It was NOT the time of our lives...but it's still DISNEY! Final thoughts!

[shordiebecka]

So sorry you didn't have a great time! i am taggin on to hear your story and because we were there at the same time!

 

[tinkabella627]

I'm here I'm here!!

I'm sorry your trip wasn't the best... I kinda felt that way for some of our honeymoon too. And if I wasn't so happy to just be with my husband, I may have cried. I actually plan to write a letter to disney... but thats another story.

I'm hoping for some good news about your gram!!

(and what kind of dog do you have?!)

 

[calderli]

Aw Rach, I am so sorry that it did not go so well. I was so sad today when you gave me the play by play. You just have to keep remembering the good parts of the trip.
I love the dress that you got Stella. She is going to look soooo cute. You have to post a picture of her in it.
Payton was so excited when I got home and gave her the things that you brought her from WDW. She wanted to know how you knew that Belle was her favorite? It was so cute. She will not take the bracelet off, I will have to take it off once she falls asleep so it dosen't get broke while she is rolling around. Payton wants to say "thank you so much, I love the pen, it is glittery when it writes. The pad can hook on everything so I don't loose it. I will never take my bracelet off, I love it and I can't wait to wear it to school tomorrow. Thank you Racheal."
I can't wait to see more pictures and the ones from the photo shoot too.

 

[Raecheal]

awww girl heres more hugs of course we are all here for you!!!

i am looking forward to reading your posts tonight!!! cant wait!!!

Thanks hun... I know, i'm trying really hard to get the TR started with Depature prior to this friday because I have family visiting in from North Bay (my Aunt, uncle and 3 little cousins) and I"m sooo excited to spend some time with family...and I'd like to get everyone started in with my trip!

*hugs* to you, your fam, and especially grams! it's so hard watching someone you love go through all of that.

That's exactly it, it's really hard to watch her go through this....but she's doing really good.. hanging in there! Thank you!

I sincerely hope everything works out for your gram...my grandmother is my best friend in the whole world...I get it! I'll cross all my fingers for you and her that it all comes out!
I am also so sorry to hear that the trip was not what you were hoping...waiting to hear the details.

I'ts really nice to know people understand, Thank you!!

Tuning in. I bet the more you write about the trip, all the positive experiences will shine through... so much you'll have to wear shades like this guy !!

Welcome, I'm glad your here.. They are def. starting to shine through.. I dont know about the shades!

Hi
Just wanted to stop in to say that that I'm keeping my fingers crossed for your Grams and I hope everything works out, she seems like an amazing person. I had been lurking on your PTR, but decided to come out of hiding and join in for your TR. Looking forward to hearing more. We'll be down there for just a weekend in October, so I'm curious to see how things worked out for you
Ann

Hi Ann, I'm glad you took the time to stop in, it means a lot to me especially if you were a lurker on my PTR. Ohhh....have you started a PTR for your weekend trip in October? Let me know and i'll pop in!

Rach

Hi!! I just found your TR, I'm joining in too! I'm really sorry to hear that your trip isn't all that you thought it would be. That's the worst! I can't wait to hear all about it.

So sorry about your Grams. Hang in there!

Hi, I"m glad your joining in. Thanks, i'm really starting to see the good in our trip.. I mean it is Disney, right?

Thank you.. I just got off the phone with her.. she's always in better spirits sounded by family... she has a couple of her daughters there with her now.

I am so sorry to hear about your Grams. We went through cancer with my grammy last year and a few months after she beat the cancer we lost her to something else in March. She lived with us growing up so we were really close and I still miss her everyday.

ohh.... I"m sorry you had to go through cancer with your grammy.. it's really great to know that she did beat it even tho you did lose her to something else in March. I"m so sorry you lost your grammy..

awwww ha! That is so cute!!!

Rach, I will be praying for grams

Thanks lynn!!!

oh and the baby clothes are sooo cute!!

I KNOW.. oh gawd.. I hope we don't have children any time soon.. I wouldn't be any to control myself, they had the cutest infant products ever!!!

