It's The Magic That Can Happen When It's Autumn! - Animal Kingdom Lodge - Club Level

[Grumpy's Wife]

I've read both of your other trip reports. So happy to read another.

Great start and the room is beautiful!

 

[Dentam]

YOU'RE BACK - WOOHOO!! I'm so excited to read about your trip - and also super impressed that you can remember the details well enough to write this TR months later!

 

[Raeven]

* Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival! *

Yay we did that for the first time last year too!

* Universal overnight stay! *

Ooo I can't wait to hear how you like Universal. We've stayed at almost all the hotels at this point

We were done at 9am so we did a little more shopping.
Jamie asked,
“We’re there for 3 weeks, right?”
“Yes, why?”
“…I need to buy 21 pairs of socks.”

Boys

We went to reception and had a great CM who escorted us up to the club level check in.
As we were leaving reception, BR’ER BEAR CASUALLY STROLLED PAST.

Woah! That's so cool. I've never seen characters in the hotel.

Then we sat down by the firepit, which is located in the far right-hand corner (looking from the entrance)

I loved the firepit we stayed there in December and it was awesome.

 

[Neverland_Girl]

In August 2016 Jamie and I went to Walt Disney World for 3 WHOLE WEEKS.

Ugh this sounds like Heaven!

I messaged Jamie on Monday morning bugging him to come home.
…and again at lunchtime…
…and again mid afternoon…
…and again late afternoon…
…and again in the evening…

This is me with my boyfriend when he's at school studying and I want him to come play with the dog so I can study

Later on I had a chicken, pasta and broccoli lunch, it was pretty good!

I actually really love airplane food. Is that weird?

We headed straight to Jambo House, grabbed our bags off the bus, and were welcomed HOME!

AKL is the 1st Disney resort we stayed at so it holds such a special place in my heart, but I also got violently sick there (sorry TMI) so I have no desire to go back any time soon.

There were a lot of delicious looking things at The Mara, but the screens were showing the calories!
This was not something I wanted to think about on holiday thanks!

Who does that!

Joe Rhode!

This is so creepy but I love it so much

 

[pkondz]

Just book marking. Will be back to read later!

 

[FantasiaMagic]

How cool that Br'er bear was walking around AKL when you arrived! What a nice little spot of magic
The AKL CL lounge looks so nice! All those yummy things you and Jamie had are making me hungry!
Your room is so nice and the view of the savannah is so pretty! And I love the pictures of the animals, especially the giraffes!

Super excited for more updates!

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Jambo.

 

[QueenJen]

Hi Katie - looking forward to reading along. Isn't staying at a hotel connected to the airport wonderful? No worry about getting up early, traffic, etc. Just get up and mosey on over.

Love AKL - 3 weeks sounds wonderful. We've stayed at Kidani for our trips and just love the relaxation vibe. The club lounge looks nice - fun to hang out and watch the activity below for awhile.

Fierce by Abercrombie and Fitch (my favourite smell)

I was walking out of the local mall and this smell lured me back in to the A & F store - this is what my hubby wears now. I love it.

 

[the2ndstar2theright]

YAY for a new TR!!



3 weeks in WDW?! Sounds like heaven. Can't wait to read all about your magical adventures!!

 

[vrajewski10513]

In August 2016 Jamie and I went to Walt Disney World for 3 WHOLE WEEKS.

Holy moly! That's so awesome!

We stayed at
ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE – JAMBO HOUSE!
In a savannah view room, with club level access!

Hands down my second favorite hotel on property! Its sooo pretty

Our first time with free dining, so lots of new restaurants!

Oh boy.. Free dining AND club level?! They're going to have to roll you guys out of there on checkout day.

Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival

I WANT ALLL THE PORK SLIDERSS!!

Universal overnight stay!

I love staying onsite at Universal! Can't wait to see where you're staying!

WE’RE GOING TO DISNEY!

Very accurate depiction I bet!

We were leaving for the airport hotel on Tuesday, however Jamie and his friends were at Notting Hill Carnival in central London from Saturday to Monday.

As much as I enjoy my boyfriend being at a festival where people are routinely stabbed and attacked, I was keen for him to get home so that we can go to DISNEY!

I messaged Jamie on Monday morning bugging him to come home.
…and again at lunchtime…
…and again mid afternoon…
…and again late afternoon…
…and again in the evening…

He eventually finished up his final bromancing and I picked him up from the station at 9pm.
9pm.

Doesn't he know the day before Disney day is JUST as important!!

We got home and I ironed the laundry I’d done for him in an attempt to pressure him into packing, but alas, he put it off until Tuesday morning, of course.

Typical lol I feel like this is an every man thing not just Jamie.

We went for a walk along the skylink to gage the distance to the airport check in.
It’s literally about two minutes. The hotel is actually part of the airport.

This is so cool. We've never needed to because we live 5 minutes from our local airport but I tried to talk hubby into staying at the hotel at MCO for a night.. for no reason at all.

IT’S DISNEY DAY!
Here’s a travel morning selfie to show how excited both of us were!

Jamie looks THRILLED!

Jamie said “maybe I should get some new cologne…” so I quickly rushed him out of there, because I’d bought him some Fierce by Abercrombie and Fitch (my favourite smell) to give to him when we got to Disney!

That smell brings me right back to high school, but still smells delicious none the less!

“We’re there for 3 weeks, right?”
“Yes, why?”
“…I need to buy 21 pairs of socks.”

that's what he gets for last minute packing!

