In the Spirit of the Season

[annmarieda]

I cannot believe the airline guy was NOT going to let you and Zoe have every opportunity to sit together. ALL children under age 13 at the least should sit with their a parent, no questions asked.

I'm truly afraid to hear about the second leg of the trip.

The gate agent was just not the nicest of guys. He just kept telling me there was nothing he could do... over and over. He did tell me that I would have to check with the agent in San Fran...so I guess that was helpful

Ann, it's unbelievable they didn't want to let you board early. I mean .... come on, what harm does it do to have a few kids on board first?

Don't like the way your luggage story starts out .... I have traveled to much to NOT see some "drama" in the near future.

I think since there were SOOO many people they just didn't want to seem as though they were letting anyone just sneak on. However, I think it had more to do with that guy just being a jerk.

And the luggage story... yep... jussssst wait.

Oh, Ann...I had not realized you had so much issues coming back. What was it about the boys that this mother had issues with...I dont think they look all that scarey! A father and a son?! Coming back on our flights Jeff and Ab had a 7 year old sitting with them...without parents because they were spread out all over in addition to 2 other siblings. Sometimes, that is the downfall with SW.

I want to say that the issue was everyone being grumpy leaving Orlando...but that was not the leg of the flight!

I am not sure what moms deal was. Maybe she too had deal with paying for seats that were all together only to get there to find they were spread out. I know... it didn't make me all that happy!

 

[ladytink75]

Oh Ann I'm so sorry to hear that things were not going smooth with your trip back home. What airline did you travel back home on? My trip in Aug we took Continental and boy I WILL NEVER fly with them again.. My trip that should of only taken 4 hours to complete took 14 hours to complete. Oh their customer service is so piss poor. Except for this one person who found it in their heart to offer us food vouchers for us to eat before we boarded our last plane of the night. I have never in all my times of flying had so many issues like I had with Continental on the trip over to DW. My choice of flight will only be SW unless someone else pays for my ticket.

 

[oceanwave]

Wow, what a time with the airline! That guy was absolutely horrible! Can't believe the guys were judged in such a harsh way, and the scene she made, my goodness what has this world come to! Looking forward to hearing about the luggage. It sounds like you probably should have followed your gut instinct?

Glad you got over to CSR. We stayed there last year and absolutely loved it! We were going to stay there again this year up until yesterday when I changed all our plans. So we are now staying at Pop for 7 nights and then switching over to WL for 4 nights. After all the wonderful things you have said about WL, it convinced me to splurge and give it a try. Just hoping I will like Pop and won't regret changing from CSR.

 

[annmarieda]

Oh Ann I'm so sorry to hear that things were not going smooth with your trip back home. What airline did you travel back home on? My trip in Aug we took Continental and boy I WILL NEVER fly with them again.. My trip that should of only taken 4 hours to complete took 14 hours to complete. Oh their customer service is so piss poor. Except for this one person who found it in their heart to offer us food vouchers for us to eat before we boarded our last plane of the night. I have never in all my times of flying had so many issues like I had with Continental on the trip over to DW. My choice of flight will only be SW unless someone else pays for my ticket.

It was through Continental that we booked. However, it was right in the midst of the merger between Continental and United. So technically it was a United plane. Never again... if I can help it!!!

Wow, what a time with the airline! That guy was absolutely horrible! Can't believe the guys were judged in such a harsh way, and the scene she made, my goodness what has this world come to! Looking forward to hearing about the luggage. It sounds like you probably should have followed your gut instinct?

Glad you got over to CSR. We stayed there last year and absolutely loved it! We were going to stay there again this year up until yesterday when I changed all our plans. So we are now staying at Pop for 7 nights and then switching over to WL for 4 nights. After all the wonderful things you have said about WL, it convinced me to splurge and give it a try. Just hoping I will like Pop and won't regret changing from CSR.

Well, my gut or something... I will get the update done soon. I really really REALLY want to have this TR done soon so I can start my PTR for the next trip (which look at my ticker..isn't too far off)

Pop is very garish. I honestly am a bit surprised my dh liked it. He is very reserved and all the bold, loud and energetic atmosphere is the type of thing I thought he would hate. I like it... find it comfortable enough. But... dh found it fun and a great place if you are just going to spend a lot of time at the parks.

As for WL, it is a very nice resort. The location (while not as good as on the monorail) is actually really close to MK... the boat doesn't take much time nor does the bus (if you catch either right) It definitely fulfills the "kick back and relax away from the parks" need.

