An Animal Kingdom State of Being with Cam and Fam COMPLETED 9/18 About This Page:

[MosyBliss]

Caught up! What a beautiful view...it is the least they could do since that kept you waiting all that time. Poor Luke and his toe . My DH severely hurt is toe on our trip in 2009...just like Luke he was a trooper but I remember catching him wincing in pain out of the corner of my eye more than a few times, although he always denied it . AKL is on my list of where to stay next. I think I could sit around and watch the animals all day...and it doesn't hurt that Boma is one of our favorites as well. it!

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by ilovedisney247

Oh I'm homesick looking at your photos. I so wish I was staying there this trip!

Seeing others' photos of AKL, WL, and now Beach Club can really make me homesick, too!

Originally Posted by burly

Well that made the day better huh? the Animals, especially the giraffe, like he was there just FOR YOU.

I swear that was my first thought. This giraffe has been sent to make me happy and forget the ordeal of checking in!

Originally Posted by Coop

Love, love, LOVE the savannah view! We had one in Nov and I spent every am out on the balcony having coffee with the animals. We had some giraffes and a couple zebras along with the antelope. It was way cool! Your pics are great!

Just wait until we get to our room at Kidani. I had to rush out every morning there to see who had stopped by for a visit.

Originally Posted by Missy71

Love the pictures you got of AKL and the animals. You take such awesome pictures We're staying there in Aug for the first time. I can't wait for the time to fly by as I now know what I will be seeing.

You will love animal gazing. I've been happily surprised at how beautiful some of my pictures turned out in print form.

Originally Posted by doccoc2002

Those are amazing pictures! Can't wait to read more. We'd love to stay here but we too worry about traveling to other parks seems so far away, especially if you do CL. I wonder if it would be worth it? Can't wait to hear reviews.

AKL is some distance from all the other parks, but we use the bus ride time to relax and just enjoy being with each other without distractions or work or chores.

Originally Posted by Nimros

Okay - I am sooo far behind and just getting caught up.

So - Luke's broken toe and skinned knees trump Kevin's motion-sickness. I am so sorry that you all had to start your vacation in such a manner, but I love that you are focused on relaxing so it's not such a big deal. But !!

And as much as WWoHP looks amazing, I was just feeling like I was ready for you all to get to WDW. I can tell, even from the photos and your descriptions that "there's no place like Home."

Also sorry about all the malfuctions at US and check-in issues at WDW. But your room view is superb, as are all your photos! I would love to relax on the balcony and watch the wildlife....ahhh...

Can't wait to see what the evening brings.

I do want to go back some day to WWoHP, but it really isn't home and never will be like Disney is.

Originally Posted by scrappyjae

Alright, just got caught up. I can't believe they expected you to just leave and come back 6 hours lates. If you did not have annual passes what would they expect you to do? Lose a whole day in the parks? Definately need to re-think that whole process.

Your view from the room...awesome! And that fierce looking savannah bunny....priceless. I just saw two of his cousins out in our yard this morning. Guess I need to gather up a safari and hunt them down.

I just got the funniest image in my mind of a bunny safari. We have a few of the cousins that live under our Colorado Blue Spruce in the backyard.

Originally Posted by Ace_Athena

I your giraffe pictures! They are my favorite animal! Although, I was laughing at the "starving" ostriches following the food so closely!
Another amazing update!

The ostriches had me chuckling to myself as they chased the truck down, and ran over to the keeper when he got out. Too cute!

Originally Posted by honeybee723

I can't believe Luke broke his toe!!! He is definitely being a trooper though. I broke my pinky toe while on vacation to Cape May, NJ one year and it was so excrutiatingly painful to walk around.

I'm so excited to see your photos of AKL since we'll be staying club level there in November...not that you didn't already know that or anything. I love all of the animals that you've seen already!

Luke says it didn't really hurt that much until his feet would start swelling up from standing and walking too long. We just built in loads of breaks. You are going to love club level.

Originally Posted by lazanya

Catching up, I'm behind a couple installments! LOL!
Your room is beautiful! And what a great view you have!
Loved the cute towel mouse!
Great shots of the animals!
And I loved the "hidden Cam" shots!

I just realized today when I was sorting the first batch of prints to arrive that I have a few more hidden Cam shots.

