Prelude to a WDW Dream...Sept. 08 *NEW 9/9 Post 350*

[jaycns]

There is an Indy zoo meet and I wasn't invited????? Where is this thread?





They don't have any special activities because there isn't a community hall unfortunately. Anyone can go into the villas part of the lodge now, there isn't anyone to let only members in. There is the iron spike room which has pictures of Walt and some of the cars from his original train that was in the backyard. There is also checkers and some comfy chairs if you get a rainy day. It's just nice to be able to have a villa and stay at the lodge with the same setting and everything, but with bigger accommodations. WL and AKL are my very favorite resorts because they are sort of isolated and are much more restful.

I am not sure that there is a thread. I just seem to recall seeing an Indy Zoo meet mentioned in passing...and ummm...I wanna go to the zoo! lol

That train room sounds like something the boys would love to see. Especially Aladdin, he is very interested in Mr. Disney himself and Goofy who is a train lover.

I am looking forward to the feeling of being a million miles away from everything without really having to be a million miles away. Part of the reason I love AKL so much is for that very reason.

The only thing stopping us from staying at a DVC place is I am spoiled and wanted the concierge services to help with setting up special surprises and giving me ideas of what could be done. While that is not working out for me so far, it was just one call to one person...Disney is known for a different CM being night and day from the one who came just before so I will cross my fingers and hope for a great next call with a concierge planner who has some great ideas and is willing to help me find ways to spend our money.

Well that reason and I am scared of renting points from someone I don't know. I have major trust issues when it comes to planning my vacations (the reason why I am a travel agent's worst nightmare). And if I am going to book through WDW it is just as much money as staying concierge in a deluxe room. There ya have it, the workings of my crazy mind.

 

[jaycns]

Yay, can't wait to hear more about this trip! I am considering a stay at WL in 2009 - so give us the whole scoop, ok?!

I promise a trip report full of helpful factoids (is that really a word?) and tons of pictures! Thanks for joining in on my crazy planning journey!

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I cant figure out the multi quote thing so I will just answer your questions:

1. The walk to that room was not worth the view because some of these rooms have an inner courtyard view and that view can in no way compare with an innercourtyard view. At least this is my understanding. I really didnt feel like I had the full courtyard view because I was basically looking through pine trees to see the lake.

2. I dont know if I would call the CL staff standoffish but more so not there or not interested. At AKL the staff desk was in the lounge and they would every day get up and wander around and talk with the guests, weather working the desk or clearing the food plates. Like I said they gave my son little stuffed animals and park tips, changed ressies to better places and overall made you feel like part of the AKL family. They remembered our names and greated you by name every day. At WL there were one or two people staffed at podiums outside the elevators with computers for printing out boarding passes or dinner ressie slips. They never left that podium. The people in the "food area" acted like waitresses or waiters with a bad attitude. I actually herd them complaining about how much people were taking. Entirely rude to me considering how much I am paying. Top it off with guests overhearing the comments not good in my book. Also one dad asked for milk and the lady actually said they ran out and there was no more. I was thinking the whole hotel just ran out of milk. Whaaatttt!!!!!! The guy actually left and went off to buy some. The seating area is outside the food area. The food area is locked up when things are not being served so you cant even get a soda if it is not food service time. Basically I felt like I was on some kind of crazy camp experience when it came to the whole lounge thing. I wont be paying for that experience again.

3. As for something special I was thinking maybe an illuminations cruise. My nephew engaged his wife on one and it was so nice. I dont know if you have ever done that before but it is very special.

4. I actually had the WCC staff arrange my sisters birthday cake which came actually from WCC it was really nice with mickey roses. They had a 50th birthday hat that said over the hill and 50 confetti sprinkled over the table. Our server was a "player" and she made my sister do the hokey pokey in front of all the restaurant. It was really a great time with all the antics you could imagine. Big drinks, ketchup, birthday fun!!! It was sad the staff at WCC were better equipped to help me than the CL staff.

