Blue Goose Trip

[Yardbird]

Maybe we should just skip it then. A pool meet seems kind of anti-climatic after we've all seen each other already.

I'm not sure everyone will want to stand around talking. Especially the newbies who are on their own for the first time. lol
I think they'd rather be doing something.

Of course, that's only a guess on my part.

I'll just drop it for now. It's not a big deal. We don't have to do anything.

Beth, I understand your feelings on this. It is impossible to please everyone, all the time (as we know from the last trip) Please go ahead with whatever you think is best. It all has a way of working out.

Maybe a poll might give everyone a chance to see what their thoughts are on this? Just an idea.

 

[AdventurerKat]

I think a banquet room would end up costing extra and after the whole dessert thing from last year, I'm not sure that would work out well as some people won't want to pay extra for that.

I also agree its a PITA to sort out the dining plan from the non-dining plan and the DDE and everything else when you have a group of 40. I feel bad for the servers. I think the better thing to do is make the smaller reservations like we talked about how we wished we had last year.

Although I dislike Earl of Sandwich (yes, heresy I know) I would be happy to meet up there where people can get their own food and I don't think the idea of a pool meet is a bad one at all, again people can get their own food. It was great fun for many both last September and this January.

Anyways, I feel no matter what we do, if its done on Friday night, will be after people have already met pretty much so whatever it is should be fine. Unless you plan some sort of lunch meet on Friday. (that sounds funny, like "lunch meat")

 

[mommaU4]

I also agree its a PITA to sort out the dining plan from the non-dining plan and the DDE and everything else when you have a group of 40. I feel bad for the servers. I think the better thing to do is make the smaller reservations like we talked about how we wished we had last year.

I agree. 100%.
I think the majority of the time will be spent in smaller groups in everything from touring the parks, to doing any tours, to meals. That's fine.

I just thought it would be nice to have one meal (or gathering of some sort) out of the 6 days we are there that everyone tries to attend. But if it's too much hassle, then so be it.

I'm not worried about it. It was only an idea. Skip it.

 

[AdventurerKat]

I agree. 100%.
I think the majority of the time will be spent in smaller groups in everything from touring the parks, to doing any tours, to meals. That's fine.

I just thought it would be nice to have one meal (or gathering of some sort) out of the 6 days we are there that everyone tries to attend. But if it's too much hassle, then so be it.

I'm not worried about it. It was only an idea. Skip it.

But what's wrong with doing that at the pool or at E of S? Either are within everyone's price range and pretty much everyone should be able to find something to eat. (I'd just pop over to McDonald's before the EoS if we did it there which is fine with me. ) We also wouldn't drive servers insane with everyone needing their own check.

Anyway, there is still plenty of time to toss out ideas and I think Debbie is right, maybe you should post a poll about it. People are just giving ideas. I am sure others might have some too.

 

[mommaU4]

But what's wrong with doing that at the pool or at E of S? Either are within everyone's price range and pretty much everyone should be able to find something to eat. (I'd just pop over to McDonald's before the EoS if we did it there which is fine with me. )

There is still plenty of time to toss out ideas and I think Debbie is right, maybe you should post a poll about it. People are just giving ideas. I am sure others might have some too.

Nothing's wrong with that.

I have never been to the POP pool, so my concern was what do you do there besides sit around and talk? And what's the seating like?

And as for E of S, that's fine. I loved their food! I haven't been there cause that was the day I was in the hotel room with my ankle, but I've heard the seating is minimal so I was wondering where we'd all sit??

Earl's sounds fine to me. We can meet there, eat, and then go to the AC or to Jellyrolls that night. If you want....

