Glennbo’s City, Sand, and Savanna PTR - TR Link (pg 73)

[glennbo123]

Okay, get ready for the big reveal of the meaning of the final portion of my Pre-Trip Report title “Glennbo’s City, Sand, and Savanna PTR”: Savanna.

No, it’s not a safari trip to Africa (but you’re close), and it’s not the city in Georgia (spelled with an “h” on the end).

Savanna, of course = Animal Kingdom Lodge, Kidani Village, our DVC home resort.

<In game-show-announcer voice>
“Yes, you and your guests will be whisked away to enjoy Disney’s beautiful Animal Kingdom Villas at Kidani Village. Featuring over 30 species of wildlife that roam free amidst a 21-acre wildlife preserve that includes lush, tropical savannas, Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village offers you the unique opportunity to observe exotic animals in their natural habitat from special viewing areas throughout the Resort – and from the balcony of your very own Guest room.

Inside, the Resort features authentic African-inspired architecture and decorations, from hand-carved columns to intricate patterns that adorn the golden-tone furnishings. Tall floor lamps allude to tall, swaying trees, and ornate hanging fixtures appear to overflow with colorful flora and fauna. Thatched ceilings, a woven ceiling, real African artifacts and an arching window in the main lobby revealing the adjacent savanna surround you in the inimitable spirit of Africa.

Just outside the main building, sprawling wetlands border a picturesque landscape where thousands of indigenous African shrubs and grasses paint a picture reminiscent of the unspoiled grasslands of the Serengeti.”

That sounds wonderful!

We can’t wait to once again look out over the savanna.

And watch the animals.

And stroll through the resort, admiring the art.

Or find a quiet place to relax.

Oh, to cool off in the pool.

To come home from the parks at night and be greeted by this sight.

And the beautiful lobby inside.

I told you in the Intro that Gram and Poppy would be joining us on this trip, but they haven’t yet appeared in “City” or “Sand”, so yes, it’s during this leg of the trip (also named “Seniors”) that they will make their appearance. We’ve reserved a 2 bedroom unit to house us all, from Saturday June 23rd, checking out Saturday June 30th.

Before we invited Gram and Poppy along, we were thinking of trying another DVC resort this year, probably the Boardwalk or the Beach Club. But when we invited them and they accepted, we knew it had to be Animal Kingdom Lodge, so they could see it once again. Then I debated a little bit on whether to get a Savanna view suite or not. The kids loved it last year, but I thought that the Standard view room we had in 2009 was just fine and I’d be happy to save some points. In the end though, we decided hey, we invited my parents along, we’re not going to the parks everyday so it sure would be nice to be able to sit and look out at the animals. Savanna view it is!

If you’re familiar with DVC points (or even if you’re not), you may be thinking “gee Glennbo, it sounds like you’re really burning through the points”, and you’d be right. The RCI trade to New York City + a few days in Vero Beach + and a week in a Savanna view 2-bedroom at Kidani is almost 3 years’ worth of points for us. With banking and borrowing, we can do it, but that means no trip in 2013.

As they say on the DVC threads…“they’re just points, right?”

Link to next chapter

 

[BMC423]

WOW! Those pics... that's it we're going resort exploring over there after we are done with AK this year! No trip in 2013...that means you better make this trip worth it and it sounds like you are well on your way! If it makes you feel better it looks like 2013 means no trip for us either! Not that I'm complaining two years back to back is a big treat for me!

 

[glennbo123]

Your ticker was a teensy giveaway as far as the sand portion... Vero Beach sounds like it will be wonderful though!

Yeah, I'm not very good at keeping a secret.

I think it'll be a great few days at the beach!

I'm sure Judy and Lauren will be just fine with their back-to-back vacations!

They'll probably complain a little, but I'll just have to say "talk to the hand!" Just think about me -- they'll get back on Father's Day, but too late to serve me breakfast in bed....isn't that terrible?!

WOW! Those pics... that's it we're going resort exploring over there after we are done with AK this year!

Thanks! No pictures "borrowed" from the internet for this installment...I took each of those over the last couple of trips we've stayed there. We really love it at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

No trip in 2013...that means you better make this trip worth it and it sounds like you are well on your way!

I think so!

If it makes you feel better it looks like 2013 means no trip for us either! Not that I'm complaining two years back to back is a big treat for me!

No, I wouldn't wish a "no trip" year on anybody, especially a DISer. But sometimes you just have to patiently wait for the coffers to refill, whether they're points or cash or both!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

So you are heading out of VB a day before us then we will follow you up to Disney and will be staying next door at Jambo until we check out and move to the Beach Club on the 27th. We have stayed at Kidani before but this time decided to go with Jambo since it's the only DVC property we haven't stayed at in Orlando. We are so excited to have a few days to enjoy our savanna view too, plus we are burning some points on staying club level. So if you get hungry, just stop over!

