Royal Carriage Stroller Swap Part 2--closed

[parkers*momma]

THIS SWAP IS CLOSED. THANKS TO ALL THE WONDERFUL LADIES AND GENTLEMAN OVER THE PAST 18 MONTH WHO TOOK SUCH GREAT CARE OF THE STROLLERS

Welcome to the ROYAL CARRIAGE DOUBLE STROLLER SWAPS PART 2

A stroller swap is a group of DISers who will be staying at WDW and would like to use a stroller without paying $31/day for a WDW stroller. A stroller is purchased and passed from one vacationing DISer to the next on the list. Donating accessories and stroller parts is the only way this swap can survive. We are asking that if you noticed something is missing or damaged that you might consider donating that item and taking it with you to Walt Disney World. This will help keep the swap going for all of the swappers for a long time.

OUR STROLLER:
INSTEP SAFARI JOGGING STROLLER:

TOTAL COMBINED WEIGHT OF YOUR CHILDREN CAN NOT BE OVER 75#.
The stroller pushes with ease...even on inclines. If you would like to donate an item, we will sincerely appreciate the help in maintaining the stroller. If something becomes broken on the stroller, again donating the part to fix it would greatly be appreciated. If a stroller is deemed unsafe, then the stroller can't be used until that part is replaced which means you won't have a stroller while at WDW.​

RULES TO JOINING THE SWAP:

***The day you pick up the stroller if you notice any damage, please immediately call me to let us know. Also, if by some unfortunate occurrence something happens while you have the stroller, please call me a my number is located on each stroller. If no one answers, leave a message on the answering machine. This has to be done as soon as possible, preferably the same day so arrangements can be made for the swappers after you. They too would like to have a nice stroller to use while vacationing at Walt Disney World.

***Please take a few minutes at the end of your stay to wash the padding in the stroller and wipe down the handle, foot rest, ect.. Brush out any crumbs from the seat area. This will be greatly appreciated by the next swapper plus help in the long term care of the stroller.

***No eating items such as chocolate, mickey bars, Dole Whips, etc. in the stroller. Popcorn, crackers, French fries without ketchup are fine. Anything that can be brushed or vacuumed out…nothing that is smeary or sticky. Again these items can stain the seat and leave it in poor condition for the next swapper.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. (ALL SWAPPERS)You MUST contact the person before and after you to make arrangements for the swap at least three weeks prior to the swapper before you is leaving. Include your name, cell phone number, place to meet, and any other important information so you can identify each other or where to leave the stroller if you can not do a face to face swap.

2. (IF YOU ARE LEAVING THE STROLLER IN LUGGAGE SERVICES) Please attach the incoming swappers name, check-in date, and reservation number ON the stroller. Get a Claim ticket....very important....and contact the incoming swapper with the claim ticket information. If you are told they don't give claim tickets, ask to speak to a manager, please get some kind of verification. Transport the stroller to the incoming swappers hotel. PLEASE PLEASE do not let WDW transfer it to another resort. If the stroller happens to become missing, it is so much easier for me when trying to locate it. When you transfer it, I only have to go between you and resort of the incoming swapper. Not you, the resort you left it at, bell services, luggage services, the incoming swappers resort, their luggage service, etc.

3. (INCOMING SWAPPER WHEN THE STROLLER IS IN LUGGAGE SERVICES) Be polite, calm, and persistent if they come back empty handed. If all else fails, ask the Cast Member if you can look for it. Most times they will let you accompany them into the luggage area.

4. NEVER LEAVE IT IN YOUR ROOM FOR THEM TO TAKE TO LUGGAGE SERVICES. MOUSEKEEPING DISPOSES EVERYTHING THAT IS LEFT IN THE ROOMS NO MATTER IF IT IS TAGGED FOR ANOTHER SWAPPER. NEVER ASSUME THAT BELLHOPS WILL TAKE IT TO LUGGAGE SERVICES. You are responsible in seeing that it physically arrives to luggage services and getting a claim ticket or any other information you can obtain at luggage services.


********REMEMBER********
1. Check your dates...if there is an opening in one of the swaps, post your request on the thread and send me a PM. In the PM, please include your dates, name, contact numbers, and which resort you will be staying while at WDW.

2. Make arrangements with the DIS'ers before and after you. Please request their name, cell phone number, arrival or departure date, and where you would like to meet. Each Stroller is based at different value resort, so if a person to person swap isn't possible and it is more than 5 days, be sure to return the stroller to the proper resort so the next person knows where to find it unless other arrangements are made between swappers.

3. If you are removed, the swap closed, a stroller lost, etc. I can't be held responsible nor will refunds be given as the swap has nothing left.

