Just Back from Orlando

[IceQueen]

Hi Guys,

We got back Sunday after a wonderful 12 days.

In the end my friend and her four kids did not turn up, although she kept the pretence up right until the last minute. When I got to the hotel I asked the desk to ensure our rooms were close together, but she wasn't on the system. I called Virgin when I got home (making out I was her) and asked for details of the cancellation and they informed me that no deposit was ever paid for the booking and they finally cancelled it from their system on 3rd March 2003 after writing 7 times requesting payment. So for the last 10 months (we booked in July last year) she has been stringing us along, coming over to watch Disney vacation videos, even getting me to change my hotel so I would be at the same hotel as her (cost of £90 extra to my booking) and agreeing with me to buy 5 day hopper tickets when we could have just paid as we went which would have allowed us to do Universal as well. As it is we only used 4 days of our Disney tickets cos we ran out of time. To say I am ANGRY is an understatement. To date she is still keeping up the charade telling me that her insurance has agreed to refund the cost of the holiday minus the excess and she is waiting for the cheque.

The excuse she gave for not turning up was that one of the kids had a vomiting bug and was unfit to fly. Do I tell her I know about the lie, or just keep her at a distance form now on. We have been close friends for 14 years!!!!! Our relationship is now teetering on a lie.

Having got that off my chest I can gladly say we had a WONDERUL TIME despite the let down at the begining. We had a day trip to Naples/Everglades with Gator Tours, all 4 Disney Parks, Seaworld, Pirates Dinner Show, Arabian Nights show, Belz and Premium Outlet as well as 2 visits to Walmart. Our daughter got to dance in the MK parade and has autographs and photos with all the Disney main players. What a wicked holiday.

 

[ali5on]

You poor thing, no wonder you are mad. I would be furious in your situation. Why would your 'friend' do such a thing?
I'm pleased you managed to have a great holiday regardless. It would be hard not to in Florida!

 

[jwhiting]

I can understand how angry you must be feeling. It is such a shame that after 14years your (friend) didn't have the nerve to tell you she was having second thoughts.

I'd be livid (as you are).

However angry you are though, at the end of the day they are the ones that missed out on a fantastic trip to WDW.

I'm pleased you still managed to have a whale of a time.

Only downside ? You're back!!!! Oh well, start planning for the next one ?

Regards

Julian

 

[mike230652]

Icequeen,

Certainly sounds like you didn't miss out on anything during your holiday!

So pleased it wasn't ruined by your friend's stupidity. I'm playing the devil's advocate here but perhaps the case was that she couldn't really afford the holiday ( especially with 4 kids ) but was embarrassed to admit it to you? I only hope she didn't string along her 4 kids the way she did you, that WOULD be unforgiveable.

Still, be positive...You and yours had a great holiday, keep those memories, that's what really matters.

mike 230652

 

[Muppet]

We did the Naples/Everglades tour back in 99 and loved it. I'm glad you managed to fit in so much and had a great time.

With regards to the 'friend' I'd have to let on I knew the score and that she had be stringing me along.

 

[Minniespal]

Icequeen,

What a terrible thing to be done to by a "friend". I know that it would make you feel better confronting your friend but I think this is one time that you should just chalk it up to expereince and move on. At least you know what your friend is trully like and you still managed to salvage your holiday and have a great time.

 

[Kimkie]

Maybe you friend really couldn't afford it or her partner was not happy to let her go and she was too embarrassed to tell you?

 

[IceQueen]

We had a faberooni time. We also had time to see my husband's brother and his wife, dine in their restaurant 3 times, 2 dips in the hotel pool and loads of mega large breakfasts at Dennys.

With regard to my "friend" I have decided not to let on that I know - we spoke today and she is being her usual chatty self - I think Mike you are right, it was a Pride thing and she couldn't tell me the cost was out of her reach, she was banging on today about how skint she is (funny that with a rebate cheque from the insurers in the post!!!!). I believe that my silence on the subject will be a dignified response, however I am now on guard and believe me I won't be booking or planning anything with her again (this includes a bus ticket for a trip to the local shops).

Give someone enough rope and they will hang themselves, it is only a matter of time before her guard slips and she says something which points to somewhere near the truth. In the meantime I am now a smiling viper, saying nowt, but keeping my eyes and ears open. Revenge is a dish best served cold.

The Everglads/Naples trip was well worth the money, the guide, Frank, was so funny and kept us entertained the whole time we were on the coach. Naples is really beautiful, the airboat and swamp buggy ride at the Everglades was magical and we also got a trip out into the Gulf of Mexico on a luxury yacht, as well as dinner at the Vanderbilt Hotel and time on the hotel's private beach. (sheer heaven)

 

[KayleeUK]

Hi Ice Queen

Glad you had a fabulous time I think your right about remaining quiet on the friend front.

