Jaime's Flower Power Trip! NEW 7/05 CH. 62: The "Really" End **COMPLETED**

[tiggerbell]

Ack! I know what you mean about the "Magical Express" - sometimes it can be ANYTHING BUT. However, it is still cool to hop on a Disney bus right out of the airport instead of taking a taxi or something. Glad your flight went so smoothly! Can't wait for more.

I agree - I did think about just getting out of line and getting a cab, but then they had about 4 busses pull up at the same time and one of them was ours. I would use ME again... but the next couple trips we drive, so it's not an issue. But Judi, Ron, Brooke, and Meg will use it in September!

subbing!

pierresgirl -

Thanks for the info Jaime!!! I see you picked an aisle seat - that's what I always do. That way DH can be sucked out of the plane first if something goes wrong!

I never thought of it that way! I never bother with one because it's a waste of a view for me to have the window. But, with Ruth against the window, I like your version better!

Love it so far!

Just keep writing.. just keep writing.... just keep writing... just keep writing

Thanks for singing along, Kel!

Hey, great start. Those metal detectors can't be that strong, I have a foot full of titanium I haven't set one off yet!

Can't wait to see more bad shoe pics! You wonder what some people think.

HA! Never even thought about that! That's true - 2 tiny metal bandage clasps aren't going to set off a metal detector! Duh!!!

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Great start Jaime!

I absolutely LOVE the nebo mention....
and I absolutely cannot *wait* til he sees it!

 

[dddisrunner]

Jaime I feel so bad that you didn't have a great experience with ME! You know I really think it all depends on what time you arrive at the airport. I know what you mean about the AKL we ate dinner there 1 night and I was surprised at how noisy and chaotic the lobby seemed? The dinner was awesome and I did think the Resort was beautiful but my 1st impression wasn't so great!

 

[candee0512]

Jaime I feel so bad that you didn't have a great experience with ME! You know I really think it all depends on what time you arrive at the airport. I know what you mean about the AKL we ate dinner there 1 night and I was surprised at how noisy and chaotic the lobby seemed? The dinner was awesome and I did think the Resort was beautiful but my 1st impression wasn't so great!

I have to add this ~

My family and I were in WDW for a whirlwind trip last month, too, and we used ME. I could not believe how ill-prepared some of the families were - how they made it onto a plane, much less to the ME desk, I'll never know. One guy ahead of me talked with the CM for several minutes, then turned to shout at his wife in the waiting area, "Hey hon, who is the reservation under?" ???????????

We've eaten at AKL but my first impression was "Huh! This is a really big . . . HUT! I think it's a beautiful resort, after walking around. I'd stay there in a second!

Candee

 

[DisneyTones913]

Jaime, I have to say, you are one of my favorite trip report writers on these boards! The morning you got to AKL, I was leaving! Haha! Can't wait to hear more!

also: on the way to the airport that morning, i missed the video they played. It was 4 in the morning and i was sleeping and they didnt play it on the way to the hotel.....did i miss anything?

 

[tiggerbell]

Now I know why we don't use Magical Express...

I would go crazy...well, crazier than I already am.


The hubby and I have never been to the AKL so your comments are interesting - hope you have some more pictures of the hotel in the next installment because I'm very curious to see more.

And... is that red thing a bird?????

Thanks for the update!

Brenda - Yes, I think it's a bird! I have a ton of pictures of the resort - and apparently, I have a fascination with taking pictures of giraffes...

On a different note, my first picture turned into a link when I edited... I remember you having this problem - did you ever find a solution?

Great start Jaime!

I absolutely LOVE the nebo mention....
and I absolutely cannot *wait* til he sees it!

Colleen - Me either!

Jaime I feel so bad that you didn't have a great experience with ME! You know I really think it all depends on what time you arrive at the airport. I know what you mean about the AKL we ate dinner there 1 night and I was surprised at how noisy and chaotic the lobby seemed? The dinner was awesome and I did think the Resort was beautiful but my 1st impression wasn't so great!

dddisrunner - I think it might have just been bad luck with ME - like I said about September, we stepped right onto a bus - never even paused in the line...

I blame Ruth... you'll see why later.

I have to add this ~

My family and I were in WDW for a whirlwind trip last month, too, and we used ME. I could not believe how ill-prepared some of the families were - how they made it onto a plane, much less to the ME desk, I'll never know. One guy ahead of me talked with the CM for several minutes, then turned to shout at his wife in the waiting area, "Hey hon, who is the reservation under?" ???????????

