jdads2
Squirrelly as all heck
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2001
- Messages
- 1,361
Hello all! Well, we have returned from our nine-day stay at Disneys Animal Kingdom Lodge concierge rooms 6202 and 6203.
The Cast:
Dave (jdads2), my DW Jackie (Dwofjdads2), Anthony (DS age 11), Drew (DS age 8) and Sara (DD age 5).
As I have explained on the resorts board we were given an upsell to concierge level from savannah view rooms. We were already given a great rate on the savannah view rooms to begin with so this was a huge upgrade.
DAY 1:
Jackie and I must get up at 4:30am in order to get ready. Although we are packed there are some last minute things that we must do. Even the allure of WDW doesnt ease the aches and pains of rolling out of bed this early. I swear that in the deep, dark corners of my mind I can remember coming home at this time after a night of partying. Can someone please tell me when that changed?
Packing has been about 75% complete for about 2 weeks now and probably 90% complete for a week. All that is left is morning prep stuff (tooth brushes and the like) and the stuff that well forget the binoculars that I picked out, especially for this trip, from a list of awards for 5 years of service and the clothes that I promised I would remember that I left in the dryer!
The rain from Isadore started this morning. Thats good news for us because now it is away from Orlando! The kids were once again conned into thinking we were leaving a day later than our actual flight! We woke them at 5:00am with Circle of Life from Lion King blaring from the home stereo. Very cool! I do think that Jackie and I got more enjoyment out of it than the kids but that is what vacations are for say youre doing it for the kids but know youre doing it for yourself! What great parents we are!
My brother, once again, was late picking us up I think I woke him up when I called. Luckily he lives just a couple of minutes away. He did manage to accidentally pull into my neighbors driveway when he arrived but that just helped liven up the morning a bit more.
The flight to Orlando was uneventful except for a little turbulence brought to us by Isadore. Tiffany Towncar picked us up at the airport and once again we received A+ service. Both airports were empty; check-in at BUF was easy and baggage claim at MCO was quick and easy. Since we are staying concierge we were advised that there would be no need for a stop for food. That was great advice the food, holy cow!!
This is our 1st time staying at AKL and being able to stay in concierge makes it that much more magical! We feel pampered as soon as we get out of the car and announce that we are staying concierge. We get a quick tour of the lobby of the lodge from Phil. For those of you who have been there, you know the inspiring feeling you get from that first view. The African music playing in the background, the sun pouring in from the windows, the artwork, the ceremonial masks and the 250# ceremonial headdress, all an incredible sight.
Its 11:00am and our room is ready for us! Phil shows us that we need our room key in order to get to the 6th floor OOOO arent we special! Problem #1: for the rest of the trip the kids will now argue and whine about who gets to slip their key into the slot of the elevator and room EVERY SINGLE TIME we forget to mention whos turn it is!! This can also be said of every button that needs to be pushed throughout WDW!
Before heading to the parks we decide to take advantage of the afternoon offering of munchies, coffee and juices. The smoothies are to die for, OK maybe not on the level of a zebra dome but very good.
Next stop Epcot. The transportation from AKL to everywhere was very good, excellent most of the time. The only problem was the heat made even the shortest wait uncomfortable. The longest wait we had was maybe 15 minutes, usually the wait was more like 5 to 10 minutes. We love ToD parade and Illuminations and have decided to start every trip seeing this show first. No one is at the park! We hang out in Future World for a couple of hours and decide to head to The Tangierine Café for lunch/dinner. Can you say HOT!! I cant believe how hot it is. You immediately notice that the most populated areas on the sidewalk are the ones under shadow, even if it is out of the way people are heading for the shade! After dinner we head to the American Pavilion to see The American Adventure and American Vibe. I was picked on for not snapping my fingers on both hands. Thank goodness I can keep a beat! They were excellent. My DW noticed the image of the twin towers behind the Statue of Libertys flame in the final scene. Has that always been there?
We met with my sister, BiL and nephew in Japan and watched ToD. My mom finally arrived a few minutes before Illuminations. It was nice having the family together for the show.
Of course, on the way out we walk over the sparking sidewalk and start yelling Ow Ouch Ouch Ow and make it seem like we are walking over hot coals. This always gets a big laugh from the folks around us.
We get back to AKL by 10:30 and order room service, with 3 minutes to spare. We stay up late and watch the animals from our balcony. Finally in bed by 1:00am. That ends a very long, enjoyable day and even longer post!
