Just arrived at AKV

[pumpkinfish]

Now about Celebration -- I really like that ER, if any ER can be liked. While driving from Palm Coast I had prayed with the family that we would be in and out quickly and everything would go smoothly. There is a sign above the registration desk attiributing their caring attitude to Jesus. Our last injury was much more serious and she almost lost part of a finger. Fortunately, this was a fairly minor one, so we were seen almost immediately in the minor emergency area. She needed 6 stitches on her face and 2 inside her mouth. Since she doesn't understand well, we had to basically hold her down and I had to hold her jaw shut while they sewed up the inside of her lip. Holding a jaw shut is HARD. Before I knew it we were heading out the door! We were there only 1 1/2 hours!! I was amazed. And the MD and nurses were great. And it was only a few miles from AKV.

For now, Jambo.

I'm glad your daughter is ok now, so sorry you had to start your trip to a visit to the ER. The sentence in bold above struck close to me. On my last trip I took my mom and we almost had to make a trip to Celebration ER. Thank God we didn't have to but it's nice to know about their caring attitude . Thank you for sharing this small piece of info .

DH and I are soon to be owners of Kidani and are SO EXCITED!! I can't wait until my first stay and being able to look out over the savannah!

 

[katmittens]

Glad to hear your DD is ok. Looking forward to hearing more. Have a great vacation.

 

[JESW]

Hello! We are also here on the Arusha Savanna with a view of Kidani! Our first visit "home" and we are loving it here! Animal Kingdom today and Jiko for dinner - what more can you ask for? Weather is GORGEOUS!! Hope you enjoy your stay!

Jill

 

[tinkerbell of winter]

We are here too! Getting ready to check out today. I heard a rumor from the bus driver on the way back from the Magic Kingdom last night that Kidani is supposedly opening today (April 21). We may have to mosey over in that direction. We are on the Sunset Savanna, for a couple more hours anyway... October isn't that far away....

 

[Disney_Mama]

Looking forward to hearing about the rest of your trip. I LOVE your itinerary.... That's just how we do our Disney trips now, thanks to DVC.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

We also own at OKW and it's my favorite resort. Every once in a while though, we like to bring new family/friends to experience AKV and the savanna, it's truly magical. I know you'll all have a wonderful stay. Enjoying your trip report!

 

[OneMoreTry]

I'm glad your daughter is ok now, so sorry you had to start your trip to a visit to the ER. The sentence in bold above struck close to me. On my last trip I took my mom and we almost had to make a trip to Celebration ER. Thank God we didn't have to but it's nice to know about their caring attitude . Thank you for sharing this small piece of info .

DH and I are soon to be owners of Kidani and are SO EXCITED!! I can't wait until my first stay and being able to look out over the savannah!

Trip is going VERY well.

DD9 loved Beauty and the Beast show. She sang through the whole thing and kept yelling out "Hi, Belle." and growling like the beast. We sat in the back and I'm sure the performers heard her loud and clear. She also liked the toy story ride, which has cool 3D effects.

Her favorites at MK were small world and philharmagic. Once she caught on to the 3D effects she tried to grab the objects floating around.

timing was unbelievable. We didn't plan up front, got to the parks a little late, but I knew the ropes well enough and we rarely had to wait very long. Really no glitches except DS14 left him video cam on Toy Story, but when h ran back someone had turned it in. Thanks you, whoever that was!!

We ate at 1pm at Liberty Tree and it will now become a tradition. I liked the no characters atmosphere. There were empty tables. No rushing guests in and out. Great getaway, quiet relaxing and transition to head home to swim for the rest of the day. Which we did. Watched Bedtime Stories in the room at night.

I must say it's been a perfect trip except the one mishap.

We are doing nothing this am. We will go to BB for afternoon about 2 to hopefully catch families leaving for nap time. Over 90% of families or maybe over 95% have preschool kids and maybe primary grades. High percentage of guests are foreign and rest are from NJ, which to me is almost the same. No slight intended. When I first moved to NE TN the locals were foreign to me, too.

DW is taking a walk. Kids are chilling out. Animals are out of savannah until 1130. I love DVC and the ability to just sit around, soak it in and enjoy the time more slowly without feeling guilty about the cost of the room.

If you haven't already, you gotta try this.

I posted about the Kidani tour on the Operations Board. As I said there, we got 5 3-ride fast passes to use anywhere. We will use them tomorrow at Epcot and it's nice to have the fast passes without having to get there early!! So we will sleep in again.

As I said, i just had a feeling this trip would work out well. I guess my attitude helped make it turn out like that. DD's little misadventure, which we are used to with her epilepsy, was "just" a bump in the rode. bless her heart, her face is now all swollen and breaking out with a huge -- no monstrous -- bruise. We're just praying it doesn't get infected.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Your daughter is a tough little cookie! I'm glad she's still able to enjoy herself even with the swelling, stiches and bruising! A great family trip so far!

