We've booked!

[lojo]

Okay, so I know there's many veterans on this board who are going to think the fact that we've booked is ho hum.

But to me, this is time to get silly excited, smile for no reason and just damned thrilled. DH is happy but isn't the chat for the sake of it type of guy, so I have to 'talk' to someone.

It's only taken us two months to make up our mind about accommodation, so I'd better start drawing up ADRs immediately!

After a LOT of mulling, we're doing 18 nights in OKW (with free dining), followed by 3 nights in a savannah view DVC studio in Animal Kingdom (dining OOP unfortunately).

I can guarantee that I will have a bucket load of questions, and will be inhaling other people's questions too, just in case there's something I miss. And those of you who have stayed in OKW and AK should be ready for serious interrogation.

We originally wanted to include a couple of nights at Universal, but their room prices for January weren't available and I got too impatient to wait.

I think I need a serious amount of caffeine now as I intend to read everything ever written about above resorts and more.

Jambo!

 

[zippy99]

I don't think anyone on here thinks making a booking is 'ho hum' !

Happy planning and get as excited as you want

 

[DisFanJen]

I'll be going this September on what is my 15th trip I think (count my sig and add two to be exact, I always lose count).

But I can tell you it's still a 'woohoo' moment when I finish booking the flights on the Virgin website and do that call with DVC member services.

Congrats on getting it all booked!



EDIT:

You booked two of my favourite (and most visited) resorts!

Feel free to throw questions at me. Oh, and Turtle Pond is a really nice place to stay at OKW. It's a bit out of the way but next to one of the smaller pools (and hot tub, never forget the hot tub... )

 

[lojo]

Thanks guys.

Just realised I can do the single digit dance (9 months till 24th January 2013).

Actually, if I were a bit slimmer and a lot more yellow, that little guy looks just like me right now.

Good to know our choices are good.

Questions will most definitely follow......

 

[wayneg]

My 2 fav resorts also.
Enjoy your planning

 

[Figaro's paws]

Yay! I dont htink its 'ho hum' at all and am always excited about disney! We have just booked for May 2013 and I cant wait!

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

It's always great to book a trip

 

[Lisa x]

It's so exciting to get booked

We bought into DVC last October and will be using it for the first time in 67 days staying 12 nights at AKL Kidani Savannah view and 2 nights BLT MK view room! Can't wait, will let you know all about AKL when I return

Enjoy the planning!

 

[Pootle]

DH is happy but isn't the chat for the sake of it type of guy, so I have to 'talk' to someone.

Jambo!

Oh I know exactly what you mean

Congratulations on booking. I've loved 'my' OKW for 14 years now (30+ stays) so I hope you enjoy it

 

[lojo]

Thanks all - knew I could rely on Disers to encourage my exuberance.

So.... just so I don't forget anything, next on the agenda is:

ESTAs
Book ME
Book car parking at airport
Send room preferences to hotels
Read until my eyes roll back in my head.
Spend three months deciding where we're going to eat in nine months time!

Given that I never decide what I want in a restaurant until the waiter/waitress is bearing down on me with an expectant look, that last one is going to be challenging.

What else?

 

[torsie24]

Booking is never ho hum!!! It's one of the best parts!!!

Not stayed at OKW but have stayed twice at AKL. Once in a normal hotel room and once in a DVC studio. Both arusha savannah view in Jambo house.

We much preferred the villa!

I will talk about AKL all day loooong so any questions interrogate away!! Xxx

 

[lojo]

Hi Torsie

Just read and enjoyed your wedding trip report last week!

Any tips, observations or anything else you care to share about Animal Kingdom would be much appreciated. It's a studio in Jambo we've booked - what floor were you on (5th?) Is it right that all DVC villas are on 5th and 6th floors, with Concierge taking all 6th floor?

Can't find much info about the gym, spa or the shop at AKL, so anything you can tell/show would be great.

 

[DisFanJen]

Thanks all - knew I could rely on Disers to encourage my exuberance.

So.... just so I don't forget anything, next on the agenda is:

ESTAs
Book ME
Book car parking at airport
Send room preferences to hotels
Read until my eyes roll back in my head.
Spend three months deciding where we're going to eat in nine months time!

Given that I never decide what I want in a restaurant until the waiter/waitress is bearing down on me with an expectant look, that last one is going to be challenging.

