Meeko's Walt Disney World Trip 2002- Part One

[meeko_33785]

Meeko's Walt Disney World Trip 2002​

Finally starting up my trip reports. Hopefully I'll have the time to continue posting the rest of my reports as well soon. If not, it could be a while until the rest of the trip shows up. I've also posted some pictures with it. They're not all great, but I know people usually enjoy when I post pictures with my reports. Anyway, here's the begining and I hope you enjoy it.

Thursday

Well, the day had finally arrived once again. It was off to Walt Disney World and the Animal Kingdom Lodge. After a somewhat stressful trip down there (I'll leave it as that), I found myself at the Resort. After entering, I soon discovered this wouldn't be like any other of the Disney Resorts I had stayed at before. The Lobby was similar to the one at the Wilderness Lodge, but still strikingly African and just as beautiful. After checking in, it wasn't the lobby, but what was outside that got my attention. There it was, the Savannah. Never seen anything quite like it in a Resort before. It was beautiful, but there seemed to be something missing: animals. I decided I'd check out the Savannah more later and went to my room. It overlooked the Sunset Savannah and when I got there, there were already a few birds outside. I put my things down and, after turning on the television to hear "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Tip For Today", it was off to Lunch at the Mara .

The weather was nice, so I had lunch outside overlooking the pool. After that, it was off to the pool for a quick swim and to check out some of the animals on the nearby savannah. After returning to the room, outside the window was something I wasn't expecting.

A giraffe was having a snack at a tree right outside the window. Now it was official; this was a different type of experience than any other Disney Resort I'd been to. The one problem with it is you don't want to leave. You want to keep watching the animals. However, I had an evening planned at Downtown Disney and knew I couldn't stay forever. It wad off to the bus stop to catch a bus to the Marketplace.

After arriving, I checked out some of the shops. The new Toy Shop was still under construction. It looks cute, but I was hopping it might have opened early so I could see it. I'll have to wait until next time I guess. I bought a few souvenirs including a pin of the Prince from Beauty and the Beast, since before I left on my trip, I was told that this was the Disney character I was most like (actually, the Beast was mentioned first, but it was agreed I wasn't neerly as violent as he is). I guess I can't argue since my personality match to my own Disney Hero Personality Quiz was the Beast, but I don't think I'm nearly that beastly.

Next, it was over to Pleasure Island to the West Side. I had planned to have dinner at Wolfgang Puck's Cafe, so it was off to the restaurant to see if there was any wait. There wasn't and dinner was excellent. Then, it was time for some shopping. I checked out a few of the shops, but it wasn't long after getting into the Virgin Megastore that this just wasn't what I came to Orlando to do. I left and headed for the bus back to the Lodge. There, I checked out more of the Savannah, watched some of the animals, and relaxed in front of the fire pit. Tomorrow would be quite a day, so it was back to the room for some sleep.

 

[snuggles]

I love your pics! One of these days I'm gonna make it to the AKL myself. Glad you had a good day!

 

[helenabear]

Glad you had a good day! I love the pictures!!! You make me want to go see AKL and hopefully someday I will!!!

 

[indigo]

thanks for the trip report. We plan to stay at AKL for part of our trip. how did you find the distances involved in walking around the resort? does it take forever to get from the bus stop to your room?

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

AKL definitely has a "problem" -- you don't want to leave. The animals are amazing!

 

[TinkerChelle]

I agree During our honeymoon I could not stop looking out the window. I think I spent most of my time there. I loved it. I even liked to look at it during the night with the artifical moonlight. It was a wonderful resort!

 

[meeko_33785]

indigo: I thought the Resort was very easy to get around. It's a lot less walking than, say, Port Orleans Riverside or one of the Moderate resorts (maybe even less than the Polynessian and some of the other Delux Reosrts). The bus stop is a little longer of a walk from the lobby than some resorts, but still wasn't that bad. Just be sure to use the elevators insteed of the stairs in the lobby. They seemed a bit confusing. Hope you have a great time there.

 

[nativetxn]

I love the photos. I'm planning to be at AKL in September and I can't wait. Thanks for posting this for us to enjoy.

 

[swankybeth]

Sounds like a nice first day--I love eating at Wolfgang Puck's also. Your pictures are beautiful!

 

[Krissalee]

Great report and photos! I just booked my first stay at AKL for December! Counting down the days!

Krissy

 

[bigsis1970]

Hi Meeko, can you give us the room number you stayed in or the trail.. thanks Michelle

 

[meeko_33785]

My room was on the Kudu Trail facing the Sunset Savanah. The view was great and almost every time I looked out the window, there was some sort of animal out there. Very nice.

 

[cotye]

Great report and I love the fact that pics help to 'illustrate' your narrative!

 

[yepod]

Thanks for the first installment & great pics!

 

[meeko_33785]

Just a bump so all my reports will be together.