Royal carriage swap-#1 STROLLER-MISSING-FOUND-MISSING AGAIN

[nelep]

Good morning friends!

Random Tip: Animal Kingdom SECRET Entrance!

We are big on getting to the parks at "Rope Drop." The parks open at 9 but they open the turnstyles earlier and let the masses of people in the park up to a rope. There are usually BIG lines at the turnstyles waiting for them to open.

So.... there's a SECRET turnstyle at Animal Kingdom. It's in back of the Rain Forest Cafe, located just outside the entrance at AK. Walk through the gift shop at the RFC and go all the way to the back. You'll see a big glass door/wall (that's usually open). Walk through the door and you'll see a single turnstyle, with a really SHORT line! Of course, you join the other people at the rope, but you avoid the masses at the turnstyles. Or, if you're there later than 9 and the lines at the turnstyles are long, casually walk over the Rain Forest Cafe, but...

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... Don't tell anyone!

Nelep... I am trying to figure were that is? Is this after you give them your ticket to get in the park?

Nope... The Rainforest Cafe is located just outside the entrance to Animal Kingdom, to the left as you face the entrance of the park. You do not have to go into AK to get into the RFC. You can get into the park through the 'secrect' turnstyle at the back of the RFC. Here's a map of AK. Rainforest is "A" on the map
http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/AK.htm

The "secret" turnstyle has a CM who takes your ticket. It's just a standalone turnstyle behind the RFC. After you go through the RFC turnstyle, there is a path that goes from the back of the RFC to the Oasis (the map doesn't show the path).
Cool, huh?!!

 

[michael's mom]

I definitely could have used this tip during our last trip where we got stuck at rope drop and almost missed (but were very late) for our Donald's breakfastosaurus!

 

[nelep]

I definitely could have used this tip during our last trip where we got stuck at rope drop and almost missed (but were very late) for our Donald's breakfastosaurus!

You still have to wait with everyone at rope drop. It just bypasses the crowds at the turnstyles.

 

[michael's mom]

No, I know, but we got stuck way far back on the bridge at rope drop. This would have helped me to get closer to the front!

 

[parkers*momma]

phheeewwww...I didn't think I was ever going to get things updated tonight.

I do have a favor to ask...One of our swappers had to drop out due to serious medical problem. Please say a prayer for her. I won't mention her name but the Lord knows who you are praying for.

Thanks swappers.

 

[deva]

Has anyone heard reports of increased theft of strollers? I'm in this swap later this fall, but I could not get in the swap for my upcoming trip (in just a few days - ) so I'm renting a stroller, but now they've come back to me offering rental insurance and recommending that we remove the wheel and take it with us on rides. Based on this thread it looks like there have not been issues with the RC strollers, but has anyone heard any other reports?

 

[parkers*momma]

I've not heard of anything like that.

Occassional you will hear of it but from what I've seen it is more the new colored ones. Honestly, I don't see how you can take the wheels off because CMs have to be able to move them (POC, PP, IASW, etc) that is why you can't use a bicycle lock. You would think taking the wheel off would be the same thing.

If it were me, I would ask them how many times in the past 3 months there was a stroller stolen. Maybe it is a ploy to get more $$. If they haven't had a stroller stolen in 6 months...think of the money they would have made. But then again, if it is stolen...ouch!

I do have a really dumb question. Did you get the stroller from one of the offsite rental companies? You would think their insurance would cover it. I mean if a stroller goes missing while I was renting it, I would contact WDW ask them to contact the local law enforcement agency to have a report filled out and would present that to the company. They themselves should be covered if you follow the proper channels.

I think I would ask more questions before I purchased anything.

As for the RC swap...misplaced stroller...yep but never stolen and I hope that never happens. Lordy lordy---one more thing to worry about.

 

[deva]

.

If it were me, I would ask them how many times in the past 3 months there was a stroller stolen. Maybe it is a ploy to get more $$. If they haven't had a stroller stolen in 6 months...think of the money they would have made. But then again, if it is stolen...ouch!