 

[chewymom]

Good for you all! Enjoy your time together at Disney!

 

[OneMoreTry]

We went to DD last night hoping to eat at Trex. All of DD was a zoo. Much more crowded than the rest of WDW has been. ?locals? We ate at Earl of Sandwich, which was also packed. Wife was NOT HAPPY with the whole experience.

BB was mod-crowded to crowded. Not the worst of see but line for Summit Plummet was 30 minutes. The place was as clean as ever. DD9 loved the family raft ride, but after climbing the mountain twice, she didn't want any more. She is too hyper to stand in line at the lift. She played in the pool for the rest of the day.

DD11 and DS14 and I did several slides, and the DS and I did the ones she didn't want to do including SP. DW just sat and watched DD9 --- she wasn't into the slides.

I believe we've seen what is the results of the recent big layoff. Decreased CM to answer questions and help. Fortunately, we know most of the ropes. However, at the Pooh ride, no one was available to help us with line accomodations for DD. There was NO ONE THERE AT ALL. I had to step across the queue ropes and ask the CM at the ride control panel!! He told us to just get in the line. fortunately, the line was short or we would not have been able to ride.

We had fast passes for SM, but when we got to the stairs with the wheelchair, THERE WERE NO CM TO TELL US WHERE TO GO. I was thinking "what the heck is going on?" I again had to climb over the queue ropes and search for a CM. She showed us to the wheelchair entrance. However, she was surprisingly apathetic and VERY UNDISNEY LIKE. (My worst CM experiences have been at SM.)

Also, our waitress at Liberty Tree seemed to be slightly in a trance. I wonder if they are all worrying about keeping their jobs??

We had a substandard bus driver to DD last night. He played no recording to tell us where we were going and said nothing the whole ride. Is that the usual routine when going to DD? (I don't think this was too unusual because we've had bs drivers like that before.)

Today is EPCOT. We can get there late because of our 3-ride fast passes! So we'll probably leave here about 10.

Another sunny day.

 

[pumpkinfish]

Trip is going VERY well.

DD9 loved Beauty and the Beast show. She sang through the whole thing and kept yelling out "Hi, Belle." and growling like the beast. We sat in the back and I'm sure the performers heard her loud and clear. She also liked the toy story ride, which has cool 3D effects.

Her favorites at MK were small world and philharmagic. Once she caught on to the 3D effects she tried to grab the objects floating around.

timing was unbelievable. We didn't plan up front, got to the parks a little late, but I knew the ropes well enough and we rarely had to wait very long. Really no glitches except DS14 left him video cam on Toy Story, but when h ran back someone had turned it in. Thanks you, whoever that was!!

We ate at 1pm at Liberty Tree and it will now become a tradition. I liked the no characters atmosphere. There were empty tables. No rushing guests in and out. Great getaway, quiet relaxing and transition to head home to swim for the rest of the day. Which we did. Watched Bedtime Stories in the room at night.

I must say it's been a perfect trip except the one mishap.

We are doing nothing this am. We will go to BB for afternoon about 2 to hopefully catch families leaving for nap time. Over 90% of families or maybe over 95% have preschool kids and maybe primary grades. High percentage of guests are foreign and rest are from NJ, which to me is almost the same. No slight intended. When I first moved to NE TN the locals were foreign to me, too.

DW is taking a walk. Kids are chilling out. Animals are out of savannah until 1130. I love DVC and the ability to just sit around, soak it in and enjoy the time more slowly without feeling guilty about the cost of the room.

If you haven't already, you gotta try this.

I posted about the Kidani tour on the Operations Board. As I said there, we got 5 3-ride fast passes to use anywhere. We will use them tomorrow at Epcot and it's nice to have the fast passes without having to get there early!! So we will sleep in again.

As I said, i just had a feeling this trip would work out well. I guess my attitude helped make it turn out like that. DD's little misadventure, which we are used to with her epilepsy, was "just" a bump in the rode. bless her heart, her face is now all swollen and breaking out with a huge -- no monstrous -- bruise. We're just praying it doesn't get infected.

We went to DD last night hoping to eat at Trex. All of DD was a zoo. Much more crowded than the rest of WDW has been. ?locals? We ate at Earl of Sandwich, which was also packed. Wife was NOT HAPPY with the whole experience.

BB was mod-crowded to crowded. Not the worst of see but line for Summit Plummet was 30 minutes. The place was as clean as ever. DD9 loved the family raft ride, but after climbing the mountain twice, she didn't want any more. She is too hyper to stand in line at the lift. She played in the pool for the rest of the day.