4. You must have at least 75 posts and a member of Disboards for at least 6 months to join the swap.

5. NEVER LEAVE A STROLLER AT POP CENTURY! They tend to lose them!


I just want to have fun with this and allow people to use a stroller with little expense while we can. PLUS how cool to meet fellow DIS'ers!!! I wish you all great and magical dreams on your WDW vacations.

 

[parkers*momma]

ROYAL CARRIAGE #2--HOME RESORT IS ALL STAR MUSIC
NEW SEAT AND TAPE SENT DOWN ON 4/22/09

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE A PART TO REPAIR
A STROLLER HERE IS THE INFORMATION YOU WILL NEED:

INSTEP phone number: (800) 242-6110
Monday - Friday, 8am to 5pm (Central Standard Time)
INSTEP SAFARI DOUBLE STROLLER WITH A SWIVEL FRONT WHEEL
COLOR BLUE/LIME GREEN
Model number: 11-AR800
AGAIN DONATIONS ARE THE ONLY WAY A SWAP CAN SURVIVE!

ROYAL CARRIAGE #2
DATES TAKEN

PLEASE READ POST #1 COMPLETELY BEFORE REQUESTING A DATE. tHIS STROLLER SWAP IS OVER ON 12/6/09.

DO NOT LEAVE THE STROLLER AT POP CENTURY--NO MATTER HOW SHORT OF A TIME--POP HAS A TENDENCY OF LOSING OUR STROLLERS!

OCTOBER 2009
30-31 LauralF22 (AS MUSIC) Confirmed

NOVEMBER 2009
1-7 LAURALF22 (AS MUSIC) CONFIRMED
7-14 Countrygirl confirmed
14-18 Marshay (bay Lake towers)
20-28 happygirlagain (AS MUSIC) Confirmed
28-30 NOT AVAILABLE
DECEMBER 2009
1-4 NOT AVAILABLE
4-11 mwatson011 (CBR) Confirmed
CLOSED

 

[parkers*momma]

ROYAL CARRIAGE # 5

CLOSED

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE A PART TO REPAIR
A STROLLER HERE IS THE INFORMATION YOU WILL NEED:

INSTEP phone number: (800) 242-6110
Monday - Friday, 8am to 5pm (Central Standard Time)
INSTEP SUBURBAN SAFARI DOUBLE STROLLER WITH A SWIVEL FRONT WHEEL
COLOR BLUE/GREY
Model number: 11-AR800
AGAIN DONATIONS ARE THE ONLY WAY A SWAP CAN SURVIVE!

Royal Carriage #5
CLOSED

 

[parkers*momma]

I'm HOME...Bummer! The time went way to quickly! So much so that I booked a trip for 9/8/10-9/22/10!!! And trying to book a weekend trip in December to do the Christmas Party...not having much luck all the weekends at the values is booked full. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Ok...first an update on the strollers. First and Foremost, if we can keep the strollers out of POP CENTURY LUGGAGE SERVICES--PLEASE PLEASE DO IT! OMG--They are UNREAL in helping even if you can prove it was their error! I spent each morning there, each time we came back to the resort to rest in the afternoon, and each evening when we returned for the night trying to locate our missing stroller plus two other swaps strollers. NOTHING! Plus when I arrived, I found two of our strollers sitting outside around the corner from luggage services. Out of sight from anyone that works in luggage services. When I questioned them about that, I was told that if it is a pick-up that day or the following day, they sometimes let them set outside for the next person to pickup (or anyone who wants to "borrow" the strollers). Not IMPRESSED!

Each time I was at POP CENTURY LUGGAGE SERVICES, I also visited the front desk and spoke to the managers on duty. I was trying to Locate the missing seat that I sent Terry prior to his vacation. It was ever found. I was equiped with the tracking number, a print off from the UPS website, his ressie number, his information, my information, the person who signed for the package at WDW, and lastly, towards the end of my stay--an attitude! They never did locate the package-even tho it did arrive at POP and they signed for it-but they did reimburse the cost of the seat. So I will order a back-up seat come Monday so we will have one for the strollers.

I had to chase down strollers left for me--one had my info on it, had I was staying at POP on it, left for me at POP and POP sent it to Music. Why? I don't know and neither did they but after two days, they finally located it and brought it back to Luggage Services--not to my room--so again, I had to go to LS and pick it up. Geeez, I would love to say more but I am stumped as to how they can manage a facility with such lack of caring and that is all I am going to say.

#1 was never found and they gave us a stroller that is 8 years old...saying that is the stroller they lost. Baby Trend is not an INSTEP. I left the stroller with luggage services as it wasn't ours, it was in poor shape (the shade was not attached in the back) the seat belts were frayed, it was in poor poor shape. Heaven only knows where #1 is.....

We tweaked #2 and she is currently with 1luckymonkey. #5 seems to be in great condition-one screw needing tightened and LFWHIPP's Dh said he would take care of that since I didn't get this stroller. With #5, there is a rain cover and a sunshade--both are new.

