We did the unthinkable!We Left the teenagers home: DH & I do Disney solo:update 1/15

[jennykay]

Jennykay -

Oopps - I mean only 7700 posts to catch up with LL. Hey - good luck with that! She is the poster supreme!

lol! 1 down, 7699 to go!

Can't wait to see your resort hopping pics - we haven't been able to do much of that. My kiddos don't really enjoy it

 

[Lady Lallie]

Jennykay -

Oopps - I mean only 7700 posts to catch up with LL. Hey - good luck with that! She is the poster supreme!

lol! 1 down, 7699 to go!

Pffft.

 

[MEK]

Pffft.

 

[MEK]

I will venture a guess - Beach Club - I'm thinking since you love the beach!

Your MVMCP sounds wonderful! When we went, we had just flown in and were on our way to cruise on the Magic the next day, so we were a little out of it. We couldn't find the cookies, didn't know what the show was, so we didn't watch it, but we did walk on several rides during the parades! We didn't watch the parade, the only bad part was getting stuck in frontierland by the parade crowds and ropes - we couldn't find the shortcuts across the park to get to the other lands. We do DL alot, so the differences sometimes confuse us.

Don't worry about he fireworks debacle! We all do our best, and no matter what you do, someone will be annoyed. You got some good pics - mine would have been all blurry. I know Punkin413 scopes out her spot way in advance, puts her tripod on a trash can and gets some awesome pics. I won't carry the tripod around, so I'll just have to enjoy other shots from better photographers.

Do you have pics of your resort tour? We are planning on visiting some other resorts in March. I was going to make ADRs at all resorts just to see them, but then I got turned off my some of the reviews, so we'll just look at some I guess.

Magic:

Good guess! Beach Club is actually where I am dying to stay. I wanted to stay there so bad this summer, but since we are so low on points I decided not to even try! I have been to BC a few times to eat and look around, so we decided to tour AKL. I figured it made sense since we will be staying there in June and I was hoping to get a glipse of the Kidani village. I also figured since we weren't doing the safari, we could at least see some animals at AK. And we did. Pics coming soon.

lol! 1 down, 7699 to go!

Can't wait to see your resort hopping pics - we haven't been able to do much of that. My kiddos don't really enjoy it

Kids definately do not enjoy resort hopping. Pool hopping - yes! Resort hopping - no!

 

[MEK]

Since we were skipping the AK park, I asked DH if he wanted to visit the AKL. I reminded him that this is where we would be staying this summer. Plus, I was looking forward to see some animals.

I've visited AKL twice before. Once was in 2006 when we ate at Boma for dinner. I loved dinner at boma - very good, especially the desserts. The other visit was in 2003. It was our first stay on site and we spent the week at POR. I wanted to see a deluxe resort so, during one of our afternoon park breaks, we visited AKL. All I remember is that I thought the lodge was very dark and I actually like POR better.

Well, today I fell in love with AKL. It really is a beautiful place and the "darkness" was soothing and relaxing. The lodge didn't seem very crowded and we took our time exploring.

Welcome Home!

Here is another small sitting area near the animal viewing area

Here is the entrance to AK from the animal viewing area

The animal viewing area

And, finally, the animals

How does this guy keep his head up?

There weren't very many people in the viewing area. We had the whole place to ourselves. It was great. After we had our fill of the animals, we went back into the main lounge to explore some more.

We found another small sitting area

 

[MEK]

We ventured out to the pool area

We found another animal viewing area near the pool

Dh and I decided to stay at AK and have lunch. Boma doesn't serve lunch, just breakfast and dinner. So we got some sandwiches at Mara and ate outside.

This little guy tried to join us for lunch

I took a few more pics, visited the gift shop, and decided we had time for one more resort visit before heading to the airport.

Another Christmas tree at Boma

I'm really excited to stay at AKLvillas this summer. We had a 2br booked for 5 nights, mid week. It is in the Kidani section which is due to open a month before we get there. Because we have to conserve points, I booked a standard view. It was another 40 or so points for Savanah view. With viewing areas like the ones I just showed you, I think I'll be OK with standard view. I will just take my cup of coffee to the closet viewing area. I'm not going to be too excited about a parking lot view, but I would love a pool view. I guess we'll see!

