The MAGIC is Back!!! - 6th Sept 2014 WBTA - Come & join the fun! - PART 2

[WDW Princess 71]

I decided to send an email and ask if they had any more availability for September 11th -- since GatorMomInNC above did say they might have a 15 person mini-bus. Perhaps some others have already done the same? We are just two adults -- we would be interested in a longish tour including Mount Teide and we are not really that keen to go to a beach -- would rather see villages or something other wise. I don't know if it would be possible to make up a group of 15 -- perhaps here and through the Facebook groups -- but we have to see if they have availability first I suppose. If anyone else has been in touch with 'One Day in Tenerife' and hears anything do share. Also, thanks again to GatorMomInNC and WDW Princess 71 for sharing the details in the first place.

It now sounds like one day in Tenerife does have additional drivers and vehicles although I am not clear if they work directly with Felix at that company or if they are from other companies and they all sort of work together. When I read the reviews it sounded like a small company and most mentioned Felix by name as their driver, and all of my email correspondence had been with him. When I booked back in March he had told me our tour was private and he would be our guide, no one else unless he was ill. He even sent his picture so we could recognize him at the port and asked us to send him one to recognize us as well. So when I saw the other post from GatorMom I was curious so I emailed Felix yesterday and asked if he had other drivers or if our tour wouldn't be private anymore. He said that he does have other drivers and vehicle sizes so he may be on one or the other. I told him he had promised to be our guide and his reply was that I was his only reservation when he told me that. So honestly this doesn't leave a good taste in my mouth that he promised us his service and now it appears we may have someone else. He did show me several trip advisor reviews from people who had his colleague drivers that were very good also and assured me we would be in good hands, and that our tour would definitely still be private for just us, so I am glad about that I just wish he hadn't switched his earlier promise to us. I am glad that we didn't have to pay any deposit to hold this. I'm still optimistic that we will have a great day but just wanted to let everyone know how this was handled. If he accepts more bookings I am curious if they are subcontracted or all still with his company and of the guides are well reviewed or not- I would suggest asking. He told me when it gets closer to our trip he will reconfirm everything with me and confirm our driver and details so we know what to expect.

 

[Traveling Tinkerbell]

WDW Princess 71,
That would make me unhappy too. I hope you do get what was promised to you.

We are not beachy people either and we move pretty quickly. I would like to add villages, botanical gardens , or just great views on the rest of the drive.

 

[Claire4dpins]

It now sounds like one day in Tenerife does have additional drivers and vehicles although I am not clear if they work directly with Felix at that company or if they are from other companies and they all sort of work together. When I read the reviews it sounded like a small company and most mentioned Felix by name as their driver, and all of my email correspondence had been with him. When I booked back in March he had told me our tour was private and he would be our guide, no one else unless he was ill. He even sent his picture so we could recognize him at the port and asked us to send him one to recognize us as well. So when I saw the other post from GatorMom I was curious so I emailed Felix yesterday and asked if he had other drivers or if our tour wouldn't be private anymore. He said that he does have other drivers and vehicle sizes so he may be on one or the other. I told him he had promised to be our guide and his reply was that I was his only reservation when he told me that. So honestly this doesn't leave a good taste in my mouth that he promised us his service and now it appears we may have someone else. He did show me several trip advisor reviews from people who had his colleague drivers that were very good also and assured me we would be in good hands, and that our tour would definitely still be private for just us, so I am glad about that I just wish he hadn't switched his earlier promise to us. I am glad that we didn't have to pay any deposit to hold this. I'm still optimistic that we will have a great day but just wanted to let everyone know how this was handled. If he accepts more bookings I am curious if they are subcontracted or all still with his company and of the guides are well reviewed or not- I would suggest asking. He told me when it gets closer to our trip he will reconfirm everything with me and confirm our driver and details so we know what to expect.

Thanks very much for sharing this Nicole -- I appreciate you being so candid.

