*Marty_Mouse_House*
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2004
- Messages
- 60
August 17, 2005
Me: mid-40s
Husband: mid-40s
Son: Teenager
It was time to check out of the Swan and head over to the Contemporary.
The bill was under the door but I noticed that there was a problem with it. It seemed that the first night was correct for the $139 rate (in addition to the extra taxes and self parking fee of $22) but the second night had a "rack rate" of $219 (plus $31 in taxes and parking). I figured that I would go to the lobby and straighten it all out. DH had gone to get car so that it was closer to put the luggage in. Of course, when he pulled up to the lobby area, the bellstaff stated that he couldn't park there and they would be "happy to take the keys and pull up for us". DH had no choice but to give them the keys and you know what that meant - you won't get the keys back unless you tip. They proceeded to pull up a total of 10 feet next to the curb. Anyway, it was taking awhile for me to come out so DH came in to see what the problem was. Meanwhile, I was at the check-out desk with a different check out person from who checked us in. This person insisted that we did not have a special rate on the 2nd night. I assured him that we did and I had the paperwork in the car. In addition, I stated, when we checked in, we were given the assurance of what our rate was. This person explained that "the previous person was a trainee" and "didn't know how to tell us what the rates were". After much discussion, and trips to the back room, the $139 rate was grudgingly given to us for the 2nd night. This whole Swan experience was Beagle rated as **the cats can have it**. After we got home, the hotel sent us one of those internet surveys and I explained what happened. We couldn't believe it when we actually got a response back with an apology for how we were treated and how they "pride themselves" on the extensive training of their employees, etc. etc.
So we came out of the hotel and saw how our car had been moved 10 feet. They got a tip anyway as I vowed how I would think long and hard about the Swan again.
95 degrees today and boiling. We had not been to MGM yet so we made that our first stop. We used AAA parking and pulled right up to the front of the lot. DS and DH did Twilight Zone and Rock n Roller Coaster. Disney Animation was not open which was something I wanted to see. We rushed into the Little Mermaid and it was lovely in the air conditioning and getting sprinkled with water. **The Beagle rated it as "I would have done the doggy paddle!**
Donald Duck was standing outside of his little Hollywood trailer with no line, so we all got in the pictures. We did the Millionaire show and DS got on the top 10 board. Next, we wanted a picture with Mickey and was given the Photo Pass while we were inside. We didn't know what the photo pass was, but they also took pictures using our own camera. Donald was still standing by himself when we came out so we got more pictures. They sure turned out cute! **The Beagle likes ducks!**
Next, we did the Backlot Tour (very disappointing now that they've gotten rid of the movie-set street), the Muppet Movie (**very highly rated by the Beagle**), and were all set for the new stunt car show. All of the fast passes were gone for the 1:00 show. We didn't know that we could get fast passes for later shows. Meanwhile, I looked at those metal bleachers, and the sweltering sun, and wondered how we were going to make it.
We decided to think about it over our Pizza Planet lunch: Pepperoni pizzas - $5.79each, Vegetable pizza - $6.19, large root beers - $2.29 each, and of course, free water for me.
We left MGM to check in at the Contemporary - that oasis! the creme de la creme of resort life! the 2 glorious days of walk to the Magic Kingdom resort! We breezed through the friendly guard gate and pulled up to the lobby area. No sooner did we put the car in Park, a cast member ran up to the car and told us we couldn't park there. We had to pull into a parking space. This pulled us up short a little bit but I'm only slightly ruffled as I grabbed my paperwork to head into the lobby while DH parked the car. DS and I no sooner stepped foot into the lobby doors when we were accosted by the bell staff here asking if we're checking in. I'm totally flustered now, but got to the check in. More problems ensued. I had requested a first floor room in a garden wing (I like the patio). This is what we got - looking right out into the parking lot. Our last visit had a beautiful view of the lake with the parasailing and wildlife - very serene and peaceful.
No such luck this time. Also the room was not as clean as I expected it to be. The shower was moldy and the furnishings looked shabby. This was not the deluxe resort I had expected from our last visit. The only good note was - we could see the castle spires in the distance from the patio, and later could hear Cinderellabration going on.