 

[Poolrat]

Of course Savanna is AKL.

How great that Gram and Poppy get to stay at AKL again.

Bummer that you leave the 30th and I am scheduled to arrive on the 1st.

 

[glennbo123]

So you are heading out of VB a day before us then we will follow you up to Disney and will be staying next door at Jambo until we check out and move to the Beach Club on the 27th.

Wow, very similar plans...great minds think alike!

We have stayed at Kidani before but this time decided to go with Jambo since it's the only DVC property we haven't stayed at in Orlando.

I'd like to be able to make that claim someday, but I've got a loooooong way to go. There are way more that I haven't stayed at than I have. Actually, Kidani is the only DVC property....when we stayed at Jambo House, it was before DVC was there. And other than DVC, I've stayed at POR and CSR.

We are so excited to have a few days to enjoy our savanna view too, plus we are burning some points on staying club level. So if you get hungry, just stop over!

Oh my, I'd like to take you up on that. I'd love to see that lounge! And the food! I'm not sure if it's a good idea though, 'cause then I'll want to stay there and I don't have the points for it.

Of course Savanna is AKL.

Well, of course. I knew you knew.

How great that Gram and Poppy get to stay at AKL again.

Bummer that you leave the 30th and I am scheduled to arrive on the 1st.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Of course Savanna is AKL.

How great that Gram and Poppy get to stay at AKL again.

Bummer that you leave the 30th and I am scheduled to arrive on the 1st.

I invited you to come to Vero.....

 

[glennbo123]

I invited you to come to Vero.....

This could be you Pat. --->

 

[tinacaplan]

And it is posts like this that keep us all coming back. And keep me wanting to stay at AKL. You're going to have a fantastic, epic trip. But, seriously, how long does it take to get to the parks?

 

[glennbo123]

And you could watch for these gals --->

Just don't forget that this is frowned upon --->

 

[Poolrat]

I invited you to come to Vero.....

I still haven't gotten the time off work for July. Summertime is busy time for me.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Glen, you will enjoy exploring all the various DVC resorts, they each have their own charm. While we have stayed at SSR we have not stayed in a Tree house. That sure would be fun sometime though!
The club level is kind of spendy on the points so we are only staying there three nights.

 

[eandesmom]

I admit, when I saw 2 bedroom Savanna, I did think "wow, you are burning through the points". Or that you did an add on!



It's what the points are for though, right? It sounds wonderful and how great to share that view with the whole family.

Good strategy! Whatever it takes.

C'mon flights! You can do it!

Apparently we didn't need the pictures. We had her at "Beach" and "Bahamas". Which, considering Jeff was talking about the Contra Costa accident and showing her pictures of it right before we were going to tell her about the trip, was even more impressive. I could have killed him.

It's been a long time since I saw her face light up like that over a family trip, if ever!

The flight scenario gives me heartburn, we booked for a total of 9 nights between the cruise and Vero but I have a very strong feeling rates may dictate another night or 2. Of course that might be how I sneak a Disney day in so it's not all bad. I've deliberately not booked those yet.

 

[glennbo123]

And it is posts like this that keep us all coming back. And keep me wanting to stay at AKL.

Thanks! My job here is done.

You're going to have a fantastic, epic trip.

I think you're right, but I'm not going to call it epic -- James has latched onto that word and is waaay overusing it right now. Everything's epic.

But, seriously, how long does it take to get to the parks?

In another post I started to write that a lot of people think it's too far away, and to them I say "Yes, it is. Go book elsewhere so that I'm not competing for the dates I want."

I'd have to go back and look at my old trip reports to see if I mentioned how long the rides were. But I never thought they were very long....what I thought was long was going from WL to some of the resorts nearby, or looping around CSR. My worst ride on our last trip was trying to get from the Magic Kingdom to the Boardwalk.

 

[glennbo123]

I still haven't gotten the time off work for July. Summertime is busy time for me.

Yeah, occupational hazard. But then you can book for times with lower crowds.

Glen, you will enjoy exploring all the various DVC resorts, they each have their own charm.

I can see that....we definitely want to try some more of them out. The next one (in the bigger, multi-year plan) is the farthest one. And parents only.

While we have stayed at SSR we have not stayed in a Tree house. That sure would be fun sometime though!
The club level is kind of spendy on the points so we are only staying there three nights.

The treehouses do look really nice, but the points just got more expensive in the 2013 charts.

