Our happy place & Dream Bday trip 3/29-4/9/11 UPDATE PG 44 - Final Day !!

[mommy2mrb]

we stopped for something cool to drink did some "window shopping" and staked out a place for the parade, but decided to head back to AKL to get cleaned up for LaNouba instead!

sat on our balacony for a bit....some visitors, it was a great spot being so close to the watering hole!

got dressed up for our show and headed out to the bus to DTD....for some reason our driver decided to take the scenic route....he picked us up at 445 and we arrived at DTD at 550 we had to run to LaNouba, got to our seats right at 6:00....I was really upset, I had purposely bought tickets in the last row of the first section since I knew the clowns usually picked someone from that area to play around with....when we sat down the couple right next to us were the one's we picked....

the show was AMAZING...if you've never been, try to fit it in your next trip! you can't take any photos, but I feel its more than worth your $$

after the show, we were deciding on dinner and Megan wanted to try Boma, luckily they had an opening before 9, so we headed back to AKL, was a bit much for dinner that late at night, so we didn't get to enjoy everything, but what we had was yummy and we both tried a few new foods!

we walked around the resort for a bit

then headed back to our room....it was so peacful, quiet and we got a great night's sleep!

 

[blessedmom4]

INCREDIBLE UPDATE!!!!! What a Blessing to have the experience at Animal Kingdom, so much fun and what a view! You truly did make this a trip of a lifetime for my newest niece! She and you both deserved some exceptional times! As for the La Nouba....We ADORE that show! We met an amazing CM at Downtown Disney when we were at Disney and he gifted us the most amazing seats to the show...we would NEVER have been able to afford them (They were over $600 in value for all 6 of us, I still have the stubs). They treated us like royalty, bringing us popcorn, pretzels and sodas for free (that was such a treat for the children, we never splurge on food when we are out). As for the show...it was simply amazing and one day we WILL see it again, I love it! Santa brought the DVD to the children that year and it has been a well-loved and watched video. We must have been the family that was "picked out" because every single performer that danced by (with the exception of the strong man, made eye contact or gestured towards Lisa and of course I was crying...seems to be a theme, wait until they are meeting the characters). I do have such an appreciation for what my children experience, we, just as you, realize that each single day is a gift! (sorry, I truly DO love La Nouba)!!!

The pics of Boma look amazing as well, what a fun time you and Megan had.

I hope yesterday was an joyous time of celebration for you both and that you post us some pics!! (I need a new word for amazing, I better get out the thesaurus!)

Wendy's shirts are so cute for you, I didn't know Thumper was your favorite! I love him too. Bunnies are a fave of mine (Pete calls me Bunny...but nobody else can, I won't answer). to Wendy, I wish I could do that!!! I think someone should have a class for you and I ...then we could meet ()AND make shirts!!!

to you and Megan!

 

[mommy2mrb]

INCREDIBLE UPDATE!!!!! What a Blessing to have the experience at Animal Kingdom, so much fun and what a view! You truly did make this a trip of a lifetime for my newest niece! She and you both deserved some exceptional times! As for the La Nouba....We ADORE that show! We met an amazing CM at Downtown Disney when we were at Disney and he gifted us the most amazing seats to the show...we would NEVER have been able to afford them (They were over $600 in value for all 6 of us, I still have the stubs). They treated us like royalty, bringing us popcorn, pretzels and sodas for free (that was such a treat for the children, we never splurge on food when we are out). As for the show...it was simply amazing and one day we WILL see it again, I love it! Santa brought the DVD to the children that year and it has been a well-loved and watched video. We must have been the family that was "picked out" because every single performer that danced by (with the exception of the strong man, made eye contact or gestured towards Lisa and of course I was crying...seems to be a theme, wait until they are meeting the characters). I do have such an appreciation for what my children experience, we, just as you, realize that each single day is a gift! (sorry, I truly DO love La Nouba)!!!

The pics of Boma look amazing as well, what a fun time you and Megan had.

I hope yesterday was an joyous time of celebration for you both and that you post us some pics!! (I need a new word for amazing, I better get out the thesaurus!)

Wendy's shirts are so cute for you, I didn't know Thumper was your favorite! I love him too. Bunnies are a fave of mine (Pete calls me Bunny...but nobody else can, I won't answer). to Wendy, I wish I could do that!!! I think someone should have a class for you and I ...then we could meet ()AND make shirts!!!

to you and Megan!

I didn't buy the DVD....Megan wanted the fancy program instead!
photos of yesterday were PM'd to you....guess I need to share some here too!

Well Thumper is my fav animal character...so wanted to see his at AK but both times we had missed him and the CM couldn't tell me when he was going to be out again...maybe next time! oh you shouldn't of shared that with me.....hmm many I can call you "Hoppy" since you are never sitting still!

