The Darlings Do Disney (TR is started!)

[teekathepony]

re DHS day...looks like a great day the shows are one of the best things there...too bad it so hard to juggle them all in one day ...that is one huge sandwich at SRC...

happy you have made a plan for DC and you are happy w/ it and man you were busy w/ getting all that stuff done good for you!!! so exciting under 20 days now


hope DH is feeling better real soon

I love DHS's shows. Especially Beauty and the Beast. That sandwich is the reason Mr. Darling wants to go back so badly!
Thanks, we're very happy to go back to DC and show Mr. D's parents around for their first time. And thank you also on your well wishes, he's back to about 90% now, feeling a lot better!

 

[teekathepony]

I was just getting caught up on your PTR and was going to say how AWESOME Discovery Cove sounds and that would absolutely be my decision. Then I kept reading and saw you made that choice. So cool!

Awesome! Great minds think alike!

 

[TanzUnited99]

I can't wait to get to Discovery Cove now. I can't believe we're going! It was just last week that I thought our itinerary was done.
You're so close! 6 days! I can't believe it!

Lol we had so many changes after thinking our itinerary was done! At least it was a good change and although you will be leaving Disney it will be for something you know that will be worthwhile.

Yep, 6 days!!! Can't believe it!!! I'm all packed and ready to go now - just want it to be time to leave!

 

[teekathepony]

Well I'm a little disappointed today.

You may remember a few days ago I said that we had gotten our ME tickets and luggage tags, but not the Magic Your Way package vouchers and cute luggage tags. You may also remember that we are with a new travel agent this time. Our usual one was on vacation and this is the lady my MIL was going through, so we just folded.

My MIL picked up our packages from the Travel Agent and asked where the rest was. TA responded: "Disney isn't giving them out this year." so my MIL left. I did some research and discovered that not to be true, and Disney is giving them out this year. So we decided to give it a week to see if it might come in.

Yesterday my DH stopped in at my MIL's after work. They got talking about the luggage tags et. al and so she called the TA. This time MIL told them that it's right on the Disney website that we should get the extras, so where were they? The TA responded that we wouldn't get them until we checked in, that we got them at the front desk. DH called me and asked me if that had ever happened to me. No, in 3 WDW trips I had always received my luggage tags prior to the trip. Strike two.

So his mother relayed that message too. Then the TA changed her story again and started saying that because she had booked through a Canadian wholesaler (Transat) we don't get them at all. DH and I booked through the same Travel Agency the last two trips, and my parents and I before that. Each time we booked, I believe, through Transat and received our luggage tags and vouchers.

Now, if this is something new to Transat this year, then fine. Or even if my TA just plain didn't know, no problem! I have serious issues with the fact that she lied at least twice to try to pacify us. The luggage tags are adorable, and the only voucher we would use is the arcade tokens (and maybe Planet Hollywood) so losing out on those is not a big deal, but I'm hating the run around by the TA. I just can't trust her anymore.

We aren't finished yet. Our next step is to contact both Transat and Disney. Is it a big deal if we don't get this stuff? No, but I don't want it to be because my TA didn't care or cheated us out of it.

 

[TanzUnited99]

That is really bad service - can't believe the TA is lying to you rather than giving you the correct information. You sure would have been better off booking the trip yourself.

Luckily our TA has been helpful though I still think I may book a future trip direct through Disney (esp with all the help available on these boards)

Keep on at your TA and don't let her brush the situation under the carpet. Although you may not be using all the vouchers you still should get them - it's part of the package.

On a positive note 16 days until your trip!!!!

 

[IheartDDuck]

I think that's just horrible service, and the fact that the TA was lying about it makes it worse. "Disney doesn't do that anymore." How stupid is that, knowing that you can go online and find out this information at any time. To me, it's not minor, it the principle of it all. You go girl, go get 'em!

 

[teekathepony]

That is really bad service - can't believe the TA is lying to you rather than giving you the correct information. You sure would have been better off booking the trip yourself.

Luckily our TA has been helpful though I still think I may book a future trip direct through Disney (esp with all the help available on these boards)

Keep on at your TA and don't let her brush the situation under the carpet. Although you may not be using all the vouchers you still should get them - it's part of the package.

On a positive note 16 days until your trip!!!!

It's pretty bad form that she seems to be just trying to pacify us. Of course, that always just makes me angrier. I definitely would have been better booking myself, hindsight is 20/20 right? Our previous TA was great, but she was on vacation and one thing lead to another. Oh well, I'll still get there and have a blast, I'll just never use this TA again.

I think that's just horrible service, and the fact that the TA was lying about it makes it worse. "Disney doesn't do that anymore." How stupid is that, knowing that you can go online and find out this information at any time. To me, it's not minor, it the principle of it all. You go girl, go get 'em!

I'm certainly not pleased, that's for sure. I felt like calling her and asking her if she knew what the Disboards were . My MIL thinks it's no biggie, just a couple of vouchers we won't use, but I'm with you -- it's the principle.

