Day 2: Checking into AKV AKA The bus trip from hell
Lazy morning. Still woke up about 6:00 am but laid in the bed watching the news. Wish I could sleep later but it just doesnt happen. The plan today was to stay at Pop until just before 11:00 and take the bus to AKL. Put the Do Not Disturb sign in the door. Well, I would have if the room had one.
Walked around the resort a bit to get a few pictures.
The Computer Pool
Where is Jessica? You know she is not bad, she is just drawn that way.
My view from the elevator
So after the walk around, I took a shower and packed the bags. Let Mousekeeping know I was checking out and headed to the bus stop. And guess what? I got lost again. Ended up walking all the way around the parking lot to get to the bus stop. I dont know what it is. I could blame senility but it is still a early yet for that. And I do not need comments on either of those from the peanut gallery.
So get to the bus and I pick the Downtown Disney one. Why, because there is not many people in line. The bus comes after a while and I board and take a seat. As we are driving I realize the error of my ways. I am going to the furthest point on Disney property from the AKL. Plus we have to stop at Typhoon Lagoon. (No one got off or got on at this stop naturally)
We continue the drive and are stopped at practically every stop light. Why? Because our driver thinks it is prudent to go 5 MPH. Maybe a slight exaggeration but not by much. Finally pull into the Marketplace.
Proving that god sometimes smiles on fools, as I was getting off, the AKL bus was just pulling in. YES! But then we had to go to the West End stop. After waiting a few minutes there, it was off to.... Blizzard Beach. (Again no one got on or off) Finally we pull into Jambo House. Since I am staying at Kidani, I stay on the bus while people load on and off. At last we pull into the entrance to Kidani. Hallelujah!
Stroll into the lobby with a big smile on my face. A couple of people ahead of me at check in and I patiently wait for my turn. Gave my name, ID and credit card to the CM. A few taps on the keyboard and he smiles at me and tells me he has good news and bad news. I figured the bad news was my room wasnt ready. NOPE.
The bad news was I was at the wrong resort. I am at Jambo, not Kidani. OK, forgot when I was leaving on vacation and now I am at the wrong resort. Maybe senility is sinking in. (Again, no comments needed) In my defense, Kidani has by far most of the DVC rooms so it made sense I was staying there. I also used to be an uber-planner. Reservations printed out in triplicate, ADRs planned 180 days out along with the park invasion scenarios made day by day. Gave that up a while ago. Hey, I am a WDW veteran. Maybe need to rethink that. I do guarantee you though that the Hawaii and California trip is well planned and important things are documented.
The good news was that he could check me in and I would only have to take the shuttle back to Jambo. Oh, and the room wasnt ready. So get the paperwork and head out to Jambo. The van that shuttles back and forth from the resorts took about 15 minutes. Pull up to my resort. A very nice greeter is there asking if I was checking in. Told her no, already done. Did not tell her it was done at Kidani and I am staying here. Drop my bag off at Bell Services.
It was well after noon so decided to get something to eat. Headed to Mara, one of the best food courts in all of WDW. Ordered the double cheeseburger with fries. Also as you can see, I got the mug.
Figured since I did not have a car, and no snacks pre packed, thought it would be a better deal. And easier. Ate outside and the meal was OK. The sandwich at Pop was way better. Still waiting for the text to tell me my room was ready so headed to the pool. Bellied up to the bar pool and met two terrific CMs Laura and Kim.
Since I am the shy, retiring type it took me a while to warm up to them. Kim is expecting a baby soon and Laura is a DVC member and avid traveler. We started talking and somehow the Hawaii/California trip came up. They let me know that one of the supervisors was at Aluani for 6 months. So they told me they would get him to come by to give me some insider tips on the resort and Hawaii in general. They paged him and we spent a lot of time talking about Hawaii. Gave some good tips on where to eat and things to do there. Really nice of the three of them to go out of their way to do that.
I was then texted that the room was ready and I told them Ill probably see them tomorrow. Finish my cocktail and head to Bell Services to get the bag. Down the hall. At least I know my way around here.
The room. It was about midway down the wing.
And Barry, I didnt check to see if it could flush a live chicken
This was a standard view but got a decent view of the Savanna
CJ?
Chilled in the room for a while and went back to Mara and the store for munchies. That night was a trip to the pool for another cocktail and to take a dip. Two tweens were picking on a much smaller kid and it got me mad. Told them to knock it off and had a mini run in with their dad but they soon left. Some people. No further comments on how some people should not be parents. Went back to the bar and got another cocktail. Felt better and relaxed the rest of the night.
Went to bed early tonight but before I did, took this picture
All in all a somewhat frustrating day. Mainly because I shot myself in the foot many times. But I am at Disney World and even if I made many wrong turns almost since waking up, it was another good day. Next time I will take a cab when checking into another resort.
UP Next: DHS and Free Food at Boma and Jiko. AKA Cool!