keishashadow
Proud Redhead...yes, I have some bananas!
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2004
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Finally, after a 15 month wait since I booked our 1<SUP>st</SUP> Carnival Cruise the day arrived!
Our group consisted of self, DH & youngest DS.
We had originally planned to spend a day in Tampa before our “Exotic Western” cruise on the Legend. When we visited MCO in June, the Haunted Mansion had been closed for rehab/update. As a HM geek, I was eager to check out the new version. However, the best laid plans…I decided the BOGO Universal APs were too good to pass up. Unfortunately, our budget didn’t allow for both Disney and Universal APs, so we elected to spend our day at Universal WWWD
… much to my youngest DSs delight. We booked a standard room at the new AKV using DVC points (surprisingly cheaper than the Values would cost); as it’s difficult to justify the extra $ expense when we have pre-accommodations.
Fate intervened, in my last trip report of the June vacation this year; I expressed our unsatisfactory experience at the Royal Pacific Resort and what I felt was a profound lack of customer service. Many here urged me to contact the management and let them know what had transpired. I must admit I thought it was a waste of time; but proceeded to send them a letter. I was pleasantly surprised to be contacted quickly by the assistant manager and his staff. They validated my concerns and detailed as to how the situation would be addressed to prevent future occurences. Best of all, we were awarded a complimentary night’s stay, that I promptly applied to our night’s stay in December
On a way too early blustery morning (who booked that 7:00 am flight?); we departed for the airport; nearly missing the 1<SUP>st</SUP> big snow storm of the season. I was curious as to how the newly implemented Southwest airlines boarding policy would work. I had checked in promptly 24 hours prior and we were in the A group, after business class and preboards. Sure did feel bad for the passengers who were sitting in the waiting area when we got to the gate and were still stuck in the back of the plane; guess they weren’t familiar with the methodology
One person I didn’t feel for was the princess who sashayed up just as the boarding began into the preboard area with an stroller filled with carryons and a group of 8 or 9; the youngest appearing to be in grade school. Despite repetitive (yet oddly entertaining) explanations, complete with pantomines; as to the new process by gate personnel...she tried to pushed their way on first. When denied, she went into meltdown stage, followed by various party members starting to voice loud objections. SW was not swayed. We entered the walkway to the wail of “…it’s not fair…” ringing down to the plane.
Working our way back to find seats we were surprised to discover that 3 of the elderly preboards (evidently flying together) had positioned themselves in the middle seats. Evidently, the strategy de jour in seat saving? They were trying to hold not only the 3 seats, but the ones across & in front & behind; evidently for another large group…bit much imo
When the unfairly treated group did board, she was even more loudly stating her case that she shouldn’t have to ride in the back of the plane. Someone started to snicker and laughter soon spread throughout the plane. I must give the FAs credit for handling things in a calm manner.
<O
We had to be de-iced on the tarmac, still arrived @ MCO early. Quickly our luggage arrived and we headed off to find the Dollar Rental Car counter. Once we realized it was at the other end of the terminal, we deposited jr with the luggage and trekked down.
I had decided to try Dollar since they offered a free shuttle in TPA to the port and back to the airport afterwards. Found out that I’m spoiled by the efficiency of QS & EA. I had signed up for the Dollar Express program, which promises a “go to the head of the line” experience; not quite.
We walked past the lengthy regular line, congratulating ourselves on our good fortune reporting to the empty DE line. Figuring we would be served next, I walked up to the 1<SUP>st</SUP> available agent. Dismayed to find out that only 1 agent is soley able to process DE ressies, we had to get back in line lol; while I watched the end of the regular line pass us.
The gent in line ahead of us kept wavering as to which vehicle and components he wanted; my head started to spin after 15 min. and DH gave me the 1<SUP>st</SUP> look of the the trip (you know “the look”)
. I stuffed a sock in it and finally it was our turn. Not sure if it was the CS rep not having an adequate command of English or whether it was a new system of churning sales; regardless, we had to have the contract rewritten 3 times to over-ride charges we had refused in the first place. Ladies & gentlemen; check your contracts at Dollar before you sign on the dotted line!
We collected jr and hoofed over to the garage to find another line, 15 minutes later found our Jeep Liberty and finally on our way. I admit to having a bad habit of being tense up to and including the time we enter our hotel; not sure why? Believe I received the 2<SUP>nd</SUP> “look” in the garage.
Do find it thrilling to pull up to the specific hotel after all the months of planning. Especially, at Universal when they hand you the golden tickets, room keys! FOTL is the best perc, hands down imo. While the room wasn’t ready we easily dropped off our luggage at bell services and headed off to the boat launch.
A large convention was at the hotel, however, it’s spaciousness never made it seem crowded during our brief stay; even when waiting for a launch...off to the parks
<O
Finally, after a 15 month wait since I booked our 1<SUP>st</SUP> Carnival Cruise the day arrived!
