DIS Meet Dec 8 07

[JsMom2]

Hello everyone!

I've been busy getting caught up at work. I've had a flu bug for the past 3 weeks now. Even when I have been at work, I haven't gotten much done. But I'm finally starting to feel normal again, and discovering all the things I blew off.

I've also been in a vacation planning frenzy. I finally got our schedule finalized for WDW in Sept. But just realized I need to wait until Thursday to call for our ADRs - I think we'll be fine for September though.

But now I'm rearranging our cruises. The RCI schedule just came out for Europe for the second half of 2009. If anyone is interested, I have the UK brochure with the itineraries - you won't find them on the RCI website yet. But thanks to the folks on another message board, I've got the jump on making our ressies. This morning I booked the Independence of the Seas for 14 nights in the Med in April 09 - the only downfall is this will probably mean our Disney B2B in September will be pushed back. I'm not going to cancel the Disney until we sail on Navigator of the Seas this Fall - just in case we absolutely hate it - but it looks like that's what's going to happen (Sorry Stacy!) I'm also going to change our Egypt cruise from March 09 to Nov 09, as they have a new itinerary which adds an extra night and an extra port in Egypt.

We're going to London this weekend to see Wicked, which should be fun!

Wendy

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

I can only speak (type) for myself. Do you want to adopt me? (Just kidding ) Egypt, what an amazing trip. Jasmine is VERY lucky. I am sure you will come back with a cartouche. My sister got me one while stationed in Turkey. It is very unique and beautiful with the hieroglyphics.

You have a very busy next few months travel-wise. I hope you are feeling better before all the traveling. Take it easy. I know that is easier said than done.

- Jennifer

 

[JsMom2]

I can only speak (type) for myself. Do you want to adopt me? (Just kidding ) Egypt, what an amazing trip. Jasmine is VERY lucky. I am sure you will come back with a cartouche. My sister got me one while stationed in Turkey. It is very unique and beautiful with the hieroglyphics.

You have a very busy next few months travel-wise. I hope you are feeling better before all the traveling. Take it easy. I know that is easier said than done.

- Jennifer

Wow, I didn't even think of the shopping aspects yet (where was my head ) I have a cartouche from when I as deployed to Saudi Arabia, and Jasmine's Dad got her one when he was in Kuwait. Our cruise this fall has an overnight in Istanbul, so let me know if you want me to get see about getting one for Emily.

And yes, I'm FINALLY starting to feel normal again, I even worked out last night. That was nice after sitting around like a big tub of goo for weeks!

I better get off here and get to work....

Wendy

 

[JsMom2]

How many of you have been frustrated with DCL reservations when you get a CM who knows less than you do about DCL? I know I have, but having been on the other end of the phone in a different life, I always try to be polite and positive.

After phoning RCI the past few days, I see that their shoreside service hasn't kept up with their expansion either. The most notable was when I booked our trip for Nov 09....

I was trying to decide between a Junior Suite, and the next level up which is a Grand Suite. (With the GS you get the concierge service. However, on RCI their "Diamond Level" repeat passengers also qualify for the concierge service.) The agent was saying I should go for the GS for the concierge. I told her that I would probably be Diamond (10 cruise credits) by that time anyway. She said that according to her information,

"Crown and Anchor Society members who are Diamond level or above and guests who are booked in a Grand Suite or above will have access to concierge services."

She insisted that this meant you must be Diamond AND in a GS to get the concierge! I thought maybe this was a new policy, then realized that doesn't make sense since someone on their 1st cruise will get concierge if they are in a GS or above.

I tried to gently correct her and let her know that Diamond and above have concierge access regardless of booking category and reminded her that on the new Freedom Class ships they now have a separate Diamond Lounge for the Diamond and above passengers (since the concierge lounges were getting crowded.) She said, "Well I haven't heard anything about that." Huh? They've had 2 of the freakin' ships sailing for the past couple years!

I ended up booking the GS, because I realized the difference between that and the JS was less than what it would've cost me to upgrade to a suite on our cruise this November. (I was going to try to do that, because you get an extra cruise credit for a suite or a 12 nt or longer sailing, which would've put me at Diamond for the Nov 09 cruise.)

