Frozenfingers
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2003
- Messages
- 275
Hi Everyone.. Returned Friday from BCV, our first Christmas trip, and our anniversary trip (19 years, I must still be doing something right).
We flew in Saturday and stayed off site at the Doubletree. Very nice hotel at the crossroads. The warm cookies and pillowtop beds are to die for! At $42 a nite, we couldn't go wrong. We did MGM and the Osborne Spectacle of Lights that night. It was just incredible.. words can't do it justice. Decided to get a bite at DTD and couldn't find a parking space..it was just nuts! We ended up borrowing a space at the Grosvenor and hoofing it over.. not sure what was going on, but folks were parking on the grass even.. It was nearly shoulder to shoulder in DTD so we made a quick lap though World of Disney and then ate at Earls. Good food there, and reasonable too!
We checked in early afternoon, Sunday the 5th, and the line was close to Cape May, and I thought it would take forever. There were 8 CM's working the front desk so it wasn't really very long before we were to the head of the line. I had overheard folks behind me expressing their displeasure with the wait, but thought "come on.. there isn't even another station for any additional CM to work.. get over it".. I did try to hurry the CM along a little, but he stood his ground and went over the entire check in kit and explained all the "perks" etc, etc.. It was just a very attentive and individual process.. great service! Our room was ready, with one of the two requests met, a cheery welcome home and happy anniversary and we were off to collect the CP tickets.
The CM next door handled the tickets.. poor thing looked like she was dragged behind Big Thunder a few times. She was having problems with the folks ahead of us,.. their tickets were not in order or something and the process was taking some time to straighten out. The gent in front of us was kind enough to get ticked off with the wait and went elsewhere, so we moved up in line. Turns out the poor girl was on her third day of 16 hour shifts. No wonder her hairdo looked like it was styled with 220 volts. No problem with our tickets and since no one else in line, we had a nice chat about Disney cutting folks down to part time status (but working them like dogs). I am grateful that she was so pleasant and able to maintain a "Disney Bearing", I really doubt I would be able to do it. So, DW and I agreed that if we ran across CM's that had lost the customer service touch and were a bit Grumpy.. we'd cut them some slack.
We were assigned 322 (studio), and it was really in pretty good shape. Yeah, the carpet had a stain by the bathroom door, few nicks in the coffee table, like someone wasn't too careful with a heavy piece of luggage, but generally speaking, the room was in good shape. We were feeling pretty good about it, until the DW noted the chair. Sweet Jesus! I thought she had gotten plenty of sleep the night before, but I guess not! Someone was evidently bored (probably waiting for their DW) and carved a nice rectangle with about 15 hash marks in arm of the chair. I didn't appreciate the artistic expression, but DW really didn't appreciate it and had a meltdown...and, she does have a point. Would that same individual have carved the design on his dining room table? I figure that is why God put other folks on the planet.. just to PO my DW every so often.. Keeps her regular.
I think 322 used to be called a "woods view". Maybe there are 10 trees or so left standing after the big blows.. offers a nice view of EPCOT now. Plus a gentle breeze could reach us every so often.. quiet pleasant and I knew I would be enjoying my mornig coffee and evening brew on the balcony.
We did EPCOT and the CP Sunday. We had tickets for the 645 followed by LeCellier at 8, and I was looking forward to the steak. I had eaten there last January, and thought it was very good and wanted DW to share in the experience as well. Hmmm, it wasn't as good as I remembered. The meat was cooked great, and was as tender as I recalled, but the flavor just wasn't there. I was disappointed, and DW was kind enough not to mention that I had been bragging about this steak for darn near a year.. and now she finds it has just a little more flavor than cardboard. Course, it twas our anniversary, ...and the cheesecake was delishous.
Illuminations was a crowdpleaser as always, the additional holiday add on was just incredible!
The CP was quite interesting.. just before the performance starts we hear a commotion behind us and here is a fistfight going on. Haven't a clue what started it, but this older gent was bound and determined to pound the Christmas spirit out of a man about half his age. Security showed up and escorted them both out. The younger mans wife and young son were in tears.. how humiliating, our hearts went out to them. The CM tried to get us to sing Joy to the World or some other Christmas song.. good luck!