We've got a few dates to fill...so let's see if we can get the longer time periods filled to keep the strollers out of Luggage Services.

Ohhh and you guys are going to love this! I took the tinkerbelle stroller over about 8:30am to Movies on 9/24 to Bellem04. I get home at 10:00pm (or around there) and as I am walking in the door the phone is ringing. I drop my suitcases, run in the dark to grab the phone and it is Bellem04. NO STROLLER! She checked 4 times that day and nothing! OMG-I wasn't even scared of it being lost--I was pissed!!! I quickly started dumping suitcase so I could get the claim ticket number (literally in the middle of the floor) and with the claim ticket number in hand I am calling Movies. They put me on hold while they looked for it...20 minutes later, I am still on hold and HOT! I call the resort manager, blow a gasket, and within 10 minutes, she finds it on a rack in luggage services. Supposedly, I left it at shift change and it was put on a rack and forgotten about. How?!?! I left it at 8:30am and Bellem04 was there by 9:00am. But aleast it was found and they PROMISED to deliver it to her room immediately.

Ok, who is up for a trip report?

 

[parkers*momma]

OK...on to our trip!

9/15--Our flight actually left of 10 minutes early which mean I am getting into Orlando 10 minutes early!!! ME was painless as usual. I really LOVE Magical Express on the way to WDW! We arrived to the counter, checked in, went to our bus, got on and within 5 minutes we were on our way to Disney! I took a quick nap on the bus while DH and DD watched the welcoming movie. I had to take a nap as I didn't sleep the night before...I'm like a lil kid on Christmas Eve..I never sleep because I am to excited I am leaving the next morning for WDW. So a quick nap and our bus is pulling in to POP CENTURY by 6:00pm!

Online Check-in is WONDERFUL! Please if you haven't tried it, it is a must! We were only in line about 5 minutes as compared to the others in the regular line. It was painless, effortless, and QUICK! I had requested 60's building, ground floor, and courtside. We were granted all of them! We were in room 5163 which was perfect! We were the 4th room from the corner closest to the main building and there was a walkway directly to the pool.

A quick freshening up and off to Chef Mickeys. When we arrived, for the first time...no LINE! We walked up, left them know we were there, and hussled off to get our picture taken. (which we didn't buy--traveling all day is not a good day to get pictures taken..lol) We did have to wait about 10 minutes for a seat but we really didn't mind. The only thing Parker wanted at CM was to set up by the windows. We DID!! I don't know why it was important to her but it was something she asked about each time we spoke of CM. She was so excited! The food was OK...I wouldn't recommend an 8:00pm ressie to anyone but the food wasn't the worse we had all week. It was hot and filled our tummies so it was all good. DH had never experienced CM and thought is was really cute. As soon as I get the pictures uploaded, I'll post a link to them.

A quick swim, a chocolate waffle cone, a visit to LS and the front desk, and it is off to dreamland.

9/16-OOOPS, I forgot to check the alarm clock and set it for the next morning. We woke up at 8:00am and have a breakfast at 8:20am at Cape May Cafe. Guest what we missed! I was really looking forward to this breakfast as it was the sitting for the day---A day at Typhoon Lagoon! I loved the lazy river or whatever they call it. Dh and Parker was hooked on the wave pool. So we went back and forth between the two. We did finally talk DD into the three rafting adventure. She loved the middle on but hated the family one. So we rode her favorite several time. DH really wanted to try the slides...and I don't do water in my face (long story) so off Dh and DD went to try the "BIG ONE" DD loved it even with the huge wedgie she got! DH Loved it too until he stood up. The entire left side of his trunks ripped up to the waist! OMG--I was rolling! I was laughing so hard that I had to sit down or fall down. My DH is the most modest man I know and here he is with rip to the waist, trying to pull it down to make sure the family jewels and package is hidden while trying to get quickly get out of the shoot all the while the CM is yelling "exit to your left" which meant his entire right side would be showing if he didn't hold onto his trunks. TO FUNNY...heavy bald man trying to graciously get up, holding his pants together so he doesn't show all there is to show to the pretty young CM who is yelling get up. He wasn't yet sunburned at this point of the day but she sure was red! No more slides for them!

We finally went back to the resort about 3:30, got cleaned up and dressed and headed to Spirit Of Aloha. Cute show, good food, lots of entertainement, great seats..we were in Category 1 and right up front. If you get a chance to see the show, it is worth seeing once. I probably won't go again but it was a cute show.

A quick swim, a chocolate waffle cone, a visit to LS and the front desk, and it is off to dreamland.


