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

[ktink]

Help!
haha.

JennO, Wish I could help you on that one but we've only used ME once. I can tell you that we stayed at CSR and were on the bus w/ Pop, which was the first stop and AKL which ended up being the last stop. We arrived at MCO around 11:30 a.m. and were actually in our room by 12:30 at CSR. Our luggage showed up around 45 mins after we did so the whole process was relatively short.

 

[kimmar067]

Quick update on Mom, she is making slow progress the concern today is her breathing.

...prayers and pixie dust to your mom and your family.....

 

[kimmar067]

Our vacation started off so good. DH and I got pulled out of the long Southwest Airline line and got checked in. We have no clue why but we sure appreciated not having to stand in the long line for check in.

Next nice thing to happen was getting pulled out of the LONG Alamo rental car line. After DH was waiting in line for 30 minutes with about another 30 minutes to go, he got pulled from the line! YIPEE. Off to get our car.

Once we arrived at AKL at 11:30am we were able to check in and go to our room. We were upgraded from a standard view to a pool view. LOL it was on the first floor so most of the view was of foliage. Not a problem with us. Plus it was a corner room so we had the extra chest of drawers..LOL and with 3 of us in the room it sure came in handy.

Luvfigment did a great job showing us around. We all love AKL and found it so relaxing.

One of the best things we did was the culinary tour the first day we arrived. We were eating at Boma that night so we figured this would be a way to learn what to eat. Chef David did a super job explaining all the items on the buffet. He was great!! He arranged for a sampler to be sent to our table for our honeymoon couple. He even sent Kerri a cupcake for her birthday even though her birthday was not until Tuesday.

Luvfigments birthday card was sent to the room and she got her wake up call...LOL too bad she was in the shower.

Soups were outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!
Desserts were outstanding....including the zebra domes!!!!

I would definately stay at AKL again.

Luvfigment is going to post more and some pictures. In all our trip was fantastic.

...AWESOME!! But we want pix, girl....PIX!!!

 

[Jenn0)))]

JennO, Wish I could help you on that one but we've only used ME once. I can tell you that we stayed at CSR and were on the bus w/ Pop, which was the first stop and AKL which ended up being the last stop. We arrived at MCO around 11:30 a.m. and were actually in our room by 12:30 at CSR. Our luggage showed up around 45 mins after we did so the whole process was relatively short.

Much appreciated, anyways.
It's my first trip without my parents.

 

[wendypooh]

Wow ~~ I miss a day or two and it feels like sooooooooo long!!!!

OK ~ Here we go..............

LAWalz23 Hope your mom is doing well, sending many hugs and prayers!!

Webbie & Luvfigment Wow, you guys are back already!!!! Glad to hear you had such a good time!!! More Pics!!!!

Stephwynn You will love Peggy ~ She is awesome and sooooooo easy to work with. She does an amazing job, you'll be pleased!!!

tinknme WOW ~ Paris!!!! Can I come with you???? Sounds like it'll be amazing!!!

Angel16 Hey ~~~ It's coming tooooo slow!!! I'm ready to go already!!!

PracPerfPatricia ~ Hey Girl!!!! How ya doing???

ktink ~~ Hey to you too!!!! I feel the same way you do........ the waiting is the hardest part................

Kimmar067~~ How are things??? What's the word on your trip???

dm220 ~~ Didn't forget about you!!! Visit more often!!!!

OK, whew......... if I missed anyone............. sorry!!!!


