Wetu Shani Nyumbani (Our Adventure Home) COMPLETED with Final Thoughts About This Page:

[Cam22]

[B]I have been remiss in getting my own Pre-Trip Report started as I've been having so much fun reading and keeping up with the many DoD TRs that are currently populating our boards. But we are only 13 days away so it is past time to get started.


So without further ado, I begin with the
Cast of Characters:

First is little ole me -- Cam22 or just plain ole Cam.


I am 50, a high school English teacher/department coordinator, and a Disney fanatic\master planner. This will be my 9th trip to the World and my first trip home to AKV.

Next is my sweet DH Luke aka Batman.



Luke is 48, an Information Systems Manager for a school district, and a Batman/model train fanatic who loves Disney, too. This will be his 9th trip to the World and his first trip home to AKV.

He bought me points at AKV for my 50th birthday last summer. Have I mentioned what a sweetheart he is! He really is!!!

Last, but definitely not least is Princess Stefanie herself.



Stefanie is 23, a volunteer at the high school where I work, and an obsessed, super duper Disney fanatic who truly believes she is a Princess. She dates all major life events by Disney vacations. This will be her 8th trip to the World and her first trip home to AKV. She keeps telling me not to flirt with the giraffes like I did last time we stayed at AKL in 2003.



Together the three of us make an awesome team at the World.


Setting
Time -- Saturday, June 6 - Thursday, June 18
Place -- Saturday, Nashville, TN with a stay at the Residence Inn near the airport; Sunday through the following Thursday (i. e. 11 nights/12 days) , AKV - Kidani Village with a stay in a one-bedroom villa with a savannah view. I'll flirt with the giraffe if I want to, regardless of Princess Stefanie's decree.
Carriage Ride (i. e. transportation-- Southwest out of BNA to MCO, leaving at 7:05 AM and arriving at 9:50 AM followed by DME ride to AKV. The Princess has decreed that we will need to visit the restrooms prior to boarding either the plane or the bus as to go on the plane is just downright yucky!

Next up Plans and ADRs

[KandJluvdisney]

great start cam
hope you have a wonderful time at the villas
can't wait to hear the adr list
hurry back with more please

[Eeyoresmom]

Happy 50th!!! Enjoy celebrating at "home"!!!

[disneydani]

Glad you've started your PTR! I know you all will have a wonderful stay at AKL. Looking forward to your plans and ADRs.

danielle

[Cam22]

[B]Since we started going to WDW every year in 2004, we have given up the commando approach for a more relaxing vacation experience. But we still manage to get a lot done each day in spite of pretty much going without touring plans.

My report title Wetu Shani Nyumbani is Swahili for Our Adventure Home.

[B]Saturday, June 6 Departure day from home[B]

• Travel from Owensboro to Nashville (2 1/2 hours unless Stefanie's nervous stomach hits and then it could be 30 minutes or so longer for the addition of restroom breaks)
• 3:30 PM Tennessee PassPorter Meet at Macaroni's in the OpryMills Mall organized by Cathy (Nimros)
• Shopping at the Disney Store in OpryMills Mall per Princess Stefanie's decree (she's wanting to find her 2009 lanyard here; I'm not sure why, but I can't say no to shopping at the Disney Store.)
• Early to bed at the Residence Inn as we'll need to be at BNA around 5 AM

[B]Sunday, June 7 Arrival day in Orlando[b]

• 5 AM Arrive at BNA
• 7:05 AM (hopefully) We'll be free to fly
• 9:50 AM Land at MCO and head after a restroom stop (per Princess Stefanie's decree) to DME
• 11 AM Arrival at Kidani Village where my eyes will probably get all teary as I am welcomed for the very first time.
• Depending on whether our room is ready or not, we'll either drop off our carryons in the room or at bell services. Then we're planning to head by bus to DHS to see if we can snag some FPs for TSMM. We know this may be a no-go, but it won't hurt to try.
• We may look around for a bit at DHS, but the biggest event of today is to be sure we make it to Beaches and Cream. I have had this in the plans the past two trips and somehow failed to make it happen. I cannot disappoint my 2 best buddies again!
• After a late lunch/early supper at Beaches & Cream, we'll figure out the rest of our evening. MK has EMH, but we may be too exhausted and we're headed there Monday anyway.

[B]Tuesday, June 8 Magic Kingdom

We have nothing definite planned expect to eat at Crystal Palace at 4:35 PM. Some of our must do rides will be JC, PotC, HM, BTMRR, PP, iasw, Snow White, Pooh, Mickey's Philharmagic, and we're going to see if there might be a soft opening to Hall of Presidents (which truly is one of Stefanie's favorites -- She told us recently that Obama couldn't be there because he is too busy in Washington. We didn't realize until then that she thought she was seeing the real presidents. )

Tuesday, June 9 Epcot

Once again few definite plans. Dinner is at Boatwright's at 5:25 PM and then head back to Epcot to catch Illuminations with a group of PPers at Heather's Margarite Meet at 8 PM. Some must do rides will be Soarin', TT, Mission Space (for Luke only), SE, Universe of Energy, Living with the Land, The Living Seas with Nemo as well as exploring the World Showcase.

