I'm back: highs and lows

[jen_uk]

We got back today after a delay of 1.5 hrs, feeling a bit jet lagged now Anyway, here are some of the highs and lows of our trip

Highs

AKL - lovely hotel, I was surprised at first by how dark it is in the lobby but soon got used to it. I had always thought this hotel must be out the way but I thought it was in a great location, didn't seem to take long to get to the parks and it was very close to the 192. The bus service was fantastic from there, the average wait was less than 5 minutes and only had to stand once. The food was great at the hotel, the pool was nice, it was lovely watching the animals from the balcony, I really hope we can get in again next year.

Seaworld - had only been there twice before and not for a few years, really liked this park, love the Clyde and Seamore show Dh thought Manta was brilliant, he said it was the best ride he had been on.

Disney parks - too many things to mention! Same great atmosphere, rides, attention to detail etc

Having a car - once I got over the disasterous first drive we loved having a car, it did open up so many different places for us. It was really easy to drive round Disney and I had the satnav for going further afield.

Illuminations cruise - fab view of the fireworks and we met some very nice dissers

Lows

OKW - I just did not like this resort, I wonder if we had stayed there first we might have liked it more, I think a lot of places would be a let down after the AKL! It is just so big and spread out and I hated not being able to just pop down to get a drink or walk out the door and there the pool is! The internet (which I need for work) stopped working in our room for 2 days so we had the hassle of sorting that out, the air con didn't work, it would creep higher and higher which meant that 2 or 3 times a night we would have to get up and put it back down, it was like sleeping alternately in a freezer and an oven! There was building work going on and we could hear it in our room.

Neighbours - at both of the hotels we had really loud neighbours, they were large families who screamed and shouted whenever they were in the room.

So more highs than lows, I've already started looking at prices for next year and for once dh isn't moaning about it being too early!!

 

[CustardTart]

Welcome home, Jen!!!
Glad you liked AKL - we stayed there at Easter, loved the resort and were also pleasantly surprised by the efficiency of the bus service after some of the negative stuff we'd read. Only tedious journey I experienced was from DTD back to the resort one afternoon...

Happy planning for your next trip - will you be writing a trippie for this one..?

 

[Ware Bears]

Welcome back

 

[natalielongstaff]

welcome back Jen

 

[Pegasus928]

Pleased to hear you got back safe and sound and that you had - on the whole - a great holiday.
Would love to see a full trippie and pics if you get the chance.

 

[saratogagirl]

welcome home Jen, AKL sounds wonderful

 

[Dizneemad]

Nice to hear you had a great time, and good luck in planning the next trip.

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Glad you had a great trip.

AKL is our fave Disney hotel, it's such a special and different hotel. We loved that no matter what time day or night we went out on the balcony, there were different animals to check out.

I actually am in the minority, I think, in that I think the 'darkness' of the resort adds to the ambience.

Noisy neighbours are my idea of hell!! We seem to unfortunately attract them and, over the last few years, I've discovered the American waxy style earplugs really do work. Hate wearing them because all you seem to hear is your own breathing and heartbeat But, it means I'm, slightly less paranoid about the neighbours in case they make noise

I agree with you, I think most places would not have matched up to AKL

Happy planning for next year

 

[dolphingirl47]

Welcome back. I am glad that you had a good time on the whole. We are doing the same split stay as you in October (well for part of the holiday anyway, we also have three nights off site and a seven night cruise). This will be our first stay at AKV (we are staying at Jambo House). Then we are going back to our home resort OKW. We absolutely love it there. It's a shame that you did not enjoy it. What area were you in. We love the Old Turtle Pond Road area.

Corinna

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

Welcome back! Get booked for next year - the best way to beat those post-trip blues!! Looking forward to hearing more about it!

 

[Cyrano]

Welcome home Jen From photos AKL looks awesome

 

[Pinky166]

Welcome home Jen. Pleased you had a great time, we loved AKL when we stayed there a few years ago. Will you be doing a trip report?


Corinna- What building no's are in the Old Turtle Pond Road area?

 

[dolphingirl47]

Corinna- What building no's are in the Old Turtle Pond Road area?

Buildings 30 to 44. We stayed in building 43 and loved it. The quiet pool was just across the road and the bus stop was less than 200 yards away.

Corinna

 

[wideeyes]

glad you had a great time and liked AKV, I can't wait to finally stay there soon.

 

[Tinks1984]

Welcome back Jen!

Loved reading your updates and glad to see you've enjoyed your trip. I'd love to stay at AKL, looks like a beautiful resort

 

[T16GEM]

Welcome home, glad to see there are more highs than lows, what was so disaterous about your first drivinge experience, I must have missed that?

 

[wicket2005]

I am so pleased you had a lovely time.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Sounds like you had a great time.

Shame about the noisy neighbours - you just can't seem to get away from it sometimes

 

[Pegasus928]

I'm assuming by noisy neighbours we are refering to the human kind - not the ones outside your window at ALK

 

[joolz1910]

Welcome home. I'll be interested to read about your driving experience and about OKW. Will you be doing a trip report?