I hope you and your companion do get the tour you were promised -- and I will use caution -- as I see you are right -- most of the reviews on trip advisor do mention Felix by name. We would certainly need to look into who we were going with if it was sub-contacted. Thanks very much for sharing.
Claire

 

[TexasMousEars]

He said that he does have other drivers and vehicle sizes so he may be on one or the other. I told him he had promised to be our guide and his reply was that I was his only reservation when he told me that. So honestly this doesn't leave a good taste in my mouth that he promised us his service and now it appears we may have someone else. He did show me several trip advisor reviews from people who had his colleague drivers that were very good also and assured me we would be in good hands, and that our tour would definitely still be private for just us, so I am glad about that I just wish he hadn't switched his earlier promise to us. I am glad that we didn't have to pay any deposit to hold this. I'm still optimistic that we will have a great day but just wanted to let everyone know how this was handled. If he accepts more bookings I am curious if they are subcontracted or all still with his company and of the guides are well reviewed or not- I would suggest asking. He told me when it gets closer to our trip he will reconfirm everything with me and confirm our driver and details so we know what to expect.

Thanks for the additional information - we will keep that in mind. Also appreciate you letting us know what you are covering in your 7 hour tour.
I do hope that you get your private tour with Felix!

Thanks again,
Cristi

 

[TexasMousEars]

Hi!
We are 4 adults and have rented a car (about 50E, I think). We want to go to the top of Teide but not by "hiking". We are driving up to the cable car, parking there, cable car is 25E/pp and then have printed out the free permit to hike up the last 200 meters. The cable car opens at 9 AM so we want to be there by then. Our permit to the top is 9am-11am. I don't know what we are doing after that.

I would be interested in how much the 7 hour tour costs too and where it goes. I checked the site and it says it is sold out...

Thanks!

Sounds like we were looking for a similar tour - I'd like to limit my hiking to the final portion above the cable car! I'd also like to see some of the national park and a few of the more noted villages. Beyond that, pretty open. Main thing is to get to the top of Mt. Teide!

Cristi

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Glad that sharing my Tenerife tour details has been helpful. I am on the fence now about possibly booking a second private tour if it doesn't require prepayment or booking a DCL tour as a backup until it gets closer to the trip. I'm just concerned about not having Felix and not having enough to go with to feel confident picking this company. There were only 50 reviews to begin with which isn't many and if most are on Felix that doesn't really help if he isn't our guy. I hate to hold 2 spots but this will probably be our only visit ever to Tenerife and I don't want to end up getting screwed over with a bad guide or someone not showing!

 

[Wedgeh]

It's all starting to feel a lot closer now, huge thanks to all of the people organising various activities - this seems to be a very busy period for them. I've got 2 weeks at WDW from Monday so that will definitely help ease the wait that's remaining!

 

[CDNDisneyMom]

The list of people joining the Secret Mickey exchange as well ad the list for the FE have been updated on page 1. Please let me know if there is anyone missing or if there is someone on there that shouldn't be.

Thanks

 

[LittleDisneyLovers]

The list of people joining the Secret Mickey exchange as well ad the list for the FE have been updated on page 1. Please let me know if there is anyone missing or if there is someone on there that shouldn't be. Thanks

Yay! I'm there, my kids would be devastated if we missed the FE!
Sorry if this has been discussed and I missed it - are we being split into groups, or doing one big FE? I know, I have OCD, I like to be organised

 

[CDNDisneyMom]

Yay! I'm there, my kids would be devastated if we missed the FE!
Sorry if this has been discussed and I missed it - are we being split into groups, or doing one big FE? I know, I have OCD, I like to be organised

 

[WDW Princess 71]

it is being broken into smaller groups but you can do all of them if you want lol

Thanks! Can you let us know approximately how many per group so we can project if we plan do do 1, some or all?

 

[Namsupak]

I've been asked a few questions concerning the Postcard/Recipe exchange and if the idea is to add a regional recipe to the postcards. My response is Yes - But - this is suppose to be fun, not stressful, so there really aren't any rules. In past postcard/recipe exchanges I have received a variety of combinations, all have been appreciated. Some things I have received have been:

I love the pics you're posting. I know you said it was ok if we used some of the graphics but I wanted to double check with you. I was thinking about taking all the graphics when you're done and putting them on one shirt to show all the places we're going. Is that ok with you? We always do family shirts and have a local printer here that uses great quality t-shirts.

