Buckeye Fan
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2007
- Messages
- 2,092
Happy Good Friday, everyone!!! We started early this am...but we're here! 
We left Columbus this morning at 8:00, which meant we had to be at the airport around 6:15.
That seemed like a good idea when I booked the flight! When we left, the weather was pretty crappy. Boy, what a difference a 2 hour flight south makes! Orlando is absolutely beautiful. It is sunny, without a cloud in the sky.
We landed around 10:10, and caught the Magical Express. Boy were the check-in lines crowded at the airport. I waited in line about 15 minutes for ME, and then another 15 minutes for a bus. After that, we were on our way to the World! The ME bus stopped at Coronado Springs before going to AK. The bus emptied at CS! There was only one other couple and us going to AK.
We got to AK around 11:15, and went to the "on-line" check-in location. Everything was perfect, but I will qualify that I e-mailed MS prior to arriving. I wanted to make sure they linked our reservation (so we wouldn't have to check out, check back in), and that our request (savanna view) was noted on the reservation. Well...someone must have sprinkled some extra pixie dust on us, because our room is amazing! We couldn't get into it until after 3:00, but the location couldn't be better. We're in a 1-BR value in the Ostrich Trail section, room number 5116. It is AWESOME!!!
To blow some time (since we didn't have our suitcases), we went back to CS and ate at Pepper Market. For the first time ever, we were really disappointed. We all love PM. Food was good, but prices have changed pretty significantly. For lunch, we got 2 cheese quesadillas, nachos, baked pasta and 2 drinks. Our bill was over $70!
I know...it's Dis. What do you expect? But...there are plenty of places we could have eaten for $70!!!
After CS, we came back to the hotel. We waited for about an hour, and our room was ready! All I can say is I think DH and DS have found their FAVORITE DVC. Now those of you who know me know that I've never met a DVC I didn't like. So of course, I think it's wonderful and now want to buy points!
But, DH and DS really do love it. It reminds me a lot of VWL, with animals! I have to admit, I LOVE animals, but it just didn't seem that big of a deal. Well...it's really cool. Today, we saw a giraffe, two ostriches, a kudu and an impala! For those of you contemplating on whether the points are worth it or not for a savanna view, it is!
As for the value room, I don't notice a difference in space in the living area (we have a 1-BR), but the master bedroom is small. You can see in the pics below that the armoire, TV stand and desk are right up against each other. That's about the width of the room. You can barely shut the door without it hitting the bed, but it's not bad. I can see why they limit the room to 4. Any more than that would be too close for comfort. The one thing nice about the value rooms (or at least this one), is that they all used to be hotel rooms and have their own balconies. So, we actually have two balconies (the removed the divider between them). It's still narrow, but it's long.
Since we're beat from getting up so early this morning, we went to the pool, and then came back to the room for dinner. We had Garden Grocer (LOVE THEM) deliver groceries, and everything was on time and exactly as we ordered. This is the third time we've used them, and each time the order is accurate.
Tomorrow, I think we're going to Typhoon Lagoon. The bus driver told us today that both TL and BB reached capacity. I'm hoping after this weekend things thin out a little bit. We don't have reservations for dinner, so we probably will end up at either DTD or BW after the water park. Since spring break is so crowded, here's what we have planned (at least as I know it today):
* Water park and dinner at ESPN Zone (probably)
* Dinner at SSR Turf Club for Easter dinner
* MK on Monday - lunch at Cindy's Royal Table and dinner at the Plaza
* Boma on Tuesday (maybe Epcot)
* DHS and Mama Rosa's on TH
* Trail's End on Thursday (probably spend the last day enjoying the resort)
* Return home on Friday
Lastly, for those of you thinking of traveling during Easter, there are several Easter activities at AKV. They handed me a sheet at check-in that includes making an Easter bunny magnet, painting ostrich eggs ($30), meet and greet with Mickey and Minnie, Easter face painting and tattoos, arts and crafts, and a coloring contest. AKV also has different kids' activities (not associated with Easter - or at least I don't think) where you can earn up to 5 beads for activities for a small keepsake.
I will take pics and keep you guys posted, as I LOVE live trip reports. It tides me over, and makes me feel like I'm there! I hope you guys enjoy the pictures, and please feel free to ask any questions.