AND, I have BIG news!!!!!! My DS is .............. getting married!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


DH and I are going to give them a DISNEY honeymoon!!! I am going to book them a week at Pop, get hoppers, and we'll give them spending/dining $$$. I am going to contact Peggy too and have something really nice sent to them!!!! I think they'd love that!!!
I can hardly believe my firstborn is getting married!!! It's crazy ~~ I said to DH, I'm not that old am I???? LOL

 

[Nancyg56]

AND, I have BIG news!!!!!! My DS is .............. getting married!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


DH and I are going to give them a DISNEY honeymoon!!! I am going to book them a week at Pop, get hoppers, and we'll give them spending/dining $$$. I am going to contact Peggy too and have something really nice sent to them!!!! I think they'd love that!!!
I can hardly believe my firstborn is getting married!!! It's crazy ~~ I said to DH, I'm not that old am I???? LOL

How much fun is that!!!!!!!!!!!! A wedding is so exciting, and there is something wondrous when a son marries. My youngest DS married 2 years ago, gifting us with our "daughter of my heart". I know that you will enjoy the coming weeks and months as you plan for the big day.

( I wish I was planning a wedding for my oldest. He broke up with a lovely young lady, and I was heartbroken. My poor son had tell me that it was not all about me.)

 

[tinknme]

Congratulations to your ds! How exciting A honeymoon at Disney is the perfect gift So when is the wedding?

AND, I have BIG news!!!!!! My DS is .............. getting married!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


DH and I are going to give them a DISNEY honeymoon!!! I am going to book them a week at Pop, get hoppers, and we'll give them spending/dining $$$. I am going to contact Peggy too and have something really nice sent to them!!!! I think they'd love that!!!
I can hardly believe my firstborn is getting married!!! It's crazy ~~ I said to DH, I'm not that old am I???? LOL

 

[dm220]

congrats on your sons engagement

 

[wendypooh]

How much fun is that!!!!!!!!!!!! A wedding is so exciting, and there is something wondrous when a son marries. My youngest DS married 2 years ago, gifting us with our "daughter of my heart". I know that you will enjoy the coming weeks and months as you plan for the big day.

( I wish I was planning a wedding for my oldest. He broke up with a lovely young lady, and I was heartbroken. My poor son had tell me that it was not all about me.)

I know, I"m about to bust with excitement!!! His fiance is a really nice girl, they've been dating for 2 years. My DS6 asked me..... " is aunt Jessica gonna be aunt Jessica now"............. He and my middle DS18 are going to both be best men.......... see see yes, I'm about to bawl!!!!! AND YES it is all about MOM!!!! LOL

 

[kimmar067]

....AND, I have BIG news!!!!!! My DS is .............. getting married!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


DH and I are going to give them a DISNEY honeymoon!!! I am going to book them a week at Pop, get hoppers, and we'll give them spending/dining $$$. I am going to contact Peggy too and have something really nice sent to them!!!! I think they'd love that!!!
I can hardly believe my firstborn is getting married!!! It's crazy ~~ I said to DH, I'm not that old am I???? LOL

...OF COURSE, it is going to be held at AKL, and, OF COURSE, the wedding cake is gonna be one big, gigantic ZEBRA DOME, and, OF COURSE, the WILD BUNCH gang is ALL INVITED...... !!

 

[wendypooh]

Congratulations to your ds! How exciting A honeymoon at Disney is the perfect gift So when is the wedding?

Thanks!!! They are still deciding on the date.......... they want to do it soon........ I'm hoping not too soon though.......... I've got a lot to plan!!!
(Cause it's all about the mom........... ) LOL Her parents are having some issues apparently, so I think that has something to do with deciding on a date?? (Not about the wedding, they are separated). Am I giving waaaaaay to much info???? It's crazy, I feel like you guys are family friends...........

DH and I have been talking/planning the entire weekend, since we found out. I said, It would be great to send them to Disney.......... and DH said, yeah, let's do that!!! My mom and sister are so excited they can hardly stand themselves!!!! We haven't had a "wedding" since my sister got married (the 3rd time......... ) 6 years ago!!! It's going to be fun!!! My DS said he'd just like to do it here at the house, have it very low key out by the pool, like hawaiian shirts and shorts!!! LOL and have a crawfish boil / bbq party!!! Is he the most wonderful thing........... LOL She was all for it too.......... so, we'll see. I'd do that in heartbeat if that is what they wanted.

