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

[manntra]

Awwww poor LJ! I got all teary eyed when I read that I take my nieces/nephews (at alternate times ) and I know how much they appreciate it as did LJ. Very touching
Looking forward to your Niagara Falls installment....some day seeing that I live in NYS I will make my way over there!!! I think it is around 4 hours away or so!

Tracy

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Oh my! Thinking about LJ crying at the airport made me cry! Poor kiddo!! It sounds like he had an absolutely awesome trip!!!

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Excellent TR MEK.

We are staying at CSR for 5 days then Kidani for 7 - in three weeks

Thanks for the wonderful pictures of both resorts - I'm so excited.

 

[Tinks "SS"]

Over the past 2 weeks, i have been reading your trip reports. I found them on the vero beach thread and started reading. I must say, i have not been getting the house work and laundry done that i should have from reading but they were too good to not.

Look forward to more and your next trip.

Still a newbie at DVC and the DIS so i need some more pointers before i attempt a TR.

Thanks for taking me along for the ride!!

 

[MEK]

I see I have lots of people to respond to. Thanks for all the great responses and I promise to respond to each one ASAP. But I thought I would l post the rest of the CSR pics tonight. So here they are.......

Be back soon.......

 

[Mcbruns]

Cool -- we were there at the exact same time. Looking forward to reading more.

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Beautiful pictures Mary Ellen!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

"Poor" LJ! I feel like crying everytime a WDW vacation comes to an end too! I have a feeling that the "brainwashing" was successful and we have another WDW nut on our hands. Hope he gets to go back soon!

 

[HockeyMomR]

MEK - love the rest of the CSR pics. Sorry to see your TR end, loved it!

Also, have not had a chance to search the other TR report to look for Siemen's lounge photos. Will let you know when I find them, thanks for posting the links!

 

[BigEeyore]

Thanks for a great TR! Poor LJ - I remember feeling that way when I was a kid, crying the whole way home on the plane, just wanting to stay on vacation forever!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

AWWWWWW! That was a sweet ending! Bet LJ will be wanting to plan his next trip with you soon!

 

[eandesmom]

And then what happened next just broke my heart. LJ burried his head in his mom's chest and just started to cry....big fat tears. Poor little LJ. He was disappointed to come to this end of his journey. I gave him a big hug and told him he was the best travel companion ever and he was always welcome to go anywhere with me. He gave the other boys a hug, said good-bye, and was on his way.

To this day....LJ still talks about his fabulous trip to the world. Hopefully I converted another soul to the magic for live!

Up next.....final thoughts!

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

I think he's converted for life....and will convert all his siblings! Be prepared to be hit up by the younger ones!

What a great aunt you are.

Love the additional CSR pics!

 

[MEK]

Awwww. Sniff Sniff. Little LJ! What a sweet little guy. I was teary eyed as I read about his goodbye.

I really hope you can take him with his brothers, what a fabulous trip that would be!

It was pretty sad. I definately got all choked up in the airport. I did not see that coming, but I remember how my kids were at that age. Definately still a sensitive age. I do hope that someday his brothers get to go!

Aww! LJ is a sweetheart and you are a great aunt! I hope you are able to talk his parents into taking a family vacation to WDW. IMO it's a place EVERY family NEEDS to visit and I'm sure the boys would all love it!

I hope they will decide to visit as well. Their two youngest are a handful, so I am sure that is why they are delaying it. That, and they bought a new house recently! I know the boys would love it!

Whew talk about close calls...at least I wouldn't have had to be thinking about flying in all the rush so I probably would have been way more relaxed on the plane LOL!!!

What a great way to spend your last day...in the nice AC playing some fun games and just having a great time at DQ!! I have never been but I have to be honest the idea of the place really intrigues me!!

Love your pictures of the resorts!! Thank you for sharing them!!!!!

I too am sad this is coming close to an end...you have done an amazing job MEK!

Hey Jen - that's one way to look at it. Maybe that's what everyone should do who's afraid to fly - arrive just as the plane is boarding!

You should think about trying DQ one of these trips. I think you would like the virtual reality games (some of which we did not do or they were broken). It's definately something all fans should see because its just one more side of the many ways to spend time in the world.

Hang on, just grabbing a couple of kleenex How adorable, so nice that you made wonderful memories that young man will never forget. I love the time I get to spend with my nieces, and I count my lucky stars everyday they only live 15 minutes from us.

