"But Mom, I want to come back to WDW!"

[poppinspal]

I'm glad we decided to return at the same time. I wanted to post and say hi here! Keep up the TR, I want to hear what happened with the open door!

 

[blue_river]

Day 3 – Part 2 – We Found The Door To Our Room Had Been Left Open



Lurkers: Thanks for sticking around!

Pattiken: You are a brave woman for volunteering in the stunt show! Maybe WDW will offer free dining again this year – that would certainly help with your budget – we’re hoping for it!

Philadisney: Nice of you to wait patiently

Jojo05: You two are ONE of the many reasons I’m writing it sweety

PrincessJasmine08: I guess you’re back from your trip – I shall seek you out this week to hear all about it. BTW – Happy Birthday

Beana9802: Happy New Year to you too!!!!

MontanaDisneyFan: UMMM….don’t think I’ll go with that one but happy to hear you’re available for future installments. BTW – Happy 40th again (letting the whole world know you’re getting OLD – j/k)

Poppinspal: Woohoo…we’re in sync!!! Good to have you back.

******************************************************

Where was I? Oh yes, the open door.

We came back for our afternoon rest and found the door to our room had been left open. Not all the way, the lock bar is what was holding it open. If you have ever had anything stolen, you can imagine the concern, anxiety and fear that followed. My laptop was the first thing that came to mind – even though I had it hidden in the drawer under clothes – it’s not like it wouldn’t be hard to find if someone were looking.

I wondered if someone might still be in there. DH bravely entered first and I followed behind him. Scanning the room, to make certain no one was inside, I quickly checked to see if my laptop was still there. I opened the drawer, with my heart in my throat, my hands shaking and relief flooded through me when I saw my laptop safely hidden away beneath the clothing. The soothing feeling of seeing it is indescribable.

I wasn’t worried about the laptop itself because that could easily be replaced. It was the pictures that I had transferred from our first two days in the World. There is no value one can put on that. To me, my pictures are priceless. It is something that I could never get back and I would have been devastated. However, luck was on our side that day. Not a single item appeared to be missing, the safe was still locked and everything else was as we had left it. Interestingly, the envelope with the tip we had left for mouse keeping (the extra tip for leaving us towel animals) was gone.

After assessing the situation, we thought it might be a good idea to call the front desk and apprise them of our situation. While DH called, I slipped into my jammies since I was planning on a short nap. To my surprise a Manager was already knocking at our door. Before I had time to act quickly and go change out of my P.J.’s, Prince Grumpy opened the door! I’m pretty sure, at that moment; I turned ten different shades of red when the Manager walked into our room.

I soon forgot what I was wearing while we explained what had happened. We told him how grateful we were that nothing was missing. He then proceeded to insert a special card reader into our door, which he explained would tell him who was the last person to enter the room.

He fiddled around with it for what seemed like an hour, which was presumably only three minutes or so. The Manger made small talk as he was completing his investigation. He asked us where we were from, which parks we had visited, our flight and when he finally finished his job, he apologized to us and told us this was something that rarely happens.

I questioned him about taking my laptop to the front desk each morning for safekeeping but he assured me there was no need to do that. We considered this option when we arrived and it’s what we normally do while on vacation but this time, decided against it because of the long trip to retrieve it every day.

We learned a valuable lesson from our experience. For future trips to WDW, we will purchase a cable and lock. But if a thief really wants to steal something, he will find a way to do it. Making it harder will diminish the possibility.

Coming Up – Day 3 – Part 3: Hollywood & Vine – the Long Wait and Fantasmic

 

[Philadisney]

Ooh, spooky!
I am hoping that Mousekeeping just knocked the lock back without realizing it when they left, and didn't notice that the door didn't fully close.
So glad nothing was missing!

 

[blue_river]

Ooh, spooky!
I am hoping that Mousekeeping just knocked the lock back without realizing it when they left, and didn't notice that the door didn't fully close.
So glad nothing was missing!

The Manager did not tell us who the last person was to enter our room but we assumed it must have been mousekeeping as you said. We didn't request mousekeeping for the next couple of days.

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

We "sort of" had the same thing happen to us on the last trip.

We moved from off site to our Disney room and after checking in we drove to our room, took the elevator up, and walked up to our door and it was ajar from the lock bar like yours was.

I walked in, sort of yelled to see if anyone was there, then we all just moved in. It was a bad day and I was very worried that someone else was about to move into our room and I figured if we were already there and unpacked, we would get to stay.

Unlike you though, we didn't have any "stuff" there so we weren't really worried.

I sleep in hotel rooms about 150 nights per year for the last 15 years and I've never had anything stolen from my room.

