Ok now im getting worried ...

[brunette8706]

here is that thread.....http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2796306

what makes this unbelievable is that the AKL doesn't allow balloons. So why would the CM's give her children balloons for the taxi ride to only take them away They just would not do something like that to children.. how do you explain to children that they can only have the balloons for the ride, but cannot keep them. That was her mistake.. she goofed up putting that in If she really wanted us on the boards to believe this happened to her, she should have left that out! I am not saying upgrades do not happen, but I doubt that her story is true simply because of the "balloons"..... and anyone who knows this would understand..

http://allears.net/acc/faq_akl.htm

AKL does not allow balloons inside the resort. Any balloons brought to the resort (from the theme parks, for example) will have to be checked with bell services for the duration of the guest's stay. They will be returned upon departure. This information might be helpful to families with younger children, so there are no disappointments when returning to the resort

*
HI there! Thanks for posting that link! WOW! She never once came back on to respond to any of the posters. They wanted to see pictures, yet she never got back to them...WIERD!!! I too quesstion the balloons..Why would the CM give the kids balloons when they will not be able to take them into the resort. Something smells fishy.

 

[Bonnie151]

No need to "bow" or be "pendantic". Nor is their need to be sarcastic.

You misunderstand me. I'm being serious not sarcastic. You are correct that the OP is staying at the Nick Hotel (I titled it Disney because they are going to the MNSSHP) and I have bowed to you and edited my post. It is my opinion that you are being pedantic by picking that up as the location is immaterial (IMO)- I'm not being sarcastic in the slightest by saying that.

 

[Marionnette]

*
HI there! Thanks for posting that link! WOW! She never once came back on to respond to any of the posters. They wanted to see pictures, yet she never got back to them...WIERD!!! I too quesstion the balloons..Why would the CM give the kids balloons when they will not be able to take them into the resort. Something smells fishy.

She posted pics in her trip report (see post #15):

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2719695

There's a photo of the kids in a bunk bed and it looks just like the one in the Allears.net photo gallery.

I don't know why the CM at the value resort would have given balloons to the kids just prior to sending them off to AKL but it does appear that the OP has spend some time there.

 

[brunette8706]

She posted pics in her trip report (see post #15):

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2719695

There's a photo of the kids in a bunk bed and it looks just like the one in the Allears.net photo gallery.

I don't know why the CM at the value resort would have given balloons to the kids just prior to sending them off to AKL but it does appear that the OP has spend some time there.

*
Thanks for posting that, I stand corrected...

 

[RadioMom]

We leave tommorow for our 3 night vacation. I was already on a tight budget but now it just got a little bit tighter. Im really worried that I'm going to be flat broke and thats my ultimate fear while im on vacation!Ok so turns out that the rate I paid for the Nick Hotel did not include the resort fee AND they place a $100 hold on your credit card for incidentals . The resort fee will be around $90 for 3 nights. On the third day we will be going to MNSSHP . We can take the shuttle there but there is no shuttle back so we'll have to get a taxi. That leaves only about $ 300 for all of our food /snacks /souvenirs ( Not planning on buying any souvenirs ..maybe one souvenir each for the kids) . $300 just does not seem like enough money . Im so used to having the dining plan and staying on Disney property. Our room will have a full sized kitchen. We can save alot of money by cooking meals but we dont have a rental car ...Any food purchased will have to go into our checked luggage. What will I be able to pack to stretch our food budget? I was thinking of buying sodas /juice and putting it in the checked luggage but im worried it might explode .

BTW we do have the character breakfast booked (not paid for yet)and I was thinking of ordering Flippers for dinner one night and having it delivered .My kids are not gonna be thrilled to eat in the room .I was going to pack microwaveable chef boyardee and they bulked.


Any suggestions ?

I'd ditch the character breakfast. If you're going to MNSSHP, you'll see plenty of characters and have a ton of fun. Bring breakfast foods with you, instant oatmeal, cereal bars, etc. I'd just buy juice/milk/pop when you get there. I'm not sure what Flippers is, but if you're near DTD, go to Earl of Sandwich. the prices are really reasonable, huge portions that two kids could share. Even after the MNSSHP, go to DTD and grab the sandwiches/salad for lunch the next day.

 

[Marionnette]

I'd ditch the character breakfast. If you're going to MNSSHP, you'll see plenty of characters and have a ton of fun. Bring breakfast foods with you, instant oatmeal, cereal bars, etc. I'd just buy juice/milk/pop when you get there. I'm not sure what Flippers is, but if you're near DTD, go to Earl of Sandwich. the prices are really reasonable, huge portions that two kids could share. Even after the MNSSHP, go to DTD and grab the sandwiches/salad for lunch the next day.

