Is it true that we are now on AKL LITE Six??!?! Yes, bah-LEE DAT!

[Grumpy Grandma]

Good Afternoon J's & K's, You all start out so early in the morning with your wishes. I am up by 8:30 ish PT, but I usually have tons to get done before sitting down to my computer. Course 8:30 my time is almost lunch for all you back on the east coast.


I agree ... just having my first cup of coffee now!!!


Mmmm didn't we just send you off and wish you a great trip to DL????

Are you going somewhere else too????

Don't you think you need to stay home once in awhile????

That's what my family says! But surprise surprise yesterday my DH decided to go for part of my Jan trip!!!

Good morning to all!!

 

[athenna]

Good Morning Jamborinis and Kidanites!

We will be leaving in a few hours for our day trip to the AKL! I'm so excited to meet the Jamborinis.

That is so cool Kathy, please tell everyone I said hello, hugs all around

Yup, that sbout sums its up

Thanks Jen....

Good luck with the overnights, I know they can be rough and screw up your whole schedule....

Indeed, I came home and only slept 2 hrs. I'm off today, so I'll have to nap

Good Morning all of the J's & K's

So we arrived yesterday evening and made it to the festival around 5 pm.
The crowds were there, not as bad as last years Saturday night but heavier than I was expecting. About 20 people in lines for some booths and 5 in others. We ended up just going to La Cava and waiting for our friends.

The walking traffic was very heavy, just trying to get around people was the hardest.

I did get one of the messenger style bags, with 15 on it from last years banners.

Will try food today and hopefully post more about it tomorrow.

Cant wait to hear all about it! Hopefully the crowds die down for you

 

[pilferk]

This is probably better off in the DVC forums, but thought I'd ask here. When did I miss the change that if you book a Standard DVC room at Jambo house (using my pointa)that is was no longer just a pool view? That's why I always book standard at Jambo cause I love the pool view.

When I checked in yesterday with no requests made, I was originally given a room in the farthest pod out with a partial savannah view. WHAT? I want to see the pool! So I asked nicely and they said standard view is all over the lodge...news to me. But I asked nicely again and they found me a nice pool view room instead.

Needless to say, I guess I'll be addding the pool view request from now on to me DVC stays.

I think when they did the points adjustments for 2011, they recategorized a couple of the partial savanna view rooms to standard view. They HAD been categorized as savanna view.....

Anecdotally, I've heard there's only about 1/2 a dozen of them that were recategorized...so chances are still pretty good you get a pool view. But, as you found, they're not a sure thing anymore. DEFINITELY put it in your request.

 

[pilferk]

....I stood for hours and hours on the NJTurnpike......with an inside-out umbrella.....in the rain......alone.

Then you were early.

We leave tomorrow. Should be coming through Jersey AROUND 4 PM.

 

[pilferk]

...well, I THOUGHT that pilferk was gonna pick me up on the way......

Last rest stop on the Garden State....We'll be filling the tank tomorrow around 4:30-ish.

PM me..I'll give you my cell...or look for the Silver ford winstar with CT plates.

 

[pilferk]

Friends, I am in need of some other people's perspective. I have anxiously awaited October for about five months to be able to use my 11 month window to book September 2012. It needed to be as close to the beginning of September as possible due to work situations. I will be taking my brother, his wife, and my mother as a nice family vacation. My brother and his wife have both not gone for over ten years. So, the plan was to get two deluxe studio concierge level rooms. It is less points to get two studios than to get a two bedroom so that's the reasoning behind that. Concierge level so that we would save some money on food and beverages. For any who have not done concierge it is well worth the money (if you're paying cash) and the point difference is minimal. The only problem being, I was told when I tried to get one for my March trip that they only have 5 concierge studios at a time, so I had to call as early as possible. Well I tried calling Saturday (for 9/1), and they didn't have any available. I did call late in the day so that was my fault, but the CM told me there were four available at that time for the whole week starting 9/3, and he advised to call right at 9 am. So, I set my calendar and alarm to make sure I called right when they opened, and after some confusion on the CM's part I did get both rooms. HOORAY!!! However, I called my mother to let her know the good news and she goes to write it in her calendar at work, and she says 'Pamela, you do know that is Labor Day weekend don't you? flights will be pretty high' My heart sinks, I just waited for months to be able to call, there were some pretty scary moments on the phone this morning that I thought we had lost one room because the CM was not quite awake yet, and then I accidentally book it on Labor Day!? So, the question is this, do I try to change it later this week, because I still need it to be early in September, or should I leave it as is? Does anyone know about flights during that time of the year? I'm thinking if I can book the flights early enough I should be able to get them pretty reasonably priced. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

And I'm so excited for those traveling soon, and those already down at our beloved AKL

Leave it.

First of all...they are insanely hard to get. You don't want to try to win the lottery TWICE.

