threedisneyfans
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- May 6, 2001
- Messages
- 3
Man oh man! What a week. We just returned from a nine day trip to Disney World and my head is still spinning!!
This was our fourth trip to the Happiest Place on Earth and I am still trying to figure out what happened.
We flew out last Friday (25th), MY first time on an airplane!! After a nice flight we found our way through the very large airport to the Mears station. After waiting for 2 hours (yes, it's true), we were finally put in a bus to All Star Sports.
Keeping in mind this was Memorial Day weekend I expected a crowd, which of course there was. But I wasn't expecting a boys and girls soccer tournament, a baseball tournament, a band camp and a choral music festival. WOW!! Check in was a mess. On top of that, we had two different rates during our stay, so we were told we'd have to be checked out and recheck in on Sunday. The last thing Jenn, the CM told before I walked away from the counter was to keep my room key even after we re-check in because my park tickets are on them. ( you'll need this info later!!)
We had a great time on E-Ride Friday night and a nice, lazy Saturday. On Sunday, however, when I had to go down and re-check-in, trouble began!! The CM gave me my new room key and took away my old room key. I picked them back up and told him that my park tix were on the old keys and that I needed to keep them. He physically GRABBED them out of my hand and told me they were not any good and that our new room key has our park tix on it. ( can you see where this is going?)
Sunday also happened to be the day that Disney was inundated with heavy smoke from the wildfires, and buses were shut down. After waiting 45 minutes for a bus to AK, and 25 minutes in line to get in the front gate, we get to the front, swipe our first ticket, and we are told those are only room keys. (BING! I knew it!!) We were sent to Guest Relations where we were in line for another 30 minutes. This was followed by another 15 minutes of the CM trying to get ahold of ALL Star Sports ( they never answered the phone). Luckily, the CM believed me and she gave us 1 day passes for the parks. ( LOVE her!!) In the mess however, we missed the birthday breakfast for my son's friend at Breakfastosaurus.
Needless to say, I got on the courtesy phone, called the hotel, relayed the story to TEN different people, and luckily they found my passes!! Luckily for THEM! When I complained that these mistakes might keep us from coming back the CM acted like we wouldn't make a difference, but I told him I may only be one person, but I will tell my friends on the Disney boards about this and then we'll see what a difference ONE person can make!!
Nothing else could go wrong, right??
On Monday morning they tried to check us out again, so I had to spend another 20 minutes inline correcting that mistake.
On Monday afternoon a housekeeping staff member comes busting into our room without knocking, saying "I clean, I clean". My husband is ready to knock him over the head, because we thought he was saying "Kathleen, Kathleen" ( my name). WE got him to leave but it was unnerving.
Wait, it gets better!!
On Tuesday we decided to take it easy and then head out to TL for some sun and surf. The park was crowded, but it was fun. We were all in this together. When we were ready to leave, we waited at our bus stop for 60 minutes!!!!! Buses from all stars kept dropping off people, but they weren't picking up. I was sure that one of the bus drivers was going to be pulled out of the bus and beaten by this angry, sun-tired mob!! Finally a bus came and picked up, but it wasn't enough. There were three bus loads of people waiting, angrily!!
On Wednesday, they tried to check us out again. We should have taken the hint!!
On Thursday, we went out for a fun day of park hopping, stopping for dinner at MK. After waiting in line for 20 minutes, I order my food and wouldn't ya know it, my resort charge was declined!!! Luckily, they gave us our food anyway, but I got right on the phone. Someone had pushed a button and our credit line was $0!!
That evening we had a fireworks cruise scheduled, and I was there confirmation number in hand. Our boat never came. Finally, they called the Grand Floridian (we were at the Poly) and the boat was over there, not where they told me it would be. They came and got us, and we got on the water right as the fireworks started. It turned out well, but what a hassle!!
Friday- no problems. We stayed in our room all day, headed out for MK in the evening and stayed for the E-Ride!! An uneventful day, thank goodness!!
Saturday- Going home!! We stayed away from the park because the crowds were enormous. It was Gay Day, Music Festival day, and I am not sure what else.
I decided to ask for a refund for Saturday since we didn't use our tickets at all!! It took some arguing and finagling, but they gave me 1 day passes for when ( if?) we return. Just stick to it and they'll help you!!
So, I have to say this was one of the craziest trips we've ever had, but we managed to find our own Magic in the kingdom.
