Nala and pride "Here we go again!" Final thoughts and COMPLETE! Updated 7/30 About This Page:

[KandJluvdisney]

hope that all goes well with your new surprises
good luck

[HueyDeweyandLouiesMom]

You are doing such a great job with this surprise I feel like I am part of it with you! Congrats getting the ever so sneaky safari! Enjoy it!

[angelridout]

Way Cool on getting the Safari!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] - If you happen to go by the lions wave at them for me - they used to be here at Oregon Zoo, the male's name is Spike and the female is Hutzpah (sp??). Our zoo did a major remodel just before AK opened and there was no room for the lions. If I remember correctly one of the giraffes at AKL (maybe AK) is originally from here also, her name is Zari. Last time I saw her she was a little 6 ft, still tripping over her own feet baby. I think I've got pictures of both the lions and baby Zari if anyone's interested.

I can't wait to read more of your trip report!

[Jennifer2003]

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] So glad they called back...and at the best time, too!!!

Jennifer

[Jillybean]

Wow! I was almost as nervous as I bet you were! I am SO glad that it worked out and that you were able to get the Sunrise Safari! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Just a few days now!

Jill

[Colexis Mom]

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] FINALLY they called you back [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img]

Can't wait to hear all about it [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Mickeysgal]

Congrats on booking the Safari and getting the call at the right time! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] Have a great trip! Look forward to your TR when you return! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img]

[ripkensnana]

Bumping up

[luvnwdwgal]

I'm so glad you got all your plans worked out! Have a magical trip!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Minnie Lor]

Have a magical time, Nala! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img]

[SHEANA1226]

I am glad you got the safari booked!! I was getting nervous!!! I can't wait to hear about the trip!

[ripkensnana]

Finally getting a chance to read some TR's! What a great trip you have planned. Can't wait until you get back and fill us in on your adventures.

[BabieeMelly]

Nala, you have no idea how much I love your trip reports. The happiness you and your family get from your trips is truly contagious! I love hearing about all of your adventures, and the magic Kiara finds around every corner. She's too cute! I hope you're having a great time, and I can't wait to read all about it! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img]

[Nala]

The night before we left, I knew there would be no way I could fall asleep at a decent hour. Grumpy kissed me goodnight around 10 PM and I entertained myself on the boards until close to midnight. While I did this Grumpy got out of bed not once, but twice, stating he couldn’t sleep. He made his third attempt to go to sleep shortly before I went to bed. I tiptoed up the stairs , attempting to not wake either Kiara or Grumpy and when I made it to our room I realized my efforts were in vain. My first clue that Grumpy was not asleep was the absence of his wall rattling snores. I no sooner had my head on the pillow and he sat up and stated “I can’t sleep, I’m too excited”. He headed downstairs and I only hoped Kiara would not follow. She didn’t, and I was able to fall asleep and stay that way until a few minutes before the alarm went off the next morning.

We got ready quickly, donned in our Incredibles tee shirts (how Disney geek is that? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]) and loaded the van with our luggage. The three hour drive to Rockford was brutal for me. Not only was I a few hours from my happy place, but I was also a few hours away from getting on the dreaded plane. After what seemed an eternity, we arrived at the airport. Check in was easy as the place was almost empty. We killed some time before we had to go through security and then made our way to have our bags and persons checked. Grumpy and Kiara went in front of me and I was surprised to learn that I was the lucky winner of an additional search of body and bag. I was pulled aside and patted down by a TSA and my purse and camera case were searched in every pocket. Of course, I have no problem with being subjected to this additional search. Whatever it takes to make our airlines safe, I am all for. But Grumpy and I joked after I was cleared that Allegiant had set me up for the search after my calls and letters of dismay about their service. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img]

We made our way to our gate and waited to board the plane. It was a bit late coming in but we soon boarded and were on our way. The flight was smooth until the landing and due to heavy cloud coverage it was a bit rough coming in. But we made it safe and sound and only a few minutes late from our scheduled arrival time. We made our way to the escalader and found our Happy Limo driver holding a sign with our name on it. After greeting our driver, Jeremy , he went with Grumpy to help with the luggage and Kiara and I wasted no time heading outside to soak in the warm Florida sun. We waited just a few minutes and the guys came out and we all made our way to our limo.