I admit, when I saw 2 bedroom Savanna, I did think "wow, you are burning through the points". Or that you did an add on!

I read your mind!

It's what the points are for though, right? It sounds wonderful and how great to share that view with the whole family.

Exactly, that's what they're for. And maybe we will have a small add-on by the next time we're looking to go. The resales are looking more attractive every day.

Apparently we didn't need the pictures. We had her at "Beach" and "Bahamas".

That's probably not too surprising.

Which, considering Jeff was talking about the Contra Costa accident and showing her pictures of it right before we were going to tell her about the trip, was even more impressive. I could have killed him.

It's hard to believe that something like that can happen these days. Glad that didn't scare her off.

It's been a long time since I saw her face light up like that over a family trip, if ever!

The flight scenario gives me heartburn, we booked for a total of 9 nights between the cruise and Vero but I have a very strong feeling rates may dictate another night or 2. Of course that might be how I sneak a Disney day in so it's not all bad. I've deliberately not booked those yet.

Good idea to allow yourself some flexibility.

 

[MaryAz]

Hurray for the Savanna!! AKL kidani is seriously one of my favorite places on earth. I think we used a years worth of points for our Sep trip-2bd savanna view. Burning through a few more to do club level for Hubby's bday. We are trying OKW-next week That night pic with the glowing lights in the entrance was awesome!

 

[glennbo123]

Hurray for the Savanna!! AKL kidani is seriously one of my favorite places on earth.

I'm right there with you Mary.

I think we used a years worth of points for our Sep trip-2bd savanna view. Burning through a few more to do club level for Hubby's bday.

But ohhhh so nice, right?

What a nice treat for hubby.

We are trying OKW-next week

Meeting up with anyone there?

That night pic with the glowing lights in the entrance was awesome!

Thank you, it's a favorite of mine also. It's been my computer desktop picture for a couple of years now, so I get to see it at least a couple of times a day.

 

[Poolrat]

And you could watch for these gals --->

Just don't forget that this is frowned upon --->

Some day for Vero, just not this time.

In another post I started to write that a lot of people think it's too far away, and to them I say "Yes, it is. Go book elsewhere so that I'm not competing for the dates I want."

I'd have to go back and look at my old trip reports to see if I mentioned how long the rides were. But I never thought they were very long....what I thought was long was going from WL to some of the resorts nearby, or looping around CSR. My worst ride on our last trip was trying to get from the Magic Kingdom to the Boardwalk.

I don't think it was too bad. I remember 15 min to the Mk and I timed that one on purpose. My longest wait was 20 min- to Ak!!! For a 3 min ride.

Going to EPCOT resorts are a problem. I have learned to get off at the first stop whatever that is and walk. Much shorter. When doing a trip to one of those resorts, I always have a plan B and take which ever bus arrives first. Same for Monorail resorts, the TTC is my friend.

Yeah, occupational hazard. But then you can book for times with lower crowds.

I did that in Oct but holiday fireworks keep calling me.

The treehouses do look really nice, but the points just got more expensive in the 2013 charts.

Yeah they did. I probably can't get one now if I tried.

Exactly, that's what they're for. And maybe we will have a small add-on by the next time we're looking to go. The resales are looking more attractive every day.

I think you might be coming down with a case of addonitis.

 

[eandesmom]

I can see that....we definitely want to try some more of them out. The next one (in the bigger, multi-year plan) is the farthest one. And parents only.

Ooh! Parents only!

The treehouses do look really nice, but the points just got more expensive in the 2013 charts.

Exactly, that's what they're for. And maybe we will have a small add-on by the next time we're looking to go. The resales are looking more attractive every day.

They did jump quite a bit didn't they!

I smell an add on!

It's hard to believe that something like that can happen these days. Glad that didn't scare her off.

It really is, I mean outside of weather I can't possibly understand how it can happen. Between autopilot and sonar...mind boggling. Still, I could have killed him! She didn't blink an eye. Although at 15, I wouldn't have either, I'd be so focused on a summer of beach and bikini's and...maybe boys...that nothing else would even be heard!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Oh, the Savanna view and visiting with my buds the giraffes is so heavenly! The food choices, not so much. I love AKL, but I'm not sure if I want to stay there again because of the food and the distance to everything. I guess it's easier for us, because we own at SSR, so AKL is harder to get anyway I'm glad you are getting to follow your dream for your family, though! I keep wanting to try other resorts, but always end up back at SSR!

I love how you can borrow at bank with DVC! I think that is one of the biggest benefits - it makes using your points so flexible. We will be banking and borrowing for our 2013 trip with our kids and grandkids - 10 of us.