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

[kimmar067]

Great photo Kathy, thank you for posting it! So this is the "official Jamborini pose" I like it! ...

....and, I suppose it's better to be on THIS side of that pose, not the other side....

 

[kimmar067]

'Morning!

Happy Friday everyone!

I hope some people are remembering to indulge in person and take pics!

....yes, that WOULD be the proper thing to do.

 

[kimmar067]

I know those of you on facebook have read some of what happened on our trip, but not all of it. I am going to post it once and then not say anything else since this is (technically) an AKL thread! Of course, what happened to us directly affected my ability to be at the AKL when I was supposed to be so maybe you can connect it that way.

We were at Saratoga Springs since our waitlist for Kidani never came through. This was our first stay there (probably our last) and it was the very last Disney Resort that we had not stayed in up till this point. Briefly, our accessible unit, which was guaranteed and blocked off by Member Services was not available for us when we arrived. It had been assigned to someone else. Meanwhile we had been given a villa that had "all our requests (third floor, waterview in The Paddock)." The problem with this was that no requests had been made by me or my friend who booked the room for us. Other than requiring a handicapped villa we made no requests at all! A manager was able to find another villa on the other side of Saratoga for us but it was not ready so we did not get into the room until 4:00.

Well, we didn't get into the room because the lock wouldn't open. Maintenance replaced the entire lock and door knob unit and we were finally able to use the door by 6:30 that night. The rest of the story had to do with housekeeping issues that were awful and the overall condition of the unit we were in. The accessible unit had a regular bathtub in it. There was no bath seat so Bob could not take a shower. He cannot step up and over a tub! The only things accessible about the unit were the kitchen area, a threshold ramp out onto the patio and a lower bed. When we opened the sheers on the patio door we were greeted by a naked baby doll that could not have been missed by the housekeeper if she had just opened the curtains. The sofa bed had another toy in it, as well as candy stuck inside of the bed area. The kitchen was not well-equipped at all. No measure cups of spoons, no serving utensils, no wine opener, etc. That was enough for me to decide to make a trip to the front desk to talk to a manager at some point in the next couple of days.

However, After the sofa bed broke at 11:30 on Sunday night I called the night manager and told her the whole story. She sent maintenance to repair the bed (the neighbors just LOVED the sound of drills and screwguns at midnight). She also sent a CM to retrieve the toys (he wore latex gloves to do so ) and told us she would take care of a move for us the next morning.

She did and management went out of their way to make it a better trip for us. The day manager was in tears by the time she read our file. They were financially generous as well as setting up a reserved viewing area for Illuminations for us one evening. So, they did as well as they could do, but we lost the joy of our first 2 1/2 days of vacation. That we cannot get back. BUT... overall, the trip was good and we all had a great time at the F&W Festival.

The CMs we encountered were amazing. They were kind and generous and understanding and helpful. It was as it should be at Disney. The people are what make it that way. Disney execs should be proud of their training program, because it certainly made for "good show."

....wow, what a rought start, but a nice ending....and, boy, do I LOVE happy endings! Where was your Illuminations location?

 

[kimmar067]

....uhhhh, STILL a-waitin on those ZD's for 'Zebra Dome Friday'...

 

[tiggrbaby]

I know those of you on facebook have read some of what happened on our trip, but not all of it. I am going to post it once and then not say anything else since this is (technically) an AKL thread! Of course, what happened to us directly affected my ability to be at the AKL when I was supposed to be so maybe you can connect it that way.

We were at Saratoga Springs since our waitlist for Kidani never came through. This was our first stay there (probably our last) and it was the very last Disney Resort that we had not stayed in up till this point. Briefly, our accessible unit, which was guaranteed and blocked off by Member Services was not available for us when we arrived. It had been assigned to someone else. Meanwhile we had been given a villa that had "all our requests (third floor, waterview in The Paddock)." The problem with this was that no requests had been made by me or my friend who booked the room for us. Other than requiring a handicapped villa we made no requests at all! A manager was able to find another villa on the other side of Saratoga for us but it was not ready so we did not get into the room until 4:00.