Wednesday, June 10 Animal Kingdom

You get the little-to-no-plan plan so I'll stop repeating myself. Tonight we are eating at Sanaa at 5 PM. This is one ADR that I am very excited about. Must do rides include Kilimanjaro Safaris, FoLK, EE, Dinosaur, ITtbaB, as well as the animal trails.

Thursday, June 11 Disney Hoolywood Studios

Late this afternoon we eat at Mama Melrose's (3:50 PM) for the Fantasmic package. So Fantasmic is definitely in the plans for this evening. Must do rides include ToT, TSMM, R&RC (Luke only), Star Tours, Indiana Jones, LMA, Muppet Vision 3-D, and a visit to the Toy Story characters.

Friday, June 12 Epcot for the day and Magic Kingdom for the night

We finally are having dinner at Le Cellier (4 PM) and then later traveling to MK for a Wishes Meet organized by Sheri (skateycat) at 9:45 PM in the rose garden. I am so excited about meeting so many PPers this time, especially as I've enjoyed reading about all the DoD meets.

Saturday, June 13 ????

The only definite is a 5 PM dinner at Chef Mickey's. I'm going to check with my DSis who lives in Orlando to see if she and her kids would like to come to the pool for a few hours.

Sunday, June 14 Animal Kingdom

We are getting up early this morning, something we do very seldom as vacation goes better for Luke and Stefanie if I allow them ample beauty sleep. I'm actually up fairly early, getting pictures downloaded, checking e-mail, etc. But today we have breakfast at Donald's Breakfast Safari at 8:05 AM. Later in the afternoon we'll have dinner at Boma (my favorite) at 5:45 PM.

Monday, June 15 Animal Kingdom and Epcot

This will be another early morning as we are taking the Backstage Safari Tour at 8:30. I can't wait to see some of the animals up close and to learn more about how the animals are cared for. Dinner is at the Garden Grill in Epcot (5:55 PM), which we didn't do last year, causing the Princess to complain and whine.

Tuesday, June 16 Magic Kingdom

We will have dinner at 6:25 PM at The Plaza Restaurant.

Wednesday, June 17 Animal Kingdom

We will have dinner at Yak & Yeti at 5:30.

Thursday, June 18 Epcot and our Last Day

We have a noon ADR for Nine Dragons. Our flight does not leave until 8:45 from MCO, so I figure DME pick up will be around 5:45, giving us time to continue exploring Epcot or even park hop for some last minute rides. We usually spend the last hour and half chilling in the resort before DME pick up. With the late flight, we should arrive in Nashville around 9:35 PM and then we have a 2 and 1/2 hour car drive back to Owensboro. But since we will have a washer and dryer in our room, I don't plan on having any laundry, just unpacking and putting away to do on Friday.

And that ends the boring list part of the report!

[Colexis Mom]

Great start and plans Cam!!

[amandal]

Yay, I love your TR's Cam!! Glad you've started. . . . . And 12 days?? Can't wait for more . . . . .

[travismom]

Great start, Cam!!
Your plans look pretty good also!!

[greentie]

Your plans look great Cam and I'm busy memorising 'Wetu Shani Nyumbani' so that I can impress DH-to-be when we arrive at Kidani (which is the second week of our stay.

We arrive in Orlando on the 14th and will also be at MK on the Tuesday and AK on the Wednesday.

ps If Stephanie says anything about the giraffes tell her it could be worse, you could be flirting with the warthogs...

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by greentie

We arrive in Orlando on the 14th and will also be at MK on the Tuesday and AK on the Wednesday.

Hopefully, our paths will cross!

Originally Posted by greentie

ps If Stephanie says anything about the giraffes tell her it could be worse, you could be flirting with the warthogs...

This had me laughing!

[ilovedisney247]

Great start Cam! Looking forward to meeting you and your family!

[mcc0313]

Great start Cam...sounds like it will be another amazing trip - and how wonderful that ti will be your first trip "home". I definitely agree...if you want to flirt with the giraffes then go ahead (you can sneak it during those early mornings...."Princess Stefanie" will be none the wiser - unless the giraffe talks )

[MickeyMAC]

Your plans look great.

[eff051102]

I can't wait to read more of your TR. I'm so glad you've decided to do one.

[Desurae]

Great start! Can't wait to read more!!!