An Over-planner's Guide: Part 2 “What do you mean, we have to wait in line?”

[Chicago526]

Cast of Characters:
Me: New Bride and admitted Disney Addict
DFi/DH: New Husband and a Disney Addict in denial
Dude: DH’s best man and clueless airline traveler

After leaving the reception, we headed to the Marriott Suites O’Hare for our wedding night. A Marriott because of the great beds they have, and near O’Hare so we could sleep as long as possible before our 1:15 PM flight to Orlando. Checked in, got upgraded to a hospitality suite (not very romantic, it was like sleeping in a conference room but we didn’t mind) and went straight to bed. Our rate included breakfast delivered to the room, so we did that, showered, got dressed, re-packed and took the free shuttle to the airport, getting there about 1 hour and 15 minutes prior to check-in. Since we didn’t have to check bags, all we had to do was get our boarding passes from the kiosk and head through security.

Uh. Right.

O’Hare was a zoo. Now, I’ve traveled 3 or 4 times a year since 9/11 and all new security that you have to go through, and I have NEVER seen O’Hare as busy as it was this day. No worries, though, because WE are smart and planned ahead. I go to a United Kiosk, swipe my credit card, and the computer asks me if I’m me. Yup, still me. I hit “yes”. It thinks, and thinks, and thinks some more. Finally the screen says “I can’t check you in, see a United representative”.

The line was out the door. No way in hell were we going to make it through the line and talk to a person that could straighten out whatever the problem was. I really was starting to panic. I stood there for a minute, then put DH in line while I tried a different machine.

5 minutes later I walk up to DH, passes in hand as I said “Hallelujah and praise the Lord, we’re outta here!” as other dejected people in line looked on with jealously. We were sprung from O’Hare purgatory while they had to spend the next 2 days in line.

We clear security without any trouble, and head to our gate. We get there with about 25 minutes before boarding was to begin. DH said he was thirsty. I volunteered to get him a bottle of water, so I leave him with the bags and back track to Starbucks for a Jumbo Water. As I’m walking back, I notice a guy walking towards me. He looks familiar…what a minute….

“Dude, is that you?”

“Hey, what’s up!”

It’s Dude, my DH”s best friend, best man, and blood brother. He was supposed to be on a 11 AM flight back to PA. It was now 12:45.

“What are you doing here? Was your flight delayed”

“No, the cab driver was late picking me up, and I waited so long in line once I got here that I missed the flight. I think they put me on the next on home, though”.

I walk with Dude back to the our gate, which turned out to be only two gates down from Dude’s next flight. I thought it was great that DH and Dude could see each other one last time before Dude went home, they really missed each other!

They call us for boarding and we hug Dude good-bye. We then take the smoothest flight I’ve ever had in my life, landing in Orlando about 20 minutes early. We meet up with our limo driver, and after a brief delay, are on our way to the GF.

My dream was to pull into the GF driveway, under the canopy, in a stretch limo. Having the bell man open the door while another CM gets our bags from the trunk, and our CM from Concierge walking up to us and introducing themselves, all while onlookers see the happy newlywed couple begin their honeymoon at the WDW’s flagship resort. I’m not a snob, but I was really looking forward to seeming wealthy and important rather than middle class and insignificant for a change, you know? Everyone should have a few moments of glamour in their lives, don’t you think?

Reality sucks, doesn’t it?

The limo driver was either a bit slow on the uptake or just not paying attention, because instead of pulling into the driveway closest to the front door of the lobby, he pulls into the bus driveway and gets stuck waaaaay out on the end of the driveway, behind about 10 busses. We aren’t under the canopy, we aren’t even near the side walk! I have to stand in the middle of a grassy median while Zippy the Wonder Chauffer runs my credit card for payment. We are so far away, none of the bell hops or the Concierge CM see us to help us with our bags and getting us checked in. We have to lug our own bags over to the front doors “I’m ready for my close up, Mr. DeVille!”. So much for my moment of glory! The CM, Mandy (I think) from SL Concierge meets us, and escorts us through the main lobby, past the quiet pool, and into the SL lobby to get us checked in.

Now here is where the only quibble I have with the service at SL happens. After we are all checked in, I ask about my park tickets. You see, as a travel agent I get 1 discounted pass per year that has to be pre-ordered via fax to Disney no later than 30 days prior to travel. With all the wedding stuff, I left it to the last minute. While I know they GOT the fax, they never processed the order, and by the time I’d figured it out it was too late to resubmit, I was under 30 days. I’d decided just to buy my ticket when I got there (DH’s I’d ordered and received before we left). So I asked if I could by the ticket at the MK gate or if I had to go to the TTC (I’d always ordered my clients and my own tickets ahead of time so I was clueless on how to buy them AT Disney) and do it there. She said to go to Guest Relations and have them do it, it was the “easiest of the options”. More on this later in the story.

So, we have our room keys and we check in. Room 6226, facing the pool, but with a gigantic tree in the way, so we still had some privacy. King bed, non-smoking, just as requested. Perfect! We unpack, settle in, then head down to the SL lobby to see what kind of snacks we could get. After munching on Curry Chicken and Thai Beef skewers, cheese, fruit, and wine, I decide we should head over to Guest Relations at MK to get my park tickets, so we don’t have to get up extra early on Monday to do it. But I decide to stop at the Concierge desk to clarify where exactly I need to go. Speaking to another CM (I neglected to get their names, I’m so bad at that!) he said “Why, I can just put your park tickets on your room key!” He typed for about 30 seconds, asked if I wanted it charged to the credit card I had on file, and said “You’re all set!”. Now WHY didn’t the other CM know that? Was she truly unaware, or did she not want to be bothered? It didn’t take this CM long to do, so I don’t see how she’d have been put out…but I guess I’ll never know, I didn’t want to push the issue, all’s well that ends well after all! Not needing to take the monorail over to MK, we now had about 90 minutes before our scheduled PS at Narcoossee’s. We head over to the main building to look around the shops. I stopped at the gift shop next to the GF Café to pick up a few things I’d forgotten to pack (the space cadet strikes again! God, I can't wait to have my mind back from Wedding Hell) like Dramamine so I could ride Mission Space and sun screen so I wouldn’t fry in the FL sun. You know, little things like that. Oh, and sunglasses. How do you forget sunglasses when traveling to the Sunshine State and you’re about as sensitive to light as bat outside in daytime? Well, apparently I’d managed it. We drop the package back to the room and then head out to walk around the grounds until our PS time. We have a nice, quiet time to ourselves, then wander over to Narcoossee’s for our first PS. They seat us in about 15 minutes at a table for two, right across the aisle from the tables for four next to the window, with a perfect view of the Castle. I’d timed the PS so we’d see the fireworks from MNSSHP as we had our after dinner coffee (normally we’d have desert but since we get that in the Concierge lounge, we decided to save money and skip deserts at most meals). It all went according to plan! We retired early, as we had a long day at MK the next day!

Part 3: “You broke the ride!”

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Sorry about the Grand Entrance at the Grand Floridian...great reports also loved your Wedding Report.

 

[Jennifer48]

I'm enjoying your trip reports so far. I'm sorry that your grand entrance didn't happen. I know if I ever stay at the Grand Floridian, I would be expecting one too!