I have to join in on this one - I'm sorry to hear about your Grams but she sure can feel your good vibes and seems to pull around when you are there for her. What a great granddaughter you are! We are all praying for her!

After reading about your Grams, I felt so bad that your trip wasn't filled with magic but like we all say, a bad day at Disney is better than no day at Disney!

I'm glad you've decided to join in, Thank you for praying for her...I really appreciate it!!

I completely agree a bad friday at disney is better than a bad friday at home!!

Just wanted to let you know that I'm lurking along thru your report. I'm sorry it didn't go the way you were hoping.

I've got your grams in my thoughts and prayers. My nannly (gramma) had non hodg lymph also. She is my everything so I know how you feel. If you ever need to talk I'm here. My nannly beat it and is cancer free and I'm hoping yours will make a speedy recovery as well.

It's so nice to hear that your nanny beat it.. it really gives me hope! I know she's going to beat it.. were all just not ready to let her go!!

I"m glad your here.. thanks for posting!!

So sorry you didn't have a great time! i am taggin on to hear your story and because we were there at the same time!

You were in Disney during those days.. awww.. where were you staying? How was your trip? Have you started a TR, i'd love to read along with yours!!

Welcome!!

 

[Raecheal]

I'm here I'm here!!

I'm sorry your trip wasn't the best... I kinda felt that way for some of our honeymoon too. And if I wasn't so happy to just be with my husband, I may have cried. I actually plan to write a letter to disney... but thats another story.

I'm hoping for some good news about your gram!!

(and what kind of dog do you have?!)

Oh.. I'm so happy your here!! Ohh hun, I"m so sorry to hear about it especially on your honeymoon, I fully encourage you to write a letter, especially if you feel it helps!!!

Thank you so much!!

Aw Rach, I am so sorry that it did not go so well. I was so sad today when you gave me the play by play. You just have to keep remembering the good parts of the trip.
I love the dress that you got Stella. She is going to look soooo cute. You have to post a picture of her in it.
Payton was so excited when I got home and gave her the things that you brought her from WDW. She wanted to know how you knew that Belle was her favorite? It was so cute. She will not take the bracelet off, I will have to take it off once she falls asleep so it dosen't get broke while she is rolling around. Payton wants to say "thank you so much, I love the pen, it is glittery when it writes. The pad can hook on everything so I don't loose it. I will never take my bracelet off, I love it and I can't wait to wear it to school tomorrow. Thank you Racheal."
I can't wait to see more pictures and the ones from the photo shoot too.

Aww.. Thanks, I"m glad your here.. i've been waiting for you to pop in. I really hope she liked it, I just wanted to give her a little something FROM DISNEY to get her excited and to spread a little bit of Disney magic.... there's so many things to chose from.. I didn't really know what to get her.. there' ssooo many options.

Not looking forward to those photos but i'll still post them!


Calderli is a co-worker of mine and luckily for me we can talk Disney 24/7 if need be!! She has been great to bounce ideas off of and she truly understand how I can love WDW so much..and her family will be in WDW at the end of August. While we were in Disney during our weekend... I picked up just a little something for her daughter.

 

[Raecheal]

Pop Century. It has been our home on our last 3 previous trips; we recommend it to everyone and anyone (ask calderli) It has been our favorite!! Especially friends or family who are looking at saving some money and considering a value. I mean, How much time do you actually spend in the room?

Let me explain, on our first trip in 2006 together as a couple, the hotel was the very last thing we booked. It was a constant debate. I prefer and have always stayed in 4+ Star resorts… Dbf doesn’t like to waste money on a bed and has always been 100% for Pop Century. He did a lot of convincing, and ultimately I gave in and we both ended up falling in love with Pop.