We left Columbus this morning at 8:00, which meant we had to be at the airport around 6:15.
That seemed like a good idea when I booked the flight! When we left, the weather was pretty crappy. Boy, what a difference a 2 hour flight south makes! Orlando is absolutely beautiful. It is sunny, without a cloud in the sky.We landed around 10:10, and caught the Magical Express. Boy were the check-in lines crowded at the airport. I waited in line about 15 minutes for ME, and then another 15 minutes for a bus. After that, we were on our way to the World! The ME bus stopped at Coronado Springs before going to AK. The bus emptied at CS! There was only one other couple and us going to AK.
We got to AK around 11:15, and went to the "on-line" check-in location. Everything was perfect, but I will qualify that I e-mailed MS prior to arriving. I wanted to make sure they linked our reservation (so we wouldn't have to check out, check back in), and that our request (savanna view) was noted on the reservation. Well...someone must have sprinkled some extra pixie dust on us, because our room is amazing! We couldn't get into it until after 3:00, but the location couldn't be better. We're in a 1-BR value in the Ostrich Trail section, room number 5116. It is AWESOME!!!
To blow some time (since we didn't have our suitcases), we went back to CS and ate at Pepper Market. For the first time ever, we were really disappointed. We all love PM. Food was good, but prices have changed pretty significantly. For lunch, we got 2 cheese quesadillas, nachos, baked pasta and 2 drinks. Our bill was over $70!
I know...it's Dis. What do you expect? But...there are plenty of places we could have eaten for $70!!!After CS, we came back to the hotel. We waited for about an hour, and our room was ready! All I can say is I think DH and DS have found their FAVORITE DVC. Now those of you who know me know that I've never met a DVC I didn't like. So of course, I think it's wonderful and now want to buy points!
But, DH and DS really do love it. It reminds me a lot of VWL, with animals! I have to admit, I LOVE animals, but it just didn't seem that big of a deal. Well...it's really cool. Today, we saw a giraffe, two ostriches, a kudu and an impala! For those of you contemplating on whether the points are worth it or not for a savanna view, it is!As for the value room, I don't notice a difference in space in the living area (we have a 1-BR), but the master bedroom is small. You can see in the pics below that the armoire, TV stand and desk are right up against each other. That's about the width of the room. You can barely shut the door without it hitting the bed, but it's not bad. I can see why they limit the room to 4. Any more than that would be too close for comfort. The one thing nice about the value rooms (or at least this one), is that they all used to be hotel rooms and have their own balconies. So, we actually have two balconies (the removed the divider between them). It's still narrow, but it's long.
Since we're beat from getting up so early this morning, we went to the pool, and then came back to the room for dinner. We had Garden Grocer (LOVE THEM) deliver groceries, and everything was on time and exactly as we ordered. This is the third time we've used them, and each time the order is accurate.
Tomorrow, I think we're going to Typhoon Lagoon. The bus driver told us today that both TL and BB reached capacity. I'm hoping after this weekend things thin out a little bit. We don't have reservations for dinner, so we probably will end up at either DTD or BW after the water park. Since spring break is so crowded, here's what we have planned (at least as I know it today):
* Water park and dinner at ESPN Zone (probably)
* Dinner at SSR Turf Club for Easter dinner
* MK on Monday - lunch at Cindy's Royal Table and dinner at the Plaza
* Boma on Tuesday (maybe Epcot)
* DHS and Mama Rosa's on TH
* Trail's End on Thursday (probably spend the last day enjoying the resort)
* Return home on Friday
Lastly, for those of you thinking of traveling during Easter, there are several Easter activities at AKV. They handed me a sheet at check-in that includes making an Easter bunny magnet, painting ostrich eggs ($30), meet and greet with Mickey and Minnie, Easter face painting and tattoos, arts and crafts, and a coloring contest. AKV also has different kids' activities (not associated with Easter - or at least I don't think) where you can earn up to 5 beads for activities for a small keepsake.
I will take pics and keep you guys posted, as I LOVE live trip reports. It tides me over, and makes me feel like I'm there! I hope you guys enjoy the pictures, and please feel free to ask any questions.
Thank you so much for posting them. 
And, yes. I hope the crowds die down after Sunday, too!
But, I'm sure the next 7 will. 
That's okay. We'll have a ball and make the most of it while we're here! 
