The End of an Era - Where Dreams Come True at Pop & Kidani **NEW 5/28 FINALE

[jordanyosh]

Kidani=Heaven.

View...meh...but there are so many places there to relax and see the animals....

That backwards part in the dark is a doozy...

 

[All7OfUs]

I would be soooooo frustrated at the hard time finding your room!!! Was the signage not so great, or ???

I don't know. It just seems weird that it'd be so hard.

EE!? Looks like you loved it!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Loved this last update! Our room at Kidani was pretty far away from the lobby too. And that parking garage was confusing (even though we didn't have a car we did almost get lost in it ).

Ahhh I wish I was still there. I can't believe we've already been home a week.

 

[stayhomemom77]

I’m totally leaving on the 21st!! Although we are driving so we won’t actually arrive until the following day. We’re at SSR for the 22nd and the 23rd and then we check in at AKL on the 24th and check out on the 30th.

I’m just like you and Tnkrbelle565…I ALWAYS lapse into an our accent when speaking with ANYONE from ANYWHERE. And I too worry that they are going to feel like I am making fun of them but it just happens…I can’t help it. Accents are so cool!! And imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?

I gotta check out your PTR for your trip with your mom since we are going at the same time.

Great updates...

 

[glennbo123]

I was SO excited to stay here. Kidani had been calling my name since it was built so I was ready to burst with the fact that I was finally staying here.

I know how you feel. I was done for the minute I found out they were building it.

We were excited. We were ready. We were stuck with a CM in training

Oh bummer.

We were given directions to our room. Let's just say it wasn't just a hop, skip and a jump away. This was a hike, I'm telling you!

We were in the first bead to the left of the lobby area last year, it was a great location. I tried walking further down to check out the construction, but got met by a worker-dude around the 4th bead or so, who chased me out.

We were in the Pumbaa section, room 7675. At least after everything our room was ready. So Bubba and I went back to the car to find our room. Sounds like an easy task right? WRONG! The underground parking garage in Kidani is a nightmare! We could not find Pumbaa!

Did you find it more easily later? I didn't have a car there last year, so didn't hang out in the parking area much, but it didn't look like it would be too difficult. I guess you have to go under the lobby area to get to Pumbaa, is that what made it hard to find?

Just the size of the bed alone made up for everything we just had to deal with!

Glad you liked your room (inside anyway).

These lamps were adorable! I wish I could take one home

What, you're not supposed to? Ooops.

We had booked a 1-bedroom suite with savanna view. I pulled back the curtains and saw this:

Okay maybe I wasn't that upset but the view was less than spectacular. We were right by the holding area for the animals and there wasn't much else around us. There were gazelles and little antelope around but that was it. I was hoping for giraffes and zebras... yeah, no. Just wasn't meant to be. Lesson learned: Put room requests on file to have a better chance of getting a nice view.

Oh no! I'm springing for savana view points this June and I hope we get a good view, or I'm not gonna be happy. Or doc, or any other dwarf.

Overall, the room was spectacular and for the amount of time we got to be in the room, I was very happy with it. I loved the theming - Lion King! - and the sheer size of the room! You could easily fit 5 people in there for 2 weeks.

They let 'em out for air, right?

And did I survive the ride? I'll let you be the judge

Hmmmm. Yes, you survived, but it doesn't look like you really want to use that fastpass you got for later.

 

[bellebookworm9]

We were in the first bead to the left of the lobby area last year, it was a great location. I tried walking further down to check out the construction, but got met by a worker-dude around the 4th bead or so, who chased me out.

Did you have a standard view? If so, do you have a picture of the view (not that any of them are bad there)? We are booked standard view and our room request is on a higher floor near the lobby. I know it's just a request, but here's to hoping.

 

[jenbear123]

Kidani=Heaven.

View...meh...but there are so many places there to relax and see the animals....

That backwards part in the dark is a doozy...

That's true... but you must admit it's nice to be able to look out your window and see animals right from your room. I think the backwards part on EE would be fine if it didn't spin you around in a downwards spiral.

I would be soooooo frustrated at the hard time finding your room!!! Was the signage not so great, or ???

I don't know. It just seems weird that it'd be so hard.

EE!? Looks like you loved it!

YES the signage was TERRIBLE! It would have signs for Rafiki, Pumbaa, Zazu this way. Then as we kept going Zazu disappeared, and so did Pumbaa once we reached Rafiki. We didn't realize we had to drive further to reach Pumbaa. We eventually found it by walking on foot in the parking garage. Yeah, EE was just a blast

Loved this last update! Our room at Kidani was pretty far away from the lobby too. And that parking garage was confusing (even though we didn't have a car we did almost get lost in it ).