We've eaten at AKL but my first impression was "Huh! This is a really big . . . HUT! I think it's a beautiful resort, after walking around. I'd stay there in a second!

Candee

Candee -

I agree with everything you said. And I think "hut" was the perfect word for the first look at the AKL!

Jaime, I have to say, you are one of my favorite trip report writers on these boards! The morning you got to AKL, I was leaving! Haha! Can't wait to hear more!

also: on the way to the airport that morning, i missed the video they played. It was 4 in the morning and i was sleeping and they didnt play it on the way to the hotel.....did i miss anything?

DisneyTones913 -

I'd blush, but we all know I don't do that!

You were leaving as I was arriving??? I knew you looked familiar!

You missed a wonderful film (sarcasm, people, sarcasm) about the bus ride and DVC and the parks and what Disney offers - most of which I'm sure you managed to do just fine on your trip without having watched the video!

 

[NMAmy]

Off the plane and into a bathroom (that should really be the name of all my reports, don’t you think? Jaime’s Bathroom Vacation. Well, joke’s on you – I went on the plane! (So did Rhonda) How else would I know that I do fit in an airplane bathroom? Not well, mind you, but I do fit. It’s a nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there.

Well, THAT cracked me up! I am the one who has to check out every bathroom on our vacations so I think I'd love the Bathroom Vacation Trip Report. Morocco gets my vote for favorite bathrooms.

What IS that red thing? It looks like a deformed leaf.

Can't wait to read more, Jaime! Great installments so far.

 

[tiggerbell]

CHAPTER 3: Giraffe-Trail-a-Go-Go!!! - Still Saturday, April 28th, 2007


We are on the Giraffe Trail. That’s the area that overlooks the bus stop. Only it really doesn’t because the bus stop is covered – you can’t even see the trail you walk to the busses. The noise of the busses and the people on the walkway never bothered any of us.

Also, before I forget – no construction noises either – and I was in the room in the afternoons for a few days…

Our rooms, Carlos says, are ready.

Giraffe Trail is off the lobby (duh, they all are) and we walk down a short hallway to the elevators.

You see the light at the end of the hallway? That's where the elevators are!

There’s also a bank of elevators IN the lobby that would work as well.

Giraffes on lobby elevator doors:

Here's a picture most people don't take - the inside of the elevator:

I do have to say I have a pretty good sense of direction. You need it in this hotel. I will leave it at this: the rest of my party might have needed a Search and Rescue Team sent out if they were on their own.

So, down the short Giraffe hall, into the elevator to the 5th floor – another interesting fact – the lobby, shop, and bus stop are on the 3rd floor of the hotel. You enter the hotel and you’re already on the 3rd floor. Now, that’s EXPRESS! There are guest rooms on all 6 floors. 2nd floor, viewing areas and ladies’ lingerie.

(I feel the need to point out that I spelled "lingerie" correctly on the first try!!! Or my spell check is just stupid!) (I also would like to give Sandy credit for the Ladies’ Lingerie joke.)

1st floor is the pool, food options, arcade, and laundry. 6th floor is concierge – you need your room key to get the elevator to go to the 6th floor.

OK, we went down the giraffe hall and into the elevator to floor 5. It didn’t take as long to do it as it’s taking me to explain it! Get off the elevator and turn right. Rhonda and Ruth’s room was the first room on the right. Sandy and I were right next to them. Our room was not ready. Theirs was. Turned out we had different mousekeepers the entire trip. Weird. Why would they change mousekeepers at the end of a hallway???

Rhonda & Ruth's door shield: (I think these are suppose to ward off evil spirits in the night???)

Mine & Sandy's door shield:

We went back to their room and dumped our carry on stuff. Rhonda, Sandy, and I had made goodie bags again this trip. Rhonda gave us little white cardboard boxes she got at the Container Store filled with snacks, a Princess lip gloss necklace, and a couple other little items. Sandy and I both bought the Jack Sparrow bags Target had in their dollar section this year! They were filled with snacks. Sandy stuck in stickers and I stuck in a little bag from Target that had earplugs, an eye mask, lotion, and anti-bacterial wipes. Plus I put in a Shout wipe for everyone and Mickey post-it notes.

We ooh and aah over soaps and décor and head off to the bus. We’re going to Animal Kingdom and the Tusker House! Of course, as we leave the room, Rhonda wants to head right… I told you to have that St. Bernard ready!