 

[Disney Freak Numero Uno]

Hi Everyone,
I would love to go on the 2007 trip (I travelled alone last year for the 2006 trip). I'm really undecided about this because as a single traveller, I never really hooked up with any smaller group(s) on days two and three. Most of you already knew each other from corresponding on these boards and many people had already made plans to stay together. Consequently, I spent two days at the parks alone- I had asked a couple of individuals to call me and let me know where I could meet up with everyone but I never got any call. I switched my flight and went home a day early. If I hadn't had dinner with Sarah and her mom and grandmom on the last night at WDW, I would have felt even worse than I did.
My point is this: There may be several people travelling alone who would like to know where everyone is going-would it be possible to decide on a meeting place at each park at a certain time. That way there is a common meeting place and time for everyone. Those who want to do the parks with a group would have that opportunity- those who don't can go off on their own.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

I agree. 100%.

I just thought it would be nice to have one meal (or gathering of some sort) out of the 6 days we are there that everyone tries to attend.

I also think this would be a nice idea. Did you look into the grand gatherings last year? Did the majority not agree on one to do? This seems like an easy way to arrange for payment, and make sure there is room for everyone, but if the group really does not want to do it, then we are back where we started.

I have never been to the POP pool, so my concern was what do you do there besides sit around and talk? And what's the seating like?

And as for E of S, that's fine. I loved their food! I haven't been there cause that was the day I was in the hotel room with my ankle, but I've heard the seating is minimal so I was wondering where we'd all sit??

Earl's sounds fine to me. We can meet there, eat, and then go to the AC or to Jellyrolls that night. If you want....

The idea of taking over one area of one of the Pop pools might be workable. I am sure we can get Garden Grocer to deliver munchies to someone then spread that out over a couple tables at the pool. We can make it BYOB, or have GG deliver beer and wine. If the Hippy Dippy is too crowded, I am sure we could find enough room over at the bowling pin pool.

The night club idea is a good one too. You would not have to worry about tables together or anything like that. I am sure we'll figure something out.

 

[AdventurerKat]

Hi Everyone,
I would love to go on the 2007 trip (I travelled alone last year for the 2006 trip). I'm really undecided about this because as a single traveller, I never really hooked up with any smaller group(s) on days two and three. Most of you already knew each other from corresponding on these boards and many people had already made plans to stay together. Consequently, I spent two days at the parks alone- I had asked a couple of individuals to call me and let me know where I could meet up with everyone but I never got any call. I switched my flight and went home a day early. If I hadn't had dinner with Sarah and her mom and grandmom on the last night at WDW, I would have felt even worse than I did.

My point is this: There may be several people travelling alone who would like to know where everyone is going-would it be possible to decide on a meeting place at each park at a certain time. That way there is a common meeting place and time for everyone. Those who want to do the parks with a group would have that opportunity- those who don't can go off on their own.

I am sorry that whoever you had asked to call you to let you know where people were did not do so. Did you not request a list of the phone numbers before we left so you could call around? I know I did not wait for a phone call from someone to tell me where they were, if I wanted to know, I called around. The number list was compiled well before the trip and PMed to whoever wanted it.

Also, alot of the activity was based off the meals we did have. If people were eating somewhere, especially for breakfast or lunch, that's usually where they were going to be for the day. You might have checked the reference and dining threads and contacted someone based on that and made your plans to tour accordingly since you decided to only have one meal with members of the group. I didn't eat at some of the meals but I did know where people would be by doing this.

Personally, I'm not sure how realistic a "time" for "everyone" to get together would be. Some people like to sleep in, some people like to wake up early and head straight to the parks. I would just post when you are thinking about doing something and usually there will be someone interested in doing the same. It worked for me pretty well the last trip.

 

[AdventurerKat]

I also think this would be a nice idea. Did you look into the grand gatherings last year? Did the majority not agree on one to do? This seems like an easy way to arrange for payment, and make sure there is room for everyone, but if the group really does not want to do it, then we are back where we started.


The idea of taking over one area of one of the Pop pools might be workable. I am sure we can get Garden Grocer to deliver munchies to someone then spread that out over a couple tables at the pool. We can make it BYOB, or have GG deliver beer and wine. If the Hippy Dippy is too crowded, I am sure we could find enough room over at the bowling pin pool.