What else?

One thing. Have you thought about getting a rental car?

One of the few downsides of both OKW and AKL is that they are pretty out of the way. I'd be lost without a car to get about. And of course it gives you the ability to pop to those places that are outside of the magical Disney bubble.

As to food, you're staying at AKL so I'd definitely visit the AKL restaurants, Boma (great for breakfast), Jiko for the upmarket experience and Sanaa (one of my favs).

 

[irenep]

Great news!
I am sure you will have a fantastic time
I have stayed in both resorts and managed fine without a car. I couldn't fault the bus service at OKW at all but AK was a bit unreliable at times and agree with PP that having a car would give you a bit more flexibility and independence - especially if you have ADRs at resorts or DTD.

 

[lojo]

We considered getting a car, but decided against even though the resorts aren't particularly central.

Boma, Jiko and Sanaa are three definites on our increasingly humongous list of possibilities.

We're both fish eating vegetarians, who love spicy exotic food, so the offerings at above look like they will suit us very well.

 

[wayneg]

One thing. Have you thought about getting a rental car?

One of the few downsides of both OKW and AKL is that they are pretty out of the way. I'd be lost without a car to get about. And of course it gives you the ability to pop to those places that are outside of the magical Disney bubble.

I would be lost at any resort without a car.

 

[zippy99]

We hired a car for the first time last year (as offsite) - cannot believe i managed trips without one before.

We are back on site this year but looking forward to having a car - we were always walking to the garage opposite DTD to get some beers (around $14 for 18 cans from hess) much cheaper than the $6 each paid in resort. Aside from that we like to eat at other resorts and it can always be a pain getting to these through a combination of buses.

I am a little scared of driving from the airport as my friend did that last year but i'm sure i'll manage!

 

[wayneg]

I am a little scared of driving from the airport as my friend did that last year but i'm sure i'll manage!

You will manage it is easy but there is another option, Caronthedrive.com gets very good reviews. They are waiting at the airport to take you to your hotel/villa where they have hire car for you. For me its too expensive, £720 compared to £480(with extra drivers & gas) but for others the difference is minimal.

 

[torsie24]

We've never rented a car, and can't talk for OKW but have never found transport from AKL anything other than wonderful.

Sometimes DTD can feel a bit of a long journey. But you'll be very close to DTD at OKW so you might not need to do that journey from AKL. And even if you do it's a Disney bus and really isn't bad.

Next trip we'll hopefully be taking a baby and will still do the same staying at AKL with no car and won't worry about transport. So I think that's a good indication of how great we think the transport it.

And now we've stayed at 2 monorail resorts and the Boardwalk which is very central. We actually think transport was in general much easier from AKL.

Of course a 2 minute monorail journey to MK or a 5 minute walk to EPCOT wins over a bus journey. But the buses at those resorts were slower than the AKL buses and all shared with each other where AKL doesn't.

You'll have a great trip!

Oh and we LOVE Jiko. Bola dinner is wonderful. And my parents rave about Sanaa.

The shop in AKL (Zawadi Marketplace) is fabulous. We love it!

 

[Lisa x]

We've never rented a car, and can't talk for OKW but have never found transport from AKL anything other than wonderful.

Sometimes DTD can feel a bit of a long journey. But you'll be very close to DTD at OKW so you might not need to do that journey from AKL. And even if you do it's a Disney bus and really isn't bad.

Next trip we'll hopefully be taking a baby and will still do the same staying at AKL with no car and won't worry about transport. So I think that's a good indication of how great we think the transport it.

And now we've stayed at 2 monorail resorts and the Boardwalk which is very central. We actually think transport was in general much easier from AKL.

Of course a 2 minute monorail journey to MK or a 5 minute walk to EPCOT wins over a bus journey. But the buses at those resorts were slower than the AKL buses and all shared with each other where AKL doesn't.

You'll have a great trip!

Oh and we LOVE Jiko. Bola dinner is wonderful. And my parents rave about Sanaa.

The shop in AKL (Zawadi Marketplace) is fabulous. We love it!

Totally loving your raving AKL reviews, its going to be our first time onsite this year and were staying at AKL Kidani, was wondering about the transport for when we want to have a drink and not take the car, so really pleased with what you have posted! Thank you