Let's do this all over again...Update 12/6 7:00 am @ MK

[Planning fanatic mom]

YEAH!! Waffle House!!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Well...it's official now. We went to AAA this morning to transfer our Disney reservation over.



Here is our AAA Disney specialist Daniel Jones who handle our reservation transfer. Very nice lady.



Her desk was decorate all kind of Disney stuff.

Other perks we get from AAA are AAA diamond card to get discount from tours and merchandise at Disney. We also get prefer seating area to watch the afternoon parade in Magic Kingdom at the main street train station second floor. We also get AAA member's only story telling session at EPCOT. It used to held in MK.

Daniel also confirmed our car rental at NC. $300 for 2 week on a full size sedan.

The whole thing took about 1/2 an hour. On our way back, 2 blocks away from AAA office, we pass by this restaurant. It has featured on a major network sitcom many times. Can you guess the name of this sitcom??



After that, we were very hungry and stop at this place for breakfast before get on our way.

Mmmmm...Waffles...

Glad to hear the AAA ressie transfer went through well. Not sure on the restaurant. I really don't watch any of the newer sitcoms. I'm mostly an old school comedy guy. Looking forward to more.

 

[eandesmom]

I waffle house

congrats on getting the transfer handled!

I need to figure out what the AAA discounts are down there, I should just order the FL tour book I guess. Our ressie isn't through AAA but still.

 

[GrandmaSady]

I've followed your past trip report...and now your pre trip report.
By the way, we are going to Disney this year in December! Yeah!

About your picture list.....here is an idea for you.
I have seen people take pictures of items that look like letters that spells out your last name.(but don't just take a picture of a "letter")
They print them in black & white...border each "letter", then frame. Very nice.

I don't know your last name...but let's say it's " Mouse"
exp. look for something that looks like a "M" lightposts or buildings...
for the "O' you might take a picture of a wreath??
for the "U" a u loop of a ride? or design in a flower bed. or a desgin in
a railing????
Does this make sense? You have to be creative, which I know you are with your pictures!

 

[topdog]

YEAH!! Waffle House!!

Glad to hear the AAA ressie transfer went through well. Not sure on the restaurant. I really don't watch any of the newer sitcoms. I'm mostly an old school comedy guy. Looking forward to more.

First, the AAA we went to locate at Scranton, PA. That would be a major clue. This Cooper seafood restaurant was featured in the sitcom "The Office" many time. It was one of my many favorite. In fact, I work not far from downtown Scranton.

I waffle house

congrats on getting the transfer handled!

I need to figure out what the AAA discounts are down there, I should just order the FL tour book I guess. Our ressie isn't through AAA but still.

Well, our AAA transfer has a little twist now. I will give out a little more detail on my next post.

I've followed your past trip report...and now your pre trip report.
By the way, we are going to Disney this year in December! Yeah!

About your picture list.....here is an idea for you.
I have seen people take pictures of items that look like letters that spells out your last name.(but don't just take a picture of a "letter")
They print them in black & white...border each "letter", then frame. Very nice.

I don't know your last name...but let's say it's " Mouse"
exp. look for something that looks like a "M" lightposts or buildings...
for the "O' you might take a picture of a wreath??
for the "U" a u loop of a ride? or design in a flower bed. or a desgin in
a railing????
Does this make sense? You have to be creative, which I know you are with your pictures!

That's a pretty cool idea. Thanks GrandmaSady. I will see how I can post it on my list.

 

[topdog]

Looks like even this PTR is an uphill battle.

Let's start with the Give A Day ordeal. DW did her volunteer since Feb. Due to many schedule conflict, I was able to complete my volunteer duty a week ago. After I finish my volunteer, I left a voice mail to my American Red Cross coordinator that I did my thing and please let me know if there is any more paper work or something I need to sign to confirm and verified my volunteer.

Next day, I received an email from the coordinator that all I need is to go to Disney website to retrieve everything. That's when everything went down hill from that point. Long story short, it turns out both DW and my registration never got on to their system. DW called and email Disney trying to see what can be done to resolve the situation. Basically, they told us our names are not on the system and Disney won't issue our vouchers. Go figure!!

As for the AAA transfer, the transfer itself was fine. The original reservation was 11 night standard view room at WL with two 10 days hopper passes (no water park admission) plus DxDP. The hopper passes and DxDP part were fine. Here is the odd part. Once we transfer our reservation, our total price was dropped about 10%. However, last week we were told by AAA that Disney inform them there are no more standard view room available at WL for AAA any more in the time frame we have reserved. So instead, Disney is willing to upgrade our reservation to Wood view room with a small discount.