I thought Jim C did a nice job of narration, as did my DW. She was very moved with the music, I thought it was great as well. I just chose not to cry. I know some felt his mentioning Gibson and the movie was a shameless plug, but I didn't feel offended or distracted by it. Perhaps his earlier performances were worded differently. Anyway, the CP was great! Definately a cut above what we see in rural Minnesota! We ended up watching it twice more in the following days..
Monday we have a quiet, no park day planned. We want to look at resorts.. DW thinks its for the decorations, I'm thinking add on!! Off to the MK and a ferry to WL. Just a great morning, and a pleasant and relaxing ride. Love the decorations at wilderness, but I'm finding the VWL just a little too much on the quiet side for us. If we want lakes and woods..hey, we live in Minnesota, right? We have the same thing a couple miles down the road..just no pool or geyser.
Off to Olivia's at OKW. WE NEVER DREAMED how BIG OKW really is! We are still quite surprised by it. Lunch was great also! NO complaints about it what so ever! Well, DW really didn't appreciate the bird poop on her chair, other than that it was great though. We had heard they dc'd the 10% discount, but it turns out that it is only for the Holiday's. January it will be back, at least according to the waitress. A Pleasant boatride over to SSR shows us slow and up close just how nice OKW really is. I'm thinking this is a definate possibility for an add on!
We get to SSR in time for DW's spa treatment. Little anniversary present to keep me in hero status. Next hour, I stroll the grounds, visit in the DVC center, have a brew. Get to thinking.. hmmm, gonna have to look at the GV's while here.. and how many points do we need to have a GV every third year? SSR has add on potential, some nice incentives.. and a 50 year contract with MF's to pass on to the kids.
After the spa treatment, I smile and nod my head knowingly while DW goes on and on and on about how wonderful Allison was and how she is her new best friend, how good she feels, how she needs to do that more often, etc, etc. She is impressed and definately in the right frame of mind to be open to the suggestion of "just looking" at the GV. We hop in the cart and a young lady opens it up for us and we are just overwhelmed! Folks.. you just gotta see them. I think had the papers been available, or our guide with us, she would have signed on the spot! Poor planning on my part...
DianneSchlecht organized a DISmeet at SSR for that afternoon, and though we thought we were early, we were on the lookout for lime green. Fortunately, we spotted one sonic boom mickey and it turns out it was Dianne. We spent an hour or so with the group, and it was fun to be able to meet folks from the boards. But, as with all groups, there is always a spoiler in every group.. ..DW and I hadn't seen Stich yet, but were treated to a blow by blow of how disappointed he was in the new attraction. Won't mention any names, Viking knows who he is
Just as the group is breaking up, we get a call from another Diser that we were going to meet (for the first time too), requesting a change of plans. We were going to meet at Jelly Rolls that evening, but she asked to stroll the Spectale at MGM instead. Don't know what on Earth I was thinking, but told her we were just finishing up and would be back at BCV in 20 min or so. (They were also at BCV and I suspect she knew better). Actually, I don't think it took us much longer than that.. a nice jog to PI (ok... brisk walk). and the bus was there within a few minutes. Took a few minutes to freshen up and we were off on the hunt for more lime green! (Actually, they said they were waiting on the bench on the porch). I had been corrosponding with sweetdisney(sp) for some time, and it was a pleasure to finally meet her and her family. They are a hoot! We had supper together at FlyingFish and was THAT an experience! I found a new great steak, course the bill was quite spendy (ok, it was very spendy) But, we will do it again in June! Spectacle was great the second time around too!
Tuesday, off to MK in the morning. Crowds are down, and we just have a pleasant morning strolling the park and doing the major attractions. Splash mountain is down, so we do BTRR twice.. The holiday show of Country Bears is a Hoot!! DW had not ever seen the bears and we truely enjoyed the show! Just after noon, we head back for a splash at SAB, and a burger at Beaches and Cream. Not sure what they gave me instead of a choc. malt, but I didn't care for it. The waitress was very gracous and took it off the bill, along with the onion rings that were never delivered.