9/17--MAGIC KINGDOM DAY! OK, I have been to WDW once a year for the past 10 years but I still get teary eyed the minute the see the castle. I love it! First Stop, haunted mansion. DD's favorite (at this point). We have to ride it three times to see if there were any changes. What I haven't told you at this point...I feel a migraine coming on and had taken my meds hoping to keep it under control. So far so good. We made our rounds...HM, HM, HM, POC, HM, IASM, PP, Dumbo, and the carousol. At this point, DD is hungry and we head to PECO BILLS. This was our first time trying them but after reading such good reviews on DISBOARDS, we gave it a shot. DISBOARDS was right, they have a good size meal for a counter service. The fixing bar was exactly the same as Cosmic Rays so that must have been one of the changes Disney did. But overall, it was alot of food for a CS and mainly it was good food. No complaints here.

At this point the migraine became a full fledge migraine. SUCKS! By noon, I am desperately trying to make it to the first aide station as I knew I would never make it back to the room. It took us about 30 minutes to get from POC to Crystal Palace (where the first aide station is) but we finally made it. I signed in, DH and DD went to ride the attractions and I died with a couple ice packs, vicodine, a flexeral and a bedpan...Life is not great! Now I want to say, my DH has never had a migraine but he does know that when they hit, to leave me alone for hours. So he did. It sounds as though they had a wonderful time. At 6:00pm, they finally came back to First Aid. No, not to check on me, but to let me know that Disney transportation was shut down. I'm on Vicodine with a migraine...what do I look like I care? lol. Then my beloved DH (who doesn't understand Disney like we do) asks..."do you feel like going back to the room yet?" HOW?!?! NO BUSES...DUH! Ok, I drag my body out of first aid, corner the first CM we see once we make it out of the park on HOW we are going to get to POP...no happening, which I shot DH the death glare and we sit on a bench, in the hot sun, with a line a mile long of other DHs who don't understand that when transportation is down...no one is leaving the parks. I would swear we sat on that bench 10 hours but DH swears it was about 30 minutes...in the hot sun...with a migraine....wanting to die more than anything. Finally a bus showed up, we made it to the resort, I died for the second time that day while DH and DD swam until 10pm. See he does know when I am down leave me the heck alone!

Sadly, because I was ill, we missed LTT--which I love. Oh well, hopefully they don't change it for the worse, maybe bring back the characters before our 2010 trip.

 

[parkers*momma]

9/18--Rolling out of bed this morning...pain free and full of energy! It's going to be a good day! Now to get from POP to AKL. Busing wasn't to day this early in the morning. We left our room at 7:45 for our 8:20am Boma ressie and made it in plenty of time. Now I for one, enjoy Boma! I love everything about it. I'm a big fan of unusual food, while DH and DD like the Normal food so Boma is a great place for all of us. We were seated immediately and waited for the waitress to take our drink order. After 10 minutes she finally came, offered no apologies for taking so long, took our order and left. Time to head to the buffet. If you have never tried Boma, they really do have a nice selection for breakfast. It's become a must do for us as I love everything but the coffee (Disney needs to take a lesson on making a decent cup of coffee.) When we returned from the buffet, still no drinks. Finally about 10 more minutes, our waitress brought them. That was the next to the last time we saw her. Luckily, a waiter took pity on us and refilled our drinks each time he waited on his tables and another waitress took the stacks of dirty plates when she would walk by while waiting on her tables. When we finished eating, the kind waiter was gracious enough to hunt down our waitress to bring us the bill. She did, I put in our card, and she disappeared again. 15 minutes later she FINALLY brings us our card back and the slip for me to sign and has the stones to say, "you can leave the tip with the slip on the table if I don't make it back." Guess who didn't get a tip! I have never ever stiffed anyone on a tip as in my younger years I was a waitress but she clearly didn't deserve a tip. But in my defense, the waiter and other waitress made out good...they each were handed 25% of the bill with an explaination for me on why THEY were being tipped. Hopefully, they passed the explaination on to our waitress and kept the tip we intented for them to keep.

Off to Epcot! Since Parker was missing basically two weeks of school, we used Epcot as part of her studies for the week. I had made a passport for her which included the country flag, country shape, a place for the CM to sign a message plus I had on each country's page a sentence "Mrs. Schroeder's 3rd grade class" for the CMs to translate into their native language. Parker also had to ask and write one product that the country produced, one thing they imported, and one folklore the country had. It was quite interesting!! We also took pictures of each country's building and CMs in native attire for her class project. We had MANY compliments on the passport, we learned many things, and really had a wonderful time. The only country we had any problems with was France as the CM member wouldn't/couldn't convert the sentence. I truly think it was a language barrier thing as he wouldn't answer her questions, just wrote a random sentence, and wouldn't let her get a photo with him. TISK TISK! Luckily, we did find another CM for the picture.

After studies, we spent the rest of the day riding rides and having fun until our LeCelliers ressie.

