ª"˜˜ª¤.¸Team August 2013 Thread! (Part 2)¸.¤ª˜˜"ª&#9733

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

So I'm stealing this from another post on the Theme Parks page, but QOTD!!

What is your favorite Photopass picture taken?

Great pic! I posted my favorite two on the FB page since I can't figure out how to link them here lol...

 

[DisMom1981]

These pictures are making me want to purchase pp+ !!!! But my kids do not cooperate and I'm afraid they won't take any pictures and it will be a waste!!! And i will be upset bc my kids font take pictures lol! What do you get with the purchase? Do you get prints or just files that you can print?

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[Pirate princess 2]

It's been awhile since I checked in. We are now at 31 days! My TA called yesterday and all my Mickey mail arrived including PP+. Someone was asking if it's worth it. I can't say enough great things about it. We used it on our last trip in Oct. So many great pictures from rides and resautants that I would normally just have passed up on because of the extra cost. I have absolutely nothing pulled together for our trip yet. I need to get last years packing list and update it for this year. I think once I start there, I won't need much time to gather everything.

 

[racinjunkie]

Ok I spoke to both the Internet Help Desk and Reservations. The IHP said yes guests in the test will have FP+ and a KTTW card giving them access to regular FPs as well. I told her I was concerned this would reduce the number of FPs available to me since the folks in the test now have access to double FPs on attractions where they booked FP+. She told me I could email my concerns.... I was unamused so I got a little dramatic and told her I was considering cancelling my vacation and asked if there was anyone I could talk to who could assist me with my concerns. So she transferred me to reservations.

I spoke to a very nice CM who took quite a bit of time to research my questions. She confirmed what the PP was told that the MBs and the KTTW cards are linked so folks in the test will only be allowed to pull FPs for parks where they do not have FP+ "appointments." We even went through a scenario where a tester had scheduled a 1-2pm time slot for Space Mountain, arrive at SM and see that the FP return time is about the same as their appointment so they could pull FPs and ride back to back, she said no, that cannot happen and that this was done so that everyone is on a level playing field.

 

[thetorit]

Ok on the phone with reservations now. I spoke to the Internet Help Desk before this. She confirmed that guests in the test will have FP+ and a KTTW card giving them access to regular FPs as well. I told her I was concerned this would reduce the number of FPs available to me since the folks in the test now have access to double FPs on attractions where they booked FP+. She told me I could email my concerns.... I was unamused so I got a little dramatic and told her I was considering cancelling my vacation and asked if there was anyone I could talk to who could assist me with my concerns. So now I'm on hold with reservations... more when I finish this conversation.

I'm curious to see where this goes!

 

[Megs114]

Ok I spoke to both the Internet Help Desk and Reservations. The IHP said yes guests in the test will have FP+ and a KTTW card giving them access to regular FPs as well. I told her I was concerned this would reduce the number of FPs available to me since the folks in the test now have access to double FPs on attractions where they booked FP+. She told me I could email my concerns.... I was unamused so I got a little dramatic and told her I was considering cancelling my vacation and asked if there was anyone I could talk to who could assist me with my concerns. So she transferred me to reservations.

I spoke to a very nice CM who took quite a bit of time to research my questions. She confirmed what the PP was told that the MBs and the KTTW cards are linked so folks in the test will only be allowed to pull FPs for parks where they do not have FP+ "appointments." We even went through a scenario where a tester had scheduled a 1-2pm time slot for Space Mountain, arrive at SM and see that the FP return time is about the same as their appointment so they could pull FPs and ride back to back, she said no, that cannot happen and that this was done so that everyone is on a level playing field.

Ok good! I think the KTTW cards and the MB will have the same RFID code or whatever it is in it to avoid people double dipping in the same park.

 

[Megs114]

Great pic! I posted my favorite two on the FB page since I can't figure out how to link them here lol...

So cute!! I love the one of the girls kissing daddy!

All of these pictures are great so far! Keep em coming!

 

[CerysG]

Does anyone know the current fridge situation? Specifically for CBR? I've called 3 times and gotten 3 different answers. We are driving and could take our own small fridge or cooler, but would prefer not to!

I phoned a few weeks back when the news came out and was told that I should phone 10 days out and put a request in for one. It sounded like they were being removed at that point but she didn't have any idea when the new ones would be in. What information have you been given?
I'm planning taking our small softsided cooler bag that will fit in our suitcase just in case. I want to put in a order at GG so we have some breakfast stuff and snacks etc. Fingers crossed that they are in place when we get there so then we'll have two fridges since we have two rooms.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Today's update:

The path of Dorian next week will depend on the strength of the tropical system itself and other weather systems surrounding it. Currently, Dorian was moving swiftly along to the west-northwest at around 17 mph.

