As much as I loved our trips with the kids (and still do when Andy joins us), there's just something different about our adult only trips.
for her.
I arrived at customs house and with little to no line was checking in. It seemed like a pretty painless process except for the fact I was requesting that I not need to check out and back in the very next day. For those who followed the PTR, you will remember that I had a single night RO on 9/28. It took some doing since the room the next day was not in fact the one I was to have that night. Some phone calls and managers help and voila, I was set to be in the same room.
Next I had to switch windows to go to concierge. I had MNSSHP party tickets, a 2 day base ticket, a TIW card and a paper AP that had to be dealt with. Sadly, after discussing each with the cm, not a single thing was dealt with.
I then walked out to wait for the internal bus system. It wasn't very long before I realized that I had left my KTTWC at the concierge desk.
After retrieving it I went back out and waited....and waited...and waited.I had places to be. This is what really set me off on my path to being agitated. Finally the bus came and my agitation was fully motivated by a 20 minute bus ride.
This is when I almost had a meltdown. While I had found our room easy enough, I couldn't seem to figure out how to catch a bus to MK. I think Ashley could tell (she always seems to be able to sense what is going on in my head) that I was about to have a meltdown. She called and her voice was enough to bring me back down. About that same time I hit the lake. Since the lake was similar to CSR... I was now confident that I could find my way.
Once at MK, I went to guest services and exchanged my paper ap for my plastic one. I also got the MNSSHP tickets.
FINALLY, it was time to go in and meet up with Katie. It was not hard to find her and soon we were off on our little adventure. It was so nice to have someone to trek around MK.
First she was nice enough to understand that I was hungry. We went to one of the only places open - Pecos Bills. I had the Southwest Chicken Salad. Sorry... no pics. It was actually pretty good. We sat and talked as I ate.
Once we were done, we went directly to what Katie said she knew was my favorite ride. Any guesses? Let me snag a photo from the internet to help
We then went on
I believe we tried to hit jungle cruise but it was down for refurb. Not sure I was aware this would be down for some of the trip.
Soon it was time to go. Katie was kind enough to make another stop with me at guest services. I had forgot to take care of the TIW card. That taken care of it was now time to say good night.
You can tell I am tired. It almost looks like I might fall over if Katie didn't hold me up.
On my way back to CBR, Ashley and I decided I would go to guest services at Port Royal. This was to discuss the room smell as well as inquire about a package that I was told had been sent to me. In my urgency to get out of the room, I did not ask about it prior to leaving the room. I did however note that it had not been there upon check in (as is the case in almost every single delivery I have every had or read about others had)
I got off at Port Royal and quickly found that unfortunately it closes at 11pm and so I was too late.
I decided I would call to the front desk at the customs house once I was back to the room.
In regards to the package, it could not be found by bell services or by guest services and the front desk had no record either. The idea would be to check again at another time to see if it was found.
In regards to the room, the manager offered me something I have never heard of happening before. She offered to personally give me a tour of the resort and available rooms and let me choose whatever one I wanted. I can't tell you how long we were out and about, but I can tell you I had a good time. Here I was with yet another person I didn't know and it was good. We laughed and joked. At one point we rounded a corner and someone had placed a very large fake spider in the corner. She screamed and I had to investigate for her to make sure it was not real... just so we could pass.
Despite the semi meltdown I had earlier, the entire tone of the trip changed for me right then and there. I had been struggling with the notion that I wasn't a person that people could enjoy being around. If even this cm was able to do so, maybe I wasn't so horrid.
I don't know how many rooms we looked at, but I found the room. Unlike the original room, it was a corner room. Unlike the original room, it was a second floor room rather than first floor. We had been in a standard view room. Now since we were very close to Port Royal we were in a preferred room. It also was a water view room. Not a single thing was far from our room.
Next Up: 9/29
We found it "odd" the first time we went to Disney without the kids. But trust me, we grew out of that real fast.
It was not a big deal. I pretty much knew most of it had to be done at guest services. So when I had to go there anyway, the cm suggested I just do it all there rather than a little there... and a then a little at guest services.I'm sorry no one could help you with your ticket issues at the front desk. And so sorry that you had a smelly room. But how great was that of the CM to walk you around the resort to find you a perfect room.
I have to say that on the one trip I made on my own (similar to you I was meeting someone in Disney), I remember feeling like I was getting away with something, sneaking around, not worrying about anyone else's needs but my own!
This was way back when it was critical that Max be able to take a nap in the afternoons, so after some deliberation, Mark went to the front desk and we were moved to a water view room about three seconds away from the main elevators. I always wonder if we would have fallen in the love with the Beach Club if that hadn't happened that first trip. I've often found that as long as you're pleasant about it, CMs will still go out of their way to help!
Here, too!
Well, you're certainly off and running to a great start!
Sorry about the smelly room...but it definitely sounds like it worked in your favor! I have to say that I have never had bad luck when I've had room issues. Our first stay at the Beach Club I had requested a balcony room. We got one; about as far away from the main lobby elevators as you can be and there was construction happening on the balconies!
I understand the frustration you feel. You know I have been on the brink many times myself. (if not over the brink and down the drain and wallowing in some putrid mire that had the oddity to affect my life) Best to just hold your head high and know you live your life in the open and in the best way you can. Not only because I have been anxious to read your account, but because I need to be able to write my next update. We drove about two hours. We were both starving, and we know right down the road is one of our favorite stops.
This was my meal. (Photos taken from the web.)
Broccoli Cheese Soup
Yummy Veggie Sandwich with an awesome avocado spicy paste.
Ging has a pasta/sandwich, but I don't remember what they were!
I was waiting... and waiting and waiting!!! I hate when I feel like my own two feet can get me somewhere faster. And... I hope I didn' t make it sound like the room was horrid smelling... it was just a tad moldy smelling. Not "hit you in the face" so, but noticeable. 
She gets back to CBR about the same time were finally checking into our hotel in Tallahassee and getting settled in for the night.
It was about 11pm. We hadn't eaten actual food in like 6 hours. We could smell Burger King, but we decided we were tired and done for the night.
not sure if it is quite the same and I wasn't sure if I was wanting something that sweet first thing. I opted for this
Our dismeet was short but sweet and of course we had to get a picture.
We were able to chat a bit in between her greeting guests and making sure small guests were not too small to ride. ) She won't be there for too much longer. January she comes home. 
But I think they don't do that spiel any more. Glad you were able to catch a few photos though.
I can only imagine HOW early you have to get up for a breakfast ADR at 7.45
But your breakfast looked very good. And two meets so short after each other. WOW! So sweet you went to find your DIL's best friend.
A fast safari driver, hm, maybe he was one of the poachers.
Ok, so that is early!!! No... I am wrong. My breakfast was at 8:30. I had to leave the room by 7:45. He was driving and pointing out things like... "oh and there... and there... and there" I am shocked I was able to get any pictures!
I am glad to have been able to meet up with those I did. It really adds a bit of magic when you can see some friends.
And yes... THAT DRIVER! He must have been a poacher.
We are soooo lazy on vacation - as you can see in my TR.
Yikes, even with an "out the door" time of 7.45am that looks early to me.
Mission accomplished... I got the pic to send to Kimberly. (now, just disregard the fact you can see up my nose
That does sound like a fast safari ride, but you got the lion standing up!
I had good intentions in doing it. I really wanted to make her day...but it actually made her miss her even more.So glad you could meet up with your future DIL's maid of honor and send her a picture.