Both... I think you will find is less spread out than CSR. (at least from what I can tell of it) It seems to me as though most rooms at Pop are not far from Classic Hall... and WL, well... being a deluxe with inner corridors and fewer rooms I think all rooms are not far from Roaring Forks or the bus stops.


And... btw... congrats on the split stay. I think I really enjoyed that on our last trip. It gave me a chance to experience two places. Almost like having two trips. I can see why people do it a lot.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Oh boy...that flight situation just sounds ridiculous. I'm glad you were able to get somewhat early-boarding, but it really does not sound like the staff had their act together at all. Things happen, planes get overbooked. But they can't just throw up their hands and let chaos reign!

I'm especially cringing as to how you described the luggage situation...I hope all of it made it to you in the end!

 

[MEK]

Seriously? That is just messed up. I'm glad you and Zoe got seated together, but then the mom going off like that. How embarrassing.

I fly SWA a lot and I have to say that I have never seen drama while boarding. People just sit down and are happy to have their seat. The whole assigned seat boarding makes the craziness in people come out.

We had a flight like that to Chicago where some girl took my DH's seat and would not move or ever take her headphones off to acknowledge she was in the wrong seat. And my DH couldn't figure out which seat was hers (so he could sit in it). She finally showed her boarding pass to the flight attendant. I let it go because I figured it was some kind of OCD flight phobia thing. But oh so strange!

 

[tinacaplan]

What a horrible flight situation you had to deal with. Add me to the list of people who think separating small children and their parents on flights is just the ridiculous. Aren't they just asking for trouble? I don't get it.

 

[annmarieda]

Oh boy...that flight situation just sounds ridiculous. I'm glad you were able to get somewhat early-boarding, but it really does not sound like the staff had their act together at all. Things happen, planes get overbooked. But they can't just throw up their hands and let chaos reign!

I'm especially cringing as to how you described the luggage situation...I hope all of it made it to you in the end!

Wow, I think you totally summed it up... it was as though they were just letting chaos reign but really...you are right. This happen and planes do get overbooked.

Seriously? That is just messed up. I'm glad you and Zoe got seated together, but then the mom going off like that. How embarrassing.

I fly SWA a lot and I have to say that I have never seen drama while boarding. People just sit down and are happy to have their seat. The whole assigned seat boarding makes the craziness in people come out.

We had a flight like that to Chicago where some girl took my DH's seat and would not move or ever take her headphones off to acknowledge she was in the wrong seat. And my DH couldn't figure out which seat was hers (so he could sit in it). She finally showed her boarding pass to the flight attendant. I let it go because I figured it was some kind of OCD flight phobia thing. But oh so strange!

Steve had all but refused to fly SW. He insisted that purchasing an assigned seat was a better way to go. I was amazed on our flight down just how easy and nice it was. No pushin or shovin... everyone happy. You are right... assigned seats make people seem... well, I wonder if they feel they own that seat and thus end up feel a bit like they must protect it. After this flight happened like this I will never trust that if I purchase a seat it is the one I will be sitting in....and...that SW is easier.

I agree...your flight..weird. What did the flight attendant do? Did she not try and point out that the gal was in the wrong? I think sometimes people just don't get that there are others in the world. Just this last week, I was in the Disney store. A huge line had formed in the queue..I was next up and up strolls some guy..right up to the counter. He thought he could be next. The cm very nicely told him there was a line and she would have to help everyone else first... He was very nice about moving to the back of the line.. but wow...to be so oblivious to not see the long line. But also good for the cm for being able to say no. Sounds like maybe your flight attendant didn't say "you are in the wrong seat"?

What a horrible flight situation you had to deal with. Add me to the list of people who think separating small children and their parents on flights is just the ridiculous. Aren't they just asking for trouble? I don't get it.

Well, especially with Zoe having medical equipment attached to her... good grief.

 

[annmarieda]

Calling Mr. Davidson... Mr. Steve Davidson

Our flight from Orlando to San Francisco was pretty uneventful. As I mentioned, it was extremely cramped and Zoe and I sat together while Steve and Alex sat in another part of the plane. I found this to be not such a bad thing since we had been sniping at each other right before we boarded.