It now sounds like one day in Tenerife does have additional drivers and vehicles although I am not clear if they work directly with Felix at that company or if they are from other companies and they all sort of work together. When I read the reviews it sounded like a small company and most mentioned Felix by name as their driver, and all of my email correspondence had been with him. When I booked back in March he had told me our tour was private and he would be our guide, no one else unless he was ill. He even sent his picture so we could recognize him at the port and asked us to send him one to recognize us as well. So when I saw the other post from GatorMom I was curious so I emailed Felix yesterday and asked if he had other drivers or if our tour wouldn't be private anymore. He said that he does have other drivers and vehicle sizes so he may be on one or the other. I told him he had promised to be our guide and his reply was that I was his only reservation when he told me that. So honestly this doesn't leave a good taste in my mouth that he promised us his service and now it appears we may have someone else.

I totally understand where you're coming from and I'm sorry that Felix isn't sure he'll be your guide now. I will say that this kind of thing happened to us on St. Marteen. We had booked a highly recommended company and got sub-contracted out. We had a great time and actually got the guys card for his own company. We booked with him the next time we were in St. Marteen and he said he would be our guide. Then we got there and it was his brother. I don't know why guides would promise you they will be your guide and then switch it up! I'm sure we will all have fine tours because they'll be wanting a good tip. Also his business depends on good reviews and such so if he chooses another guide that isn't good it will reflect poorly on him. It's to his advantage to make sure we're all happy so I'm sure we will be.

 

[WDW Princess 71]

I totally understand where you're coming from and I'm sorry that Felix isn't sure he'll be your guide now. I will say that this kind of thing happened to us on St. Marteen. We had booked a highly recommended company and got sub-contracted out. We had a great time and actually got the guys card for his own company. We booked with him the next time we were in St. Marteen and he said he would be our guide. Then we got there and it was his brother. I don't know why guides would promise you they will be your guide and then switch it up! I'm sure we will all have fine tours because they'll be wanting a good tip. Also his business depends on good reviews and such so if he chooses another guide that isn't good it will reflect poorly on him. It's to his advantage to make sure we're all happy so I'm sure we will be.

Thanks for the encouragement. I agree, they should just say up front that the guide is not guaranteed but will be a good one. I guess I'm frustrated because we had great experiences with our private guides for Rome, Barcelona, Athens and Turkey last year from start to finish, email to tour, all was exactly as promised. But, those are larger companies in larger cities and maybe I need to keep in perspective that these are island companies on this cruise and things are not quite as strict I guess. I think I will keep it and see how he responds to me when it gets closer this summer. I'm also going to ask to be connected to my guide, if it's not him, via email in advance so I can speak with him and see how we feel about his English, rapport, and communication with us. If I don't like how that goes I will cancel and go with DCL which is definitely not what we want, a big bus tour, but I don't want to risk getting nothing or a crappy tour.

 

[JessicasMom]

Happily catching up...just read this entire thread! Real life has been crazy for the past several months, so I've just been trying to keep up on FB. Have to go PIF tonight...nothing like waiting til the last minute!

I'm sooo behind on excursions ; I have to start checking things out. We're doing WDW the end of this month , so any planning time has been devoted to that trip.

VAL: Please add us to the postcard/recipe exchange. We are Pat and Larry, cabin 6612, from the Scranton/Pocono area, PA. (DD Jess is from Austin TX; I'll see if she wants to participate or not.) Thanks!

 

[Claire4dpins]

Just to report back that ODITEN in Tenerife have got back to me and said that they do have availability for 11th Sept -- either for a small group or a larger one.
I think others on this thread might have already been in touch themselves and sorted something as they say they now have three tours booked for that day.

After all that has been shared on the thread I am not quite sure what to do now -- but I thought I should report back what I have been told.
Do post or PM if anyone wants to discuss it.
Claire

 

[Chewbette]

Whaouu we're soooo behind..you're stressing me haha!

We really have to dig right now into the excursions and even the groups & tasting...I've only inscribed myself in the recipe postcard exchange (i'm Xenia )..

time flies way too fast ! haha

 

[GatorMomInNC]

For wdw Princess, I just wanted to say Felix never told me that "he" specifically would be our guide. Since i knew he had more than one mode of transportation I assumed there were multiple guides. Hopefully he will still be your guide since you booked first...

