DIS Dads DDC XXI - Passing Time Until Our Next Trip

[disdadIL]

Morning dads! Beautiful day. Today DD has been invited to a pirate birthday party. Awesome.

 

[declansdad]

Morning Gents.

Hope you all enjoy your Sunday.

I'm almost at my second pick in the draft.

 

[AirGoofy]

Wow thats a long draft. I figured 10 hours total would do it.
Well good luck in the comming rounds

Thanks. It picks up during the work week when everyone sits at their computer and doesn't do work.

Happy Sunday all

And, we know who the jinxed QB s this year?

Morning dads! Beautiful day. Today DD has been invited to a pirate birthday party. Awesome.

 

[AirGoofy]

Guys,

Does anyone have any good hotel recommendations for the Canaveral area. We are looking for a spot for the night before our cruise in March. We are flying in to Melbourne and have a car for the day. Our flight lands about 2:30 pm.

I'm interested as well. My original plans for cruise were to stay one DVC night and drive into Part Canaveral the next day. But, others have recommended just staying there as many hotels have walkways to cruise ship and you leave car there at hotel parking.

Anyone thinking of doing the tangled air lanterns in the future, dooooo noooooot let them go in a neighborhood, at the birthday party my DD was at, we nearly set the neighbors roof on fire . Also have 911 on stand by lol

Glad it was just a "nearly" set on fire.

 

[ClearScreen]

Good morning from the world! Having a great time. Weather has been spotty the first few days, but still able to get everything in. Today - MK.

A little hiccup I wanted to share to make some aware. Yesterday, they closed Hollywood and vine and prime time cafe for "technical difficulties". We had a 5:50 fantasmic dinner package at h&v. There are 10 of us including my 7 year old with food allergies. I make reservations far in advance and I fax over his allergy list to wdw dining so we have less to worry about. When we get to h&v for our reservation, they told us they had technical difficulties. I called wdw dining and they said was because of health department violations. Same with prime time cafe.

There were no other places to accommodate us in the park. I also had my in-laws who are in their 70s, one of them on a scooter. I explained to the wdw dining that I should have gotten a phone call about this as it is not so simple for us to just get quick counter service like he suggested. My cell phone and email are on the reservation as well as the allergy information sheet. He spoke to his supervisor who basically told me too bad and there was nothing they could do. My in laws went back to the hotel to eat and skipped fantasmic. We spent almost an hour and a half walking to different counter service restaurants finding out what my son could eat - he already had a burger for lunch that they had to get special bread for him. We finally found a manager at Fairfax Fare near the ToT who was awesome. He made him a hot dog and brought him some safe sides. He was shocked when I told him what happened, and especially wdw dining's response because he has celiacs himself. He gave me a card to file a claim/complaint and even wrote his name and number on it.

Oh, ad the thing that set me over the edge is when the wdw dining guy told me his supervisor said that I should cancel the reservation at h&v so I don't get charged. I was on the phone with him for 20minutes already and damned near lost it on him. I gave him my reservation number 2 times already. I told him he should cancel the reservation as the place is closed and I'd Love to see them try to charge me.

We still had a good time, but now we are making sure to have a backup reservation whenever possible in someone else's name. I will be filing a claim with wdw dining as soon as I can because I do not want this to happen again and they really need to look at how they handle these situations.

 

[declansdad]

Good morning from the world! Having a great time. Weather has been spotty the first few days, but still able to get everything in. Today - MK.

A little hiccup I wanted to share to make some aware. Yesterday, they closed Hollywood and vine and prime time cafe for "technical difficulties". We had a 5:50 fantasmic dinner package at h&v. There are 10 of us including my 7 year old with food allergies. I make reservations far in advance and I fax over his allergy list to wdw dining so we have less to worry about. When we get to h&v for our reservation, they told us they had technical difficulties. I called wdw dining and they said was because of health department violations. Same with prime time cafe.

There were no other places to accommodate us in the park. I also had my in-laws who are in their 70s, one of them on a scooter. I explained to the wdw dining that I should have gotten a phone call about this as it is not so simple for us to just get quick counter service like he suggested. My cell phone and email are on the reservation as well as the allergy information sheet. He spoke to his supervisor who basically told me too bad and there was nothing they could do. My in laws went back to the hotel to eat and skipped fantasmic. We spent almost an hour and a half walking to different counter service restaurants finding out what my son could eat - he already had a burger for lunch that they had to get special bread for him. We finally found a manager at Fairfax Fare near the ToT who was awesome. He made him a hot dog and brought him some safe sides. He was shocked when I told him what happened, and especially wdw dining's response because he has celiacs himself. He gave me a card to file a claim/complaint and even wrote his name and number on it.

