I remember how I was the tiniest bit disappointed that Howard and I were going to stay at AKL for our honeymoon just because it was the cheapest. For the year or two before, we thought we'd splurge on the Poly, but we chose to save money on the resort so we wouldn't have to feel guilty about the few ADRs we had if we wanted to order appetizers and such. I prepared myself as much as I could with info and pics online before we left.
Then we walked through those doors at Jambo, and our breaths were taken away. I now understood why people have such attachments to resorts! I can't get over the fact that all the animals are around just wandering. AMAZING! Since then, I've loved loved loved reading about people's experiences at Jambo and Kidani!
You know I love the resorts! I could go for many days without touching the parks. I love to wander around taking pictures of the pretty flowers and general landscaping, the furniture that is unique to each one, the pictures, pools, and just everything! I feel like I have visited many different places from tropical to exotic during a trip. I was just thinking this morning of how I am going to get Brandi around to see as many resorts as possible in December.
Oh MeMom, you are bringing back such delightful memories of our stay at AKL/Kidani two years ago. Your pictures are wonderful...and made more beautiful by those two adorable girls. I can't wait to stay there again next year.
One of those little girls is going to have a big surprise tomorrow morning!
Happy Sigh- in a week I will be back on property ( well 1 week and a few hours) As usual I need this one. Time to relax and recharge my batteries they are pretty low right now.
AKL just makes me smile.
I need it, too, but I have to hold out until Christmas. I will be super excited then! I've been working intersession, and I have been working on my eval stuff. I will take a break while Bella is here, and then I will be at work again for the rest of the 'vacation'. It's okay, though, because when we go back, it will almost be November, and that is really, really, really close to December, isn't it???
Animal Kingdom Lodge has the great theme, like the other resorts, but when you factor in the animals, that's an added bonus that no other resort has.
We'll need to have two rounds of coins for the WL fountain - first round would be to get DH on board with having another. Once he's on board, then we can move on to round 2 - baby wishes!
Love your pictures of Kidani! They take me right back to our vacation! Thanks so much for sharing!
I still haven't even downloaded the pictures from our trip onto my computer yet Maybe I'll get to it before we've been home a month - that gives me 6 more days.
He just needs to understand - when the coins are thrown, he really doesn't have a say-so any longer. It just happens!
It's so much fun going back through the pictures.
AKL is so amazing, isn't it? The pictures are great; the girls trying to be warriors cracked me up!
I LOVE that wall with the names! What a cool idea! Yes, that would be a very neat thing to have in Dis-town; add that to to the list of "must haves."
Pat, have fun on your upcoming trip! I so know what you mean about the batteries needing to be recharged; I'm right there with ya.
Have a good day, all!
Sounds like all of Distown is working too much!
I think we could get Margaret or Cathy to make that wall hanging for us.
Just a wave hello, I am soo behind and may never get caught up on the chatter but a quick welcome to Preslee and Disney, a belated happy birthday to Jill and so excited for Jill's surprise trip that is almost here!
We are starting to firm up our NYE plans and I do hope to meet up at some point over the trip with everyone!
We are all behind around here. I get to peek in every few days here and there, but my mind is filled to the brim right now with eval stuff. I really can't even enjoy it much when I am here, because it's just a heavy burden that weighs on me all the time. I was not lucky enough to be in the first round and have mine over by fall break, so it will haunt me until November.
We will work out the meet. We arrive on the 28th. We're supposed to be having dinner with
Marc and
Anita that night at 1900 Park Fare. There is a possibility we may have to change that due to finances, but even if we don't eat with them, we will still meet them somewhere to hang out a while before they go cruise the next day. Will you be in WDW by then?
She was demonstrating how the killer whales came out of the water during the show at Sea World.
Yeah, that was it.
Thanks for the birthday wishes. In less than 48 hours Brooklynn and I will be in Animal Kingdom!
Blaaah, blaaah, blaaah....
Can't wait to see pictures all day!