 

[teekathepony]

Well I spoke to a Disney cast member, they weren't able to tell me if Transat should be giving out the tags and vouchers or not so I have an email in to Transat and am awaiting a response.

I know it may seem petty, but I just want to know for sure. I don't appreciate being told stories just to pacify me.

 

[TanzUnited99]

Well I spoke to a Disney cast member, they weren't able to tell me if Transat should be giving out the tags and vouchers or not so I have an email in to Transat and am awaiting a response.

I know it may seem petty, but I just want to know for sure. I don't appreciate being told stories just to pacify me.

Hope you get a response soon.

No one appreciates being lied to hun - hope you get it resolved before your trip. I'm going to do responses and then PM you after about a possible meet

 

[teekathepony]

Hope you get a response soon.

No one appreciates being lied to hun - hope you get it resolved before your trip. I'm going to do responses and then PM you after about a possible meet

Thanks Tanz. Some people are making me feel bad about going after this like I should just let it go, like I'm being too uptight, but they're missing the point -- it's the lies and like you said, no one likes to be lied to.

I hope we get to meet up! That would be so cool!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Hey Wendy, hope you are having a good start to the week!

Just wanted to stop by and say have a SAFE journey and a MAGICAL trip!

Look forward to seeing you at Disney World and also as I will miss your single digits dance here is my input!

 

[teekathepony]

Hey Wendy, hope you are having a good start to the week!

Just wanted to stop by and say have a SAFE journey and a MAGICAL trip!

Look forward to seeing you at Disney World and also as I will miss your single digits dance here is my input!

Thanks Tanz!! Same to you, see you in 12 days!!

 

[teekathepony]

Hi everyone!

12 sleeps!!!!


Today's update comes to you from the comfort of my bed and the technological wonder that is my laptop. Remember last weekend when I made an update while Mr. Darling was burning up with a fever? Well, looks like I caught it. I've been laying in bed all day. While laying here I feel ok, so I think "I could get up and do something". When I try, I am reminded of why I was in bed in the first place. No energy, no balance, severe spinning, shaky limbs and not able to catch my breath. If anyone saw me though they'd think I was faking. I have no obvious symptoms! No cough, sniffles, fever or anything. But that's how I always get sick. Tomorrow I'll wake up with no voice and full sinuses but I'll feel great. So I have to stick it out today.

So without further ado, I'm going to try to get on with the itinerary! I say try because all my documents and things are all on the desktop computer so I'm going mostly by memory here.

Day 3

Monday, September 26

8:00AM: Up and at 'em! Breakfast and get ready for a long day and head down to call a cab. We're going to Universal Studios! This will be my MIL and S-FIL's first time in Universal, as well as Ron's! We're only going to Islands of Adventure and hope to spend a lot of time around The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I hope to first ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, then the Dragon Challenge, which I have never done!
I'll need to get a Butterbeer:

After thoroughly exploring around Harry Potter we will explore the rest of the park. We need to grab some lunch somewhere, (hopefully the Three Broomsticks if everyone agrees!) Then we'll finish anything we haven't done yet, and with any luck get back to Harry Potter for another ride on the Forbidden Journey!

Around 5 or 5:30 we need to leave Universal and grab a cab to Medieval Times.

I hope we all have a blast and participate to the fullest. I'm weirdly excited to eat with my hands! We'll cheer and get rowdy and have a great time.

When that's over we're cabbing it back to Pop Century to relax and maybe have a drink around the pool.


I'm sorry if some or all of this made no sense, I can't guarantee that my brain isn't foggy.

 

[Happy Elf]

Hope you feel better soon! I've had the nasty sinus stuff the last week, but luckily no fever.

Your plans sound great! My BIL and SIL went to see WWoHP and loved it. We didn't make it this time but hope to in the future!

 

[teekathepony]

Hope you feel better soon! I've had the nasty sinus stuff the last week, but luckily no fever.

Your plans sound great! My BIL and SIL went to see WWoHP and loved it. We didn't make it this time but hope to in the future!

Thanks! I feel a lot better today. No stamina, but still better.

I can't wait to see WWoHP again. I'm a huge Harry fan anyway, and that place is just magical!

 

[teekathepony]

11 Sleeps!!

Which brings me to a pressing question in my mind. What is online check in and is it worth doing? What are the benefits? I understand that I might have to do it through my travel agent, but still. Should I? I never have before. I have few room requests (King bed, adjoining rooms) Please Disfriends, give me the ins and outs of online check in.

So much of my to-do list is done! The only major thing pressing on my mind now is to make my LGMHs! I'm also making a sign for my window. My talented crafty cousin is coming over this weekend and we're going to play with our Cricuts and Disney cartridges.

I am also all packed! I only have to put last minute things in and choose an outfit for flying.

I also crossed eight more movies off my list!