Let me know if you have any other questions and I will see if my sister has pictures of the inside of the room. Your first day plans sound great!!!!

You wanted honest and you just got it. I hope it helps but I dont want you to have bad visions of the lodge either. Like I said in my earlier post I think our trip was just a comedy of errors. Others have had totally different experiences.

 

[John's Mom]

A thought about celebrating your anniversary: I read something about private dining at the GF. Someone had a private dinner on the grounds of the GF. I think there are several sights where you can have your dinner. You get your own server and pick your menu. I'm sorry; that's all I can remember.

 

[CJsMom]

A thought about celebrating your anniversary: I read something about private dining at the GF. Someone had a private dinner on the grounds of the GF. I think there are several sights where you can have your dinner. You get your own server and pick your menu. I'm sorry; that's all I can remember.

John's Mom - do you remember the name of the man on the original AKL Jambo thread that planned the amazing surprise trip for his wife? His trip report was full of awesome surprises and celebrations. I just can't remember his name. I think his trip report was actually on his personal website and he gave us the link. Jaycns - you could get some great ideas from his trip - I will really try to remember his name!

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

John's Mom - do you remember the name of the man on the original AKL Jambo thread that planned the amazing surprise trip for his wife? His trip report was full of awesome surprises and celebrations. I just can't remember his name. I think his trip report was actually on his personal website and he gave us the link. Jaycns - you could get some great ideas from his trip - I will really try to remember his name!

I remember that too from the AKL thread. It was the most romantic thing I have ever read. I dont remember his name either. He planned it all with Don in IPO I remember that.

 

[busymomma123]

I have been a lurker on your last trip report and now this one too. You are such an amazing writer! It feels like I have been on vacation with your beautiful family. Reading your reports are so fun, because it inspires more thoughts, planning and ideas about our next trip. One thing I have always wondered, maybe you already said this, how do you take your kids out of school for such long trips. We took ours 7 and 6 out last Oct. for 5 days and had to take homework along. We hopefully are going to get to go this November, and will have to take them out again. Oh well, I wouldn't miss these years at Disney for anything. Thanks for the wonderful writing, and taking time out of your busy day to help me think even more about planning our next trip.

 

[jaycns]

I cant figure out the multi quote thing so I will just answer your questions:

1. The walk to that room was not worth the view because some of these rooms have an inner courtyard view and that view can in no way compare with an innercourtyard view. At least this is my understanding. I really didnt feel like I had the full courtyard view because I was basically looking through pine trees to see the lake. Do you know if you can see the lake from the inner courtyard rooms? Really what I want to be able to see is the electrical water parade. What do you see with an inner courtyard view?

2. I dont know if I would call the CL staff standoffish but more so not there or not interested. At AKL the staff desk was in the lounge and they would every day get up and wander around and talk with the guests, weather working the desk or clearing the food plates. Like I said they gave my son little stuffed animals and park tips, changed ressies to better places and overall made you feel like part of the AKL family. They remembered our names and greated you by name every day. At WL there were one or two people staffed at podiums outside the elevators with computers for printing out boarding passes or dinner ressie slips. They never left that podium. The people in the "food area" acted like waitresses or waiters with a bad attitude. I actually herd them complaining about how much people were taking. Entirely rude to me considering how much I am paying. Top it off with guests overhearing the comments not good in my book. Also one dad asked for milk and the lady actually said they ran out and there was no more. I was thinking the whole hotel just ran out of milk. Whaaatttt!!!!!! The guy actually left and went off to buy some. The seating area is outside the food area. The food area is locked up when things are not being served so you cant even get a soda if it is not food service time. Basically I felt like I was on some kind of crazy camp experience when it came to the whole lounge thing. I wont be paying for that experience again. YIKES...if they told me they ran out of milk, I would have been a lot more upset then that man. For the prices you pay, they had better have what they list as an offering. Sheesh. I am sure stuff like that happens everywhere. It really does impact the overall way someone feels about the entire vacation. The smallest details can change one's perception of how" the vacation went. Once again...thanks for sharing your experiences. Hearing balanced feedback helps me keep my expectations in check.