I wish I could make shirts too....sewing is just way to scary for me, I'll stick with my paper! well that meeting will be happening before we know it

 

[mommy2mrb]

Megan graduated from elementary school yesterday! look out middle school she's coming your way!

so proud of my girl and all she accomplished this year!!!
with losing her daddy, moving to a new state, new school and new friends in such a short time, she did great in school and kept her grades up, made lots of new friends and was well liked by all the teachers and staff who knew her!

her teacher....Ms. Kee

my girl....no more photos mom!

 

[smileycrissy]

I just LOVE all the new photos! My absolute new fave is the bug glass photo. It's so cute. Gosh, AKL is so pretty and you were one lucky lady to get that view. When my brother was down here visiting earlier in the year, we took him to AKL to walk around. He loved it there, as I am sure anyone who walks in there will too.

Congrats to Megan!!! Way to go for her. She's such a sweetie and I truly wish her the best in everything. Love the smiley face balloon. That last photo of you two together needs to be printed and placed in a frame. It is too precious.

 

[mommy2mrb]

I just LOVE all the new photos! My absolute new fave is the bug glass photo. It's so cute. Gosh, AKL is so pretty and you were one lucky lady to get that view. When my brother was down here visiting earlier in the year, we took him to AKL to walk around. He loved it there, as I am sure anyone who walks in there will too.

Congrats to Megan!!! Way to go for her. She's such a sweetie and I truly wish her the best in everything. Love the smiley face balloon. That last photo of you two together needs to be printed and placed in a frame. It is too precious.

thank you Crissy, you are so sweet!
AKL is so amazing, will have more photos to share with next update!

told her what you said and she said "Thank you! " and is hoping we get to see you soon!
Oh I will be framing that photo!

 

[petals]

Congrats to Megan. Love the pics and love the disney update as well.

 

[miprender]

Megan graduated from elementary school yesterday! look out middle school she's coming your way!

so proud of my girl and all she accomplished this year!!!
with losing her daddy, moving to a new state, new school and new friends in such a short time, she did great in school and kept her grades up, made lots of new friends and was well liked by all the teachers and staff who knew her!

Yeah to go Megan

Loving your new posts! AKL is our home resort and we just love it there. Doesn't it smell so great when you walk in. It has the earthy smokey smell

 

[Kathy Z]

Hi Lisa, I really enjoyed reading your updates this morning. It looks like you were out on Zebra Trail, Arusha Savanna, near the watering hole. That is a fantastic location. You captured great shots of your animal visitors! And you also did a wonderful job of giving an overall view of Boma. It sounds like the only downer of the day was the bus driver who took the long scenic route to DTD almost making you late for LaNouba.

We have not gone to “A Bug’s Life” yet but after seeing your close-up shots of the Tree of Life I think we should include this in our next trip. On our last trip we did meet “Flick” at his character greeting spot and I loved my photo with him enough to include it in my Disney calendar for 2011. The caption reads “Happy Birthday, Bill, from 2 Characters!

Happy graduation to Megan! Does this mean she will have to get up earlier next school year?

 

[mommy2mrb]

Congrats to Megan. Love the pics and love the disney update as well.

thanks!

Yeah to go Megan

Loving your new posts! AKL is our home resort and we just love it there. Doesn't it smell so great when you walk in. It has the earthy smokey smell

thanks !
yes it does have a wonderful smell!!!

Hi Lisa, I really enjoyed reading your updates this morning. It looks like you were out on Zebra Trail, Arusha Savanna, near the watering hole. That is a fantastic location. You captured great shots of your animal visitors! And you also did a wonderful job of giving an overall view of Boma. It sounds like the only downer of the day was the bus driver who took the long scenic route to DTD almost making you late for LaNouba.

We have not gone to “A Bug’s Life” yet but after seeing your close-up shots of the Tree of Life I think we should include this in our next trip. On our last trip we did meet “Flick” at his character greeting spot and I loved my photo with him enough to include it in my Disney calendar for 2011. The caption reads “Happy Birthday, Bill, from 2 Characters!

Happy graduation to Megan! Does this mean she will have to get up earlier next school year?

that's exactly where we were, you sure do know your AKL!!! it was a perfect spot for us!!
that bus driver was our only bus issue the whole trip...I'm just happy we made it in time!

we had never been around the tree either...you must do it on your next trip, its amazing!!!

what a fun idea for Bill!

yes she will be starting an hour earlier....but its the same schedule she had last year at her old school in CA, so have done it before, just a matter of getting her used to it again!