Originally Posted by DisneyLuv

All caught up again! What a beautiful room at AK!!! I absolutely love it. This is one our (ugh my) dream vacations to book a 2-week vacay at AK someday. This resort looks absolutely beautiful. Sorry you had issues on check-in though. Loved your remark about Disney not liking you doing that "other" resort first! Ha! Does seem like what happened doesn't it! Looks like the rest of your trip is looking up!

Hope one day your dream comes true! Or maybe I should wave my new wand.

Originally Posted by OhToodles!

So jealous you saw giraffes from your room! We didn't see them last year. But your photos got me excited for my upcoming trip! How I wish it was closer, but not too close - I'm still planning things!

for all the planning you still need to do. And a few for seeing giraffes this time!

Originally Posted by luvnwdwgal

Nice view! Giraffes are my favorite, but I thought all those ostriches were really cool too! They're just so big and bizzare looking!

It was fascinating to see the ostriches running, I guess that is what it was, after the truck and keeper.

Originally Posted by mommapants

How'd I get so far behind Cam?

I'm so sorry you had such a problem with check in. It makes me wonder, were people allowed to check out? I mean without a computer what could they do?

You AK room photos are very nice but the room lloks dark. Is it all just the dark woods or do you find the lighting is lacking in the resort rooms?

Poor Luke - I feel so bad for him, did he at least ice his toes each night to help with the swelling. I got a blister while on my last trip and then because I was favoring one foot (AKA nit walking properly) my other leg got sore. That was bad enough I can't imagine having a broken toe and traveling all over.

I think the decor of the AKL rooms makes them seem so dark, dark works and dark fabrics. But I think some of it is the choice of light fixtures, too.

Originally Posted by goofysdtr

Watching giraffes out your window can fix any wrongs!

Absolutely!

Originally Posted by KMB733

Wonderful pictures of the Savannah!! I can see why Stefanie said you like the balcony better than your room

She really thinks her parents are funny how they make over all the animals.

Originally Posted by ilovedisney0_0

I LOVE the giraffe pictures!! My daughter and I are both reading your TR now , and the one thing she has commented repeatedly on is how much she loves the fact that you take the time to answer every person's comments. It's really !

In your opinion, is it worth it to go Club Level? I have wanted to stay at AKL FOREVER, so your pictures are making me soooo ! But in a good way. More please!!

I'm trying not to miss anyone! For us Club Level is not important most trips as we don't tour the parks where we're back at the resort to take the most advantage of the lounge. But it was absolutely necessary to stay CL so we could do the Sunrise Safari Breakfast. For that reason alone, it was worth it this time. We probably won't be paying to stay CL anytime soon.

[Cam22]

June 7 Part 4

At 6:15 we headed to Level One to dine at Boma. I was given a pager, turned to Luke, and the pager went off. Now that is speedy service. Our server was Martin, who was good but not exceptional though Stefanie gave a special CM Thank You Card.



Sorry this is a bit blurry! Wish you could have heard the music these CM were playing!







Stefanie getting the thank you card out of her bag.



The fire-grilled pork and chicken were both very tasty, and the Bobotie was as wonderful as always. I loved the Sweet Corn and Chicken Soup, which new for me. Luke and I were both disappointed by the absence of Potatoes with Afritude and I missed the Falafel. I checked on both with Martin and learned that they are no longer being served on the buffet.

I had a funny encounter when I entered the dessert portion of the line, a young boy decided to lecture me on breaking line as he was busy filling his plate with bread pudding (and had been for quite some time). All the folks in front of him had moved on and he was still loading on the bread pudding. I explained that I had moved in front of him because I didn’t want bread pudding and he was still filling his plate. I had moved on because it is a buffet. Little Mr. Etiquette Police! By the way, he was still had the bread pudding station when I headed back to our table.

Stefanie had come with me to get desserts, and at the encounter with the young boy, she said she wanted to go back to her Dad (or so she said), but I had had a little trouble finding our table when I returned from the buffet the first time. I didn’t want her lost and wandering. A few seconds later she repeated her request and I repeated my explanation for why she could not leave. Finally, she announced that what she really needed was to go to the bathroom NOW.

I stopped filling my plate and headed to our table, dropping off the plate and letting Luke know we were headed to the bathroom. We flew into the restroom and right into the first stall. There was not time to lock the door, so I stood guard outside it and held the door. She had just made it in the nick of time.