3. As for something special I was thinking maybe an illuminations cruise. My nephew engaged his wife on one and it was so nice. I dont know if you have ever done that before but it is very special. We are planning on doing an Illuminations cruise later in the week with the kids. I am really looking forward to that! I thought of doing that for our anniversary, but I can honestly say that the kids will enjoy MUCH more then dh will...thus it falls within the family realm for us.

4. I actually had the WCC staff arrange my sisters birthday cake which came actually from WCC it was really nice with mickey roses. They had a 50th birthday hat that said over the hill and 50 confetti sprinkled over the table. Our server was a "player" and she made my sister do the hokey pokey in front of all the restaurant. It was really a great time with all the antics you could imagine. Big drinks, ketchup, birthday fun!!! It was sad the staff at WCC were better equipped to help me than the CL staff. That sounds like a load of fun. If you have a picture of the cake I would love to see it. Also, if you still have the information handy as to who you worked with to arrange the cake I would be grateful. Did you call the cake hotline or WCC directly?

Let me know if you have any other questions and I will see if my sister has pictures of the inside of the room. Your first day plans sound great!!!! I really appreciate all of the time you have taken from your day to answer my hundred million questions! I would love to see any pictures that anyone in your family might have floating around!

You wanted honest and you just got it. I hope it helps but I dont want you to have bad visions of the lodge either. Like I said in my earlier post I think our trip was just a comedy of errors. Others have had totally different experiences. I had a trip like that at the Poly. A comedy of errors sort of stay. Nothing horrid. Just the details (those darn small details again) detracted from our stay. So, I understand. And I am truly thankful for your feedback! If I had only wanted to hear "the good" then I would be ignoring an opportunity to try and plan past what could go wrong.

My responses are in red.

 

[jaycns]

ETA- I think I found him! AKLGoofy I am so happy...off I go to read. THANK YOU ALL!

A thought about celebrating your anniversary: I read something about private dining at the GF. Someone had a private dinner on the grounds of the GF. I think there are several sights where you can have your dinner. You get your own server and pick your menu. I'm sorry; that's all I can remember.

That sounds great. I just read about that myself. I am hoping to pull of a big surprise for the entire family through the GF private dining. If that proves to be way out of our budget (I have no idea what the price of my dreams might add up to) then I will keep this way up on the list as far as our anniversary. That sounds like an absolutely amazing thing to do. I know they made our poolside lunch an exceptionally elegant affair (as far as poolside dining goes ). Thank you for suggesting it!!

John's Mom - do you remember the name of the man on the original AKL Jambo thread that planned the amazing surprise trip for his wife? His trip report was full of awesome surprises and celebrations. I just can't remember his name. I think his trip report was actually on his personal website and he gave us the link. Jaycns - you could get some great ideas from his trip - I will really try to remember his name!

OH I MUST FIND THAT REPORT!!

I remember that too from the AKL thread. It was the most romantic thing I have ever read. I dont remember his name either. He planned it all with Don in IPO I remember that.

I will have to start digging back through the old Jambo thread.
Does anyone have an idea of when it may have been posted? Just in general I mean...a month...heck, even what time of year? I must find this report!!

 

[jaycns]

I have been a lurker on your last trip report and now this one too. You are such an amazing writer! It feels like I have been on vacation with your beautiful family. Reading your reports are so fun, because it inspires more thoughts, planning and ideas about our next trip. One thing I have always wondered, maybe you already said this, how do you take your kids out of school for such long trips. We took ours 7 and 6 out last Oct. for 5 days and had to take homework along. We hopefully are going to get to go this November, and will have to take them out again. Oh well, I wouldn't miss these years at Disney for anything. Thanks for the wonderful writing, and taking time out of your busy day to help me think even more about planning our next trip.