 

[mommy2mrb]

We woke up this morning and looked outside.....


baby taking his morning rest...so cute!!

loved our window shears

we got up and out to enjoy breakfast at Mara then walked around the resort...Megan's I heart Minnie shirt was made by ellenbenny!!!

loved the feel of AKL....all the art pieces and architecture are beautiful!

did a bit of shopping at the store and headed up to change into our swim suits for some pool fun! Megan loved the water slide and I enjoyed relaxing under the umbrella and a bit of swimming too!

we got lunch at Mara's and ate poolside....Megan got a burger and I enjoyed the chicken flatbread, so yummy with a bit of spicy kick to it!

hung out at the pool until 2 then headed back to our room to shower and rest up! we were going on a safari!!!!

 

[kdzbear]

Wow! Your resort is amazing! I love how many animals you could see from the balcony. The baby giraffe is so cute! The water slide looks like fun too! Great update!

 

[lovethattink]

I have so much catching up to do! Congrats to Megan on graduation! I'll be back later to read and comment!

 

[mommy2mrb]

we were to meet our safari group down at Jiko's at 3:45...were a few minutes early and were sitting in the restaurant went Megan went to through something away...I heard her talking to someone when she came back to get me....it was our DIS board friends StitchIsOurHero...Brooke, her husband Brian and their little guy Dalton...we were meeting up later with them for fireworks, so we talked for a few minutes and then got ready for our safari!

we boarded onto the safari truck and headed out to the savannah's....it was a great to see the animals upclose....but wish we had done this before we had done the Wild Africa Trek though....

we had to wait for this guy to finish up his snack!

a very friendly fellow....this is not a zoom photo, he was that close to the truck!

it was fun to learn about the animals at AKL! we headed back in for our dinner at Jiko!

sorry I didn't take any "food" photos, felt a bit strange doing it with the other families at our table!

here is the yummy menu though.....

everything was very good! loved the breads and dipping sauces, chicken flatbread and filet the most! and I also enjoyed a little bit of the wines! and the desserts were

we finished up with dinner and headed out to the bus....went to MK and walked over to the CR where we were meeting up with friends at the Top of the World in the BLT for fireworks and talking!!

 

[mommy2mrb]

we met up with our friends Shawna, Bruce, Ryan and Ansley....StitchIsOurHero Brooke, Brian and Dalton...
rlovew Rebecca and her DH Larry! at the Top of the World lounge in BLT...Shawna and her family were staying there so we got enjoy a bit of pixie dust being able to go up in the towers!

we enjoyed talking with everyone had some drinks and they were enjoying some appy, but I was too full from dinner, the kids were playing and getting along great enjoying their special drinks

the lounge was really cool with a wonderful view of MK

group shot

me and the girls

and my surprise dessert for everyone....some of us were celebrating bdays....Megan's, Shawna's and Brian's I decided to order a cake! this was also to thank them for all the support and friendship they had given us the past year since Jim died!

It was huge and so yummy!

Time for Wishes! we headed out onto the balcony! seeing Wishes from this perspective was so neat! they piped in the music too!

guess the girls got tired of watching...

it was a magical time to spend with our friends...we said our good-byes and we headed back to MK with Brooke and her guys to head home to AKL (they were staying there too) got back and Brooke needed to buy one more thing at the store but they had just closed...she worked her "magic" and got them to let her in real quick....we said our final good-byes and hugs (they were leaving early the next day) and headed back to our rooms!

It didn't seem possible but we only had two more days in WDW....tomorrow we were meeting a very well known nanny, enjoying some tea and hanging out in the MK with Shawna and the kids.....

 

[mommy2mrb]

Wow! Your resort is amazing! I love how many animals you could see from the balcony. The baby giraffe is so cute! The water slide looks like fun too! Great update!

it really is amazing....the details are awesome!
we had animals throughout the day, but mostly in the morning...I think since we were right by the watering hole helped too!

I have so much catching up to do! Congrats to Megan on graduation! I'll be back later to read and comment!

Thanks, will tell Megan!
only a couple updates.....two more days to finish up!

 

[smileycrissy]

Thanks, will tell Megan!
only a couple updates.....two more days to finish up!

Two more days left? Really? Why did it seem like the trip reporting is going so fast. S-t-r-e-t-c-h it out. LOL.

 

[jj0plin]

just got all caught up and loving it! looks like such an amazing time!! seems like you all got to do so much, yet went at such a relaxed pace

 

[KatMark]

Lisa, first and foremost, congrats to Megan on her graduation. You have every right to be extremely proud of her!

I love all your photos of the AKL. I just showed Mark the picture of the giraffe resting and told him I was NOT leaving my balcony for two days/two nights...I'm just going to sit there and watch.

Love your fireworks with friends and the great cake you ordered for the special events.

DIS friends are the best!

 

[Kathy Z]

I loved reliving our safari through your photos. And from the shots taken from your balcony I finally have seen a red river hog. They were kept in their barn when we were there in December because of the cold temperatures.

The "thank you cake" you ordered brought tears to my eyes. You are so thoughtful.