I did try to correct her again, mainly because I didn't want her giving out misinformation to someone else. Apparently she didn't see Grammar Rock on TV on Saturday mornings as a kid, because she still couldn't understand the sentence she was reading me. I even suggested that maybe she could ask a supervisor so we could clarify the point, but she said, "No that's what it says right here!"

She seemed like a nice person, but the cruise lines really need to do a better job of training their reservationists. Thank goodness for these online forums!

OK, I've had a chance to vent and feel better now.

 

[Pooh_Girl]

Wendy...I hope you get all your reservations worked out. I'm sure it is very frustrating when someone who is supposed to know what they are talking about doesn't. I'm seriously thinking about sending you a BIG check for souveniers because you are going on some AWESOME trips!!!! Egypt, Tokyo!!! That is so cool!!!!!! You and Jasmine are very lucky!!

 

[BethC1952]

Apparently she didn't see Grammar Rock on TV on Saturday mornings as a kid, because she still couldn't understand the sentence she was reading me.

OMG, I just used exactly that sentence here in the office (referring to one of our more challenging "secretaries")! One of my co-workers is a Diamond RCI cruiser, and he's always complaining about their reservationists.

You have some fabulous trips planned. We all expect you to take thousands of pictures and post them so we can live vicariously!

I hope everyone is doing alright with this week's awful weather (yet again). It's pouring here, the parking lot behind my office has turned into a lake, and it's just miserable. However, things are beginning to grow and turn green, so maybe sometime soon the weather will turn nice!

Beth

 

[JsMom2]

Wendy...I hope you get all your reservations worked out. I'm sure it is very frustrating when someone who is supposed to know what they are talking about doesn't. I'm seriously thinking about sending you a BIG check for souveniers because you are going on some AWESOME trips!!!! Egypt, Tokyo!!! That is so cool!!!!!! You and Jasmine are very lucky!!

Thanks Tina. And yes we are very blessed.

OMG, I just used exactly that sentence here in the office (referring to one of our more challenging "secretaries")!
Beth

Great minds think alike!

 

[brack]

.... Apparently she didn't see Grammar Rock on TV on Saturday mornings as a kid, because she still couldn't understand the sentence she was reading me.

This makes me want to pull out my DVD's of these programs to watch them tonight.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Bill called and made our CRT breakfast reservation this morning through DVC Member Services for our September trip. It is an 8:10 am reservation. So, we get to walk down Main Street somewhat empty. Yea! (Thank you honey! ) Just thought I would share my joy with y'all.

I requested our Disney Channel Games concert tickets today. Being an AP holder, we were able to pre-request them before they are offered to the general public. I won't know if we got the tickets for a few days or so. The performers are The Jonas Brothers, Cheetah Girls and other performers TBA. For the kids sake, it would be really great if Miley Cyrus were there too. They are still listening to her music every day and attending the concert only made them like her more.

- Jennifer

 

[BethC1952]

Bill called and made our CRT breakfast reservation this morning through DVC Member Services for our September trip. It is an 8:10 am reservation. So, we get to walk down Main Street somewhat empty. Yea! (Thank you honey! ) Just thought I would share my joy with y'all.

I requested our Disney Channel Games concert tickets today. Being an AP holder, we were able to pre-request them before they are offered to the general public.

- Jennifer

Congrats on getting your CRT reservation! I've never been there, but will probably go someday!

Good luck with the Disney Channel Games concert tickets. My granddaughter is a big Hannah/Miley fan, but she isn't too impressed with the Jonas Brothers. She still asks me to log on so that she can see your pictures from the Hannah/Miley concert!

Beth

 

[brack]

Bill called and made our CRT breakfast reservation this morning through DVC Member Services for our September trip. It is an 8:10 am reservation. So, we get to walk down Main Street somewhat empty. Yea! (Thank you honey! ) Just thought I would share my joy with y'all.

- Jennifer

Make sure you take your camera there is a whole thread on photos of an empty park.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

- Jennifer & Family

 

[brack]

Happy Easter!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

I just called and made all our ADRs for our upcoming September trip.

