Uppy, Uppy, Mr. Andy -- Update -- WRAP UP -- Post 1346, Page 90

[KatMark]

It's good to be back.

There may or may not be a PTR....... If I were a betting man, I'd bet there might be one starting some time in January.

Ooooh...a PTR being started in January. I can't wait.

Nice double update.

Raglan Road......hmmmm.......(making another mental note for 2013)

Those pictures out the window of AKV are awesome. Didn't you find that it was so peaceful to sit and watch the animals. I think when I stayed there I was expecting it to be different, hard to explain..but when I sat and just watched the animals, it was SOOO peaceful.

I was gonna say that the blouse was nice as well...but I thought I would lose my man card.

Ah....mental note to add Raglan Road for 2013; so I guess that January PTR will be about 2013.

Jordan, it was the most peaceful and serene I had felt in ages. It was just unreal.

Nope...you won't lose your man card here...the only one who might lose their man card is Marv.

Love your TR so far, KatMark.

My sister and I went just the two of us last year and stayed at Jambo (just a standard view room), and we LOVED AKL. Loved everything about it--the animals, the decor, the CMs, the fire pit, the story telling, the music, the gift shop.... (ohhh, the gift shop...)

It was soooooooo beautiful.

Welcome NLD, thanks for joining. The CM's at the AKL were some of the friendliest we have ever had at Disney.

Finally all caught up and loving every second

Your room looked amazing, still can't get over the tiles in the bathroom. They are so awesome. Great animal viewing from the balcony too, its so nice and peaceful out there just watching them

Great pics from your meet with J&S, is a shame we never got to meet this day. Next time for sure

Looking forward to more

Stefy, thank you for joining...I was missing you.

The room was beautiful. We had a good time with J&S. And I agree with you...it is a shame we never got to meet. I definitely hope a future trip brings us together; Joe and Sophia told us so much about you.

Great pictures Kathy! I love you two trying on all the hats. And the shirt you were wearing was perfect. Can't wait to read about your adventures at the pool!

Thanks, Kacey. Mark loves his hats; I had to have that shirt when I saw it.

Isn't the Jambo Gift Shop great! I don't think there was a day that we were there that we didn't walk through it!

You really saw a lot of animals from your balcony... the only thing that dragged me away would have been the pool because it was so hot when we were there!

Great picture btw of you guys with Sophia and Joe!

Queen, the Jambo gift shop was terrific. I could have spent hours there.

We saw so many animals...it was like they were ALWAYS there.

We had so much fun with Sophia and Joe.

thanks for sharing enjoying all your great photos

jns, thank you for joining our adventure.

 

[KatMark]

So I left you off with us coming back from our walk over to Jambo for breakfast at Boma and then shopping at the awesome gift shop.

Mark got ready for the pool and headed down ahead of me. I wanted to finish writing out some postcards for the kids and post a picture or two on Facebook.

Finishing that, I grabbed my new Refillable mug and headed down to the pool.

Along the long walk down the hallway, I found out that I LOVE the animals and stopped at each window to take pictures:

And let me stop here and mention something. As many of you know, the CSR is our "home away from home." We have stayed there nine times and we love everything about it. One of the things that has always aggravated me is that everyone complains about what a long walk it is from the Ranchos to the main building. I've walked that walk...and I'm guessing 10 minutes at most if you walk at a normal pace. Now I will tell you that 10 minutes at the CSR was NOTHING compared to the walk we had Kidani. It took us a good 12 minutes or more (and this does not include stopping to look out the windows for animals) to get from our room to the lobby and then another couple of minutes to the pool. The only difference to me is that at the AKL you are inside as opposed to outside at the CSR. Okay, I feel better now...back to our regularly scheduled program.

I arrived at the pool and took a few pictures as I looked to see where Mark had put our towels, etc.

I found Mark and the two of us got in the pool. The water was so refreshing as it was really hot outside. We talked to a mom and her daughter who had just gotten new glasses and refused to take them off, even in the pool.

