JAMBO! The UN-official AKL Thread ~ UPDATED(short film/pg 8 & slideshow/pg 12) Part 3

[TheLastPrincess]

We're leaving for AkL in three days for our honeymoon !!!

Congrats and pixie dust! ixiedust: We're leaving in 9 days for ours! Staying 9/14-23. Maybe we'll see you there?

 

[kimmar067]

We're leaving for AkL in three days for our honeymoon !!!

...congrats on your upcoming nuptuals, and, don't forget to take PLENTY of pix at AKL......

 

[kimmar067]

Okay, I need your ideas. We are going for a christmas surprise trip and I need ideas on how to "wrap" the trip to give DS. I am planning to bring a tree (complete with the mini mickey ornaments) to set up in the room with some disney themed gifts there (warm pj's, sweatshirts, etc). DS7 (and me) have been dying to go to AKL, so how can I "wrap" a disney trip, including MVMCP and a stay at AKL? It could be in a card or box.

Also, is there anywhere to get a nice AKL christmas ornament? I looked at the DTD gift shop and they just had flat porcelin ones that I wasn't crazy about.

Thanks guys!

...while at the Christmas Shop at DTD, I ALWAYS stop to purchase a WDW ornament to take back home for my tree. They have a collection that is resin, but looks like carved wood - really cute! They are kinda on the 'rustic' side, or folk-artsy. These would be really cute for your DS. Also, you could decorate the tree with African animals and bows made of pieces of kente fabric (African folk fabric). You could also 'wrap' it in either this same fabric or use burlap.

Another idea would be to start a scrapbook with an AKL-themed cover and finish the first page (as a 'pre-trip' page) - perhaps, the title could be something like "Our AKL Christmas Adventure", or something similar....

 

[kath1210]

We will be departing for our first family trip to the World and we are staying at the AKL on 9/16. My DW went to WDW when she was 16. I have DD's that are 6.75 and 2.5 years old.

Ironically I have done most of the planning for the trip and not my DW. I am just trying to make it a memorable trip for the family. I have the spreadsheets and everything all mapped out.

Quick question, do the fridges at AKL have a little freezer area in them?

I don't think so. The one in our room did not have a freezer section.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Tig-girl]

Beautiful Pic Kim......where did you find it? I am so excited about seeing it again!

 

[disneygirl319]

Well, after having stayed at NUMEROUS other Disney hotels I now have a new favorite....AKL.

We just stayed there this past weekend and it was AMAZING. I would highly recommend a Savanna view but if you can't get one I wouldn't really be upset about it. There are quite a few viewing areas of the animals/grounds that you can easily get to. The only disadvantage would not being able to look directly out your window and watch them at any given time.

I'm the type of person that now loves the Disney hotels almost as much, if not more, than the parks. I've really 'been there and done that' at all of their parks so the hotels, to me, are more enjoyable now. So I end up hanging out in the room alot so it was incredible to be able to sit there on my bed and look out the window and watch the giraffes. I didn't choose my location ahead of time since I wasn't really sure which animals were where so I just left it up to chance. I was really happy to find that our view was of the one of the giraffe areas! I just love watching them. We also saw zebras and gazelles.

I didn't really notice any noise from the construction though I did see that they had the upper floors in the main building curtained off (where they area building the DVC villas).

I would NOT recommend Boma's for breakfast. It wasn't enjoyable at all and it seemed that alot of other people felt the same way since I never saw it really packed during breakfast. Dinner, on the other hand, is a totally different story. I started calling over a month before our stay and we couldn't get into Boma's for dinner for the 3 days that we were there! I had my daughter call a couple of times and we double-checked each day while we were there....nothing...completely booked.

My only other complaint was that the rooms weren't that big. For a DELUXE resort and in comparison to the only other Deluxe that I have stayed at--the Contemporary--this place was MUCH SMALLER.

But even so...if you get the chance, stay at the AKL!

 

[sarcasticfiesta]

Congrats and pixie dust! ixiedust: We're leaving in 9 days for ours! Staying 9/14-23. Maybe we'll see you there?

Thanks, congrats to you too. Hope your big day is magical. I'll keep an eye out for lime green at AKL.

 

[sarcasticfiesta]

...congrats on your upcoming nuptuals, and, don't forget to take PLENTY of pix at AKL......

Thanks, will do .

 

[wvdislover]

3, 2, 1, 0! We have 0 days left until we leave!!! We leave this afternoon, will get to ASMu tonight, then, tomorrow...AKL!!! It's a dream come true! I'm so excited--can you tell? I'll let everyone know how it is when I get back (we come home on the 16th). If you're going to be there while I'm there--hope I see you!
Missy

 

[pilferk]

Spreadsheets? Did you say spreadsheets?
OMG, a girl after my own heart. My DH calls me "the nerd" because of my planning, spreadsheets for budget, packing, park hours, ADRs, I'm obsessed, but you name it, I have a spreadsheet for it!!!
I hear you on the packing. I had no time this past weekend, but I did get a lot of laundry done....now to keep everyone from wearing the stuff you know they want to pack. And I also am working until Thursday night and we have to leave the house around 4am on Friday! I got my baggies and medication pouches just about ready, but that's it. I finally filled out the luggage tags last night, but they aren't on the actual luggage yet...SO MUCH TO DO.....and yet so exciting.

I'm right there with you.

We have about 6 spreadsheets (packing, ADR, DDP, schedule, Hotel ressies, and prepurchase) AND are using a new planning product in beta testing called "Mousemanager".

And you think the "trip planning" spreadsheets are huge?