We tried to put all this behind us and went to the Contemporary gift shops for shopping and the snack shop there. Lemonades were $1.87 and apple juice was $1.99 from the refrigerators. DH found a shirt he liked but they didn't have his size - the employee was helpful when she pulled it up on the computer and it showed one in his size at Animal Kingdom. We decided to think about it. Next, we took the monorail around and got out at the Polynesian, then got out at the Grand Floridian. There was a bride and groom walking around getting ready for their reception on the terrace off of the lobby. Then we decided to make our way back to the Contemporary and asked if we could sit with the pilot up front. They said okay. **The Beagle would have rated it as "my ears are flying!"**
Since DH wanted to see if Animal Kingdom had his shirt, we decided to drive over there for a quick trip. We parked in AAA and got there just before the Jungle Jammin Parade and watched the whole thing. We looked into Disney Outfitters and they did have DH's shirt in his size. We took a walk around the park - Primieval Whirl had a 30 minute wait - didn't do it, Dinosaur - 20 minute wait - didn't do it, Kali River - 30 minute wait - didn't do it. I said "We have to do Something!" so we rushed into Tough To Be A Bug. At least it was air conditioned.
We left Animal Kingdom and stopped at the Hess Gas Station. On our last trip we discovered that this was the place to get cheap canned sodas. We also bought water 6-packs for $1.99. We made our back to the Contemporary.
Later that evening we decided to do our favorite thing - and walked to the Magic Kingdom. First order of business was Swiss Family Treehouse. Then Pirates. Dinner was at the Harbour House again. This time the upstairs was open.
The crowds tonight were huge. It was going to be a wristband night too. We did the TTA Peoplemover, then found a castmember handing out the wristbands. We got them before the line got too long. We decided to wait for Wishes and found a spot by Dumbo. This was not a good place! The debris from the fireworks was flying through the air and on top of us. We were covered with ash. The poor people next to us had just gotten ice cream and couldn't eat it because it was covered.
Next, we did the Pooh ride, but it was too hot and crowded to do anything else so we walked back to the Contemporary.
Pedometer reading: 24,500
Coming soon - Part 5 - Contemporary stay cut short?
---------------------------
Previous Trips - 30 plus trips in 33 years staying at:
Fort Wilderness Campground, Fort Wilderness Cabins, Yacht Club, Caribbean Beach, Polynesian, Beach Club, Swan, Dolphin, All-Star Sports, All-Star Music, Port Orleans Riverside, Contemporary Resort.
Me: mid-40s
Husband: mid-40s
Son: Teenager
It was time to check out of the Swan and head over to the Contemporary.
The bill was under the door but I noticed that there was a problem with it. It seemed that the first night was correct for the $139 rate (in addition to the extra taxes and self parking fee of $22) but the second night had a "rack rate" of $219 (plus $31 in taxes and parking). I figured that I would go to the lobby and straighten it all out. DH had gone to get car so that it was closer to put the luggage in. Of course, when he pulled up to the lobby area, the bellstaff stated that he couldn't park there and they would be "happy to take the keys and pull up for us". DH had no choice but to give them the keys and you know what that meant - you won't get the keys back unless you tip. They proceeded to pull up a total of 10 feet next to the curb. Anyway, it was taking awhile for me to come out so DH came in to see what the problem was. Meanwhile, I was at the check-out desk with a different check out person from who checked us in. This person insisted that we did not have a special rate on the 2nd night. I assured him that we did and I had the paperwork in the car. In addition, I stated, when we checked in, we were given the assurance of what our rate was. This person explained that "the previous person was a trainee" and "didn't know how to tell us what the rates were". After much discussion, and trips to the back room, the $139 rate was grudgingly given to us for the 2nd night. This whole Swan experience was Beagle rated as **the cats can have it**. After we got home, the hotel sent us one of those internet surveys and I explained what happened. We couldn't believe it when we actually got a response back with an apology for how we were treated and how they "pride themselves" on the extensive training of their employees, etc. etc.
So we came out of the hotel and saw how our car had been moved 10 feet. They got a tip anyway as I vowed how I would think long and hard about the Swan again.