Ok, hate the circling. I hate to fly with a passion, hate it!! Ok, I think you get my point....last year as we were decending into Orlando we went through a cloud burst and had to abort landing....almost through me over the edge

Thanks. I hope he remembers this trip for a long, long time!

I don't hate flying, but I do hate circling. It's that claustrophobic part of me that doesn't like being confined any longer than was originally planned. I guess you never know what's going to happen when you get on a plane. I had the same thing happen once when landing at MCO. They tried twice and on the third approach stated that we would be flying to Tampa if we could not land (weather related). Fortunately that did not happen.

 

[MEK]

but I did not have time to DIS at work today and now I have to get ready to go to the state fair. I hope I will be back tonight!

But I do have to comment that Shocker's latest picture is absolutely perfect for suggestable me. Yeah....I get that "tranced out" look quite frequently. Even at work!

Be back soon!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

As you know, our flight departed RIGHT on time! It was a pretty uneventful flight until we reached the Baltimore area. Then our captain informed us that there were thunderstorms over the Philly airport, so we would have to circle for awhile.....over Baltimore. Oh Joy.....It was one of the moments where I almost wished we had flown out of Baltimore. I swear, you spend just as much time circling when you fly out of Philly, as you do when you just drive to Baltimore. But it was all good, because LJ lives north of Philly, so we really needed to use that airport. We knew his folks would be waiting, but I felt reassured knowing that they would be soon alerted to our flight delay. I just hoped they didn't bring the whole clan with them. Finally after 45 minutes or so, our pilot told us we would move on to Philadelphia. So instead of doing the incessant circling over Philly, we circled over Baltimore, high above the clouds, and then went straight to our landing pattern in PHL.

Of course, the teens were in the back, so they were the last to deplane. By the time we got to the luggage carousel, our luggage was arriving. And LJ's parents were right there to greet him. They left the bro's at home. So with all our baggage in hand, we said good-bye. And then what happened next just broke my heart. LJ burried his head in his mom's chest and just started to cry....big fat tears. Poor little LJ. He was disappointed to come to this end of his journey. I gave him a big hug and told him he was the best travel companion ever and he was always welcome to go anywhere with me. He gave the other boys a hug, said good-bye, and was on his way.

To this day....LJ still talks about his fabulous trip to the world. Hopefully I converted another soul to the magic for live!

I hear you on the pain of flying out of the Philadelphia airport...-it's our home airport but we're spending a day in NYC and flying out of Newark this time...we always wind up circling when its time to land in Philadelphia and I confess it makes me nauseous... (I'm not a big fan of the Phila-Orlando flight-although short I've found it to be a little rough...)

LJ it quite the cutie and he is very lucky to have you as an aunt (& the opportunity to go with you to DW...and he seems to have been a delightful travel companion...- I wonder if his parents realize yet that his constitution is a little hardy than they had perhaps thought...

Your photos of the CSR were simply wonderful...

Great trippie...

 

[SunnieRN]

Poor LJ! I keep thinking about him having to go back to his "delicate" lifestyle! You proved that he can keep up with the best of 'em!! Good going Auntie!! This will give him wonderful memories for the rest of his life!!

I hope you don't mind, I am the one who posted a link to your trip report on the CSR thread by KatMark! You took such beautiful shots and I figured the die hard CSR fans would love to see them.

Have fun at the fair!

 

[HockeyMomR]

MEK - reading lurkyloo's anniversary TR......was just thinking find those pics, but now I am reading (she is staying at BCV, so you know I am hooked!), so, sooner or later I will come across those lounge pics. Only on page 3 right now, so, might be a while!!!

 

[MEK]

Good Morning Everyone! I have not been ignoring my TR because its almost over, more because life got busy and I ran out of time yesterday! Thank you to everyone who has followed my TR this far! You guys are great and you make it soooooo much fun!

I was getting my daily fix on the new CSR thread, having just come off of a 12 hr shift, when I found a link to your thread, with the enticement of some great CSR pics! Of course I'm a sucker now (since our stay there last spring) for anything CSR-related, so I innocently click on the link..........and here I am a few hrs later, having read all of your threads and reports!!! Gotta tell you - I don't give up sleep for much, but you are too funny!

