We returned last night after 8 nights in rainy, hot, humid, crowded Orlando! 
This was our first June trip and I honestly don't know how you people can do summer trips! Our kids are 4 & 8 and we all had a tough time with the heat and crowds. And combine that with the rain and humidity and wearing poncho's as a second skin it was not too pleasant.
Not to sound like we had a bad time, which we actually had a good time! It helped that we have been several times so we did not feel the need to see and do everything. We hope to go back in November so we used the reasoning - we'll just do that in the fall.
We stayed the first 4 nights at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and I can't say enough good things about this resort! OMG! Even if you never plan to stay there, try to find some time to visit. Their attention to detail is incredible. We stayed concierge level and had a great savannah view. We were on the Kudo trail and had lots of those cattle thingies, which DD4 called the horn-heads. We loved seeing the giraffes and zebras.
I know there has been a lot of talk about concierge on these boards and what it is and what it is not. The concierge offerings are NOT the same at all Disney resorts. We have now stayed concierge at the YC, Polynesian, AKL & BWI and the Polynesian and AKL are FAR superior in their food offerings and quantity of food offered. We have had wonderful SERVICE at all resorts, but the FOOD is much better at AKL & Polynesian. Just my opinion.
While at the AKL we went on the sunrise safari and that was a wonderful experience. Lots of animals and behind the scenes information. We also left the kids at Simba's Cubhouse one night while DH & I had dinner at Boma's. Great meal! The kids were upset when we picked them up after only 2 hours (and $40) later.
Half-way through we switched over to the Boardwalk Inn. BIG disappointment in the change of food offerings at the concierge - or "coffee hair" as DD4 calls it. The lounge is also not as"kid friendly" and we tended to just go in and get something and leave - whereas at the AKL it was so comfy & cozy we liked to linger there with food and drinks. One evening we even stayed to watch A Bug's Life.
The SERVICE and location of the BWI was fabulous. Everyone was friendly and we had no complaints. We had a view of EPCOT and could see the fireworks from our balcony.
Other things worth mentioning....one time when we were on space ship earth it broke down and we had to walk out. That was kinda cool! Everyone says to use fast-pass and it IS a good thing, but you still have to wait HOURS to get back to your ride. One day we had fp's for test track for SEVEN HOURS later. We did go back and only DS & I got to ride because of the weather. We had to wait and wait and wait inside while they kept watching an approaching storm. When they finally let us go the ride wasn't the same (they kept slowing us down) and when we got outside we got hit with POURING rain. When we were done they greeted us with - thanks for riding splash mountain 2!
Our 16th anniversary was 6/21 and we did the re-hitchin ceremony at The Garden Grill. Ha! I didn't know I could still blush! AND........we had a WONDERFUL surprise with a Mickey & Minnie postcard and anniversary wishes from CBer Town Crier who we missed. Thanks again, TC!!!!
At the AKL they gave us a heart-shaped paper box with his & hers perfume samples for an anniversary gift which we thought was very nice.
We ate at the sci-fi theatre for the first time and really liked it. Did Teppanyaki as usual and liked it as usual. Ate at the Princess Storybook breakfast in Norway and that was fun. Took the kids to Typhoon Lagoon and they had a BLAST. We spent a lot of time at the pool at both resorts - most times in the rain. The kids loved the slides.
We did have a good time but it is also good to be back home. Our cats and birds missed us and we are trying to get back on track today. I have a suitcase full of laundry to do and other things to catch up with. If you have any questions I'd love to answer them!
Jill
This was our first June trip and I honestly don't know how you people can do summer trips! Our kids are 4 & 8 and we all had a tough time with the heat and crowds. And combine that with the rain and humidity and wearing poncho's as a second skin it was not too pleasant.Not to sound like we had a bad time, which we actually had a good time! It helped that we have been several times so we did not feel the need to see and do everything. We hope to go back in November so we used the reasoning - we'll just do that in the fall.
We stayed the first 4 nights at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and I can't say enough good things about this resort! OMG! Even if you never plan to stay there, try to find some time to visit. Their attention to detail is incredible. We stayed concierge level and had a great savannah view. We were on the Kudo trail and had lots of those cattle thingies, which DD4 called the horn-heads. We loved seeing the giraffes and zebras.
I know there has been a lot of talk about concierge on these boards and what it is and what it is not. The concierge offerings are NOT the same at all Disney resorts. We have now stayed concierge at the YC, Polynesian, AKL & BWI and the Polynesian and AKL are FAR superior in their food offerings and quantity of food offered. We have had wonderful SERVICE at all resorts, but the FOOD is much better at AKL & Polynesian. Just my opinion.
While at the AKL we went on the sunrise safari and that was a wonderful experience. Lots of animals and behind the scenes information. We also left the kids at Simba's Cubhouse one night while DH & I had dinner at Boma's. Great meal! The kids were upset when we picked them up after only 2 hours (and $40) later.
Half-way through we switched over to the Boardwalk Inn. BIG disappointment in the change of food offerings at the concierge - or "coffee hair" as DD4 calls it. The lounge is also not as"kid friendly" and we tended to just go in and get something and leave - whereas at the AKL it was so comfy & cozy we liked to linger there with food and drinks. One evening we even stayed to watch A Bug's Life.
The SERVICE and location of the BWI was fabulous. Everyone was friendly and we had no complaints. We had a view of EPCOT and could see the fireworks from our balcony.
Other things worth mentioning....one time when we were on space ship earth it broke down and we had to walk out. That was kinda cool! Everyone says to use fast-pass and it IS a good thing, but you still have to wait HOURS to get back to your ride. One day we had fp's for test track for SEVEN HOURS later. We did go back and only DS & I got to ride because of the weather. We had to wait and wait and wait inside while they kept watching an approaching storm. When they finally let us go the ride wasn't the same (they kept slowing us down) and when we got outside we got hit with POURING rain. When we were done they greeted us with - thanks for riding splash mountain 2!
Our 16th anniversary was 6/21 and we did the re-hitchin ceremony at The Garden Grill. Ha! I didn't know I could still blush!
AND........we had a WONDERFUL surprise with a Mickey & Minnie postcard and anniversary wishes from CBer Town Crier who we missed. Thanks again, TC!!!! At the AKL they gave us a heart-shaped paper box with his & hers perfume samples for an anniversary gift which we thought was very nice.
We ate at the sci-fi theatre for the first time and really liked it. Did Teppanyaki as usual and liked it as usual. Ate at the Princess Storybook breakfast in Norway and that was fun. Took the kids to Typhoon Lagoon and they had a BLAST. We spent a lot of time at the pool at both resorts - most times in the rain. The kids loved the slides.
We did have a good time but it is also good to be back home. Our cats and birds missed us and we are trying to get back on track today. I have a suitcase full of laundry to do and other things to catch up with. If you have any questions I'd love to answer them!
Jill
