I Paid Someone $5 for a Catchy Trip Report Title, and This is All I Got-Updated 12/29

[Tribilín]

Mmhhhh... bag of popcorn almost empty... time to start drinking

 

[glennbo123]

Mmhhhh... bag of popcorn almost empty... time to start drinking

Ooooh, I thought Jordan's question (copied below) was asking about the next time I'd be back at the trip report, to which I answered the middle of June.

Just kidding. I'm hoping to get a jump-start on the installment over lunch today and then post it tonight.

when are you heading back.

The middle of June, 12th-19th.

 

[jordanyosh]

Ptr.
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[winkers]

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what he said...

 

[glennbo123]

Ptr.
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what he said...

I'd be afraid it'd be too boring.

 

[norybell]

I'd be afraid it'd be too boring.

I worry the same thing about starting a PTR, but c'mon, it'd be fun. It'll just be all about the banter!

 

[glennbo123]

Ptr.
Ptr.
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what he said...

I worry the same thing about starting a PTR, but c'mon, it'd be fun. It'll just be all about the banter!

Thanks for the encouragement my loyal TR readers. I'll think about it.

 

[glennbo123]

After spending the day of July 4th day at Disney Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, getting our fill of coasters, and elevator drops, and cartooning, and animals, we went back to Kidani Village. We decided to put off the dreaded task of packing for a little bit longer by hitting the pool for a while. While we were at the pool we saw DISer Marvali for a little bit, and we also saw the little boy we had met at ‘Ohana the night before. I went to tell my daughters that he was there (the little boy, not Marvali), but before they could find him he accidentally got sunscreen in his eyes and his mom took him back to their room. Poor kid. First a tray of drinks spilled on him at ‘Ohana, now a glob of sunscreen in the eyes. Ouch.

We enjoyed the pool as best we could despite those thoughts of “we have to go home tomorrow” interrupting our fun. I tried to counteract those thoughts with “we own DVC...we’ll be back!” I suppose it partly worked, but not enough. Eventually, rain chased us out of the pool around 5:00 pm.

Then we went back to the suite and packed. While packing, I had the good fortune to find something I thought we’d lost. I don’t think I’ve told you this story yet, but after we moved from Port Orleans to Kidani in such a rush, we thought we had lost Marlene’s headphones . I had bought each of the kids a pair of really nice noise-cancelling headphones when Circuit City went out of business. They had used them on the airplane on our flight to Orlando, and after we got to Kidani the other two kids knew where theirs were, but Marlene couldn’t find hers. I called the Port Orleans lost-and-found, but never heard anything back all week, which I thought was a little surprising and discouraging. After all, they were probably left on a night stand or something and would have been pretty easy to find. Well, no. They weren’t easy to find because in our rush I had stuffed them down into my camera bag, which I hadn’t used all week since I just carried the camera itself around all week, and when we were back at the suite I just set it on the desk. So, when I went to pack my camera, I said, “Hey! Here they are!” Sorry for those negative thoughts Port Orleans staff.

Another thing we had been guilty of , was not sending any postcards to family back home. So, we set out to remedy that. Lauren and I set off for Jambo House to get some postcards. I don’t remember why we wanted to go to Jambo House rather than the gift shop in Kidani (no postcards? better selection?), but we did. We took the bus over to Jambo House and bought a few cards. Then I showed her around Jambo House. She was 7 years old when we stayed there the last time and didn’t remember very much about the hotel, and when we had come to Boma, we had gone straight to the restaurant. First, we went into the Mara to check out the selection of foods and the refillable drink station. We drooled over the zebra domes, and I seriously thought about taking some back with us, but somehow was able to resist the temptation.

Then we walked around Uzima pool to the animal viewing locations and I took a few pictures.

We walked back over toward the Mara and I realized I should probably have taken a photo of Uzima pool for all of you Animal Kingdom Lodge fans.

Then we walked through the lobby and out to the main animal viewing area. Here are a few more pictures from there.

Then we walked back inside and I took a few pictures of the lobby. I love the lobby at Jambo House. It’s so majestic, and you have the African music playing, and the smells emanating up from Boma and Jiko.

And one taken from that “hanging bridge” walkway. I apologize that this one is a little out of focus. I thought it was okay when I took it and looked at the screen on the camera. But now that I’ve gotten home and looked at it on a larger screen I see that the focus isn’t that great. Oh well. I guess I’ll have to go back and try again!