I was looking for a white limo but Jeremy lead us to a huge black beast. No, it wasn’t the Hummer stretch, but a stretch Excursion and quite impressive. Yet another upgrade from Happy Limo.. That makes them three for three. Gotta love that!!! Grumpy helped Jeremy load the luggage in the back of the car and then proceed to the front to load our smaller bags. It was here that I grab the moment to tell him in a hushed tone that we were staying concierge and that it was a surprise to Grumpy. I explained that he needed to inform the guard at the gate. I patted myself on the back at how slick I had been as Grumpy was loading Kiara into the limo and paid no attention to our exchange. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] With all the bags loaded and everything squared away, we left Sanford airport and were on our way to WDW!
We made a quick stop at the nearest 7-11 and Grumpy left Kiara and I in the care of Jeremy. And what good care of us he took. I had to laugh when I looked out the window and saw him standing guard of the door like a body guard for Madonna. First I laughed, then I took a picture.


Once Grumpy was back in the limo we proceeded to our final destination. The ride passed quickly and we enjoyed a drink to start his birthday celebration. And soon the sight that let me know it was all really happening came into view.


WE WERE HERE! Moments after we passed under the gateway to happiness, we all enjoyed seeing the familiar sights that confirmed we were on WDW property. As we approached the AK , I first noticed the Tree of Life and pointed it out to Grumpy and Kiara. And then I saw the other sight that overshadowed the tree. Expedition Everest was looming high above the Tree of Life. And as I stared at it in awe, Grumpy reminded me that a week from today we would be riding it. Life was good. A few moments later, we reached the gate of the AKL and Jeremy was stopping at the guard shack. Unlike our past driver who had taken us in to WDW, Jeremy never put the window between us and him up. This made the possibility of Grumpy overhearing him announcing we were concierge guest very probable. So I did what I could to distract Grumpy. Of course I had to use discretion as Kiara was with us and resorted to rambling aimlessly about the plants or something in the nearby area. But Grumpy was keeping an eye on the exchange between Jeremy and the guard and realized that my hyphenated name was causing major confusion.

The thing is, my credit card, which I reserved the limo in , is in my maiden-married name. Our reservation at AKL was in my married name. When Jeremy gave my maiden-married name, the guard was looking under the wrong letter. The confusion then began between our driver and the guard. I realized what was going on and started saying “Tell him Parr, tell him Parr”…. But by then Grumpy was moving to the front of the limo to help. And even thought I tried to grab him by the back of the pants and stop him, he busted by me and had his nose in the middle of the exchange and left me with nothing but a handful of air. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/foreheadslap.gif[/img] Great!!! I was sure the surprise would have been blown right there and then. But the guard found my name in the P section of the list and waived us on without a word. I breathed a sigh of relief and as we pulled forward I noticed the guard pick up the phone and call ahead to bell service. So maybe my secret was still safe.

As we approached the lodge, bell service was waiting for us and we began to unload. I settled up with Jeremy and was ready to follow the bell guy into the lobby when Grumpy told me to go on in without him. He stated he would meet us at the front desk as he wanted to have a quick smoke. So I followed the bell guy into the lodge, where he directed me to the concierge desk and informed me that I would be taken to our room immediately as it was ready. One problem. I could not proceed without Grumpy. He would come in five minutes later and not see us at the front desk and be totally confused. I had to then explain to the bell guy that my husband had no idea that we were staying concierge and we had to wait for him to come in. Just then, Grumpy walked up behind me and announced he didn’t have a lighter. I looked at him and said “Honey, I have a surprise for you. I upgraded us to concierge for your birthday and they need to take us to our room. Happy Birthday. And by the way, I also booked us on the Sunrise Safari”. Grumpy laughed, kissed me and said “Well, let’s go to the room then”.