COMING UP: "GAT" Me to Some Food! [post=18609899]CLICK HERE[/POST]

 

[imsorry]

OMG, I am loving this report! I haven't been over "here" on the trip reports board in a long time - I've been over on the community board.

I am so happy this is my first trip report since returning to my "roots"!!

I can't wait for the rest!

 

[sweet angel]

I had much the same first impression...'this is it? I don't think I'm going to like it!' By the end of day one I was totally hooked.

 

[mboekhoff]

I'd blush, but we all know I don't do that!

HA! I knew you weren't the blushing type! (from a TMFL post)

Missy in MN

 

[RHONDALEE]

Just remember little sister - I have to work with Ruth

Rhonda

 

[tiggerbell]

Well, THAT cracked me up! I am the one who has to check out every bathroom on our vacations so I think I'd love the Bathroom Vacation Trip Report. Morocco gets my vote for favorite bathrooms.

What IS that red thing? It looks like a deformed leaf.

Can't wait to read more, Jaime! Great installments so far.

Amy!

1. Somehow I missed the Morocco bathrooms this trip - oh, well, there's always September!

2. Brenda called it - it's a bird.

3. Thanks - I'm really enjoying this - I got Rhonda's pictures last night and between us, there's over 700 shots!

OMG, I am loving this report! I haven't been over "here" on the trip reports board in a long time - I've been over on the community board.

I am so happy this is my first trip report since returning to my "roots"!!

I can't wait for the rest!

imsorry -

Again, wish I could blush! Really! I also think of the Trip Report Boards as my Dis "roots". I wander occasionally, but being subbed to 37 TRs kinda leaves no room for other threads!

I had much the same first impression...'this is it? I don't think I'm going to like it!' By the end of day one I was totally hooked.

sweetangel -

Do I get hooked on AKL? We shall see! I did wait until the end of the trip to pass judgement on the place though...

just keep reading...

HA! I knew you weren't the blushing type! (from a TMFL post)

Missy in MN

Missy -

Thanks for coming into my madness! I used to get embarrassed in front of people, but 9 yerars as a Girl; Scout Leader and 1 year as PTA President cured me forever!

Just remember little sister - I have to work with Ruth

Rhonda

Rhonda -

I swear to be honest, but not mean; accurate, but fair; and to never, ever, ever, never, ever, go to Universal until I move to Florida.

Unlike some traitors I know.

 

[tiggerbell]

CHAPTER 4: "GAT" ME TO SOME FOOD! – Still Saturday, April 28, 2007

We waited only a few minutes for the Animal Kingdom bus to pull up. Upon exiting the bus, we encountered our 2nd pair of Bad Shoes in 1 day.

We would like very much to ride Everest today – Sandy’s never done it (Ruth will never do it). As we pass the Times Board, we see the stand by wait (I think it was about an hour?) and that there were no more Fast Passes… Really??? At 1pm??? (Sarcasm, people, sarcasm!)

We resign ourselves to riding Everest when we visit in the morning on the next trip. Now, FEED ME!!!

Rhonda and I have a lot of rituals when it comes to Disney trips, and this is one of them:

JAIME: Where do you want to eat in Animal Kingdom? Tusker House or Flame Tree?
RHONDA: I like them both.
JAIME: I love Tusker House, but I’ve never eaten at Flame Tree.
RHONDA: Flame Tree is really good.

And it always ends with eating at Tusker House! Of course, now that it’s confirmed that it will be a buffet, I just might make it to Flame Tree one of these trips!

So we head to Tusker House for lunch… FEED ME! Salmon, chicken, and chicken sandwich were delish!

Jaime's Salmon:

Sandy & Rhonda got the chicken:

Ruth went with the Fried Chicken Sandwich:

[This is for Montana Disney Fan… not that he’s reading, but still…] I GAT’d my way past 4 people by using BOTH sides of the cashier. (Well, I personally did not use BOTH sides of the cashier – I’m not THAT big!)

In fact, I tried a lot this trip to GAT (Gauntlet Avoidance Tactic. At WDW, there are many times when you come across a large group of meandering vacationers who are in your way. Basically, weaving your way through the crowds – according to MDF, they are mostly rookies, large families with maps, and Canadians) – which was not easy, seeing as some people were too busy moseying to keep up!