Oh, ad the thing that set me over the edge is when the wdw dining guy told me his supervisor said that I should cancel the reservation at h&v so I don't get charged. I was on the phone with him for 20minutes already and damned near lost it on him. I gave him my reservation number 2 times already. I told him he should cancel the reservation as the place is closed and I'd I've to see them try to charge me.

We still had a good time, but now we are making sure to have a backup reservation whenever possible in someone else's name. I will be filing a claim with wdw dining as soon as I can because I do not want this to happen again and they really need to look at how they handle these situations.

Terrible!! Glad you found a manager who was able to help you. That's too bad about your In-Laws missing Fantasmic, have they seen it before?

 

[ClearScreen]

Terrible!! Glad you found a manager who was able to help you. That's too bad about your In-Laws missing Fantasmic, have they seen it before?

No. They hadn't. My wife is upset about that.

 

[declansdad]

No. They hadn't. My wife is upset about that.

Will you get a chance to go back this trip? Did they allow you to use the seating area from the package?

 

[Wherem I Now]

Guys,

Does anyone have any good hotel recommendations for the Canaveral area. We are looking for a spot for the night before our cruise in March. We are flying in to Melbourne and have a car for the day. Our flight lands about 2:30 pm.

The last time that we cruised we stayed at the Residence Inn. Very nice place with free breakfast and free parking for your cruise if you stay there. They also have a nice pool if you can't wait for your cruise to get wet.

The Country Inn and Suites next door also looked very nice and I have read on the cruise forums that you can see the top of the cruise ships from some of the rooms. That would be a nice way to wake up on your boarding morning.

Anyone thinking of doing the tangled air lanterns in the future, dooooo noooooot let them go in a neighborhood, at the birthday party my DD was at, we nearly set the neighbors roof on fire . Also have 911 on stand by lol

Sorry to read about your dining problems Chris. Hope the rest of your trip is fantastic.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Guys,

Does anyone have any good hotel recommendations for the Canaveral area. We are looking for a spot for the night before our cruise in March. We are flying in to Melbourne and have a car for the day. Our flight lands about 2:30 pm.

I'm interested as well. My original plans for cruise were to stay one DVC night and drive into Part Canaveral the next day. But, others have recommended just staying there as many hotels have walkways to cruise ship and you leave car there at hotel parking.



Glad it was just a "nearly" set on fire.

If you’re going to be cruising there are a number of hotels in the Port Canaveral area. Two in particular are close to the terminal complex. The one we liked the best was the Radisson:

http://www.radisson.com/CapeCanaveral

Another popular one with the cruise crowd is the Residence Inn

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mlbri-residence-inn-cape-canaveral-cocoa-beach/

The main reasons folks like these is that they are the best maintained and they both offer packages where you can leave you vehicle on their property (a good bit cheaper then storing it in the terminal parking garage). They also offer shuttle services from the hotel to the terminals. There is no good way to walk to the terminals due to the way that the roads are constructed in this area (unless they’ve made some very big changes that I’m unaware of).

I did a TR based on our Cruise on the Disney Dream in 2011. There’s a link in my Sig (the “Experiment 627” one). There is a lot of information about the cruising process and what to expect at the terminal, during boarding, how things work on the ship, tips for getting around Castaway Cay, baggage handling, tipping, beverage management and a good bit more. I’m also happy to answer any specific questions.

If you’d like to see some pictures of the Radisson you can take a look at this chapter:
Welcome to the Rad

There is also a chapter on the ways and pit falls in dealing with the Terminal Shuttles on sailing day.
Shuttle Launch


Oh, one more thing…
Wherever you leave you car, make very that there is no open food (chips, drinks or whatever). If the ants figure it out, you won’t be happy with the state of things when you get back.

 

[declansdad]

Thanks for the information Mike and Rob. We are leaning towards the Country Inn so far, it looks nice. We are still keeping our options open and hopefully we will find a discount coupon somewhere.

We don't have to worry about the car as it is a one day rental, just so we can pick up some things and look around a bit.

Going to check out your TR Rob, thanks for the link.

 

[RodBelding]

Morning guys.

Spent the morning chasing after the kids and playing at the park. Think it's time for a nap...


No clue how DW does this everyday.

 

[Venomhatch]

Good Sunday Morning Peeps!!!

 

[ClearScreen]

Will you get a chance to go back this trip? Did they allow you to use the seating area from the package?

Probably won't go back. That's up in the air. We were allowed to use the seating area.

 

[DisDadDoc]

I am in once I find a computer that is not blocked, may have to wait till I get home. Thank for posting it will be nice to get in on some form of Fantasy. All the people at work are taking it to the extreme and starting a high stakes league (with my luck I should go play the lottery with my money, I would get some back atleast).