Our group consisted of self, DH & youngest DS. We had originally planned to spend a day in Tampa before our “Exotic Western” cruise on the Legend. When we visited MCO in June, the Haunted Mansion had been closed for rehab/update. As a HM geek, I was eager to check out the new version. However, the best laid plans…I decided the BOGO Universal APs were too good to pass up. Unfortunately, our budget didn’t allow for both Disney and Universal APs, so we elected to spend our day at Universal WWWD
… much to my youngest DSs delight. We booked a standard room at the new AKV using DVC points (surprisingly cheaper than the Values would cost); as it’s difficult to justify the extra $ expense when we have pre-accommodations.Fate intervened, in my last trip report of the June vacation this year; I expressed our unsatisfactory experience at the Royal Pacific Resort and what I felt was a profound lack of customer service. Many here urged me to contact the management and let them know what had transpired. I must admit I thought it was a waste of time; but proceeded to send them a letter. I was pleasantly surprised to be contacted quickly by the assistant manager and his staff. They validated my concerns and detailed as to how the situation would be addressed to prevent future occurences. Best of all, we were awarded a complimentary night’s stay, that I promptly applied to our night’s stay in December
On a way too early blustery morning (who booked that 7:00 am flight?); we departed for the airport; nearly missing the 1<SUP>st</SUP> big snow storm of the season. I was curious as to how the newly implemented Southwest airlines boarding policy would work. I had checked in promptly 24 hours prior and we were in the A group, after business class and preboards. Sure did feel bad for the passengers who were sitting in the waiting area when we got to the gate and were still stuck in the back of the plane; guess they weren’t familiar with the methodology
One person I didn’t feel for was the princess who sashayed up just as the boarding began into the preboard area with an stroller filled with carryons and a group of 8 or 9; the youngest appearing to be in grade school. Despite repetitive (yet oddly entertaining) explanations, complete with pantomines; as to the new process by gate personnel...she tried to pushed their way on first. When denied, she went into meltdown stage, followed by various party members starting to voice loud objections. SW was not swayed. We entered the walkway to the wail of “…it’s not fair…” ringing down to the plane.
Working our way back to find seats we were surprised to discover that 3 of the elderly preboards (evidently flying together) had positioned themselves in the middle seats. Evidently, the strategy de jour in seat saving? They were trying to hold not only the 3 seats, but the ones across & in front & behind; evidently for another large group…bit much imo
When the unfairly treated group did board, she was even more loudly stating her case that she shouldn’t have to ride in the back of the plane. Someone started to snicker and laughter soon spread throughout the plane. I must give the FAs credit for handling things in a calm manner.
<O
We had to be de-iced on the tarmac, still arrived @ MCO early. Quickly our luggage arrived and we headed off to find the Dollar Rental Car counter. Once we realized it was at the other end of the terminal, we deposited jr with the luggage and trekked down.
I had decided to try Dollar since they offered a free shuttle in TPA to the port and back to the airport afterwards. Found out that I’m spoiled by the efficiency of QS & EA. I had signed up for the Dollar Express program, which promises a “go to the head of the line” experience; not quite.
We walked past the lengthy regular line, congratulating ourselves on our good fortune reporting to the empty DE line. Figuring we would be served next, I walked up to the 1<SUP>st</SUP> available agent. Dismayed to find out that only 1 agent is soley able to process DE ressies, we had to get back in line lol; while I watched the end of the regular line pass us.
The gent in line ahead of us kept wavering as to which vehicle and components he wanted; my head started to spin after 15 min. and DH gave me the 1<SUP>st</SUP> look of the the trip (you know “the look”)
. I stuffed a sock in it and finally it was our turn. Not sure if it was the CS rep not having an adequate command of English or whether it was a new system of churning sales; regardless, we had to have the contract rewritten 3 times to over-ride charges we had refused in the first place. Ladies & gentlemen; check your contracts at Dollar before you sign on the dotted line!We collected jr and hoofed over to the garage to find another line, 15 minutes later found our Jeep Liberty and finally on our way. I admit to having a bad habit of being tense up to and including the time we enter our hotel; not sure why? Believe I received the 2<SUP>nd</SUP> “look” in the garage.
Do find it thrilling to pull up to the specific hotel after all the months of planning. Especially, at Universal when they hand you the golden tickets, room keys! FOTL is the best perc, hands down imo. While the room wasn’t ready we easily dropped off our luggage at bell services and headed off to the boat launch.
A large convention was at the hotel, however, it’s spaciousness never made it seem crowded during our brief stay; even when waiting for a launch...off to the parks
<O
; waved us though
(on a Saturday?when the MK is open until midnight?
); we were forced to do a commando run thru the parks. Thanks to FOTL we got quite alot accomplished in a little over 6 hours.
hope not) Tooks somes pics jik, don't worry no flash! This actor was the best we've seen in the role.
priceless. He rarely shops & has no idea as to costs of kitsch.
snuck up on them. So nice to see friends in the box in 3-D. Didn't tell her it was uncanny as to how she reminded both DH & me of friend we hadn't seen in years. I got carded, not by the bartender - Jodie
; I wasn't sure if our room keys had the VIP mark on them; indeedy we were special this trip.
Essential for daily lifeline call to elderly ma and DS who was holding down the fort while we were on the cruise. Or as ma put it, galavanting to the far corners of the earth. As it was 8:30 p.m. on a Saturday, the local Cingular store was closed...until 11:00 a.m. on Sunday..about the time I had hoped to be @ The Port of Tampa. 
; all he asked was that we "have a few drinks on him during our cruise"
FANTASTIC!
Shaking our heads, we walked out to the pool area. Found this the best place to dine for breakfast and lunch to reserve our sanity; just a few more feet and way better vibe.