DD11 and DS14 and I did several slides, and the DS and I did the ones she didn't want to do including SP. DW just sat and watched DD9 --- she wasn't into the slides.

I believe we've seen what is the results of the recent big layoff. Decreased CM to answer questions and help. Fortunately, we know most of the ropes. However, at the Pooh ride, no one was available to help us with line accomodations for DD. There was NO ONE THERE AT ALL. I had to step across the queue ropes and ask the CM at the ride control panel!! He told us to just get in the line. fortunately, the line was short or we would not have been able to ride.

We had fast passes for SM, but when we got to the stairs with the wheelchair, THERE WERE NO CM TO TELL US WHERE TO GO. I was thinking "what the heck is going on?" I again had to climb over the queue ropes and search for a CM. She showed us to the wheelchair entrance. However, she was surprisingly apathetic and VERY UNDISNEY LIKE. (My worst CM experiences have been at SM.)

Also, our waitress at Liberty Tree seemed to be slightly in a trance. I wonder if they are all worrying about keeping their jobs??

We had a substandard bus driver to DD last night. He played no recording to tell us where we were going and said nothing the whole ride. Is that the usual routine when going to DD? (I don't think this was too unusual because we've had bs drivers like that before.)

Today is EPCOT. We can get there late because of our 3-ride fast passes! So we'll probably leave here about 10.

Another sunny day.

Your daughter is a girl after my own heart!! B&TB is my favorite show (fave Disney movie too). Glad she was able to grasp the concept and get into it
I'm glad you posted about Liberty Tree. This was DH's fave place to eat because of the food (and seeing Goofy dressed in Colonial garb...not like we don't have Colonial Williamsburg right down the road ). We were saddened that they got rid of the characters as it was a tradition EVERY trip we have taken together. How was the food and the prices? I realize you went at lunch which didn't have characters anyways but I was wondering about the overall experience.

Ugh...wheelchairs and SM are no fun! I often have to have a wheelchair when we go and that is one of the worst areas (actually Splash and Space mountains both are terrible).

I think what DH and I are most anxious about with owning DVC is just what you stated--not planning (*gasp) and just taking it easy. I can't imagine NOT being at any park after rope drop. BUT, I know out of anything, owning DVC will allow me that excuse. That's also why I wanted AKV. It's not close to MK or Epcot or DHS so I won't feel as tempted to get to a park ASAP. It IS close to AK but I tend to take it easy there anyways. LOVE walking around that park .

Have fun at Epcot today!!! Hope ya'll are having great weather .

 

[dianeschlicht]

We miss those friendly Disney bus drivers too! Ever since Disney outsourced the bus drivers last year, they have been more like autotrons than people. There are still a few of the good ones left, but they are few and far between, not the norm like they used to be.

 

[Weezyreid]

No charge for HS Internet for DVC stay. Just make sure you check your bill to verify they didn't put it on there. Since AKL is used for both DVC and non-DVC, the note is there. We had it in our room also over New Years, but didn't have any problems.


i am sorry, did i read this right...its our first year with DVC, and we are staying at kadani starting May 12th.... So, internet is free??? Please can some one confirm this for me, lol, cause i wasnt going to bring my laptop cause of the 10 buck charge, but if its free, and they do charge me and i simply say, umm i am dvc so its free...i would be soo happy, and could bring the computer..

 

[OneMoreTry]

Your daughter is a girl after my own heart!! B&TB is my favorite show (fave Disney movie too). Glad she was able to grasp the concept and get into it
I'm glad you posted about Liberty Tree. This was DH's fave place to eat because of the food (and seeing Goofy dressed in Colonial garb...not like we don't have Colonial Williamsburg right down the road ). We were saddened that they got rid of the characters as it was a tradition EVERY trip we have taken together. How was the food and the prices? I realize you went at lunch which didn't have characters anyways but I was wondering about the overall experience.

Ugh...wheelchairs and SM are no fun! I often have to have a wheelchair when we go and that is one of the worst areas (actually Splash and Space mountains both are terrible).

I think what DH and I are most anxious about with owning DVC is just what you stated--not planning (*gasp) and just taking it easy. I can't imagine NOT being at any park after rope drop. BUT, I know out of anything, owning DVC will allow me that excuse. That's also why I wanted AKV. It's not close to MK or Epcot or DHS so I won't feel as tempted to get to a park ASAP. It IS close to AK but I tend to take it easy there anyways. LOVE walking around that park .

Have fun at Epcot today!!! Hope ya'll are having great weather .

At Liberty Tree the prices were, I think, the best value I've seen at DW. I got pot roast and it was delicious. Portions were generous and I had to bring some back to the room for dinner. They have a turkey dinner, but I was afraid to get that as I wasn't sure if it was fresh, oven baked turkey or not. Everyone else liked their food.