According to Disboards, LeCelliers is a DO NOT MISS restaurant. Well, I have tried for 4 year to get a ressie there and finally got one. I was SOOOO looking forward to eating there. We arrived at 6:15pm, 15 minutes before our ressie. We were seated until 7:30PM!!!! Any place else, I would have left before then but this being a must do, I stuck it out. I envisioned a mouthwatering to die for meal...I dreamed of the meal and the wonderful flavors. Let me put this in here before I go any farther. We do not purchase our beef from a store. Our neighbor raises black angus steers and we buy directly from him so our taste buds maybe are spoiled to regular beef. I had the cheese soup, prime rib w/scalloped potatoes, and breads, DH had the steak, DD had pizza.

The cheese soup is basicallly the same cheese potato soup I make at home but I use ham instead of bacon. The Prime rib was tough and dry, the scalloped potatoes wasn't very tasty but the Pretzel bread was to die for! DH said his steak wasn't very flavorful but it was moist and edible. DD loved the pizza.

I guess what I was most put off was what I seen when we finally arrived to the diningroom. As I said, our ressie was over an hour late, there was MANY ppl waiting to for their ressie (I do mean MANY) and when we walk through the diningroom, I count 11 empty tables. Three of those was to my immediate left. Finally about the time we finish our main course, they did fill up one of the tables and the end of our dessert they filled up another one but there were still many empty tables. When we left, the waiting area was still full, ppl were still standing outside and while we were leaving the dining area, there was 12 empty tables. The one directly beside us (a table of 6) was never filled the entire time. Now this is restaurant is a hard to get ressie...ppl standing for an hour just for their ressie...and they is empty tables for the entire 90 minutes we are in there. That just doesn't seem right.

Anywho....we were able watch the last few minutes of Illuminations and headed back to POP Century.

I will give Disney this...they have FINALLY tweaked the busing issue. DH and I were both impressed with it this time. We never stood in line for more than 15 minutes. At times, they had three buses loading at one time for POP Century. That is definitely a plus for Disney in my book!

Back at the resort, a quick swim, our traditional chocolate waffle cone, and off to bed for a day at Universal tomorrow.

9/19...Universal Never happened. Anyone want to buy two tickets...lol! I tried...so very hard...to get my loving DD and DH up but not happening. Even mousekeeping couldn't budge them! So I finally resolved that we weren't going to Universal, left them sleep, and went on a major stroller search. I was so determined to find all the missing strollers. I bugged them enough the past 4 days that they left me in the luggage room. WHAT A MESS! I am OCD and I wanted so badly to start organizing things in there. There were over a dozen fridges back there...some past their pick-up dates, some without any tags on who they belonged to or when they were to be picked up and some with pick up dates of this coming up December. Strollers...Ohhh there were strollers all over! Up on top of the shelves, in corners, on racks, all colors and sizes but none was ours or the other swaps. Again, most of them didn't have tags or past the pickup dates. Ok...I am a simple woman but if a single stroller is sitting up on top of a rack or in a corner for weeks/months why not sit those outside and keep a newly dropped off one in the room. I thought I found one of the other lost stroller swaps strollers on the top of this rack. Even had them pull it down, but it wasn't theirs. It was so dusty and dirty, the date for pick-up was March 2008...makes me wonder which swap lost a stroller back then. I can definitely see how strollers are getting misplaced and lost. I visited the front desk, luggage services, lost and found and never recovered any of the the strollers that day. How sad! I was told that if they do show up and if they are marked with my information, they would call me before disposing of it. We can only wish at this point.

At noon, my crew slowly awakens and since it was so late plus we had a 5:25 meal at Ohana's, they just hung out at the pool and we did a CS at POP. Now this is our first time at POP as we have always stayed at MOVIES. MOVIES definitely has a better CS menu. I was disappointed with the menu but the old favorites were there so we did the burgers and fries.

A quick shower and dress and we are off to OHANAs. Again, we have never tried Ohana but on the recommendation of DISBOARDS, we decided to. Why in the world did it take us so long to try this place. OMG it is to Die for! The grill shrimp and steak was PERFECT! The pork and turkey was good though we aren't huge fans of either. Turkey at Thanksgiving for us and I never cook it any other time. Grilled it was good but the steak/shrimp...heavenly! Dh is not a fan of bread pudding and when they brought it, he gave me this look like GROSS. One bite from me and I was cooing over it! So much, he finally tried it and all he could say after the first mouthful was HAND IT OVER! Between the two of us, we ate every bit of it. He commented that if I could make it this good (well...thank you for trying Ohanas but mine isn't that bad) he would eat some everytime. I chirped in that I was going to ask for the recipe. We ended up betting if I would or would not get it. If I did, I got those cute MIckey earrings I wanted...if I didn't, I would never bug him about eating my bread pudding again. Boy does those earrings look good in my ears! So if anyone wants the recipe to the bread pudding with foster banana sauce just let me know!