Well, we didn't get into the room because the lock wouldn't open. Maintenance replaced the entire lock and door knob unit and we were finally able to use the door by 6:30 that night. The rest of the story had to do with housekeeping issues that were awful and the overall condition of the unit we were in. The accessible unit had a regular bathtub in it. There was no bath seat so Bob could not take a shower. He cannot step up and over a tub! The only things accessible about the unit were the kitchen area, a threshold ramp out onto the patio and a lower bed. When we opened the sheers on the patio door we were greeted by a naked baby doll that could not have been missed by the housekeeper if she had just opened the curtains. The sofa bed had another toy in it, as well as candy stuck inside of the bed area. The kitchen was not well-equipped at all. No measure cups of spoons, no serving utensils, no wine opener, etc. That was enough for me to decide to make a trip to the front desk to talk to a manager at some point in the next couple of days.

However, After the sofa bed broke at 11:30 on Sunday night I called the night manager and told her the whole story. She sent maintenance to repair the bed (the neighbors just LOVED the sound of drills and screwguns at midnight). She also sent a CM to retrieve the toys (he wore latex gloves to do so ) and told us she would take care of a move for us the next morning.

She did and management went out of their way to make it a better trip for us. The day manager was in tears by the time she read our file. They were financially generous as well as setting up a reserved viewing area for Illuminations for us one evening. So, they did as well as they could do, but we lost the joy of our first 2 1/2 days of vacation. That we cannot get back. BUT... overall, the trip was good and we all had a great time at the F&W Festival.

The CMs we encountered were amazing. They were kind and generous and understanding and helpful. It was as it should be at Disney. The people are what make it that way. Disney execs should be proud of their training program, because it certainly made for "good show."

I'm sorry to hear that you had such a terrible experience to start, but glad you stayed patient and things ended up better as time went on!

....uhhhh, STILL a-waitin on those ZD's for 'Zebra Dome Friday'...

See below from this AM!

'Morning!

Happy Friday everyone!

I hope some people are remembering to indulge in person and take pics!

 

[dgbg100106]

I'm doing a split stay in May Kidani & BLT.

 

[dgbg100106]

Good night my friends.

We are at the airport waiting for our flight

 

[franandaj]

Elin,
I'm so sorry that you had such an experience. I can totally relate because my partner has mobility issues and we need a walk in shower and other aids like that. With any accessible room, it can be a difficulty and we've had trouble over the years, so we try and cope with having stuff in the Owner's Locker and lots of suitcases! I'm glad you didn't let it ruin your vacation though!

Brandi,
When you get home and settled can you change my dates to May 1-4 Kidani, May 4 - 8 BTL (MK View! )

Glad all the Jamborinis and Kidanites had fun trips and a good meet!

 

[snykymom]

I know those of you on facebook have read some of what happened on our trip, but not all of it. I am going to post it once and then not say anything else since this is (technically) an AKL thread! Of course, what happened to us directly affected my ability to be at the AKL when I was supposed to be so maybe you can connect it that way.

We were at Saratoga Springs since our waitlist for Kidani never came through. This was our first stay there (probably our last) and it was the very last Disney Resort that we had not stayed in up till this point. Briefly, our accessible unit, which was guaranteed and blocked off by Member Services was not available for us when we arrived. It had been assigned to someone else. Meanwhile we had been given a villa that had "all our requests (third floor, waterview in The Paddock)." The problem with this was that no requests had been made by me or my friend who booked the room for us. Other than requiring a handicapped villa we made no requests at all! A manager was able to find another villa on the other side of Saratoga for us but it was not ready so we did not get into the room until 4:00.

Well, we didn't get into the room because the lock wouldn't open. Maintenance replaced the entire lock and door knob unit and we were finally able to use the door by 6:30 that night. The rest of the story had to do with housekeeping issues that were awful and the overall condition of the unit we were in. The accessible unit had a regular bathtub in it. There was no bath seat so Bob could not take a shower. He cannot step up and over a tub! The only things accessible about the unit were the kitchen area, a threshold ramp out onto the patio and a lower bed. When we opened the sheers on the patio door we were greeted by a naked baby doll that could not have been missed by the housekeeper if she had just opened the curtains. The sofa bed had another toy in it, as well as candy stuck inside of the bed area. The kitchen was not well-equipped at all. No measure cups of spoons, no serving utensils, no wine opener, etc. That was enough for me to decide to make a trip to the front desk to talk to a manager at some point in the next couple of days.