Well hello busymomma! Nice to meet you. I am glad my ramblings were able to help someone else out. I know that I have gotten so much out of reading other DISer's trip reports. The things people think to do amaze me. And I must admit, I live vicariously through their trip reports as well.

As far as the kids getting out of school...when you are the teacher, principal and school board all in one, it's easy to arrange school vacations around good times to go to WDW. We actually home school the boys so time off from school has never been an issue. Our school year runs year round but we like to take time to study some of our favorite things during the summer. Sometimes we use Disney as a springboard into fun/interesting topics (pirates, Africa, Tom Sawyer, etc).

If anyone is interested, I started a thread on educational Disney ideas. I haven't kept up with it at all...but it may be of interest to someone out there or just maybe someone out there has some more educational ideas to add to the thread! Here is the link. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1145853

UP NEXT DAY 3...

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Here is a pic of our cake and our server with the birthday hat they got for me and the confetti she threw all over my sister and the table. The cake looks plain on the outside but the inside had mickey sprinkles in the icing and it was sooo good choc cake with choc mouse filling and choc buttercream icing. Our waitress was really just wonderful and she made the whole evening.

The cake was really big because I had to feed 14 but we did have leftovers. The cost was around $55. I dont remember the two ladies I talked to but they were in charge of the private dining. I also remember Bobby in IPO being of help for other things we planned.

As far as the AKL thread, the gentlman was planning his 10th anniversary if I remember correctly and it was some time before November of 2006. I would say between July and November of 2006. He had the most amazing private dining and other things for his wife. It was really a sweet story.

I cant say for sure if the innner courtyard rooms have a view of the water pagent but I would think they should I am sure someone on that faq thread could answear that better than me.

Sounds like you are planning some pretty cool stuff this trip. I cant wait to read some more!!!

 

[busymomma123]

Well hello busymomma! Nice to meet you. I am glad my ramblings were able to help someone else out. I know that I have gotten so much out of reading other DISer's trip reports. The things people think to do amaze me. And I must admit, I live vicariously through their trip reports as well.

As far as the kids getting out of school...when you are the teacher, principal and school board all in one, it's easy to arrange school vacations around good times to go to WDW. We actually home school the boys so time off from school has never been an issue. Our school year runs year round but we like to take time to study some of our favorite things during the summer. Sometimes we use Disney as a springboard into fun/interesting topics (pirates, Africa, Tom Sawyer, etc).

If anyone is interested, I started a thread on educational Disney ideas. I haven't kept up with it at all...but it may be of interest to someone out there or just maybe someone out there has some more educational ideas to add to the thread! Here is the link. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1145853

UP NEXT DAY 3...

for the welcome. I kind of figured you homeschooled. We are often considering taking that plunge. I don't know if I am ready yet though. Being able to plan your lessons around going to Disney any time of the year is a definite plus though.

I am so excited you are staying at WL. I have always wanted to stay there. However we really fell in love with AKL last year. So its hard convincing my family (me included) to try any other place. I am looking forward to hearing your reviews. WC is a very fun place to eat. We still talk about how fun our meal was there two years ago. The kids really had a laugh when I asked for more tea.
Keep the planning ideas coming.

 

[CJsMom]

ETA- I think I found him! AKLGoofy I am so happy...off I go to read. THANK YOU ALL!

Yes, AKLGoofy, I'm so glad you found him! Actually, if you find a link to his TR could you post it? I'd like to save it for future reference!

ETA: Angel on the "AKL Lite" thread sent me this link - thought I'd share it in case you need it:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=13241017#post13241017&highlight=

ETA: Darn it! I found the link to his TR www.susanandbob.com and it's not working. Hopefully there's enough info scattered through the Jambo thread.

