NewfieFan's "I haven't done a TR in a while" TR!

Where have I been? That's a good question! We had two wonderful trips to the World last year and I didn't report those to you guys... I know, for shame! Life kind of got in the way a lot and well, mostly I was just slack!
I'll refresh your memory a little... we took a trip in Sept. '10 and we were smack in the middle of a building a house. You can read all about it here http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/newfiefans-long-overdue-sept-tr.725069/
It was on that trip when we bought into DVC. Well I'm happy to report it was a good decision for us. We used our points for two trips last year and stayed at Kidani Village both times. I picked Kidani mainly b/c it requires less points and we were trying to stretch them out over two trips. We ended up falling in love with Kidani and now I can't imagine staying anywhere else.
So this is actually our third time staying in Kidani and it did not disappoint!
Our trip began on April 15th. We tried a different flight this time around, we took an afternoon flight from St. John's which got us into Orlando around 11pm. We left our home at around 6:30 am to make the four and half hour drive to the airport. One car ride, two flights, and two stopovers, later we arrived in MCO! We arrived at Kidani and got to our room somewhere around 12:30am local time (which is actually 2am for us). So, if you're keeping track that was around 18hrs. of traveling. The bed at Kidani never looked so good! The kids however were surprisingly upbeat and asked if the pool was open. Ummmm, NO!

Disney 2012 007 by NewfieFan, on Flickr


Disney 2012 012 by NewfieFan, on Flickr


Disney 2012 013 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

Home SWEET home!

Disney 2012 016 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

We rented a studio standard view

Disney 2012 017 by NewfieFan, on Flickr


Disney 2012 019 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

The kids begged to see the pool so I took them for a quick walk through the lobby and down to the pool.
An empty night time lobby...

Disney 2012 024 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

Needless to say it was bedtime at this point. I'm not even sure if we changed our clothes or just fell on the bed and crashed!
The next morning I woke refreshed and quite happy to be waking up in Kidani. We were a little bummed when we got our room assignment the night before b/c we were quite a distance from the lobby. The last two times we've been fairly lucky b/c our room hasn't been too far from the pool and lobby. I suppose I could have asked if they had anything closer but we were so tired that we just wanted to get to our room... wherever that may be. As mentioned we had standard view booked but when I threw open the curtains and stepped out on my balcony this is what I saw...
Hello Okapi!

Disney 2012 026 by NewfieFan, on Flickr


Disney 2012 027 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

Here's the view we had of the Pembe Savannah...

Disney 2012 028 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

I guess because we were on the edge of the Savannah they don't consider it "savannah view" but yet we had an excellent view of the savannah! Before this trip I couldn't imagine why anyone would pay extra (either with points or money) for savannah view. There's lots of public areas off the lobby to view the animals and there's a lookout on the savannah as well. And who spends time in their room looking at animals? Well, apparently we do! If I was in the room I was on my balcony looking at animals and taking pictures. I would wake up early just to see what the animals were "up to"! So yeah, if you like viewing animals - savannah view is totally worth it!
After I dragged myself away from the balcony I started unpacking and getting the kids ready for breakfast. We took the lovely walk over to Jambo House and had breakfast at the Mara.

She was very insistant that Mickey Ears must be worn to breakfast...

Disney 2012 034 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

Mmmmm, Mickey Waffle! How I missed you!

Disney 2012 035 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

 

[sweetpee_1993]

YAY! You're back again! Woot!

I can't believe we waited so long to do the waterparks, too. Well, waterpark since we've only done TL. Still, we were missing something really amazing! I love Buttons! It's like a cute little dolly for MEEEEEEE! I think Anna's pink hair replacement is adorable. Very pretty and girly. Glad the kiddos like the Neverland Club. And, really, that's the first time y'all went inside the GF? They've got some good shoppin' in there! Well, I guess all that is getting overhauled (I think) but I imagine they'll still have the good boutique shopping there. Never been to Citricos so I'm interested in what your thoughts were there.

 

[NewfieFan]

Loving this trip report! I love the BBB story! Disney magic is so much fun!

