Hakuna Kidani, What a Turtleful Phrase!

[MeMom]

Lovely pictures! Seeing that water play area makes so want to stay at AKL so bad! One of these days...

I've enjoyed Jill and Brooklynn's pictures of their trip on fb. Looks like they have had a great time and some crazy adventures.

Got to see a couple of Mingo Zack's videos....very entertaining! We are headed to the zoo today. Our last hurrah before we head home and back to the real world.

I knew when Trent showed up with his safari hat that we were in trouble! As we entered the park, he said he needed a good zoo guide name. I suggested Zookeeper Zack, but Bella said, no, it should be Mingo Zack.

Your kids would very much enjoy the AKL pools and water play areas.

Great tour of the pool area at AKL! I love that kids area...it is so well themed.

Sure looks like the girls were enjoying their time at the pool.

I'm glad you enjoyed your time with Bella.

I miss my little Bella buddy, too, but I have a ton of work to get done, so it is good that she is not here. I'd be doing none of it, because I's be playing with her.

I am here! Very late..... but here.

It may take me a few days to get caught up.

Hope all of you are well. Love Jill and Brooklyn's post on FB. It looks like are making some great memories!

They had fun. Brooklynn was less than excited about going back to school on Tuesday, but she got back in the swing of things quickly. Within the first thrity minutes, she had already read a new book and taken an AR test. She is a reading machine now!

Don't worry about your timing. This report is on hold during the rest of October. Waaay too much going on here.

Ha ha I thought I was the only one who takes pictures of gyms. You do not know how happy Cody was when he found out that GFV has a gym!! Well maybe you do know how happy he was.

That arcade sure attracts the kiddos doesn't it??

Just starting my TR.

Trent always checks out the gyms. I think he likes the Boardwalk one best.

I will get to your TR.

Once again I'm getting caught up. I really enjoyed the Sea World pictures. Maybe some day we'll make it there. More likely that we go to the one in Texas again. AKL just looks wonderful. I'm glad y'all got some down time there. I truly enjoyed the weekend spent watching Jill and Brooklynn's mother/daughter trip. I had a trip with just Danielle in 2009 and really enjoyed it.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your fall break and recharge your batteries before you're evaluation.

AKL was great. We are so blessed to have friends who shared that opportunity with us.

I think I am going to sleep through the rest of October and wake up on November 1st. Not sure that would solve anything, but it would be easier on me.

Looks like there was fun pool time at AKL! And some great pictures, as always!

In just 11 short weeks, we'll be having our NYE dinner at O'Hana! Woo hoo! How many people will be able to join us? Katie Schafer and her family will be there, and your crew of course. I hope we have a nice big group, the more the merrier!

It's going to be a big group. Maybe we can work it out to get a bunch of tables pushed together to make a really long one.

All caught up!! I really want to take a trip to Vero!! We love AKV-our DVC home. Looks like Jill and her big girl had a fun time!!

Maybe one of these years I will have some DVC points, too. Just a few, but then I'll be a part of the fun club.

Hope you have a great day today, MeMom!

And I just thought of a question for you - I have a 2nd grader of my own who is a pretty advanced reader. I was wondering if you had any author or series suggestions for her? She loves Magic Tree House books and Junie B. Jones but beyond those, I just grab anything I see at the library that I think she might like. She reads a lot, which I want to encourage, but I'd like to give her a little variety. Thanks for any suggestions!

You might want to check some of these.

http://www.agatebooks.com/grade-2-3/index.html

I read The Indian and the Cupboard to my third-graders, and they loved it. I showed the movie when we finished, too.

 

[lovedonaldduck]

Thank you! That helps. The website has lots that I read but forgot about. It's hard to remember when I read stuff as a kid, so although I remember lots of good books, I never know when it's the right time to introduce Peyton to them. This should keep her busy for awhile.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

We are reading Indian in the Cupboard to 5th grade right now. I just went to my paperback swap account and got the whole set for my classroom library. My 2nd graders also enjoyed the Bailey School Kids books, Boxcar Children, and "Littles" series.

 

[lovedonaldduck]

Thanks for the suggestions, Miss Anita. We went to the book fair at her school last night and I snuck the Wayside Stories set for a Christmas gift - I remember reading those and loving them when I was young.

I should have enough ideas to keep her busy for awhile now!

 

[TCKK]

Love all the pictures from the pool area. I've never see the pool there before.

Sounds like they had a wonderful mother/daughter weekend trip. Loved seeing all the pics on FB.

 

[MEK]

You got some great shots of the Kidani pool. It's so beautiful there. And I remember how gorgeous those bathrooms are.