 

[wendypooh]

congrats on your sons engagement

Thanks!!!

 

[Nancyg56]

I know, I"m about to bust with excitement!!! His fiance is a really nice girl, they've been dating for 2 years.AND YES it is all about MOM!!!! LOL

Now you have made my day! One of my DS previous GF was just fresh! DH told me not to say anything about her if I could not find something nice. Well, it was the hardest thing I ever did ( I am a bit of a busybody, and this was my son) anyway, One day I burst into tears and said "Daniel, please marry someone who will love your mother." He broke up with her soon after that, and when he finally brought home Erica, I was thrilled. All I really wanted was that my sons wife love and respect him. A bonus was that his lovely wife not only loves him, she loves us too. I hear from her every day, and look forward to her call. Oh dear, now I'm going to cry again!

 

[Angel16]

Wendy, Congratulations on your sons engagement. I am happy for you that you love your future daughter-in-law. That is so important! If you end up doing the wedding in your home with the crawfish and BBQ you may have some DIS guests.

Your thoughts on a honeymoon sound wonderful. What a wonderful way to start married life.

I am sorry, for some reason I thought your trip was late June or early July. I really didn't mean to throw you off.

LaWalz23 - How is your mom doing? Also important, how are you doing? I hope you are eating and getting some rest. Please update us on your mom when you have the time.

Nancyg - I always enjoy reading your posts about your family and your warm loving thoughts.

Got to run. Sending pixie dust to all that I have missed.

Angel

 

[bjakmom]

Home last night from another wonderful AKL stay !
It was brief, but wonderful - this trip was all about the DNeph(8) and our 2nd annual SWW trip. Thurs/Fri nights at BCV on the end of our points - two days at SWW- also a trip through Epcot to ride M:S (twice) now that it doesn't spin and finish up DNeph's passport from the last visit.
Then it was on to AKL (concierge) for two nights to do the Sunrise Safari and Expedition Everest!! We checked in at about 1:00 on Sat afternoon and, having taken the bus over from MGM with no luggage, etc, wandered into the lobby (for the big "WOW" effect from DNeph - his 1st visit here, my 3rd) - there was quite a line at the luggage desk, so I saw a young man walking towards me with an empty luggage cart and asked him if I was in the right place to check in for concierge. He was wonderful and said he would take care of us- took my name and checked - room was ready - yes, it was on Arusha Savannah, Kudu trail (I had requested Zebra, but no big deal) - luggage was also already over from BCV, so he printed our room cards, loaded up our bags and off we went! Room was on 5th floor and not far from the Pelicans overlooking Arusha rock - perfect !
I had initially booked concierge for the sunrise safari because DNeph is an animal LOVER - even goes to our local zoo camp every summer - I knew this would be an experience he would always remember and it far exceeded our expectations! Concierge ended up being a huge blessing for me because I ended up needing an unexpected kidney surgery weeks before our trip and went in between surgeries - so this trip was a real physical challenge for me and I felt a little less worried knowing that there would be people there to help me if I ran into any serious problems.
Just realized this could be an endless post, so I'll tell some of the things we did and if anyone has questions or wants details, let me know! We hung out in the lounge on and off - DNeph actually passed up two opportunities to go to MK to stay at the Lodge and participate in the kid's programs (I was very happy about this as I needed the rest and I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE everything about the AKL ambiance!) Concierge did a wonderful job of delivering a few gifts for DNeph I had requested to our room while we were in the lounge. The Sunrise Safari was awesome (and Rick McCallum, producer of SW, was on our tour and breakfast - of course we respected his privacy and did not disturb him, but it was fun for us to share the morning with him as we are big SW fans). DNeph did all of the kid's activities and earned all of his beads, befriended several of the African CMs (who are, by the way, amazing with the children!!) and got their help with his hidden Mickey search and they also gave him an Archeological Artifacts sheet that took him through the lodge to identify some of the art work/artifacts displayed. We swam in the pool, spent a whole day at AK and rode EE 3 times. Yesterday it rained all day (trop storm moving in), so we again chose to stay in the lodge all day enjoying the lounge and the kid's programs, checking out all of the animal overlooks and just soaking up the wonderful 'feeling' of this lodge. I'm saving up my pennies as I heard rumors from more than one CM that AKL DVC could come true - I am so buying points there if it does ! Almost forgot - we did night vision both nights - very cool!!