The breakfast suggestions are good ones but the OP has probably already departed for her trip.

And going to Downtown Disney after the Halloween party would be a transportation nightmare. There are no direct buses from the MK to Downtown Disney and the cost savings from eating at Earl of Sandwich would be eaten up by taxi cab costs.

 

[Bonnie151]

I don't know why the CM at the value resort would have given balloons to the kids just prior to sending them off to AKL but it does appear that the OP has spend some time there.

To be fair, in post #15, she says the children were given the balloons before the reservation was pulled up

"We get to the front desk and the check in person immediately gave the kids two mickey mouse balloons .They loved the balloons and began running around with another kid who had a balloon. For the life of me I cannot remember the woman's name who checked us in but she was really sweet and so nice. I gave her my i.d and she looked at the computer and smiled said hold on ill be right back . "

so the CM may not have been aware that they were going to be shifted to AKL when the children received the balloons.

 

[*love*2*shop]

in her trip report she wrote a month ago:

QUOTE: My name is Crystal and im the disney planner /disney freak as im called by others . I've searched and searched for a decent picture of myself ...couldnt find any so i just snapped this really quick LOL . Im 25 and im a single mom to my two beautiful kids Aniya and Louis


SO MUCh for being a GREAT PLANNER!!!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

*
HI there! Thanks for posting that link! WOW! She never once came back on to respond to any of the posters. They wanted to see pictures, yet she never got back to them...WIERD!!! I too quesstion the balloons..Why would the CM give the kids balloons when they will not be able to take them into the resort. Something smells fishy.

Not only why did she not post any pictures of her super upgrade.. I know if I got an upgrade as great as she did back in May, I would not wait until September to post it either.... another clue in the wonderful mystical magical upgrade that leads you to wonder how true it really is!

 

[Bonnie151]

Not only why did she not post any pictures of her super upgrade.. I know if I got an upgrade as great as she did back in May, I would not wait until September to post it either.... another clue in the wonderful mystical magical upgrade that leads you to wonder how true it really is!

But she did post about her upgrade in May. She started a trip report with some photos and OK, she didn't finish it, but she's hardly the first person to do so. Lots of people here (myself included) dip in & out of the DIS boards as and when we have the time and inclination to post.

 

[arthur06]

The major question I would have, if your taking 3-4 trips a year, why would you not get an AP?

Use the AP discount for Pop or the All-Stars? Use ME for the transportation?

She does claim to be a disney crazy person (or whatever she called it) and a planner. My plan would be to get an AP if I had 3-4 trips planned.

I also would not fly to Orlando for a "Hotel Vacation", I could find several hotels close to my house and not pay for airfare. In fact, we are going to Wisconsin Dells in January (only 2 nights) and rented points from a Wyndham owner. We have a 2br, full kitchen and access to 4 waterparks for $115 per night TOTAL.

I guess that her version of a plan varies greatly from how I plan.

By the way, I could feed my family (me, wife and 3 kids) in Orlando with $100!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

To be fair, in post #15, she says the children were given the balloons before the reservation was pulled up

"We get to the front desk and the check in person immediately gave the kids two mickey mouse balloons .They loved the balloons and began running around with another kid who had a balloon. For the life of me I cannot remember the woman's name who checked us in but she was really sweet and so nice. I gave her my i.d and she looked at the computer and smiled said hold on ill be right back . "

so the CM may not have been aware that they were going to be shifted to AKL when the children received the balloons.

as many times as I have stayed on property, I have yet to see them hand out balloons from behind the desk upon check in.... I could be off base in my thinking, but like I said, I personally have never seen this happen. The reception desk is a very busy place normally and they don't just have balloons around waiting to be handed out from behind there. If anyone else here can confirm they have seen this done, I might believe it, but as of now, I do not. Think about it... her kids get balloons.. not the norm... then she gets a special surprise upgrade (no reason, they aren't over booked), then upon arrival at AKL, they go one step further and up grade again..... it just doesn't sound right.. and not to come home and tell everyone when it happened.. to wait months later.. 2 + 2 aren't adding up to 4 in my book... I am sorry, but I don't believe this story.. I do believe in upgrades, I know they happen, but for something like this.. it is hard to swallow... Don't forget, they gave her mother a Rose and the kids got more goodies over at the AKL as well, after they informed her of her upgraded room over there.... that is a bit much for Disney to be giving out to one family...

I know I have gotten an upgrade from Standard view to Lagoon View @ Poly Concierge, & @ Beach Club.. I know they exist.. I don't doubt that...

