VWL Groupies & Lovers Thread (Special Collectors Edition 2.5) updated 2 February 2025

[hhisc16]

Was it an actual fire or did someone burn something while cooking and it set the sprinklers off?

I am not sure.
Could not get an answer.

 

[sleepydog25]

Day 2 of our trip started and ended on the balcony watching animals. In between? We did the Wild Africa Trek. What a hoot! While pricey, we thought it was worth the cost for the uniqueness and intimacy of the experience as there can't be huge groups due to the harness system they employ. We had 12 in our group which I believe may be the most that the tour can handle at one time. For those who don't know about the Trek, it's 3 hours, roughly 2 of which you're walking/hiking through parts of the savanna. You stop often to gaze at various creatures such as hippos and crocodiles with lots of cool background info on said animals. It's not a strenuous walk by any means, but it is warm, involves mild up/down hill walking over roots and such, and traverses 2 suspension bridges made to look like something out of an Indiana Jones movie, though they're completely safe. After the walk, you load onto a private tour truck--similar to the Safari vehicles only smaller--and drive through more of the savanna for a short while before stopping for lunch. The food is very filling and quite tasty, not to mention having some Jambo Juice to wash it all down. Then, you load onto the truck for few more animal sightings (this truck sometimes takes alternate roads and stops as the guides relate information to you) before arriving back at the starting point of the Trek. That night, we went to one of my favorite places: Morimoto Asia. Everything I've had there has been excellent, but I'm usually drawn to the buri bop and that night was no different. Topnotch food and lovely service. Such a fun day!

 

[TCRAIG]

Happy Fourth of July to All!

 

[wildernessDad]

Happy Fourth of July to All!

Happy Fourth of July!

 

[wildernessDad]

Hello, all. I hope all of you are well. We're still a stone's throw away from our lovely Lodge, but I do miss Maryland. So, we'll see what happens. I have to run in a bit to buy food. Friday is my food day. I'm too lazy to go to the stores more than once a week, so I plan the meals. Poor Toni, my wife. She has to suffer with me, who has been retired for a few years now. My specialty in work was control systems. I guess I like controlling the stuff at home too. Sorry Toni. In May, we stayed 2 nights at Island Tower. It was nice. We have points at VWL and Animal Kingdom. We're staying club level there in October and we're hitting Kidani for 2 nights over Thanksgiving. And we're staying at VWL from 12/7 - 12/11. Would have liked to have stayed more at VWL, but I was stupid and booked too late.

 

[TCRAIG]

I’m still waiting listed for 12/8…and I scour availability constantly…hoping a room opens up closer to December.

 

[jimmytammy]

Happy Independence Day folks!!

 

[sleepydog25]

I failed to mention a fun part of Day 2. We arrived around 9:15 at AK, and my wife Jessica hadn't been in the park before. So, we walked around a fair amount looking at smaller details and walking through the gorilla exhibit area. We were early enough to catch EE as a standby only to find it had broken down moments earlier with no known reopening time. While there, I did notice that whole amphitheater on the water area still seems more or less abandoned. Does anyone know if they put on shows there anymore? Last I remember, they hadn't done shows there for years. Anyway, we walked back toward Africa to grab a quick bite at Starbucks when I realized Nomad Lounge was opening at 1030, so we stepped right into line and were seated quickly. We had a superb early lunch with their small charcuterie plate and a couple of drinks. Overhead fans kept the temperature breezy and cool, and the food/drinks were excellent. We finished just in time to walk the 5 minutes to our scheduled Trek. I'm glad I remembered that hidden gem of a bar.

Days 3 and 4 were fairly similar to each other in that we didn't venture out much. We did head over to The Boathouse for an early lunch on the former whilst dining at Sanaa for an early lunch on the latter. And both days, we spent some time at the pool. See? They're sibling days! The Boathouse has long been a favorite of mine, but after several years of not dining there, I wasn't sure what to expect, and Jessica had never eaten there. Thankfully, it was just as good as I remembered. We sat outside next to the water and had two exceptional servers, Brynli and Enrique. Can't say enough about how wonderful they were. And the food was excellent, especially my meal which was an appetizer--the beef carpaccio. I've not had better over the years, and it still was topnotch. Back to the room after lunch, and we headed to the pool for a nap. Yes, really. Warm, full, in the shade with a small breeze? Snooze time. Dinner was leftovers from previous meals.

