Monday 5/2:
Our it's-finally-time-to-travel-to-Disney-day dawned with plenty to do. I had to go into work for an hour or so to get things situated for the week (I teach 7th grade Science). DH had to go into work for an hour or so as well to get things situated at his job. Our flight didn't leave until later in the afternoon, but needless to say I was anxious to get on a plane at like 6 a.m.!! I even seriously debated showing up to the airport early to see if they would put us on an earlier flight
But...DH had yet to pack. That's right guys...in a DIS boards world of packing months in advanced, my DH had 3 hours until we left for the airport and he had not packed. Not a single thing. Nada. Yowser! But luckily he packed with minutes to spare. My FIL arrived to drive us to the airport (we were flying out of and into different airports so he offered to take us and pick us up!
). We packed the car--just barely! Stupid people who stole our van 
He was going to drive us to and from the airport using our van so we would have plenty of room for our luggage. But instead we had to play tetris to get it all into his car. And it just fit. BARELY. I should have taken a picture, but my camera was packed in so tightly somewhere, I didn't dare move anything to try and get it out! 
We arrived at the airport, checked our bags, made to security and there was no line. We were doing good. Until one of the security guards asked the dreaded question....
...."Whose bag is this??" Geeze louise. Can I never make it through security again without hearing those words? I swear EVERY time we go through security they ask us that. And then we have to have our bag searched. The lady who went through it was very nice. Didn't throw my stuff all out like some would. After digging she proclaims that it was the foil of the Starbucks Via packets that were in there that set off the X-Ray machine. Whew. Got to watch out for those coffee packets--they could be leathal!
We waited about an hour and a half for our plane to start boarding--it wasn't late, we were just early--for once!
We boarded the plane, took off and an hour and 40 minutes later we were landing at MCO!! We got off the plane and headed right to ME. We got in our line and there was a bus waiting so we got right on. It was all so quick I didn't even have time to take any pictures. Woops...But I do have some to share in a few on this update, I promise!!
We arrived at AKL after making a stop at All-Star Movies and Music. Our bus driver was from Jamaica...he was really nice. He talked to us quite a bit...and made sure to point out the tallest man made tree in the world
. I thought that was totally funny! ...as if we didn't know it was there!
Finally we arrive at the Lodge:
After getting off ME we look around, but a CL cast member was NOT waiting to greet us like they told us. Minus one for CL. So we walk in and walk up to the registration desk and I told the CM that we were CL guests. Supposedly we were to be taken upstairs to the CL lounge to check in. Or so I was told. But really, the CM at the front desk just checked us in. No comfy chairs, snacks or beverages. Boo. Minus 2 for CL. CL sure had a lot of points to make up and we had only been there for 10 minutes! We make our way to our 5th floor room and were excited to find...
YIIPPEE!! We got our room request. The kids were pumped to have bunk beds for the week!
We also had some yummy looking chocolate flamingos courtesy of CL...plus one for them!
After checking out our room and putting down our carry on luggage, we had to check out our view...it was of course, fabulous!
Next, we headed to the Mara to grab some dinner. I forgot the camera in our room, so no pics. But the kids shared a chicken tender meal and DH and I shared a chicken flatbread. I really like the Mara's chicken flatbreads...I had it several times later in the week. And this night whoever did the cooking added jalepenos to it which was delicious!! While at the Mara we each picked out our travel mugs. I was glad to see they had 4 different colored handles so we could each have a different color.
After eating the kids wanted to swim so we headed back to our room and changed. While I was getting the kids changed DH went to the CL lounge to check it out. He texts me that the CL lounge is AWESOME and why haven't we stayed CL before now?? Okay...plus one for CL again. Guess we're back to even. DH got a beer and brought me a glass of wine which I proceeded to enjoy by the pool while the kids swam with DH.
Upon returning to our room we put the kids to bed and DH and I sat on the balcony to let the kids go to sleep and to enjoy some quiet time. This is one of my FAVORITE things about AKL. Sitting on the balcony at night, watching the animals in the dark and spending some quality down time w/ my hubby
It would appear that our area of the savanna was where all the animals enjoyed bedding down for the night:
The savanna outside our room looked like this every night of our trip. What a great way to end our days! Finally, DH and I get our fill of the animals and the ambiance, and we head to bed around 11....
...Gotta hit the hay early you know...we have a breakfast reservation with some very important people!!
