My first trip...

[DVC~OKW~96]

Wow! Those are some fabulous shots of the castle! Thanks for sharing them with us!

 

[chwgmjay]

Wow! Those are some fabulous shots of the castle! Thanks for sharing them with us!

Thanks. I was kinda worried because where I was sitting, a couple of CMs came through and mentioned we might be sitting a little too close, but it worked out.

 

[glenpreece]

beautiful pics

 

[chwgmjay]

OK. So, now I'm going to start posting my thoughts/experiences/etc. A trip report, if you will, sort of. Keep in mind that a lot of things may sound negative, but it's just my thoughts/etc. based on what we learned in class/talked about in class w/ regards to how Disney's Service works/etc. The class I went to was "Disney's Approach to Quality Service", so basically all we talked about was how Disney goes about giving the service they do, and how to apply it to your business. THEREFORE, I'm going to have a different view of my experiences than someone else may have. Please please please keep that in mind.

Thanks you.

 

[chwgmjay]

I'm from Minneapolis, and use MSP International Airport.

So, after being unable to sleep all night on the 20th, I got out of bed and headed for the airport at about 4:15 am. My mom and I got to the park and ride and waited about 2 minutes for the light rail to the airport. Jumped on the train and rode to the airport. Since I was flying Southwest, we got off at the 2nd airport stop (the Humphrey terminal) and took the elevator up to the 2nd floor to begin the long trek across the parking ramp to the terminal. Got to the terminal, and took the elevator down to the ticketing level. And sat. I figured they'd open the ticket counter at 2 hours before our flight since it was the first Southwest flight of the day, but they ended up not opening it until 5:30. Luckily, I was one of the first people in line, so it didn't take very long for me to check my couple of bags and then head upstairs to security.

The TSA is fairly quick at MSP, so it only took a few minutes before I was through to the terminal airside. I was pretty exhausted since I hadn't slept all night, and decided (beyond my better judgement) to pick up an ipod touch from the vending machine in the gate area. It's pretty cool, but I probably should have just waited the 2 months until I'm eligible for an iphone upgrade from at&t and gotten an iphone for slightly less than I paid for the ipod touch. Anyways, since I was so tired it took me a while to unpackage it, and I was unable to successfully set it up before it was time to leave.

Boarded the plane fairly quickly since I had a low boarding pass (first time using Early Bird check-in) and got my 13F seat (I always sit in 13F on Southwest, unless my Ex is with and I end up with 13E because he HAS to have the window seat.) Shoved my backpack in the overhead and my laptop bag under the seat in front of me, and sat back to relax.

The trip from MSP to MDW was fairly quiet. I got my Ginger Ale, no ice but they didn't hand out any snacks... I love Southwest peanuts, so I was kinda disappointed, but whatever.

Landed at MDW, they unloaded the MDW passengers, did the quick sweep of the plane, loaded our new passengers, and took off for BWI.

The trip to BWI was fairly bumpy, and the seatbelt sign stayed on most of the time. They did, however pass out drinks (I got my Ginger Ale, no ice) and plane cookies (half of which were broken in half... because what I really want on a bumpy flight is to be thinking about the plane breaking in half while I'm snacking.)

We stopped at BWI, where they announced that there was *1* through passenger to MCO (yes, me), unloaded, swept the plane while I used the lavatory), loaded on the new passengers. Up until the trip from BWI, 13E had been empty on both legs of the flight and now it was occupied. Oh well, the extra room was nice while it lasted. Took off fairly quickly again and I was finally on the last leg of my flight to Orlando. Got my ginger ale and peanuts (FINALLY!) and faded in and out of consciousness 'til we landed.

Once we landed, I headed across the airport and down to ground transportation to find my way to the ME area. Now, I've heard the stories about the cast members lined up pointing the way to the ME desk, and it was fairly slow when we got there, but I didn't see any Disney CMs until I actually got to the desk area (after making a pit stop because I really had to use the restroom). There was a woman standing in the middle of the "hall" there, and said to just go right up to the red carpet. At the red carpet, a gentleman looked at my ME booklet, tore the back page off and wrote the # of bags I'd checked on it, and pointed me to my lane. Where I stood behind a couple other people. And waited. While everyone around us was loaded onto various buses. Finally our bus showed up and they loaded us on and we were off fairly quickly. We watched the video while I tried to stay awake and enjoy the ride.

Once we arrived at the Yacht Club, we unloaded fairly quickly and immediately I had a CM walk up to me and ask me for my last name. He walked me to the online check-in area of the YC desk, where the girl checked my ID and then gave me my folder, making sure to point out that I had an envelope in it from the Disney Institute. She told me my room number, and pointed me to the elevators. It took me a second to figure out that 4166 would be on the 4th floor and I headed up to find my room. Luckily, it was just outside the elevators and around the corner. Got into the room, took a couple of pictures, used the bathroom, and then headed out to explore.