We scored a couple of hammocks on the beach and watched Wishes for the second time this week at the Poly. If you ever get a chance to watch Wishes at the Poly, please do. So relaxing, so much better than at the park. You really get the effect of the fireworks without the crowds and the big booms.

 

[parkers*momma]

More fun is on it's way!

9/20--Since the crew slept ALOT yesterday, we were up by 6:30 and on the bus at 8:00 heading to Hollywood Studios. First let me say that DH lives to tease Parker and I. If he isn't bugging us, picking on us, he isn't happy. Ever heard of paybacks? Well they are on the horizen for us!

First stop though is fast passes for TSM and a no where quick ride. Even at opening, the line was 60 minutes. But we impatiently waited our turn. Then it was off to Star tours. DD's favorite ride! We rode it twice then I had to drag her over to Muppets. I love the muppets and wish Disney would add the rainbow song to the show. I would never leave if they did that! Dh thinks it lame but hey he married me and I made the plans so just follow me dear. Of course he is constantly picking on Parker and me. Next, and mind you it is around 10:30am we are going to the backstage tours. If you have never done this, it isn't that great of a show but you can make it fun if you take someone unsuspecting to it. We are the first in line..actually at that point the ONLY ppl in line, when they ask if we would like to have a magical moment. I knew what was up as Parker and I did this last year without DH. He didn't have a clue so he volunteered the family. With Parker being under 16, she couldn't "help" so I volunteered to stay with her. My exact words to Dh.."Honey, you deserve to have a magical moment. Please you go and enjoy every moment and we will meet you in a few." Am I bad or what???? So he proudly goes with the CM, they come back out and get three more ppl and I am simply rolling! We enter the holding area and there is my beloved DH in this pretty blue suit. He still doesn't have a clue what is about to happen. Only that he is in the show. Well is position---MECHANIC! My darlin' Dh was soaked with 1000 gallons of water. PERFECT! He was wet...even though the suit. Parker and I died laughing at him and I got PICTURES!

Afterwards, we stumbled upon Mator and Lightning and had our pcitures taken with them, then with "singing in the rain" umbrella, and it's lunch time. We had Noon ressies at Sci-Fi (DD favorite place) and basically walked right up at noon, waited 5 minutes and were on our way to ribs for me, a ruben for DH, and DD a double order of french fries! She could Live on them! The meal was good as always but the waitress shocked me. When has it become appropriate to ask for tips at WDW? I had ordered soup which was out of pocket...no biggie as far as I was concerned. When the waitress brought the bill, she said, "you can put your card inside along with the money for the soup and my tip. I'll bring your card back in a few minutes." I just have a hard time with that. That was the second time so far this week I have encountered this and it is a total put off. She was good as a waitress but that really bothered me. I guess it is probably because ppl on the dining plan sometimes doesn't tip but to out and out suggest a tip is appauling to me. Yes, I tipped her as she was attentive and friendly but it still bothered me to death.

DD wanted to try for the first time rocking rollercoaster and ToT. Needless to say, she fell in love with Tot but hated Rocking Rollercoaster. She rode Tot for 7 straight times! I almost had to drag her away kicking and screaming. Tho, while she rode--ALONE--she's 9 ya know...that is what she told us! Dh and I spent the time sitting and relaxing. It was rather nice! So Parker conquered ToT and loved it!

The rest of the afternoon we rode some of the family favorites...Great Movie ride, star tours, seen a few shows and before long it was time to head to one of the two big surprises I had in store for the family.

We arrived at the contemporary around 6pm. I told DH that I wanted a few pictures from things around the contemp. We took some cute photos with the mickey hedge out back and the steel Mickey head (thanks Nelep for the tip) then I fibbed and told them I wanted to go upstairs to check it out. Little did they know that I had booked a Pirate/Pal fireworks cruise for us! We were first in line and was able to meet Capt hook and Smee right away. I was a lil disappointed in the snacks for the cost of the package. Cotton candy, brownies, chocolate chip cookies, apples, bananas, granola bars, trail mix, chocolate coins and soda....not much vs the price. Luckily we were one of the first families because by the time the last ppl where in, there wasn't much left. I literally seen ppl grabbing bags and bags and putting it in their backpacks. One woman took 8 bags of Cotton candy and put it in her backpack along with brownies and cookies, then went back for more! I guess she got her moneys worth. Soon it was time for the cruise...what the package lost in snacks it made up on the cruise itself! Our Firstmate was AWESOME! He had us in stitches the entire time with corny jokes, poking fun at guests, and contest galore. DD even won a prize for knowing what Peter pan calls Capt. Hook...Anyone know?!?!?! It's Codfish!!

