We made it here after a wretched day of travel but...we made it. We are not superstitious but wonder if Friday the 13th was anyway involved. We flew threw Dallas and apparently a lot of other people are on Spring Break as well. We were delayed by airport problems from our small local airport. We then missed our connecting flight and couldn't be rebooked to a later flight because everything was full until Sunday. Yep, so we were told to do stand by which is a frightening experience with a 4 person party including two small children. We were at the top of the list for stand-by and were able to sneak onto the 2nd flight we were listed for. Another family of 4 apparently was also delayed and we were given their seats. I keep picturing them sleeping on airport chairs or staying in a Dallas hotel. Not a fun way to start a vacation. I feel so bad for them. I know we are very lucky to be here. We were about to rent a car and start driving the 20+ hours. Our nice warm AKV is so much better.
I must comment on the Disney Magical Express experience. Up until yesterday, our driver said that AKL and Coronado were together on a bus but as of today through the Spring Break, AKL, Coronado, Carribean, and Pop Century are all together. AKL was the last to be dropped off. I haven't done DME to AKL before but this seemed ridiculous. I know it is the farthest away but it took well over an hour for us to be dropped off and that was after waiting an hour from the time our flight landed to leaving the airport. This was the longest wait we have ever had on DME - over 2 hours from the time we arrived at MCO until we arrived at the hotel.
This is the first time we have stayed concierge as well but I also knew we were suppose to have a separate check-in. We were told by 3 separate AKL cast members to go to the long desk at the left to check-in - even once by bell services. Crazy stuff. We persisted and one cast member finally said oh yes and took us back to bell services and then we were escorted upstairs for check in . We still await our checked baggage but hey, we are at DW, are staying in a wonderful hotel, and just happy to be here. Who needs a hair brush anyways?! Oh, and a few weeks ago, we had asked the concierge to try to get us a reservation for the Cinderella's Royal Table. We were told we would be contacted if they were able to get it. No one contacted us. The young lady at check in didn't mention it. Just as we were finishing the check-in process, I remembered to ask. Luckily I did. They had made a reservation and charged our credit card for it a few days ago. It is for Sunday morning and we would not have known otherwise. That would have been an expensive breakfast to miss. We also had a message on the phone when I went to our room. It was to remind us of a Hoop De Doo reservation we had back on the 15th...of OCTOBER 2008. Again, crazy stuff.
We are so happy to be here and hope tomorrow, Saturday the 14th, will be a more normal day.
I must comment on the Disney Magical Express experience. Up until yesterday, our driver said that AKL and Coronado were together on a bus but as of today through the Spring Break, AKL, Coronado, Carribean, and Pop Century are all together. AKL was the last to be dropped off. I haven't done DME to AKL before but this seemed ridiculous. I know it is the farthest away but it took well over an hour for us to be dropped off and that was after waiting an hour from the time our flight landed to leaving the airport. This was the longest wait we have ever had on DME - over 2 hours from the time we arrived at MCO until we arrived at the hotel.
This is the first time we have stayed concierge as well but I also knew we were suppose to have a separate check-in. We were told by 3 separate AKL cast members to go to the long desk at the left to check-in - even once by bell services. Crazy stuff. We persisted and one cast member finally said oh yes and took us back to bell services and then we were escorted upstairs for check in . We still await our checked baggage but hey, we are at DW, are staying in a wonderful hotel, and just happy to be here. Who needs a hair brush anyways?! Oh, and a few weeks ago, we had asked the concierge to try to get us a reservation for the Cinderella's Royal Table. We were told we would be contacted if they were able to get it. No one contacted us. The young lady at check in didn't mention it. Just as we were finishing the check-in process, I remembered to ask. Luckily I did. They had made a reservation and charged our credit card for it a few days ago. It is for Sunday morning and we would not have known otherwise. That would have been an expensive breakfast to miss. We also had a message on the phone when I went to our room. It was to remind us of a Hoop De Doo reservation we had back on the 15th...of OCTOBER 2008. Again, crazy stuff.
We are so happy to be here and hope tomorrow, Saturday the 14th, will be a more normal day.
I hope things have gotten better for you today and you are having a magical time! 
