Our 2nd Shot at the Dream Team -TONS OF PICS. 10/28 New PTR LINK

[hlrababy]

Great update!!! Your boys are adorable!

Ohana looks so good!! I really want to eat there one day1

 

[lorican]

wow...I can't believe your trip report is about to end! Please tell me you are about to start your next pre trip report...or maybe a "post trip report" report. You know, where you can just give us a play by play of how you are managing to bring yourself back to reality, and find a new hobby to fill in the hours writing this report must have consumed?? I feel like you are a daily columnist in my favourite paper. What am I going to read when you say the end??? Seriously, it's been a great trip report!

 

[Trentmom]

Ohanas looked so yummy.

Looks like the boys were having a blast playing games there


The site of those Magical Express Tags are very sad indeed......

I love the pool at AKL.....Looks great


I hope ya have a new trip in the works, as am sad this one is almost over

 

[JoanieS]

It sounds like you had a WONDERFUL trip!!

 

[alan_renfroe]

LOVED the Ohana pics! We tried really hard to get ADRs for an Ohana dinner, but were unsuccessful. We did have breakfast at Ohana and loved it!! It's a very family-friendly atmosphere.

BTW, your boys are awesome! I loved the yawning picture! I think that pretty much sums up a week at Disney!

 

[IluvXU]

Love the O'Hana's pictures. We will be there a week from today! Sorry your trip is coming to an end.

The AKL pool looks fabulous! My girls would love it... maybe someday!

 

[bcbmom]

I think we are all as sad about your trip report ending as you guys were that last night. Loved the pics of the boys & sooooo very excited Ohanas is on our list. It's also our last dinner & seems like such a great way to end the trip. Do you guys go yearly or every few yrs? Just curious if you're already thinking of another trip or if you take a break to do other things??
It's been wonderful reading your trip report

 

[disneyhockeymad]

aww can't believe your trip is about to end
Loved the pictures from Ohana's, would love to eat in there at some point! Those coconut races look fantastic... who won out of your DS's?

 

[NMAmy]

I'm so glad you enjoyed Ohana. We had a blast there at breakfast--I can't wait to try dinner sometime.

And now I'm sad that it's the end, too. Seeing that envelope hanging on your door kind of choked me up. I'm thinking we both need to start planning our next trips.

 

[addicted2dizney]

awww.... I feel a heaviness in my heart! I hate seeing that dreaded little envelope too! I'm glad you liked Ohanas. We are doing the lilo and Stitch breakfast. My kids will love the idea that they call the CM's "cousin". We are total lilo and stitch fans! Looking forward to the rest of the report but so sad it's coming to an end!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I've been to Ohana once but my husband and children have not. We have an ADR there for August and I'm really looking forward to it again -- seems you all had a very nice meal there, as well.

How sad...your last day! I hope you're planning on going back soon because your TR is so much fun to read!

 

[dddisrunner]

Ohana's looks so yummy and fun! The stroller story was funny. Why did Bryan say he didn't come help? Hope the rash gets better soon!

Apparently he was trying to tie Eric's shoe and by the time he realized I hadn't gotten on the bus the bus driver was telling me to get on without folding the stroller!

I think evening swimming is so much fun. I love being by a pool as the sun goes down.

Giraffes are my favorite!

We LOVE night swimming too!

Great update!!! Your boys are adorable!

Ohana looks so good!! I really want to eat there one day1

Thank you so much! You should definitely try Ohana if you get the chance!

wow...I can't believe your trip report is about to end! Please tell me you are about to start your next pre trip report...or maybe a "post trip report" report. You know, where you can just give us a play by play of how you are managing to bring yourself back to reality, and find a new hobby to fill in the hours writing this report must have consumed?? I feel like you are a daily columnist in my favourite paper. What am I going to read when you say the end??? Seriously, it's been a great trip report!

You are so sweet Lori! Thanks so much for all your sweet comments. As far as a new trip report well....................your gonna have to wait until my closing thoughts to find out about that!

Ohanas looked so yummy.

Looks like the boys were having a blast playing games there


The site of those Magical Express Tags are very sad indeed......

I love the pool at AKL.....Looks great


I hope ya have a new trip in the works, as am sad this one is almost over

Thanks Kelly! That ME envelope brought INSTANT tears to my eyes!