When I'm in a room for only a couple of nights, I will hang the Do Not Disturb sign on my door the entire time and call the front desk to tell them I won't need housekeeping. I don't get clean sheets at home every night so why would I need it on the road?

Thanks for the update blue ('bout time, sheesh)

 

[blue_river]

We "sort of" had the same thing happen to us on the last trip.

We moved from off site to our Disney room and after checking in we drove to our room, took the elevator up, and walked up to our door and it was ajar from the lock bar like yours was.

I walked in, sort of yelled to see if anyone was there, then we all just moved in. It was a bad day and I was very worried that someone else was about to move into our room and I figured if we were already there and unpacked, we would get to stay.

Unlike you though, we didn't have any "stuff" there so we weren't really worried.

I sleep in hotel rooms about 150 nights per year for the last 15 years and I've never had anything stolen from my room.

When I'm in a room for only a couple of nights, I will hang the Do Not Disturb sign on my door the entire time and call the front desk to tell them I won't need housekeeping. I don't get clean sheets at home every night so why would I need it on the road?

Thanks for the update blue ('bout time, sheesh)

I suppose theft from hotel rooms is not common and I think even if someone did notice our door partially open, they probably assumed we were in the room.

You're so right about the clean sheets thing. We were able to grab towels everday from mousekeeping as they made their rounds so that wasn't a problem either.

I'm going to try my best to add new installments more quickly as I'd like to get this wrapped up. I need the time to start planning our next trip

 

[ndelaware]

Hey there, Blue Girl.

 

[poppinspal]

I'm so glad nothing was missing from your room. I know that no matter how well hidden something is in my bag or how inexpensive it is I feel like it's going to get taken. Not because I believe people are really that bad but mostly because that's just my luck. ha ha oh well.

can't wait for more!

 

[alabamagirl]

Enjoying your TR very much. By the way, Prince Grumpy is exactly how I would describe my DH as well!!

 

[blue_river]

Hey there, Blue Girl.

Hey there back at ya!

I'm so glad nothing was missing from your room. I know that no matter how well hidden something is in my bag or how inexpensive it is I feel like it's going to get taken. Not because I believe people are really that bad but mostly because that's just my luck. ha ha oh well.

can't wait for more!

LOL - seems like you have good luck to me - you have a new prince charming don't ya? Maybe we'll be seeing you as a soon

I just finished the next installment but have to upload the pics...it's coming soon.

Enjoying your TR very much. By the way, Prince Grumpy is exactly how I would describe my DH as well!!

Why thank you very much! Men...or should I say DH's???

 

[marivaid]

Love your TR !! Cant wait to read the rest

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

Why thank you very much! Men...or should I say DH's???

Hey Hey Hey! Easy on the man-hater-jokes. We've got feelings *sniff sniff*

 

[blue_river]

Love your TR !! Cant wait to read the rest

Thanks marivaid!

Hey Hey Hey! Easy on the man-hater-jokes. We've got feelings *sniff sniff*

Awww...no man-hater jokes from me - I was just saying is all.

Here's a new banana man to cheer you up:

 

[blue_river]

Day 3 - Part 3

Too much time had passed and we didn’t have a chance to take a nap but did manage to cool off and rest our aching legs and feet. Our reservations were for 6:00 at Hollywood & Vine (part of the Fantasmic package).

Refreshed for another evening - JoJo not pleased having to have her pic taken!

Welp – we returned to MGM at 5:40 and made our way to the restaurant where we were told it would be a little later than expected because they were behind schedule. Did they say short? It was a thirty-minute wait. The patio was crowded with furious families who were definitely not pleased with the delay. I moved away from the rest of my gang because they were acting up and I’m talking about ALL three of them. Sometimes I don’t know who is worse, DH or my girls. He tends to get them going and once they are both on board with him, it's usually time for mom to step in.

First they began squirting water at each with their mist fans, which wasn’t too bad but they were oblivious to those around them, sometimes spraying the already angry strangers. I saw a few dirty looks and asked the three of them to cut it out. Sure, I got the “okay” look from them but it still continued so I removed myself and found a seat at the other end of the patio. I pretended that I didn't know the three BIG kids at the other end. As I was quietly sitting by myself, trying to be stealth (as JoJo would say), loud voices started coming from my fanny pack. They were taunting me and becoming obnoxious. In my frustration, I couldn’t get at the radio fast enough to turn it off before being noticed by those around me. Now I was starting to get angry and the call for our table came just in time.

When DH and the girls met me at the entrance, I gave Prince Grumpy the “look”. You know the “look” that can mean many different things. Sometimes it doesn’t always work, but I must have had my mean face on because the nonsense stopped after that.

