Home for the first time!

[mgroshans]

We are at home for the first time. Drove from Northern Indiana. Got to Kidani this morning at 9:00, our room was ready Got the request we wanted, near the elevator. Our room # is 7208, excellent savanah view
Went to animal kingdom for a couple of hours, rode expedition everest (2x's). Then went to Target to do some shopping for food. Now back in our room, changing into our swimming gear to check out the pool and relax for a bit.

 

[ua1992]

Welcome home and have a fantastic adventure !

 

[eporter66]

Have a great vacation, we just got back (10/23) from a week at Kidani Village. We were in Rafiki building, Standard View (looking out into the front entrance Room 7911).

We are already suffering from PDVD (Post Disney Vacation Depression). Have a wonderful stay, it's a great resort.

 

[mgroshans]

back from the pool and wow!!. absolutely spectacular have i said how great our view is? - just checking we have a studio, with the 4 of us, it is perfect. we got the "welcome home" when we arrived. we have no complaints.

 

[SevenSeasLagoon5]

I hope you have a fantastic trip! We also had a savanna view room at Kidani. We loved every minute of it!

Make sure you check out all the resort has to offer. If you have kids along, Camp Kidani and the Community Hall were top notch.

Have a great time!!

 

[jamie@dvcstore]

Hi mgroshans,
Thank you for the live updates. It is great to hear that you are having such a nice time. The weather recently has been nice so I hope that continues for you. Enjoy your trip and please keep the updates coming.
________
DRUG TEST

 

[mgroshans]

Went to Magic Kingdom this morning for a few hours, crowds got heavy towards lunch time. Ate lunch at Tony's Town Square- very good. Headed back to our room for swimming and a drink, but after about 20 minutes in the pool, it had to be shut down for a temporary cleaning Everyone probably knows why it had to be So, came back to our room to rest for a little while, shower up and then head back to Magic Kingdom for dinner at The Crystal Palace, Wishes Desert at 8:10 and then fireworks

Quick question for someone who might know: we got our ap's yesterday,along with our TIW. The AP's expire 10/25/10, but the TIW expires 11/30/10, is the TIW good for longer than 12 months???

 

[dianeschlicht]

Went to Magic Kingdom this morning for a few hours, crowds got heavy towards lunch time. Ate lunch at Tony's Town Square- very good. Headed back to our room for swimming and a drink, but after about 20 minutes in the pool, it had to be shut down for a temporary cleaning Everyone probably knows why it had to be So, came back to our room to rest for a little while, shower up and then head back to Magic Kingdom for dinner at The Crystal Palace, Wishes Desert at 8:10 and then fireworks

Quick question for someone who might know: we got our ap's yesterday,along with our TIW. The AP's expire 10/25/10, but the TIW expires 11/30/10, is the TIW good for longer than 12 months???

Sounds like you are having a great time. Yes, the TIW card is good for 13 months.

 

[mgroshans]

Ok, we didn't know that.
We are having an excellent time- no complaints at all. How cool is it that we are out on our balcony, 2nd floor, and a giraffe is eating about 40 feet from us We never imagined it would be this awesome

 

[whitfamily]

Whew...I thought driving from the Washington, DC area was a long drive We also love AKV and will be at Jambo this weekend!! Enjoy your trip and keep us updated

 

[FindTheMickeys]

Hi! Glad to hear you're having a marvelous time! We drove down from Fort Wayne over Labor Day this year. How long was the trip for you and did you drive straight through? It was about an 18 hour trip for us, 12 the first day and 6 the second, but we made lots of pit stops as my traveling companion has issues with blood clots so we needed to walk about every 2 hours. I loved the drive down. Don't know if I'll drive again for awhile but it was nice.
Anyway, enjoy the pleasures of all things Disney!

 

[FOXFIELDZOO]

Glad to hear about all the fun, also good to know we are not the only crazy one's to drive that far, we drive from rockford il. Area, can't wait to go back in may, oh yes, and drive again!!