I went and got a Pina Colada and we sat in the chairs to relax. I have to admit that I finished my Pina Colada rather quickly because I could not stand the LOVE BUGS! They were absolutely awful -- the worse I have ever seen them. I swear they went nowhere near Mark, they just hovered over or landed on me (it's because I am so sweet). I told Mark I couldn't deal with it and said I was going to go back to the room and shower for our second night at DTD (plus, I knew I would be at the pool later for a DIS meet).

On the way back to the room, I stopped at windows once again and took some more photos:

Okay, this guy I saw when I went on the balcony and he was really UGLY (he was on the pillar of our balcony):

Then the giraffes came out and headed my way:

I finally tore myself away from the giraffes and got in the shower. Mark showed up around 2:30 and got in the shower to get ready for DTD and another DIS meet.

Up next, do we finally make it to Earl of Sandwich after all these years and how many DISers do we meet.

 

[MaryAz]

More great updates!! I think my favorites will be arriving shortly You took some really great pics, I have stolen quite a few of them!!

 

[disneyfan61]

Kathy it IS because you are so sweet that those love bugs gravitate towards you. We have never been at that time of year that we had any problems with them. I guess we have lucked out.

What great pics you have of those animals. I would always be tempted to take pics. I think I take more pictures at AK than I do at any other park because of the animals.

 

[amandaw]

That pool area looks very nice. And I just love all the pictures of the giraffes! I can't wait to hear if y'all made it to Earl of Sandwich for dinner. That's one place I really want to try on our next trip. I still have to find time to go check out your dining review. Life is way too hectic & stressful right now...it's cutting into my DIS time. Ok, I'm going check out the dining review now before I have to do something more important but a whole lot less fun!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Yuck! Love bugs! I have been fortunate to not experience those on any of our trips. I don't blame you for not wanting to hang by the pool with them all over the place.

 

[Millie12591]

Camille - I'm so excited for you - you are going to love it!

How nice of Tim and fam to send you the goodie bag!

Tammie, I think it will be a great way to start our trip. Who knows, it's a while from now to then.

Ms. Kat, what a lovely way to start your trip! Two days of just relaxing and enjoying your resort stay before hitting the ground running.
I too loved the hat, maybe it will be there when you go back next time. <crossing fingers> If I get to go next spring I'll be sure to look for it and snag it for you.

I'm curious as to how easily I can find someone willing to give up a couple of nights of their DVC points for Mackie and I (and hopefully my mom) to stay there. It's such a beautiful resort and if my mom gets to come with us, she won't want to leave the whole time we're there. She's not able to ride the safari ride due to her disabilities so I thought staying there could make up for not being able to see the animals out on the trial.

Hope you get to taste EOS, if not I hope you at least ate at WGPE. The food there is pretty darn yummy.

 

[jenseib]

I have to say I have never experienced love bugs yet, and hope I never do. I did one year...amn yyears ago, take seat at MK waiting for family and I red fire ant bit me. Boy! that was not nice!
I love all your giraffe pictures. Something about giraffes just mesmorize me.

 

[MEK]

Wait - You've NEVER been to EOS? Impossible!!!!

I'm with you on the distance rant. We also had a long walk when we stayed at Kidani. I didn't mind. But what I didn't like was coming back for the pool wet and being freezing in the AC till I could get in the room and grab more towels. I found that uncomfortable.

I also stopped and looked out every window. I absolutely loved that. Especially since I had to stay in a standard view villa, so I didn't have animals out my balcony 24/7.

I loved that place. Glad you had such a nice morning. Bugs, any bugs, love me too. I have always been cursed that way.

 

[Nermel9]

The pool looks so nice, but ugh, I probably would have done the same thing and got out if the bugs were annoying me!

I love all of the animals you can see at AKL! Especially those giraffes, I love them so much, I don't think I'd be able to tear myself away!

 

[annmarieda]

another wonderful update! I love the pictures of the animals. I too would have a hard time tearing myself away to go shower...and I too would want to shower after the lovebugs.

 

[Poolrat]

I experienced the love bugs too.

My first night I went over to the Poly, and the next morning I woke up with some welts.

Either it was at the Poly beach or something in the room.

I don't think the love bugs bite but they sure are annoying.

 

[PirateKate]

Hi, Kathy! I love the pictures from Kidani. Seeing the animals all the time must have been awesome. Breakfast at Boma when you're staying at the AKL always seems so convenient.