I also love this window at the back of the lobby that looks like it has vines climbing on it.

We walked back to Kidani and as we made our way to the suite I took this picture of the basketball and tennis courts, if anyone’s curious. You can see the covered picnic tables of the barbecue area on the right. The basketball court (half-court) is the fenced-in area to the left, and the tennis courts are the larger fenced-in area behind the basketball court.

After taking a picture of the window in the Jambo House lobby I couldn’t leave out the window at Kidani. In the foreground of this picture, on the right side, is that piece of artwork that I had shown in an earlier installment…the guy plowing wearing a jaunty bowler hat. It sits on top of the TV where kids can watch cartoons, and as you can see, there’s a kid watching a cartoon and probably wondering why there’s a guy taking a picture.

When we got back to our suite the others had started eating dinner, which was aimed at cleaning up leftover food and groceries. It was quite a variety, with each of us tackling different items (just so you don’t think that everyone had these strange combinations of food). But, among the things we ate were: pasta and sauce, salad, scrambled eggs, toast with peanut butter and jelly, and orange juice. For dessert, I brought out the rice crispy treats that we had received at the DVC Bay Lake Tower preview on Wednesday night. I had kept them a secret from the kids until then. Not as good as zebra domes, but a good ending to a “leftover” meal.

The kids wrote out some quick postcards, and we were finally ready to do “something” with our last evening before going home. The girls had been talking about “night swimming” in the Kidani pool all week and had apparently really gotten James set on the idea. While over at Jambo House, Lauren and I had seen where they let you use night-vision goggles to look at the animals, and we thought that that would be cool to try. Marlene really wasn’t sure. So what did we do?

We had a split-decision. James was set on night-swimming. Marlene decided to join Lauren in trying out the night-vision goggles. So, I walked back over to Jambo House with the girls, while Judy “life-guarded” James (ie. watched, but didn’t get into the pool) at the Kidani pool.

Since there were several people who wanted to use the night-vision goggles, and only two pairs of goggles, we only got to use them for a few minutes unfortunately. It was kind of cool though, to look out into the darkness, peer through those goggles, and see animals, even way out in the distance. For me, it was more about checking out the night-vision gadgets, than seeing animals, of course. Now, they don’t have cameras attached to them, but through the magic of photobucket I’ve taken a picture from earlier in the evening at Jambo House and given it the “night-vision” effect. It really did look very much like this:

Except the animals were farther away from us. We walked back at about 9:30 pm and James and Judy had just returned from the pool. Everyone got ready for bed, except me. I took a whirlpool bath first…had to get my fill of “amenities”.

Ordinarily, my next installment would be the last. But, I’m not quite ready for this TR to end yet. So, I think I’m going to do an installment of “greatest hits” photos from the TR. If you have any to suggest, let me know! Eventually, I’ll get around to the installment of our dreaded ME ride to the airport.


In the next installment: “Greatest Hits” photos from the trip report

Link to next installment

 

[CW4DW]

Love the update - I always hate the last day before going home, it seems like such a sad time, even though you know you will be back it still isn't fun having to go back to reality.

I will be there in 2 days - and I can't wait!

 

[norybell]

Since there were several people who wanted to use the night-vision goggles, and only two pairs of goggles, we only got to use them for a few minutes unfortunately. It was kind of cool though, to look out into the darkness, peer through those goggles, and see animals, even way out in the distance. For me, it was more about checking out the night-vision gadgets, than seeing animals, of course. Now, they don’t have cameras attached to them, but through the magic of photobucket I’ve taken a picture from earlier in the evening at Jambo House and given it the “night-vision” effect. It really did look very much like this:

Night vision goggles? That's so cool!

Ordinarily, my next installment would be the last. But, I’m not quite ready for this TR to end yet. So, I think I’m going to do an installment of “greatest hits” photos from the TR. If you have any to suggest, let me know! Eventually, I’ll get around to the installment of our dreaded ME ride to the airport.

I know how you feel. I had no idea I'd get so into this TR-writing thing! I think I now I want to go back to WDW as soon as possible not just because I love it there, but also because I want to write another TR. It's a self-perpetuating cycle!

 

[winkers]

I didn't know they had night vision goggles there! Super cool.

on the creepy side...night vision goggles always reminds me of silence of the lambs...."it puts the lotion on it's skin"....

