Pixie Dust, Pineapples, & Plummits - a May 2011 TR - Updated 3/17/12

[dtr_angel]

You poor thing! All that time waiting for a room and the inconsiderate CM never bothered to check!

Honestly, I would have bawled my eyes out too. Then again, at that point, I wouldn't have been civil. I'm glad your DH took care of things. I'd love to know what he said to finally get a room to magically appear for you!

But I agree, I think that once they realized you waited around so long, they should have upgraded you, or at least, done SOMETHING nice (and most certainly apologized!!!).

As for lounging on that couch, I would have kicked my shoes off, and laid down to nap since they weren't in a hurry to put me in a room. I actually would have went back to the CM who checked me in and said "I'll be over there napping if you'll come nudge me when my room is ready." And the first CM to give me a dirty look, I'd write their name down and include it in my list of "these people made my stay miserable Uncle Walt"!

I truly hope your vacation picked up from there. Glad you had a good dinner and got to see MSEP.

Thank you so much for this. I was so afraid anyone who read would tell us we were acting like babies and it wasn't so bad. This is what I needed to hear. It was terrible and didn't feel like Disney at all. I guess we should've just stayed in the lobby and napped on the couches, why else are they there? LOL. After that day, anything else would've seemed like a great day! LOL!

Wow, what a terrible day. I can't believe the horrible customer service you received. At least you got the savanna view but I agree with you, not worth the annoyance.

I also don't understand the dirty looks people were giving you. Have they never seen a guest waiting for their room before?

Yeah we both agree the upgrade was not worth it, but we both also agreed that AKL would've been.... boring and very non-animalish without the savanna view!

Yea, horrible customer service!!! I hope the rest of the trip didn't dissappoint for you!! That view in the new room is awesome tho!! Love the giraffes!

After the first day, anything else would've felt like a great day lol. I definitely loved the giraffe, I think I even speak giraffe! (kind of the same way Dory speaks whale LOL)

What an awful way to start your vacation I can't believe they didn't take the time to actually check to see if the room was ready.

I don't understand the dirty looks from CM's when waiting for your room. I always hear of people waiting for there room or hanging around after they checked out the last day.

I am so happy you finally got upgraded to Savannah view, but at that point it probably wasn't enough. They should have comped your Boma meal or something. Your whole experience and how it was handled sounds completely unacceptable to me. I am glad your DH took it okay and handled it.

I hope your trip gets better soon.

I still find it funny that you had no clue if you were in Kidani or Jambo house

Yeah my DH thought it was funny too that I had no idea where we were staying. I don't know what I was thinking. I'm so bummed we didn't make it over to Kidani, I had no clue their pool was so much better!

We were the most upset because the wait was unnecessary since the room WAS ready, that someone didn't do their job and report it as clean, and none of the CMs we talked to bothered to even check on it. We were very upset at how it was handled, but I guess the new room made up for it.

Aw, that was a rocky start I think most people would react the same way... funny how even the littlest thing can get you frustrated when you're tired. The one and only time my DDs (and myself, too) had a meltdown while at WDW was because they (we) were tired.

My BFF and her DH have actually slept on the sofas in the AKL lobby, LOL! While waiting for their room to be ready, as a matter of fact.

We totally should've just slept on the couches. They were comfy, and there were so many of them! Being tired definitely made everything so much worse. Maybe we should not take the first flight to Orlando again (we always have done that in the past to get there by lunch time, to get the most for our money that day for meals & the parks, etc.)

I'm appalled that you had to suffer through those things, especially the CM's giving you dirty looks and being so careless with your room. I sure hope you guys got a hold of someone important after your vacation to tell Disney how utterly disappointed you were. Me being me, I wouldn't even have waited. But I wanted to cheer when I found out your husband made someone do something so that you got a better room.

That's a good man

I hope you had more good moments than bad ones, overall.

We definitely had a lot more good moments than bad moments, but the start to the vacation definitely put a damper on it, and everything didn't feel as magical as before. Last week I got an survey emailed and you better believe I let them have it. I'd be surprised if I don't get a follow up email or phone call about our stay! Of course my DH ended up reading that you thought he was a good man, and that made his day LOL.

Count me in!!

Welcome!! I hope you'll stick around to read about some better Disney days!

NOT Magical Express delivery!

I'm so sorry your arrival at AKL was so crappy! I can only imagine how tired, hot and FRUSTRATING that afternoon was!

Really nice room upgrade, though. What beautiful views! Did you end up with a king bed or not?

I'm glad you enjoyed Boma- eating at your resort is a great strategy for the first night you arrive, especially with all of the problems you had.