Next: And you thought we would be able to sleep in!!
The Cast:
Dave (jdads2), my DW Jackie (Dwofjdads2), Anthony (DS age 11), Drew (DS age 8) and Sara (DD age 5).
As I have explained on the resorts board we were given an upsell to concierge level from savannah view rooms. We were already given a great rate on the savannah view rooms to begin with so this was a huge upgrade.
DAY 1:
Jackie and I must get up at 4:30am in order to get ready. Although we are packed there are some last minute things that we must do. Even the allure of WDW doesnt ease the aches and pains of rolling out of bed this early. I swear that in the deep, dark corners of my mind I can remember coming home at this time after a night of partying. Can someone please tell me when that changed?
Packing has been about 75% complete for about 2 weeks now and probably 90% complete for a week. All that is left is morning prep stuff (tooth brushes and the like) and the stuff that well forget the binoculars that I picked out, especially for this trip, from a list of awards for 5 years of service and the clothes that I promised I would remember that I left in the dryer!
The rain from Isadore started this morning. Thats good news for us because now it is away from Orlando! The kids were once again conned into thinking we were leaving a day later than our actual flight! We woke them at 5:00am with Circle of Life from Lion King blaring from the home stereo. Very cool! I do think that Jackie and I got more enjoyment out of it than the kids but that is what vacations are for say youre doing it for the kids but know youre doing it for yourself! What great parents we are!
My brother, once again, was late picking us up I think I woke him up when I called. Luckily he lives just a couple of minutes away. He did manage to accidentally pull into my neighbors driveway when he arrived but that just helped liven up the morning a bit more.
The flight to Orlando was uneventful except for a little turbulence brought to us by Isadore. Tiffany Towncar picked us up at the airport and once again we received A+ service. Both airports were empty; check-in at BUF was easy and baggage claim at MCO was quick and easy. Since we are staying concierge we were advised that there would be no need for a stop for food. That was great advice the food, holy cow!!
This is our 1st time staying at AKL and being able to stay in concierge makes it that much more magical! We feel pampered as soon as we get out of the car and announce that we are staying concierge. We get a quick tour of the lobby of the lodge from Phil. For those of you who have been there, you know the inspiring feeling you get from that first view. The African music playing in the background, the sun pouring in from the windows, the artwork, the ceremonial masks and the 250# ceremonial headdress, all an incredible sight.
Its 11:00am and our room is ready for us! Phil shows us that we need our room key in order to get to the 6th floor OOOO arent we special! Problem #1: for the rest of the trip the kids will now argue and whine about who gets to slip their key into the slot of the elevator and room EVERY SINGLE TIME we forget to mention whos turn it is!! This can also be said of every button that needs to be pushed throughout WDW!
Before heading to the parks we decide to take advantage of the afternoon offering of munchies, coffee and juices. The smoothies are to die for, OK maybe not on the level of a zebra dome but very good.
Next stop Epcot. The transportation from AKL to everywhere was very good, excellent most of the time. The only problem was the heat made even the shortest wait uncomfortable. The longest wait we had was maybe 15 minutes, usually the wait was more like 5 to 10 minutes. We love ToD parade and Illuminations and have decided to start every trip seeing this show first. No one is at the park! We hang out in Future World for a couple of hours and decide to head to The Tangierine Café for lunch/dinner. Can you say HOT!! I cant believe how hot it is. You immediately notice that the most populated areas on the sidewalk are the ones under shadow, even if it is out of the way people are heading for the shade! After dinner we head to the American Pavilion to see The American Adventure and American Vibe. I was picked on for not snapping my fingers on both hands. Thank goodness I can keep a beat! They were excellent. My DW noticed the image of the twin towers behind the Statue of Libertys flame in the final scene. Has that always been there?
We met with my sister, BiL and nephew in Japan and watched ToD. My mom finally arrived a few minutes before Illuminations. It was nice having the family together for the show.
Of course, on the way out we walk over the sparking sidewalk and start yelling Ow Ouch Ouch Ow and make it seem like we are walking over hot coals. This always gets a big laugh from the folks around us.
We get back to AKL by 10:30 and order room service, with 3 minutes to spare. We stay up late and watch the animals from our balcony. Finally in bed by 1:00am. That ends a very long, enjoyable day and even longer post!
Next: And you thought we would be able to sleep in!!