"It is too early to say with confidence for next week where Dorian will track and what the strength will be," Kottlowski added.
It could be scooped up by the back side of high pressure near Bermuda over the Atlantic Ocean. In this scenario, the feature could then travel along the East coast of the United States.

Another scenario allows Dorian to miss the "right turn lane" and continue west-northwestward brushing northern shores of Puerto Rico, Hispaniola and Cuba.

In the middle of this wide window and a third scenario is for the system to reach the southeastern U.S. with drenching rainfall more than a week away from now, around the first weekend of August.
In addition to potential fringe-effect impact in the Lesser and Greater Antilles, people in the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos should closely monitor the path and strength of Dorian. These areas are currently in a higher risk for the storm to pass very close by next week.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

The path of Dorian next week will depend on the strength of the tropical system itself and other weather systems surrounding it. Currently, Dorian was moving swiftly along to the west-northwest at around 17 mph.

"It is too early to say with confidence for next week where Dorian will track and what the strength will be," Kottlowski added.
It could be scooped up by the back side of high pressure near Bermuda over the Atlantic Ocean. In this scenario, the feature could then travel along the East coast of the United States.

Another scenario allows Dorian to miss the "right turn lane" and continue west-northwestward brushing northern shores of Puerto Rico, Hispaniola and Cuba.

In the middle of this wide window and a third scenario is for the system to reach the southeastern U.S. with drenching rainfall more than a week away from now, around the first weekend of August.
In addition to potential fringe-effect impact in the Lesser and Greater Antilles, people in the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos should closely monitor the path and strength of Dorian. These areas are currently in a higher risk for the storm to pass very close by next week.

Thanks for the update. We have friends leaving for Bermuda next week!

 

[hannahmachell]

My TA forwarded me this email she received
regarding our reservation for CBR August 15-23.

'Due to a possible defect Walt Disney World Resort is replacing the refrigerators in the Guest rooms.Effective immediately there will be no refrigerators available until this process is complete. Hotel is unable to provide a completion date and will advise once process is done.'

 

[Suzanne74]

Ok I spoke to both the Internet Help Desk and Reservations. The IHP said yes guests in the test will have FP+ and a KTTW card giving them access to regular FPs as well. I told her I was concerned this would reduce the number of FPs available to me since the folks in the test now have access to double FPs on attractions where they booked FP+. She told me I could email my concerns.... I was unamused so I got a little dramatic and told her I was considering cancelling my vacation and asked if there was anyone I could talk to who could assist me with my concerns. So she transferred me to reservations.

I spoke to a very nice CM who took quite a bit of time to research my questions. She confirmed what the PP was told that the MBs and the KTTW cards are linked so folks in the test will only be allowed to pull FPs for parks where they do not have FP+ "appointments." We even went through a scenario where a tester had scheduled a 1-2pm time slot for Space Mountain, arrive at SM and see that the FP return time is about the same as their appointment so they could pull FPs and ride back to back, she said no, that cannot happen and that this was done so that everyone is on a level playing field.

I appreciate your update but from the other threads, it seems many are purposely scheduling FP at a 2nd park later in the day so they can pull FP at a different park in the beginning of the day. That is abusing the system and since there are so many with bands and cards in Aug, I just envision FP slots eating up quick, esp on TSM, the mountains and TT. We never take summer trips. The earliest I have gone is a few days before Labor Day. So I am already concerned about waits and this makes me more nervous.

 

[Loreli]

I appreciate your update but from the other threads, it seems many are purposely scheduling FP at a 2nd park later in the day so they can pull FP at a different park in the beginning of the day. That is abusing the system and since there are so many with bands and cards in Aug, I just envision FP slots eating up quick, esp on TSM, the mountains and TT. We never take summer trips. The earliest I have gone is a few days before Labor Day. So I am already concerned about waits and this makes me more nervous.

I am trying to go with the "it is what it is" philosophy. Can't change the test and can't change my dates either. Won't give up CSR for POP. Can't afford CR. So I will make the best of it. Disney is my happy place right now and I won't let the FP+ test change that.
Hope you can get to a better place about it.

 

[racinjunkie]

I appreciate your update but from the other threads, it seems many are purposely scheduling FP at a 2nd park later in the day so they can pull FP at a different park in the beginning of the day. That is abusing the system and since there are so many with bands and cards in Aug, I just envision FP slots eating up quick, esp on TSM, the mountains and TT. We never take summer trips. The earliest I have gone is a few days before Labor Day. So I am already concerned about waits and this makes me more nervous.

I see your point about TSMM because it runs out around noon every day, it's possible it could begin running out earlier because of this test. I do think it's likely to be unfair to those of us outside of the test. I've done too much work on this trip to really cancel. I can't replace this trip with something comparable at this point. Maybe you should call and complain as well... I think I'll send an email and see what happens.