 

[buffy0214]

Romantic suggestions:

How about the Grand Romantic Evening Spa Treatment at Grand Floridian followed by dinner at Victoria and Alberts? Chef's table if you really want to do it up. I know my hubby would love a massage.

 

[SkyGirl]

YIPEE!! I just found this and dove right in!!

Jay, the boys are gorgeous and already look bigger than they did in your last trip report!! I hope you have informed them that they must grow slower!!

The New Prince! Just darling and I love that little smile of his!

DD and I are enjoying this so much! Everything sounds wonderful and I agree with Buffy, the spa treatment and the dinner at Victoria and Albert's at the Chef's Table. With your magic for attracting magical moments, it will be super special!

So happy that you started this!!
XOXO

 

[BrittBritt]

Ha! I really do. When I was in high school I not only went to his concert but was lucky enough to wrangle a back stage pass and meet him. I am SO laughing at myself now...but for some reason, I even thought his shaved eyebrow was cute. I guess there's no accounting for taste in your youth...or at least mine!

To this day, I still crank up the XM radio if Ice, Ice Baby comes on. Yep, a thirty something year old mom of four, driving her minivan blasting Vanilla Ice. I seriously need help!

Ok, my turn to embarrass myself. When I was in HS (1998), my friends and I went to a Vanilla Ice concert as more of a joke. By this time, his 15 minutes of fame had faded, and he had resorted to singing "Ice, Ice Baby" but in a heavy metal form. (Hideous!) Well, my group of friends had decided not to advertise this excursion around school since it was *slightly* uncool.

You can imagine my utter shock then when I was watching the VH1 Behind the Music Vanilla Ice special about 2 months later and noticed my friends and I IN the special. We were the nerds in the audience screaming our love for Vanilla!

As far as the kids getting out of school...when you are the teacher, principal and school board all in one, it's easy to arrange school vacations around good times to go to WDW. We actually home school the boys so time off from school has never been an issue. Our school year runs year round but we like to take time to study some of our favorite things during the summer. Sometimes we use Disney as a springboard into fun/interesting topics (pirates, Africa, Tom Sawyer, etc).

If anyone is interested, I started a thread on educational Disney ideas. I haven't kept up with it at all...but it may be of interest to someone out there or just maybe someone out there has some more educational ideas to add to the thread! Here is the link. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1145853

I love these ideas. Thank you so much for posting this! What a creative mama!

Romantic suggestions:

How about the Grand Romantic Evening Spa Treatment at Grand Floridian followed by dinner at Victoria and Alberts? Chef's table if you really want to do it up. I know my hubby would love a massage.

Oohhh, this is my vote as well. How romantic !

 

[moparop]

Ok... I have a confession to make Jay. I started lurking on your PTRs and TRs abut a yeara ago and I never have posted. Well all of that is changing tonight! I love reading about your family adventures and hoew you can see even the littlest things as being sprinkled with pixie dust. Too awesome!

DH and I did Victoria &Albert's on our HM. It was awesome and romantic and was such a lovely pampering evening. I wonder if you can get a ressie for the chef's table. I hear it's out of this world! I am sure you'll come up with something wonderful to do that night!

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Another suggestion like the pp said how about V&A's followed by a sleigh ride or horse and carriage ride for your anniversary celebration.

I just read they have the movies and campfire at the Beach Club now too if you and the family wanted to check out the boardwalk and go over to the campfire one night. That seems sort of a fun thing to do and they also sell smores for $5 per kit. This is also offered at Fort Wilderness but I am sure you probably know that.

 

[jaycns]

Here is a pic of our cake and our server with the birthday hat they got for me and the confetti she threw all over my sister and the table. The cake looks plain on the outside but the inside had mickey sprinkles in the icing and it was sooo good choc cake with choc mouse filling and choc buttercream icing. Our waitress was really just wonderful and she made the whole evening.