The Member Mixer that afternoon was a success. DW and I enjoyed meeting other members and fellow DISers. Viking was there also, and I did have to rib him about Stitch.. but you know, he was right. The cider was very good, but the cookies had been left in the humidity too long I think. Viking says they were just plain bad I was surprised that Jim Lewis or other senior DVD folk were not there. I would have thought they would have been.
That evening we enjoyed MVVCP. What is with the postcard? We did enjoy the parades, and wishes was a real crowd pleaser. We will plan it differently next year though. Evedently if one doesn't get their souvenier T right away, one just doesn't get one! The rest of the trip was spent looking for a christmas shirt for DW.. never did find one she liked. Let me rephrase that.. there were several she would have purchased had the price been more reasonable. She was quite irritated at Mike Eisner for not stocking sufficient supply of the MVMMCP shirt the night we were there... keeps her regular though.
Hang in ther guys.. I'm almost done.
Wednesday we TRY do AK but only get a few hours in. DW's blisters are getting the best of her, and I am feeling a little peaked myself, so we forgo the parade and head back to SAB for a quick cool down (actually the last chance for a dip for about 6 months, until the ice comes off the lakes). We need a rest. We dine at Beaches again but share a burger.. the waitress actually gave us seperate sides and split the burger for us.. no add'l charge. Good way to get a nice tip! That evening DW still not up to snuff, so I watch Illuminations again and have a brew from the UK.. I'm chatting up the couple next to me on the bridge, turns out they live a couple hours away from us up in the boundry water area (where the real Wilderness Lodge is).. the tune small world starts going over and over in my mind..
Sweetdisney and fam have invited us to join a get together after the illuminaitions, but DW still isn't up to it, so I go it alone. MORE DISers.. what a treat!
Our last day was mainly spent looking at monorail resorts, shopping, and strolling Epcot. We got the laundry all done and packed away.. We left early and hit a bfast buffet on the way to the airport.. sad to leave, and thinking of next June.
When we finally got to Minneapolis, we were literally scared for our lives. The shuttle driver for our park and fly (Days Inn, Egan) acted very strangely. He was figiting with his glasses, driving erraticaly. Said we needed to make a short trip to pick up another passenger. As we were headed out of town I demanded he return us to the city and our hotel and he refused, said it was "just a little farther".. the road signs said Wisconson was 12 miles away and we were getting scared, real scared. He pulled into a gravel parking lot full of semi trailers (no streetlights anyplace) and I am on the cell with the hotel demanding to know what the hell is happening. The girl says everything is ok and it is corporate policy to combine rides.. The driver stops the van and jumps out and runs into a building.. I'm locking the doors and thinking I gotta steal the van and call 911.. next thing I know someone is banging on the door to get in, DW is breathing hard, and I see the driver running around the van to unlock the drivers door.. he unlocks the door by DW and this grubby looking bearded character jumps in behind me.
The cigarette smoke smell is overwhelming.. and all I can think of is we are dead..they are going to kill us, get the car keys, and our car will disappear.. nobody will ever know what happened.. It is amazing what one thinks of.. guess it is a good thing I didn't have a gun with me.. I was scared enough to use it I think.
Anyway, nothing is said for quite some time and I am watching the compass and we seem to be headed back towards Minneapolis. I call my son and explain where we are on what road, milemarker, direction, etc and tell him that if we don't call in 15 minutes, call the cops and tell them what happened and where to start looking for us.. After nearly an hour after being picked up at the airport, we finally get to the park and fly.. during heavy traffic, I think it is at most a 15 minute drive. The driver tells me not to be mad, it isn't his fault, he is just following directions and going where he is dispatched. I don't tell him that I planned to take out his eye with my cell phone the minute my wife screamed.. I just grunt and walk away. Yes, I stiffed the tip too!
The cute girl at the desk initially refused to give me the managers name, but she could see that I was really pissed (and regular) so, Days Inn corporation will be getting a piece of my mind come Monday, as will the Minnesota Attorney General, and Hobbittravel, who advertises/ recommends this park and fly.