And now for another funny, maybe more weird, encounter. While she was still busy, young boy of 10 – 12 burst in the door, informing me since I was standing right there that he need to check on his sister. He then ran back to the last stall as she had yelled at him. He remained in the restroom at her stall for several minutes and I began to suspect his sister was playing with him. When she finished, they both washed their hands, but then began having a water fight and throwing paper wads at each other. At that point I turned teacher and told them both to stop playing around and asked him to leave, even opening the door for him. He wanted to argue with me, but I haven’t taught for 30 years for nothing. I told him in my best teacher voice that he could step out or I would ask a CM to come get him (the equivalent of getting the principal). He finally stepped out into the little anteroom. She continued to waste time (to probably annoy her brother, possibly me) until I asked her to finish up and leave, too.

Another mom had been around the corner from the sinks changing her baby’s diaper. She thanked me for stepping in as she was getting hit, but didn’t want to have an accident with her baby. She said she was just about to speak up when I scolded them. We both felt it was a little weird to send a boy that old into the women’s restroom when his sister was obviously fine on her own. We had both thought at first that it was an emergency, but that was not the case.

As I stepped out of the restroom, the mom of the rambunctious duo was just waiting with them to eat at Boma. Why she had not come in to check on her daughter, who knows? Ridiculous! Stefanie and I returned to Luke and our table, so he could finally get himself some dessert and I could eat mine. Luke made a Mickey head of his dessert.



After dinner, we strolled the walkways around Uzima pool.



















One of my friends on the savannah!



We spent awhile watching and photographing the flamingoes who seemed to be suffering from group grumpiness. They were squawking, screeching, and biting at each other.







Some ducks were among the flamingoes and the crates are for nesting.



The pool was right behind the flamingoes, so I got another twilight shot.

We also go into a conversation with a young CM named Titus from Namibia who had been in the US five months. His parent felt our country was too dangerous due to hurricanes and tornadoes, weather they do not get in his country. He had the most wonderful attitude. He told us he puts his troubles on the nightstand by the bed each night, goes to sleep, and never remembers yesterday’s cares once he wakes up.

From here we began strolling up toward the Savannah overlook.







The window where our table in Boma had been.























There really is a giraffe in this picture, but the daylight was going rapidly by now.







I love this entrance! So grand and majestic!





You can see Luke in the bottom left corner as we’re now heading back into the lodge.



This didn’t turn out quite like I wanted, so it’s blurry.



The lobby at night – beautiful!





I had tried to capture these figures early, but the sunlight had been causing problems

Stefanie was ready to spend money, specifically her gift card from Mamaw, so off to Zawadi we went. She found several items she wanted: a 40th Anniversary autograph book, a 40th Anniversary Tink pin, a giraffe drum, and a 40th Anniversary notebook.





Luke and I found a few things, too. This is our family favorite resort gift shop. We got a 40th Anniversary pin, DVC 2011 pin, AKL Limited Edition pin, 40th Anniversary ticket memo pad, 40th Anniversary photo album, Nightmare Before Christmas Pumpkin King Vinylmation, Lightning and Mater as Mickey and Goofy cars, Dark Chocolate Almonds, and the promotional watch (gray/black/white early years Mickey).

Back upstairs on the sixth floor, we found some cool picture ops.









Stefanie and I are standing in front of our room on the sixth floor.





And finally our purchases:



Stefanie’s items



Cam’s stuff



Luke and Cam’s stuff

As we walked by the lounge, we picked up another Pibb for Stefanie, and then returned to our room. We were surprised that we had not had turn down service yet. I unpacked some while Stefanie played with her purchases. The maid arrived shortly after we did. Luke had attempted to make Stefanie’s bed, but discovered it was badly stuck. The maid fretted over this as she said guests can’t work them properly, but really Luke just pulled cushions off and could tell something was wrong. She realized this once she looked at it, too, and called maintenance. A maintenance worker was there pronto and had the bed repaired in no time. Once they had both left, we got ready for bed and lights were out by 10:30.

Up Next: Do we make rope drop at MK or not?

[cubfancolleen]

What badly behaved kids in the bathroom! Glad you turned on the teacher voice!!
Great purchases today!
The falafel at Mara is one of my favorites. I never saw it at Boma - or I would have definitely had my fair share!