The night club idea is a good one too. You would not have to worry about tables together or anything like that. I am sure we'll figure something out.

Now there is thinking out of the box. We werent even thinking of one of the "lesser" pools.

We tried to set up a dessert thing last year and some people did not want to pay for it. It was as simple as that. It was a neat idea but not enough people interested because of the cost.

 

[TDC Nala]

Now there is thinking out of the box. We werent even thinking of one of the "lesser" pools.

We tried to set up a dessert thing last year and some people did not want to pay for it. It was as simple as that. It was a neat idea but not enough people interested because of the cost.

I personally would not have paid extra for a gathering. I probably won't this time, either. But majority rules, if that is what people want to do. I most likely would not be attending a pool party at night either.

I see Beth's point in wanting to plan a dinner for everybody but the big dinners did not prove to be a good way for a large group to socialize.

I guess if it has to be a dinner I would suggest another buffet to minimize the inconvenience to those with menu issues, not Park Fare which we already tried. Maybe Boma, lots of people have shown interest in trying their buffet. It would most definitely have to be arranged through group dining unless it was broken into smaller groups. Because of the difficulty in arranging a large group, someone is going to have to do a lot of work to keep up with the reservation, who's going, who isn't, who wants to sit where, who's going to eat what, getting deposits paid, credit card guarantee, no-shows, that kind of thing.

I know there is some interest in going to Jellyrolls. They've got a $10 per person cover. I would like to suggest that Friday be the night for PI because of the annual pass guest admissions, and Jellyrolls go on Saturday or Sunday.

The RADP meet had "park days" in which if you wanted to hang with the group, you would meet up at the park they were planning to go to that day, one park per day. You could hang as long as you wanted or break off from the group at any point. That has worked for 10 years.

 

[jedi_librarian]

Beth - I like your idea of the big meal. The Crystal Palace breakfast wasn't such of a hassle, was it? I thought the Park Fare went fine, too. Yeah, it's a big group, but it's like going to a wedding - you walk around the tables to mingle with people.

 

[Disney Freak Numero Uno]

Adventurekat, I agree with everything that you said. I think that what happened was that I signed up for all of the meals from the beginning. So many things changed in the intervening 6 months that the meals I signed up for were not well attended. For example, Thursday night at Ohana was supposed to be a large group but ended up being a group of about 8. Everyone else went to Whispering Canyon. And that seems to be the time that most people met. At the last meal at Boma, there were 4 of us. Anyone who couldn't keep up with all of the daily changes on the trip board wouldn't necessarily know that plans had changed.
Yes I did have the phone list. But if someone had called me and asked me to please call her and let her know where the group was headed, I would have done so. Many of us were not aware of all of the pool meets in the evening. I just feel that there could have been more of an effort to keep single travellers aware of where everyone was going. I was not part of a small group of people who knew each other beforehand and was at a disadvantage. I don't think I am the only one who felt that way either. Anyway, maybe I'm too old (53) to be trying to be a part of this group. I really was hoping to meet with a group of people who loved WDW as much as I do so I wouldn't have to drag my husband with me all of the time.

 

[AdventurerKat]

Adventurekat, I agree with everything that you said. I think that what happened was that I signed up for all of the meals from the beginning. So many things changed in the intervening 6 months that the meals I signed up for were not well attended. For example, Thursday night at Ohana was supposed to be a large group but ended up being a group of about 8. Everyone else went to Whispering Canyon. And that seems to be the time that most people met. At the last meal at Boma, there were 4 of us. Anyone who couldn't keep up with all of the daily changes on the trip board wouldn't necessarily know that plans had changed.
Yes I did have the phone list. But if someone had called me and asked me to please call her and let her know where the group was headed, I would have done so. Many of us were not aware of all of the pool meets in the evening. I just feel that there could have been more of an effort to keep single travellers aware of where everyone was going. I was not part of a small group of people who knew each other beforehand and was at a disadvantage. I don't think I am the only one who felt that way either. Anyway, maybe I'm too old (53) to be trying to be a part of this group. I really was hoping to meet with a group of people who loved WDW as much as I do so I wouldn't have to drag my husband with me all of the time.