 

[MeMom]

Thank you! That helps. The website has lots that I read but forgot about. It's hard to remember when I read stuff as a kid, so although I remember lots of good books, I never know when it's the right time to introduce Peyton to them. This should keep her busy for awhile.

I'm the same way. I can't remember how old when I read something. I remember going through a stage when I liked reading biographies in about fifth grade. I read The Boxcar Children and just knew I was right there with them. I read a bool called No Children, No Pets. I was cleaning out some boxes recently and came across and old, old, old book. Have you ever heard of Donna Parker books? Like I said - OLD!

We are reading Indian in the Cupboard to 5th grade right now. I just went to my paperback swap account and got the whole set for my classroom library. My 2nd graders also enjoyed the Bailey School Kids books, Boxcar Children, and "Littles" series.

That's fun. Will you show the movie when you are finished?

Thanks for the suggestions, Miss Anita. We went to the book fair at her school last night and I snuck the Wayside Stories set for a Christmas gift - I remember reading those and loving them when I was young.

I should have enough ideas to keep her busy for awhile now!

It's great that she loves to read. Brooklynn does, too.

Love all the pictures from the pool area. I've never see the pool there before.

Sounds like they had a wonderful mother/daughter weekend trip. Loved seeing all the pics on FB.

Maybe you can see it the next time you get a chance to do some resort hopping. Kidani's lobby is nowhere near as big as Jambo's, nor is it's gift shop, but you would still seeing the premises. Maybe you could eat at Sanaa and see the animals from the firepit area. You know resort hopping is a favorite activity of mine. I love it when WDW puts in something new at a resort.



***************************************



Dark and early the next morning, I was taking a walk. Alone, in the dark, and with my poor eyesight, I slowed up a little when I first saw this.



I made sure that it didn't move, because at first glance, it looked like a gator.

It did not move, so I went on. Turns out, it was just a spill of some kind.

Here's a map of the premises.





Now this....



is what you call a lobby!



Beautiful, it is.

Sitting area.



Artwork on a table.



Looking down toward the bar.



And then toward Boma.







Jiko



A quiet morning.



Mingo friends.



Spoonbill info.





A fun place.

 

[MeMom]

Hakuna Matata - how appropriate for this trip report.



A few faithful exercisers were up and running.



I see lots of busy bee cast members on my morning walks.



The pool from another view.



I enjoy reading the informational signs all over Disney parks and resorts.



Landscaping truck.



Mara.



Heading back inside.









Restroom stop.



The lobby brightens as the sun comes up for the day.













A necklace of rings.



Kids can do crayon rubbings on this floor work at certain times of the day.



I loved this turtleful table!



That's it for now. Hope you enjoyed the stroll from Kidani to Jambo.

Have a good weekend, friends! Jill and the girls are coming up tonight. Tomorrow we will be doing a baby gender reveal and going to Trunk or Treat at church. The weather is supposed to be nice. It has been beautiful today. A friend of mine in Kansas put a picture of snow on FB. I think she is a good bit north of Marc and Anita, so I don't know if they got any or not.

 

[Valgoof]

Looking forward to Boma breakfast on our next trip. We ate at Sanaa last year, so I have seen Kidani's lobby, but have not seen Jambo's yet.

Have a great weekend!! I am going to guess Brandi is having a

 

[MeMom]

Looking forward to Boma breakfast on our next trip. We ate at Sanaa last year, so I have seen Kidani's lobby, but have not seen Jambo's yet.

Have a great weekend!! I am going to guess Brandi is having a

I know Trent would really like a boy. He'll be great with either one, but he says after three girls, it's time for a change. Of course, we have that whole set of boy cousins who cannot buy a girl to save their lives, and I know another lady who has eight granddaughters, so who knows? We'll already know by this time tomorrow.

We have had Boma dinner, but not breakfast. I don't see us going to Sanaa. The girls would eat nothing there, and I'm too low class to go in there. I think you'll like Jambo House.

 

[Valgoof]

I know Trent would really like a boy. He'll be great with either one, but he says after three girls, it's time for a change. Of course, we have that whole set of boy cousins who cannot buy a girl to save their lives, and I know another lady who has eight granddaughters, so who knows? We'll already know by this time tomorrow.

We have had Boma dinner, but not breakfast. I don't see us going to Sanaa. The girls would eat nothing there, and I'm too low class to go in there. I think you'll like Jambo House.

Isn't it funny how it works that way? My mom has a boy and a girl, one of her brothers has 3 girls and the other brother has 3 boys, so my grandparents have a nice mix of grandchildren.

