Goofyish
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 10, 1999
- Messages
- 8,541
Thursday 21st August 2003
The Cast:
Me Tim, 39/40
DW Julie, 36/37
DD1 Nicola, 14
DD2 Jade, 9
Transfer Day!
Today is the day we transfer to AKL for the last 3 days of our vacation. We arranged for Bell Services to collect our bags and transfer them to AKL for us, while we headed of to MGM.
Once at MGM we got a FP for RnR and then jumped on the Back Lot Tour. The actual tour bit was greatly reduced compared to the last time we were here. The Osbourne lights street was completely gone replaced by a large construction site (for the new Stunt Show).
After jumping onto Star Tours again (only a 5 min. line), we headed into the Backlot Express for lunch. Its a shame the toppings bar has gone.
We were now itching to get to AKL, so we headed back to the bus stops making sure we went to the AKL stop and not the POR stop!
We were all very excited about the prospect of staying at the AKL and seeing the animals.
The first time you enter the lobby it really takes your breath away. There was no lines at the check in desks so we walked over to the CM on duty. The CM was Spanish and earning his ears, so he had a mentor with him showing him the ropes. He managed to find our reservation and check in went fairly smoothly, if a little slow (the new CM had to confirm with his mentor that he was doing everything correctly).
We were allocated room 3486 on the Zebra trail.
Off we went to find our room. It was right at the end of the corridor. The first thing we did on entering the room was to rush out to the balcony to see the animals.
The view was certainly something a group of ladies enjoying the spa pool just underneath our balcony! If we hung out over the balcony railings we could just about see a zebra on the savannah. Talk about disappointed I was extremely peeved!
So, off we all went back down to reception we paid for a savannah view room and expected one!
There was a different CM on duty when we got to the desk. I basically told her we were not happy and the room was no way a savannah view and not what e had paid for! She looked a bit taken aback (perhaps shes not used to us quiet Brits. making a fuss!).
After checking on the computer she offered us room 4226 on the sunset savannah.
This room was 100% better. We had a great view of a little watering hole and the sunset savannah. It wasnt long before we were treated to the sight of 3 giraffes feeding just under or balcony. We also saw some cattle things (cant remember what they were called, but they had big horns), a group of resident vultures, ostriches and various stork type birds.
By late afternoon the rain had started again. We really wanted to see Fantasmic, so we took a chance and headed out to MGM with our yellow duck suits.
The rain wasnt heavy more like good old British drizzle, so we where hopeful that Fantasmic would go ahead. We asked a CM at the entrance to the theatre if it would be cancelled due to the rain. He said this light rain wouldnt put them off, but they dont make a discussion on cancelling the show until a few minutes before its due to start!
As we were a bit early we decided to grab a bite to eat from the counter service place opposite the Fantasmic entrance. We grabbed a table under a big drolly and enjoyed burgers in the rain (just like a holiday in the UK).
At 7:40 we headed into the theatre for the 8:30 show. It was already filling up and most of the centre sections were full. We were seated just left of centre about 4 rows from the front.
The CM that directed us to the front didnt seem to understand my British sense of humour when I said I didnt want to sit too close to the front in case I got wet (remember we had our yellow duck suits on and it was piddling with rain!). She just looked back at me and said we shouldnt get too wet, just a little mist from the show!
The show was as fantastically Fantasmic as it always is.
When the show finished we headed off (slowly) back towards the park exit. We could see and here Illuminations in the distance as followed the crowds out of the theatre.
We were pleased to see that the lines at the AKL bus stop were a lot smaller than at the POR stop. So we waited. And waited. Finally a bus turned up for AKL but it was already half full! So we had to wait for the next bus. This seemed to take absolutely ages to turn up. All the other bus stops were empty before another AL bus turned up!
Perhaps its a case of the more you pay for your hotel the longer you wait for the busses!
Part 15 next A Longer Wait for a Bus!
The Cast:
Me Tim, 39/40
DW Julie, 36/37
DD1 Nicola, 14
DD2 Jade, 9
Transfer Day!
Today is the day we transfer to AKL for the last 3 days of our vacation. We arranged for Bell Services to collect our bags and transfer them to AKL for us, while we headed of to MGM.
Once at MGM we got a FP for RnR and then jumped on the Back Lot Tour. The actual tour bit was greatly reduced compared to the last time we were here. The Osbourne lights street was completely gone replaced by a large construction site (for the new Stunt Show).
After jumping onto Star Tours again (only a 5 min. line), we headed into the Backlot Express for lunch. Its a shame the toppings bar has gone.
We were now itching to get to AKL, so we headed back to the bus stops making sure we went to the AKL stop and not the POR stop!
We were all very excited about the prospect of staying at the AKL and seeing the animals.
The first time you enter the lobby it really takes your breath away. There was no lines at the check in desks so we walked over to the CM on duty. The CM was Spanish and earning his ears, so he had a mentor with him showing him the ropes. He managed to find our reservation and check in went fairly smoothly, if a little slow (the new CM had to confirm with his mentor that he was doing everything correctly).
We were allocated room 3486 on the Zebra trail.
Off we went to find our room. It was right at the end of the corridor. The first thing we did on entering the room was to rush out to the balcony to see the animals.
The view was certainly something a group of ladies enjoying the spa pool just underneath our balcony! If we hung out over the balcony railings we could just about see a zebra on the savannah. Talk about disappointed I was extremely peeved!
So, off we all went back down to reception we paid for a savannah view room and expected one!
There was a different CM on duty when we got to the desk. I basically told her we were not happy and the room was no way a savannah view and not what e had paid for! She looked a bit taken aback (perhaps shes not used to us quiet Brits. making a fuss!).
After checking on the computer she offered us room 4226 on the sunset savannah.
This room was 100% better. We had a great view of a little watering hole and the sunset savannah. It wasnt long before we were treated to the sight of 3 giraffes feeding just under or balcony. We also saw some cattle things (cant remember what they were called, but they had big horns), a group of resident vultures, ostriches and various stork type birds.
By late afternoon the rain had started again. We really wanted to see Fantasmic, so we took a chance and headed out to MGM with our yellow duck suits.
The rain wasnt heavy more like good old British drizzle, so we where hopeful that Fantasmic would go ahead. We asked a CM at the entrance to the theatre if it would be cancelled due to the rain. He said this light rain wouldnt put them off, but they dont make a discussion on cancelling the show until a few minutes before its due to start!
As we were a bit early we decided to grab a bite to eat from the counter service place opposite the Fantasmic entrance. We grabbed a table under a big drolly and enjoyed burgers in the rain (just like a holiday in the UK).
At 7:40 we headed into the theatre for the 8:30 show. It was already filling up and most of the centre sections were full. We were seated just left of centre about 4 rows from the front.
The CM that directed us to the front didnt seem to understand my British sense of humour when I said I didnt want to sit too close to the front in case I got wet (remember we had our yellow duck suits on and it was piddling with rain!). She just looked back at me and said we shouldnt get too wet, just a little mist from the show!
The show was as fantastically Fantasmic as it always is.
When the show finished we headed off (slowly) back towards the park exit. We could see and here Illuminations in the distance as followed the crowds out of the theatre.
We were pleased to see that the lines at the AKL bus stop were a lot smaller than at the POR stop. So we waited. And waited. Finally a bus turned up for AKL but it was already half full! So we had to wait for the next bus. This seemed to take absolutely ages to turn up. All the other bus stops were empty before another AL bus turned up!
Perhaps its a case of the more you pay for your hotel the longer you wait for the busses!
Part 15 next A Longer Wait for a Bus!