It sounds like you had a WONDERFUL trip!!

Thanks Joanie and WELCOME!

LOVED the Ohana pics! We tried really hard to get ADRs for an Ohana dinner, but were unsuccessful. We did have breakfast at Ohana and loved it!! It's a very family-friendly atmosphere.

BTW, your boys are awesome! I loved the yawning picture! I think that pretty much sums up a week at Disney!

Thanks Alan! We laughed so hard when we saw that picture too! Thanks for the great comment about the boys!

 

[dddisrunner]

Love the O'Hana's pictures. We will be there a week from today! Sorry your trip is coming to an end.

The AKL pool looks fabulous! My girls would love it... maybe someday!

Yay! your trip is soooo close and I am having bad Disney withdraw!

I think we are all as sad about your trip report ending as you guys were that last night. Loved the pics of the boys & sooooo very excited Ohanas is on our list. It's also our last dinner & seems like such a great way to end the trip. Do you guys go yearly or every few yrs? Just curious if you're already thinking of another trip or if you take a break to do other things??
It's been wonderful reading your trip report

Thanks so much! The boys had a BLAST at Ohana! You'll have to stay tuned to find out about a future trip!

aww can't believe your trip is about to end
Loved the pictures from Ohana's, would love to eat in there at some point! Those coconut races look fantastic... who won out of your DS's?

I know it's sad isn't it! Thanks so much for all your kind comments!

I'm so glad you enjoyed Ohana. We had a blast there at breakfast--I can't wait to try dinner sometime.

And now I'm sad that it's the end, too. Seeing that envelope hanging on your door kind of choked me up. I'm thinking we both need to start planning our next trips.

Hi Amy! You should definitely try Ohana for dinner, it was yummy! I was choked up with the ME envelope too!

awww.... I feel a heaviness in my heart! I hate seeing that dreaded little envelope too! I'm glad you liked Ohanas. We are doing the lilo and Stitch breakfast. My kids will love the idea that they call the CM's "cousin". We are total lilo and stitch fans! Looking forward to the rest of the report but so sad it's coming to an end!

Thanks so much! Next time we want to do the Ohana breakfast too!

I've been to Ohana once but my husband and children have not. We have an ADR there for August and I'm really looking forward to it again -- seems you all had a very nice meal there, as well.

How sad...your last day! I hope you're planning on going back soon because your TR is so much fun to read!

You will love Ohana, especially the kids! I know I HATE the end of the trip and now the end of my report! Thanks for the sweet comment about my TR!

 

[kaysmommie]

Sad your trip report is ending , the end of the trip is the worst. Sorry about your stroller fiasco, I would be embarressed too .

 

[ampc3]

Thanks for the Ohana' pictures we will be there on our First night in 6 days!!!

love, love , love the stroller story that would soo be me!!!
Sorry I caught up with this so late..

 

[dddisrunner]

Sad your trip report is ending , the end of the trip is the worst. Sorry about your stroller fiasco, I would be embarressed too .

Hi Nichole! Yes it is so sad! The stroller mess was VERY embarrassing!

Thanks for the Ohana' pictures we will be there on our First night in 6 days!!!

love, love , love the stroller story that would soo be me!!!
Sorry I caught up with this so late..

Thanks so much! 6 days WOW! I hope you have a GREAT trip!

 

[soxnation]

your stroller story reminded me of when i got my arm and leg stuck in the door of the bus! i was first to hop on our bus back to the gf as i made the foward motion onto the bus the new driver shut off the bus leaving me and arm and a leg short! for the entire ride to GF from DTD i was asked if i needed medical attention. Unless they provide services for a brusied ego i was all set!!
oh the things we are subjected to on Disney Buses!

 

[dddisrunner]

your stroller story reminded me of when i got my arm and leg stuck in the door of the bus! i was first to hop on our bus back to the gf as i made the foward motion onto the bus the new driver shut off the bus leaving me and arm and a leg short! for the entire ride to GF from DTD i was asked if i needed medical attention. Unless they provide services for a brusied ego i was all set!!
oh the things we are subjected to on Disney Buses!

That is sooo funny! I guess stroller/bus fiascos are more prervalent then I originally thought!