Bill booked CRT breakfast the other morning through DVC. Thank you honey!

The rest are . . .

California Grill - dinner during Wishes
Tusker House - character breakfast
Whispering Canyon - breakfast
Le Cellier - lunch
Crystal Palace - character dinner

We plan to attend MNSSHP on September 28th. Is anyone else besides Wendy going to WDW in September?

Let the countdown to September begin . . .

Jennifer

 

[BethC1952]

Happy Easter Everybody!

My ADR's are all made for May, my flight is booked, my train is booked, I'm all ready. I can't wait to celebrate my birthday at WDW! It's been a few years since I did that. It's too bad that Jim can't be with me, but I'll force myself to have a good time anyway. Maybe I'll email pictures home all day so that he feels like he's with me, and then maybe I won't so that he doesn't know what I'm up to!

Beth

 

[JsMom2]

Well the wacky weather has made it's way to Belgium! After a mild winter, we are now getting snow and hail! I'm supposed to drive to Germany tomorrow for a Dr's appointment. It's taken me awhile to get an appt at the allergy clinic there, and I've been off my allergy meds for a week because of this visit. But if the weather's bad tomorrow, I'm not going.

We had a great time in London over the weekend. Jasmine loved Wicked as much as I thought she would. And she got to eat at the Subway shop right around the corner from our hotel every day! The weather was cold, but clear enough for us to "fly" the London Eye on Friday. And we made it to the Hard Rock Cafe this trip. I think this is the first trip we've ever taken where Jasmine didn't come home with any stuffed animals. When she showed me a "cute little bear" in a royal guard uniform, I reminded her that the last time we went to London she came home with 8 animals! She said, "good point," and put it back.

I was going on and on about DCL to a lady I met on Cruise Critic, and talked myself into not cancelling our B2Bs in September 09 . I think I can still swing both weeks, but if I may need to either cancel the second week, or downgrade the cabins. We'll see what happens....

 

[JsMom2]

Jennifer, Beth

Glad to hear you got all your ressies!
I also made our ADRs through DVC last week. We're doing the Character Bkfst at Cape May on our Water Park day, Hollywood and Vine for the Fantasmic Pkg, and we decided to go ahead and do the Character dinner at Liberty Tavern during the MNSSHP - assuming they have it that night.

I really wanted to try the gospel brunch at House of Blues on Sunday, but now that they are getting more strict with the embarkation times, I figured better safe than sorry. We can always do that post-cruise sometime.

Beth, I'll also be celebrating my birthday at WDW the day we are at DHS!

Jennifer, Jas also liked the pics of your kids at the HM concert. She thought it was funny that in the one picture, Will and Emily have their stuffed animals, while Cole (the baby) is reading!

 

[brack]

Well the wacky weather has made it's way to Belgium! After a mild winter, we are now getting snow and hail!

We had a great time in London over the weekend. Jasmine loved Wicked as much as I thought she would.....

We had snow and ice in Baltimore on Saturday .... not much but still!

Annette and I are trying to schedule a trip to NYC to see Wicked. I hope soon.

Travel safe.

 

[JsMom2]

We had snow and ice in Baltimore on Saturday .... not much but still!

Annette and I are trying to schedule a trip to NYC to see Wicked. I hope soon.

Travel safe.

You will definitely enjoy Wicked. It was the second time for me, and it was just as good as the first!

 

[pfishgirl]

Hi All...
Happy Belated Easter!!
Sooo how many of you got Peeps?


We went to Atlantic City after dinner with my mother and DH & I played 3 Card while Mom played Penny Slots We gave her $50 so she could play a little more since DH & I were winning at cards..

We cashed in a whopping.... $1,250

I had a wonderful 4 days off of work due to the Dr telling me I have the start of Step Throat.. My boss was rather mad at me since Friday & Monday are school Holidays and they were short handed but hey.. I have a Dr's note to prove it so

Hope all is well with each of you and your Families..


Brack... Wicked on Broadway was GREAT!!!! I'd go to see it again myself.. We are going to see Mary Poppins in June, when our niece is here from Colorado to watch our son Graduate High School