Kick'n It at Kidani (aka Am I Becoming a Resort Snob?)Final Update 8/20 p.54

[Charleston Princess]

I was updating today!

 

[MEK]

I was updating today!

I saw it! Of course, I was about the 50th person to read it! Rough day at work....Not much time for Dis'ing!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I saw it! Of course, I was about the 50th person to read it! Rough day at work....Not much time for Dis'ing!

Sorry to hear work was rough -- I think I am getting cabin fever around here -- I need some time away from the kids!

 

[MEK]

So when I left off we were on the Safari. At some point prior to that, the teens called or texted to say they were going to MK. I think their plan was to stay there until we arrived later that afternoon. We had a 6pm ADR at the Wave and I was thinking we would head for MK around 4pm or so.

While on the Safari something made me look over at LJ and he just looked "a little off". Nothing specific, but enough that I asked, "Are you feeling OK?" I fully expected him to say, "Yes". But instead he told me he was feeling hot, tired, and dizzy! Oh NO! Maybe my brother was right and he really was frail. Maybe I had already taken him to the brink of exhaustion. Oh NOOOOOOOO! I reached in my bag and gave him some water to drink. I told him he was probably just a bit dehydrated and that we would leave after Safari. He seemed satisfied with that! So I sat back and tried to enjoy the rest of the ride.

When we got off safari we ducked into the first gift shop we could find. I figured he needed a quick cool down. Then we made our way to the front of the park. I asked him if he wanted a snack or anything to drink. I think I managed to find a bottle of lemonade so I bought that for him....it's his favorite. He seemed fine during the walk to the front of the park. He was back to his normal chatty self.

I took some foliage and miscellaneous shots once we got outside the gates. By now I was feeling confident that LJ was not going to collapse on me and I wasn't going to have to call my B and SIL to explain what happened. LOL!

I probably should have made my mission to photograph flowers and foliage, because so far I had only photographed one boat (I won't count the cover of Sky Mall).

In the parking lot I saw this car....... How could I not take a photo of this....

We did better getting back to Kidani this time. In other words, we didn't end up on Rt. 194 (or is it 192?) again. However, we did exit the park and then we had to go back through the toll booths and then.....finally......we found the very non-descript, unmarked road that took us back to Kidani. I think the problem may have been that we were parked in the AAA lot and we exited the park differently. Anyway....who really cares????? We got a nice spot in the garage near the Timon 4 elevator. Yeah - we were living large.

We actually got back to the room at 1:30. I was a little disappointed we were back so soon, but I reminded myself that this was LJ's trip and we needed to pace ourselves. LJ was already hungry by the time we got back, so we made some popcorn. After our snack it was time for the Kidani pool (the name escapes me now). The pool was not very crowded, but we really had to search for 2 chairs together. We enjoyed an adult beverage while LJ swam to his heart's content.

Not LJ, but still a cute pic......

I think this is LJ, although I can't be quite sure!

After LJ had gone down the slide a bazillion times he decided to join in on the pool games.....

This was a cute game where the kids walked around to different colored dots until the music stopped. Then the CM used the twister spinner and eliminated an entire color group. LJ played this for awhile. Then he went back to play Kidani's version of "Are you Smarter than a 5th grader?" They asked the kids different questions, just like the show. It was a nice game except there was one mom sitting with your daughter giving her all the answers. Sheeesssh! It's a freak'n game lady, not a college application. It reminded me of all the "parent projects" I had to endure the entire time my kids were in lower school. I think LJ got a little frustrated with this and he decided to drop out when he didn't know the three primary colors. He lamented that he never learned that in school.

I'm not sure how long we stayed at the pool, but at some point DS16 texted me that it was hot and crowded in MK and the lines were too long. REALLY? Imagine that. I guess when you get to the park at 11am that's what happens. I texted him back and suggested that they collect FP's and come home and go back with us at night. I never heard back from him, so I didn't give it another thought until later............

Here's a few more pool pics as we are leaving.....

Next up....A visit to the savannah, dinner and what happened to the teen's???????

 

[dawnbu40]

The pool pics are great! As the mom of an older teen I'm wondering whats up with your older boys and why you hadn't heard from them! The one time we let Caitlin bring a friend with us they rode BTMRR and lost her cell! We tried reaching her for hours! I hope that the boys were fine and made it to your dinner on time!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Great pics of the pool! LJ looks like he was having fun swimming.

I noticed the light shots!

 

[floridascgirl]

I'm loving your report! Thanks for posting all the great pics, too.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Whew! I was nervous about LJ there for a little bit!

Love the pool pics -- it looks like a very fun pool for the kids! Plus, the pool bar is always nice to have.

 

[shannon47142]

good call to bring LJ back to the awesome pool

 

[SunnieRN]

LJ is da' bomb!! He did good, lovin EE!!

LOL, don't you hate it when someone wants to take a pic when you're not feeling it? Love your expression at the first aid station!