Have you thought about doing a trip report for us?

 

[UKDEB]

You really did bend over backwards for your friend before your trip and I did think you were being far more generous than I can ever imagine myself being.

She probably dug herself into a hole she couldn't find her way out of. Funnily enough, I find myself feeling quite a lot of compassion for her. I think you're right to put it down to experience and move on.

Pleased to hear you had a great trip despite all that. Look forward to hearing more about it.

 

[Disney owl]

so glad to hear you had a great holiday & that your friend didn't manage to spoil it.

I too think that you are taking the best path by remaining quiet.

like you say she''ll slip up at some point. & you've all your wonderful memories.

 

[WDWfan uk]

Welcome back

What a pity your friend didn't confide in you - it is extraordinary that she kept the pretence going isn't it?

I'm glad you had a great time

 

[SidB]

I agree with the sentiments here. There must have been a valid reason for her actions. Have you considered that she may have been afraid of your reaction when you found out ?

If you think that her actions are foregiveable and still want to remain friends, just forget it. Telling her would only drive a wedge between the two of you. Otherwise tell her you know and see what her reaction is. She might tell you some home truths.

Revenge is a dish that nobody should serve. Don't do it.

 

[pegasusEH]

Glad you had a great time but so sorry to hear about what your "friend" did to you. I think I would find it very hard to forgive someone for doing that to me but sometimes friendships can overcome these things.

It's a pretty big lie she was living for all those months. Something I couldn't do.

Don't quite understand how she let you leave thinking they were still going - was she joining you a few days later?

 

[kazzie]

Glad to hear your holiday went brilliantly.

There is another possible reason your friend went along with the pretence for so long.Is it possible she has Munchousans or similiar mental health problems? It sounds more like excessive attention seeking than a friend of 14 years being unable to admit they cannot afford a holiday to a close friend

It sounds as if she went through this charade with her children as well...how sad for them

 

[neo's white rabbit]

Glad you had a great time, not going to comment on your 'friend' situation as I couldn't add to what's been said here!

How's your older daughter?

 

[IceQueen]

Neo, eldest DD is fine, thanks for asking. She coped very well whilst we were away. My "Friends" children thought they weren't going. I have been so busy with work and my eldest's situation that I haven't visited my friend's house since the New Year. We spoke on the phone evry day though. She told me the kids "thought they weren't going as they had not been keeping their room tidy", apparently she told them the trip was off and this helped explain the fact that everytime I rang her house and one of the kids answered, they never mentioned the holiday. She claimed to be going to spring the surprise on them just a few days before she was due to leave, so obviously I never mentioned it as I didn't want to spoil it for them.

However, I think she told them that I was expecting them to join us 2 days after I flew out, cos when I rang her from Orlando to give her my room number and let her know what the hotel was like the child she claimed had been vomiting answered and I heard her say "Mummy, its XXXX shall I tell her your at the shops". My friend came to the phone and claimed to have been at the hospital all night getting this child re-hydrated, the child sounded perfectly well to me though and somewhat amused.

I am still managing to maintain my "dignified silence", much to the amusement of my husband cos he knows I have a hot temper when riled. However, I remain on guard and suspicious of everything she says to me now. I will let the dust settle on this for some while, but I think eventually I will have to confont this situation, albeit wearing slippers instead of a pair of hobnails.

On a brighter note I am already planning next year's trip, although it won't be back to the World, we are looking at 3 weeks in Jamaica. Hubby has also offered to give me £200 towards a 4 day shopping spree in New York in November, am planning to take this trip with another friend and have started looking around for good deals.

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

Sounds like you had a really really good time!
Sorry to hear about your friend,thats out of order,but maybe it was a pride thing like everyone else has said,its hard to say "we cant afford it!"
It's good you can keep a tight lip for the time being! and even more better is that you had a fantastic time anyway!!!

Beth
P,s cant wait for those denny breakfast's lol

 

[neo's white rabbit]

Glad to here older DD is doing well.

I'm also going to NY in November with the children. Great deals on flights for that period - ours average £159 return each from LGW (our more convenient airport).

I've booked a one bed apartment in Greenwich/Soho as that was coming up as a better deal than a decent hotel as I wanted some space, plus I like the area although I appreciate more people like to stay mid-town.

Several bus tour companies do trips out to Woodbury Commons which is part of the same group as Orlando Premium Outlets if you have time for that.

Good luck with your planning

 

[IceQueen]

Neo, Hope yu don't mind me asking, but what carrier did you get those NY flights with or saw advertised at that price? I can travel from Gatwick or Heathrow