95 degrees today and boiling. We had not been to MGM yet so we made that our first stop. We used AAA parking and pulled right up to the front of the lot. DS and DH did Twilight Zone and Rock n Roller Coaster. Disney Animation was not open which was something I wanted to see. We rushed into the Little Mermaid and it was lovely in the air conditioning and getting sprinkled with water. **The Beagle rated it as "I would have done the doggy paddle!**
Donald Duck was standing outside of his little Hollywood trailer with no line, so we all got in the pictures. We did the Millionaire show and DS got on the top 10 board. Next, we wanted a picture with Mickey and was given the Photo Pass while we were inside. We didn't know what the photo pass was, but they also took pictures using our own camera. Donald was still standing by himself when we came out so we got more pictures. They sure turned out cute! **The Beagle likes ducks!**
Next, we did the Backlot Tour (very disappointing now that they've gotten rid of the movie-set street), the Muppet Movie (**very highly rated by the Beagle**), and were all set for the new stunt car show. All of the fast passes were gone for the 1:00 show. We didn't know that we could get fast passes for later shows. Meanwhile, I looked at those metal bleachers, and the sweltering sun, and wondered how we were going to make it.
We decided to think about it over our Pizza Planet lunch: Pepperoni pizzas - $5.79each, Vegetable pizza - $6.19, large root beers - $2.29 each, and of course, free water for me.
We left MGM to check in at the Contemporary - that oasis! the creme de la creme of resort life! the 2 glorious days of walk to the Magic Kingdom resort! We breezed through the friendly guard gate and pulled up to the lobby area. No sooner did we put the car in Park, a cast member ran up to the car and told us we couldn't park there. We had to pull into a parking space. This pulled us up short a little bit but I'm only slightly ruffled as I grabbed my paperwork to head into the lobby while DH parked the car. DS and I no sooner stepped foot into the lobby doors when we were accosted by the bell staff here asking if we're checking in. I'm totally flustered now, but got to the check in. More problems ensued. I had requested a first floor room in a garden wing (I like the patio). This is what we got - looking right out into the parking lot. Our last visit had a beautiful view of the lake with the parasailing and wildlife - very serene and peaceful.
No such luck this time. Also the room was not as clean as I expected it to be. The shower was moldy and the furnishings looked shabby. This was not the deluxe resort I had expected from our last visit. The only good note was - we could see the castle spires in the distance from the patio, and later could hear Cinderellabration going on.
We tried to put all this behind us and went to the Contemporary gift shops for shopping and the snack shop there. Lemonades were $1.87 and apple juice was $1.99 from the refrigerators. DH found a shirt he liked but they didn't have his size - the employee was helpful when she pulled it up on the computer and it showed one in his size at Animal Kingdom. We decided to think about it. Next, we took the monorail around and got out at the Polynesian, then got out at the Grand Floridian. There was a bride and groom walking around getting ready for their reception on the terrace off of the lobby. Then we decided to make our way back to the Contemporary and asked if we could sit with the pilot up front. They said okay. **The Beagle would have rated it as "my ears are flying!"**
Since DH wanted to see if Animal Kingdom had his shirt, we decided to drive over there for a quick trip. We parked in AAA and got there just before the Jungle Jammin Parade and watched the whole thing. We looked into Disney Outfitters and they did have DH's shirt in his size. We took a walk around the park - Primieval Whirl had a 30 minute wait - didn't do it, Dinosaur - 20 minute wait - didn't do it, Kali River - 30 minute wait - didn't do it. I said "We have to do Something!" so we rushed into Tough To Be A Bug. At least it was air conditioned.
We left Animal Kingdom and stopped at the Hess Gas Station. On our last trip we discovered that this was the place to get cheap canned sodas. We also bought water 6-packs for $1.99. We made our back to the Contemporary.
Later that evening we decided to do our favorite thing - and walked to the Magic Kingdom. First order of business was Swiss Family Treehouse. Then Pirates. Dinner was at the Harbour House again. This time the upstairs was open.
The crowds tonight were huge. It was going to be a wristband night too. We did the TTA Peoplemover, then found a castmember handing out the wristbands. We got them before the line got too long. We decided to wait for Wishes and found a spot by Dumbo. This was not a good place! The debris from the fireworks was flying through the air and on top of us. We were covered with ash. The poor people next to us had just gotten ice cream and couldn't eat it because it was covered.
Next, we did the Pooh ride, but it was too hot and crowded to do anything else so we walked back to the Contemporary.
Pedometer reading: 24,500
Coming soon - Part 5 - Contemporary stay cut short?
---------------------------
Previous Trips - 30 plus trips in 33 years staying at:
Fort Wilderness Campground, Fort Wilderness Cabins, Yacht Club, Caribbean Beach, Polynesian, Beach Club, Swan, Dolphin, All-Star Sports, All-Star Music, Port Orleans Riverside, Contemporary Resort.