You should see the "DVC decision" spreadsheets I have! OMG......I could use them to teach a college level course in economics.

 

[pilferk]

Okay, I need your ideas. We are going for a christmas surprise trip and I need ideas on how to "wrap" the trip to give DS. I am planning to bring a tree (complete with the mini mickey ornaments) to set up in the room with some disney themed gifts there (warm pj's, sweatshirts, etc). DS7 (and me) have been dying to go to AKL, so how can I "wrap" a disney trip, including MVMCP and a stay at AKL? It could be in a card or box.

Also, is there anywhere to get a nice AKL christmas ornament? I looked at the DTD gift shop and they just had flat porcelin ones that I wasn't crazy about.

Thanks guys!

Here's what we're going to do for the kids (though not as an Xmas present...we're going to show it to them as we leave). It's sorta "techie" but you could just have your local Ritz Camera (and maybe even Walmart) do it for you...

Make a DVD slide show with Windows moviemaker.

Now, you'll need to have Windows XP Media Center or Windows Vista on you PC (Movie Maker comes with those) and a DVD burner.

But making the movie, made up of pictures from around the net and some good Disney theme music (also readily available around the net), is pretty simple. My wife makes video "scrapbooks" for people all the time (side business), and for our families for the holidays. They're GREAT!

So you make one, burn it to DVD, and then put it in a DVD case and wrap it up. Have him pop it in on Xmas morning and...there ya have it.

We're going to pop ours into the car DVD player when we pick our daughter up from school....as we begin the drive to WDW.

 

[christinadei]

...while at the Christmas Shop at DTD, I ALWAYS stop to purchase a WDW ornament to take back home for my tree. They have a collection that is resin, but looks like carved wood - really cute! They are kinda on the 'rustic' side, or folk-artsy. These would be really cute for your DS. Also, you could decorate the tree with African animals and bows made of pieces of kente fabric (African folk fabric). You could also 'wrap' it in either this same fabric or use burlap.

Another idea would be to start a scrapbook with an AKL-themed cover and finish the first page (as a 'pre-trip' page) - perhaps, the title could be something like "Our AKL Christmas Adventure", or something similar....

Thanks for the ideas! I went to the Christmas shop at DTD and in the MK and didn't see the ornaments you are talking about? I saw a bunch that looked like they would be perfect for the WL, but none for AKL. I did see all of the resort ornaments, they were flat, circles and looked porcelin. I wasnt' crazy about those.

I love the idea of african animals and fabric to decorate the tree. Now I'm second guessing the mini-mickey ornaments I bought. They are bright red and may not blend in. I'll have to look and see what I can find. Oh and the mini tree I plan to bring is already wrapped in burlap at the bottom, how perfect!!!

 

[christinadei]

Here's what we're going to do for the kids (though not as an Xmas present...we're going to show it to them as we leave). It's sorta "techie" but you could just have your local Ritz Camera (and maybe even Walmart) do it for you...

Make a DVD slide show with Windows moviemaker.

Now, you'll need to have Windows XP Media Center or Windows Vista on you PC (Movie Maker comes with those) and a DVD burner.

But making the movie, made up of pictures from around the net and some good Disney theme music (also readily available around the net), is pretty simple. My wife makes video "scrapbooks" for people all the time (side business), and for our families for the holidays. They're GREAT!

So you make one, burn it to DVD, and then put it in a DVD case and wrap it up. Have him pop it in on Xmas morning and...there ya have it.

We're going to pop ours into the car DVD player when we pick our daughter up from school....as we begin the drive to WDW.

Very good idea! I could theme it to Disney, the christmas party adn of course AKL. I have everything available to do it, I just have a hard time figuring out how to do stuff like that. i have plenty of time though, so I can play aroudn with it. DH just set up a computer specifically for my pictures and videos, so it's a great time to start using it. We are going before Christmas, but I could wrap it in disney christmas paper and give it to him in the car on the way for him to watch on the DVD player. Hmm. Thanks!

 

[2manypets]

Disneygirl319,
I usually ignore this thread because it's just banter between a few people. I appreciate your review of the actual resort! I'm so looking forward to going in Nov. We have a dinner ressie at Boma's and a breakfast. I'm glad to hear that Boma's is not crowded in the mornings. I'd love to eat there a few more times, but don't want to commit to it.

I'm glad you had a good time.

 

[brookelizabeth]

check out my siggy!

 

[Tig-girl]

check out my siggy!

Well that baby FINALLY arrived! Congratulations to all of you on your new arrival, Henry!

 

[RachelTori]

check out my siggy!

Ahhhhh, congratulations!!! So happy to hear from you. Best wishes to your new family. When you feel up to it, we want to see a picture of the little guy. Welcome, Henry!


How's Momma feeling?!

 

[tiggrbaby]

check out my siggy!

Congratulations to your family!

 

[disneytraveler]

check out my siggy!

Yay Congratulations to your family

 

[disneytraveler]

Disneygirl319,
I usually ignore this thread because it's just banter between a few people. I appreciate your review of the actual resort! I'm so looking forward to going in Nov. We have a dinner ressie at Boma's and a breakfast. I'm glad to hear that Boma's is not crowded in the mornings. I'd love to eat there a few more times, but don't want to commit to it.

I'm glad you had a good time.

Boma is good. The Frunch juice is wonderful. They might have a different concoction that is just as nice. I never been there for dinner but this December i have a reservation. The lodge is great. If you have a chance try the night goggles. Jiko is great for dinner as well. My favorite dish is the Filet with mac/cheese. The creme brulee is nice to.