cheesehead
06-28-2004, 09:29 AM
First of all, thanks to everyone for the tips and suggestions in planning this trip.
My DH and I just returned from AKL (6/22 - 26) to celebrate our 10th Wedding Anniversary. This was our first trip WITHOUT our 3 children and I was a little nervous about that prior to the trip. However, it was the best thing we could have ever done! Not only for my DH and I, but for our kids...they had a wonderful time with my sister and their cousins. They really didn't even miss us much! I would recommend a trip without the kids to anyone and everyone!!
First of all, AKL was awsome as usual! We had booked a standard room and requested a king bed. At check in we were told they did not have a king bed, but we were upgraded to savannah view. :D This room was already assigned to us at check in; we did not ask for an upgrade and the CM checking us in did not arrange the upgrade. The view was wonderful and we made do with the queen bed if you know what I mean! :wink: They did offer to move us the next day to a king room that had the same view (it was about 10 rooms down, closer to the lobby) but we decided we didnt' feel like repacking and moving. Plus we weren't sure we would really be happy with the type of shower in the king room. AKL treated us well. A few surprises popped up through out the week from them and floored us everytime. They certainly know how to make a couple feel special! The animals were pretty quiet due to the heat, but we saw lots. It was great when a storm blew in on Thursday night and the wildebeast started running in circles enjoying the rain and cool air.
We did an e-ride night on wednesday and LOVED it! We stayed until about 1:45am and it was another highlight of the trip for us. We walked on everything except BTMRR and that was only about a 10 minute wait. We did a few things twice and reallly enjoyed how empty it was. It did not cool down though, even that late in the day...we were hot and sweaty the whole time!
We also took the Backstage Safari Tour at AK. This was sooooooooooo GREAT! We could have spent another 3 hours with our guide (Paul) and still not been ready for it to end!! It was a great experience and so worth the $. It also really gave us an idea of how well our money is spent at WDW. So many complain about the high prices of everything, but once you see what they do with it (and this was in only one park!) you can really justify it all and are surprised they don't charge more to get into the parks!! AK is an awesome place and we really have to appreciate how WDW appreciates animals and how well they care for them!
We had some very delicious meals...dinner at Boma's and Mama Melrose were two highlights. I am always so surprised at how good the food is; even at counter service!
The parks were VERY crowded from my perspective...we have only gone to WDW in off season months (April and September). The crowds did not effect what we did and saw (we used FP) but there was only the 2 of us. I woudn't have enjoyed such huge crowds had my three kids been along. The crowds at the front of MK for Wishes would have freaked me out if I had my children with me! My DH and I agreeed that we will continue to do our off season trips and not attempt a summer trip again with the kids. It was also very hot but we had lots of water. We brought some with but every resturant, cart, counter service, etc was more than willing to give a large cup of ice water anytime we asked.
Overall, it was a wonderful, magical trip that my DH and I will never forget! If you have any questions, let me know...there is so much to share!! :) Cheesehead
My DH and I just returned from AKL (6/22 - 26) to celebrate our 10th Wedding Anniversary. This was our first trip WITHOUT our 3 children and I was a little nervous about that prior to the trip. However, it was the best thing we could have ever done! Not only for my DH and I, but for our kids...they had a wonderful time with my sister and their cousins. They really didn't even miss us much! I would recommend a trip without the kids to anyone and everyone!!
First of all, AKL was awsome as usual! We had booked a standard room and requested a king bed. At check in we were told they did not have a king bed, but we were upgraded to savannah view. :D This room was already assigned to us at check in; we did not ask for an upgrade and the CM checking us in did not arrange the upgrade. The view was wonderful and we made do with the queen bed if you know what I mean! :wink: They did offer to move us the next day to a king room that had the same view (it was about 10 rooms down, closer to the lobby) but we decided we didnt' feel like repacking and moving. Plus we weren't sure we would really be happy with the type of shower in the king room. AKL treated us well. A few surprises popped up through out the week from them and floored us everytime. They certainly know how to make a couple feel special! The animals were pretty quiet due to the heat, but we saw lots. It was great when a storm blew in on Thursday night and the wildebeast started running in circles enjoying the rain and cool air.
We did an e-ride night on wednesday and LOVED it! We stayed until about 1:45am and it was another highlight of the trip for us. We walked on everything except BTMRR and that was only about a 10 minute wait. We did a few things twice and reallly enjoyed how empty it was. It did not cool down though, even that late in the day...we were hot and sweaty the whole time!
We also took the Backstage Safari Tour at AK. This was sooooooooooo GREAT! We could have spent another 3 hours with our guide (Paul) and still not been ready for it to end!! It was a great experience and so worth the $. It also really gave us an idea of how well our money is spent at WDW. So many complain about the high prices of everything, but once you see what they do with it (and this was in only one park!) you can really justify it all and are surprised they don't charge more to get into the parks!! AK is an awesome place and we really have to appreciate how WDW appreciates animals and how well they care for them!
We had some very delicious meals...dinner at Boma's and Mama Melrose were two highlights. I am always so surprised at how good the food is; even at counter service!
The parks were VERY crowded from my perspective...we have only gone to WDW in off season months (April and September). The crowds did not effect what we did and saw (we used FP) but there was only the 2 of us. I woudn't have enjoyed such huge crowds had my three kids been along. The crowds at the front of MK for Wishes would have freaked me out if I had my children with me! My DH and I agreeed that we will continue to do our off season trips and not attempt a summer trip again with the kids. It was also very hot but we had lots of water. We brought some with but every resturant, cart, counter service, etc was more than willing to give a large cup of ice water anytime we asked.
Overall, it was a wonderful, magical trip that my DH and I will never forget! If you have any questions, let me know...there is so much to share!! :) Cheesehead