 

[nana2tots]

 

[nana2tots]

 

[sunny_stace]

Man I am super late to this party!! But I did get through the whole thing! Seems like you guys had a great time! Thanks for sharing your photos and stories! We went to MVMCP also but I missed the TTNBC show so I loved seeing the photos of that! And the pics of Cali Grill! I've never been, but I would like to!

Hopefully all was well with the kiddies back home! I think my parents left me alone for the first time when I was 15...yep, just before my 16th birthday...I do enjoy going as a childless adult, as you can still see the magic in the kids around you, but not have the extra stuff to worry about. But I do look forward to going with my future children someday! I'm glad you've enjoyed your trip thus far!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

MEK, you got some great animal shots at AKL! That was almost my guess! Funny, I remember my first impression of AKL being the same as yours - then I started seeing commercials of people sitting on their veranda watching the giraffes. I knew I had to be there watching the giraffes - I love giraffes! So last trip we did 2 nights there on DVC points - by far our favorite! I had two of my big guys right outside, entertaining me alot - it was a dream come true! I wish we had the budget to buy AKL points right now!

 

[MEK]

Hey nana2tots! Welcome!

Man I am super late to this party!! But I did get through the whole thing! Seems like you guys had a great time! Thanks for sharing your photos and stories! We went to MVMCP also but I missed the TTNBC show so I loved seeing the photos of that! And the pics of Cali Grill! I've never been, but I would like to!

Hopefully all was well with the kiddies back home! I think my parents left me alone for the first time when I was 15...yep, just before my 16th birthday...I do enjoy going as a childless adult, as you can still see the magic in the kids around you, but not have the extra stuff to worry about. But I do look forward to going with my future children someday! I'm glad you've enjoyed your trip thus far!

Hey Stace - Thanks for dropping in! Yeah, my trip as a childless adult was definately as magical as if I had kids. I don't think alot of adults realize just how great the world is sans the kids! I tell friends/coworkers all the time, but I don't think they believe me! Oh well!

 

[MEK]

MEK, you got some great animal shots at AKL! That was almost my guess! Funny, I remember my first impression of AKL being the same as yours - then I started seeing commercials of people sitting on their veranda watching the giraffes. I knew I had to be there watching the giraffes - I love giraffes! So last trip we did 2 nights there on DVC points - by far our favorite! I had two of my big guys right outside, entertaining me alot - it was a dream come true! I wish we had the budget to buy AKL points right now!

Hey Magic-

I loved taking pictures there - better than the safari! Glad to here AKL is your fav DVC. I am really hoping to like it alot and I hope that Kidani will make it possible to get future 7 month reservations. I think it would be a great place for another future adults only trip! My DH was pretty impressed with it. I remember thinking the model rooms were awesome, so I can't wait to stay in one!

 

[MEK]

I promise to finish my TR tonight. I think I am just dragging out because I want to get to 20 pages and I feel compelled to post all my pics.

I need to write my final post with my pictures. I took a bunch at the last resort we toured - CSR. I have never been to CSR and it is another place I have always wanted to stay. Every time I booked a promotion in the past, CSR was never available except for rack rate. I almost stayed there once, but it was more expensive because they only had water view. I just can't see paying for water view at the mods when: (1) you don't know what kind of view its going to be and (2) you often get upgraded to a water view anyway. So, I passed. I figured that was $ saved for more important things - like food and drink!

I have seen so many CSR pics from Buzz's website, that I knew I wanted to see it for myself. Plus CSR was close to AK and I knew we were getting dreadfully close to our airport departure time. I usually book the last flight of the day home, so I can spend the entire day at Disney. But since my kids were home alone, I wanted to see them before bed time. So I had a choice between a 3:30 flight and a 6pm flight. Logically, I took the earlier flight. So, do you think that flight left on time! Doh, No!