Now we have a routine, for everything we do at Pop. Once we arrive, it’s such a comforting and familiar feeling. We have a routine. For example, in the mornings during breakfast, or for any meal at Everything POP, we each grab our own food, meet at the cash, combined the trays. While Dbf pays, I collect all the amenities (folks, knives, ketchup, napkins). Then I rinse out the re-fillable mugs and fill them. All one of us has to say or NOT say is I’ll meet you in our usual seating area.. and we both know where that is. We have rhythm and it works.

However, after this past stay.. Dbf out of all people has decided he never wants to stay there again. He’s disappointed with the service and the lack of competency from the front desk/concierge staff, he’s noticed that the amenities in the room have changed i.e. lotions, shampoo’s, soaps, and he feel’s like it’s going down hill since our first stay in 2006. After seeing AKL, he’s pretty much decided:

You’ll have to wait until the end of the TR to see what’s he’s decided and if I have booked a bounce back deal!!!



Alright, let’s get started on this TR….

 

[tinkabella627]

Pop Century. It has been our home on our last 3 previous trips; we recommend it to everyone and anyone (ask calderli) It has been our favorite!! Especially friends or family who are looking at saving some money and considering a value. I mean, How much time do you actually spend in the room?

Let me explain, on our first trip in 2006 together as a couple, the hotel was the very last thing we booked. It was a constant debate. I prefer and have always stayed in 4+ Star resorts… Dbf doesn’t like to waste money on a bed and has always been 100% for Pop Century. He did a lot of convincing, and ultimately I gave in and we both ended up falling in love with Pop.

Now we have a routine, for everything we do at Pop. Once we arrive, it’s such a comforting and familiar feeling. We have a routine. For example, in the mornings during breakfast, or for any meal at Everything POP, we each grab our own food, meet at the cash, combined the trays. While Dbf pays, I collect all the amenities (folks, knives, ketchup, napkins). Then I rinse out the re-fillable mugs and fill them. All one of us has to say or NOT say is I’ll meet you in our usual seating area.. and we both know where that is. We have rhythm and it works.

However, after this past stay.. Dbf out of all people has decided he never wants to stay there again. He’s disappointed with the service and the lack of competency from the front desk/concierge staff, he’s noticed that the amenities in the room have changed i.e. lotions, shampoo’s, soaps, and he feel’s like it’s going down hill since our first stay in 2006. After seeing AKL, he’s pretty much decided:

You’ll have to wait until the end of the TR to see what’s he’s decided and if I have booked a bounce back deal!!!



Alright, let’s get started on this TR….

ahhh It's not just me! we stayed at pop the first week of the honeymoon (contemporary the second) because i LOVEd pop... i felt like i was dealing with 5 year olds!! I was JUST there 3 weeks before my wedding and DAILY got a regular sized glass to put water in because I don't really drink pop on vacation, it makes me more thirsty. So I bring crystal light packets and make those or just drink the water. Not one person would give me a regular size glass!!! I said look, you can watch, I am not going to steal I just want a full glass of water not one I have to keep refilling. THey told me policy changed. I said really when.. and the manager gave me some song and story and I said well I was just here 3 weeks ago and didn't have this problem... he looked dumbfounded and just said oh sorry.

THEN we had to get mortgage papers faxed and when we asked they said no problem.. so my husband went to pick them up and they were like usually u have to pay $1 per page but we will let it go (it was 25 pages) and if you have to fax it back it will be cheaper per page, if you even have to pay at all... so he goes to fax it all back annnd they charge $25. Um that's NOT less than $1 a page but they wouldn't do anything about it even though their CM misinformed us! I agree their service is for the birds lately! (Sorry to hijack your report I was just so glad someone else felt the same way I did about pop this year!)

And did you answer and I missed it, what kind of dog you have?

 

[DSNYGRL_JKS2006]

Oh no girls.. 2 negative reports on the POP ..thanks for sharing though because this is where we downgraded to from the Port Orleans(had to because of $$ and this darn economy!!!) But this so unreal how they(the cast members) would act.. Crazy crazy! Of course I will have to let you all know how the POP was for us in October 29-November 5, 2009!

Can't wait to read more...!

