Live Trip Report from AKV (with pics)

[RLRDA]

I'm enjoying your TR ~ thanks for posting the pictures! I always enjoy looking at other members pics....now I just have to figure out how to post them myself (before our August trip).

Enjoy the rest of your vacation

 

[J&JAKV08]

Great report!! Can't wait to hear about your Princess Lunch. We are considering that for our DD's in July! Let us know how that is. Thanks!!

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

Sounds like you and your family is having a great vacation. AKL is one of my fav's.

 

[kristamil]

Hello! Just caught up on your TR and it has raised my excitement level to an all-time high 'cause we'll be visiting AKV for the first time in just 3 weeks!

We are thrilled to be able experience the Flower & Garden Festival, too! Your photos were lovely. I wasn't aware of the "magical moments"; glad to see and hear about your very neat moment!

Can't wait to hear more! Hope the remainder of your vacay is spectacular!

 

[kristenrice]

THANK YOU!!!! For those pictures of a value 1BR!!

Our trip is 53 days away and we are trying the AKV values for the first time...a value studio for the first night and a value 1BR for the next 4. Our girls are 3 1/2 and almost 6 so it looks like we will have plenty of space.

I am also glad to hear about the crowd levels. Next year, we are coming down for spring break and we will be arriving in WDW on Easter Sunday. Our vacation will include the 4 days after Easter. It is nice to hear that the crowds have thinned after the holiday. It also looks like the pool area there handles the crowds quite nicely. Since we are going to be there in June, I assume that there will be even larger crowds at the pools. I am hoping that the new Kidani pool siphons a lot of folks away from the Jambo pool. I certainly want to see the Kidani pool area, but my girls are still young enough that the Jambo pool is more than enough entertainment for them. It would be even better if it weren't crowded.

Have a great trip....it sounds fantastic so far!

 

[zulaya]

I am hoping that the new Kidani pool siphons a lot of folks away from the Jambo pool.

Forgive me if I hope that doesn't happen...

I'm staying at Kidani in 52 days and I'd like the Jambo folks to give us some space to try out the pool, too.

Hopefully, given that it's supposedly almost a mile to walk from Jambo to Kidani that there won't be too many people who will want to do that.

 

[BigEeyore]

I love your TR!!! Thank you for taking time away from your vacation to share your fun with those of us stuck at home, wishing we were where you are! Have a great time!!!

 

[wildernessDad]

Love the pictures. It makes me home sick!

 

[kristenrice]

Forgive me if I hope that doesn't happen...

Of course!

Have a great trip! Here's hoping for great weather and low crowds! (Ok, I really don't think the low crowds are in the forecast, but we can still hope for good weather)

 

[mousefan1972]

Thanks for taking the time to post while on your trip! Your pictures are great. I am so excited for our first trip to AKL-Jambo House, which starts one week from today!

 

[kristenrice]

Quick question...

Is there "enough" room between the bed and the TV cabinet when the sofabed is pulled out? Is it easy enough to walk through or do you have to "grapevine" and walk a little sideways? The pictures of the savanna view studio looked similar and I found there to be about 4 feet, even though it looked like there was only about half that. Just curious....

 

[JennSaint]

Love reading your live reports! We have stayed at AKL twice and love it! We have rented points for next February and will be staying in a Savannah studio for 8 nights and our last 2 nights in a conceirge studio. I'm really hoping this will finally convince my DH to buy DVC.
Thanks for taking the time out of your vacation to post for us!!

 

[KathyRN137]

Hopefully, given that it's supposedly almost a mile to walk from Jambo to Kidani that there won't be too many people who will want to do that.

I'm hoping that Samawati Springs Pool won't get too crowded... but there will be the availability of the bus between Jambo House and Kidani if folks really want to hop... oh well. Hopefully we won't all want to swim at the same time!!

Dying for pix, though...


Kathy

 

[zulaya]

Well, that's true. I can't wait for pics of the pool area myself. A couple more weeks and we'll have the whole smash, I'm sure.

 

[thepowellslovedisney]

Enjoying your TR! Thanks for taking time out of your vacation to post it live.

 

[JenSop]

Yay! Your TR is getting me excited for our trip home to AKV in June!!

Thanks for the pics, too. We will be staying in a value studio this time and next year, I'm looking to get a 2BR value, so your report has given me some valuable information! THanks!

And don't be scared of Boma! It's one of our favorites! In fact, on our upcoming trip, we'll be eating at Boma, Sanaa, AND Jiko - very AKV heavy!

Two and a half months seems likes ages away!

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Quick question...