 

[shocky5]

Caught up again! So many cute hat pics! I agree - you should have bought the hat you considered - looks great on you! Let me know if you want me to pick one up for you in about... 60 days!

I do think I need to consider our next stay at AK - it is beautiful! And seems peaceful aside from love bugs.

 

[TanzUnited99]

Yay on getting the pink refillable mug Kathy - I got the same one!

Great animal pics and thanks for letting us know about the long walk at AKL.

Ugh at the lovebugs Looking forward to hearing all about the DIS meets.

 

[KatMark]

More great updates!! I think my favorites will be arriving shortly You took some really great pics, I have stolen quite a few of them!!

You can borrow any pictures you need. Yes, and your favorites from AKL will be coming up soon.

Kathy it IS because you are so sweet that those love bugs gravitate towards you. We have never been at that time of year that we had any problems with them. I guess we have lucked out.

What great pics you have of those animals. I would always be tempted to take pics. I think I take more pictures at AK than I do at any other park because of the animals.

Thanks, Doreen...but I rather they go "bug" someone else. The last couple fo Septembers have been fine, but not this one.

That pool area looks very nice. And I just love all the pictures of the giraffes! I can't wait to hear if y'all made it to Earl of Sandwich for dinner. That's one place I really want to try on our next trip. I still have to find time to go check out your dining review. Life is way too hectic & stressful right now...it's cutting into my DIS time. Ok, I'm going check out the dining review now before I have to do something more important but a whole lot less fun!

It was a great pool...we had a lot of fun, minus the bugs. I saw you joined the dining reviews.

Yuck! Love bugs! I have been fortunate to not experience those on any of our trips. I don't blame you for not wanting to hang by the pool with them all over the place.

They don't bite, but they are annoying.

Ms. Kat, what a lovely way to start your trip! Two days of just relaxing and enjoying your resort stay before hitting the ground running.
I too loved the hat, maybe it will be there when you go back next time. <crossing fingers> If I get to go next spring I'll be sure to look for it and snag it for you.

I'm curious as to how easily I can find someone willing to give up a couple of nights of their DVC points for Mackie and I (and hopefully my mom) to stay there. It's such a beautiful resort and if my mom gets to come with us, she won't want to leave the whole time we're there. She's not able to ride the safari ride due to her disabilities so I thought staying there could make up for not being able to see the animals out on the trial.

Hope you get to taste EOS, if not I hope you at least ate at WGPE. The food there is pretty darn yummy.

I think I've seen that hat several years in a row, so I hope it will be there next trip. Be sure to ask for a room near the lobby as it is a lot of walking.

EOS was great!

I have to say I have never experienced love bugs yet, and hope I never do. I did one year...amn yyears ago, take seat at MK waiting for family and I red fire ant bit me. Boy! that was not nice!
I love all your giraffe pictures. Something about giraffes just mesmorize me.

I got bit by a fire ant at Universal...definitely not fun.

Wait - You've NEVER been to EOS? Impossible!!!!

I'm with you on the distance rant. We also had a long walk when we stayed at Kidani. I didn't mind. But what I didn't like was coming back for the pool wet and being freezing in the AC till I could get in the room and grab more towels. I found that uncomfortable.

I also stopped and looked out every window. I absolutely loved that. Especially since I had to stay in a standard view villa, so I didn't have animals out my balcony 24/7.

I loved that place. Glad you had such a nice morning. Bugs, any bugs, love me too. I have always been cursed that way.

Nope, we had never been to EOS before this trip. As my dining review shows, we LOVED it.

The walk doesn't really bother me, but I just found it funny how people complain about Coronado!

The pool looks so nice, but ugh, I probably would have done the same thing and got out if the bugs were annoying me!

I love all of the animals you can see at AKL! Especially those giraffes, I love them so much, I don't think I'd be able to tear myself away!

As long as I was in the water, the bugs were fine; but the minute we sat in a chair -- UFH!

The giraffes have always been my favorite.

another wonderful update! I love the pictures of the animals. I too would have a hard time tearing myself away to go shower...and I too would want to shower after the lovebugs.

Thanks, Ann. I definitely needed a shower after the swarming lovebugs.