 

[DreaGirl]

A bounceback?! OHHHH!!! I can't wait to find out! :

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

I hope you get to stay at AKL on your next trip, whenever it may be. It's a bummer that your traditions from the past may be changed due to bad workers at a hotel. But at least you can upgrade to a really cool new place!

 

[DSNYGRL_JKS2006]

I hope you get to stay at AKL on your next trip, whenever it may be. It's a bummer that your traditions from the past may be changed due to bad workers at a hotel. But at least you can upgrade to a really cool new place!

Exactly!!! The Cast Member can make ALL the difference. From my experience when I worked there, I would do things "differently" or go out of my way.. more than some of my co-cast members.. so if the guest came to where I worked.. it could ALL depend on that very Cast Member to set the mood and make the guest happy..

Especially at a hotel--and having worked at a hotel myself too, things I did differently made people so happy..esp. if they got a different answer from another employee or got brushed off and I would go ahead and fix the problem etc..it would make all the difference..

OMG AKL!!! That place is SOO awesome.. in fact that is where my boyfriend and I want to go for our Disneymoon in Jan 2013... we talked about staying there for our Disneymoon-esp cuz my boyfriend loves it so much and I do too, esp. because it semi-reminds me of the Wilderness Lodge--BUT the Wilderness Lodge still goes down as my favorite!

 

[Raecheal]

ahhh It's not just me! we stayed at pop the first week of the honeymoon (contemporary the second) because i LOVEd pop... i felt like i was dealing with 5 year olds!! I was JUST there 3 weeks before my wedding and DAILY got a regular sized glass to put water in because I don't really drink pop on vacation, it makes me more thirsty. So I bring crystal light packets and make those or just drink the water. Not one person would give me a regular size glass!!! I said look, you can watch, I am not going to steal I just want a full glass of water not one I have to keep refilling. THey told me policy changed. I said really when.. and the manager gave me some song and story and I said well I was just here 3 weeks ago and didn't have this problem... he looked dumbfounded and just said oh sorry.

THEN we had to get mortgage papers faxed and when we asked they said no problem.. so my husband went to pick them up and they were like usually u have to pay $1 per page but we will let it go (it was 25 pages) and if you have to fax it back it will be cheaper per page, if you even have to pay at all... so he goes to fax it all back annnd they charge $25. Um that's NOT less than $1 a page but they wouldn't do anything about it even though their CM misinformed us! I agree their service is for the birds lately! (Sorry to hijack your report I was just so glad someone else felt the same way I did about pop this year!)

And did you answer and I missed it, what kind of dog you have?

I"m so sorry to hear about you having to deal with that at POP (Although i'm not surprised) I just told Dbf and he just shook his head....I hate it when your told one thing and then told another from another person who are standing literally 2 feet from each other But it's good to hear WERE NOT THE ONLY ONES.. JUST WAIT.. until you hear what we went through... Don't worry about hijacking, I love it when people share their own experiences (good or bad).

Oh sorry hun, I must have missed it. Stella is an all black Shih Tzu, she's turning a year old on September 20th, 2009!!

Oh no girls.. 2 negative reports on the POP ..thanks for sharing though because this is where we downgraded to from the Port Orleans(had to because of $$ and this darn economy!!!) But this so unreal how they(the cast members) would act.. Crazy crazy! Of course I will have to let you all know how the POP was for us in October 29-November 5, 2009!

Can't wait to read more...!

Don't worry.. You'll have an amazing trip.. just plan a little extra time and patients when dealing with the staff at POP.

A bounceback?! OHHHH!!! I can't wait to find out! :

All I can say for now is 2 weeks.. I need more than just a weekend!!!

I hope you get to stay at AKL on your next trip, whenever it may be. It's a bummer that your traditions from the past may be changed due to bad workers at a hotel. But at least you can upgrade to a really cool new place!

It really is a bummer that our routine is out the window..but I'm looking foward to kinda going deluxe. I"m up to date on your TR, I just need to post. I"m coming over...