It was miserable, that's for sure. Yes, we ended up with a king bed in our first room (the one that was ready all along) and the new one, too. For whatever reason, a king sized bed = vacation. I really look forward to it, especially after a long, tiring day at the parks. I agree the upgrade was nice, but we would've been just as happy in our first room, without all the drama of course. Boma was awesome, and I'm so glad we picked it for our first night there! It was the first time in all our trips that we ever ate at the resort we were staying at for TS.

 

[dtr_angel]

next update

 

[PixieMama]

Wow, Club Level! That is some upgrade and very cool!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Wow! That is an awesome upgrade! I wouldn't worry too much about the CM, I'm sure they probably had permission from the manager.

 

[natebenma]

Club Level!!!

Yup, that's an important detail to leave out!!!

Look forward to reading more of your adventures, after you get your photopass CD.

 

[pinkxray]

Oops, I just just forgot to mention we were upgraded to CL? That is a pretty important thing to forget.!

That is awesome! That seems like a much better upgrade to make up for your awful day. What did you think of staying CL? I know you probably didn't get too much use out of the perks since it was a last minute thing, but just a general impression. I feel the need to stay CL at AKL b/c I want to do the Sunrise safari next time, but DH and DD want to stick to a one bedroom at AKL. Such tough choices!

Anyway for CL. I can't wait to see what other important details you forget to mention as you go on

 

[Lidian]

I just wanted to do a mini update so you knew I didn't forget about my TR. ​

We aren't going to forget about you!

I am stalling on purpose. I wanted to wait until I had the photopass pictures back. It takes so long to edit them, that site is rediculously slow! I'm a little creeped out by the "bonus" pictures that showed up of just the characters, and then all those pictures of the monkey in AK - what is that all about? LOL. I'm happy to see they have added some new borders since 2009. Overall the pictures were okay, but I guess that's only because I'm NOT photogenic. If I was, I would probably love all the pictures. Our strategy is just to have as many taken as possible and hope we get a few good ones, LOL. I just ordered the disc tonight, so hopefully I'll have the CD next week.

I agree! They really need a better site to edit the photos. I was getting agitated with it as well. I'd hit save and nothing would happen. 5 minutes later, I'd hit save again. Nothing. Then the site would lock up, my IE would shut down, and I'd log back in and I'd have 20 of the pic I was tryig to save.

You'd think with as much as they charge for the CDs, they'd really make a better editing site. It's fine for just viewing, but awful for editing!

Did you not get an email about the bonus content? I was sad that I couldn't add borders to most of them. Some of the Mickey ones I could, but not all, and couldn't add borders to ANY of the other ones.

I ordered mine last night. So let the race begin as who gets theirs first!

(PS: I thought about waiting, but I really wanted to get my TR rolling. I'll do specific PP updates at the end with links in the ToC.)

I just wanted to thank each and every one of you who responded to my last update about our awful check in ordeal. I was so nervous about posting our experience, as I thought it would be interpreted as us being whiny, impatient, or serious over-reactors. We definitely loved the savanna view, plus the new room was a lot closer than the first one. It was still a little walk to the lobby, but definitely not as bad. I guess we were spoiled by WL, because our room there was so close to the elevator and the lobby. Have I mentioned yet how huge & confusing getting around AKL was? I mean seriously, I didn't even know I was at Jambo House!

I realized after I did my update that I forgot something important. At some point while we were rushing around to get ready for dinner, DH got our KTTW out of his wallet and I realized they were gold. I freaked out. Apparently DH had forgot to mention that we were upgraded to CLUB LEVEL! I was freaking out in a good way. He was very casual about it, and was like "oh yeah, we get free continental breakfast upstairs I think" Then I explained to him what I knew about CL, and how awesome it was, not to mention how it cost a lot more and how it was a good upgrade. So when I said I didn't remember where DH was when the CM came for turn down service, he went up to the CL to scope it out while I finished getting ready. He grabbed an African beer, I think it was called Tusker. So score one for us - CLUB LEVEL! I felt like a supa-star! We both felt bad though, as an upgrade to CL & a savanna view was a big deal, and we were afraid the CM that did it was going to get in trouble. I also felt horrible that our new room was a handicap accessible room (at least I think it was, the bathroom didn't have a tub and was pretty big) and we were probably taking it away from someone who needed it. But at that point what were we to do, turn it down? Oh well. We both really did feel bad though.

When you first mentioned the Mousekeeper with chocolates, I immediately suspected CL, but couldn't find a mention of it, and thought maybe the manager was just trying to get in your good graces. That's so awesome you were upgraded to CL! I really can't wait to hear about your experience, as AKL CL is my tentative resort for our unscheduled May 2012 visit! And don't feel bad, you guys deserved it after the treatment they gave you! I was honestly sitting here thinking that you should have been given CL for how they treated you, but didn't want to say it and people glare at me for thinking it.