By this point our luggage had disappeared and we had been turned over to a special bell guy to take us to our room and show us to the lounge. We were all set to go when Kiara stopped dead in her tracks and loudly stated she had to use the ladies room. Only not quite so politely. She also reinforced her need with the now infamous pee pee dance. The bell guy pointed us to the bathrooms on that floor, gave me the room number and told me he would take Grumpy to the room and meet us there. While I hoped I could get Kiara in and out of the bathroom in a timely fashion, she had other plans in mind. It had been almost five months since she had experienced the joys of those paper toilet seat covers and the automatic flushing toilets and facets. So our quick trip to the bathroom turned into a much longer ordeal. By the time we got in the elevator and made it to the 5th floor, Grumpy and the bell guy had been to the room and were walking down the hall towards us. We joined them for our trip to the concierge lounge to check in there.

Our bell guy took us to the desk and left us there. We were greeted by a wonderful CM named Joey who stated to take us through the whole process. Grumpy knew I was in my element, took a quick look around the lounge and excused himself to get the smoke he had attempted when we arrived. I had no problem with him leaving and Kiara and I settled in the two chairs in front of Joey. He began the check in process and started asking me questions about the lodge. “ You have put down a credit card for charges. Do you know the limit?” “$1,500” I responded. Next question “When on your balcony what is not allowed?” “Feeding the animals or smoking” I responded. Joey then looked at me and said the words that are music to my ears “Do you want a job here?” I told him it was my life long dream and that I was already a card carrying member of the wanna be cast member club. Joey went on to explain the offerings and hours of the lounge and everything else he could tell me when he suddenly stopped n mid sentence and addressed Kiara directly. And what he said was “Honey, do you need a tissue?” I then looked at Kiara and much to my horror saw my beautiful princess with her index finger shoved to the second knuckle up her nose. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] Before Joey could locate a tissue, I had pulled one out of my bag and was attempting to get Kiara’s finger out of her nose. And before I could say anything in response, Joey looked at Kiara and said “It’s okay honey, I pick too. But I do it in traffic.” [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] I was loving this guy. He was down to earth and had a sense of humor.

Grumpy soon joined us again and we then made our way to the room to check it out. As we walked down the hall to our room I noticed the faint smell of wood burning and commented on it to Grumpy. It was not overpowering or offensive, but helped add to the lodge’s homey, in a wild sort of way, feel. When we opened the door to our room, (which was right next to the Vice Presidential suite) Grumpy stated that turn down service had been in to do their thing in the short time since he had first been in the room. The beds were turned down and the lights above the beds turned on and the room had a beautiful, warm, welcoming glow.

Mousekeeping did a good job of giving Kiara's second favorite guy, next to her dad, Spidey, a special place on the turned down bed.


I wasted no time going to the balcony to check out our view and called Kiara out on it with me. There below us were several zebra grazing.

Now I know why the fashion experts say never to wear pants with horizontal strips!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

By this time dusk was falling on the savannah but I was still able to get some pictures. And Kiara was in total awe. The zebra were soon joined by a few Gemsbok, or Blesbok or Eland. I hadn’t consulted my Wildlife Field Guide yet, so I am not really sure what we saw. But whatever they were, we all loved seeing them.


After a few moments of enjoying the view, I turned back to the room and noticed the cake that had been left for Grumpy’s birthday. A very nice touch and something he and Kiara looked forward to digging into.

See, Tara, that piece of cake Grumpy gave you for your birthday really did come from our room and not off a room servie tray he found in the hall! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img]

We decided to go up to the lounge and check out the evening offerings for a light snack before dinner at Boma. We made ourselves at home on one of the comfy couches in the lounge and loaded a plate up with hummus, pita chips and Moroccan meatballs for Kiara to snack on. I had a glass of African white wine that was wonderful and also indulged myself in a few of the hors d’ oeuvres offered. Had we not had ADR’s at Boma I could have made a meal here. But I forced myself to refrain as I knew what awaited me. And once again, Grumpy kissed me and thanked me for his birthday present. He also stated this was something he could get used too. Me too, Grumpy, me too!

