If your DME bus is late, go CHECK with Bell Services ....

[2Tiggies]

Just back from nearly 3 weeks at WDW. I will post some highs and lows (not many lows, if any at all) but just wanted to issue a word of caution to anyone who is as chilled out as I was about the DME bus being late

We were the only guests (DD and I) to be picked up at POFQ on Sunday afternoon. Scheduled pick up was 4.50 pm and I didn't fret it being only 3 hours and 20 minutes from our departure time as they always get us there on time and seldom leave a full 4 hours before.

I was standing with our luggage around 5.10 pm and realized I still had my shorts on (we had changed after a swim but I'd forgotten to throw my jeans on before we went out to wait for the bus). Worried the bus would arrive while I was gone I asked DD to tell the driver to give me 2 minutes. By 5.40 pm I realized we were pushing it so went and asked them at the luggage storage. 15 minutes later and still no answers so I went to Bell Services where the CM called.

DME had forgotten POFQ and had gone to the airport on time!

By this stage it was nearly 6 pm and Bell Services called us a cab and gave a voucher to pay for it. They were great and he even called the airline for us to apologize so check in was closed when we arrived but there was a lady waiting for us.

I asked for a letter for travel insurance as I really wasn't to bothered about another night in Florida as long as I didn't have to pay for it and didn't give a monkey's butt if we missed the flight if we had a paid for place to sleep. But it could cause a lot of distress for others so don't leave it to the last minute if our bus is pushing an hour late

 

[monica23535]

I can't believe they forgot about POFQ!

I'm so glad that Disney made things right and you still made your flight, although, by the sounds of it you were probably counting on that extra night lol

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

WOW firstly I cant believe it's been almost 3 weeks since you left the time seems to have flown by

Secondly I'm astonished that the DME driver just "forgot" to call at your hotel I am in fact lost for words .... which as you know is a rare occurrence for me but very glad that Disney put things right and you got to the airport and the plane safely

 

[wayneg]

We would have been just as chilled. When we got stuck with 3 extra days there with the ash cloud everyone was going around like headless chickens but we rang Delta to rearrange flights, down to reception book 3 extra nights (started at about $130/nt til I told her the situation, she put us on a rate they can do for emergencies $79/nt IIRC) then got on the internet for 3 day car hire, couple of hours later went to aiport to swap cars. Took a few hours to sort but it was easy enough. I know for many it wasn't as easy but no point in going into a panic

 

[amacspad]

That's awful, so glad they sorted it out for you!

Debs xxx

 

[2Tiggies]

We would have been just as chilled. When we got stuck with 3 extra days there with the ash cloud everyone was going around like headless chickens but we rang Delta to rearrange flights, down to reception book 3 extra nights (started at about $130/nt til I told her the situation, she put us on a rate they can do for emergencies $79/nt IIRC) then got on the internet for 3 day car hire, couple of hours later went to aiport to swap cars. Took a few hours to sort but it was easy enough. I know for many it wasn't as easy but no point in going into a panic

Wayne, I think because it's just two of us and DD I'm fairly well traveled - and I know that when you lose your head in a crisis, you lose everything - I also figured there was no point getting into a panic. I didn't realize what effort Disney had gone to until we got to the airport as I arrived ready with all my insurance papers etc and was making plans for the next 24 hours (nice plans I might add)

In the grand scheme of things, we were either going to make the flight or not, but getting flustered about it was not going to get us onto a plane

I'm glad I have the letter with the CM's name and signature as I can now send a compliment. We had SO much pixie dust this trip!

Oh and edit to add: The upside of it all was that we had 3 hold luggage bags (I prepaid a third one) and each one was about 5 kg over weight and due to the 'exceptional circumstances' they waived the charge !

 

[dixonsontour]

Welcome home

 

[2Tiggies]

Welcome home

Thank you so much

I'd rather have stayed another week if I had a choice but I think work would have had a heart attack. We are missing staff as is!

 

[Cyrano]

Welcome hope
Glad you got on your flight okay and that Disney made amends for leaving you behind.

 

[disney_princess_85]

Welcome home! I hope you had a wonderful holiday and I can't wait to hear all about it.

Thanks for posting this. I can't believe they forgot you! Well done to Disney for responding to the situation so efficiently.

 

[tinkerpea]

Wow like other's im so shocked that they forgot POFQ!
but pleased theymanaged to sort it for you "even if you would have loved that extra day"!!

Looking forward to hearing in more detail about your pixie dust and highs lows
Those 3wks went by really quick! I hope our trip doesnt feel like it flies by too fast,Thats the problem you spend all your time wishing the wks by and then thats it your holiday is over!!..

 

[crabbie1]

Ah lee I saw Tims comment on FB and wondered what it was all abt but now I know. Well tht sounds like the sort of thing tht would happen to me.
Iv been looking at ur pics and it looks like a fab trip for you both. At least disney lived up to their reputation and got u back in time. I bet it feels deflating now ur how. I know I always do. But hey another trip to start planning soon

 

[queendisney]

Welcome home. I looked out for you as we were next door in POR

Our DME was due at 3.30 but luckily we went out early to get the last bit of heat on our skin before coming home and got on the 3.20 which was a late 3 o clock bus. He said the next one wouldn't be along until about an hour or so. But even if we'd got that one we would have still had plenty of time at MCO. Gutted the duty free shop was non existant as was hoping to get some items.
Glad Disney helped you with a taxi etc..

Time to start planing the next trip

 

[disneyholic family]

well you know what i think about this from your FB page..

but i'll repeat it here:

 

[stoneyloon]

A nice wee adventure to finish off a great holiday!

 

[2Tiggies]

well you know what i think about this from your FB page..

but i'll repeat it here:

Yeah, it has never once occurred to me that it was a possibility because I had the papers in my hand. Yet I'm sure it happens more often than we ever hear about!

A nice wee adventure to finish off a great holiday!

Well I like to do adventure properly so I'll give you some more details to the story. When we went through security they were swabbing us and our laptops (mine was taken off the belt but I assumed as there was such a back up of the containers on there so didn't think anything of it). We were on our way to the gate and I realized I hadn't got my laptop back. I could have won a gold medal in the Olympics, barging through the "No Entry" to return to security (only I had no clue which lane I'd used .... ) It had been an oversight and they apologized and said it had indeed been because of the back up and they had shifted some of the laptops and iPads, etc. I did get it back. I have to say, I'd rather miss my flight than lose my laptop

 

[disneyholic family]

and again to the laptop saga:



actually, the laptop incident calls for a lot more than that....

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

Oh boy I'm sure going to check we have everything when we get out of the security line as for some reason we seem to be taking alot of electrical equipment with us this trip.

Aside from 1 mobile phone each and 3 cameras we are also taking 1 x laptop (so DS1 can revise for exams), 2 x ipads (DH's & DS2) and my Kindle.

Thanks for the "heads up" Lee