Second, a couple days in either direction probably won't make much of a difference in air fare. You'd likely have to wait until after the following Saturday for the prices to drop a whole lot.

If you want to avoid the premium for flying on the holiday, itself...you could fly down a day early and stay at a cheaper hotel/suite for a night. You might need to rent a car, get a taxi (van-style) or contract with someone for transportation...but that might be worth saving the $$ per ticket.

 

[kimmar067]

Then you were early.

We leave tomorrow. ....

...well, THAT explains it then.....

 

[kimmar067]

Friends, I am in need of some other people's perspective. I have anxiously awaited October for about five months to be able to use my 11 month window to book September 2012. It needed to be as close to the beginning of September as possible due to work situations. I will be taking my brother, his wife, and my mother as a nice family vacation. My brother and his wife have both not gone for over ten years. So, the plan was to get two deluxe studio concierge level rooms. It is less points to get two studios than to get a two bedroom so that's the reasoning behind that. Concierge level so that we would save some money on food and beverages. For any who have not done concierge it is well worth the money (if you're paying cash) and the point difference is minimal. The only problem being, I was told when I tried to get one for my March trip that they only have 5 concierge studios at a time, so I had to call as early as possible. Well I tried calling Saturday (for 9/1), and they didn't have any available. I did call late in the day so that was my fault, but the CM told me there were four available at that time for the whole week starting 9/3, and he advised to call right at 9 am. So, I set my calendar and alarm to make sure I called right when they opened, and after some confusion on the CM's part I did get both rooms. HOORAY!!! However, I called my mother to let her know the good news and she goes to write it in her calendar at work, and she says 'Pamela, you do know that is Labor Day weekend don't you? flights will be pretty high' My heart sinks, I just waited for months to be able to call, there were some pretty scary moments on the phone this morning that I thought we had lost one room because the CM was not quite awake yet, and then I accidentally book it on Labor Day!? So, the question is this, do I try to change it later this week, because I still need it to be early in September, or should I leave it as is? Does anyone know about flights during that time of the year? I'm thinking if I can book the flights early enough I should be able to get them pretty reasonably priced. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

And I'm so excited for those traveling soon, and those already down at our beloved AKL

...personally, I'd leave it as is - if you are really concerned, keep checking for availabilities for other dates; one day after could mean a world of difference....

 

[snykymom]

...my DS is too....just got his diploma in the mail on Saturday! He's waiting for the final word from his interview two weeks ago....keeping fingers crossed!

Here's some for him - I know how hard this is! Especially since there's not a darned thing we can do to help!

Friends, I am in need of some other people's perspective. I have anxiously awaited October for about five months to be able to use my 11 month window to book September 2012. It needed to be as close to the beginning of September as possible due to work situations. I will be taking my brother, his wife, and my mother as a nice family vacation. My brother and his wife have both not gone for over ten years. So, the plan was to get two deluxe studio concierge level rooms. It is less points to get two studios than to get a two bedroom so that's the reasoning behind that. Concierge level so that we would save some money on food and beverages. For any who have not done concierge it is well worth the money (if you're paying cash) and the point difference is minimal. The only problem being, I was told when I tried to get one for my March trip that they only have 5 concierge studios at a time, so I had to call as early as possible. Well I tried calling Saturday (for 9/1), and they didn't have any available. I did call late in the day so that was my fault, but the CM told me there were four available at that time for the whole week starting 9/3, and he advised to call right at 9 am. So, I set my calendar and alarm to make sure I called right when they opened, and after some confusion on the CM's part I did get both rooms. HOORAY!!! However, I called my mother to let her know the good news and she goes to write it in her calendar at work, and she says 'Pamela, you do know that is Labor Day weekend don't you? flights will be pretty high' My heart sinks, I just waited for months to be able to call, there were some pretty scary moments on the phone this morning that I thought we had lost one room because the CM was not quite awake yet, and then I accidentally book it on Labor Day!? So, the question is this, do I try to change it later this week, because I still need it to be early in September, or should I leave it as is? Does anyone know about flights during that time of the year? I'm thinking if I can book the flights early enough I should be able to get them pretty reasonably priced. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

And I'm so excited for those traveling soon, and those already down at our beloved AKL

I'd keep it as well. We went a couple of years ago on the day after Labor Day; the flights over the weekend weren't really more expensive than any Friday or Saturday flights. Since 9/3 is Labor Day itself, you'll have very low crowds for the rest of the week. I wouldn't be concerned.

 

[Pinkocto]

Leave it.

First of all...they are insanely hard to get. You don't want to try to win the lottery TWICE.

Second, a couple days in either direction probably won't make much of a difference in air fare. You'd likely have to wait until after the following Saturday for the prices to drop a whole lot.

If you want to avoid the premium for flying on the holiday, itself...you could fly down a day early and stay at a cheaper hotel/suite for a night. You might need to rent a car, get a taxi (van-style) or contract with someone for transportation...but that might be worth saving the $$ per ticket.

