"Visiting Home" for the First Time - A PTR ... And Now a TR!!!

[joelp]

We had a car because the DW's cousin drove from Tampa and stayed with us Saturday night into Sunday ... (we didn't rent one ...)

She actually met us at AKV-Kidani Saturday morning and parked her car there - then we all took the bus to DTD for lunch and shopping - and while we took the bus back to AKV that afternoon to go swimming, my wife's cousin took a bus to the Contemporary and then walked over to the MK for a night of fun ... and then she took the bus back to AKV-Kidani when she was "funned out" ...

In all of our trips where we've stayed at AKL/AKV, the busses have not been a problem (although it does seem to take a bit longer to get to the MK ...).

And amazingly, this past weekend - whether it was a bus, boat or monorail - we seemed to have one pull up within a minute of us arriving at the "stop" ...

[joelp]

[... I wish I had a penny for every leaf I've raked in the past 2 weeks! ]

I have an hour or so before picking the DD up at school, so let's get this TR offically started ...

Thursday - Nov 15

The DW and I picked the DD up at school around 3:00 pm and zipped down the Garden State Parkway to AC International Airport, parked on the 3rd floor of the parking garage, walked 50 feet to the elevator, down 3 flights, and walked another 200-or-so feet into the terminal ...
[Yea - it's easy flying out of AC ...]

The DD and I grabbed a couple hot dogs for dinner, while the DW got a turkey wrap to eat on the plane (which would be a mistake - the DW's tummy did not feel 100% for about 24 hours after that ... ) Let's just say that when we fly down to WDW next November, we'll be eating at the Parkway rest area or bringing sandwiches with us ...

While waiting for our flight, I ran into a co-worker who just happened to be taking the same flight (if you're reading this: hi Ruth!!)

Incredibly smooth flight and landing (a major plus considering the DW's stomach ...)

Had a nice monorail ride to the terminal, picked up our single checked bag, and - lo and behold - the ME entance was right below the Spirit baggage claim!! ... so another 100 foot walk and we were in the ME line ...

AKV-Kidani is the last stop on the ME ride - but we did get to get a glimpse of the Art of Animation resort, all 3 All-Star resorts, and Jambo House ... So, as I predicted, we walked up to the check-in counter at about 10 pm to our first "Welcome Home" as DVC members!!




The Kidani lobby is not as impressive as Jambo House (what is???), but it is very nice, has a few little quirks, and has a very "homey" feel to it.

I had done on-line check-in, and it worked like a breeze. I had also requested a Sunset Savanna View villa - and was pleased to get that. I had forgotten to request a lower floor room - but we got that anyway (2nd floor - no stairs or elevators!! ) But we were way - and I mean waaay - out there in the boondocks - Room 7668 ... the second-to-last "bead" on the Kidani "necklace" (yes - I know that is redundant ...)

So we checked out the gift shopped - and picked up some cream cheese and OJ for breakfast (I had packed some bagels and other munchies) - and then started the trek to our room ...

Although I had seen picture of a 1BR Kidani Villa - it is much more impressive "in person" ... There is sooooo much more room than a "regular" room at the AKL ...

And a king-sized bed:




The DD went crazy when she saw the whirlpool tub ...

We checked out the savanna, and caught a glimpse of some zebras, but really couldn't see much ...

The DD found the Disney Channels channels on the TV (her #1 priority ... ) ... and then it was off to bed.

And the DD was VERY happy to have her own "bedroom" and bed (the sleeper couch) and TV ... But I set one rule: she couldn't turn on the TV in the morning until she had seen at least two types of animals in the savanna ... Which wasn't a problem at all - because as soon as the sun came up, a "herd" of zebras and a couple of Ankole cattle were just outside our window ...








And there was also a flock of East African Crowned Cranes off to our left (but I couldn't get a good picture that first morning ...)

We had quick showers (the DD wanted to use the whirlpool tub, but I knew we would never get her out of there if she did! ...)

And then it was back to the Kidani lobby to catch our taxi to Universal Islands of Adventure ... checking out the sights through the numerous savanna overlooks along the way.

Now - I may be wrong - but when we checked in Thursday night, I don't remember the Kidani lobby being decorated for Christmas. In particular, I don't remember seeing the big Christmas tree ... But there it was to greet us Friday morning ...

Next up: Friday - Novemeber 16 - and Islands of Adventure!!