Thanks! The BBB was certainly a highlight of the trip!

 

[NewfieFan]

YAY! You're back again! Woot!

I can't believe we waited so long to do the waterparks, too. Well, waterpark since we've only done TL. Still, we were missing something really amazing! I love Buttons! It's like a cute little dolly for MEEEEEEE! I think Anna's pink hair replacement is adorable. Very pretty and girly. Glad the kiddos like the Neverland Club. And, really, that's the first time y'all went inside the GF? They've got some good shoppin' in there! Well, I guess all that is getting overhauled (I think) but I imagine they'll still have the good boutique shopping there. Never been to Citricos so I'm interested in what your thoughts were there.

Have you done BB yet at all? If not, you so need too. I know, I know, let's meet up at BB next time. We'll put the kids in one raft and the adults in the other - it'll be a hoot!

Nope, never inside the GF before. As mentioned I may have been in there as a child or could just be remembering that episode of Full House (which I watched over and over). We checked out the shops before we left and spent some time in the lobby. Pictures and review of Citricos coming up in next post...

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Have you done BB yet at all? If not, you so need too. I know, I know, let's meet up at BB next time. We'll put the kids in one raft and the adults in the other - it'll be a hoot!

Nope, never inside the GF before. As mentioned I may have been in there as a child or could just be remembering that episode of Full House (which I watched over and over). We checked out the shops before we left and spent some time in the lobby. Pictures and review of Citricos coming up in next post...

I bet the boys would totally love seeing the kids littler than them totally loving the raft ride. LOL! Never been to BB. Well, not yet. I did try really hard to schmooze Tracey into a few nights earlier going down week after next but he can't get away. As it is, he's doing good to go when we have booked. He told the project manager a while back he'd be gone Thursday & Friday 9/27 & 9/28 to "take care of some personal business". The manager (he's a real jack@$$) was full of questions about what the "personal business" is. Tracey won't relent. He just says "it's business that's personal". I asked Tracey what he's gonna say if he shows back up to work on Monday with a sunburn. His response, "Nothing. It's none of their business how I got it." Ooooh-kaaaaay! LOL!

 

[ctosh]

I just got caught up. Your kids are so cute. Love the BBB pictures.
The part of the mom loosing her kid.. OMG!! I lost My daughter on our last trip... I heart stopped. We were at DHS and getting off BLT and she stopped to look at a baby Boo doll she wanted and we didn't know. There were 16 of all together and I tought she was up ahead with her bestie but when we were almost to TSM I seen she was not there.. 5 of us went heading back and the rest stayed put. We found her right there looking for us.. She said "mom I was about to tell the CM you were lost"...lol She took it better than me by far... I felt so bad but managed to keep my cool.

 

[NewfieFan]

The meal was delish and a great way to celebrate 12 years! I liked the theming in the restaurant (the open kitchen) but wasn't fuss for our table location. We had a lot of foot traffic next to our table and I would have preferred something a little more private or out of the way for our anniversary dinner.


Disney 2012 311 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

Carrot Bisque

Disney 2012 312 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

My filet...

Disney 2012 313 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

Pete had the veal...

Disney 2012 314 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

Warm Chocolate Banana Torte (but we both shared our desserts with each other)

Disney 2012 315 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

Some sort of lemon cheesecake (I think?)

Disney 2012 316 by NewfieFan, on Flickr


Disney 2012 317 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

After our meal we paused to listen to the band playing (I still think a live band in a lobby is just about the coolest thing ever, especially when they crack out some Disney tunes!)

Disney 2012 318 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

Love the tiles with the hidden characters!

Disney 2012 321 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

 

[NewfieFan]

We headed back over to the Poly to claim our children (apparently they don't keep them - who knew!?! *wink* ) and decided to try out the MK again. The park looked really busy but the rides were empty. I think most everybody had positioned themselves on Main Street for MSEP.


Disney 2012 323 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

First up, some Buzz Lightyear (the kids are proudly sporting their leis and Anna is wearing a crown she made at the Neverland Club)...