We flew in Saturday and stayed off site at the Doubletree. Very nice hotel at the crossroads. The warm cookies and pillowtop beds are to die for! At $42 a nite, we couldn't go wrong. We did MGM and the Osborne Spectacle of Lights that night. It was just incredible.. words can't do it justice. Decided to get a bite at DTD and couldn't find a parking space..it was just nuts! We ended up borrowing a space at the Grosvenor and hoofing it over.. not sure what was going on, but folks were parking on the grass even.. It was nearly shoulder to shoulder in DTD so we made a quick lap though World of Disney and then ate at Earls. Good food there, and reasonable too!
We checked in early afternoon, Sunday the 5th, and the line was close to Cape May, and I thought it would take forever. There were 8 CM's working the front desk so it wasn't really very long before we were to the head of the line. I had overheard folks behind me expressing their displeasure with the wait, but thought "come on.. there isn't even another station for any additional CM to work.. get over it".. I did try to hurry the CM along a little, but he stood his ground and went over the entire check in kit and explained all the "perks" etc, etc.. It was just a very attentive and individual process.. great service! Our room was ready, with one of the two requests met, a cheery welcome home and happy anniversary and we were off to collect the CP tickets.
The CM next door handled the tickets.. poor thing looked like she was dragged behind Big Thunder a few times. She was having problems with the folks ahead of us,.. their tickets were not in order or something and the process was taking some time to straighten out. The gent in front of us was kind enough to get ticked off with the wait and went elsewhere, so we moved up in line. Turns out the poor girl was on her third day of 16 hour shifts. No wonder her hairdo looked like it was styled with 220 volts. No problem with our tickets and since no one else in line, we had a nice chat about Disney cutting folks down to part time status (but working them like dogs). I am grateful that she was so pleasant and able to maintain a "Disney Bearing", I really doubt I would be able to do it. So, DW and I agreed that if we ran across CM's that had lost the customer service touch and were a bit Grumpy.. we'd cut them some slack.
We were assigned 322 (studio), and it was really in pretty good shape. Yeah, the carpet had a stain by the bathroom door, few nicks in the coffee table, like someone wasn't too careful with a heavy piece of luggage, but generally speaking, the room was in good shape. We were feeling pretty good about it, until the DW noted the chair. Sweet Jesus! I thought she had gotten plenty of sleep the night before, but I guess not! Someone was evidently bored (probably waiting for their DW) and carved a nice rectangle with about 15 hash marks in arm of the chair. I didn't appreciate the artistic expression, but DW really didn't appreciate it and had a meltdown...and, she does have a point. Would that same individual have carved the design on his dining room table? I figure that is why God put other folks on the planet.. just to PO my DW every so often.. Keeps her regular.
I think 322 used to be called a "woods view". Maybe there are 10 trees or so left standing after the big blows.. offers a nice view of EPCOT now. Plus a gentle breeze could reach us every so often.. quiet pleasant and I knew I would be enjoying my mornig coffee and evening brew on the balcony.
We did EPCOT and the CP Sunday. We had tickets for the 645 followed by LeCellier at 8, and I was looking forward to the steak. I had eaten there last January, and thought it was very good and wanted DW to share in the experience as well. Hmmm, it wasn't as good as I remembered. The meat was cooked great, and was as tender as I recalled, but the flavor just wasn't there. I was disappointed, and DW was kind enough not to mention that I had been bragging about this steak for darn near a year.. and now she finds it has just a little more flavor than cardboard. Course, it twas our anniversary, ...and the cheesecake was delishous.
Illuminations was a crowdpleaser as always, the additional holiday add on was just incredible!
The CP was quite interesting.. just before the performance starts we hear a commotion behind us and here is a fistfight going on. Haven't a clue what started it, but this older gent was bound and determined to pound the Christmas spirit out of a man about half his age. Security showed up and escorted them both out. The younger mans wife and young son were in tears.. how humiliating, our hearts went out to them. The CM tried to get us to sing Joy to the World or some other Christmas song.. good luck!