Ahhh I wish I was still there. I can't believe we've already been home a week.

I hate getting Disney homesick. It's the worst. I'm depressed for a week after I get back every time! I didn't realize you had started your TR! I'm looking forward to hearing about your Kidani stay.

I’m totally leaving on the 21st!! Although we are driving so we won’t actually arrive until the following day. We’re at SSR for the 22nd and the 23rd and then we check in at AKL on the 24th and check out on the 30th.

I hope the drive is nice for you. You're doing some resort hopping too, I see. Gotta get the most bang for your buck!

I’m just like you and Tnkrbelle565…I ALWAYS lapse into an our accent when speaking with ANYONE from ANYWHERE. And I too worry that they are going to feel like I am making fun of them but it just happens…I can’t help it. Accents are so cool!! And imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?

Exactly. Some people would think differently though....

I gotta check out your PTR for your trip with your mom since we are going at the same time.

Great updates...

Thanks! And don't be overwhelmed by all the links on my PTR. It's kinda 3 PTRs in one.

We were in the first bead to the left of the lobby area last year, it was a great location. I tried walking further down to check out the construction, but got met by a worker-dude around the 4th bead or so, who chased me out.

That sounds like a great location! Too bad the intimidating construction worker foiled your plans of seeing more.

Did you find it more easily later? I didn't have a car there last year, so didn't hang out in the parking area much, but it didn't look like it would be too difficult. I guess you have to go under the lobby area to get to Pumbaa, is that what made it hard to find?

It was much easier later. The signage needs to be better, that's all. The parking garage is underneath the hotel, as you know, so there are no landmarks to go by other than the signs.

Glad you liked your room (inside anyway).

It was HUGE! I loved everything about it

What, you're not supposed to? Ooops.



Oh no! I'm springing for savana view points this June and I hope we get a good view, or I'm not gonna be happy. Or doc, or any other dwarf.

I hope you get a better view than I did. Just make sure you're facing Sunset Savannah

They let 'em out for air, right?

Of course....

Hmmmm. Yes, you survived, but it doesn't look like you really want to use that fastpass you got for later.

Can't say I was looking forward to it!!!!!

 

[glennbo123]

Did you have a standard view? If so, do you have a picture of the view (not that any of them are bad there)? We are booked standard view and our room request is on a higher floor near the lobby. I know it's just a request, but here's to hoping.

Sure. Here are a couple.

The port cochere and entrance to the lobby.

The building in the distance there is the fitness center. Out of view, but beyond it and a little to the right is the pool.

 

[bellebookworm9]

Sure. Here are a couple.

Thanks! That isn't a terrible view at all and I imagine it was decent for people watching. What floor were you on?

 

[glennbo123]

Thanks! That isn't a terrible view at all and I imagine it was decent for people watching. What floor were you on?

It was 7805. 4th floor, but I think the first floor is the parking garage, which is kind of below ground level, at least in comparison to the lobby.

 

[jenbear123]

After the most terrifying ride of my life on EE, we went to get breakfast as we hadn't eaten yet. There wasn't much around but we found a CS that was serving French Toast Sticks.

These were just okay and put something in our stomach. Nothing to write home about though.

Right after we ate, Bubba wanted to go use our Fastpass for EE. I definitely did not want to ride it again so close after eating. I was able to convince her to go to Camp Minnie-Mickey first to allow the food I just ate to settle itself further down in the tubes of my digestive system.

Camp Minnie-Mickey was practically deserted when we got there. It was around 10:30am and that was when the characters were scheduled to first come out. Donald came out first and we were all set to meet him first. There was a family in front of us that was just taking forever to get a good picture. Bubba and I were looking around aimlessly when suddenly we both saw Thumper and Mrs. Bunny (Is that her name?) We both gasped with excitement and immediately left the line for Donald. We had never met Thumper or Mrs. Bunny so you can imagine our excitement.

I made sure to show Thumper how much I like him

After ditching poor Donald, we went back to get his autograph

And then Minnie...

And finally Mickey! Bubba had an awesome interaction with him. Donald had written "#1" in his signature and Bubba pointed this out to Mickey. Since Mickey is kinda the head honcho of all things symbolizing Disney, he put on a show like he was angry and was going to go kick Donald's butt! Then he took Bubba's autograph book and pretended to cross out Donald's signature. It was pretty funny.

Last but definitely not the least was Goofy

Before we left, I just had to get another picture of Thumper and Mrs. Bunny. They just looked so cuddly!

