Mortlives
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2002
- Messages
- 2,169
When we left Walterboro, the temperature was in the 30's and we were looking forward to the forecast 68 for Orlando. We had decided not to stop for lunch on the way, as my calculations put us at AKL by one. The plan was to check in and grab lunch at Mara.
The drive down was fairly uneventful, although the subjective amount of time it took far exceeded the actual amount of time. We stopped in Orlando so DH could get smokes before we hit the tobacco-less Disney property. It was terrific building our anticipation by seeing the first WDW billboard, and making a note of the Universal exits for our next trip.
Taking careful note of signs, as instructed, we spotted the sign for AKL, and drove to the gatehouse, announcing ourselves with all the dignity of excited 3 year olds. DH dropped off the luggage with bell services, and us with the responsibility of checking in, while he went to park. I had offered to pay for valet, but he asked how much it cost, and would have none of it.
While I checked us in, DS ran around the lobby taking pictures. I was told our room would be out in the wing looking at Arusha Savannah, on the 2nd floor. You guessed it, it wasn't ready. Reggie assured us it would be ready by 3, and gave us a card with a number to call.
We grabbed lunch and mugs at Mara, then headed over to the sunset overlook lounge so DS could do homework while we waited for our room. This is the point at which I need to go off on a rave about how adorable the red river hogs were. I know they're new to the AKL and we all adored them and took ridiculous amounts of pictures of them.
DS had finished his homework, and it was 3 o'clock, and our room still wasn't ready. Mousekeeping told us it would be ready by 5 for sure. We were a little disappointed, but were not going to let this dampen our spirits -- the pool could do that instead. DS and I went for a swim, and I went for a hot tub soak, while DH tested the "waters" at Uzima Springs. Bargain hunters take note: you can buy a nice glass for $6 at Uzima Springs full of beer that you can then refill for the the length of your stay for $3, Safari Amber (mmmmmm!) included.
Having had enough of the spa for now, I called mousekeeping again, and our room - 2519 - was ready. Off we went to see our room! It was worth the wait, close the animals, unobstructed by Arusha rock, close to the watering hole. The view was great, the elands seem to hang out close to our room as a preferred area, and the sight of the giraffes strolling majestically across the savannah was just so cool. The room itself was comfortably spacious, with 2 queen size beds, a sizeable vanity, refrigerator, and coffee maker equipped with non-Nescafe coffee.
It was almost with regret that we tore ourselves from the balcony to get ready for our dinner at Boma. What can I say about Boma, we barely had time to grab drinks at Victoria Falls before we were seated. The food was every bit as good, and in some cases better, than we remembered. We had a wonderful time.
After dinner, DS went back to the room to do homework, while DH and I went to DTD to do a little shopping and hit Pleasure Island. I'd already gotten my replacement Mickey sneakers from the Zawati marketplace, but still needed a new hoody. World of Disney had a wonderful Jack Skellington hoody I couldn't resist - kaching!
A bit more poking around and off to AC, where we encounted - bum bum bum... - the world's drunkest woman. Now, I'll be honest, I have been known, upon occasion, to imbibe somewhat more than is good for me, but I was almost in awe of this woman's ability to make a public spectacle of herself. During the Balderdash Cup, Prof. Wren, at his wit's end, at length was forced to tell her, plainly, to shut up! It didn't work.
Is it me, or have they changed the Kungaloosh recipe? It seemed pinker and tasted less of blackberries. Anyway, we were inducted again, saw a couple of library shows and a maskroom show, and figured we should leave before we rivalled drunkest woman's presentation.
First day done, and a wonderful time was had by all.
Kungaloosh!
Morticia.
Previous - PreTrip and Travel
Next - Day 2 - AK and MK
The drive down was fairly uneventful, although the subjective amount of time it took far exceeded the actual amount of time. We stopped in Orlando so DH could get smokes before we hit the tobacco-less Disney property. It was terrific building our anticipation by seeing the first WDW billboard, and making a note of the Universal exits for our next trip.
Taking careful note of signs, as instructed, we spotted the sign for AKL, and drove to the gatehouse, announcing ourselves with all the dignity of excited 3 year olds. DH dropped off the luggage with bell services, and us with the responsibility of checking in, while he went to park. I had offered to pay for valet, but he asked how much it cost, and would have none of it.
While I checked us in, DS ran around the lobby taking pictures. I was told our room would be out in the wing looking at Arusha Savannah, on the 2nd floor. You guessed it, it wasn't ready. Reggie assured us it would be ready by 3, and gave us a card with a number to call.
We grabbed lunch and mugs at Mara, then headed over to the sunset overlook lounge so DS could do homework while we waited for our room. This is the point at which I need to go off on a rave about how adorable the red river hogs were. I know they're new to the AKL and we all adored them and took ridiculous amounts of pictures of them.
DS had finished his homework, and it was 3 o'clock, and our room still wasn't ready. Mousekeeping told us it would be ready by 5 for sure. We were a little disappointed, but were not going to let this dampen our spirits -- the pool could do that instead. DS and I went for a swim, and I went for a hot tub soak, while DH tested the "waters" at Uzima Springs. Bargain hunters take note: you can buy a nice glass for $6 at Uzima Springs full of beer that you can then refill for the the length of your stay for $3, Safari Amber (mmmmmm!) included.
Having had enough of the spa for now, I called mousekeeping again, and our room - 2519 - was ready. Off we went to see our room! It was worth the wait, close the animals, unobstructed by Arusha rock, close to the watering hole. The view was great, the elands seem to hang out close to our room as a preferred area, and the sight of the giraffes strolling majestically across the savannah was just so cool. The room itself was comfortably spacious, with 2 queen size beds, a sizeable vanity, refrigerator, and coffee maker equipped with non-Nescafe coffee.
It was almost with regret that we tore ourselves from the balcony to get ready for our dinner at Boma. What can I say about Boma, we barely had time to grab drinks at Victoria Falls before we were seated. The food was every bit as good, and in some cases better, than we remembered. We had a wonderful time.
After dinner, DS went back to the room to do homework, while DH and I went to DTD to do a little shopping and hit Pleasure Island. I'd already gotten my replacement Mickey sneakers from the Zawati marketplace, but still needed a new hoody. World of Disney had a wonderful Jack Skellington hoody I couldn't resist - kaching!
A bit more poking around and off to AC, where we encounted - bum bum bum... - the world's drunkest woman. Now, I'll be honest, I have been known, upon occasion, to imbibe somewhat more than is good for me, but I was almost in awe of this woman's ability to make a public spectacle of herself. During the Balderdash Cup, Prof. Wren, at his wit's end, at length was forced to tell her, plainly, to shut up! It didn't work.
Is it me, or have they changed the Kungaloosh recipe? It seemed pinker and tasted less of blackberries. Anyway, we were inducted again, saw a couple of library shows and a maskroom show, and figured we should leave before we rivalled drunkest woman's presentation.
First day done, and a wonderful time was had by all.
Kungaloosh!
Morticia.
Previous - PreTrip and Travel
Next - Day 2 - AK and MK