...personally, I'd leave it as is - if you are really concerned, keep checking for availabilities for other dates; one day after could mean a world of difference....

I'd keep it as well. We went a couple of years ago on the day after Labor Day; the flights over the weekend weren't really more expensive than any Friday or Saturday flights. Since 9/3 is Labor Day itself, you'll have very low crowds for the rest of the week. I wouldn't be concerned.

Thanks so much you guys I really appreciate the input! I'm still kicking myself for not checking the calendar. I'm still debating whether to call tomorrow when they open to see if I can push it back one day, this would be the one and only time to do it since nobody else would have been able to book it yet.

 

[Pinkocto]

Leave it.

First of all...they are insanely hard to get. You don't want to try to win the lottery TWICE.

Second, a couple days in either direction probably won't make much of a difference in air fare. You'd likely have to wait until after the following Saturday for the prices to drop a whole lot.

If you want to avoid the premium for flying on the holiday, itself...you could fly down a day early and stay at a cheaper hotel/suite for a night. You might need to rent a car, get a taxi (van-style) or contract with someone for transportation...but that might be worth saving the $$ per ticket.

...personally, I'd leave it as is - if you are really concerned, keep checking for availabilities for other dates; one day after could mean a world of difference....

I'd keep it as well. We went a couple of years ago on the day after Labor Day; the flights over the weekend weren't really more expensive than any Friday or Saturday flights. Since 9/3 is Labor Day itself, you'll have very low crowds for the rest of the week. I wouldn't be concerned.

Thanks so much you guys I really appreciate the input! I'm still kicking myself for not checking the calendar. I'm still debating whether to call tomorrow when they open to see if I can push it back one day, this would be the one and only time to do it since nobody else would have been able to book it yet. And if I do call and it doesn't work I won't try again. I wouldn't want to fly in a day earlier because that would put me smack dab in the middle of the holiday weekend, so the only thing I think would make sense for us would be to push it forward, but then again I don't want to tempt fate since I was lucky enough to get what I originally wanted.

 

[goofyfordisney]

When we were there last year it was a request only. I do not know many rooms they have with a King bed. However, I was told by concierge that they only had a few. In order to get one make a request and hope it is available when you arrive. We have been lucky twice in four visits. Good luck Goofyfordisney!

Angel16

Thanks for the reply...We are traveling with our 2 sons (18 & 23) and both are over 6'2", so we were going to book 2 rooms - 1 w/king for DH & I and 1 room with 2 queen beds - that everyone has their own bed. But, if I can't be guaranteed a room with a king bed, maybe I should just book a 2 bedroom villa! So very expensive...

 

[Pinkocto]

After doing a little more investigating I am going to follow everyone's advice and leave the September 2012 vacation as is. I found a wonderfully helpful website that advises when to fly on holidays, and Monday morning is actually a good time to fly during the Labor Day weekend because most people will be returning in the afternoon, and Tuesday morning is a bad time to fly because quite a few people are returning home. So, if I had pushed it back I might have been making more trouble for myself. Thanks again!

 

[dgbg100106]

I had to come back to our room for a bit to cool off and take a shower.... I am just not ready for all the humid air.

Fun so far, crowds much better today, but the heat may be keeping everyone away.

Looking forward to the sun going down.

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

I had to come back to our room for a bit to cool off and take a shower.... I am just not ready for all the humid air.

Fun so far, crowds much better today, but the heat may be keeping everyone away.

Looking forward to the sun going down.

Maybe pooltime and some adult beverages???

 

[dgbg100106]

Maybe pooltime and some adult beverages???

I took a cold shower and have been into the adult beverages all day, in a way, that is contributing to the over heating I think... but...i do it anyway...

 

[Pinkocto]

I took a cold shower and have been into the adult beverages all day, in a way, that is contributing to the over heating I think... but...i do it anyway...

Remember to get in some water at some point, we don't want to you feel sick down there

 

[dgbg100106]

Remember to get in some water at some point, we don't want to you feel sick down there

Beer has a lot of water right....

to be serious and all, yea I have had several bottles of water... thanks for looking after me...

 

[athenna]

I had to come back to our room for a bit to cool off and take a shower.... I am just not ready for all the humid air.

Fun so far, crowds much better today, but the heat may be keeping everyone away.

Looking forward to the sun going down.

Glad you're having a good time..Gee, I thought the temps were supposed to be lower this week

I took a cold shower and have been into the adult beverages all day, in a way, that is contributing to the over heating I think... but...i do it anyway...

Well, it's vacation Just be careful

 

[franandaj]

I took a cold shower and have been into the adult beverages all day, in a way, that is contributing to the over heating I think... but...i do it anyway...

Ha! Enjoy it! Can't wait to see pics of the new stuff! Glad you are having fun!

Glad you're having a good time..Gee, I thought the temps were supposed to be lower this week

I think this is the lower temps!