[MomToPrincePhillip]

Hi there, I've just found your report and I'm enjoying it! I love hearing about all your 1st time DVC moments, as DVC ownership is a dream for DH and I, maybe one day...Thanks for sharing!

[Thumper4me]

I am looking forward to your review of Islands of Adventure and Harry Potter. We are looking at doing "that park" sometime next year.

[joelp]

We interrupt the Trip Report with an important message (and a new PTR):

We just booked our next trip to WDW - "Jersey Week" in 2013, with a stay at AKV-Jambo!

We'll be celebrating the DD's 10th birthday at the Animal Kingdom ...

We now return you to our currently scheduled Trip Report ...

That is all ...

[joelp]

Originally Posted by Thumper4me

I am looking forward to your review of Islands of Adventure and Harry Potter. We are looking at doing "that park" sometime next year.

As soon as I find the time to load up the pictures, I'll be happy to oblige ...

[BCV23]

I'm enjoying your TR and


Welcome Home Neighbor!!!




Congrats on being set for next November.

[joelp]

I have some free time tonight ... Why?

Because it's the DD's opening night for "Scrooge: A Christmas Carol", and the DW and I are taking turns going to the performances (I'm on tap tomorrow night ...):




That's the DD and Mr. Scrooge himself having a little conversation ...

So back to Florida ...

When I last left off, we were in the AKV-Kidani lobby, startled by the Christmas tree that wasn't there the night before ... but magically appeared while we were all tucked snug in our beds ... with not a creature stirring (out on the savanna ...)

Since I didn't know a lot about the Islands of Adventure (hereafter IoA) - other than what I had read in the "Unofficial Guide" to WDW and the Universal Studios web site - I had made a 7:30 reservation for a Mears taxi to pick us up. And there he was waiting for us!!

20 minutes and $40 (plus tip) later we were safely deposited at the "entrance" to IoA - which is actually the entrance to Universal's City Walk. Which I thought would be a cool place to go for dinner after our adventures in IoA - but looking at the available maps, I didn't see any way to get there, except by taking a cab ... So that was a pleasant surprise!

So after a short walk - City Walk loomed in front of us!




And the DD gaves us THE quote of the trip: "The is WAY better than school!!"

So as we strolled towards the IoA entrance (pretty much by ourselves ...), the DW started scouting out dinner possibilties:







We ended up eating dinner at the Bubba Gump Shrimp place - which, of course, we didn't take a picture of ...


And before we knew it, the entrance to IoA was in front of us!!




Next up: "Shy" Danielle makes an appearance ... and at long last: Hogsmeade and Hogwarts!!

[DisneyRegulars]

Loving your trip report, can't wait to here more about your impressions of IoA.

[joelp]

Thanks for reading!!

[joelp]

Sorry I haven't been keeping up here ... you know how it is this time of year!!

Actually, I did post a week or so ago - but the formatting got all messed up somehow, and I haven't had time to redo it.

Anyway - before I head off for a run and then my traditional "last minute shopping", I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!!

And for those of you interested in a different kind of TR - Santa has started making his rounds!!

http://www.noradsanta.org/en/track.html

[joelp]

Happy Boxing Day (where the DW's put everything you got them for Christmas into boxes, drive to the mall, and exchange it for what they really wanted ... )

Continuing with the saga ...

I had planned on arriving at the IOA entrance by 8:15 at the latest - and we were there by 8 ...

Bought tickets and got in line ... Actually, we started the line ...

It was an overcast day, a touch of rain threatening, a tad on the chilly side ... and the Friday between "Jersey Week" and Thanksgiving ...

I suggested that we head back to City Walk and check it out for a bit, but the DD wanted to be the first in line, so we stayed put:




Which was a decision that would shortly pay off ...

[joelp]

After about 15 minutes a CM came over and we chatted with him a bit ... and then another one came by and we chatted with him ... And the next thing we know, he asks us "How would you like to be our Family of the Day and open the park for us?"

was how the DW and I responded!!

The DD on the other hand:

But we convinced him Danielle would be fine, she was just being a little shy - and so they opened the gates (just for us!!) and in we strolled ... for a quick picture ...




... and as you can see, the DD was not all that happy about the situation ... why? ... But every once in a while, "shy" Danielle rears her uncooperative head ...