First stop, Epcot. I didn't have a bag with me so I walked past the bag check (making sure to pat down my shorts pockets on my way past... since they'd made us do it at Disneyland. I later saw them having people do it, so I guess I just did it before they had a chance to ask me to.) I then walked up to the turnstiles with my park hopper in my hand. I was trying to figure out which way to put it in, and the admissions CM was like "Just put it in there." His tone of voice was kinda... not the nicest, but we had issues with admissions at DL so I wasn't too surprised. Once I figured it out, and did my finger scan, I was in.

I walked all the way around WS before heading to the Electric Umbrella to grab a bite for "lunch" even though it was after 5 pm.

I think I need to continue on another post, since my computer here is acting up and I don't want to lose what I've already typed.

 

[chwgmjay]

OT: re: the trip report, but, I just talked to my mom on facebook and it sounds like the pix from my Disney Institute graduation came today. I, however, don't have a scanner... Sooooooo we'll see how/if I can get them online. I'm still at work for a couple hours though.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

I'm enjoying your report. That was some long plane ride! Sheesh! Nothing but three ginger ales and a small packet of peanuts all day? You are better than me, Gunga Din! LOL.

Looking forward to reading more of your experiences and perspective.

 

[rosiep]

I'm enjoying your report. That was some long plane ride! Sheesh! Nothing but three ginger ales and a small packet of peanuts all day? You are better than me, Gunga Din! LOL.

Looking forward to reading more of your experiences and perspective.

I use that phrase all the time!! "You're a better man than I Gunga Din...."

 

[chwgmjay]

Came to work early today after remembering that we have a scanner in our sales office.

 

[chwgmjay]

Had to look through my notes and previous text messages to figure out what I did/when/etc.

So, when last I posted I was headed to the Electric Umbrella for "lunch." I had a double cheeseburger that was decent. Not the best, but not too bad.

After I was done, I wandered a bit longer and stopped at the frozen margarita stand to pick up a strawberry margarita and then to Cantina de San Angel for some Cantina Nachos, which I thought were pretty good.

I then went back to the YC to take a cool bath and head to sleep since I'd been awake for WELL OVER 24 hours by that time.

On Tuesday, I woke up REALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLY early. Like at 5:30 am, which would have been 4:30 if I'd been at home. It was good though, because I needed to get up early the next several days anyway, so it helped me get into the groove.

Rosie and I had planned to meet up at AK for the day (although I didn't realize that meant afternoon) . So once 8:00 rolled around, I jumped on the bus to AK. I spent a couple of hours wandering around AK, taking pictures, and just enjoying it. I took the train out to Rafiki's Planet Watch and spent some time in the A/C and watched them working on a couple of animals in the Vet's office. At one point in time, they were working on a sheep. 2 different people (at different times) came up and started pointing out the "baby elephant" to their loved ones.

Around 11:30, Rosie messaged me to tell me they were in the park and were headed to Kali to get FPs. I was close by, so I walked over to wait by the FP machines even though they were turned off for the day. I messaged Rosie to let her know, and then proceeded to wait. And wait. And wait. She FINALLY showed up, and we got in line for Kali while we chatted a bit. Kali was lots of fun, and Rosie and I both got soaked (though I think Rosie got a little more than I did.) We did some wandering, and then had lunch at Flame Tree.

At Flame Tree, I ordered the bbq pork sandwich, no beans, with coleslaw. After waiting for my food for a while (Rosie and James had already gone to sit down) they brought my food over to the other window. They then stood there for a minute trying to figure out whose food it was, before taking it back, taking my coleslaw off, putting beans on the tray, and then brought it over to me. Where I pointed out that it was supposed to be no beans, with coleslaw. So, she took it back, took the beans, and gave me just the sandwich. I again had to explain that I was missing my coleslaw. She showed me the slip, which said "No" in red, with "beans" below it in red, and then "Coleslaw" below that in black and said "It says no beans or coleslaw". My receipt said "No beans, sub coleslaw". Eventually she got me my coleslaw and I went to get my condiments. Rosie was surprisingly nice and carried my tray for me back to our table and we sat and had a tasty lunch while the ducks flocked to me and tried to convince me to give up some of my food.

After lunch we wandered a bit again, rode Kilimanjaro Safaris, and eventually ended up at EE where James and I rode while Rosie watched and held my phone and stuff for me.

Eventually we had to part ways since I had to head over to MNSSHP for the evening. It was a lot of fun meeting Rosie though (even though I wasn't supposed to admit it.)

I took the bus back to the YC so I could change, take a quick shower, and get my MNSSHP ticket then headed to the bus to MK for my first walk down Main Street.