We made our way to Boma and as always, had a fabulous meal. The evening special was a sirloin that was wonderful. All of our old favorites were there too, like chicken corn chowder. We ate like pigs and my concerns about Kiara not eating anything after snacking in the lounge quickly faded away. She downed a surprising amount of food and that was the beginning of a trend for her that would continue throughout the stay.

After dinner, Grumpy headed back to the room and Kiara and I decided to check out Zawadi marketplace. Oh, how I could have gone wild (pardon the pun) in there. My intention was to get out with just a pack of razors for Grumpy but Kiara saw something that caught her eye. A necklace with a rhinestone Mickey head with other little charms available to add on to it, at an additional cost, of course. I limited her to two additional ones and she picked out a Cinderella and Ariel. Her favorite princesses, for the moment. We returned to the room and the three of us enjoyed the view from our balcony for a bit.

I would have thought that Kiara would have been ready for bed, but instead she stated she was thirsty, and hungry! Well, I had just the ticket for her. A trip to the concierge lounge for a few deserts and a soda. Grumpy decided to stay behind and Kiara and I headed up to the sixth floor. The lounge was quiet, with only a few guests and Joey at the desk. He greeted us with a wave and a grin on our way to grab a few sweet treats. I put a few mini deserts on a plate for Kiara, grabbed her an orange soda and checked out the cordials the lounge offered. I decided to get a shot of Amurula, (something I remembered Tara had recommended to me in a PM) and a cup of coffee to put it in. While Kiara waited for me to get my stuff, she insisted I get one of the little cordial glasses for her to drink her soda from.


We sat at one of the tables, enjoyed our after dinner treats and soaked in the atmosphere. The concierge lounge really did offer a beautiful view of the lobby. I took a few pictures from there, but my lack of a steady hand hindered the production of any shots worthwhile. Man, I need a monopod!!!

Kiara and I hung out a bit longer and then returned to the room. And she still wasn't ready for bed. Grumpy suggested a dip in the pool and I agreed the night was warm enough for it. We changed into our swim wear and headed down to the deserted pool. Kiara had a blast splashing around in the warm water and I was grateful that Grumpy spared me of getting in. The two of them had a ball playing together and I marveled at the fact that in January I was watching my two darlings playing in a pool.

After about an hour at the pool, we returned to the room this time Kiara was more than ready to get in bed. Grumpy and I spent the next few hours on the balcony and I was surprised to see so much activity from the animals. We even saw a few little rabbits moving into the grazing pile right below us. Grumpy decided to turn in, but I was nowhere close to ready to sleep. I decided to take a late night (or early morning as it was about 1:30) stroll around the lodge. The lobby was completely quiet, and when I looked down on it from the bridge, its beauty struck me. Without the distractions of noise and people milling about, I was able to stand and look at the awesome beauty and detail. I then headed outside and took a walk around Arusha Rock. While the area was void of any animal activity, the night time sounds of the savannah filled my ears. And it was pure magic. I stood there alone, breathed in the smell of burning wood , marveled at the site of the lodge at night and enjoyed one of the few quiet, totally peaceful moments I would have this trip. I was in my happy place. I was home. And I couldn’t help laughing out loud at the pure joy I found in the moment.

I slowly made my way back to our room to find Grumpy and Kiara both asleep. I slipped into bed around two AM and hoped sleep would take me quickly. Our adventure was just beginning , but this first day had been wonderful.

[lauren-roxy]

Wow Nala, sounds like a really wonderful first day!! I'm glad you were able to surprise Grumpy with concierge and that he really is enjoying it a lot!! I am so excited about your trip report, you have a great way of writing!! Can't wait to read more!!!!!!