The CMs wanted Danielle to read a short blurb opening the park - but she didn't want to do it ... (they really wanted a kid to open the park ...) - even after about 10 minutes of cajoiling and some attempted bribery on my part!

So I took the microphone and was getting ready to read it ... The CMs told me to go ahead ...

When Danielle took the mic out my hand, switched it on - and "on cue" and much to our amazement (especially the CMs!) she nailed the "opening blurb". I mean - she just didn't read it: she read it like it was lines from a script - she NAILED it!!

And the CMs had these incredibly large, much relieved and incredulous smiles on their faces - they couldn't believe it!

So we asked Danielle what was that?!? "It's acting," she replied. "It's what I do. I can turn it on - and turn it off."

Which left us four adults speechless ...

And with some handshakes, "Thank Yous", and a few amazed shakes of the head, we headed into the Port of Entry ...

[joelp]

Now, if you're wondering why I'm breaking this up into a series of short posts - it's because last time, when I had one longer post, it got all messed up after 45 minutes of typing ...

The IOA Port of Entry is kinda like Main Street, USA: shops and places to eat ... And we spent essentially no time in it (going into - or leaving - the park ...) - so I don't have anything to tell you about it ...

Heading to the right, we entered Seuss Landing:




... very cool ... especially decorated for Christmas. And we'll be back here later on ...

And then it was a short stroll through The Lost Continent ...





... to which we shall also return (this picture is from later in the day ... when it was sunny for a bit).

Because the #1 reason we were in IOA was THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER!!!


And as we passed through the gates to Hogsmeade, the Hogwarts Express awaited us:









Hogsmeade is very well done - and since it's supposed to be winter, the overcast skies only added to that effect ...




And as you can see from this morning shot, there we very few people in the park at that time of day ...

It's about a 100-yard walk from the gate to Hogwarts Castle and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ...




Where I shall leave you for a second or two ...

[joelp]

My initial impressions of Hogsmeade: very nice ... And with very few people wandering the streets first thing in the morning, it had a very "authentic" feel to it.

There are a few shops (to which we shall return ...), a restuarant, and a Butterbeer stand ... But about 1/2 of the storefronts are just facades, with the "stores" closed and consisting only of window displays. So, unlike WDW where every "store" is a real store you can go into - about half of Hogsmeade is just "staging". Which was a disppointment, because some of those "stores" looked REALLY interesting ...

On to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ...

There was a 15 minute wait posted but that wasn't a real wait: it's basically how long it takes you to stroll through Hogwarts to the ride itself ...
The first thing you do is put all the stuff that could possibly go flying anywhere off your person into a free locker. Yes - a FREE locker ... and that should have been a warning about what was to come ...

We took our time walking through the castle: there's lots to see, including a short scene with Harry, Hermine (sp? - don't care ... ), and that Weasly kid, "living portraits", and a whole bunch of stuff that will have lots of meaning to you Harry Potter fans out there ...

At one point, there was a monitor hangling from the wall that apparently showed people on the ride ... which was a not so subtle second warning. Becasue, as I'm watching it, I thought - that's pretty good computer graphics: there's no way they could be doing that to those people !

But I was wrong ...

So we get strapped in - and usually on these types of rides I hold my DD's hand so she doesn't get too scared ... (at least, that's the excuse I use: I'm not a big fan of roller coasters, etc. - except for Big Thunder Mnt. RR ...) - but I couldn't reach over to her. Not that I would have the chance if I need to, because I was too busy holding on for dear life!!!

So half my attention was on how increadible and amazing the ride was, about 25% was worried my daughter was screaming her head off, and the other 25% was trying to keep myself from puking ...

I won't even try to decribe Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey - you need to experinece it at least once. But not on a full stomach - or an empty stomach!!

The ride came to a most welcome end with my stomach still intact ... and the DD screams "Let's do that again!!!" So my worries about her were totally unfounded ...

However, the DW was not looking good, and her first words to me were "I'm feeling a little green ..." This from the woman who loves roller coasters and all those thrill rides ...

We took a look at the picture they take of you at a point on the ride: the DD has a big smile on her face, I'm looking at something in the ride - but the DW is obviously not very happy at all!! Basically, she spent most of the ride trying to keep her tummy from exploding ...

Needless to say, we did not "do it again" (at that point in the day ...), but instead headed to the wand shop ...

(where I shall leave you, since the DW just came in - and I need to make pasta sauce for dinner ...)