The Fireworks were great from the lake. Again, I can't state how wonderful the cruise was. It's a must do as far as we were concerned. I would do it again and again. Perfect viewing area, music piped in, no crowds, and a comfy seat. Well worth it! Upon returning to the dock...Peter Pan was skipping about with tinkerbelle in her lantern. He lead all of us up to the courtyard and signed autographs, talked to DD, posed for pictures...and had fun with everyone. He really played the part well...even calling DH and myself mother/father instead of mom and day to DD. We lingered and watched all the fun before heading back to our room. Of course DD wanted to swim..and for the third time this week the main pool was down for cleaning at POP so we went over to the computor pool until midnight.

By the time we hit the sheets it was 1:00am and we have 8:00am ressies at Tusker house in the morning.

9/21---YUMMY Tusker house is on the horizon! This has got to be one of our favorite breakfast places at WDW. The food is soooo good, the character interaction is always great, and I love the JUICE! We were up and getting ready at 5:30am. Trust me with the sore muscles Dh was having we needed to get up that early so he could soak in the shower. If it wasn't the sunburn from Typhoon Lagoon bugging him, it was his legs and feet. I tried several times of the summer to get him to walk with Parker and I but he didn't! I think he has learned his lesson on that one... So we are up and at the bus stop at 7:15am. First in line for the breakfast line. I so love walking through an empty park...any park! We were the first to arrive to TH and a quick picture and off to be seated. We were seated on the left hand side of the building...the lil room which was great because we were close to the buffet without having to go around a bunch of tables, the characters start in this room, and the servers where a hoot! Everything was awesome food wise but I am still trying to figure out why Disney can make a decent cup of coffee. Thank heavens for the juice they serve...it's great and really awakens the tastebuds! Our characters for the day are Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Daisy..we hit the jackpot! I have some great pictures of Dh and Parker with the characters!

After breakfast, it is fast pass time. We snag one for the safari and head to the..as Parker puts it...yeti yeti ride. She has been dying to try this one for two years and never tall enough. So we snake the back way to the ride all the while trying to find DeVine. Sadly, we missed her the entire day. We make such a hunt for her that ppl actually stop to see what we are looking at because we are looking so hard in the trees. HAHAHA..we are looking for the moving vines. You wouldn't believe how many ppl have never heard of her!! We stop for a couple of Photopass shots along the way and finally make it to Yeti Yeti. Parker went up to the line with us hanging back...she's nine ya know...we head to the back of the gift shop to wait for our daughter. If figured she would try it, hate it as much as the rocking roller coaster and we would be done with it. NOPE! She loved it...so much that she rode it 17 times in a row. So for the next three hours, DH and I took turns sitting in the shade near the singles entrance while the other parent stood by the exit of the ride. EXCITING! The Cm standing at the singles line was losing it because she was simply going in circles. He shared with her that the record was 34 times by a Man from Washington. She was out to break the record! At 17, I made her stop and was now officially in the running for the Bad Mom of the Year Award. Gotta love how I can be the best mom and worse mom in a matter of minutes! Anyway, She did break the record for most rides by a 9 year old. That pleased her knowing that!

After a nice three hour do nothing moment, we spent time in Dinoland riding all they had to offer, went to Dinosaurs, and it's a Bugs Life. Then back over to Safari to ride it. Of course, she wanted one more spin on yeti yeti before we called it a day...so one more time and off to the resort we went.

We had a 5:30 Photosession at the Grand Floridian--such a beautiful place! 30 minutes and 70 shoots later, we strolled the grounds until 7:00pm as we had Narcoossee ressie. Again a first for us and definitely good food! I had the lobster and it was perfect. Dh had the halibut and it was exceptional...as far as I know anyway because he wouldn't even share a bite so it muct have been good. Everything was delicious! If you ever get to try this place be sure to have the almond crusted key lime cheesecake...all I can say is OMG!

We was planning on staying in the restaurant for WIshes but finished earlier than expected and they were really busy so we snag a boat to MK. Ok, we didn't get off but rode it around and around until Wishes was over. Hey it was free, something to do, and we were up close and personal to the water show, which was cool! After Wishes, we went back to GF hoped on the bus to DHS and back to POP.

Again, our tradition of chocolate waffle cones and swimming. Funny thing, at home I never eat store bought ice cream...don't like the stuff but at WDW everything tastes better. . Parker swam in another pool tonight because ours was closed once again.

 

[parkers*momma]

 

[parkers*momma]

 

[Marshay]

Oh my gosh, Maddi! I can't believe the patience you have in dealing with LS.

question -- I know you don't want strollers in LS for more than 5 days but for #5, if no one new joins, can I just leave #5 in BLT LS for 7 days...the 2 people after me are BLT so doesn't really make sense to take back to ASM...(I would drop off on Nov 18th)

Also, I'll need to find out whether BLT has its own LS or if everything is being kept in the Contemporary LS.

I can't wait to go back and read your TR...but we are heading out the door soon and I didn't shower yet -- got caught up on DIS -- ooops!!