It was time to head back over to EE and face the Yeti again. Let's just say I was less than thrilled. But... I did it for Bubba. After the second time, I was done for the day with that ride. Bubba got another fastpass and so did I. Mine was for Tink, who we were set to meet up with right after we finished our second ride of EE. She had the day off and wanted to hang out with us. Tink met us near the front entrance, which was convenient since Bubba wanted to set up a lunch ADR at Yak & Yeti. I was a bit weary about eating there as I hadn't really heard much about it. Was it good? Was it gross? I was about to find out! Once we had our ADR settled at Guest Services, we headed to Festival of the Lion King.

We were lions in training with Simba

It was a great show. One of my favourites for sure. I sing along to all the songs. Did I mention I know all the words to the entire movie?

When the show finished, the third fastpass for EE came due. I eagerly sat this one out while Bubba and Tink eagerly jumped in line.

My duty was to catch them going down the big hill outside. The wait was very short as they were on the ride within 5 minutes.

See the yellow shirt right at the top of the picture, just in front of the pink? Yup that's them!

It came time for our lunch at Yak & Yeti. Did it exceed expectations or meet every fear I could've possibly imagined? Stay tuned!

**NOTICE** Well, I tried to finish this TR before I left again but it doesn't look like it's going to happen. This is the last installment before I leave on Wednesday. I'll finish up this TR on my return (hopefully I won't mix up the old stuff with the new) Thanks for following along!

 

[YukiPhnx]

HAVE FUN! Can't wait to hear back from you!

 

[bellebookworm9]

I totally agree with not wanting to ride right after you eat. When I was first playing with RideMax, it wanted me to go on ToT right after lunch. No thanks! How fun about Thumper & Mrs. Bunny-they're such rare characters! Maybe I'll wear my Thumper shirt on the off chance we meet them. I've printed out 3 Donald pages, 2 Minnies, Mickeys, Daisys, Plutos & Goofys. One regular and one safari, and in the case of Donald, mexican (because yes, there are different pages for multiple outfit characters ). I know we probably won't meet all of them, but it's better to be safe than sorry! Who was taking the pictures-a photopass photographer? I'm so excited to see FotLK! I've heard mostly good things about Yak & Yeti, so I can't wait to hear about your experience. Have fun on the trip!

 

[jordanyosh]

Wow! Twice on EE in one day.

did you just say you know all the words to the SONGS from the Lion King or the ENTIRE movie?

yak and yeti....I'm interested in the feedback...

 

[onelilspark]

Have fun!!

 

[glennbo123]

Great character interaction! I didn't even know they had Thumper and Mrs. Thumper. Man, Minnie was shorter than I remember.

Have (another) great trip!

Good luck on Toy Story Midway Mania.

 

[jenbear123]

HAVE FUN! Can't wait to hear back from you!

Thanks! You'll be sure to hear all about it!

I totally agree with not wanting to ride right after you eat. When I was first playing with RideMax, it wanted me to go on ToT right after lunch. No thanks!

Finally, someone who agrees with me! Bubba would rather ride with food in her stomach. How does that work?!

How fun about Thumper & Mrs. Bunny-they're such rare characters! Who was taking the pictures-a photopass photographer?

I was really amazed to see Thumper and Mrs. Bunny. I thought they had gotten rid of the Bambi characters for good! A very nice photopass photographer took the pictures of us.

Wow! Twice on EE in one day.

did you just say you know all the words to the SONGS from the Lion King or the ENTIRE movie?

yak and yeti....I'm interested in the feedback...

It really wasn't that busy. Heck, Bubba got on it three times! It definitely made up for all the times she'd missed it. I know all the words to the songs AND the entire movie from the Lion King. Yes, I have a problem. You'll just have to wait and see about Yak & Yeti. Have you eaten there?

Have fun!!

Thank you!!!

Great character interaction! I didn't even know they had Thumper and Mrs. Thumper. Man, Minnie was shorter than I remember.

Have (another) great trip!

Good luck on Toy Story Midway Mania.

Minnie was definitely feeling short. Thanks for the well wishes. No need for luck with TSM. We both know how it's going to end - meaning I win

 

[jordanyosh]

I've not eaten at the Yak and Yeti.

for know all the words....that's just crazy...How many times do you think you've watched it?

 

[jenbear123]

I've probably watched LK at least 20 times in my lifetime. My favourite part would be when Simba and Scar have a final showdown. I would rewind the VHS so many times that it would wear out! Every time the movie came to that part, the video got all fuzzy (oh the VHS days... wouldn't happen now with DVDs) Sometimes I'd even recite the movie in my head to pass the time when I was at work or school.

 

[All7OfUs]

You so good at taking one for the team! Twice on EE is great for a non-lover!

I am curious about y&y as well. It's really toss up for this and Pizzafari. maroo says she had the WORST meal ever at y&y; it was so bad she had to throw it away!

Have a WONDERFUL time on this trip!! I can't wiat to see the pix of your mom getting her surprise!!!