 

[A Mickeyfan]

She posted pics in her trip report (see post #15):

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2719695

There's a photo of the kids in a bunk bed and it looks just like the one in the Allears.net photo gallery.

I don't know why the CM at the value resort would have given balloons to the kids just prior to sending them off to AKL but it does appear that the OP has spend some time there.

If I am reading her trip report correctly.. she stayed at the Value, there was no upgrade... here is her first post..


Hello you guys and welcome to my trip report!!!

Im a newbie at this ! In fact I was'nt planning on writing a trip report at all but this trip was full of wonderful surprises so I HAVE to write a trip report! So it's a trip report that was'nt supposed to be . This is our third trip to the World in a year .


When ? April 30 - May 5 2011

Where ? All Star Movies


I will be right back with the cast of characters as soon as i figure out how to upload pics .Wish me luck!



Ok.. now I am totally confused.. she goes on to say that she did move to the AKL??????

Maybe she was really there all along????

 

[A Mickeyfan]

To be fair, in post #15, she says the children were given the balloons before the reservation was pulled up

"We get to the front desk and the check in person immediately gave the kids two mickey mouse balloons .They loved the balloons and began running around with another kid who had a balloon. For the life of me I cannot remember the woman's name who checked us in but she was really sweet and so nice. I gave her my i.d and she looked at the computer and smiled said hold on ill be right back . "

so the CM may not have been aware that they were going to be shifted to AKL when the children received the balloons.

Ok.. you had me thinking I was crazy.. I went to her other thread and this is how she worded it there.. the balloons came "after" the ressie was pulled up..... and the rose for mom came then too not at the AKL like I previously posted, that was my boo-boo


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2796306
I know alot of people discuss the upgrades and I just wanted to share my story. This past May we were booked for All Star Movies resort for 5 nights. I was excited about ASM because we only stayed at POP in the past. We get to the counter and the cm smiles at me and says I have some good news and bad news. The bad news is you will not be staying here at ASM . I was like uhhhh ok I figured they were full and we would end up at Sports or another value . I had no complaints I was just happy to be at Disney. The CM than says the good news is you will be staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge . I was like OMG!!!! This was my dream resort! I always looked at the pictures and play around on the website getting quotes but in the end I would never book a deluxe because of the price. I was so excited!! I did dance a little I'm not going to lie

The CM left the desk and another CM approached us and gave my mom a pink rose and my two kids mickey balloons. They also had a taxi waiting for us to take us to AKL and gave us all bottled water . This upgrade happened for no reason at all. They were not fully booked. It was PURE PIXIE DUST!!

We recieved another upgrade when we arrived at AKL . The CM gave us a savannah view with bunk beds . It was like pure bliss! AKL is such a beautiful resort.The CM's are also very nice there they gave my kids stuffed mickey and pluto keychains dressed in safari gear.

 

[Bonnie151]

Ok.. you had me thinking I was crazy.. I went to her other thread and this is how she worded it there.. the balloons came "after" the ressie was pulled up..... and the rose for mom came then too not at the AKL like I previously posted, that was my boo-boo

And in the trip report it was a pink rose for the mum and stickers for the kids. Personally I'd believe the trip report as it was so close to the trip and details the kids' reactions. The more recent post about the upgrade has had several months of memory fuzzies setting in (and she probably never thought anyone would dissect what she's written!).

That's just my reaction. I don't, however, think it's particularly fair to be pulling apart someone's posts especially to the point of calling them a troll and claiming that Sept is the first time she posted about the upgrade (which is patently untrue) when they aren't here to defend themselves. I don't see anything particularly controversial/pot stirring in her posting history, but then again that's just me.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I am not bothering to read 11 pages of "indictment" etc.. LOL!

But to the OP (if you are brave enough to return) you are the PARENT. They are the KIDS! When they "balk" at your suggestions, it's time to explain that to them and tell them when they pay for the trips they can set the menu until then.....

If you don't do this now it's going to get UGLY because they are "driving" this operation and ... it won't get better.

So give them two options. Go on your budget trip with cheap meals or STAY HOME! (And then perhaps it's time to cut back on vacations and make them "want" a trip a little more so they will be willing to be appreciative instead of "balking")

 

[A Mickeyfan]

But she did post about her upgrade in May. She started a trip report with some photos and OK, she didn't finish it, but she's hardly the first person to do so. Lots of people here (myself included) dip in & out of the DIS boards as and when we have the time and inclination to post.

I do stand corrected on that ... I saw that from the posts after I posted that...