I thought Jim C did a nice job of narration, as did my DW. She was very moved with the music, I thought it was great as well. I just chose not to cry. I know some felt his mentioning Gibson and the movie was a shameless plug, but I didn't feel offended or distracted by it. Perhaps his earlier performances were worded differently. Anyway, the CP was great! Definately a cut above what we see in rural Minnesota! We ended up watching it twice more in the following days..
Monday we have a quiet, no park day planned. We want to look at resorts.. DW thinks its for the decorations, I'm thinking add on!! Off to the MK and a ferry to WL. Just a great morning, and a pleasant and relaxing ride. Love the decorations at wilderness, but I'm finding the VWL just a little too much on the quiet side for us. If we want lakes and woods..hey, we live in Minnesota, right? We have the same thing a couple miles down the road..just no pool or geyser.
Off to Olivia's at OKW. WE NEVER DREAMED how BIG OKW really is! We are still quite surprised by it. Lunch was great also! NO complaints about it what so ever! Well, DW really didn't appreciate the bird poop on her chair, other than that it was great though. We had heard they dc'd the 10% discount, but it turns out that it is only for the Holiday's. January it will be back, at least according to the waitress. A Pleasant boatride over to SSR shows us slow and up close just how nice OKW really is. I'm thinking this is a definate possibility for an add on!
We get to SSR in time for DW's spa treatment. Little anniversary present to keep me in hero status. Next hour, I stroll the grounds, visit in the DVC center, have a brew. Get to thinking.. hmmm, gonna have to look at the GV's while here.. and how many points do we need to have a GV every third year? SSR has add on potential, some nice incentives.. and a 50 year contract with MF's to pass on to the kids.
After the spa treatment, I smile and nod my head knowingly while DW goes on and on and on about how wonderful Allison was and how she is her new best friend, how good she feels, how she needs to do that more often, etc, etc. She is impressed and definately in the right frame of mind to be open to the suggestion of "just looking" at the GV. We hop in the cart and a young lady opens it up for us and we are just overwhelmed! Folks.. you just gotta see them. I think had the papers been available, or our guide with us, she would have signed on the spot! Poor planning on my part...
DianneSchlecht organized a DISmeet at SSR for that afternoon, and though we thought we were early, we were on the lookout for lime green. Fortunately, we spotted one sonic boom mickey and it turns out it was Dianne. We spent an hour or so with the group, and it was fun to be able to meet folks from the boards. But, as with all groups, there is always a spoiler in every group.. ..DW and I hadn't seen Stich yet, but were treated to a blow by blow of how disappointed he was in the new attraction. Won't mention any names, Viking knows who he is
Just as the group is breaking up, we get a call from another Diser that we were going to meet (for the first time too), requesting a change of plans. We were going to meet at Jelly Rolls that evening, but she asked to stroll the Spectale at MGM instead. Don't know what on Earth I was thinking, but told her we were just finishing up and would be back at BCV in 20 min or so. (They were also at BCV and I suspect she knew better). Actually, I don't think it took us much longer than that.. a nice jog to PI (ok... brisk walk). and the bus was there within a few minutes. Took a few minutes to freshen up and we were off on the hunt for more lime green! (Actually, they said they were waiting on the bench on the porch). I had been corrosponding with sweetdisney(sp) for some time, and it was a pleasure to finally meet her and her family. They are a hoot! We had supper together at FlyingFish and was THAT an experience! I found a new great steak, course the bill was quite spendy (ok, it was very spendy) But, we will do it again in June! Spectacle was great the second time around too!
Tuesday, off to MK in the morning. Crowds are down, and we just have a pleasant morning strolling the park and doing the major attractions. Splash mountain is down, so we do BTRR twice.. The holiday show of Country Bears is a Hoot!! DW had not ever seen the bears and we truely enjoyed the show! Just after noon, we head back for a splash at SAB, and a burger at Beaches and Cream. Not sure what they gave me instead of a choc. malt, but I didn't care for it. The waitress was very gracous and took it off the bill, along with the onion rings that were never delivered.