I know that!

Happy Sunday all

Morning dads! Beautiful day. Today DD has been invited to a pirate birthday party. Awesome.

Morning Gents.

Hope you all enjoy your Sunday.

I'm almost at my second pick in the draft.

Good Sunday Morning Peeps!!!

Morning guys.

Spent the morning chasing after the kids and playing at the park. Think it's time for a nap...


No clue how DW does this everyday.

Happy Sunday, all!

Probably won't go back. That's up in the air. We were allowed to use the seating area.

Sorry about your terrible experience, Chris.

 

[moose615]

Hate to hear about your dining troubles also good getting a heads up about these things we r doing late lunch at MM on the fantasmic package , I'm sorry that u had troubles

 

[BigTikiDaddy]

Good morning from the world! Having a great time. Weather has been spotty the first few days, but still able to get everything in. Today - MK.

A little hiccup I wanted to share to make some aware. Yesterday, they closed Hollywood and vine and prime time cafe for "technical difficulties". We had a 5:50 fantasmic dinner package at h&v. There are 10 of us including my 7 year old with food allergies. I make reservations far in advance and I fax over his allergy list to wdw dining so we have less to worry about. When we get to h&v for our reservation, they told us they had technical difficulties. I called wdw dining and they said was because of health department violations. Same with prime time cafe.

There were no other places to accommodate us in the park. I also had my in-laws who are in their 70s, one of them on a scooter. I explained to the wdw dining that I should have gotten a phone call about this as it is not so simple for us to just get quick counter service like he suggested. My cell phone and email are on the reservation as well as the allergy information sheet. He spoke to his supervisor who basically told me too bad and there was nothing they could do. My in laws went back to the hotel to eat and skipped fantasmic. We spent almost an hour and a half walking to different counter service restaurants finding out what my son could eat - he already had a burger for lunch that they had to get special bread for him. We finally found a manager at Fairfax Fare near the ToT who was awesome. He made him a hot dog and brought him some safe sides. He was shocked when I told him what happened, and especially wdw dining's response because he has celiacs himself. He gave me a card to file a claim/complaint and even wrote his name and number on it.

Oh, ad the thing that set me over the edge is when the wdw dining guy told me his supervisor said that I should cancel the reservation at h&v so I don't get charged. I was on the phone with him for 20minutes already and damned near lost it on him. I gave him my reservation number 2 times already. I told him he should cancel the reservation as the place is closed and I'd Love to see them try to charge me.

We still had a good time, but now we are making sure to have a backup reservation whenever possible in someone else's name. I will be filing a claim with wdw dining as soon as I can because I do not want this to happen again and they really need to look at how they handle these situations.

Not good Customer Service...glad there was someone who puts guests first. Sorry for the beverly nonetheless.

Also alarming is the term "health department violations"

Oh, one more thing…
Wherever you leave you car, make very that there is no open food (chips, drinks or whatever). If the ants figure it out, you won’t be happy with the state of things when you get back.

That sounds like good advice. Just at Canaveral or all over Florida?

 

[AirGoofy]

Morning guys.

Spent the morning chasing after the kids and playing at the park. Think it's time for a nap...


No clue how DW does this everyday.

I would love to try and manage it though. If DW made enough money, I'd be a stay at home dad. Imagine what my post count would be!

Good morning from the world! Having a great time. Weather has been spotty the first few days, but still able to get everything in. Today - MK.

. We finally found a manager at Fairfax Fare near the ToT who was awesome. He made him a hot dog and brought him some safe sides. He was shocked when I told him what happened, and especially wdw dining's response because he has celiacs himself. He gave me a card to file a claim/complaint and even wrote his name and number on it.

Oh, ad the thing that set me over the edge is when the wdw dining guy told me his supervisor said that I should cancel the reservation at h&v so I don't get charged. I was on the phone with him for 20minutes already and damned near lost it on him. I gave him my reservation number 2 times already. I told him he should cancel the reservation as the place is closed and I'd Love to see them try to charge me..

That is horrible. Normally, WDW does so well with customer service. It is terrible to hear that. Now, I realize that with short notice or head department closure that they couldn't have rebooked everyone elsewhere. But, they could have given a free QS or free TS meal at any future location. And, no notification prior to the time? Sorry to hear it. Glad you were able to make some other arrangements.

The last time that we cruised we stayed at the Residence Inn. Very nice place with free breakfast and free parking for your cruise if you stay there. They also have a nice pool if you can't wait for your cruise to get wet.