 

[VirataMama4]

as many times as I have stayed on property, I have yet to see them hand out balloons from behind the desk upon check in.... I could be off base in my thinking, but like I said, I personally have never seen this happen. The reception desk is a very busy place normally and they don't just have balloons around waiting to be handed out from behind there. If anyone else here can confirm they have seen this done, I might believe it, but as of now, I do not. Think about it... her kids get balloons.. not the norm... then she gets a special surprise upgrade (no reason, they aren't over booked), then upon arrival at AKL, they go one step further and up grade again..... it just doesn't sound right.. and not to come home and tell everyone when it happened.. to wait months later.. 2 + 2 aren't adding up to 4 in my book... I am sorry, but I don't believe this story.. I do believe in upgrades, I know they happen, but for something like this.. it is hard to swallow... Don't forget, they gave her mother a Rose and the kids got more goodies over at the AKL as well, after they informed her of her upgraded room over there.... that is a bit much for Disney to be giving out to one family...

I know I have gotten an upgrade from Standard view to Lagoon View @ Poly Concierge, & @ Beach Club.. I know they exist.. I don't doubt that...

The only resort my kids have gotten balloons at is OKW and they are given to almost every child upon check in. They have a bunch of balloon swords, flowers and sometimes dogs and dragonflies. We also just got back from a stay at AKL Jambo and I was given a red rose upon check in.

I also have a hard time swallowing her "upgrade" story as it seems she got A LOT of extras. But if its all true then that was one heck of a trip and it would be hard to top!

 

[anewvance]

Troll or not her post really wasn't worth all this nonsense. I took it as a challenge, feed us for $300 for 3 days. It's VERY doable. We live in South Florida and I've done 3 day Disney trips for way less.... not because I couldn't afford it but just because it's what it cost.

In fact we are doing a Disney trip in 2 weeks and plan to use less then $450 for the whole trip. This include Ft Wilderness campground for 3 nights, gas, tolls and food. Campground is $130. Gas will be $100. Food that we will be making $75. And food we buy in parks (either 1 lunch or 1 dinner in park each day where dh and I share a meal and kids each get their own meal) is $100. Add in a popcorn or soda here and there and dollar mcd menu the day we get there when we go grocery shopping, we are looking at less then $450 for the entire 4 day trip. We can afford more and have it if we want to splurge on anything, but this is what the budget is for us... it's a challenge to stick to it.

Oh and a taxi from Disney to Nick would be about $25. We went from Buena Vista suites (2 blocks farther from Disney from Nick) to the Disney Boardwalk and back for $20 with tip each way. So MK is a little further, so thinking $25.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

And in the trip report it was a pink rose for the mum and stickers for the kids. Personally I'd believe the trip report as it was so close to the trip and details the kids' reactions. The more recent post about the upgrade has had several months of memory fuzzies setting in (and she probably never thought anyone would dissect what she's written!).

That's just my reaction. I don't, however, think it's particularly fair to be pulling apart someone's posts especially to the point of calling them a troll and claiming that Sept is the first time she posted about the upgrade (which is patently untrue) when they aren't here to defend themselves. I don't see anything particularly controversial/pot stirring in her posting history, but then again that's just me.

good point on the fuzzies.. that can and does happen. I do still stand by my "troll" thoughts though.. if you read some of what she has posted, it does seem to stir up a bit of controversy. We are all entitled to our opinions on this board, and that is mine.... Just as I respect your opinion in thinking she isn't.

I stated just above in another thread, it was my boo-boo, that I did not realize that she did indeed post her trip report about her upgrade prior to Sept. I have only read the "recent" posts by her, not what she posted back in May. Her wording in her Sept post came off as if she was posting this for the fist time, it came out of the clear blue.. she started that thread.

To be very honest, anyone who just came home from a wonderful trip like that in May, to come as often as she does, and plan (as she called herself the planner) how could she not have planned for a room hold at the resort she was now going to? How many resorts have you gone to that do not ask for a credit card as a hold when you check in. She doesn't use one, so she knows they will require cash. How could she plan her trip booking the Nick hotel and not know about the resort fee? That is stated on their website.. planners check out where they will stay, don't they? Don't call yourself the planner, don't come on the boards whining that you may not have enough money for food since you didn't plan right. Why book a unit with a full kitchen when you aren't going grocery shopping while you are there? Are you checking in a cooler @ the airport? The planner didn't plan, who boasts, that she is the planner.. then whines with worry.. I don't have pity for those..
you snooze .... you lose.... she dropped the ball.. and we are suppose to be feeling sorry.. nope.. not this chick yep, that is my opinion, agree with it or not.. that is what these boards are for....

so we shall agree to disagree on this one.. since we don't agree.... but should respect the others opinion... (even if it means "pulling apart" a post to back up why you think it... )