Your pics are fantastic - it is SUCH a photogenic resort, isn't it? Sounds like your family trip was great (despite the meltdown, but I know - I've "been there, done that", so fully understand how the words just fall out! I think everyone does.)

Welcome pediatric-rnp! so great to have another reader and another nurse visit my TR! I'm sorry I kept you away from your precious sleep, but I'm excited that you liked my TR enough to read the whole thing. Thank you for the compliment on the CSR pictures. We did have a great trip, despite a few "bumps" in the road.

We've also spent many years on countless soccer fields, both indoor and outside - unfortunately those years are behind us. DS (23) grad from college last year, and DS (almost 22) will be entering his senior year at college in Sept - and aren't we the lucky parents - we get to pay tuition for not just one senior year, but two senior years for him! He will be a "5th yr senior" next year due to a change of heart in majors!

Sounds like we have a lot in common. I guess it most be sad when the last one graduates college, but it must be nice to know that soon you will have extra money to include your Disney addiction!

I also teared up in the video you did for your friend who lost their son in the car acident. So beautiful, but so heartbreaking.....such a tragic loss. That touched close to home. Three summers ago, four of DS's friends were in a MVA, and the parents of one had to make the wrenching decision to discontinue life support for their only child. As a parent you always think....there but for the Grace of God go I.

Thanks for taking the time to listen to John's song and watch his video. Well put....there but for the Grace of God go I. I truely believe that. The teenage years are so unpredictable and unfortunately some people have to deal with tradegy beyound comprehension.

What a wonderful ending Disney Quest sounds like sooo much fun! I've always wanted to try it, but never seem to find the time. I would totally build a level 4 coaster!! Is there a level up from that or is that the most intense? Anyway, I am totally intrigued now and will have to make it on a future trip! Looking forward to your highlights

DQ was fun. The highest coaster level is 5. I think the reason we didn't get to a four on our second coaster was we didn't increase the speed, because we put flips and rolls in it. Good luck reaching your level 5. You can do your coaster over until you get the one you want and THEN save and ride it!

Awww, poor little LJ -- I am so glad he had such a blast on his trip, but I know how he feels -- I never want Disney trips to end either!!! What a great experience you were able to give him!!!

First of all....I just want to say that I am already 2 or 3 days behind and your last update ...and....that....is....just...WRONG! I was so thrilled to be able to give LJ that trip! It really meant a lot to me to be able to do that.

Awwww poor LJ! I got all teary eyed when I read that I take my nieces/nephews (at alternate times ) and I know how much they appreciate it as did LJ. Very touching
Looking forward to your Niagara Falls installment....some day seeing that I live in NYS I will make my way over there!!! I think it is around 4 hours away or so!

Tracy

Thanks Tracy. It is so wonderful when kids appreciate things. I hope I get to post my Niagara Falls pics this weekend. They are actually pretty cool. It was a fun little trip! If you only live 4 hours away you should definately go. Just get your passports first so you can go visit the Canadian side!

Oh my! Thinking about LJ crying at the airport made me cry! Poor kiddo!! It sounds like he had an absolutely awesome trip!!!

Thanks....I know, it was really sad. He did have a great time. I don't think his parents expected him to cry like that.

Excellent TR MEK.

We are staying at CSR for 5 days then Kidani for 7 - in three weeks

Thanks for the wonderful pictures of both resorts - I'm so excited.

Hi Yzma and Kronk! Thanks for stopping by. You have a nice long trip planned.....I am so jealous. I hope you have a fabulous time. I think you will enjoy both resorts. You are smart to be staying at CSR first. Curious to see what you think about the move from CSR to Kidani. Have a great trip!

Over the past 2 weeks, i have been reading your trip reports. I found them on the vero beach thread and started reading. I must say, i have not been getting the house work and laundry done that i should have from reading but they were too good to not.

Look forward to more and your next trip.

Still a newbie at DVC and the DIS so i need some more pointers before i attempt a TR.

Thanks for taking me along for the ride!!

Tinks"SS"......Thanks for reading my TR's. I am sorry I am keeping you from your housework, but the DIS makes all of us a little less efficient at housework! Welcome to DVC. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. As far as a TR.....all you need is to like to write and to post pics. It's pretty easy and fun!

 

[MEK]

Cool -- we were there at the exact same time. Looking forward to reading more.

Welcome Mcbruns! Where did you stay? Where we in any of the same parks at the same time?