I'm subscribing to so many TR right now, LOL. I'm doing my best to comment on them as I read them, but usually I'm in a hurry and then I have to go back and try to remember who I need to comment on. My big pet peeve is when I hit the 'go to first new post' button, it doesn't. I'm not a fan, it makes it harder to keep up!

So in short, sorry for the delay - while I am waiting for my photopass CD, I'm going to start writing so when it arrives I just have to upload & include the pictures. I hope everyone is staying cool and enjoying their summer so far!

​

I hate not being sent to the actual first new post. I always scroll up (or page back) to see what I missed. But I can't wait to hear more and see your PP pics!

 

[IheartDDuck]

I can totally empathize with how you must have been feeling when that was happening! I can't believe that happened, but in the end I'm glad it was rectified with getting you a room on CL.

You'll have to let us know if you enjoyed CL.

 

[mtgirl29]

Subbing!!!! So glad I found you!!! I just got back this past Sunday (one week in WDW and one week at the beach) and have been doing a bunch of laundry. Now that I have that caught up, I can get my DIS fix. I am sooo excited to read more!!!!

 

[dtr_angel]

My Photopass CD is HERE!

 

[Lidian]

HOORAY FOR THE PP CD! Can't wait to see the pics!

 

[leshunlenese]

I was getting worried about my stay there in dec but im glad it worked out and club level!! Thats awesome! Im so sry about the delay with the rooms but that happened to me last oct at POP. First we requested and at check in my sister's room was ready and ours wasn't so i thought maybe we did not get it. That was fine since it was like 2:30 and check in us at 3. Just like you they said we would get a text. So we go to my sisters room and the doors that join the room are open and obviously, it was ready. the lady did not tell me our room number just the 1st 2 numbers but i just checked with the key and it worked, room ready and all. So it all worked out but what really sucks is that i did not get a text till 7pm and we were well gone to MNSSHP by then!

 

[dtr_angel]

Wow, Club Level! That is some upgrade and very cool!

It was so cool, since it's something we would never do on our own - thank you Disney!

Wow! That is an awesome upgrade! I wouldn't worry too much about the CM, I'm sure they probably had permission from the manager.

I hope so! I'd hate for someone to get in trouble for it!

Club Level!!!

Yup, that's an important detail to leave out!!!

Look forward to reading more of your adventures, after you get your photopass CD.

LOL!

Oops, I just just forgot to mention we were upgraded to CL? That is a pretty important thing to forget.!

That is awesome! That seems like a much better upgrade to make up for your awful day. What did you think of staying CL? I know you probably didn't get too much use out of the perks since it was a last minute thing, but just a general impression. I feel the need to stay CL at AKL b/c I want to do the Sunrise safari next time, but DH and DD want to stick to a one bedroom at AKL. Such tough choices!

Anyway for CL. I can't wait to see what other important details you forget to mention as you go on

Haha I guess so I think it definitely made up for it - but again, would have rather not dealt with the drama in the first place, if you know what I mean. No we definitely didn't get to use all the CL perks, which I guess is why we don't see it being worth the extra money - we didn't get the special check in, or even know about the sunrise safari until after we were already home. Your 1bedroom at the BC looked amazing, now unfortunately I want to stay in a 1 bedroom now, I've always wanted to stay in a hotel that had one of those big fancy bath tubs! Oh and I guess I'm not a very good story teller. Hopefully I don't leave anything big out again

We aren't going to forget about you!

I agree! They really need a better site to edit the photos. I was getting agitated with it as well. I'd hit save and nothing would happen. 5 minutes later, I'd hit save again. Nothing. Then the site would lock up, my IE would shut down, and I'd log back in and I'd have 20 of the pic I was tryig to save.

You'd think with as much as they charge for the CDs, they'd really make a better editing site. It's fine for just viewing, but awful for editing!

Did you not get an email about the bonus content? I was sad that I couldn't add borders to most of them. Some of the Mickey ones I could, but not all, and couldn't add borders to ANY of the other ones.

I ordered mine last night. So let the race begin as who gets theirs first!

(PS: I thought about waiting, but I really wanted to get my TR rolling. I'll do specific PP updates at the end with links in the ToC.)

When you first mentioned the Mousekeeper with chocolates, I immediately suspected CL, but couldn't find a mention of it, and thought maybe the manager was just trying to get in your good graces. That's so awesome you were upgraded to CL! I really can't wait to hear about your experience, as AKL CL is my tentative resort for our unscheduled May 2012 visit! And don't feel bad, you guys deserved it after the treatment they gave you! I was honestly sitting here thinking that you should have been given CL for how they treated you, but didn't want to say it and people glare at me for thinking it.

