Trip Report for 3 day Land /4 day sea (with one land day added on our own) May 15 19 (land) 19 -23 (sea)
WARNING: If you are looking for a concise report, DONT read this one!
Cast of Characters: Myself, DH, DS11, DD9, DD6, DD2.
Background Information: DH and I had been to MK about 15 yrs earlier for one day. I had been to MK in the mid-70s for a couple days, I think. Our kids had never been to WDW. (and considering our limited exposure to WDW, it seemed like the first trip for DH and I, too)
More Background: This trip all came about when my dear sister passed away unexpectedly at the age of 49 in Jan 01. We had been saying for years that we would take the kids to WDW or on DCL some day. With my sisters passing, we decided that some day was now! I chose to use some of my inheritance to pay for the trip of a lifetime! I wanted to really do it up right! (next time will be budget all the way) The trip was planned for Oct/Nov 01. Everything was all set and seemed that it would be perfect. Then Sept. 11th happened. I am thankful that we didnt know anyone who was directly affected by this tragedy, although indirectly we sadly know of losses. It did affect us in that my dh is an active duty Air Force Officer and all leave was cancelled until further notice. We had hoped that the ban would be lifted in time for our vacation, but that wasnt to be. About 3 weeks prior to our departure day, dhs leave was formally denied and we were told to do whatever we had to do to get our money back. Long story somewhat shorter, we rebooked our Land/Sea pkg for May. Originally, we had been booked into a Cat 2 suite on the ship. DCL told me the dates available in Cats 1 & 2 for rebooking. The price was more because we were originally scheduled during Value season, so no matter what, the trip would cost more unless we wanted to wait until next Oct. A Cat 2 was offered in Feb but in May, for $400 LESS, there was a Cat 1! I jumped at the May trip! With the Cat 1 comes the Land portion at the GF Concierge. I was told that they couldnt guarantee if it would the Sugar Loaf Lodge Concierge or the Royal Palm Club Concierge. There was a chance for either. I was hoping for RPC. I booked an extra night at the GF through Shades of Green using their overflow rate. I simply asked if they had any overflow rates available and told the lady we were staying at the GF on a pkg the next 3 nights. She offered me rates for GV and LV. I decided we could get by with GV for the first night there.
I called GF concierge pre-planners a few times. The first time I had asked for information to be sent to me. They were pleasant, but didnt offer any extra help or suggestions. I called again to make my PSs. Again, pleasant but no extra help. They seemed rather cold and stern. I began to doubt my ressies at the GF. You all made me feel much better when I voiced my concern. Thanks, you were right! (as usual) The third time I called, I wanted to change my Luau ressie from the 5:15 show to the 8pm show. I was immediately told that wasnt possible since we were within 30 days. There certainly was no time for him to check to see before he answered me in the negative. We then began to chat a bit. Further into the conversation I asked if it was possible that we would be in the main building. He said, Not with the package youre on. No Chance. I expressed my disappointment as nicely as I could and went on to tell him how this was MY trip of a lifetime and I had wanted it to be so special. I told him how it came to be and how we had to cancel. He didnt say much and I resigned myself to staying in Sugarloaf Key. (Not that thats bad or anything. I was just hoping for RPC, castle view if possible. That would be the trip of dreams!) He went on to offer us the VIP tour guide, but thats just too extravagant and we prefer to find things on our own. (Not have someone point everything out to us.) I passed and we hung up. I had a slightly better feeling about staying at the GF. At least he was more helpful and slightly warmer. I had stewed about not being able to switch our Luau ressies for a couple days and finally decided to call 407-WDWDINE on my own just to see. Sure enough, they had tables available and she couldnt understand why he couldnt change my ressie. She cancelled our 5:15 and made new ressies for 8pm. She was as nice as can be. Now for the trip!
Lisa
WARNING: If you are looking for a concise report, DONT read this one!
Cast of Characters: Myself, DH, DS11, DD9, DD6, DD2.
Background Information: DH and I had been to MK about 15 yrs earlier for one day. I had been to MK in the mid-70s for a couple days, I think. Our kids had never been to WDW. (and considering our limited exposure to WDW, it seemed like the first trip for DH and I, too)
More Background: This trip all came about when my dear sister passed away unexpectedly at the age of 49 in Jan 01. We had been saying for years that we would take the kids to WDW or on DCL some day. With my sisters passing, we decided that some day was now! I chose to use some of my inheritance to pay for the trip of a lifetime! I wanted to really do it up right! (next time will be budget all the way) The trip was planned for Oct/Nov 01. Everything was all set and seemed that it would be perfect. Then Sept. 11th happened. I am thankful that we didnt know anyone who was directly affected by this tragedy, although indirectly we sadly know of losses. It did affect us in that my dh is an active duty Air Force Officer and all leave was cancelled until further notice. We had hoped that the ban would be lifted in time for our vacation, but that wasnt to be. About 3 weeks prior to our departure day, dhs leave was formally denied and we were told to do whatever we had to do to get our money back. Long story somewhat shorter, we rebooked our Land/Sea pkg for May. Originally, we had been booked into a Cat 2 suite on the ship. DCL told me the dates available in Cats 1 & 2 for rebooking. The price was more because we were originally scheduled during Value season, so no matter what, the trip would cost more unless we wanted to wait until next Oct. A Cat 2 was offered in Feb but in May, for $400 LESS, there was a Cat 1! I jumped at the May trip! With the Cat 1 comes the Land portion at the GF Concierge. I was told that they couldnt guarantee if it would the Sugar Loaf Lodge Concierge or the Royal Palm Club Concierge. There was a chance for either. I was hoping for RPC. I booked an extra night at the GF through Shades of Green using their overflow rate. I simply asked if they had any overflow rates available and told the lady we were staying at the GF on a pkg the next 3 nights. She offered me rates for GV and LV. I decided we could get by with GV for the first night there.
I called GF concierge pre-planners a few times. The first time I had asked for information to be sent to me. They were pleasant, but didnt offer any extra help or suggestions. I called again to make my PSs. Again, pleasant but no extra help. They seemed rather cold and stern. I began to doubt my ressies at the GF. You all made me feel much better when I voiced my concern. Thanks, you were right! (as usual) The third time I called, I wanted to change my Luau ressie from the 5:15 show to the 8pm show. I was immediately told that wasnt possible since we were within 30 days. There certainly was no time for him to check to see before he answered me in the negative. We then began to chat a bit. Further into the conversation I asked if it was possible that we would be in the main building. He said, Not with the package youre on. No Chance. I expressed my disappointment as nicely as I could and went on to tell him how this was MY trip of a lifetime and I had wanted it to be so special. I told him how it came to be and how we had to cancel. He didnt say much and I resigned myself to staying in Sugarloaf Key. (Not that thats bad or anything. I was just hoping for RPC, castle view if possible. That would be the trip of dreams!) He went on to offer us the VIP tour guide, but thats just too extravagant and we prefer to find things on our own. (Not have someone point everything out to us.) I passed and we hung up. I had a slightly better feeling about staying at the GF. At least he was more helpful and slightly warmer. I had stewed about not being able to switch our Luau ressies for a couple days and finally decided to call 407-WDWDINE on my own just to see. Sure enough, they had tables available and she couldnt understand why he couldnt change my ressie. She cancelled our 5:15 and made new ressies for 8pm. She was as nice as can be. Now for the trip!
Lisa