Disney 2012 324 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

We didn't want to fight the masses so we watched Wishes from behind the Castle and it was practically empty back there!

Disney 2012 325 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

The Magic Kingdom was still open for an hour after Wishes so we headed towards some rides and again it was empty.

It was not a 20 min. wait!

Disney 2012 335 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

Disney 2012 327 by NewfieFan, on Flickr


Disney 2012 336 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

Disney 2012 334 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

The Fairies had nobody in the queue and I mean nobody!
I love the look on my boy's face as she is obviously telling him something captivating (Photopass captured this)...

Photo0064FourBySix by NewfieFan, on Flickr


Disney 2012 338 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

It's hard to get everybody looking at the same camera...

Photo0076FourBySix by NewfieFan, on Flickr

Good night Magic Kingdom!

Disney 2012 342 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

It was certainly worth the effort for us to head to the MK on this night. Despite a very packed park we got on a few rides and enjoyed the fireworks. A great way to end our night!

 

[NewfieFan]

I bet the boys would totally love seeing the kids littler than them totally loving the raft ride. LOL! Never been to BB. Well, not yet. I did try really hard to schmooze Tracey into a few nights earlier going down week after next but he can't get away. As it is, he's doing good to go when we have booked. He told the project manager a while back he'd be gone Thursday & Friday 9/27 & 9/28 to "take care of some personal business". The manager (he's a real jack@$$) was full of questions about what the "personal business" is. Tracey won't relent. He just says "it's business that's personal". I asked Tracey what he's gonna say if he shows back up to work on Monday with a sunburn. His response, "Nothing. It's none of their business how I got it." Ooooh-kaaaaay! LOL!

I meant to ask you how that all went after, so did he get harassed when he went back to work?

I just got caught up. Your kids are so cute. Love the BBB pictures.
The part of the mom loosing her kid.. OMG!! I lost My daughter on our last trip... I heart stopped. We were at DHS and getting off BLT and she stopped to look at a baby Boo doll she wanted and we didn't know. There were 16 of all together and I tought she was up ahead with her bestie but when we were almost to TSM I seen she was not there.. 5 of us went heading back and the rest stayed put. We found her right there looking for us.. She said "mom I was about to tell the CM you were lost"...lol She took it better than me by far... I felt so bad but managed to keep my cool.

Thanks for reading. I lost my daughter for a second too so I totally know the feeling (not fun). I think you lose children more when there's a big group because you assume someone else has them. Glad she took it ok, most kids ususally do take it better than their parents.

 

[NewfieFan]

This was our sleep in morning (you need at least one of those on every trip) and guess what I did when I got up? I took pictures of animals because you know I haven't taken any pictures of the animals yet.

This guy was really working the camera this morning...

Disney 2012 346 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

Disney 2012 348 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

Animal Kingdom was on the agenda and it was perfect weather (but that will change...)

We took the time to walk the Tree of Life trails and I think it was fitting that we did. As I'll explain a little later, I believe this was the ill-fated day that a piece of the Tree of Life broke off and the trails have been closed and/or covered every since. Why didn't I take the time to walk these before!?!


Disney 2012 349 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

Disney 2012 350 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

Disney 2012 352 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

You can get some unique angles of the Tree (I haven't been on the trails since, is this view ruined now?)

Disney 2012 353 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

Disney 2012 354 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

Disney 2012 355 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

Disney 2012 356 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

These guys were posing for the camera too!

Disney 2012 361 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

With all that exploring and picture taking we had worked up an appetite but we only wanted something small as we were saving room for supper.
A frozen coke and jalapeno pepper pretzel will hit the spot!

Disney 2012 363 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

He's sharing with his sister (they can be sweet at times)...

Disney 2012 364 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

 

[6laurac]

Great report-I always ride ToT and RNR by myself in the single rider line. Makes for a lot of fun front row rides when your hubby won't ride .

 

[lebeau]

Oh, yay! I didn't realize this had new posts.

I am so jealous of your pics.