As soon as we were sat down we were offered some complementary champagne and orange juice, yes please!

MIMOSAAAAAS!

Here’s where I lived for 8 hours. I’m not complaining though because I really enjoy flying for the most part.

It looks really roomy at least!

We went to reception and had a great CM who escorted us up to the club level check in.
As we were leaving reception, BR’ER BEAR CASUALLY STROLLED PAST.

Oh, Br'er Bear strolling around AKL? NBD...

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

Oh my god you're back!!!! I can't believe it! Missed ya sister friend!

Can't wait to read alllllll about your trip!!! AKL looks amazing

Oh my December TR you asked about? Haven't started it yet But I suppose if you can do a TR from last Sept I can try to start my December one! You've inspired me to get mine going

I only have about a zillion pictures I took, I suppose I can muster up a half decent TR

I am definitely not the TR queen that you are!

 

[purplelover88]

So glad you're back! Can't wait to read more of this as I'll be at both AKL (though not for three weeks or club level) and universal in just 2 short weeks. Looking forward to reading about what had to be an awesome trip!

 

[AaronInWI]

We had some sandwiches, scones, tiffin and a proper-sized cup of tea!

Hidden Mickey!!! I'd say that bodes well for the rest of the trip!

 

[kpearl]

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Not exactly Disney related... but! I am intrigued that your airline shows the Titanic resting place .. I don't think I've ever seen that before!

BTW we were also in WDW at the same time and the weather was perfect, except for that day where the tropical storm formed over Florida and we had monsoon like rain for one day. I literally swam to FEA with my husband. He had soaking wet sneakers and socks (the worst, right? ) and I looked at him, face deadpan, and was all, "We. Are. Not. Missing. This." as I ran through WS barefoot. Not my proudest moment but I did make it hahaha.

 

[NittanyKK]

Yay, new TR!! I'm here and following along!

3 whole weeks at Disney World?! I can't even imagine! Although I unfortunately go into withdrawal after one week without my doggies so that won't ever happen for me. But I can live vicariously through you and your amazing stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge!

 

[TwoLittlePrincesses]

Great start to your trip!! Can't wait to follow along on another Katie and Hymie adventure! Funny aside, my cousin is also named Jamie and his nickname in high school was Hymie!!

 

[Madonna3]

Day 1
Wednesday 31st August 2016
Part 3 - Club lounge and exploring AKL


Once we’d unpacked most of our stuff, I gave Jamie his new Abercrombie smell and we headed out of the room to explore and get some food from the lounge.

The evening food had been put out in the lounge, and OMG, it was SO good!
It's much better than the spread at the Polynesian in my opinion.

I had some brie, peas, apple and cucumber, and Jamie had crackers and hummus.

Then we also discovered they had a hot section with “special ourdeuves” too!
We had some “Mozambique Duck with Bulgur Pilaf and Quince Jus” (!) and “Trofie Cut Pasta with Fufu Cheese Sauce” – which was basically posh mac and cheese!

YUM AND WOW!
The duck was good but it had sultanas in it so it was a little fruity for my taste, but the posh mac and cheese was DELICIOUS!

Then I got some more cheese with a bit of tomato and apple.
Jamie also wanted more cheese, but he only wanted to eat it off my plate, so that happened.
I got food.
He ate it.
Repeat several times.

Jamie grabbed a chocolate milk and we went off to explore!

Here’s Jamie on the bridge.

Then I joined him.
You can see the club lounge straight ahead here.

Then we found a little outdoor covered seating area with rocking chairs, which I loved!
It was a miserable evening as there was a storm coming the next day, but it was still very warm and the animals were still out to play.
So we sat out for a little while.

We went downstairs and outside and found the pool, arcade, fitness centre and the quick service restaurant called The Mara.

There were a lot of delicious looking things at The Mara, but the screens were showing the calories!
This was not something I wanted to think about on holiday thanks!

We got our refillable mugs that came with our dining plan.
I got blue and Jamie got red.
And we filled them up with…
WATER.

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We went back into the lobby and stopped to look at the Jiko menu since we were eating there on Saturday!

We had a look in Zawadi marketplace, which might be one of the greatest shops ever I DON’T KNOW.

Then we sat down by the firepit, which is located in the far right-hand corner (looking from the entrance).

Sitting here I just felt so content!
We talked about all of the things we were looking forward to doing this trip and I was just so excited and happy!

Before heading back to our room we saw the rhino sculptures.
I enjoy the figment rhino.

Joe Rhode!

When we got back to our room we’d had turn down service!
I’m always pleasantly surprised when they’re able to nip in and do it during the short time you’re out.

We were SO tired!!!
Here’s Jamie demonstrating how he felt in this moment.

I got changed and got into bed to write some trip report notes, but I fell asleep by 8pm!
That’s 1am back home so it’s not too crazy, but I always try to stay up and adjust to the time difference.
But oh well.
Looks like it will be an early one tomorrow!


Click for Day 2 – part 1!


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How'd you get a pic of my husband? Mine does this EXACT same thing on Disney day. How do they not understand the importance of DISNEY DAY!! I can't drag my butt out of bed before 7:30 for work, but Disney day I am up at 5

 

[LISAMWDW]

NEW TRIP REPORT!!!!!

 

[UDFlyer12]

I'm so excited for this! You have the best reports

 

[frostymojo]

Great report so far!!