I think your idea for free dining is smart!! We're staying at Kidani because family is joining us!! Looking forward to more!!

 

[MEK]

Sorry to hear work was rough -- I think I am getting cabin fever around here -- I need some time away from the kids!

It really wasn't a horrible day. I just didn't have time to DIS. I forgot they don't pay me for that!

The pool pics are great! As the mom of an older teen I'm wondering whats up with your older boys and why you hadn't heard from them! The one time we let Caitlin bring a friend with us they rode BTMRR and lost her cell! We tried reaching her for hours! I hope that the boys were fine and made it to your dinner on time!

Thanks. I've got more pool pics that I took later in the week!

I'm not sure why the boys didn't text me back to let me know their plans. When I didn't hear from them I just assumed they were staying at the MK. That was not the case. I will tell you about that with the next update. They were actually very good about keeping in touch during this trip. Last year my DS16 let his battery die while they were at the parks. I tried reaching him for a good hour before I started to panic. Fortunately, I was able to reach his friend and all was well, but I insisted he come directly back to the villa and charge his phone!

Great pics of the pool! LJ looks like he was having fun swimming.

I noticed the light shots!

Everytime I noticed a new light fixture I thought of you! I tried to photograph all the cool looking ones. Wait until you see Saana's! I really am starting to appreciate them because they are all so unique!

I'm loving your report! Thanks for posting all the great pics, too.

Welcome floridascgirl! Thanks! and your welcome! I hope you continue to follow along!

Whew! I was nervous about LJ there for a little bit!

Love the pool pics -- it looks like a very fun pool for the kids! Plus, the pool bar is always nice to have.

You know how you feel when it's not your kid and something is wrong! Plus I tend to be a worry wort and that "nurse" side of me tends to think "what if this is something bad". That was the one and only time he complained all trip of being hot and tired!

The pool was awesome. I noticed that it was a lot of kids his age. There were very few teenagers, which made it a bit boring for my boys. They were hoping for some "hotties" like they found last year at SSR. Actually, I think all the teens were at CSR. The pool had a completely different atmosphere!

good call to bring LJ back to the awesome pool

He loved that pool! He said the slide was better than the one at the YMCA. Imagine that!

LJ is da' bomb!! He did good, lovin EE!!

LOL, don't you hate it when someone wants to take a pic when you're not feeling it? Love your expression at the first aid station!

I think your idea for free dining is smart!! We're staying at Kidani because family is joining us!! Looking forward to more!!

Yeah - LJ went hard his first day. We spent a decent amount of time in MK that evening, as you will see soon. He was a trooper!

Yeah - I LOVE when my DH takes dumb pictures!

When my kids get to college I am going to Disney for 10days at the end of every free dining. I decided I am doing 5 days free dining then 5 days DVC! That's my plan and I'm sticking to it!

 

[IluvXU]

ahhhh.. the pool area in daylight! So pretty! Did they have a lot of things scheduled for people to do at the pool area/resort?

 

[podsnel]

WOW girlfriend! LJ is a SUPERSTAR riding EE hands up his very !st time!!!! I am VERY impressed!!

Ok- I am all caught up- you really move fast on your TR! And it's sooo much fun to read- thanks!

Ellen

 

[eandesmom]

You may be wondering why Monday to Monday. The main reason was DS16 was supposed to play in the Ryder Cup, which is an ODP (Olympic Development Program) soccer tournament, the weekend of June 6th. It seemed to make more sense to leave on Monday once the tournament was over. As it turned out, DS16 suffered a stress fracture of his left fibula and he was not able to play in the tournament. That was a huge disappointment for him.

Oh my heart plummeted when I read that! We've just entered the world of ODP this year...our vacation plans are actually "on hold" as DSD is an alternate for the 96 regional camp in 2 weeks. Vacations are planned around tournaments, no way around it. Or at least as best you can if you know ahead of time about the tournaments! This year our state cup games and tryouts all moved to work better with the HS soccer schedule so we didn't get tournament schedules till June! Makes it hard to plan a summer trip

I've just started reading and need to get caught up but I'm so sorry he didn't get to play Much as I might gripe occasionally about tournaments on holidays and such, my heart broke a little for him reading that, it's a big deal.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Thank goodness LJ just needed a little water! That would not have been a fun call to his parents!

The pool area looks fun. Is it as awesome for kids as I've heard - almost like a mini water park? And how are those adult beverages?

Uh oh - did something happen to the teens?

Can't wait to hear about dinner at the Wave. Would love to try there sometime!

 

[jenjolt]

Awww...YAY LJ conquered EE that is fantastic!!

Glad he was just a bit overheated and needed a cooldown break!! The pool area looks like so much fun for the kids and it looks like LJ had fun!!

Well if that is foreboding about the teens I don't know what is LOL Can't wait to see what happened to them!