What were we being snippy with each other about? Luggage. Remember, we had been offered the option to check our carry on bags for free since the flight was so full. Steve (the expert since he had done it on the flight down) had pushed us to take advantage and brought the luggage up himself to take care of. I tend to question EVERYTHING, so often it is best to just let me do things because in all likelihood I will just redo them. Anyway, when he was "done" checking them... of course I wanted to recheck them...make sure that I knew these would be going to from San Fran on to Seattle. Steve was offended because he was "taking care of it" so ended my questioning of the gate agent (who didn't want to speak much to me at that point anyway) Once bags were out of our hands that just left the personal bags. Ie., I had a large purse/bag. Zoe had a backpack. Alex had a small personal case and Steve had a laptop bag. So in total, I would need to be accountable for 2 bags and Steve for 2 bags since we were not seated near each other. This irritated Steve since.." we just were able to check things and why were we still having items to bring on the plane?!?" (remember this)

So again, the flight itself was fine. Apparently the airlines credit card machine was down so they were giving away free drinks(of the adult kind) and food. Zoe and I slept so we missed out on getting anything. The guys got some food.

We landed and got off the plane. For whatever reason, I think I may have started back up with my snipping.. because I remember Steve was still a bit cranky with me. (even after a pretty long flight ) Not too long after we were on our way to the food court (walking in different paces to avoid each other), a very loud voice came booming over the intercom. "Mr. Davidson, Calling Mr. Davidson." (we pause walking for a second to listen) "Mr. Steve Davidson, will you please return to gate (sorry, I forget what gate) Yes, it was our gate that we had just left so we figured that it was for Steve.

We returned to the gate to find that he had somehow decided that it truly was not fair that he have to take anything on or off the plane. He left the a personal bag. So we got a chuckle from it.. and we were back to our tired but happy selves.

From there we ate at the food court. (something barely edible if memory serves) Then it was off to the gate for our next flight where I had the task of getting Zoe and I moved together.

I thought it was hectic in Orlando, but that was nothing. Apparently, the Orlando agent told many people to take up their seating assignments in San Francisco. The line for the agent never let up. I was told to sit close and they would try to make us a priority. However, there were a lot of unhappy travelers all wanting to be a priority. We were called up numerous times. I didn't take notes and I am going off my old tired memory... but it seems like we were offered many "solutions" none of which put all of us sitting together and only the last one giving Zoe and I a place together. We were given a different class of seat than the guys. Not first class, but business? With our placement finally settled, the agent announced that if 4 people would elect to be bumped to the next flight(the next day) they would be given a hotel and $400 compensation each. We briefly thought for a second what it would be like to spend one night in San Fran and get enough for cash to pay for a new flight for each of us. We waited too long...and 4 passengers were chosen. Funny thing though... all this moving people about and then trying to get 4 people to be bumped. Hello? When I first went up (and it was at the start of when every passenger on that flight was showing up to speak to the agent) could they not have then asked if our entire party was willing to just be bumped. Seems like it would have saved A LOT of headache for everyone.

Very tired, we boarded...found our seat and settled in for the remainder of our travels home.

Next Chapter: 12/23 and Finally Home...Mostly.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I'm glad they eventually found a solution for you guys on the next leg of your flight! That's crazy how crowded everything was!! I'm still wondering how all of your luggage made it along...hopefully everything was sitting there waiting for you guys!

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

Wow that was an eventful flight schedule! And haha about Steve forgetting that bag after you knew something was going to happen to them!

I really can't believe they were going to separate a 6 year old from her parent!

Can't wait to hear about the next apparently eventful day!

 

[lovethattink]

That's funny about Steve's bag on the 2nd leg of the journey.

Not a good move about the separation of Zoe.

The whole thing reminds me of the show I watched last night on TLC On the Fly

 

[dizneeat]

Now the overbooked plane and bumping people up or offering something for staying behind, all of that sounds VERY familiar!
The seperation of a 6year old from her mum - NO GO!!!!!!

Sorry, but I was when I read about Steve leaving his bag! At least you all got a good laugh out of it.

 

[MEK]

. Sounds like maybe your flight attendant didn't say "you are in the wrong seat"?

I definitely think she could have corrected it, but my DH is the most laid back person ever and he just offered to sit in her seat so the FA did nothing but continue to make sure the plane was loading properly. If it had been my seat I would not have been as forgiving! I was already seated with the kids and he should have been across the isle from us, but he ended up taking a seat about 10 rows back. Weird indeed!

Your travel experience home just seems so....exhausting! I bet you were so happy to get home!

 

[tinacaplan]

Oh, boy...what a trip home! I am so lucky that its just a short two and a half hour flight for us. And I think we live far away.