 

[dddisrunner]

Departure Day & Final thoughts

So our wake up call was set for an ungodly time of 5:45am. I couldn't bear to listen to Stitch or Mickey so I hung up as soon as I picked up the receiver. Bryan ran down to the Mara to fill our mugs with coffee one last time I got the boys and myself dressed and finished packing up the room! It was HORRIBLE leaving. I have been sad leaving before but not this SAD! Here are the boys right as we were leaving the room........

Magical Express was coming for us at 6:30 It was still kind of dark out!

The boys and their half hearted smiles

Magical Express was there before we knew it and we bid farewell to the beautiful Animal Kingdom Lodge! We make it to MCO with TONS of time before our flight. We decided to grab breakfast and then go to the gate and WAIT and WAIT and WAIT! Finally we were called to board and off we went back to NJ.

Our flight home was uneventful until we went to baggage claim in Atlantic City..... Our suitcase came on the baggage claim OPEN there were all kinds of dirty socks and bras hanging out! I was mortified! Really I just wanted to cry! I could not believe how quickly the trip went by!


Here are some photopass pictures that I forgot to post.......

continued in the post......... MY FINAL THOUGHTS

 

[dddisrunner]

FINAL THOUGHTS

Well I cannot believe this trip and trip report have come to an end! Without a doubt this was THE BEST VACATION we have ever been on as a family!

Animal Kingdom Lodge:

What can I say! It was beyond my wildest dreams! The theming was OUTSTANDING! The resort is simply breathtaking. The pool is huge and beautiful. The slide was perfect for my boys! We loved the pool bar and all the amazing activities they had for the kids. Mousekeeping was excellent, our room was always clean and ready for us no matter what time of the day we returned to it. The transportation was 1st rate, we only waited once longer then 10 minutes. We always had a seat. AKL doesn't share busses with anyone else. It was terrific. The Mara was great, I wish they had more of a selection but they had enought so that we could find something we liked. The cm's were very helpful and friendly. The savannah overlooks are incredible and such a wonderful treat. Boma is AMAZING! We didn't try Jiko but the menu looks outstanding. Overall AKL is AMAZING and we would stay here again in a heartbeat!

Our 2nd shot at the Dream Team:

What can I say! I think we all know it worked out REALLY WELL! I wouldn't have dared to think we could be the family of the day and open the MAgic Kingdom! It is a memory we will ALWAYS treasure and such an incredible experience! Winning the fastpasses and lanyards was so great too! The boys got to fight Darth Vader which was a dream come true for Eric! I got to be in Indiana Jones. The best part was watching my children with nothing but pure joy on their faces and in there hearts! I am telling you it was incredible. Bryan always says don't you want to vacation somewhere else? I always say "why? look at the boys, look at their faces, where else on Earth could we go that would make them happier then Disney?"

The Dining plan:

I couldn't imagine goiong without it! Sure, it isn't the deal it used to be but the preplanning or ADR's and not including that cost into each days budget is PERFECT for me.

Ranking our meals...

Dinners... this was hard because we LOVED them all except Tutto Italia

1. LeCellier
2. Kona
3. Boma
4. Coral Reef
5. Ohana
6. Yak & Yeti
7. Marrakesh
8. Tutto Italia

Breakfast...the food was equally good at all but the atmosphere is really how I chose the order!

1. Chef Mickey's
2. Crystal Palace
3. Tusker House


Magical Express was VERY convenient, I just don't like how early they pick you up for your return trip back to MCO. The gas prices being what they are, I can't forsee Disney leaving this as a free service much longer.

The stroller situation was great. I am so glad that we brought our own, it was so much easier to locate and I was happy to spend the money we saved on souveneirs!

As of right now we have no future trip planned! This makes me so sad and unhappy! We have a trip planned next summer to go to Aruba for 2 weeks with Bryan's family and it is obligatory in a way because it was my MIL's idea that our family all take a trip together to my FIL's favorite place (Aruba) because he passed away very suddenly last September. So, right now that is our vacation plan for next year. We really can only afford to take 1 big vacation a year, which I am grateful for. With all of that being said, I am trying to plan a quick 3-4day getaway to Disney for Bryan and I for early October! I think we could swing it but I am still in the early planning stages, I'll keep you all posted!

I want to thank all of you who followed along on our journey with us! I LOVED sharing this trip with all of you! Thanks for all of your wonderfully kind and generous comments about our family I am truly touched!

Sincerely,
Diane