The cake was really big because I had to feed 14 but we did have leftovers. The cost was around $55. I dont remember the two ladies I talked to but they were in charge of the private dining. I also remember Bobby in IPO being of help for other things we planned.

As far as the AKL thread, the gentlman was planning his 10th anniversary if I remember correctly and it was some time before November of 2006. I would say between July and November of 2006. He had the most amazing private dining and other things for his wife. It was really a sweet story.

I cant say for sure if the innner courtyard rooms have a view of the water pagent but I would think they should I am sure someone on that faq thread could answear that better than me.

Sounds like you are planning some pretty cool stuff this trip. I cant wait to read some more!!!

WOW...that cake! I feel like bakin' a cake right now. That is one mighty tasty lookin' cake!! Dh walked by the computer and asked me who was having a party and if he was invited! HA HA. I guess I know it's okay with him for me to go ahead and order another cake at WDW. **I am sure that's what his comment meant.**

for the welcome. I kind of figured you homeschooled. We are often considering taking that plunge. I don't know if I am ready yet though. Being able to plan your lessons around going to Disney any time of the year is a definite plus though.

I am so excited you are staying at WL. I have always wanted to stay there. However we really fell in love with AKL last year. So its hard convincing my family (me included) to try any other place. I am looking forward to hearing your reviews. WC is a very fun place to eat. We still talk about how fun our meal was there two years ago. The kids really had a laugh when I asked for more tea.
Keep the planning ideas coming.

Home schooling has been the most challenging yet rewarding endeavor our family has ever undertaken. Although it's certainly not for everyone, for our family, it has been a wonderful decision.

As far as the AKL vs. WL thing...I am still VERY torn over our decision to not stay at AKL. AKL is my idea of heaven on earth. However, I have made myself promise not to compare the two lodges (at least not all of the the time ) and I am going to jump headfirst into embracing the wonders that WL holds. It is not the WDW resort with the highest percentage of return visitors for nothing.

Yes, AKLGoofy, I'm so glad you found him! Actually, if you find a link to his TR could you post it? I'd like to save it for future reference!

ETA: Angel on the "AKL Lite" thread sent me this link - thought I'd share it in case you need it:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=13241017#post13241017&highlight=

ETA: Darn it! I found the link to his TR www.susanandbob.com and it's not working. Hopefully there's enough info scattered through the Jambo thread.

Thanks for looking into that for me. I couldn't sleep last night and so I stayed up searching the Jambo thread until I found him! Thank you again for suggesting that!

Romantic suggestions:

How about the Grand Romantic Evening Spa Treatment at Grand Floridian followed by dinner at Victoria and Alberts? Chef's table if you really want to do it up. I know my hubby would love a massage.

I have found a listing that it exists...but no description of what the Grand Romantic Evening Spa Treatment was. Does anybody know what it consists of? And for some reason, my search feature is not turning anything up. It only works when I don't really need it to.

YIPEE!! I just found this and dove right in!!

Jay, the boys are gorgeous and already look bigger than they did in your last trip report!! I hope you have informed them that they must grow slower!!

The New Prince! Just darling and I love that little smile of his!

DD and I are enjoying this so much! Everything sounds wonderful and I agree with Buffy, the spa treatment and the dinner at Victoria and Albert's at the Chef's Table. With your magic for attracting magical moments, it will be super special!

So happy that you started this!!
XOXO

HA HA HA....I don't think that I attract magical moments as much as slow down enough to let them happen. I believe at WDW, as well as "in real life", that magical moments and good things are everywhere and sometimes it just takes stopping to smell the roses instead of running over them and getting a thorn in your foot.

I am so glad you made it over here! I hope you are feeling better!

Ok, my turn to embarrass myself. When I was in HS (1998), my friends and I went to a Vanilla Ice concert as more of a joke. By this time, his 15 minutes of fame had faded, and he had resorted to singing "Ice, Ice Baby" but in a heavy metal form. (Hideous!) Well, my group of friends had decided not to advertise this excursion around school since it was *slightly* uncool.