I hate not being sent to the actual first new post. I always scroll up (or page back) to see what I missed. But I can't wait to hear more and see your PP pics!

You'd think Disney would have a better PP site. It's enough to make you not want to get the dang gone CD just so you don't have to edit it, or not do edits at all. I love them though, and I'm glad to see there has been new borders added since our last trip in 2009. I don't remember an email about the bonus content, but why the heck is there so many pictures of a creepy monkey in AK? LOL DId I already mention that? It was weird. And no, I couldn't add borders to ANY of them.

I thought it was funny that DH thought it was cool to say we didn't want turn down service but take a hand full of chocolates anyway, LOL. I always said yes to it, I figure if they were going to do it I wasn't going to stop them, plus they brought us new towels and stuff. After I realized that I forgot to mention it, I was suprised one of you savvy Disers didn't say - I spy CL since you had turn down service! Funny, I didn't know it either at the time - but then again, I'm the same girl that didn't know I was staying at Jambo House either

CL is really nice, but I don't know that I would pay extra for it. I told DH those are the perks that should be included to everyone that shells out for a deluxe hotel instead of a value or moderate. With the dining plan, and going to the parks most of the day, we didn't eat a lot of the food. Breakfast was super nice though, as we stuffed ourselves full of fresh fruit every morning and CL was closer to our room that walking to Mara to get breakfast. Some mornings we stayed at CL and ate and then headed straight to the park, and some mornings we brought it back to our room and ate on the balcony or while we got ready. So morning was definitely nice with CL. I'm not entirely sure how much extra it is to be CL, so maybe it is worth it - but I have it in my head it's like $1000/extra for a week. Tell me I'm wrong! I told my DH that we got spoiled not paying for breakfast or snacks at the hotel that I might think that we have to stay CL now

I've been really terrible with keeping up with the Dis, I'm still incredibly tired (although I can no longer blame it on vacation lag, as I was calling it) I can't wait to have some energy, this is so unlike me.

I can totally empathize with how you must have been feeling when that was happening! I can't believe that happened, but in the end I'm glad it was rectified with getting you a room on CL.

You'll have to let us know if you enjoyed CL.

I am too, I think Disney more than made up for it, CL was definitely awesome!

Subbing!!!! So glad I found you!!! I just got back this past Sunday (one week in WDW and one week at the beach) and have been doing a bunch of laundry. Now that I have that caught up, I can get my DIS fix. I am sooo excited to read more!!!!

Welcome back!!! I hope you had a nice vacation. I hope you start a TR soon!!!

HOORAY FOR THE PP CD! Can't wait to see the pics!

soon!!! And now I can stop stalling my TR!

I was getting worried about my stay there in dec but im glad it worked out and club level!! Thats awesome! Im so sry about the delay with the rooms but that happened to me last oct at POP. First we requested and at check in my sister's room was ready and ours wasn't so i thought maybe we did not get it. That was fine since it was like 2:30 and check in us at 3. Just like you they said we would get a text. So we go to my sisters room and the doors that join the room are open and obviously, it was ready. the lady did not tell me our room number just the 1st 2 numbers but i just checked with the key and it worked, room ready and all. So it all worked out but what really sucks is that i did not get a text till 7pm and we were well gone to MNSSHP by then!

Oh my goodness, I cannot believe they didn't text you until 7 pm. At least you knew that your room was ready though! If she had told us our room number when we checked in, we could've tried it and found it was ready a lot sooner. I wish they would've.

 

[dtr_angel]

next update

 

[mtgirl29]

I am finally caught up with your TR.
Just wanted to say your pics are fabulous. I, especially, love the one of Nemo. He is such a cutie!
I am so sorry to hear that you had an unmagical arrival. I would have been near tears, too.
What is up with the CMs being so rude!!!
I am glad it finally got rectified and you got a room with a wonderful view and got upgraded to CL. I didn't even know that existed until you told about it. I guess I am not as well versed in everything Disney, yet.
Your PP pic is so great! You and your DH looked great standing in front of the castle. I couldn't even tell you were both irritated and exhausted.
Cannot wait to read more!!!!

 

[Lidian]

I think its a beautiful PP picture! You guys look fabulous!

Can't wait to read the update! (And glad you got your CD.) Hope you feel rested soon!!

 

[bouncycat]

Ya'll look great!!! I like that pic in front of the castle!!!

 

[PixieMama]

Awww, I think it's a great photo of you guys!

Yay for getting the CD... hoping to see lots more great pics!

 

[Chaitali]

Sorry you've been so exhausted lately I hope you get a chance to rest and feel better! Yay for getting the photopass CD. I look forward to seeing more photos

 

[dtr_angel]

next update​