First of all, you know I think that Zoe should go straight to the front of every single line, ever. Secondly, I found myself in a similar situation re: an over booked flight. The deal was $300, plus they'd reimburse the cost of my flight, plus the hotel room. I hesitated and someone else took it. So silly of me. I swear, though, at least on the way home, if that's an offered again..I'm taking it!

Well, at least you finally got on the plane home! :

 

[KatMark]

WOW! You really had it bad flying home all around. I would have been going crazy by that point.

I'm glad you were at least able to get some free adult beverages and food out of it (even if you and Zoe did sleep).

By the way, how is Zoe doing?

 

[shocky5]

Ahhh Ann... you did an awesome job on your trip report! Loved sharing it with you! You have a sweet family (typical men like the rest of us.. ) but aside from a few things here or there... did you get your dream Xmas trip accomplished? I'm sitting here teary eyed finishing your trip up with you! But how awesome you are headed back soon and running at 4 miles!!!

I hope the installment from San Fran to Seattle went okay.

 

[annmarieda]

Next update... I promise!

Wow that was an eventful flight schedule! And haha about Steve forgetting that bag after you knew something was going to happen to them!

I really can't believe they were going to separate a 6 year old from her parent!

Can't wait to hear about the next apparently eventful day!

Ya know... I think had I not pushed it they would have gladly let us sit apart. I really did have to do more than just let them know they were separating a mom and daughter... I had to INSIST to put us together

That's funny about Steve's bag on the 2nd leg of the journey.

Not a good move about the separation of Zoe.

The whole thing reminds me of the show I watched last night on TLC On the Fly

Is that show good? I was thinking about watching it.

Now the overbooked plane and bumping people up or offering something for staying behind, all of that sounds VERY familiar!
The seperation of a 6year old from her mum - NO GO!!!!!!

Sorry, but I was when I read about Steve leaving his bag! At least you all got a good laugh out of it.

We did get a laugh. It broke the ice a bit (for the time being) and we all kinda chilled for the remainder of our lay over.

Oh, boy...what a trip home! I am so lucky that its just a short two and a half hour flight for us. And I think we live far away.

First of all, you know I think that Zoe should go straight to the front of every single line, ever. Secondly, I found myself in a similar situation re: an over booked flight. The deal was $300, plus they'd reimburse the cost of my flight, plus the hotel room. I hesitated and someone else took it. So silly of me. I swear, though, at least on the way home, if that's an offered again..I'm taking it!

Well, at least you finally got on the plane home! :

I think I too learned. I have a friend who use to at check in say.."if you need someone to be bumped...I volunteer." Now her schedule that is not as flexible so she doesn't... but it is food for thought. Maybe if you know you can fly later... you let them know that you can be picked. Course, maybe if you volunteer they do not compensate you.

WOW! You really had it bad flying home all around. I would have been going crazy by that point.

I'm glad you were at least able to get some free adult beverages and food out of it (even if you and Zoe did sleep).

By the way, how is Zoe doing?

Zoe is struggling... but to be honest... I am so use to worrying that it has just become a constant and a part of our life. She recently had another kidney infection. She has become very rebelious when it comes to cathing so her bladder gets very distended. Her channel is all irritated (most likely from the recent infection) I could go on... but...all in all we just take one day at a time and push through.

Ahhh Ann... you did an awesome job on your trip report! Loved sharing it with you! You have a sweet family (typical men like the rest of us.. ) but aside from a few things here or there... did you get your dream Xmas trip accomplished? I'm sitting here teary eyed finishing your trip up with you! But how awesome you are headed back soon and running at 4 miles!!!

I hope the installment from San Fran to Seattle went okay.

Awe, that is so sweet of you to say. yes, overall it was a good trip. Do I wish that the guys were more into it.. yes. But they (especially Steve) really feel it was an awesome trip.

I am excited to go back. Girls only trips are very different. I just hope that with as many people in our party that I wont feel pressure to make sure everyone is happy and thus leave me out. Probably not since they are all girls... but I know MY girl... my oldest tends to push my limits. (I love her though)

funny thing though... it might be that we will take a trip somewhere even sooner than fall. Zoe has some mileage points that have been siting in her account and I got notice that if she doesn't have activity they will close the account and all those points (just shy of a round trip ticket) will be lost. Well... I hate to lose those. So I am thinking of just buying the extra couple thousand points to fly somewhere. I would use it for fall... but that flight is twice the points as anywhere else (not sure why) so that won't work. When I asked Steve what he thought... you will not guess where he suggested! (well, okay, maybe you can guess)

 

[annmarieda]

I had hoped to finish complete with Photo Pass pics by the time the 4 month mark hit on my ticker for the next trip. However, the pp pics will have to just be posted once I get the cd. (dear dis friend has worked very hard to divide up something like 5000 pictures so I don't want to push her since she is doing it out of the kindness of her heart and... I don't HAVE to have them now)

So I will make this the last update and when the pp pics come I will add them to this. Most likely I will start a PTR before I get the pics uploaded and such....