 

[wendypooh]

Now you have made my day! One of my DS previous GF was just fresh! DH told me not to say anything about her if I could not find something nice. Well, it was the hardest thing I ever did ( I am a bit of a busybody, and this was my son) anyway, One day I burst into tears and said "Daniel, please marry someone who will love your mother." He broke up with her soon after that, and when he finally brought home Erica, I was thrilled. All I really wanted was that my sons wife love and respect him. A bonus was that his lovely wife not only loves him, she loves us too. I hear from her every day, and look forward to her call. Oh dear, now I'm going to cry again!

ahhhh.............. sounds like a nice girl!!! I'm happy for you. I was a little scared at first about getting a DIL, I have 3 sons, so I'm the only female...... OK OK, I'm NOT that protective of my domain........ or at least I hope I'm not.... LOL, but I was wondering what another female around would be like..... it's been really nice actually, she is a great girl and seems to really adore DS, which makes me happy. As long as she treats him good and loves him, I'm happy, it's a bonus that she seems to have blended in really well with the rest of us!!! She has already become a part of the family, and I'm really happy for him, for them both!!

 

[wendypooh]

Wendy, Congratulations on your sons engagement. I am happy for you that you love your future daughter-in-law. That is so important! If you end up doing the wedding in your home with the crawfish and BBQ you may have some DIS guests.

Angel

Thanks!!! LOL, Hey the more the merrier!!!! You know us cajuns don't mind ........ it's just lagniappe to us!!! My DS is so not into the whole "production" of things...... he just likes everything really simple and low key. He just really laid back and easy going. I hope that is what they want, I really would love it and enjoy doing it!!!

 

[shyjade]

Well I read the first 60 pages and realized I'll never get thru the entire thread today, so forgive me if this question has already been addressed somewhere between Page 61 and Here.

Has anyone used Simba's Clubhouse for their kids? I'll be traveling alone with me DD8 and was wondering if she'd enjoy a few hours away from Mom with other kids (maybe I could even sneak off for dinner at Jikos, since I know she'd gag at the menu if I tried taking her).

Any feedback on kids activities and Simbas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[wendypooh]