Our it's-finally-time-to-travel-to-Disney-day dawned with plenty to do. I had to go into work for an hour or so to get things situated for the week (I teach 7th grade Science). DH had to go into work for an hour or so as well to get things situated at his job. Our flight didn't leave until later in the afternoon, but needless to say I was anxious to get on a plane at like 6 a.m.!! I even seriously debated showing up to the airport early to see if they would put us on an earlier flight
But...DH had yet to pack. That's right guys...in a DIS boards world of packing months in advanced, my DH had 3 hours until we left for the airport and he had not packed. Not a single thing. Nada. Yowser! But luckily he packed with minutes to spare. My FIL arrived to drive us to the airport (we were flying out of and into different airports so he offered to take us and pick us up!
). We packed the car--just barely! Stupid people who stole our van He was going to drive us to and from the airport using our van so we would have plenty of room for our luggage. But instead we had to play tetris to get it all into his car. And it just fit. BARELY. I should have taken a picture, but my camera was packed in so tightly somewhere, I didn't dare move anything to try and get it out! We arrived at the airport, checked our bags, made to security and there was no line. We were doing good. Until one of the security guards asked the dreaded question....
...."Whose bag is this??" Geeze louise. Can I never make it through security again without hearing those words? I swear EVERY time we go through security they ask us that. And then we have to have our bag searched. The lady who went through it was very nice. Didn't throw my stuff all out like some would. After digging she proclaims that it was the foil of the Starbucks Via packets that were in there that set off the X-Ray machine. Whew. Got to watch out for those coffee packets--they could be leathal!
We waited about an hour and a half for our plane to start boarding--it wasn't late, we were just early--for once!
We boarded the plane, took off and an hour and 40 minutes later we were landing at MCO!! We got off the plane and headed right to ME. We got in our line and there was a bus waiting so we got right on. It was all so quick I didn't even have time to take any pictures. Woops...But I do have some to share in a few on this update, I promise!!We arrived at AKL after making a stop at All-Star Movies and Music. Our bus driver was from Jamaica...he was really nice. He talked to us quite a bit...and made sure to point out the tallest man made tree in the world
. I thought that was totally funny! ...as if we didn't know it was there! Finally we arrive at the Lodge:
After getting off ME we look around, but a CL cast member was NOT waiting to greet us like they told us. Minus one for CL. So we walk in and walk up to the registration desk and I told the CM that we were CL guests. Supposedly we were to be taken upstairs to the CL lounge to check in. Or so I was told. But really, the CM at the front desk just checked us in. No comfy chairs, snacks or beverages. Boo. Minus 2 for CL. CL sure had a lot of points to make up and we had only been there for 10 minutes! We make our way to our 5th floor room and were excited to find...
YIIPPEE!! We got our room request. The kids were pumped to have bunk beds for the week!
We also had some yummy looking chocolate flamingos courtesy of CL...plus one for them!
After checking out our room and putting down our carry on luggage, we had to check out our view...it was of course, fabulous!
Next, we headed to the Mara to grab some dinner. I forgot the camera in our room, so no pics. But the kids shared a chicken tender meal and DH and I shared a chicken flatbread. I really like the Mara's chicken flatbreads...I had it several times later in the week. And this night whoever did the cooking added jalepenos to it which was delicious!! While at the Mara we each picked out our travel mugs. I was glad to see they had 4 different colored handles so we could each have a different color.
After eating the kids wanted to swim so we headed back to our room and changed. While I was getting the kids changed DH went to the CL lounge to check it out. He texts me that the CL lounge is AWESOME and why haven't we stayed CL before now?? Okay...plus one for CL again. Guess we're back to even.
DH got a beer and brought me a glass of wine which I proceeded to enjoy by the pool while the kids swam with DH.Upon returning to our room we put the kids to bed and DH and I sat on the balcony to let the kids go to sleep and to enjoy some quiet time. This is one of my FAVORITE things about AKL. Sitting on the balcony at night, watching the animals in the dark and spending some quality down time w/ my hubby
It would appear that our area of the savanna was where all the animals enjoyed bedding down for the night:
The savanna outside our room looked like this every night of our trip. What a great way to end our days! Finally, DH and I get our fill of the animals and the ambiance, and we head to bed around 11....
...Gotta hit the hay early you know...we have a breakfast reservation with some very important people!!
We were actually there during the same time! And what an awesome view from your room. 
So excited to be reading your TR!!! Loving it so far, can't wait for more! 
We waited about 5 minutes total. Nice 
The chef asked DS what sounded good and he had waffles with no egg and bacon (cooked on griddle that did not have eggs cooked on it) sent out. 