You can imagine my utter shock then when I was watching the VH1 Behind the Music Vanilla Ice special about 2 months later and noticed my friends and I IN the special. We were the nerds in the audience screaming our love for Vanilla!



I love these ideas. Thank you so much for posting this! What a creative mama!



Oohhh, this is my vote as well. How romantic !

I am SO happy that I am not all alone in this odd interest. I watched that show on VH-1...how geeky does it make me?! Thanks again for joining in!

Ok... I have a confession to make Jay. I started lurking on your PTRs and TRs abut a yeara ago and I never have posted. Well all of that is changing tonight! I love reading about your family adventures and hoew you can see even the littlest things as being sprinkled with pixie dust. Too awesome!

DH and I did Victoria &Albert's on our HM. It was awesome and romantic and was such a lovely pampering evening. I wonder if you can get a ressie for the chef's table. I hear it's out of this world! I am sure you'll come up with something wonderful to do that night!

I am going to call tomorrow and check on the availability of the chef's table. It sounds like an amazing meal.

I must admit, I haven't always been a glass half full kind of girl, I wasn't a Debbie Downer or anything but I didn't set out each day trying to find the good in it either. At one point though, life conspired to give me lemons...it was either learn to make lemonade and see the glass as half full or become so sour that I would have to give up all together.

I know the menu changes at V&A's but just for the sake of "types" of foods...what was on your menu?

Another suggestion like the pp said how about V&A's followed by a sleigh ride or horse and carriage ride for your anniversary celebration.

I just read they have the movies and campfire at the Beach Club now too if you and the family wanted to check out the boardwalk and go over to the campfire one night. That seems sort of a fun thing to do and they also sell smores for $5 per kit. This is also offered at Fort Wilderness but I am sure you probably know that.

Thanks for the reminder about the movies. We are planning on heading over to FW the first night to take in the campfire/movie. I didn't know they did it at the BC as well. That might just be worth trying to fit it in!!

Thanks for the heads up!

 

[jaycns]

Ahhhh...finally, our first park day. We are going to start the week out right!! We are heading to AK! I am a zoo geek. I majored in biology and later went on to study ecology. In the process, I worked as an "assistant zoo keeper". I was assigned to the penguin exhibit. What did I do? I shoved vitamin supplements down the throats of dead fish, hosed down both the "off stage" areas and exhibit (penguins poo like you wouldn't imagine ) and sometimes even got to help work with the animals. Nothing like a glamorous college internship!

Weird college flashback aside, I just wanted to illustrate how much of an animal fan I am. So AK is a great park for me. My boys love it too. The only problem with AK is how HOT that park is. It always feels hotter there then anywhere else at WDW.

Back to the plans:
-Head over to AK in the morning
-Eat at Yak & Yeti?! I have reservations for this meal but I am not sure that I am going to end up keeping them. I think that this meal might not be the best one for our family in the middle of a hot park touring afternoon. Then again, nothing else table service wise seems to be floating my boat either. The Rain Forest Cafe would be our top choice but I am afraid that the Little Prince might be upset by the loud noises and lights. Then again, maybe not. We went to Chuck E. Cheese's today and he was cooing up a storm to all of the brightly colored posters, light up games/rides and the noise level there didn't seem to bother him at all. He is also used to sleeping through soccer games (think loud yelling cheering, clapping and whistles blowing). He also sat happily through both movies he has attended. He has "seen" The Spiderwick Chronicles and now, Horton Hears a Who. Hmmm...the more I type, the more I am thinking that the Rain Forest Cafe might work out fine for our family.
-Leave and head back to WL and sample the evening offerings in the concierge lounge. Head to either Kona, O'hana, Chef Mickey's, the Cali Grill or Artist Point for a late dinner. Which one?!
-Watch Wishes from the beach and the electrical water pageant.
-Hit the hay!!