The Country Inn and Suites next door also looked very nice and I have read on the cruise forums that you can see the top of the cruise ships from some of the rooms. That would be a nice way to wake up on your boarding morning.

Thanks for recommendations. Going to look at those now.

If you’re going to be cruising there are a number of hotels in the Port Canaveral area. Two in particular are close to the terminal complex. The one we liked the best was the Radisson:

http://www.radisson.com/CapeCanaveral

Another popular one with the cruise crowd is the Residence Inn

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mlbri-residence-inn-cape-canaveral-cocoa-beach/

The main reasons folks like these is that they are the best maintained and they both offer packages where you can leave you vehicle on their property (a good bit cheaper then storing it in the terminal parking garage). They also offer shuttle services from the hotel to the terminals. There is no good way to walk to the terminals due to the way that the roads are constructed in this area (unless they’ve made some very big changes that I’m unaware of).

I did a TR based on our Cruise on the Disney Dream in 2011. There’s a link in my Sig (the “Experiment 627” one). There is a lot of information about the cruising process and what to expect at the terminal, during boarding, how things work on the ship, tips for getting around Castaway Cay, baggage handling, tipping, beverage management and a good bit more. I’m also happy to answer any specific questions.

If you’d like to see some pictures of the Radisson you can take a look at this chapter:
Welcome to the Rad

There is also a chapter on the ways and pit falls in dealing with the Terminal Shuttles on sailing day.
Shuttle Launch

Thanks for recommendation. I'll check those out.

Oh, one more thing…
Wherever you leave you car, make very that there is no open food (chips, drinks or whatever). If the ants figure it out, you won’t be happy with the state of things when you get back.

Or sand dollars without cleaning them first. Not for ants - but for stink.

 

[ClearScreen]

Thanks everyone. Putting it behind us. Met Brian ( twokids 0204) and his wonderful family. Took pix and rode mission space together. Now on line at potc. No worries. Life is good.

 

[baseballmickey]

Good morning from the world! Having a great time. Weather has been spotty the first few days, but still able to get everything in. Today - MK.

A little hiccup I wanted to share to make some aware. Yesterday, they closed Hollywood and vine and prime time cafe for "technical difficulties". We had a 5:50 fantasmic dinner package at h&v. There are 10 of us including my 7 year old with food allergies. I make reservations far in advance and I fax over his allergy list to wdw dining so we have less to worry about. When we get to h&v for our reservation, they told us they had technical difficulties. I called wdw dining and they said was because of health department violations. Same with prime time cafe.

There were no other places to accommodate us in the park. I also had my in-laws who are in their 70s, one of them on a scooter. I explained to the wdw dining that I should have gotten a phone call about this as it is not so simple for us to just get quick counter service like he suggested. My cell phone and email are on the reservation as well as the allergy information sheet. He spoke to his supervisor who basically told me too bad and there was nothing they could do. My in laws went back to the hotel to eat and skipped fantasmic. We spent almost an hour and a half walking to different counter service restaurants finding out what my son could eat - he already had a burger for lunch that they had to get special bread for him. We finally found a manager at Fairfax Fare near the ToT who was awesome. He made him a hot dog and brought him some safe sides. He was shocked when I told him what happened, and especially wdw dining's response because he has celiacs himself. He gave me a card to file a claim/complaint and even wrote his name and number on it.

Oh, ad the thing that set me over the edge is when the wdw dining guy told me his supervisor said that I should cancel the reservation at h&v so I don't get charged. I was on the phone with him for 20minutes already and damned near lost it on him. I gave him my reservation number 2 times already. I told him he should cancel the reservation as the place is closed and I'd Love to see them try to charge me.

We still had a good time, but now we are making sure to have a backup reservation whenever possible in someone else's name. I will be filing a claim with wdw dining as soon as I can because I do not want this to happen again and they really need to look at how they handle these situations.

Wow! What a Beverly that was! I'm glad you finally found a handy helper but I don't blame you for still being PB'd for having to go through that. I am very surprised that the Food Service options aren't more accommodating to special needs/allergies. I've been noticing a lot more restaurants and grocery stores with gluten free menus and sections, so hopefully that trend will continue everywhere, including the parks.

At MK, I did notice someone getting a lot of help with their order at Pinnochio's. The manager was assisting and they took special care to keep the food separate from everything else. Not sure how much trouble it was for that family to get that process started, but it was good to see they apparently got what they needed.

Lastly, I hope it wasn't my fault. We had breakfast at H&V on our trip about a week and a half ago. (sidenote: the play & dine breakfast was really good. food was better than expected, and GREAT character interaction ) While there, I was getting food and sneezed while in the line. They closed that side of the buffet right after that!