We settled in at our table, ordered drinks and took turns going to the buffet. There was a large selection of food and again we chose not eat any dessert because we were so full. I kept looking at my watch waiting for the waitress to return with our bill because I wanted to be sure of having good seats for Fantasmic.

When she finally arrived, I noticed the $120.00 savings and that 8 TS credits seemed to be missing. Ugh, that meant another trip to the front desk the next morning to straighten it out.

We made our way to the show and didn’t stop in any of the stores to shop (as tempting as it was for us three girls). It was 7:40 when we arrived at the reserved section and the seats were practically empty. We chose the front row again and couldn’t believe how quickly the place filled up. Goofy enjoyed participating in the wave with the audience and I too thought it was fun at the beginning but they wouldn’t take a break. It became irritating afterwards.

All four of us thought the show was fabulous. JoJo took as many pictures as Prince Grumpy and I captured some of it in movie mode from my camera. The way they projected the images on the water was so cool, the music and the performance was awesome. Fantasmic became another new favourite for all of us. The heat at the end of the show was intense sitting so close. We will definitely see it again when we return but I wouldn’t do the package thing.

After the show, we did a little shopping before returning to ASMo. I bought myself a cute Mickey ring and picture frame and Prince Grumpy showed me his first purchase at the World – it was a Mickey Lens Cleaner that straps onto your camera. Big spender my husband. JoJo loved the villains store and bought a skull belt for a friend back home. I’m pretty sure the girls bought a few other things at MGM but they are not here to remind me.

Once we were in our room at the resort, we called DH’s parents to see how our animals were doing. The dog was apparently having a great visit with his girlfriend Princess (Nana’s Collie) and JoJo’s cat Oreo was doing fine on her own at home. Poppy mentioned how Oreo tried to escape out of the house when he stopped by to feed her but we expected that. She’s not the type to laze around all day, she’d much rather be outside mousing. I’m sure it drove her bonkers being locked up for so many days. Nana reported that Goofy’s bunny, Mitten was also fine. Then JoJo and Goofy took turns telling Nana & Poppy all about their adventures until we finally had to signal to them that it was time to hang up.

To end our fabulous day, Goofy and I decided to have a quick swim while DH bought himself a beer and sat by the pool. JoJo chose to relax in the room and watch TV.

Coming Up: Day 4 – Part 1 – Typhoon Lagoon – DH forgets camera battery

 

[jojo05]

-i believe i tried to be as stealth as possible so i wouldnt have to get my picture taken much.
-also,great report.
-i pretty much took all the best pictures there that day. haha yes. mine were the best. =D
-keeper' comin'

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

Gosh we haven't been to Fantasmic in years due to the Boy. After seeing those pictures, I'm going to have to plan a visit on our next trip.

We've never done the package thing and probably won't. We have to play it loose and fancy free.

Was Oreo alone at home with poor Mitten? ...sitting outside her cage, staring ...plotting ...licking his chops! We used to have people watch our cats also when we went on vacation. Now that we're cat-free, we don't have to worry about it anymore.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I'm really enjoying your TR! Your daughters are gorgeous and you and your family just seem like so much fun.

 

[blue_river]

-i believe i tried to be as stealth as possible so i wouldnt have to get my picture taken much.
-also,great report.
-i pretty much took all the best pictures there that day. haha yes. mine were the best. =D
-keeper' comin'

- You didn't do a very good job of being stealth then, because we have LOTS of pics of you. Mind you, a few more smiles would have been nice next time? A mother can only hope.

Yes you did take some great pictures that day, and some were better than Dad's

 

[blue_river]

Gosh we haven't been to Fantasmic in years due to the Boy. After seeing those pictures, I'm going to have to plan a visit on our next trip.

We've never done the package thing and probably won't. We have to play it loose and fancy free.

Was Oreo alone at home with poor Mitten? ...sitting outside her cage, staring ...plotting ...licking his chops! We used to have people watch our cats also when we went on vacation. Now that we're cat-free, we don't have to worry about it anymore.

Woohoo...now I'm converting a WDW regular!!!!

Yes, Oreo was alone with Mitten and she does sit outside her cage. She reaches in at her with her paws to try and claw at the poor little bunny.

Oreo is one mean cat I tell you (EVIL is the word that comes to mind) and she only likes JoJo.

I doubt we'll ever be cat or dog free - we love pets too much.

 

[blue_river]

Your daughters are gorgeous and you and your family just seem like so much fun.

Now this is something EVERY mother loves to hear!!!!! Thank you