So in the end, our total jump back up but about $70 less than what our original reservation was going to cost. It's almost a wash out. At this point, I don't really care what room Disney give us any more. As long as there is a room when we get there, that's all I need.

DW still has all the ADR to deal with. Hopefully, it won't be as twisty as our reservation but I am sure there will be some kind of drama involve. LOL...

 

[eandesmom]

OY! Rats, I wish I'd have known about the GAD thing, if you are in the system you get those vouchers really really fast but they shut it down so quickly I am not surprised that there are problems with people who had stuff towards the end.

Can you volunteer organization fight this on your behalf? I know ours had to report it to Disney and got our names from Disney in the first place so it's odd that you were able to do your service without that link.

Weird on the room...

 

[topdog]

OY! Rats, I wish I'd have known about the GAD thing, if you are in the system you get those vouchers really really fast but they shut it down so quickly I am not surprised that there are problems with people who had stuff towards the end.

Can you volunteer organization fight this on your behalf? I know ours had to report it to Disney and got our names from Disney in the first place so it's odd that you were able to do your service without that link.

Weird on the room...

That's why it puzzle me. We got the email from Disney to confirm who we will be volunteer at but they don't have our names in the system. DW already contact Disney left and right and went no where. I contact American Red Cross only once. I really don't want the poor lady spend too much time to resolve this for us. She's already busy doing her job organizing the volunteer event. It won't be fair for people who really need her help. I volunteer occasionally and I had fun doing it. That's all matter to me.

As for the room issue, I am not surprise. Disney is just trying to squeeze more money from their customers. Hopefully, there will be another 20/30/40 promo coming up soon that will extent all the way to Dec. I am looking forward to the private parade viewing area and the exclusive story telling session at EPCOT. Also, all Disney tours and shopping at Disney store will get a 10 or 15% AAA discount too.

 

[GoofyFairie]

Geez topdog. There is never a dull moment with you! I am crossing my fingers that everything gets straightened out for you and DW so you can get your free passes. How frustrating! Maybe all the drama will happen before your trip so everything will be smooth sailing during your trip. I am sending you in hopes that that will be the case.

 

[topdog]

Geez topdog. There is never a dull moment with you! I am crossing my fingers that everything gets straightened out for you and DW so you can get your free passes. How frustrating! Maybe all the drama will happen before your trip so everything will be smooth sailing during your trip. I am sending you in hopes that that will be the case.

I hope you are right. I don't need any more stress. Too much drama lately.

Ever since my mother's ordeal has been settled, another wave has just hit me right to my face. Long story short, my doctor has discovered a nodule on my left lung and he wants to monitor it for at least 2 years. Scary stuff! You are talking to some one who has never admit to a hospital for any thing all his life.

 

[LaurenMic]

I am joining in!! SO sorry to hear about the planning problems that you've been planning. Excited to see that you are staying WL again. What a nice long trip! My fingers are crossed that the ADRs go smoothly!!

 

[GoofyFairie]

I hope you are right. I don't need any more stress. Too much drama lately.

Ever since my mother's ordeal has been settled, another wave has just hit me right to my face. Long story short, my doctor has discovered a nodule on my left lung and he wants to monitor it for at least 2 years. Scary stuff! You are talking to some one who has never admit to a hospital for any thing all his life.

Topdog, I am sad to hear your news. I am sending you good thoughts and prayers. I think you need this too . You need to take care of yourself. I think lots of time planning a Disney trip can do wonders to helping a person to get better and alleviate stress, and the trip itself will do wonders for you. Keep us updated!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Hey Topdog! Sorry to hear about your volunteer issues. The whole room rate deal was really odd as well. Hopefully the rest of your trip will come off smoothly.

 

[topdog]

I am joining in!! SO sorry to hear about the planning problems that you've been planning. Excited to see that you are staying WL again. What a nice long trip! My fingers are crossed that the ADRs go smoothly!!

Thank you Lauren. I am sure it's all good in the end.

Topdog, I am sad to hear your news. I am sending you good thoughts and prayers. I think you need this too . You need to take care of yourself. I think lots of time planning a Disney trip can do wonders to helping a person to get better and alleviate stress, and the trip itself will do wonders for you. Keep us updated!