We also went to Downtown Disney on Wed night and it was horrible. Can't remember if I posted that here or not, but it was the low point of our trip. Mainly because of DW's reaction to the crowds, which seemed to bother her more than me. She gets stressed because of DD9's special needs and for her timing of meals is important for controlling her seizures.

Yesterday, Thursday, was Epcot. We used our 3 ride fast passes to ride soarin twice and Test Track once. They are good instantly, so you don't have to come back and ride later, which makes scheduling easy. since those are the only fast pass rides at epcot that we care about, we were set. We didn't do any other "attractions". the whole family had a great time walking around World Showcase, checking out the different countries, strolling and drinking cokes and slushies. It got HOT yesterday. Not full fledged Orlando hot, but felt like close to upper 80's -- at least it did in the sun, which was out full force. However, humidity was quite low so it was not terribly uncomfortable.

We ate at Chef d France and our DVC discount was $18!! 20%. We saw Remy. A very good animatronic character and he makes the cutest little squeaks when h e talks. It looks like the remote control is in the handle of the lid to the plate he is standing on.

Last night was dinner by Uzima pool with a little swimming afterward. The air was warm after dark. After that I was exhausted because i started coming down with an upper respiratory bug.

Today the family voted to cancel the Ohana's breakfast. !!! As a major WDW fan since age 12 in 1973, actually since Walt himself announced it in the 60's, I cannot understand passing up a great bfast like that at the Poly.

I'm disappointed , but 4 out of 5 of us or not. So I'm sitting on our Arusha balcony watching the peilcans in the little pond. Again I cloudless day. Blue, blue sky -- not the steely Florida summer blue, but half way between that and a Minnesota 20 below blue. Temp is about 78 at 10 am. From here you can hear distant cars , which sound a little like a mountain river or wind in the trees, and I assume they're all dashing to the parks or heading home, which we will be doing tomorrow.

Today we will go to Uzima. I have to find some gifts for people back home. Then DW and I will go to Jikos tonight.

I enjoy doing nothing on the last day. Makes it go slower. I have to keep resisting the little twinge to go go go to a park. I may want to drive to DD for the gifts, as I found what I want, but the store in Epcot didn't have enough of them. I don't want to deal with more surly bus drivers.

Quaheri.

 

[dianeschlicht]

No charge for HS Internet for DVC stay. Just make sure you check your bill to verify they didn't put it on there. Since AKL is used for both DVC and non-DVC, the note is there. We had it in our room also over New Years, but didn't have any problems.


i am sorry, did i read this right...its our first year with DVC, and we are staying at kadani starting May 12th.... So, internet is free??? Please can some one confirm this for me, lol, cause i wasnt going to bring my laptop cause of the 10 buck charge, but if its free, and they do charge me and i simply say, umm i am dvc so its free...i would be soo happy, and could bring the computer..

Yes, internet is free for DVC owners. We will be there May 5-12 with TWO laptops and a wireless router!

 

[marvali]

Thanks for all the updates on your TR. Glad things have gone well after the trying start. Thanks for the report on LTT. I am thinking about calling and trying to add an ADR for lunch there on our MK day. Debating between LTT, The Plaza and Tony's.

Diane, thanks for clarifying the internet access info. I guess I wasn't too clear. I will be there with my laptop this summer to give our live updates from Kidani. Wow, two laptops and a wireless router. Someone's going to tab you as a techie nerd if you keep bragging about things like that.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Diane, thanks for clarifying the internet access info. I guess I wasn't too clear. I will be there with my laptop this summer to give our live updates from Kidani. Wow, two laptops and a wireless router. Someone's going to tab you as a techie nerd if you keep bragging about things like that.

LOL, well THAT couldn't be further from the truth! It's just that last trip we tried to get by with just DH's laptop, and the problem was that we both wanted/needed to be on it at the same time! This way, we wont be getting in each other's way!

 

[Disney Princess]

Thanks for sharing your TR! I am so happy your trip to the ER went smoothly and you didn't let it ruin your trip. It sounds like you've had a great time together. Enjoy your last day there!

 

[pumpkinfish]

Awesome update! And thanks for that info on LTT. I might have to schedule that in when we go in October. We've never been for lunch so it just might be a nice surprise .
I have to add, I love your descriptions and style. It REALLY makes me want to be there right now! I can imagine lounging out on the balcony sipping a cold iced tea .

 

[TLPL]

Can you pick me up a KiDani Village DVC member pin? I would love to get one but it is a limited edition of 300, I don't think there will be any left when I get there.

Please let me know if you can do this, I'd really appreciate it.