 

[mgroshans]

Just back from Magic Kingdom. Did the wishes desert, would we do it again- probably not. Good viewing for the fireworks, though. The crowd this evening was pretty heavy. Left around 9:30, started raining, so it was good that we left. Tomorrow is Hollywood studios, then MNSSHP.
We left South Bend Friday afternoon, drove to Franklin, KY (just south of Louisville about 30 minutes). Saturday, drove to Gainesville, then to Disney Sunday morning, got here at 9:00 or so. So total drive time was roughly 18 hrs. and 15 minutes. Would we drive again- yup, no problems and the boys were very good. We already made reservations for our next trip- September 4th- 10th of next year

 

[bobbiwoz]

Enjoy your vacation! I really love AKV's savannah views!!! Good for you, driving that distance. We're not up to it, rather fly. Family members are moving to Jacksonville, so maybe we'll try driving sometime with a stop for a night or two with them.
Bobbi

 

[Micca]

Glad to hear it meets your expectations. May this be the first of many homecomings

 

[mgroshans]

Did MNSSHP last night- awesome. The boys had a great time. The trick or treating was fun. The parade was good. The fireworks, have to say, were the best. It is amazing how many people were still there after 7:00 who didn't have the wrist band showing they were there for the party. I will say the cast members were on it. On several occasions, we saw people being escorted to the front b/c they didn't have the wrist band. DH was getting angry b/c he saw people without them on. His comment was "we paid an additional $222 to be here at this time and those people didn't, it's not right". He didn't let it ruin the fun. Overall, it was as good as last time we did. Worth the additional cost
Today is off to Epcot. The weather is suppose to be 91 degree's with a chance of a pop up thunderstorm. We are also going to meet with a DVC rep to get some info on adding on- probably won't. We called our guide on Monday and he said, better sooner than later. Also, if we added on here at our home resort (AKV), we would get '08 and '09 points- not sure if I believe the '08 points- we'll see what the rep says today.

 

[mgroshans]

Just met with a DVC guide about inquiring about adding on here at AKV. The price with discount would be $102 per point. She told us the price will be increasing, but not sure when. This price is only good while we were staying here. I asked if we decided to add on and did it at the doorway to dreams in Chicago, would the price be the same. Her answer was: she didn't know. So, we are going to kick it around for a few days.

 

[LisaS]

We are also going to meet with a DVC rep to get some info on adding on- probably won't. We called our guide on Monday and he said, better sooner than later. Also, if we added on here at our home resort (AKV), we would get '08 and '09 points- not sure if I believe the '08 points- we'll see what the rep says today.

When you add on directly through Disney they start you out with a full set of current Use Year points. If you have a December Use Year, you are still in your 2008 UY so your first set of points would be 2008 UY points provided that you add on before Dec 1, 2009. All other Use Years (Feb, Mar, Apr, Jun, Aug, Sep and Oct) are in their 2009 UY so anyone adding on points for those UYs would start with a full set of 2009 UY points assuming they add on before the start of their 2010 UY. They do sometimes run out of current UY points as you get close to the end of your UY so it's not guaranteed that you will be able to get the current UY points if you wait until the very end of your UY to buy the add on.

Also, MS will allow you to bank those points even if you are past your banking deadline.

 

[dianeschlicht]

When you add on directly through Disney they start you out with a full set of current Use Year points. If you have a December Use Year, you are still in your 2008 UY so your first set of points would be 2008 UY points provided that you add on before Dec 1, 2009. All other Use Years (Feb, Mar, Apr, Jun, Aug, Sep and Oct) are in their 2009 UY so anyone adding on points for those UYs would start with a full set of 2009 UY points assuming they add on before the start of their 2010 UY. They do sometimes run out of current UY points as you get close to the end of your UY so it's not guaranteed that you will be able to get the current UY points if you wait until the very end of your UY to buy the add on.

Also, MS will allow you to bank those points even if you are past your banking deadline.

And THAT is the reason I think add-ons direct from Disney are such a great deal!

 

[mgroshans]

Well, we are back from our first trip home. DH decided to drive all the way back w/o stopping overnight. Made it in 17 hrs. 30 minutes to northern Indiana. All I have to say is WOW! Everything was perfect. We don't have any complaints. Will post more later.