However, After the sofa bed broke at 11:30 on Sunday night I called the night manager and told her the whole story. She sent maintenance to repair the bed (the neighbors just LOVED the sound of drills and screwguns at midnight). She also sent a CM to retrieve the toys (he wore latex gloves to do so ) and told us she would take care of a move for us the next morning.

She did and management went out of their way to make it a better trip for us. The day manager was in tears by the time she read our file. They were financially generous as well as setting up a reserved viewing area for Illuminations for us one evening. So, they did as well as they could do, but we lost the joy of our first 2 1/2 days of vacation. That we cannot get back. BUT... overall, the trip was good and we all had a great time at the F&W Festival.

The CMs we encountered were amazing. They were kind and generous and understanding and helpful. It was as it should be at Disney. The people are what make it that way. Disney execs should be proud of their training program, because it certainly made for "good show."

This makes me a bit worried on one hand and bit happier on the other - we're heading to SSR next week! Luckily, we don't need an accessible room, but we do need a clean one! And we're 3 in the room, so we need to have a working sofa bed. But it's nice to know that they tried to make it right.

 

[dgbg100106]

Here is the latest list of everyone visiting the remainder of 2011 and 2012....

If you have any updates please let me know...

October… AKL Meet
Pilferk, 6th – 15th, AKL
msylvester01, 12th -19th, AKL - Kidani
puppytrainer, 12th -17th, AKL -Kidani
athenna, 15th – 18th, AKLV CL Jambo House
snykymom, 15th - 22nd, SSR
Grumpy Grandma, 19th -30th, AKV - Jambo
athenna, 18th – 23rd, BWV 1 bedroom garden/pool view
tde1969, 20th - 23rd, Kidani
PoohNFriends, 22nd – 29th, AKV CL
franandaj, 27th - 31st BCV
pix13dust, 31st – Nov 13, AKL CL

November
franandaj, Oct 31st - 3rd, VWL
pix13dust, Oct 31st – 13th, AKL CL
RachelTori, 1st – 5th, SSR
camsmomE, 5th – 7th, BLT
basketlacey, 12th -19th, AKL
Singinglizzie, 11th - 16th, Kidani
tiggrbaby, 13th – 15th, POP
happygirlagain, 16th - 19th, AKV-Kidani
blueshog2001, 24th - Dec 4th, AKL CL
westonkamom, 29th - Dec 9th, AKL

December
blueshog2001, Nov 24th - 4th, AKL CL
dinut, 1st -8th, AKL CL
supersuperwendy, 2nd - 7th, Jambo House
Crzyred, 3rd – 10th, AKL Kidani
huey578, 3rd – 10th, AKL Kidani
Nutty4Disney, 3rd - 10th, AKV Kidani
RachelTori, 10th - 14th(?), Sports(?)/GF
DisneyBride'03, 11th - 14th, GF-RPC
TyRy, 11th - 15th, AKV
At Home at WL, 11th - 16th, AKL
REL1203, 11th - 18th, AKL
John's Mom, 12th - 22nd, AKL CL
DaisynDonald, 13th - 20th, AKL CL
TinkerbellLuvr7, 16th - 20th, AKL
Ana~n~Joseph, 19th - 22nd, AKL CL
twinklebug, 20th - 22nd, BWV
twinklebug, 23rd -29th, AKV - Kidani
Harlemgirl720, 23rd - 26th, AKV
Harlemgirl720, 26th -29th, BLT

2012
January
DisneyFirstTimer10, 21st – 28th, AKV
Grumpy Grandma, 21st - 29th, AKV Kidani
junebugTN, 22nd - 27th, AKL

February
pookie10, 1st – 8th, AKL
DisneyBride'03, Princess half marathon, AKV Kidani

March
DCTM, 17th - 24th, AKL
Pinkocto, 18th - 21st, AKV
PoeticMoe, 29th, - 31st, AKL

April
Denamac, 8th - 14th, AKV Jambo House
momtwoboys, 11th -20th, AKL Jambo House
TinkerBelle_325, 20th - 25th, AKL CL

May
franandaj, 1st - 4th, AKV - Kidani
franandaj, 4th - 8th, BLT
wendypooh, 19th - 30th, AKV - Kidani
goofyredraider, 27th - June 7th, AKV - Jambo House
pandamom, 29th - June 1st, AKL

June
goofyredraider, May 27th - 7th, AKV - Jambo House
pandamom, 1st - 6th, Wyndham Bonnet Creek
supersuperwendy, 13th - 17th, Jambo House
miprender, 22nd - July 5th, AKL Jambo

July
miprender, June 22nd - 5th, AKL Jambo

August
MMrules, 8th - 17th, AKV-kidani
Donald is #1, 8th - 18th, AKL Kidani

September
meg_twittles, 20th - 29th, AKL

 

[dgbg100106]

Brandi,
When you get home and settled can you change my dates to May 1-4 Kidani, May 4 - 8 BTL (MK View! )

Glad all the Jamborinis and Kidanites had fun trips and a good meet!