Again, I am sorry whoever told you that did not do it. That's really unfortunate. But I guess if it was me, I would still have tried calling a name on that list, if no one else, Beth, since she was the "organizer" of the whole thing.

No one really knew each other before the trip, other than chatting on the thread, which was an option for anyone and still is. I did have the fortune of being able to pop up and meet a couple of the girls ahead of time since I live in Florida, but most of the people I didn't know other than from the thread.

Know that the "pool meets" were impromptu gatherings at that time. People came back, ran into someone, and said "want to sit by the pool?" I think this next time its going to pretty much be a given that people will be out by that pool just about every night. If you look for the noisy group being approached by security, you're probably on the right track.

You're not too old for this group, there are plenty of people in all age ranges, and we all enjoyed each other's company. Come again and hang out. You'll have fun. I'll give you my phone number and you can call me if you need Disney recon.

And your husband sounds like mine. I say more trips for me!

 

[Disney Freak Numero Uno]

Thank you Adventurekat. I appreciate your reply. Another problem was that I was at BCV so I had few opportunities to run into others.

 

[AdventurerKat]

Thank you Adventurekat. I appreciate your reply. Another problem was that I was at BCV so I had few opportunities to run into others.

Yeah, that could have been a problem. Most people at the pool were people who were staying at Pop.

Ah...Beach Club. Now there is a pool to hang out by!

 

[TDC Nala]

BCV pool party....

 

[Yardbird]

BCV pool party....

Is that an invitation?

 

[AdventurerKat]

Is that an invitation?

maybe at that time of year, they won't have those pesky "pool guards"

 

[mommaU4]

Hi Everyone,
I would love to go on the 2007 trip (I travelled alone last year for the 2006 trip). I'm really undecided about this because as a single traveller, I never really hooked up with any smaller group(s) on days two and three.

Hey there!!
It's good to see you again, although perhaps not under these circumstances.

I just want to say that I had no idea you had such a difficult time on the last trip! I wish I had known how you felt. It makes me feel terrible to hear all that.

I don't know who offered to call you and honestly it's better that I don't know. I wish you would have asked me to do it! I would definitely have called and kept you up to date. (I sent you all those PMs with any changes remember?) And I really wish you would have called me as Kat said.
But in any case, what's done is done and I can't change it now.

All we can do is make this next one a much better experience for you.

Once again we will be passing out cell phone lists for everyone to stay in touch. If your not sure what's the plan for a certain day, just give someone a call. You can always call me.

Second, there is this thread which I will keep updated with any lists once we get closer to trip time. So for those who can't make it over to the Chat thread, you can come here periodically to see what's up.

About the Chat thread. That is really where we get to know each other. I had never met a soul before the trip, but felt I had just from chatting online.
It's fast moving, yes, but don't let that scare you. Just go to the last page and jump right in. We'd love for everyone to come chat whenever they have some time to do so.

Another thing different this year, is we are all planning to be at POP. I stayed at CSR last time and I felt out of the loop as well sometimes. I didn't go to any of those pool meets either as they were just sort of spontaneous. Nothing planned.

And finally as the trip gets closer and people start finalizing their plans, we will have an Itinerary thread were everyone can post what they are doing and when so you can look through it and see who you'd like to meet up with.

One thing I can guarantee you is there will be changes! This group likes to use their womanly prerogative to change their mind.

But we will do our best to keep everyone informed and make it as easy as can be to be part of the group. You are not too old! I really enjoyed meeting you and I am sure with each trip that we take we will learn more about what works and what doesn't.

So hang in there with us and by the 10th Annual Ladies only Trip we should have it down to a science.

 

[TDC Nala]

Is that an invitation?

Yeah! But the pool at the villas, they don't close that one as soon as the sun goes down. Bring suits, they have a nice hot tub.