12/23 and Finally Home...Mostly

San Fran to Seattle is a short flight. It was however getting very late for us who were on east coast time now. If memory serves, we were late getting in though and touched down close to 1am (which as you know felt like 4am to us) Zach and Kira and Josh were waiting for us at baggage claim. It was so nice to have Zach and Josh there to collect our bags off the belt. 4 were very heavy meant to be checked bags.

lets count... One green one for Zoe. Check. One green one for Ann. Check. A brown one for Steve. Check. A green one for Alex. Check. Oh and they are big pieces of luggage and as the guys pull them aside and we set our personal bags down I am VERY glad they are hauling these to the side.

Now for the carry on that we had checked at the gate in Orlando. Hmmm nothing else seems to be coming through (are we surprised?)

I am overly tired at this point and it has been a very long 12 hours and I am maybe a tad crankier than I should be. I send Steve up to see where they could be (any guesses? ) while I make a stop in the restroom.

When I arrived to the desk, Steve was trying (a bit unsuccessfully) to negotiate with the agent. The agent was trying to ask Steve if we had tags added at the gate to send on to Seattle. I KNEW!! KNEW!!! we didn't. Steve argued that the agent in Orlando had said he would take care of everything, but I KNEW!!! KNEW!!!! that the tags did not look altered as we toted them down to the plane so they could be handed off. Steve had pulled the bags away from me at the time (hence why we were a bit snippy with each other earlier in our travels) He had not wanted me to look because "he had taken care of it and I didn't need to second guess everyone, including the gate agent all the time" Hmm really? I dont' do I

So needless to say I stepped in. (which, yes.. only made Steve angry with me) but we were all tired and I wanted this sorted out quickly so we could go home. It was discovered that several bags were left in San Francisco airport. The agent had us fill out forms and we learned that the bags would be flown on to Seattle. Once in seattle we could either pick them up or have them delivered. Wow, delivery seemed like a good option since we live nearly an hour away. We would assured that they would be on the next flight and be delivered in the morning. (well, later that morning)

We drove home and I think arrived around 3am. It is a blur since I was both furious and fatigued. I am kinda a nut when I expect to have something happen and since later that morning was suppose to be around 9am to 10am, I was up and waiting. I also had to work that day. When I arrived home, I expected that the bags would be there. Where they? (I bet you know) Nope, they were not. Apparently they missed the next flight.

The day came and went without our bags arriving to us. I am happy to say though, they did finally arrive on Christmas Eve. Which, if memory serves is good since all my medication was in those bags. (nothing too serious... just some insulin regulating medication )

And here ends our wonderful Christmas vacation. I wish it had ended on a slightly better note, but in the end we were all happy to have gone. As I have mentioned, Steve feels it was a wonderful thing to do at Christmas. He just would have liked to have spent more time at the resort and less time at the parks. I think I would be less likely to go back at Christmas since I felt so conflicted. I have a lot that I normally do around the holidays that I let go since we were going to be gone for most of December. Then in the parks, I wanted Disney... but there was Christmas. It was amazing, but I think I want Disney when I am at Disney and Christmas at Christmas. Not sure why exactly since I loved the fall decorations. Course, maybe that is because going in the fall it adds to my fall activities not takes away. When we got back and after I worked on the 23rd, we scrambled to do a bunch of things that I thought we would not want to do, but once home realized that we would have to do. After all there was still the older three who would be over for dinner not to mention the younger two who still had to have the special visitor come on Christmas morning.

Thanks so much for reading along! Hopefully you will join me in the planning of my next adventure (if I ever get going on it)

 

[dizneeat]

What a trip home, Ann!
Well, at least you were able to sort out the luggage issue (and didn't we know that something would go wrong! ). Thank god you got it back in "time".

Now that you have "arrived back home" I really hope that you start your pre-trip report for your September trip soon. I LOVE your adventures!!!