Exactly!!! The Cast Member can make ALL the difference. From my experience when I worked there, I would do things "differently" or go out of my way.. more than some of my co-cast members.. so if the guest came to where I worked.. it could ALL depend on that very Cast Member to set the mood and make the guest happy..

Especially at a hotel--and having worked at a hotel myself too, things I did differently made people so happy..esp. if they got a different answer from another employee or got brushed off and I would go ahead and fix the problem etc..it would make all the difference..

OMG AKL!!! That place is SOO awesome.. in fact that is where my boyfriend and I want to go for our Disneymoon in Jan 2013... we talked about staying there for our Disneymoon-esp cuz my boyfriend loves it so much and I do too, esp. because it semi-reminds me of the Wilderness Lodge--BUT the Wilderness Lodge still goes down as my favorite!

Awww.. it's good to know that a lot of CM's out there do care!! Your right, your experience will have everything to do with the CM's around you. I, also, worked at a posh suite hotel here in Ottawa during University full time.. I know how things work..and it's frustrating when we received crappy service when a. we've received better in the past or b. i know it can be done differently.

 

[Raecheal]

our departure and all through the house were

TWO ADULTS SCRAMBING IN A RACE WITH THE CLOCK TO GET THINGS DONE!​

but somehow we had time to watch Big Brother, eat Wendy’s and treat ourselve to a bowl of ice cream. We were in good spirits and had a list of things to do longer than the Naughty or Nice list.

Warning: This has to be the most boring time to write about.

I managed to crawl into bed around 12:45am. Dbf always snuggles with me for a couple of minutes, and then he headed back downstairs to finish off the things on his list. I’m pretty sure he crawled into bed around 1:30am…. because I still hadn’t fallen asleep until 2:00 am. The excitement and the fact that I was so scared of sleeping through the alarm is what ultimately kept me up. Finally, the alarm went off at 3am and I woke up DBF… I’m not surprised he didn’t hear the alarm.. he can sleep through anything!!

He popped in the shower while I got ready, packed the rest of my clothes that needed to be hung to dry, loaded the dishwasher to run and finished small things here and there…

Here’s are carry-on luggage, all ready to go:

finally we left around:

The weather was decent (not too hot: not too cold) but it was really dark outside. Here’s me outside of our house, not that great of a photo, I was exhausted what can I say,

Dbf safely driving us to the Airport

 

[Raecheal]

We arrived at the airport and all kiosk were open except for United, so I join the 30 odd people in line waiting for United to open while Dbf parked the car. He finally found me and I gave him my passport to check in electronically… as we were going through the process it tells us to check in with Air Canada. Turns out we were actually flying via Air Canada on the first flight to Washington and then United from Washington to Orlando. This worked out good for us because we saved the $20.00 dollars luggage fee with United going down.

Going through airport security and then customs took close to 35 minutes, and then we both went to the washroom and loaded up on Tim Horton’s, magazines and bottles of water. After about 20 minutes, we were all set to board.

Here’s our flight

Dbf snapping photos of me looking our the window

Getting ready for take off

View from my seat

LOVE, Love these complimentary nuts from Air Canada. I don't know why, anybody ever have them?

My poor Vera bag, on the dirty floor

The short 1-hour flight from Ottawa to Washington was uneventfully, which is exactly how we like it. We had under an hour to get over to the next gate and board the next flight.

 

[Raecheal]

We made it to our next gate

Boarded and he’s the view on our second flight, again right above the wing.

This flight was close to 2 hours long, we were delayed getting out of the docking station because people towards the back of the plane were arguing over seats so much so that the pilot came out of the cockpit to try to resolve all the seating conflicts… then someone sitting at the emergency exit decided she didn’t want to help in case of an emergency so there had to be more seat changes. Finally, we were off only 10 minutes behind schedule, which the pilot made up for in air.

Again my Vera was on the floor, ohh

I tried to look for WDW.. but no such luck!