[Dlandmom2]

What great photos, thank you! I didn't realize there was so much seating at Boma. We sat what I guess is the main level, about 50 feet from the buffet. I guess I didn't do a good job looking around because it looks like there are several levels that go up! Very cool!

The picture of Stefanie smiling is just magical. She looks so happy! The Flora and Fauna signs are wonderful!

I can see why AKL is your favorite resort. It really is magical! On my next visit, I must make a point of walking around the resort!

Oh, and your two interesting stories with the kids...I can appreciate the first kid at the buffet...at least his parents made a point of teaching him that he shouldn't cut in line, and hopefully he understood (politely) why you were moving ahead of him. As for the two kids in the bathroom, OMG is about all I can say. Some parents really shouldn't be parents at all.

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by cubfancolleen

What badly behaved kids in the bathroom! Glad you turned on the teacher voice!!
Great purchases today!
The falafel at Mara is one of my favorites. I never saw it at Boma - or I would have definitely had my fair share!

I will be checking out Mara in the future as I falafel!

Originally Posted by Dlandmom2

What great photos, thank you! I didn't realize there was so much seating at Boma. We sat what I guess is the main level, about 50 feet from the buffet. I guess I didn't do a good job looking around because it looks like there are several levels that go up! Very cool!

The picture of Stefanie smiling is just magical. She looks so happy! The Flora and Fauna signs are wonderful!

I can see why AKL is your favorite resort. It really is magical! On my next visit, I must make a point of walking around the resort!

Oh, and your two interesting stories with the kids...I can appreciate the first kid at the buffet...at least his parents made a point of teaching him that he shouldn't cut in line, and hopefully he understood (politely) why you were moving ahead of him. As for the two kids in the bathroom, OMG is about all I can say. Some parents really shouldn't be parents at all.

Boma only has one level. I shot that photo through the steps on the way back up. Some of what you see is the bar on the level above.

I was truly glad he had been taught his manners, but it was too funny to be scolded by a kid, especially one who was taking a lifetime to serve his own bread pudding. I did wait behind him until it looked like I might be there until bedtime.

[doccoc2002]

Love Boma's!!!!

I can't believe those kids...why are some parents so lazy?!
We love Zawadi's too! We always have to go in there when we eat at Boma's. I think it would be bad news if we ever do stay at AKL cause I would spend so much money!

Love all the pictures especially the entrance.
Can't wait to read about MK!

[JKnott17]

Wonderful pictures!! I them! It is so beautiful at AKL. I have never been there, but I think I need to make a point to check it out soon. It looks so great in the pics, I can't even imagine how much more beautiful it is in person! Can't wait to hear about MK rope drop.

[Dlandmom2]

Originally Posted by Cam22

Boma only has one level. I shot that photo through the steps on the way back up. Some of what you see is the bar on the level above.

I was truly glad he had been taught his manners, but it was too funny to be scolded by a kid, especially one who was taking a lifetime to serve his own bread pudding. I did wait behind him until it looked like I might be there until bedtime.

I REALLY need to check out Boma some more. I didn't even notice that there was a bar that overlooked the dining area!

I just had to giggle again about the bread pudding boy, I guess his parents taught him not to cut, but they forgot to teach him to take only one serving of bread pudding at a time!

[shena_03]

Great updates and pics.

[Roxie2006]

I have enjoyed reading your family's experiences on your vacation... It has been a wonderful adventure so far... You have given me many ideas for my next scrapbook, and how to handle unruley children....I am looking forward to reading more!!!!!

[buzzspal2]

Must stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Thanks for sharing all the great photos.

[lexiemom]

Fabulous photos!!!!! I just AKL! I love the t-shirt Stefanie was wearing. I want one in my size!

[langefamily4]

Love the nighttime photos!!! We have reservations at Boma for our trip and I am hungry thinking about it now

[Luvsun]

Ahhhhhh Boma! I love Boma! I am sorry that the potatoes and the falafel are no longer on the buffet!
All of your pictures of the Lodge and the animals are wonderful!
I just AKL! I just feel so relaxed and calm when I am there!
Don't you think parents are just crazy sometimes?? I mean why in the world wouldn't the mother go in and check on her daughter?! Sorry you had to use the teacher voice!
Can't wait to read all about your MK day! (which I am still sorry we never caught up to you at the MK! )