WOW you are one busy lady! I wish I lived close to you, I'd make that Target run for you!
I told her not to worry about Bella's stuff - that I could get anything she needs here. She said Bella's was the easiest and was already done, because her play clothes were already washed and folded on the couch. She just tossed them in with some shoes and a church dress. She already has a toothbrush that stays here, so she's set. Taking her off the list ended up not being much of a help.
Nice pics of AKL.
I loved the gift shop at Kidani. Jambo is bigger though.
MMM, Sanaa.
All caught up again.
Zawadi at Jambo is one of my favorite gift shops.
Maybe when the kids are bigger we can try Sanaa.
Hi MeMom! I'm still here, but very behind. School, college apps, and work have been keeping me very busy, but now that I'm done with college stuff, I'll have time to DIS again. I committed to my first choice college yesterday and it's only 35 minutes away from Disney. I start in June and I'm so excited.
Hope you're enjoying your break. How exciting about Jill and Brooklynn going to Disney! Does Brooklynn know yet?
A big congrats to all of the new DIS Mommies and Grandmothers.
Very exciting times for you!
Brooklynn will know tomorrow.
Check back in, as I am sure Jill put the video on here, if it turns out well.
I'm so excited for you and Brooklyn and your special trip!!!
Have a great time.
This will be one of those highlights of a lifetime, I think.
They're not the most colorful birds, but I always find them so interesting...........I guess because of, well, their crowns!
Kidani is such a wonderful resort to explore, especially for all the decor, artwork, and yes the wise sayings!
Cool! Cool indeed!
Would make a good DIStown motto!
Ah yes, the tapestry with the names of the original DVC "owners" at Kidani!!! Would be really cool to see your name on there every time you visited.
I really like this sink design, and it is starting to appear in more places.
I want to be a DVC owner one of these days. I don't even have to have a quilt; I just want some points.
A crested crane is pretty cool when it is playing tag with a zebra, I must say! That was my balcony entertainment one Kidani day.
Hmmmmm, what was that on FB last night, Jill? Did you tell Brook? I was at Keeley's and I ran out of power on my phone. Now I'm at school and I can't get FB. Booo!
Caren, Allegiant is running quite a deal for Spring Break. Maybe you need to figure out a way to get to Phoenix and join us for a DL adventure.....
Are you trying to get me in a crop duster???
You'd see me parachuting over a field somewhere after about 20 minutes. Or 10.
Okay...7. I know I could last 7 minutes.
Or 3.
No, the reveal has not happened yet. We are almost there.
Did you get my message today?
We were at Country Music Hall of Fame, and our guide asked the students what country the violin came from.
One of my kids said, "Kansas!"
Didn't know you people were famous for tornadoes, bread, Dorothy and Toto,
and violins!
You've got it goin' on out there!
And the fact that you had become a country? I was totally surprised!
****************************************
Thanks to all who kept the big secret for so long and even changed your posts to keep it quiet until now. Jill is talking openly about it, so I guess we are in the clear.
Brooklynn is going to
a) not believe her Momma in the morning
and
b) flip out when she realizes her Momma is not a liar after all.
I cannot wait for this reveal! 
I am excited for her to get some one-on-one time with Jill. I am excited for Jill to get some time away from work and household chores and the demands of everyone around her for a few days. I am happy that she will get to board Disney buses with no strollers and not have to worry about naps unless she wants to. She will be diaper-free this trip, which is a big change from the past seven years' worth of trips. I know how much I enjoyed having Brooklynn time two summers ago, and I think Jill is really going to cherish this trip. In a few more years, maybe she can do the same with Bella. It is nice to have the opportunity to really connect with each of your children individually and not just always in a group.
I have to work tomorrow night, so John will be bringing Bella up Saturday morning. Looks like the weather is going to be perfect for a zoo trip Sunday afternoon.
Again, thanks for holding off on the trip talk, and now that it is here and out in the open, feel free to get excited with us. 
I wish I lived close to you, I'd make that Target run for you!