Landing in Orlando

Heading to DME

This way

Can’t forget the tram view

Once we arrived at DME, we didn’t have to wait in line what so ever! We just walked up, handed our tickets and were directed to Row:

Our DME bus services

Disney’s Magical Express was a short 30-minute ride, which included the Video; I was so excited to get to POP. I knew we were going to have an amazing day!! NOT.

Finally, one of the best signs I had seen all day:

I tried to caption it, but we were cruising at high speeds.

During our whole departure and flights i tried to get Dbf excited but the results were negative, he was exhausted and cranky from work 5 shifts of overnights in a row.

I asked Dbf what was the best thing about our journey down to Orlando and he said being able to sit in the emergency exit rows and i'd have to say the Corn chips from Air Canada... were pretty easy to please!!

WE ARRIVED…. Up Next: Check In!

 

[tinkabella627]

I didn't read your update yet but...

1. LOVE your dog. I have been on the hunt for a dog for the past few weeks and can't seem to find one I find one, contact the seller and they are already sold. I found a pinny poo chihuahua that is cute so I am waiting to hear on that and also found someone that may have affenpinscher/yorkie mix if the female ended up pregnant haha

2. (and it just took me three tries to type the #2 haha) just WAIT til you get into the deluxe... we got to the contemporary and I was so excited about the stupid comforter we never even took a picture! I don't think I can stay value again after that comforter haha I hope all deluxes have a comforter like that! Tim and I thought about buying into DVC (and I really wish we could have right then and there) because we enjoyed the nice resorts so much!

3. I am going to read your update now so I will probably post again in a few minutes!

 

[annnewjerz]

Hi Ann, I'm glad you took the time to stop in, it means a lot to me especially if you were a lurker on my PTR. Ohhh....have you started a PTR for your weekend trip in October? Let me know and i'll pop in!

Rach

I do have one started! The link is in my signature---the "MNSSHP-An October PTR" one.

I've got to say, the fact that you were such a POP lover and now after coming back have decided that things have gone downhill, I'm definitely feeling better about upgrading to a moderate for our weekend trip. I was booked at POP for our first stay there after all of the good things I hear, but once the new fall room-only codes came out, I decided an upgrade was in order as a surprise for DH. This trip is on a tight budget since we'll be going back in December and staying at the Boardwalk---but I think the extra $60 is definitely money well-spent now after hearing about your decision to stay at AKL next time rather than POP.

Looking forward to hearing more!

 

[tinkabella627]

Ok another non disney question... what is the pattern on your vera bag?

and i LOVE big brother... hate jesse and ronnie though (i hope you don't like them, if you do, I'm sorry )

you got on your plane from outside?! the only time I have ever had to go outside the plane was when I landed in Buffalo and we had a snow storm and no power so we had to deplane off the back of the plane and then go back into the airport.

Ok I think that's all for now.

 

[DSNYGRL_JKS2006]

I love the report so far (nah it wasn't boring at all) .. nice pictures! Especially the ones from the plane! ..but girl I have to tell you I have the WORST fear of flying.. HATE HATE HATE IT! literally I want to cry! When we flew last July 08' when we went to Disney we got to the airport probably 4:00am and of course my Disney boyfriend was EXHAUSTED so he knows i'm deathly affraid of flying.. so of course holds my hand and comforts me.. once were in flight and at cruising.. he falls asleep...here I AM terrified still ..i do everything I can to try and stay calm while my boyfriend is sound asleep next to me w/ his IPOD ear piece in.. so I whip out my camera because I LOVE taking pictures ... I am insane with picture taking.. last Disney trip 1010 pics! but anyways...I took a pic of him sleeping lol and I lean over him to take pics out the window we were over the wing as well! so I almost forgot about flying when taking the pics.. they came out so nice.. but then it was back to reality.. ahhhh hehe

 

[silverangel879]

Hey Rach!

Glad to know you are back...So sorry to hear that it wasn't that fun!! Can't wait to hear it!

A big HUG and a lot prayers for your grams health!!! Hope everything go well and she can recover!