Is there "enough" room between the bed and the TV cabinet when the sofabed is pulled out? Is it easy enough to walk through or do you have to "grapevine" and walk a little sideways? The pictures of the savanna view studio looked similar and I found there to be about 4 feet, even though it looked like there was only about half that. Just curious....

Ha! Don't we all know the grapevine from the '80s! Well, you'll be glad to know no grapevine is needed! There's a good 3 or 4' when the bed is pulled out.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

It was Magic Kingdom day! Doesn't this just warm your heart?

An Early Start
We got to MK around 11:30, which was an early start for us. Since we had about an hour and a half before lunch, we decided to hit Buzz Lightyear. Unfortunately, MK was really crowded today. Buzz was already at a 40 minute wait, so we decided to get fast passes. After we got those, we decided to go down to Peter Pan. The wait time said 40 minutes as well, so we got in line. We ended up waiting about 50 minutes, so we were afraid to go back to Buzz before lunch. When we got to the castle, she said come back at 10 till 1:00, so we darted off the Buzz and used our fast passes!

Cinderella's Royal Table
$185 dollars later (3 adults, 1 child), it was all worth it. Food was better than I thought it was going to be. DH got pork tenderloins (small portion if you have a hefty appetite), I got something similar to a shepherd's pie, DS got a HUGE sandwich (which he griped because it didn't have cheese ) and DD got the grilled chicken and pasta.

We got our picture taken with Cinderella as we entered the castle. When we were seated, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine and Belle visited the table. When I stated above that it was well worth the $185, here's why:

Wow...Could It Happen Again???
I can't say we had another magical moment, but boy was it close! As we were leaving CRT, I asked if we could have the picture sent back to our room. I think the sweet lady at the desk felt sorry for my 13 year-old (tagging along with his 6 year-old sister), because she kept giving him things while I was filling out the paperwork with our personal information. It started off with a couple of badges and a pen. Then, she gave him some glittery type stuff. But, guess what she gave him last??? TWO fast passes for 4 to use anywhere in the park we wanted!!! I couldn't believe it! TWO!!!

Thunder Mountain & Splash Mountain
Since we got the fast passes, we used them on Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain, DH and DS's two favorite rides. One of the CMs was super kind, and handed me back one of the fast passes for 4! So at the end of the day, we got to go on Splash Mountain one more time!!! Wow, what a day!

We hit all of the things we enjoy...Buzz Lightyear, Peter Pan, Splash & Thunder Mountain, Pirates, Haunted Mansion, etc. Our longest wait was 40 minutes. At the end of the day, we grabbed dinner at the Plaza, and it was really good. It's our favorite place to eat in MK. Plus, the milk shakes are to die for!!!

And, with the last picture after Splash Mountain and Pirates, we called it a day. The only disappointment for me...no fireworks (everyone was too pooped)!!! Oh well, with the APs, I still have 3 days left!

Well, I'm beat, but wanted to give you guys a quick update. Tomorrow is a hang out day at the resort. If all goes well, tomorrow is the day I go on my top secret mission...getting pictures of the feature pool at Kidani! I haven't forgotten you guys! Wish me luck! With the way this trip is going so far (savanna view, magical moments, extra fast passes), I just may have some luck!

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Great report!! Can't wait to hear about your Princess Lunch. We are considering that for our DD's in July! Let us know how that is. Thanks!!

I don't know that I would do it every visit, but it's definitely fun for the little ones!

...Our girls are 3 1/2 and almost 6 so it looks like we will have plenty of space...I certainly want to see the Kidani pool area, but my girls are still young enough that the Jambo pool is more than enough entertainment for them...

Yes, you will have plenty of space in the 1-BR for sure! As for the Jambo pool, I think it's very nice! No complaints at all.

...given that it's supposedly almost a mile to walk from Jambo to Kidani that there won't be too many people who will want to do that.

It's a decent walk, that's for sure. Unless people want to drive over or take a bus, I'm not sure if there's an easy way to get there. I'll let you know after tomorrow!

Yay! Your TR is getting me excited for our trip home to AKV in June!!...We will be staying in a value studio this time and next year...And don't be scared of Boma! It's one of our favorites!

I'm so glad you're enjoying it! Thanks for the kind words. As for the value, we've enjoyed it. Not sure I'd want to stay here every time, but it's nice to save a few points here and there. Also, thanks for the info on Boma. You just hate to spend $30+ per person, and not enjoy it. I'll let you know what we think after dinner tomorrow evening!!!

 

[kikiq]

I'm loving your trip report. Your DS probably did get some extra pixie dust because he's being a good sport for your DD.

What is the real distance between the Kidani pool and Jambo?