I do have a really dumb question. Did you get the stroller from one of the offsite rental companies? You would think their insurance would cover it. I mean if a stroller goes missing while I was renting it, I would contact WDW ask them to contact the local law enforcement agency to have a report filled out and would present that to the company. They themselves should be covered if you follow the proper channels.

I think I would ask more questions before I purchased anything.

As for the RC swap...misplaced stroller...yep but never stolen and I hope that never happens. Lordy lordy---one more thing to worry about.

Just a few minutes ago I sent an e-mail asking most of the questions you mentioned above - specifically when was the last time they had one of their strollers stolen and how many in total have "gone missing". I did use a local company - orlando stroller rentals. They have the orange city mini - is that what you were referring to when you said "new colored ones"?

I'm just so irritated as this "recommendation" would have strongly affected my decision to rent in the first place (and of course the cancellation policy is 7 days and I find this out 6 days out)

Will keep you posted if I get reliable info....

 

[parkers*momma]

No..I'm talking the new 2009 styles..hot pink, lime green, etc.

I know alot of pplk on the family board rent from them. You might try posting over there and seeing if anyone knows of any issues with them losing strollers.

Like I said, I have read here and there over the past 5 years of strollers going missing but I think only once was a first hand experience and it was one of the new colored ones. Most stolen strollers are Uncle Petes second cousin's fifth ex-wife's third nephew on her mother's side type of stolen stroller. KWIM? hahahaha

 

[cmaee]

Good Morning Swappers.

 

[parkers*momma]

 

[cmaee]

We were on page 2

 

[kkhworth]

Yay! I see you got my check!

 

[nelep]

Random Tip: Toy Story Mania

Toy Story Mania at Hollywood Studios is an AWESOME ride! And because of this, the standby line can be hours long. If you want to ride this ride and not waste time in line, GET YOUR FASTPASS AS SOON AS YOU ENTER THE PARK! FPs tend to run out (they won't issue anymore) at 11:00 a.m. And remember, your FP is good anytime AFTER the first time stated on the ticket (see previous FP tip).

 

[Mama to Three]

Ok, I'm brand spanking new to the swap so I hope I'm doing this right.

I looked at the posts on the first page and it looks like Royal Carriage #2 is available Aug 8 - 15. If that is the case, I would love to use that stroller. Thanks!

 

[nelep]

Ok, I'm brand spanking new to the swap so I hope I'm doing this right.

I looked at the posts on the first page and it looks like Royal Carriage #2 is available Aug 8 - 15. If that is the case, I would love to use that stroller. Thanks!

Hey! Glad you found it!

Just Private Message (PM) Parkers*Momma with your information (found in the first post). She'll get you in the swap. You won't be disappointed!

 

[nelep]

 

[parkers*momma]

Random Tip: Toy Story Mania

Toy Story Mania at Hollywood Studios is an AWESOME ride! And because of this, the standby line can be hours long. If you want to ride this ride and not waste time in line, GET YOUR FASTPASS AS SOON AS YOU ENTER THE PARK! FPs tend to run out (they won't issue anymore) at 11:00 a.m. And remember, your FP is good anytime AFTER the first time stated on the ticket (see previous FP tip).

Trust NELEP on this one. RUN don't walk to get that fast past. We stood in line 3 hours this past September.

GREAT FAMILY FUN RIDE!!!! Maybe not worth the 3 hour wait but it's definitely a ride to do again and again!

 

[Picabo]

Trust NELEP on this one. RUN don't walk to get that fast past. We stood in line 3 hours this past September.

GREAT FAMILY FUN RIDE!!!! Maybe not worth the 3 hour wait but it's definitely a ride to do again and again!

3 hours???? EEeeeek! No way Jose! Will a 2 and 3 yr old enjoy it?? Nothing scary for them??

 

[parkers*momma]

3 hours???? EEeeeek! No way Jose! Will a 2 and 3 yr old enjoy it?? Nothing scary for them??

OMG NO! Not scare at all. You know those cute arcade/carnival games at the fair? You are riding in a car, with funky glasses on and shooting at things. OMG it was so fun trying to beat the person's score you are riding with!! We laughed so hard!

Plus the way into the ride...the "holding pen" too cute! Life size dominoes, the game Candy Land, Mr. Potato Head...just too darn cute!