Our last full day, Day 4, and as mentioned, it was similar to Day 3, only we walked to Sanaa vice driving to Disney Springs. As always, Sanaa was tremendous. Also, per SOP, we had the bread service--I mean, what's not to love about it? Our server, Carson, was an absolute gem. She was funny, timely, and offered us lots of laughs along with superb service. At one point, we asked if we could talk to her mgr (or shift mgr, at least), and she got a wonky look on her face. We assured her that it was to brag about her, so she snagged the shift/floor mgr and brought her over. We started telling this person that we simply had to acknowledge the great service, and the mgr feigned worry that Carson was in trouble. . .again. Truly. Carson proceeds to tell us that she had just been in the office being counseled for some unknown issue or infraction. We all laughed because she was an absolute doll with us: she had a bit of a wiseacre slant to her humor (like you'd find at Whispering Canyon, perhaps), but was a true delight. The entirety of lunch was another memory we'll have for years to come. Again, after lunch, we hit the pool only to be tossed out after half an hour due to lightning in the area. Next best option? Sit at the Maji Pool Bar and have a drink while chatting to yet another engaging CM, the bartender, Bee. He was a real hoot and quite efficient, so we got to know him a little better. In short, he had been with Disney for a dozen years, once held a mgmt position, but jumped at the chance to become a bartender at Maji. In his words, it was more money and far less stress, and he loves the interaction with guests.

So, the last two evenings of Days 3 & 4, we spent on the balcony watching the giraffes, zebras, gnus, ostriches, and more. This interaction is what will keep us coming back to AKL Kidani. . .well, that and the second bathroom in a 1BR suite. And that was our trip--lots of good food, tremendous service all around, viewing animals, and hanging out at the room with quick trips to AK and twice to Disney Springs. Relaxing? You bet. It's nice to come home feeling refreshed. Not sure when we'll get back to the World, as it's not on our radar for next year, but we'll relish this trip for some time to come.

 

[bluecastle]

Thanks for the great trip report and photos, Patrick! Sounds like exactly the kind of trip my DH and I would love, but our DGD would never forgive us if we went to WDW without her!
I love Sanaa. We had breakfast there twice on our Kidani trip. there is an egg dish that I just fell in love with. I love the spices there and at Boma.
One little thing, I think you meant Nomad Lounge, not Tambu. We love Nomad and on our adults only trips have spent a lot of time there.

 

[sleepydog25]

Thanks for the great trip report and photos, Patrick! Sounds like exactly the kind of trip my DH and I would love, but our DGD would never forgive us if we went to WDW without her!
I love Sanaa. We had breakfast there twice on our Kidani trip. there is an egg dish that I just fell in love with. I love the spices there and at Boma.
One little thing, I think you meant Nomad Lounge, not Tambu. We love Nomad and on our adults only trips have spent a lot of time there.

Yes! Nomad!! I'm sure people were going . I've since corrected it on my original post. Thanks!! Nomad Lounge has long been a must do whenever I've been in AK, and as with many things Disney, it was Jessica's first time there. She loved it, as well.

A few quick notes and random pictures to close out our adventure. . .
1. Our room was in the Zazu section, just as it was last year. We actually like that section as it's a much closer walk to Jambo. HOWEVER, in the lone annoyance about our trip, the Zazu elevator was inoperable so in loading and unloading the car, we had to find the nearest elevator--Timon, I believe--and walk all the way back to Zazu. When we left, we did haul the suitcases down to Timon and then I drove the car to them. While bothersome, this situation is as Jessica likes to say, a "first world problem." So true.
2. We simply love the theming of Kidani bedrooms. I'm afraid with any impending refurb that such classic details such as the furniture and tile in the bathrooms, et. al., will disappear, much like charm that went away when VWL did a huge refurb many years ago. If I want bland, slick looking walls and furniture, then I can book a Wyndham or Hilton room. I'm afraid we'll miss such things as the hooves acting as table legs (which I'd never noticed before).

3. We did not get to the beloved Lodge nor, obviously, Geyser Point. It was in the plan, but we remained flexible based on how we felt. The menu at GP just didn't hit us well with all the heat at the time--it's a bit heavy-handed. Our replacement was The Boathouse which had far more to offer and also gave us water views. Besides which, we could make a reservation there. Further, at AKL, at least, each day starting around lunch and lasting much of the afternoon, there was a sign at the entrance saying guests had to have either a resort or dining reservation to enter--I assumed they'd have the same at WL and GP doesn't allow reservations, of course. Could we have gotten in? Maybe, but why worry about it when you have The Boathouse at your beck and call?
4. We do have one more trip this summer, and it's kinda Disney related. We'll be in HHI within the next week or so, though not at the resort since rooms there are as tough to get during the summer as rooms at WL during the holidays. But, we're right across the water at Shelter Cove so we'll wander over for a Mickey waffle or two.