Is it just me or do disney rice krispy treats taste better than just regular homemade ones?


You need to do a ptr so the fun dosn't end!

 

[Tribilín]

Ordinarily, my next installment would be the last. But, I’m not quite ready for this TR to end yet. So, I think I’m going to do an installment of “greatest hits” photos from the TR. If you have any to suggest, let me know!

I'm glad you are extending a little bit you TR, I'm enjoying it a lot.

A PTR would be great!

 

[MomsOf2boys]

I agree that a PTR would be great!!!

 

[eandesmom]

Thanks for the encouragement my loyal TR readers. I'll think about it.

Just do it! I know the fear but it's a lot of fun!

 

[eandesmom]

I love your last nights dinner. Sounds very much like the last night of many of a vacation for us.

Night vision goggles...that's pretty darn cool!

PTR PTR PTR

 

[glennbo123]

Love the update - I always hate the last day before going home, it seems like such a sad time, even though you know you will be back it still isn't fun having to go back to reality.

I will be there in 2 days - and I can't wait!

2 days! Probably 1 by the time I'm writing this! Oh my gosh, you must be so excited. I'm still waiting to subscribe to your TR.....

Night vision goggles? That's so cool!

I know how you feel. I had no idea I'd get so into this TR-writing thing! I think I now I want to go back to WDW as soon as possible not just because I love it there, but also because I want to write another TR. It's a self-perpetuating cycle!

Yes, they are pretty cool. I wanted to check them out, so jumped at the "gadget" assignment rather than lifeguard duty.

I didn't know they had night vision goggles there! Super cool.

on the creepy side...night vision goggles always reminds me of silence of the lambs...."it puts the lotion on it's skin"....

I just saw the end of that movie on TV about a week ago. It'd been a long, long time since I'd seen it. I'm picturing the scene where the camera gives the killer's perspective, through the night vision goggles, and his hand is about to come down on Jodi Foster's shoulder....then later, when she's looking into the darkness and her gun is shaking like a leaf. Yes, creepy. But not so when you're looking at animals on the savannah.

Is it just me or do disney rice krispy treats taste better than just regular homemade ones?

Somehow, yes, that's true. Disney magic.

I'm glad you are extending a little bit you TR, I'm enjoying it a lot.

Me too! Let's drag it out a little bit more.

You need to do a ptr so the fun dosn't end!

A PTR would be great!

I agree that a PTR would be great!!!

Feeling....the pressure....mounting.....

MomsOf2boys, I think I owe you a
I don't see your name on the sheet of paper I've kept of people who've commented. It's good to have you along.

 

[aprilisis]

Greatest hits...hmmm...how about the BTMRR photos from when you were ON the ride. Actually- any of the "on-ride" photos! Heck- all of your photos were great! Just repost 'em all.
By the way- GREAT photos of the pool & lobby.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

Feeling....the pressure....mounting.....

MomsOf2boys, I think I owe you a
I don't see your name on the sheet of paper I've kept of people who've commented. It's good to have you along.

I'm usually over-chatty so I am guessing I must have been....


well.....


LURKING

But in my mind I am sure I have commented plenty.

 

[glennbo123]

Just do it! I know the fear but it's a lot of fun!

PTR PTR PTR

I suppose I'm leaning towards it....gonna wait a little bit to start though. I'm not as good at multi-tasking as you ladies are, you know. Can't have too many threads going at once.

I love your last nights dinner. Sounds very much like the last night of many of a vacation for us.

I hate to waste food....and you know delivered groceries aren't exactly cheap. I think the pasta was the only thing that was an actual "leftover" (as in cooked and served). The rest were groceries that were still left.

Greatest hits...hmmm...how about the BTMRR photos from when you were ON the ride. Actually- any of the "on-ride" photos! Heck- all of your photos were great! Just repost 'em all.
By the way- GREAT photos of the pool & lobby.

I did get some good feedback on the BTMRR photos.

I'm usually over-chatty so I am guessing I must have been....


well.....


LURKING

But in my mind I am sure I have commented plenty.

It's those comments in the mind that worry me! Well, I hope to hear more from you from now on. Comment away...that's what makes it fun!

 

[jordanyosh]

Every time I read the end of TR it makes me a little sad. But you were able to get full enjoyment out of the resort!

I like the different pictures of the resort again, taken from the viewpoint of someone who is leaving the next day. It attaches a different emotion to the pictures.