Beautiful pictures Mary Ellen!

Thanks Promise to get over to your PTR to see what's new!

"Poor" LJ! I feel like crying everytime a WDW vacation comes to an end too! I have a feeling that the "brainwashing" was successful and we have another WDW nut on our hands. Hope he gets to go back soon!

Hey C....me, too. And then for the next few days after I get home I always feel a little sad when I am falling asleep in the morning or just waking up.

"Brainwashing".....hmmmmmm......strong term! Yes...I think he may now be under the spell

Thanks for a great TR! Poor LJ - I remember feeling that way when I was a kid, crying the whole way home on the plane, just wanting to stay on vacation forever!

I never went on cool vacations like that when I was a kid, but I do remember crying everytime I would come home from a week at my grandmother's house. I used to love to go there during summer vacation.

MEK - love the rest of the CSR pics. Sorry to see your TR end, loved it!

Also, have not had a chance to search the other TR report to look for Siemen's lounge photos. Will let you know when I find them, thanks for posting the links!

I am glad you like the pics. I hope you have had a chance to look for the lounge pics. I know I haven't.

AWWWWWW! That was a sweet ending! Bet LJ will be wanting to plan his next trip with you soon!

Thanks! I'm sure he would love to go again, but he's such a generous kid he would probably want one of his brothers to go instead.

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

I think he's converted for life....and will convert all his siblings! Be prepared to be hit up by the younger ones!

What a great aunt you are.

Love the additional CSR pics!

I hope he's converted for life. That's what its all about...becoming a "lifer". The younger ones are already hitting me up! Glad you like the pics!

 

[MEK]

So I talked to my SIL yesterday and she told me that LJ wants to go to Dutch Wonderland (instead of Dorney Park). I said, "Whaaaaatttttt?" I still don't believe her. My thrill ride junkie wants to go back to Dutch wonderland? Impossible! So I think what happened is my SIL probably said,

"Do you want to go back to Dutch Wonderland this summer?"

And LJ, in his LJ laid back way probably said.....

"Sure. That is fine with me."

I bet he didn't even get a chance to really consider Dorney Park. Maybe I'm being a bit suspicious, but I just have a feeling that DP never got much consideration. Crud...So I already said I would join them for an amusement park day and it looks like it is now going to be Dutch W. Fortunately, Nick agreed to go with me. He's a good sport considering that park is not a place for an almost 15 year old.

Then my SIL told me about my nephew who is turning 6. Apparently she has been giving him some "alone" time because he has been having some behavior issues. So when the two of them are together on the playground he will run over to a little toy plane or car, hop on, and say, "I'm going to take this plane (car) to Disney world. Let's go now".

uggghhhhhh.....So I have scarred him for life. I feel really bad.


So Some final thoughts.....

Well, its no secret that LJ was the highlight of this trip for me. He is so mature, well behaved, and laid back. Plus his complete lack of fear about any rides made him such a good traveling companion. Let's face it....we've all grown to love LJ because he is an awesome kid.

So in my final thoughts I like to summarize things that I did new on this trip. I have to start, of course, with the accomodations:

Kidani: My third DVC location and probably my favorite. It was such a great place to stay and an over all wonderful experience. I will be thrilled to be able to stay there again in the future. I hope it remains fairly easy to book at 7 months.

CSR: The last of the 4 mods that I have stayed in. Beautiful grounds. Probably the only thing I didn't like is that I have trouble staying places that have a "warm/hot" theme when its a bagillion degrees out. That whole southwest theme may have made me feel a little warmer. I'm not sure....could have been my imagination.

As far as picture taking...I think this is the most photogenic out of all the mods. There's just so much to work with.

Is it my favorite mod?????? Not sure. I think POFQ might be my favorite with CSR a close second, followed by POR and CBR. Heck.... I like them all.

New Restaruants

On a Scale of 1 to 3.......

1. The Wave *** (3 stars)
2. Teppan Edo *** (3 stars)
3. Hollywood & Vine ** (2 stars)
4. the Mara *** (3 stars)
5. Foodcourt at DQ (1 star)

I think that's all the new places I tried during this trip. Honestly, I liked them all. No complaints. 1 star for DQ because there was nothing special about it, not did I anticipate there would be. If I can think of any other new CS places I will add them.

Up next..... new rides/attractions......