Until the next trip. . .

 

[bluecastle]

I’m so glad I took lots of pictures the last time we were at Kidani. I love those hooves! And the carvings on the furniture. And the bathroom tiles!! I really hope they don’t end up bland with tiny details instead of a real sense of being in a highly themed environment.

 

[hhisc16]

Yes! Nomad!! I'm sure people were going . I've since corrected it on my original post. Thanks!! Nomad Lounge has long been a must do whenever I've been in AK, and as with many things Disney, it was Jessica's first time there. She loved it, as well.

A few quick notes and random pictures to close out our adventure. . .
1. Our room was in the Zazu section, just as it was last year. We actually like that section as it's a much closer walk to Jambo. HOWEVER, in the lone annoyance about our trip, the Zazu elevator was inoperable so in loading and unloading the car, we had to find the nearest elevator--Timon, I believe--and walk all the way back to Zazu. When we left, we did haul the suitcases down to Timon and then I drove the car to them. While bothersome, this situation is as Jessica likes to say, a "first world problem." So true.
2. We simply love the theming of Kidani bedrooms. I'm afraid with any impending refurb that such classic details such as the furniture and tile in the bathrooms, et. al., will disappear, much like charm that went away when VWL did a huge refurb many years ago. If I want bland, slick looking walls and furniture, then I can book a Wyndham or Hilton room. I'm afraid we'll miss such things as the hooves acting as table legs (which I'd never noticed before).
View attachment 980869
3. We did not get to the beloved Lodge nor, obviously, Geyser Point. It was in the plan, but we remained flexible based on how we felt. The menu at GP just didn't hit us well with all the heat at the time--it's a bit heavy-handed. Our replacement was The Boathouse which had far more to offer and also gave us water views. Besides which, we could make a reservation there. Further, at AKL, at least, each day starting around lunch and lasting much of the afternoon, there was a sign at the entrance saying guests had to have either a resort or dining reservation to enter--I assumed they'd have the same at WL and GP doesn't allow reservations, of course. Could we have gotten in? Maybe, but why worry about it when you have The Boathouse at your beck and call?
4. We do have one more trip this summer, and it's kinda Disney related. We'll be in HHI within the next week or so, though not at the resort since rooms there are as tough to get during the summer as rooms at WL during the holidays. But, we're right across the water at Shelter Cove so we'll wander over for a Mickey waffle or two.

Until the next trip. . .
View attachment 980870
View attachment 980871View attachment 980872View attachment 980873

Glad you enjoyed your WDW trip!
Enjoy your HHI trip!

 

[sleepydog25]

Holy moly, Groupies! I go on vacation and not a single post for 9 days? I had to go to, gulp, the second page of the DVC Resorts forum to find us. Slackers!

So, I'm here to get us back on the first page of the forum with a quick note that we're back from HHI where we had lovely trip. Our friends had never visited, so it was a great experience for them to see dolphins, alligators, all manners of wading/marine birds, the ocean, the resort (we visited briefly as we were across the water in a condo in Shelter Cove), and the Tuesday night fireworks--our suite's main balcony sat facing the deep water mouth to the marina and the Disney resort! Here's a link to a lengthier discussion if you're interested.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/h...rs-group-thread.3836805/page-98#post-66259936

Now, let's get back on our chats, folks!

 

[jimmytammy]

Sounds like lots of fun Sleepy!
Your AKL trip sounded like it was a blast too

Sorry, I have been on hiatus lately. Work has been kicking my tail and the heat too. We’ve had way more rain than usual, to the point where we are on high alert for flooding everyday.

But right now I’m on higher ground at Beech Mt in NC! One of my happy places among others like VWL and WDW

 

[sleepydog25]

Sounds like lots of fun Sleepy!
Your AKL trip sounded like it was a blast too

Sorry, I have been on hiatus lately. Work has been kicking my tail and the heat too. We’ve had way more rain than usual, to the point where we are on high alert for flooding everyday.

But right now I’m on higher ground at Beech Mt in NC! One of my happy places among others like VWL and WDWView attachment 985546

A bit cooler up here in the mountains, too, JT!

 

[jimmytammy]

Look at these coasters!!

 

[sleepydog25]

Here are a few pics from our trip to HHI