

Have to agree with you on AoA , I found the Lobby to be way to Bright , Carol andI were also not impressed with the food court, took way to long to get the food , of course with 10 it is hard, but the whole set up is strange , at Pop it sorts flows the food sections with the drinks and desserts strategically in the middle , while at AoA they were far away from everything !!!

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

The pictures of AoA that I've seen definitely put it on the garrish side. The pricing is absolutely out there! Thank goodness I've got a family of three that can fit in a moderate resort if we weren't going DVC.

I really love the fact that many of the resorts are giving a make your own salad option! Too bad your salad portion was slightly off!

Hooray for the Savanna View!! It was one of the best experiences I've had on Disney property! I will probably never go and not reserve a Savanna View.

 

[Flossbolna]

I somewhat agree with your assessment of AoA. I was not personally overly impressed with the resort just viewing it from the "outside." Maybe staying in a room might change that a little once you get to enjoy the theming there. I'm sure that attitude might be a little different with small kids. I'm sure they would be immersed in the theming!

Can't wait for you to arrive at your room in AKL! What a great resort with wonderful theming!!!

I think if I would have to take a shower in the Little Mermaid bathroom, I would be scared to death! It is soooo dark! I would think that some undersea critter might jump at me any moment....

I certainly hope I can be a help to Rosie. I am so busy too that planning may be in my head on the way down.

Sorry you could not get in your room until after 4pm. Also I would be miffed too if the make your own salad was skimpy because it was made by someone else.

I think AoA is a little "flat" Seems like they intentionally made it so that it can be re-themed easily if needed.

Almost like they didn't want to invest in it.

Sorry that your life is still so stressful! Seems like the change is officially happening now on October 9th, it even made the news here in Germany!

I am not sure whether they want to retheme AoA at any point. But I think it shows that it is nothing else than a glorified motel...

 

[Flossbolna]

Story of my life as far as running is concerned.

But since you have three kids to keep you running around anyway, the running with trainers might not be that necessary!

Sounds like a win to me!

Yes, worked out perfectly!!

I understand where you're coming from. To be fair, I think Disney had some existing buildings they were stuck with retro-fitting, and the value resorts generally are dressed-up boxy motel buildings. But I do agree that the price makes it feel like less of a "value" resort. And I prefer the romanticized-reality themes too.

Personally, I would have loved to see the first half the Pop Century be done there. But I do have a strong interest in history!

Always nice to have a DIS-meet!

Very interesting what you wrote about AoA. I see your point, but I still think the Cars section has some great stuff. But Maybe that's only because I lake the film so much. You made me really curious about how I would feel about it when being really there - instead of just seeing pictures.

Your salad looks smaller, but then there must be something wrong with the perspective, as your bowl looks even smaller...

I'm looking forward to your pictures of AKL, I really wish I had some definite travel plans for WDW. Well, at least DH tells everyone about how great DLP was and how it exceeded his expectations.

Have you seen pictures of Carsland at DCA in California? I think this is why so many of us think it looks flat as it is a totally different thing altogether. To be fair, one is a theme park the other a hotel. But maybe they ought to have left that theme for the park...

Maybe they gave me a smaller bowl also!!! How unfair!!!

And the story about your DH talking about how great DLP was, is just priceless! Especially since he did not see a point in going there for so many years. I would bet that you won't have to wait for another year until you have new Disney travel plans! ;-)

Have to agree with you on AoA , I found the Lobby to be way to Bright , Carol andI were also not impressed with the food court, took way to long to get the food , of course with 10 it is hard, but the whole set up is strange , at Pop it sorts flows the food sections with the drinks and desserts strategically in the middle , while at AoA they were far away from everything !!!

I see what you say about the food court. I found the way the food was arranged a bit puzzling as well. Was not an issue for us, but I can see that for a larger group or a family who would eat there regularly, it could be bothersome.

 

[Flossbolna]

So, off we went! Walking to our room we noticed that the carpet looked very bright in the hallways  and at some point you can actually look down towards the fourth floor and saw that the carpet down there was much more faded. Some time later in the week we saw workers repainting some of the bannisters. And I noticed that the fabrics in the lobby were new (carpets and on the sofas). Seems like they are taking good care of AKL! Even though I am not so sure what I thought about the new colour scheme in the lobby which is less bright and more earth colours. Looks a little bit bland, but still very nice!

We had decided to splurge on a one bedroom. Worst mistake ever! It was so wonderful to have all that space that I am now going to be perpetually short on DVC points!!

So, here are some pictures from our lovely new home for the next ten days:

There is a small closet in the hallway that leads to the master bedroom and the bathroom in which there is the washer and the dryer which every DVC unit above a studio has:

And these two appliances are one of the reasons why I like the one-bedroom so much. Since ours was a long stay, it was great to be able to wash clothes. And we even once just threw all our towels in there (even though we had plenty as we were only two people). Very nice!

The bathroom is very spacious and the toilet is in a separate room inside the bathroom:

And this was our view, to the left we were looking back towards the lobby building:

To the right you could see Kidani in the distance:

We called down to bell services and within about 10 minutes our luggage arrived. Our main objective was to get into a pool! It had been nearly 48 hours since we last were in a pool and since you read about all our pool time in this trip so far, you already know how much both of us enjoy the water!

However, we could not stay in the pool (mainly the hot tub) for long as we had a dinner ADR in Epcot.

Next: Annual Passes in Various Forms

 

[rndmr2]

Nice room with a pretty decent view!

 

[cmaee]

We spent one night at AOA-Little Mermaid rooms in Dec. 2012. We walked across the bridge and checked in the next day at Pop for the free dining promotion. We actually liked AOA, but that was from a 6, 8, and 10 year old child's perspective. It was not my favorite hotel, but my kids loved it. I do like it a lot better than the Pop. We have stayed twice at the Pop and I really don't care for the décor there....I just like the price....and the free dining price even better at the Pop.

I think if I would have to take a shower in the Little Mermaid bathroom, I would be scared to death! It is soooo dark! I would think that some undersea critter might jump at me any moment....

But....my DD who was a month into being 6 years old was really apprehensive of taking a shower in the Little Mermaid bathroom. She said she was just sure Ursula was going to show up.

 

[Poolrat]

I am a bit afraid to book a 1 bedroom- for the same reason - I will be spoiled and always want one.

A lovely room and look at all that space. I think if I were to eventually book a 1 bedroom I would do it at AKL.

 

[englishrose47]

We had a 1 bedroom suite in Orlando when we visited Universal and I was VERY nice !!!

 

[CRdisMom]

you do get spoiled by the space. It was interesting to see the difference between your one bedroom and ours that was accessible.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

But since you have three kids to keep you running around anyway, the running with trainers might not be that necessary!

I wish that was the case! But I still need to cut back on the burgers.

We had decided to splurge on a one bedroom. Worst mistake ever! It was so wonderful to have all that space that I am now going to be perpetually short on DVC points!!

It really is a wonderful space, isn't it? What a great resort.

And this was our view, to the left we were looking back towards the lobby building:

To the right you could see Kidani in the distance:

Great view! It's so easy to just spend time enjoying the animals from the balcony.