Wow
time really flies.
Its been a whole MONTH since Ive updated this bad boy.
I actually had to go back and read to see where we left off
So wed spent a couple of days at CBR, wandered Epcot in the rain, had a big family birthday celebration, and lost and then found Michaels Disney Spirit. On the trolley, of all places.
So, come Sunday, August 2nd, it was time to move to Saratoga Springs Resort - our home away from home. With all of our friends. Not quite under one roof, but in one section.
We slept in a bit. Or the boys slept in. I myself was packed and ready to go. Thinking of all the things we COULD be doing.
But I tried to relax. After all, The Plan for this day was
No Plan.
Ok, not entirely true.
Switching resorts early morning had been planned.
Spending the day around the pool had been planned.
Even doing laundry while lounging around the pool had been planned.
So, apparently you can Plan not to have a Plan. And yes, that Plan can also be thrown out the window.
But I planned ahead to allow for that.
Still with me?
Ok good.
When I could take the waiting no longer, the Drill Sergeant in me kicked in and I practically dragged the boys out of bed. Yes, I know, the plan was to sleep in a bit and take it easy today, but Ill be honest. I was ready to get out of CBR.
It was fine.
For a couple of days.
But Resort Snob that I am was ready to move on up, Weezie.
We had our bathing suits on, had a small bag with a change of clothes in the event that our room wasnt ready and had called bell services to transfer our luggage and Owners Locker over to SSR.
I had done the on-line check-in before we left so really, all we needed to do was show up, take about 2 minutes to run in the Carriage House and get our keys and our little show about nothing (NO Seinfeld) could begin its run.
If only it had gone that way.
Now I didnt do a pre-trip report, so all of the drama and resort switching and date changing was missed by most of you but I think I mentioned it in the beginning. In a nutshell, we were staying on points from August 2nd thru the 5th and on rented points for the night of the 5th. So when I did online check-in, I checked in for both reservation numbers with the plan of taking a quick moment to have my two ressies linked so no room switching would be necessary. Its easy enough to do.
Unless you are the Mominator and have been having the kind of year I have. Bad Juju had become a constant companion and apparently it mustve slipped in to the car when I wasnt looking as it reared its ugly head upon arrival.
Anyway, the boys and I met up in the parking lot at the Carriage House (we had 2 vehicles dont forget) and ran in together. The boys were charged with the mission of going to get us something to eat whilst I took a quick minute or 2 to get checked in.
Those of you that know my DH though, know darn well that didnt happen. Tony has a problem splitting up on vacation. He refuses to be a FP Runner, nor will he take our son and go and get lunch whilst I get our room keys.
Nope.
He would rather linger in the lobby and wait angrily whilst it takes too long.
Occasionally complaining that its taking too long and telling me that theyre starving.
Yet refusing to go get lunch without me.
Despite my pleading for him to
well, just go away.
I knew this ahead of time. It always happens. Its about as predictable as what my drink order will be at the pool bar.
Online check-in would be a great way for me to avoid this aggravation. Within mere minutes wed all be together at AP getting an early lunch to take to the pool with us.
So upon entering the lobby I was immediately received at the online check-in desk. Sweet.
And 30 seconds later I had my welcome packet in hand. Why yes, Mrs. Mominator, your Grandstand request has been met and your room is, in fact, ready now.
I request an additional parking pass and to link my 2 ressies. No problem they say.
Well just pull up your name in the system here
ah, there you are Mrs. Mominator. Ill just link the reservations and print out new room keys
.
There. Now I just need to
Umm
.this is strange
.your reservation seems to be frozen.
Let me try hitting this key
Hmmm
let me log out and log back in again.
Ok, good. Now, lets try putting your name in again
Ummmm
.my system is frozen.
Give me just a minute
Twenty minutes later, I was still standing there.
With Tony complaining that he and Michael were starving and asking what was taking so long. Ahhhh
just like old times.
So go to AP and grab something to eat
No, he says, were not going without you.
And so it begins.
Again.
UGH
.
The lovely CM then explains that her machine is completely locked up.
Please wait here, she says, and Ill just go to another Cast Members computer and print out your other parking pass.
She uses the terminal next to her between guests.
Ok, she says, lets find your ressie in the system. There you are
Now, lets get those room keys reprinted and
Uh oh
.
Now this system was frozen too.
As was the one next to that when she tried using that one.
Apparently V is not the only one who has been blacklisted.
The mere entry of my last name causes each terminal at the registration desk to freeze up and shut down.
With that, the CM disappears into the back and comes back with a Manager.
I let out a slight sigh of relief at the sight of Anthony. The CM Ive been dealing with is
well, shes never been the sharpest tool in the shed. Shes been here for a couple of years and I seem to get her each time I check in. Since she started training back in the day.
Luckily, she probably doesnt remember me the way I remember her.
Although, since August 2nd, that may have changed.
Now approaching forty-five minutes since arrival, you can imagine how happy my husband is.
Michael, on the other hand, is quite content watching cartoons in a comfy just-my-size chair.
This is where Tony gets loud. And has no problem making an issue out of the fact that his wife did online check-in and has been here nearly an hour. And he doesnt understand what the problem is.
But I do.
Its Cinnamon-Gate.
The All-Seeing, All-Knowing Mouse has caught me. There is no pulling the wool over the Mouses eyes.
It may have been too late to tell me I could have my illegally, immorally gained reservation, but they could certainly let me know that they know.
What Ive done.
And that I wasnt going to get away with it.
I must be punished.
And therefore, blacklisted.
Stripped of my privileges and quite possibly my pool day.
Finally Anthony had to make a call. He was nearly whispering to whomever he was talking to
Jim Lewis, perhaps, and looking to me every minute or so with a disapproving furrow to his brow.
I began to feel like I was trying to pass counterfeit bills and had been caught and was simply being stalled until security could get there.
I nervously cleared my throat as he called upon the original CM where they huddled quietly, occasionally looking over at me.
I began to sweat.
Then, they broke the huddle and approached me. One from each side.
Id been had.
The jig was up.
Anthony explained that they were very, very sorry for my inconvenience. Member services had to have IT work on my reservation. In the meantime, I could use the original keys and stop by at my earliest convenience and get the new keys that had the 2 reservations linked.
I was well prepared to protest.
Ummm
.this IS my earliest convenience.
But I decided that since I was merely a suspect at this time, and not the convicted felon, I would promise not to leave town and be prepared to answer any further questions later.
With that, we got lunch, checked in with V and T and headed over to the Grandstand.
Nervously laughing on my way out of the Carriage House
and on the way to our room.
I have to end this now as I have to run out, but more later...
Coming up
a 3-Focker collision at the corner of Pool and Beer:Thirty
And even though shes laminated, should Kate have sunscreen??
Glad Michael popped out of his "non Disney mood".
Loving the YT, as usual. I mentions on both T and V's reports, I can't get over how big the kids got just since last year!
I'LL WORK ON AN UPDATE THIS WEEK!
You're back!
And in the unlikeliest of ways...
Which, honestly, I dont get. V loves to do laundry. If only we lived closer, Id pay her to do mine. However, the fact that you can do laundry and hang out at the pool, makes it a little more bearable. I still miss having a washer/dryer in the room though. One of the drawbacks to staying in a studio.