 

[LauralF22]

Wow, Maddi... I'm loving your TR so far. I don't know how you even found the time to look for the strollers.

Welcome home, btw. I'm sure it's bitter-sweet.

Looking forward to more TR info, since it's raining here, and my girls are watercoloring....

Laural

 

[tinaninea]

Hey Maddi,
I'm leaving home friday & I'm still not sure who will be getting the stroller after me. I sent a message to Bluetickmom about swapping & she said she was waiting to hear from you about possibly giving up her spot to another swapper who lost their place when RC1 went missing. Anyway, I told her to let me know when she heard back from you & so far, I haven't gotten any other info. What should I do?

 

[LauralF22]

One other thing, Maddi.. In the first post (I think), it says you need a stroller sitter for #5. I was originally sitting for #1, and since I'm assuming that one is out of commission, I can certainly pick up #5 instead. I'm at ASMusic Oct 30 - Nov 7 - so any time in there that you need a sitter is fine with me.

Laural

 

[delmar411]

Maddi,
Thanks so much for taking the time and effort to try to track down the missing strollers. I cannot believe the attitude you encountered. I've never had such a problem with WDW before but I've never dealt with POP before either so maybe it's just the resort. (I hope it's just that resort!)

Is it possible to point my swappers to your swap since you seen to have some open dates. My swap was fully booked through Jan so they could fill your empty weeks. Just give me the yay or nay before I post to my swap about any openings. I'm not sure all my swappers would meet your requirements but there are 4 that paid and are out the money from our lost stroller so hopefully their payment would cover the requirements?

Thanks again!
Mary

 

[parkers*momma]

Oh my gosh, Maddi! I can't believe the patience you have in dealing with LS.

question -- I know you don't want strollers in LS for more than 5 days but for #5, if no one new joins, can I just leave #5 in BLT LS for 7 days...the 2 people after me are BLT so doesn't really make sense to take back to ASM...(I would drop off on Nov 18th)

Also, I'll need to find out whether BLT has its own LS or if everything is being kept in the Contemporary LS.

I can't wait to go back and read your TR...but we are heading out the door soon and I didn't shower yet -- got caught up on DIS -- ooops!!

That would be fine as it keep everyone from running to another resort. I'm not sure as to where to leave it, but I am sure they will direct you in the right direction...either there or at the contemp.

 

[parkers*momma]

Wow, Maddi... I'm loving your TR so far. I don't know how you even found the time to look for the strollers.

Welcome home, btw. I'm sure it's bitter-sweet.

Looking forward to more TR info, since it's raining here, and my girls are watercoloring....

Laural

Let's just say I am glad they are open until midnight each night.

 

[parkers*momma]

Hey Maddi,
I'm leaving home friday & I'm still not sure who will be getting the stroller after me. I sent a message to Bluetickmom about swapping & she said she was waiting to hear from you about possibly giving up her spot to another swapper who lost their place when RC1 went missing. Anyway, I told her to let me know when she heard back from you & so far, I haven't gotten any other info. What should I do?

hmmmmm, I Pm'd her before I left letting her know everything was good and she was still in the swap. I'll PM her again today and see what is going on. I'll let you know by Wednesday on what to do if you don't hear back from her.

 

[parkers*momma]

One other thing, Maddi.. In the first post (I think), it says you need a stroller sitter for #5. I was originally sitting for #1, and since I'm assuming that one is out of commission, I can certainly pick up #5 instead. I'm at ASMusic Oct 30 - Nov 7 - so any time in there that you need a sitter is fine with me.

Laural

WONDERFUL...I've got you down!

 

[parkers*momma]

Maddi,
Thanks so much for taking the time and effort to try to track down the missing strollers. I cannot believe the attitude you encountered. I've never had such a problem with WDW before but I've never dealt with POP before either so maybe it's just the resort. (I hope it's just that resort!)

Is it possible to point my swappers to your swap since you seen to have some open dates. My swap was fully booked through Jan so they could fill your empty weeks. Just give me the yay or nay before I post to my swap about any openings. I'm not sure all my swappers would meet your requirements but there are 4 that paid and are out the money from our lost stroller so hopefully their payment would cover the requirements?

Thanks again!
Mary

Definitely send them over. Hopefully we can help them out plus close up those dates to keep the remaining two out of LS.

I think I was just POP in general. I will admit that they do have a TON of swaps going on which probably is part of the problem. Plus they were probably sick of seeing me three times a day. Heck a few of them knew me by name and visa versa! I was so hoping to come home with good news for all the swaps but nothing at all.

I'm going to write and mail Disney personally as to several issues we had while there. Like Mousekeeping, the strollers, the lost package, etc., Pop didn't win any awards with us but then again we are used to Movies and over there they seem to really like their jobs.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

I just have to stay on here until the swap is over.