The Member Mixer that afternoon was a success. DW and I enjoyed meeting other members and fellow DISers. Viking was there also, and I did have to rib him about Stitch.. but you know, he was right. The cider was very good, but the cookies had been left in the humidity too long I think. Viking says they were just plain bad
I was surprised that Jim Lewis or other senior DVD folk were not there. I would have thought they would have been.That evening we enjoyed MVVCP. What is with the postcard? We did enjoy the parades, and wishes was a real crowd pleaser. We will plan it differently next year though. Evedently if one doesn't get their souvenier T right away, one just doesn't get one! The rest of the trip was spent looking for a christmas shirt for DW.. never did find one she liked. Let me rephrase that.. there were several she would have purchased had the price been more reasonable. She was quite irritated at Mike Eisner for not stocking sufficient supply of the MVMMCP shirt the night we were there... keeps her regular though.
Hang in ther guys.. I'm almost done.
Wednesday we TRY do AK but only get a few hours in. DW's blisters are getting the best of her, and I am feeling a little peaked myself, so we forgo the parade and head back to SAB for a quick cool down (actually the last chance for a dip for about 6 months, until the ice comes off the lakes). We need a rest. We dine at Beaches again but share a burger.. the waitress actually gave us seperate sides and split the burger for us.. no add'l charge. Good way to get a nice tip! That evening DW still not up to snuff, so I watch Illuminations again and have a brew from the UK.. I'm chatting up the couple next to me on the bridge, turns out they live a couple hours away from us up in the boundry water area (where the real Wilderness Lodge is).. the tune small world starts going over and over in my mind..
Sweetdisney and fam have invited us to join a get together after the illuminaitions, but DW still isn't up to it, so I go it alone. MORE DISers.. what a treat!
Our last day was mainly spent looking at monorail resorts, shopping, and strolling Epcot. We got the laundry all done and packed away.. We left early and hit a bfast buffet on the way to the airport.. sad to leave, and thinking of next June.
When we finally got to Minneapolis, we were literally scared for our lives. The shuttle driver for our park and fly (Days Inn, Egan) acted very strangely. He was figiting with his glasses, driving erraticaly. Said we needed to make a short trip to pick up another passenger. As we were headed out of town I demanded he return us to the city and our hotel and he refused, said it was "just a little farther".. the road signs said Wisconson was 12 miles away and we were getting scared, real scared. He pulled into a gravel parking lot full of semi trailers (no streetlights anyplace) and I am on the cell with the hotel demanding to know what the hell is happening. The girl says everything is ok and it is corporate policy to combine rides.. The driver stops the van and jumps out and runs into a building.. I'm locking the doors and thinking I gotta steal the van and call 911.. next thing I know someone is banging on the door to get in, DW is breathing hard, and I see the driver running around the van to unlock the drivers door.. he unlocks the door by DW and this grubby looking bearded character jumps in behind me.
The cigarette smoke smell is overwhelming.. and all I can think of is we are dead..they are going to kill us, get the car keys, and our car will disappear.. nobody will ever know what happened.. It is amazing what one thinks of.. guess it is a good thing I didn't have a gun with me.. I was scared enough to use it I think.
Anyway, nothing is said for quite some time and I am watching the compass and we seem to be headed back towards Minneapolis. I call my son and explain where we are on what road, milemarker, direction, etc and tell him that if we don't call in 15 minutes, call the cops and tell them what happened and where to start looking for us.. After nearly an hour after being picked up at the airport, we finally get to the park and fly.. during heavy traffic, I think it is at most a 15 minute drive. The driver tells me not to be mad, it isn't his fault, he is just following directions and going where he is dispatched. I don't tell him that I planned to take out his eye with my cell phone the minute my wife screamed.. I just grunt and walk away. Yes, I stiffed the tip too!
The cute girl at the desk initially refused to give me the managers name, but she could see that I was really pissed (and regular) so, Days Inn corporation will be getting a piece of my mind come Monday, as will the Minnesota Attorney General, and Hobbittravel, who advertises/ recommends this park and fly.
Lacee
I guess that was your last thrill ride until June.