 

[poohlover4life]

Hey all! I just wanted to encourage you all about e-mailing and calling. I had a complaint and I e-mailed. Then next day I got a call from a lady in cooperate and voiced all my concerns which she said were legit and she gave me other people to talk to at the resort and her personal extension if something goes wrong. My complaint was about something different so I don't know how this one will work but I was SO pleased with how seriously they take the e-mails so give it a go! I love that this company cares so I have hope everything will work out.

 

[racinjunkie]

So, I decided to call again... reservations pretty much said, so sorry for your luck. I asked to talk to someone else and she transferred me to the Internet Help Desk. My new friend Leopold told me that the August testers are not going to have KTTW cards... I said that I thought he was wrong, we argued, he insulted the disboards LOL, and then said "wait, I have someone in my office who is directly involved in the August test, if you don't mind holding I'll make sure I have the most up to date information." So I hold... eventually he comes back and says that yes the testers are going to have KTTW cards (told ya!) but that they won't be able to use them for park hoping purposes. He said that once they have registered for FP+ then that's their park of the day and they won't be able to get regular FPs in any park. I asked, if that's the case, then why are they even getting KTTW cards. His story is that they are just backup for park entry or FP+ return should their MBs not work.

I expressed my irritation that this is all being hidden and that those of us outside the test are feeling mistreated... for all the good that will do any of us. I also told him that he can rest assured that if my vacation is affected I will complain and complain loudly and often...

 

[belle1528]

I phoned a few weeks back when the news came out and was told that I should phone 10 days out and put a request in for one. It sounded like they were being removed at that point but she didn't have any idea when the new ones would be in. What information have you been given?
I'm planning taking our small softsided cooler bag that will fit in our suitcase just in case. I want to put in a order at GG so we have some breakfast stuff and snacks etc. Fingers crossed that they are in place when we get there so then we'll have two fridges since we have two rooms.

I was told to call 3 days prior to our check in to put in a request. But considering we are driving and making a stop to visit family in Georgia, I will be leaving my house 4 days before our check in, so would like to know if I need to waste space in my car traveling with a large cooler or the fridge.
I do not book a hotel room anywhere for more than one night without a fridge its a necessity when we travel. Medical Necessity no, but it would be a deal breaker when booking a room had i known in advance! With 2 small children and trying to save $$ where we can we normally order or bring milk, drinks, eat breakfast in the room... I'm just really frustrated.

I was told by one cm she had not heard of the $15 credit per night, another told me that was not true.

One said she thought CBR would be replaced quickly, another said no.

It's very annoying to call and get different answers every time! You would think disney would make sure the same information is being given out by everyone.

 

[FlaNani]

After looking at the forecast for August I thought this would be funny.

The official slogan for Team August!

LOVE IT!

We've been deciding what we will do if a tropical storm or hurricane shows up while we are there. Figure we will stay in the villa (OKW) until it passes or until the parks open, then we'll brave it! We're Floridians, we can handle it!!

 

[DisMom1981]

So, I decided to call again... reservations pretty much said, so sorry for your luck. I asked to talk to someone else and she transferred me to the Internet Help Desk. My new friend Leopold told me that the August testers are not going to have KTTW cards... I said that I thought he was wrong, we argued, he insulted the disboards LOL, and then said "wait, I have someone in my office who is directly involved in the August test, if you don't mind holding I'll make sure I have the most up to date information." So I hold... eventually he comes back and says that yes the testers are going to have KTTW cards (told ya!) but that they won't be able to use them for park hoping purposes. He said that once they have registered for FP+ then that's their park of the day and they won't be able to get regular FPs in any park. I asked, if that's the case, then why are they even getting KTTW cards. His story is that they are just backup for park entry or FP+ return should their MBs not work.

I expressed my irritation that this is all being hidden and that those of us outside the test are feeling mistreated... for all the good that will do any of us. I also told him that he can rest assured that if my vacation is affected I will complain and complain loudly and often...

Total poor/miscommunication all around - for MB testers and non-testers alike. How can he insult the dis boards? I think we have a better handle on how the new mm+ will work than "Leopoldo" and many of his colleagues! Am I the only one that is baffled that in this day and age of social media, instant feedback and constant communication- this MAJOR COMPANY can't get a straight game plan and have all the players (guests, cro, it, corporate, etc) on the same page with that?

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[FlaNani]

30 Days out! Time to get out the suitcases and start writing my packing and shopping lists. Packing for myself and my partner. Ours is kinda easy though, all of our Disney shirts are in one drawer in each of our dressers, so I just grab the stack of shirts and a stack of shorts or capris and stuff them into the suitcase.

I also have to get the shopping list going so I don't forget anything. Can't imagine getting to Disney without my coffee or my "can't live without" French Vanilla Creamer!