Home last night from another wonderful AKL stay !
It was brief, but wonderful - this trip was all about the DNeph(8) and our 2nd annual SWW trip. Thurs/Fri nights at BCV on the end of our points - two days at SWW- also a trip through Epcot to ride M:S (twice) now that it doesn't spin and finish up DNeph's passport from the last visit.
Then it was on to AKL (concierge) for two nights to do the Sunrise Safari and Expedition Everest!! We checked in at about 1:00 on Sat afternoon and, having taken the bus over from MGM with no luggage, etc, wandered into the lobby (for the big "WOW" effect from DNeph - his 1st visit here, my 3rd) - there was quite a line at the luggage desk, so I saw a young man walking towards me with an empty luggage cart and asked him if I was in the right place to check in for concierge. He was wonderful and said he would take care of us- took my name and checked - room was ready - yes, it was on Arusha Savannah, Kudu trail (I had requested Zebra, but no big deal) - luggage was also already over from BCV, so he printed our room cards, loaded up our bags and off we went! Room was on 5th floor and not far from the Pelicans overlooking Arusha rock - perfect !
I had initially booked concierge for the sunrise safari because DNeph is an animal LOVER - even goes to our local zoo camp every summer - I knew this would be an experience he would always remember and it far exceeded our expectations! Concierge ended up being a huge blessing for me because I ended up needing an unexpected kidney surgery weeks before our trip and went in between surgeries - so this trip was a real physical challenge for me and I felt a little less worried knowing that there would be people there to help me if I ran into any serious problems.
Just realized this could be an endless post, so I'll tell some of the things we did and if anyone has questions or wants details, let me know! We hung out in the lounge on and off - DNeph actually passed up two opportunities to go to MK to stay at the Lodge and participate in the kid's programs (I was very happy about this as I needed the rest and I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE everything about the AKL ambiance!) Concierge did a wonderful job of delivering a few gifts for DNeph I had requested to our room while we were in the lounge. The Sunrise Safari was awesome (and Rick McCallum, producer of SW, was on our tour and breakfast - of course we respected his privacy and did not disturb him, but it was fun for us to share the morning with him as we are big SW fans). DNeph did all of the kid's activities and earned all of his beads, befriended several of the African CMs (who are, by the way, amazing with the children!!) and got their help with his hidden Mickey search and they also gave him an Archeological Artifacts sheet that took him through the lodge to identify some of the art work/artifacts displayed. We swam in the pool, spent a whole day at AK and rode EE 3 times. Yesterday it rained all day (trop storm moving in), so we again chose to stay in the lodge all day enjoying the lounge and the kid's programs, checking out all of the animal overlooks and just soaking up the wonderful 'feeling' of this lodge. I'm saving up my pennies as I heard rumors from more than one CM that AKL DVC could come true - I am so buying points there if it does ! Almost forgot - we did night vision both nights - very cool!!

Sounds like a wonderful trip!!!! I could stay at the lodge too without going anywhere else!!! I loved reading your report........ found it kinda short though!!! I love reading good reports, the longer the better!!! It sounds like your Dneph had a wonderful time!! Sounds like my DS, he is crazy about animals and wants to know all about them. I'm glad he enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing.......... did you get any pics???

 

[scoutsmom99]

Hey Everyone I'm back on page 168 so I had some catching up to do! I feel like I missed a lot. I'm going to have to do better. Work has been very busy the past couple weeks and I'm hoping things will kinda die down some now that summer vacation is starting.

LAWalz23 Thanks for keeping us updated on your mom. She is still in my thoughts and prayers
ktink sounds like suprising them with AKL is a great idea. We will help you keep the secret by coming up with fun stuff to do there
stephwynn How is the planning going?
lookingforward Welcome to the thread. I have never done the Safari, but one of these days I'm going to spoil myself with AKL CL.
mickeyworld If you stay CL I hope you give us a great report back on it because I would love to hear what it is like
Angel16 Thanks for posting about Peg's new site. I'm so excited to have her do a basket for my mom and sister. I love seeing the pics of everything (now I have found even more stuff I want in the basket!)
Jenn0))) I think everything will be closed up by 11pm. Maybe grab something to eat at the airport before taking ME? I believe they also let you decide if you want your bags held till am or brought to your room right when they arrive
dm220 Good to see ya
tinknme That is so awesome. I can hardly wait to get back to Europe and do some touring. Which countries are you heading to? I would love a trip to DLP the castle looks simply amazing there.
Webbie I can't believe you guys are already home! I'm glad you enjoyed your stay at AKL. sounds like everything went well
luvfigmentI'm making plans for the culinary tour! Glad you guys got an upgrade...although it does not look like much of a pool view.
johnsonet I'm with you on that 2 week stay. I stayed a week last year and it was paradise.
purpliequeen I would make sure to have non-smoking down as a request.
wendypooh Congratulations on your DS's engagement. That is so awesome you and your DH are giving them a disneymoon
bjakmom Thanks for the report.
kimmar67 How is everything going?
shyjade I don't have kids, but I have seen the inside of Simba's Clubhouse and it looks like a good time in there. If you can Jiko is very tasty and I bet you would enjoy a night out there. I ate there solo last fall and although my service was less than stellar the food was great.

Ok I think that about covers it all. I hope everyone is having a great week