Got you covered....

 

[PNO4TE]

....and, I suppose it's better to be on THIS side of that pose, not the other side....

 

[PNO4TE]

....wow, what a rought start, but a nice ending....and, boy, do I LOVE happy endings! Where was your Illuminations location?

It was in that little alcove area across from the Italy Pavilion.

 

[PNO4TE]

Good afternoon, Jamborinis and Kidanites!

 

[dgbg100106]

Good afternoon, Jamborinis and Kidanites!

Afternoon!

 

[Angel16]

Hi and Good afternoon, Jamborinis and Kidanites!

I am down with a sinus infection and headache today Don't get them hardly at all. Thank God! So I will try and pop in more often as my eyes and head allow.

Elin & Bob, I am so sorry you trip started out so badly. I hope housekeeping got a strong review regarding cleaning and checking the rooms by management. There is no excuse for that under any condition. Glad that the manager made it right for you both, too bad they couldn't give you back the days you lost with this all. I hope the rest of your trip was super good and you both got some much deserved rest, fun and pixiedust.

Home Brandi. Looking forward to your TR and photos.

So sorry to learn of your uncle passing. You both are in my prayers and thoughts. You both have had a difficult year.


Kathy, Hope things are going along perfect for you. Thinking of you and John this weekend.


Angel16

 

[dgbg100106]

Hi and Good afternoon, Jamborinis and Kidanites!

I am down with a sinus infection and headache today Don't get them hardly at all. Thank God! So I will try and pop in more often as my eyes and head allow.

Elin & Bob, I am so sorry you trip started out so badly. I hope housekeeping got a strong review regarding cleaning and checking the rooms by management. There is no excuse for that under any condition. Glad that the manager made it right for you both, too bad they couldn't give you back the days you lost with this all. I hope the rest of your trip was super good and you both got some much deserved rest, fun and pixiedust.

Home Brandi. Looking forward to your TR and photos.

So sorry to learn of your uncle passing. You both are in my prayers and thoughts. You both have had a difficult year.


Kathy, Hope things are going along perfect for you. Thinking of you and John this weekend.


Angel16

Thanks Ann...

I was just telling someone else that I am so far behind on my Europe TR that I may never finish...

I leave again on Wednesday for work and will not be back until Saturday, so
I will be getting further behind all the time...

 

[RachelTori]

To my Jamborini/Kidanite Food & Wine Festival Friends:

All I can say is plan your trip next year so that you can attend one or both nights of the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic. It is BEYOND AMAZING!!

First night was outdoors on the Causeway as planned - WONDERFUL!! Tonight was indoors due to the monsoon outside and it was even better!!!

Todd English was there both nights! I didn't see any other celebrity chefs but the food and wine were AWESOME!! (Deb Wills was there both nights too! )

Swan/Dolphin definitely knows how to throw a party!

 

[dgbg100106]

To my Jamborini/Kidanite Food & Wine Festival Friends:

All I can say is plan your trip next year so that you can attend one or both nights of the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic. It is BEYOND AMAZING!!

First night was outdoors on the Causeway as planned - WONDERFUL!! Tonight was indoors due to the monsoon outside and it was even better!!!

Todd English was there both nights! I didn't see any other celebrity chefs but the food and wine were AWESOME!! (Deb Wills was there both nights too! )

Swan/Dolphin definitely knows how to throw a party!

Laura,
That sounds amazing.... Glad you had a such a good time and enjoyed the food and the WINE....

Wish we could have been there.

 

[pilferk]

VERY wet down here at WDW....we haven't floated away yet, but I'm thinking of building an ark so I can start loading animals.

6+ inches of rain ,yesterday. Looks like a couple more inches today.

Still...we're having fun!

Today: DHS.