Thanks for indulging me!! I needed to vent!!
This was our fourth trip to the Happiest Place on Earth and I am still trying to figure out what happened.
We flew out last Friday (25th), MY first time on an airplane!! After a nice flight we found our way through the very large airport to the Mears station. After waiting for 2 hours (yes, it's true), we were finally put in a bus to All Star Sports.
Keeping in mind this was Memorial Day weekend I expected a crowd, which of course there was. But I wasn't expecting a boys and girls soccer tournament, a baseball tournament, a band camp and a choral music festival. WOW!! Check in was a mess. On top of that, we had two different rates during our stay, so we were told we'd have to be checked out and recheck in on Sunday. The last thing Jenn, the CM told before I walked away from the counter was to keep my room key even after we re-check in because my park tickets are on them. ( you'll need this info later!!)
We had a great time on E-Ride Friday night and a nice, lazy Saturday. On Sunday, however, when I had to go down and re-check-in, trouble began!! The CM gave me my new room key and took away my old room key. I picked them back up and told him that my park tix were on the old keys and that I needed to keep them. He physically GRABBED them out of my hand and told me they were not any good and that our new room key has our park tix on it. ( can you see where this is going?)
Sunday also happened to be the day that Disney was inundated with heavy smoke from the wildfires, and buses were shut down. After waiting 45 minutes for a bus to AK, and 25 minutes in line to get in the front gate, we get to the front, swipe our first ticket, and we are told those are only room keys. (BING! I knew it!!) We were sent to Guest Relations where we were in line for another 30 minutes. This was followed by another 15 minutes of the CM trying to get ahold of ALL Star Sports ( they never answered the phone). Luckily, the CM believed me and she gave us 1 day passes for the parks. ( LOVE her!!) In the mess however, we missed the birthday breakfast for my son's friend at Breakfastosaurus.
Needless to say, I got on the courtesy phone, called the hotel, relayed the story to TEN different people, and luckily they found my passes!! Luckily for THEM! When I complained that these mistakes might keep us from coming back the CM acted like we wouldn't make a difference, but I told him I may only be one person, but I will tell my friends on the Disney boards about this and then we'll see what a difference ONE person can make!!
Nothing else could go wrong, right??
On Monday morning they tried to check us out again, so I had to spend another 20 minutes inline correcting that mistake.
On Monday afternoon a housekeeping staff member comes busting into our room without knocking, saying "I clean, I clean". My husband is ready to knock him over the head, because we thought he was saying "Kathleen, Kathleen" ( my name). WE got him to leave but it was unnerving.
Wait, it gets better!!
On Tuesday we decided to take it easy and then head out to TL for some sun and surf. The park was crowded, but it was fun. We were all in this together. When we were ready to leave, we waited at our bus stop for 60 minutes!!!!! Buses from all stars kept dropping off people, but they weren't picking up. I was sure that one of the bus drivers was going to be pulled out of the bus and beaten by this angry, sun-tired mob!! Finally a bus came and picked up, but it wasn't enough. There were three bus loads of people waiting, angrily!!
On Wednesday, they tried to check us out again. We should have taken the hint!!
On Thursday, we went out for a fun day of park hopping, stopping for dinner at MK. After waiting in line for 20 minutes, I order my food and wouldn't ya know it, my resort charge was declined!!! Luckily, they gave us our food anyway, but I got right on the phone. Someone had pushed a button and our credit line was $0!!
That evening we had a fireworks cruise scheduled, and I was there confirmation number in hand. Our boat never came. Finally, they called the Grand Floridian (we were at the Poly) and the boat was over there, not where they told me it would be. They came and got us, and we got on the water right as the fireworks started. It turned out well, but what a hassle!!
Friday- no problems. We stayed in our room all day, headed out for MK in the evening and stayed for the E-Ride!! An uneventful day, thank goodness!!
Saturday- Going home!! We stayed away from the park because the crowds were enormous. It was Gay Day, Music Festival day, and I am not sure what else.
I decided to ask for a refund for Saturday since we didn't use our tickets at all!! It took some arguing and finagling, but they gave me 1 day passes for when ( if?) we return. Just stick to it and they'll help you!!
So, I have to say this was one of the craziest trips we've ever had, but we managed to find our own Magic in the kingdom.
Thanks for indulging me!! I needed to vent!!