I experienced the love bugs too.

My first night I went over to the Poly, and the next morning I woke up with some welts.

Either it was at the Poly beach or something in the room.

I don't think the love bugs bite but they sure are annoying.

I wonder if it was those "sand bugs" I've read about? The lovebugs don't bite.

Hi, Kathy! I love the pictures from Kidani. Seeing the animals all the time must have been awesome. Breakfast at Boma when you're staying at the AKL always seems so convenient.

Kate, welcome back (can't wait to read all about your trip). Boma is worth going to even if you are NOT staying at AKL!

Caught up again! So many cute hat pics! I agree - you should have bought the hat you considered - looks great on you! Let me know if you want me to pick one up for you in about... 60 days!

I do think I need to consider our next stay at AK - it is beautiful! And seems peaceful aside from love bugs.

60 days and you'll be there? I'm telling you that you really should consider AKL.

 

[KatMark]

I left off with Mark coming back and hopping in the shower for our trip to DTD.
We got he car and drove to Downtown Disney and parked the car close to the back side of World of Disney. Passing through the pathway, we saw this:

A few more pictures on our way to dinner:

I thought this was different:

Outside Once Upon A Toy:

At this store, I found Mark's Old is Better than Dead t-shirt which we've been looking for the last couple of years. I was so happy to have finally found it.

Inside Once Upon a Toy:

We made our way to Earl of Sandwich for dinner and a DIS meet. We LOVED EofS and not sure why we never went before, but I know we will be back.

We met lovethattink (Michelle) and her son, Anakin, and we also met mom3sonstt (Tanya). We had a great dinner and a really nice visit. And Tanya saved me. Tim (that's nice) asked me to look for something for him and I had looked the day before and couldn't find it; the CM's even told me that they no longer had it but that we could order it with a phone call. Well, Tanya had seen it and actually purchased it and went with the store to show us where it was.

A couple of pictures from our DIS meet:

Mark and Anakin:

Tanya, Michelle and me:

Michelle, Anakin and Tanya -- it was a delight meeting you and thanks for coming to DTD so that we could meet.

Mark and I continued to do a little more shopping as we were waiting to hear from Mary (MaryAZ) as to when they would be at the pool at AKL for another DIS meet this day.

So, a shopping and hat trying on, we went:

The balloon was not going up the night before and at $18.00 a person, we weren't going up this night either:

I got a Pina Colada and Mark got a strawberry Slushie while we were waiting to hear from Mary:

As we exited DTD, I got this last picture:

Up next, swim time with the urchins.

 

[KatMark]

We got back to the resort around 6:30 or 6:45. Of course, I had to go out on the balcony and see what was happening:

We changed into our swimstuits and went to see our urchins. As a refresher, we meet Mary and her adorable girls, Cayley and Avery, last year while staying at the CSR. We hung out at the MK for EMH's that year, as well as hooking up the next afternoon at Epcot. We fell in love with all three of them and planned together for this year's trip, and planned even more time together.

We got to the pool and found a round table for the adults to hang out and put towels on two lounge chairs for the girls if they wanted them.

Here are some pictures from "pool time":

Mark and the girls getting used to the water:

The girls and Mark deciding whether or not they were going to go down the slide -- the girls, NOT Mark

After this picture, it was decided that Miss Kathy was the designated slide person and the three of us--Cayley, Avery and I headed to the slide. I went down twice. And NO...there are no pictures of this not pleasant sight. Mark said the last time I went down it he thought I was going to fly off of it.

The girls went down several more times with Mr. Mark watching them while I sat and talked to Mary and Jeff (Jeff is Mary's hubby).

I went around and took a couple of more photos:

We parted ways around 8:30 as the girls had flown in from Arizona and had to get some rest as we had a big morning planned the next day, and Mark and I had to pack for our transfer to the OKW resort the next day after that BIG morning.

Up next, our first park day.

 

[MaryAz]

The pics are not working!! Just little red xs

 

[KatMark]

The pics are not working!! Just little red xs

I can see the pictures on the thread, but I can't get back into Photobucket to update my dining reviews. All I can say is -- I HATE PHOTOBUCKET, and keep trying. Several pictures of your adorable girls.