Nala and pride "Here we go again!" Final thoughts and COMPLETE! Updated 7/30 About This Page:

[Colexis Mom]

What a great plan Nala [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] You're going to have a great trip! I hope you can sneak a call to get the Sunrise Safari [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/luck.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img]

[Tara O'Hara]

Nala your plans ROCK!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] You are so going to [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] Jiko! It's wonderful both in atmosphere and food!! Your other new meals to try are all good choices too and I hope you guys enjoy them![img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

P.S. Of course, the other highlight that you mentioned, will be meeting a famous person at Victoria Falls Lounge! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] I hear she is very much looking forward to that meet! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thewave.gif[/img]

[HueyDeweyandLouiesMom]

Great Update Nala. Best Wishes sneaking in that Sunrise Safari! I hope they have openings! We will be at the meet that night and Chris is not thilled with fireworks either...but he has gotten to the point he can deal with them. I hope you can make it!

[lauren-roxy]

Your plans look really awesome Nala!!!

[Minnie Lor]

It all sounds fabulous! Good luck in sneaking in a sunrise safari! Have a super trip!

[Mickeysgal]

Your plans sound awesome! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] Can't wait to hear how your new dining experiences go! Thanks for the tip about AK after dark. We'll make a point to check it out in April! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] Enjoy your trip!!!!!

[Jillybean]

I [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] reading about your plans for the park and [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/dine.gif[/img]!

You have such excellent choices - - oldies and goodies and new stuff! I can't wait to hear your thoughts on your new choices!

I really hope that you guys can make the passporter meet at Epcot! I would love for Mary Devall to meet Kiara - - we could take them both inside a shop in England if necessary. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Your last day mirrors ours - - on that Sunday, we are having lunch at CRT also!

Jill

[luvnwdwgal]

You have such a way with words! I love reading your trip reports! Wishing you all a magical trip!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Nala]

An update on the saga of trying to get the Sunrise Safari and a few other changes in the plan.

Well, as of Saturday, 1/14 at 10:27 PM, I still do not have the safari booked. Nor have I been able to contact anyone at the AKL itinerary planning division. I did try this week on my lunch hour when I was at work. I was transferred to the AKL IP and when on hold for about a minute, was put into an answering machine. I did not leave a message as I didn’t want to receive a personal phone call while on company time. Even though the vast majority of my co-workers make and take personal phone calls at work on a daily basis, it is something I just didn’t want to do.

So, I tried again Saturday afternoon, when Grumpy was gone visiting his Mom 2-½ hours away. I got the great idea to call around noon and crossed my fingers that they would call back before he returned late that afternoon. Much to my dismay, Grumpy came home before I received a call back from the AKL. I spent the rest of the evening walking around with the phone either in my hand or down the front of my pants , covered by my sweatshirt and hoped it didn’t ring and raise question. I could just see myself having to come up with a good excuse as to why I was walking around the house with the phone in my pants!

The evening wore on and still no call from AKL. Grumpy and I started talking about how much he would like to do another fishing excursion again this trip and I told him we had a free day and if this is what he wanted, I would book it as his birthday present. Ahhhh, a decoy. So I called the number and was able to arrange the fishing excursion. The beauty of this was we were having breakfast at ‘Ohana on our free day and we were able to book the fishing trip from the Poly. The only problem was that our ADR for breakfast was at 9 AM. The fishing trip was at 10 AM, but we needed to be at the dock by 9:45 AM. The CM I spoke to, St Michael, was a doll and was able to move our ADR at ‘Ohana back to 8:20. That would give us plenty of time to eat and meet the boat at the dock. While I had her on the phone, she was also able to get a later time for our final ADR at CP. Instead of a 5:10 ADR, she moved us up to 6:25. Perfect! My exchange with St Michael was magical and only heightened my excitement for the trip. Like I really needed anything to put me over the edge!

I got off the phone and told Grumpy his wish for a birthday present had been fulfilled. I then stated I was glad he came up with the idea as I had no clue what to get him. And I patted myself on the back for pulling off such a good front. A few minutes later, I locked myself in the bathroom with the phone and called the AKL IP desk one last time. I called right at closing time and was put straight into the answering machine. This time I left a message not only about why I was calling, but that this was a surprise for my DH, so if I don’t answer, don’t give anything away. I went to bed with the sinking feeling that I would receive a call while I was out shopping for a few last minute things the next morning.

So, this morning broke bright and early. OK, not so bright , as it was still dark, but it was early and my morning to get up with Kiara. For once I didn’t mind having to be the early rising parent as FL is one hour ahead of those of us in central IL. This way if the AKL IP called early in the AM, Grumpy would still be in bed. But the call never came.

After dragging my feet as long as I could (and taking the phone into the bathroom with me in case it rang while I was in the shower) I had no choice but to go do my shopping. The entire time I was gone I kept thinking about the phone ringing and Grumpy getting the call. The first thing I did when I got home is check the phone to see if any calls had come in. I no sooner took my coat off and the phone rang. Since I was standing there looking at it, I was able to grab it on the first ring. And before I answered I noticed the phone number on the caller ID. 407 area code and underneath the number the words Florida Call! Yes!!!! This was it. The other saving grace was that Grumpy forgot to tell me to pick up something he needed. So as I answered the phone he was going out the door to run back to the store. Could the timing be any better? With Grumpy out of the house, I was free to talk.

While it took the CM forever to find our reservation, I was able to explain to her that this whole thing was a surprise to Grumpy. By the time he came back, I was still on the phone, but knew if I started talking nonsense , the CM would follow me. She finally found our reservation and was able to book us for the Sunrise Safari!!!!! And while Grumpy was in the house at the end of the conversation, he didn’t bat an eye as to why I was on the phone with Disney. To further cover my tracks, I made a point to take the phone and sit down in front of him and call Happy Limo to confirm our reservation with them. I hung up the phone and loudly stated “Great, I feel better now. The hotel and the limo are confirmed”. I can only hope he bought it.


So now I guess we are finally set. All things are in place. And I can only hope that Grumpy is still in the dark. The only thing I have to do now is wait.


In just four more days, we will start making a new set of magical memories at WDW!

[DrDolphin]

Great update and congrats on getting fishing and the safari!!!

[Minnie Lor]

I am so excited for you! How fun!

[lauren-roxy]

I am so glad that you were able to get the safari Nala!!! I know Grampy will really enjoy it!! I am so excited about your trip and the thought of another one of your great trip reports!!!!

[Tara O'Hara]

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Great update and congrats on getting fishing and the safari!!!

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[ariel14]

Sounds great! I can't wait to hear what happens!

[MAria R]

Your plans look great. I hope you guys have a wonderful trip and that Grumpy enjoys all his surprises.