LottaLubes
12-30-2007, 06:43 PM
Hello everyone…just returned from a week-long trip from Florida (at the beach!) and of course because we were in the area, we decided to stop “home” for a couple nights. Due to it being Christmas week, we chose to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge as we weren’t planning on going into the parks (too crowded for us this week – been there, done that!). The animals at AKL kept us busy while we were at the resort. Anyway, I have a few things I’d like to report…may be old news but just in case it helps someone:
The drive – I95 was awful from North Carolina to Georgia on the way down…the way back was MUCH better. We will fly next time!
Water Mice – the minimum age was dropped from 16 to 12. My oldest son was able to drive his own water mice when he was 12 but then Disney raised the age limit to 16 (and you had to have a license). Well, he finally turned 16 and got his license and found out when renting that the age restriction was lowered back to 12. Had I known that, my other son would have been eligible as well.
Segway Tour at Fort Wilderness – my DH and oldest son were able to participate in the Fort Wilderness Segway Tour. AWESOME. If you have a chance, do take advantage of this tour. I wasn’t able to participate as I had to watch the younger two children but we did go for a little while to take pictures, etc. I believe there are two times available on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.
Contemporary – we visited the Contemporary a few times and boy has it changed since April! It’s really coming along. I think it’s already been reported that the arcade was relocated to the 4th floor and the shops on the center floor were also renovated. I do miss the pin stand…it’s a little hard to see the pins the way they are currently set up. The new north wing is also coming along…I think it’s going to be beautiful.
O’hanas – we dined at O’hanas for our first dinner and I was sooo happy to see they brought back the skewer shrimp. It is sooo good (they also still bring the shrimp in a bowl for an appetizer).
Cast Members – came across two situations (1 medical; 1 lost child who was VERY panicked…actually, I found the child and had to ask for help) where I was able to see the cast members at their best. They surely are trained to handle any situation and they do so very professionally.
Overall, the crowds didn’t seem as bad this year. Of course I wasn’t actually in a park so maybe that is where everyone was! But I was able to navigate through DTD, the transportation, etc. without any problems.
Happy, Magical New Year!
The drive – I95 was awful from North Carolina to Georgia on the way down…the way back was MUCH better. We will fly next time!
Water Mice – the minimum age was dropped from 16 to 12. My oldest son was able to drive his own water mice when he was 12 but then Disney raised the age limit to 16 (and you had to have a license). Well, he finally turned 16 and got his license and found out when renting that the age restriction was lowered back to 12. Had I known that, my other son would have been eligible as well.
Segway Tour at Fort Wilderness – my DH and oldest son were able to participate in the Fort Wilderness Segway Tour. AWESOME. If you have a chance, do take advantage of this tour. I wasn’t able to participate as I had to watch the younger two children but we did go for a little while to take pictures, etc. I believe there are two times available on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.
Contemporary – we visited the Contemporary a few times and boy has it changed since April! It’s really coming along. I think it’s already been reported that the arcade was relocated to the 4th floor and the shops on the center floor were also renovated. I do miss the pin stand…it’s a little hard to see the pins the way they are currently set up. The new north wing is also coming along…I think it’s going to be beautiful.
O’hanas – we dined at O’hanas for our first dinner and I was sooo happy to see they brought back the skewer shrimp. It is sooo good (they also still bring the shrimp in a bowl for an appetizer).
Cast Members – came across two situations (1 medical; 1 lost child who was VERY panicked…actually, I found the child and had to ask for help) where I was able to see the cast members at their best. They surely are trained to handle any situation and they do so very professionally.
Overall, the crowds didn’t seem as bad this year. Of course I wasn’t actually in a park so maybe that is where everyone was! But I was able to navigate through DTD, the transportation, etc. without any problems.
Happy, Magical New Year!