Lol. That is how I feel walking into Grand Floridian. Didn't feel that at all at Sanaa, but I agree the girls wouldn't like it. My DH wasn't a big fan either. It didn't make the must do again list.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Yes, we got snow today, huge, wet, sloppy, flakes. It also was my week for after school corner duty. Did I have a coat? No!
Did I have a hat or umbrella? No!
Did the snow last?
No....
LOL
We love Boma breakfast and really enjoy Boma dinner.
Have never been to Sanaa, but are repeat customers at Jiko.
I wish you wouldn't feel that you lack whatever to eat in any Disney dining establishment. It simply isn't true.
You either like the food or don't care to try it.

 

[vamassey1]

This was a different morning stroll from the POP stroll. In 2007 we ate at Boma and looked around the lobby, but there is so much we didn't see. I enjoying seeing it in your pictures.

Hope y'all have a great family day tomorrow.

 

[MeMom]

You got some great shots of the Kidani pool. It's so beautiful there. And I remember how gorgeous those bathrooms are.

I was surprised that the pool bathrooms were so nicely done. I would have thought they would have put a little less 'niceness' into those, but they were fabulous!

Isn't it funny how it works that way? My mom has a boy and a girl, one of her brothers has 3 girls and the other brother has 3 boys, so my grandparents have a nice mix of grandchildren.

Lol. That is how I feel walking into Grand Floridian. Didn't feel that at all at Sanaa, but I agree the girls wouldn't like it. My DH wasn't a big fan either. It didn't make the must do again list.

And Sanaa is pricey, too. I think it would be a good couples meal, if Jill and John and/or Trent and Brandi ever want to go off alone and try it just to do something different, but really only John is the adventurous eater, so I don't know that will ever happen.

I was happy to get to parent both sexes, because they are different experiences, so I hope that eventually I will get to grandparent both sexes, as well. If not this time, then maybe there will be more chances for a boy grandchild before I am gone. I know we will have exactly what God thinks is best for us, and if we are meant to have a gaggle of silly, drama-filled girls in this family, then so be it.

Yes, we got snow today, huge, wet, sloppy, flakes. It also was my week for after school corner duty. Did I have a coat? No!
Did I have a hat or umbrella? No!
Did the snow last?
No....
LOL
We love Boma breakfast and really enjoy Boma dinner.
Have never been to Sanaa, but are repeat customers at Jiko.
I wish you wouldn't feel that you lack whatever to eat in any Disney dining establishment. It simply isn't true.
You either like the food or don't care to try it.

My friend is in Salina. She posted a picture of a snow-covered neighborhood, but she said it was supposed to be 70 and sunny today.

We liked Boma just fine, and I think we will go back there again eventually. Buffets work nicely for us with the girls, and when Trent and Jarvis are with us, that's definitely the better deal.

This was a different morning stroll from the POP stroll. In 2007 we ate at Boma and looked around the lobby, but there is so much we didn't see. I enjoying seeing it in your pictures.

Hope y'all have a great family day tomorrow.

Yes, quite a different stroll than Pop. Beach Club was one of my favorite morning walks. I want to take a morning stroll at Old Key West someday, too. I think it would be really pretty there.

The day is going to be busy. We are planning to go to a special event at the Disney Store this morning, the reveal is this afternoon, and tonight is Trunk or Treat. Lots of family fun.

 

[caralyn817]

Oh, how your pictures are bringing back memories. I LOVE Animal Kingdom Lodge. We haven't stayed at Kidani yet. We have always stayed at Jambo House. I love the morning walks around there. This time next week, we'll be waking up at POP from a fun night at our first MNSSHP. For the many times that we have been there, can you believe this will be our first. I have to finish making our family costumes for it tonight. I can't wait to see what Trent and Brandi will be having. I'm on pins and needles here.

 

[jillyb]

Man I love AKL! Enjoyed the pictures of that gorgeous lobby this morning. Can't wait to see if Brandi and Trent are having a or a !

 

[reelmom]

See what happens when you aren't on the DIS much. You come back to find that Trent is going to be a Daddy! Congratulations to your family. Such exciting news.

 

[disneyfan61]

Love the early morning stroll. Beautiful resort!

I asked the boys where they want to eat in May & Boma is on the list for dinner. Always had a great meal there.

 

[micandminforever]

I love all the AKL pictures, they make me want to stay there on my next trip to DW.

 

[MeMom]

Just a quick check-in to let you know that our newest addition is another sweet girl. Her name will be Hadley. Brooklynn is thrilled to finally get a girl cousin! Will share more later. It's been along day, and it is time for some sleep.