 

[WDW Princess 71]

For wdw Princess, I just wanted to say Felix never told me that "he" specifically would be our guide. Since i knew he had more than one mode of transportation I assumed there were multiple guides. Hopefully he will still be your guide since you booked first...

Thanks. My emails from him this week sound like he probably won't be our guide. I think he will end up going with one of the larger pricier groups. I would feel better if there were more reviews from people who had other guides. 3 out of 50 doesn't feel very good. It's like its primarily him as a 1 man show and when it gets busy like for our day he calls in backups. If he routinely had other guides then there would be more reviews highlighting them. Perhaps he is a small business trying to take on too much for his own good.

 

[Tod&Copper]

booking window opens in the morning, early rise for me

 

[Dgentrysim]

Much to my regret, I am afraid the Rum Cocktail tasting has been cancelled. DCL said they do have it on their list of approved tastings, and they won't make a special request until you actually board the ship (and their is no way to coordinate an event that quickly with this many people. Below is a list of people who signed up for it. I will be deleting the list in a couple of days.

So sorry, but hope you are signed up for one of the other tastings!

Debra & Rick Sims (dgentrysim), #2011
Sarah Hanley (Binkytell), #5009
Crystal & Trent Rachetto (DisneyFan_SD), #6504
Kimmy Blatnik (thedonduck), #6112 & #6113
Renea Govekar & DH Jim, #5122
Melodie Kimble (MagicMe), #6515
Lisa Strube Daniel, DH Roy, Eileen Swanson (MomE)
Peggy & DH Roger Whatley (Ga-yaya)
Sarah & Tony Howsam (TotallyAngelic) #5501
Claire & Lee Maguire (pinky166) #6503
Michael & Michele Woodman (mdwoodman), #6150
Margaret (Magic123), #6007
Mary & Stevie Kay (Tod&Copper), #6511
Sue & Richard Powell (Babydiver), #6011
Pat & Dennis Phillips (PFlamingo), #7114
Ken (disdel) & DW Debbie Cordel
Debbie Sampson (debs96), #6538
Sonja Leigh + 1, #6637
Kristi Dorney (bound2travel) & Jolie Brock, #2015
Mark Champken (chunkster20uk), #6111
Kris & DH Larry Pogue - Mr_Smee
Amanda & Annette Courtier (acourtwdw)
Patricia Nunn (JessicasMom) & DH Larry, #6612
Jenn Green, #6611
Cindy & Greg Brown, #2639
Susan Grinker Tchon, #6631
Tim & Gail Anglin (gesamom), #2009
Sherri & DH Phil Caramico (Shercara), #6622
Sarah Roberts, #6618
Dave Kimble (DBK1029) & DW Amy Kimble (TheDisneyGirl02), #6315
Annika & DH Chris (Annichan), #6128
Christopher Kiggins & DP Jeremy Zodda, #2133
Amy Bradley (logcabin?), #6538
John & DW Noel Birkner (birkner), #6099
Julie & DH Ian Smith (Saratogagirl), #6650
Jennifer & DH Dale Anderson (Chipmunklove), #7627
Paul Crosby (paulcrsb), #2129
Simon & Maxine Howard (MaxineHoward), #6507
Deborah Preston (scottishwee35) - #GTY (+1 interpreter)
Thomas & Beth Wedge - #6607
Stephen Whittam-Howsan (TotallyAngelic's son) - #5501
Kathy Dwyer (LovingDisneyinCT) - #6131
Karen & Mike Lawrence - #2050
Karen Ritegno (Karrit2000) & Cristi Klingman - #7570
Leonard Pihlak (disney_leonard) - #2142
Carol & Steve Sherman (carolsherman) - #GTY
Bill Pullen & Erinn Bittinger-Pullen (EKBP) - #GTY
Paul & Cindy Brennan (p17blo) - #8600 (*Allergies*)
Jacquie & Joe Skurla (gramfrog)
Tom & Kathy Johnson (camptraveler) - #2084
Claire & John Richardson (Claire4dpins) - #GTY
Wayne & Mary Shehan (Traveling Tinkerbell) - #GTY
John & Kim Syers (WereOff2Neverland) - #2508
Nick Caramico (Shercara's son) - #6622
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