If you use Philly as your home airport, you probably already no that it is one of the WORST airports for on time flights! If flights are cheaper, I often fly from BWI. It may take me an extra 50 minutes to get there, but I have NEVER had a flight delay in and out of Baltimore. I guess I have just been lucky, but I do think BWI is the more efficient of the two airports. Last Jan, when I went solo, I booked the last flight back into BWI. The only thing bad about that was driving the Bay bridge in the dark with lane closures. That was scary. I kept having visions of landing in the Chesapeake!

So tonight I will post pictures of CSR and wrap this puppy up. Before I do, I would like to make a list of new things I did this trip. I would also like to ask for opinions re: my upcoming June trip. I will do that later today.

 

[ILuvCrush]

morning MEK!

I love the AKL pics! I can't wait to go home I am anxious to see how much nicer/different Kidani is compared to Jambo House.

I think you have only a 50-50 chance of having a 'parking lot view' and actually, I think its more a "street" view. If what I've gathered is correct, most parking in underneath the lodge. Plus there's no 'pool view' but the pool area takes up half the length of the building...so its abig non parking lot standard view!!!

Itsone of the reasons I like what I'm seeing at Kidani...nice views, even at standard views...saving the points!!!

Of curse, that said..Ihave a savanna view booked for Nov But I figured it's my first stay at MY NEW HOME,,,I want the full effect

Paula

 

[MEK]

morning MEK!

I love the AKL pics! I can't wait to go home I am anxious to see how much nicer/different Kidani is compared to Jambo House.

I think you have only a 50-50 chance of having a 'parking lot view' and actually, I think its more a "street" view. If what I've gathered is correct, most parking in underneath the lodge. Plus there's no 'pool view' but the pool area takes up half the length of the building...so its abig non parking lot standard view!!!

Itsone of the reasons I like what I'm seeing at Kidani...nice views, even at standard views...saving the points!!!

Of curse, that said..Ihave a savanna view booked for Nov But I figured it's my first stay at MY NEW HOME,,,I want the full effect

Paula

Hey Paula - good to know. I did hear it was a lot of underground parking. I forgot about that. I am OK with a street view. I would love savanah, but I want to recoop some of those 343 total points I used in 2008. I am going to be borrowing points for years to come, so I guess I'll never have to worry about the banking deadline. I think it was about a 40 point difference between standard and savanah. What I found interesting was that 5 nights midweek in Kidani standard view was actually fewer points than SSR. Atleast I know I will have a brand, spanking new villa. The 2BR's are so awesome! They really raise the bar for all future accomodation comparisons.

BTW - you probably already know about this already, but my DVC friend at work told me about this program by Caskbill that you can download for free on your computer. It calculates all point stays and goes well into the 2011 year. It's really handy and I recommend it, if you don't already have it!

 

[ILuvCrush]

BTW - you probably already know about this already, but my DVC friend at work told me about this program by Caskbill that you can download for free on your computer. It calculates all point stays and goes well into the 2011 year. It's really handy and I recommend it, if you don't already have it!

I hadn't seen that!! where can I find it???

 

[MEK]

I hadn't seen that!! where can I find it???

Just google it-caskbill - I don't know if I have the exact spelling right,but you should be able to find it quickly. I found it pretty easily. It plays, "Do you believe in Magic". Very handy tool and very user friendly. Now I don't have to make my own point charts!

 

[Lady Lallie]

MEK! How did I miss your update this morning? Oh I know! Pesky work has been very busy today.

I really love that your toured the resorts on your last day. I'm thinking with our car down there, that we will have the time do this one day and I am really looking forward to it!

 

[kschafer]

Hey MEK, here to help you get to 20 pages

I'm excited to see your pics and hear your impression of CSR. It's my resort choice for gnomefest.

 

[jennykay]

Pffft.

tee-hee! I know I'm not catching up!

You know, I thought the same thing you did about AKL - dark!! The commercials do look great, but I didn't think I would like it. Of course, we just poked around inside after dinner at Boma, and I was a bit cranky (still a bit wet from Kali, and I had monthly visitor - in Disney! rude little bugger!) but still my only memory of the lodge is *dark*.

It doesn't look so dark in your pictures, though, and your animal pics are great! DS love, love, loves animals, so now I know we'll have to stay there someday! (I guess I'll go break the news to dh - time to start moonlighting!)