Thanks GoofyFairie. I appreciate the good thoughts. I am really looking forward for the trip, that's for sure.

Hey Topdog! Sorry to hear about your volunteer issues. The whole room rate deal was really odd as well. Hopefully the rest of your trip will come off smoothly.

The volunteer issues has took another turn. Just read my next update.

 

[topdog]

Well, I haven't update for a while. Too many things happening to my health. I've been busy going to all the doctor's appointment plus all kind of lab work. Long story short, all I can say is this will be a some what long term issue and I am doing my best to accept it.

Let's get back to Disney topic. After DW trying everything she can to contact Disney, she finally got an email a couple of weeks ago from Disney stating they will look into the matter. However, they want to see all the documentation to assure we did register for the GAD program and confirmation that we did full fill our volunteer duty. Pack rat that I am, I kept every single email that I had with Disney and American Red Cross regarding the GAD program. In addition, ARC director even resent a confirmation email to us and stated the date and duty we did for our volunteer. I created a PDF file for all the email and DW forward the PDF back to Disney.

At first, I thought most likely it will fall into a black hole and that was 2 weeks ago. Yesterday, DW receive a voice mail on her cell phone from Disney stating since they have already close the GAD program and there is no way they can confirm our registration. But for good faith, Disney would give us 2 complimentary park tickets because we were able to prove we did full fill our volunteer duty and they also left us a number to call back.

So when DW call back to Disney, they basically repeat everything from the voice mail. The only thing we also find out is this won't be a park hopper ticket but it will tag with the park hopper tickets we purchase. I am not sure how that work yet. We can use this ticket at any date during our stay at WDW. Since we will be staying at the Disney resort for 11 days but only bought 10 days park hopper tickets, the free ticket will fill that one extra day gap. Disney said we should get a confirmation letter about the free tickets from them in the next few day. We just have to present the letter during check-in to claim the ticket.

In the end, I have to say Disney did handle this much better than I expect. Now I am getting a little anxious to check my mailbox everyday for the confirmation letter.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Sending you some pixie dust for your bronchial health!

I knew there was reason I never delete any emails. Glad Disney is making good on their end.

 

[eliz991]

Good deal on the tickets. Hope it will work out and the letter comes soon. I always keep all my paperwork, emails and receipts too. You never know!

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

I really hopes it all works our for you and DW. You deserve lots of

Keep us updated.

 

[kmpprg]

Hi Topdog, I have just finished your last TR and am all caught up with this one. I Read Biscuits TR and he mentioned you a lot, so I bookmarked you.
I loved your pictures and stories. Your food pictures make my mouth water. I am hoping that this Decembers trip runs more smoothly than last years.
We started driving last October and now I love the road trip. We make the trip an adventure by stopping at restaurants we see on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.
It is so nice to have all the room and be in control of your trip when you drive. I am from western Pa, and it is one and a half hours to the Pittsburgh airport-plus the 2 hour wait, the connecting flight and then the 45 minutes to WDW it seems better to drive the 14 hours at our own pace. It is also nice to drive to the parks.
I recommend the Segway tours highly. We have done both the one in Epcot and the one in Fort Wilderness. They are both awesome-I just wished they lasted longer. If you take the one in Epcot go for the earliest because you will get to see them getting ready in the World Showcase and there are not any guests yet except the occasional wedding. It was so much fun-you will love it.
I hope your Give a Day works for you, we did Habitat for Humanity and plan on getting the fastpasses for each day of our trip as there are 7 of us. If you can get that it is 6 passes at one park for one day. If you get 2, you can have fastpasses for 2 parks.
I hope your health issues clear up and all goes well in the long run.
Finally, about your poor feet-I love my croc sandals. I wear the slip on kind, not the flipflop kind. They are especially wonderful if it rains because they are easy to dry off. When you wear sneakers you might be able to put blister bandaids on your sensitive spots-they are expensive, but work like a charm. You should definitely buy them to take down just in case you need them.
I will be reading along now and I look forward to reading more as your trip gets closer.

 

[GoofyFairie]

Topdog, I am so glad Disney is making good on their obligation. I'm sure that you are not the only one this has happened to. I am sending good thoughts your way and will keep you in my prayers that your health is restored soon. I can't wait to see what kind of Mickey Mail you will get. Maybe there will be some kind of extra surpise inside with the letter!