Aladdin and the Return of Jafar
I forgot just how much I hated this movie. So much of it is taken directly from the first movie (lines, sequences, etc.) The animation itself is fairly bad (comparatively). Jasmin’s character is so weak… all she does is say “Aladdin!” or “Genie!” or “Iago!” in a distressed voice. But I am finished ranting.

Peter Pan
As a Wendy, I had to watch Peter Pan. I always forget how rude everyone is to poor Wendy in the movie. She is a little stuffy, but really. Tinkerbell and the mermaids… ahhh me. The woes of a motherly young girl. I feel your pain, Wendy. I too am a stuffy motherly type who can’t have fun, and I too get slack for it.

Meet the Robinsons
I love this movie. I think it’s quite underrated. It’s fun and has a great story. I like the twists, but my favourite part is the t-rex; “I have a big head, and little arms!”

Aristocats
It’s been a long, long time since I’ve seen this movie! It was great to see it again. “Everybody wants to be a cat!”

Alice in Wonderland
I’m a big fan of the book and the movie does it justice so in my mind, that’s a good movie.

The Emporer’s New Groove
Funny, catchy tunes, and great voice talents. I like this movie.

Toy Story
I adore this movie. I can't believe how ahead of its time it was. I wouldn't watch it for the longest time -- or any Pixar movies for that matter -- because I was somewhat of a Disney purist. I wanted Disney animation, not this Pixar stuff! When I finally caved and watched the movie, I was an instant convert and am now one of Pixar's biggest fans.

Toy Story II
I like this movie too. As far as sequels go, they don't get much better than this.


Checking back, that leaves me with the following list to watch before I go:

Up
Toy Story 3*
Ratatouille*
Cars*
A Bug's Life*
Beauty and the Beast
Aladdin and the King of Thieves^
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Fantasia 2000*
Pocahontas*
Pinocchio*
Robin Hood*
Lilo & Stitch*
The Sword in the Stone*
A Muppets Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol (Jim Carey version)
Chronicles of Narnia
* The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
* Prince Caspian
* Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Pirates of the Caribbean
* The Curse of the Black Pearl
* Dead Man's Chest
* At World's End
* On Stranger Tides*

Oh dear. I may not see them all. I'd be happy with seeing the remaining animated ones.

 

[bouncycat]

Hey Wendy!!! Followed you over here from my TR, noticed you were pretty close to being here!! Is there any day that I can pop over and meet up with you guys? I have nothing planned for the weekend of the 24th, so I'm totally free, and I'll have DH and Tyler with me those days, you can help with the quest!!!!

I love your plans so far, looks like fun. Remember, don't try to please everyone, and if you get frustrated, just take a time out for yourself. Going with family can be stressful, but go off on your own for a while, and you'll be happier.

I love all your fur babies too. Love the fact that they're rescues, my fur babies are rescues too, and they all have special places in my heart, and the bed, and my chair!! HAHA The cat is at my legs as I type!!! I do hope you guys are ready for the summer down here, cause boy it's still summer!! It's been nice the past couple days, pretty hot, but not much humidity, and that's the killer. That's coming back next week, or so I hear on the news. Anyways.....glad you're ready to come, and I hope everything goes smooth and perfect for you and your hubby!!!!

 

[teekathepony]

Hey Wendy!!! Followed you over here from my TR, noticed you were pretty close to being here!! Is there any day that I can pop over and meet up with you guys? I have nothing planned for the weekend of the 24th, so I'm totally free, and I'll have DH and Tyler with me those days, you can help with the quest!!!!

I love your plans so far, looks like fun. Remember, don't try to please everyone, and if you get frustrated, just take a time out for yourself. Going with family can be stressful, but go off on your own for a while, and you'll be happier.

I love all your fur babies too. Love the fact that they're rescues, my fur babies are rescues too, and they all have special places in my heart, and the bed, and my chair!! HAHA The cat is at my legs as I type!!! I do hope you guys are ready for the summer down here, cause boy it's still summer!! It's been nice the past couple days, pretty hot, but not much humidity, and that's the killer. That's coming back next week, or so I hear on the news. Anyways.....glad you're ready to come, and I hope everything goes smooth and perfect for you and your hubby!!!!

Yes by all means! I'm pm'ing you now, I'd love to be a part of the project!
I adore rescue animals, they're just so loving aren't they? They know you saved them and appreciate it, I think.
I'm ready for the heat! We've been there in September before so we're prepared. It usually takes us a day or two to really adjust. We had such a terrible summer here this year that I'm actually looking forward to some real heat!

 

[teekathepony]

Panic time!

No, really, panic.

Air Canada might be going on strike next week! I still don't know what that means for me and my flight, but I'm trying to find out. Will be back with an update.

 

[bouncycat]

Panic time!

No, really, panic.

Air Canada might be going on strike next week! I still don't know what that means for me and my flight, but I'm trying to find out. Will be back with an update.

OH NOOOO!!!!!!!!!! Praying for a quick fix and no strike for ya girl!!!