 

[ibedancin824]

Loooovveee your pictures mek!! Kidani looks amazzzziingggg I sware one day I will own DVC and go or atleast rent some points to go lol

When we go in august I will have a 19yo and 17yo w. me (even tho we are only 21 and 23 we get up at a reasonable time) I am going to just have to take your attitude and leave them behind to sleep!!!!

 

[MEK]

ahhhh.. the pool area in daylight! So pretty! Did they have a lot of things scheduled for people to do at the pool area/resort?

It was a lovely pool area. Both pools were lovely! They had TONS of activities to do at the resort. LJ was participating in the daily afternoon pool party. Inside the resort they had a whole big board of activities. One of the nice things they had for kids was Camp Kidani. It was a two hour session with a variety activities. I believe it was held 3 times a day and was currently free of chage. There was also a list of all the Jambo house activities. The one thing I wanted to do with the night vision animal viewing, but we were never home in the evenings to try it! The had a nice new community hall at Kidani that had fusball, pool, computers, and Wii. There was also access to tennis rackets, soccer balls, and basketballs.

WOW girlfriend! LJ is a SUPERSTAR riding EE hands up his very !st time!!!! I am VERY impressed!!

Ok- I am all caught up- you really move fast on your TR! And it's sooo much fun to read- thanks!

Ellen

He was a regular pro. It's like he had been riding the big rides since he was first tall enough to do it! Glad your caught up. I am trying to update everyday!

Oh my heart plummeted when I read that! We've just entered the world of ODP this year...our vacation plans are actually "on hold" as DSD is an alternate for the 96 regional camp in 2 weeks. Vacations are planned around tournaments, no way around it. Or at least as best you can if you know ahead of time about the tournaments! This year our state cup games and tryouts all moved to work better with the HS soccer schedule so we didn't get tournament schedules till June! Makes it hard to plan a summer trip

I've just started reading and need to get caught up but I'm so sorry he didn't get to play Much as I might gripe occasionally about tournaments on holidays and such, my heart broke a little for him reading that, it's a big deal.

Welcome eandesmom! So you can definately relate to my world! That's why we had to go the EXACT week we did - Soccer. State cup, ODP, ODP camp, Preseason highschool, and club tryouts! Yes, DS 16 was extremely disappointed when he could not play in the tournament. Thank you for your kind comments! At first he took it really well, but than one of the dads starting ribbing him about what a waste of money it was, blah, blah, blah. Then he got so angry cause he couldn't play. I am not exactly sure what the dad said, but I didn't make a big deal out of it. The GOOD news is I took him back to the ortho surgeon after we got home and she did clear him to play. His ODP team advanced to the next round and he was able to play. He also tried out for a new club team and made that. So he is back to feeling fine. The stress fracture bothered him for about 6 weeks. The biggest mistake we made was in delaying the diagnosis because he was fine at first and then he refused to stop playing for state cup. He actually had the MRI, but went ahead and played because the ortho MD had not looked at it yet.

I hope your DSD gets to go to the regional camp. DS goes to the first camp in about 2 weeks, so we'll see if he makes regional.

Thank goodness LJ just needed a little water! That would not have been a fun call to his parents!

The pool area looks fun. Is it as awesome for kids as I've heard - almost like a mini water park? And how are those adult beverages?

Uh oh - did something happen to the teens?

Can't wait to hear about dinner at the Wave. Would love to try there sometime!

Phew.....you're not kidding! There is a little mini water park at the pool, but I think LJ was a bit too old for that. He was having more fun in the water and on the slides.

Dinner at the Wave was very good - coming up next installment. And, yes, we almost had a MAJOR communication breakdown with the teen!

 

[MEK]

Awww...YAY LJ conquered EE that is fantastic!!

Glad he was just a bit overheated and needed a cooldown break!! The pool area looks like so much fun for the kids and it looks like LJ had fun!!

Well if that is foreboding about the teens I don't know what is LOL Can't wait to see what happened to them!

Yeah LJ was totally nonchalant about everything. No fear, none! I wish I could be like that!

Oh those teens. Today wasn't the last time we had some miscommunication!

Loooovveee your pictures mek!! Kidani looks amazzzziingggg I sware one day I will own DVC and go or atleast rent some points to go lol

When we go in august I will have a 19yo and 17yo w. me (even tho we are only 21 and 23 we get up at a reasonable time) I am going to just have to take your attitude and leave them behind to sleep!!!!

I definately recommend DVC, especially for young'ins like you. My regret is I didn't buy it sooner. It will outlive me, so my kids will get it!

Definately leave the teens behind if they can't get up. It will make your trip so much easier! Then we you have all your FP's lined up you can say, "Told you so!"

 

[DiningPlanDevastator]

COUNT ME IN!

I've caught up with your trip report this morning and love it. The pictures are great.

I'm ready for another post...

Btw- L J is the man for tackling EE