Turns out, there’s not a lot of sense in getting somewhere quickly if you have to stand and wait for the rest of the group. Unless I spotted a bench – then I GAT’d my little heart out!

We finish up our food at 1:30 – so the obvious choice is the 2:00 Festival of the Lion King (am I the only one who cannot type that without hearing "The Festiiiiivaaaaalll oooofff the Liiiioon Kinggggg!!!!!")

Here’s a not-really-interesting fact – I have only been in the elephant and giraffe sections of this show. Told you- boring. So I steered Rhonda to the right, and we became warthogs. Wasn’t really any different – except we discovered that it hurts Rhonda’s nose – sinuses? – to snort.

Here’s a real fact – once you’ve seen this show a half dozen times or so, you can stop watching the main performers and watch the rest of the cast. We saw a tumble monkey petting Pumba, Pumba swaying to the music, tumble monkeys plucking fleas off of guests, and a lot of interaction between cast members that we had never noticed before.

Amazing, once you take your eyes off the flying bird-lady, that is.

It is a Saturday afternoon in the Animal Kingdom. It is a tad crowded (but not horribly so). Some quick calculations are made in my head, and I decide that the safari and EE need to be saved for a park opening day. I suggest Dinoland. My ulterior motive, of course, is that Dinosaur is one of my favorite rides… and I have a secret mission involving a turtle.


COMING UP: THIS PICTURE NEEDS TO BE FRAMED! [post=18627698]CLICK HERE[/POST]

 

[mboekhoff]

Jamie, for me it was having kids. With so many people looking down there who could ever be embarrased any more

I also did the Girl Scout Leader and PTA President thing, plus, who couldn't like Rick Springfield?

Missy


Missy -

Thanks for coming into my madness! I used to get embarrassed in front of people, but 9 yerars as a Girl; Scout Leader and 1 year as PTA President cured me forever!

 

[imsorry]

More! More! More!

 

[ArielSRL]

[/B] [/FONT]


COMING UP: THIS PICTURE NEEDS TO BE FRAMED!

On the edge of my seat, waiting to hear about the turtle.....

 

[KathyRN137]

[This is for Montana Disney Fan… not that he’s reading, but still…] I GAT’d my way past 4 people by using BOTH sides of the cashier. (Well, I personally did not use BOTH sides of the cashier – I’m not THAT big!)

In fact, I tried a lot this trip to GAT (Gauntlet Avoidance Tactic. At WDW, there are many times when you come across a large group of meandering vacationers who are in your way. Basically, weaving your way through the crowds – according to MDF, they are mostly rookies, large families with maps, and Canadians) – which was not easy, seeing as some people were too busy moseying to keep up!

Jaimie,

Funny... now everytime we GAT, we'll think of MDF!!
Easy on those feet, now!! They still have a lot of walkin' to do!
Looking forward to where they took you next....

Kathy

 

[cathy0124]

Groupies, you guys have groupies!

Loving the TR so far Jamie- Maybe better than your last one!

(I also had to inform my DH about Buzz's GAT manuver and how he'd better start learning it before our next trip!)

 

[tiggerbell]

Jamie, for me it was having kids. With so many people looking down there who could ever be embarrased any more

I also did the Girl Scout Leader and PTA President thing, plus, who couldn't like Rick Springfield?

Missy

Missy - Good heavens, girl - were we separated at birth???

With my first daughter, they had me lay on my side on a gurney, hold my right leg up in the air (bent at the knee), and wheeled me - in the middle of a contraction - down the hall to the delivery room... to this day, I have no idea if they covered me or not. And I didn't care.

More! More! More!

imsorryyou'llhavetowait.

On the edge of my seat, waiting to hear about the turtle.....

ArielSLR - Sit back - turns out it's going to be in 2 episodes... not the next one... so Sunday morning, ok? Can you wait that long?

Jaimie,

Funny... now everytime we GAT, we'll think of MDF!!
Easy on those feet, now!! They still have a lot of walkin' to do!
Looking forward to where they took you next....

Kathy

Kathy - thanks - I couldn't believe how many of you crossed my mind during the trip!

Groupies, you guys have groupies!

Loving the TR so far Jamie- Maybe better than your last one!

(I also had to inform my DH about Buzz's GAT manuver and how he'd better start learning it before our next trip!)

Cathy -

Thanks so much! I give full credit to all the trip reporters on here who have been so incredible (I'm subbed to 37 reports!) - I always have felt the need to compete...