The Moist Exhausting Free Trip Ever - Link to Part II Thread pg. 244

[eecteacher82]

Yeah! So glad the tickets worked out!!! I have to say, I love all of your updates and get excited when I see a new one! Can't wait to read more! Hope the casualty isn't too bad!

 

[FairyGodmotherJen]

Yeah for good news on the ticket situation!!! Too bad about not going back in the fall...I know it's hard with a teacher schedule, but it's worth it. We had so much fun when we went in the fall - it wasn't quite as hot, plus the MK looks awesome in the fall decorations.

Glad things worked out well for you. A casualty next, huh? Hope it isn't James, since the poor thing doesn't seem to have a bed to sleep in....

 

[glennbo123]

Cookie is very old; but Pixel is absolutely adorable (Cookie used to look more like that when she was a lot younger).

I'm sure that Cookie was a K9 bombshell in her younger days.

Liesa, just blame it on the hand.

Talk to the hand!

Holy Cow!! What a GREAT update!!! I am so retroactively excited for you, I can hardly stand it!!

OK, more tom. AM!!!

Thanks! I couldn't wait to post this installment. "Retroactively excited" -- I love it!

Great update, Glenn. I'm SO glad the "tickets to nowhere" worked out so well for you. And I love the part about Stephanie's ring (I'll have to look for her in September). Great room pics, too!

And a big maintenance worker!

Thank you! If you see her, (she'll be the one having trouble lifting her hand because of the weight of all those rocks), tell her I said "hi"!

Hmmm...think I can persuade my boyfriend that I need that kind of engagement ring???

I don't see why not!

Such a happy update! Ticket to nowhere are now tickets for your next trip. The room looks so nice. We just had our first stay at a moderate and now I'm wanting to try this resort. The details are so nice.

Thank you, it was a happy time! I like the moderates, absolutely.

What a GREAT update! I am so happy that I was wrong and they were not tickets to nowhere! That's just outstanding. And free WP & DQ tix? How incredibly cool is that?

I'm with you...I'm glad I was wrong about them too! Oh, I guess I should reveal the backup plan I had if it came to "negotiating". If they had said that the tickets could only be used during those two weeks, and they really were of no use to me, I was going to ask that they comp me Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, and DisneyQuest tickets. I would have of course turned-in the park tickets so they knew they wouldn't be used, but at least it would be something. You have to enter a negotiation with a strategy, right? But fortunately it didn't come to that.

Your route to your room is what I fear about that resort, hours of wandering to find my room. Did you get a rollaway? Wondering how you are sleeping 5 in there.

Oh, good question! I hadn't thought about working that into the TR, maybe I will at some point, but James slept on the floor in a sleeping bag in between the two beds! Poor guy. Coronado Springs doesn't have occupancy for 5, and they're not supposed to book 5 to a room, but somehow the PChef people did. I wasn't sure if we'd have a problem at check-in, but CM Stephanie didn't say anything about it. I again had a backup plan if there was a problem...we knew another family that was larger than ours and had to get 2 rooms. They still had space in their second room if we had to move somebody there, but we didn't have to.

Oh, wow - a Mickey shaped engagement ring. What a lucky girl!

And for getting what you wanted in regard to your tickets and for getting TL for free! You are one lucky fellow!

Everyone likes the Mickey shaped engagement ring story! That's good!

I was so relieved the ticket situation worked out.

Thanks for the room pictures at CSR. We are planning on staying there Feb/Mar 2011 for the first time.

You're very welcome! I think you'll like it.

Delightful update, Glenn! so glad the "tickets to nowhere" worked out so well!

Thank you!

Has me longing for a Disney trip and all those lovely folks, wanting nothing more than for guests to have a happy day!! Gosh I miss those family trips when the kids were young...sigh...thanks so much for sharing yours!

Sometimes we get wrapped-up in the theming and the rides and shows and forget how much the CM contribute to fun and happiness.

I'm trying to savor these trips with the kids.

Every time I see a CSR room it gets me hankering to book!

Disney should just send you a CSR brochure every few days until you crack.

I can hardly wait until my 22 mo old DGD will be old enough for a visit - she is super shy and would not do well with the characters or so many people around all time (surely telling her how adorable she is ). She will be 2 in Sept, so am hoping for 3, but might be 3 1/2 or 4. We're thinking a long weekend to visit MK and AK for her first trip.

That'll be a fun time!

Ready for more, please!

You can read faster than I can write!

After months of worrying, you finally got the answer you wanted for those tickets. I'm so happy for you! This calls for some banana man dancing

Thanks!

We were in the Casitas section when we stayed at CSR, although it sounds like you got to see a bit more of the area than we did Great update!

I am not averse to exploring!

Yeah! So glad the tickets worked out!!! I have to say, I love all of your updates and get excited when I see a new one! Can't wait to read more! Hope the casualty isn't too bad!

eecteacher82

Thanks for joining in and thanks for the kind words! What a nice thing to say!

Yeah for good news on the ticket situation!!! Too bad about not going back in the fall...I know it's hard with a teacher schedule, but it's worth it. We had so much fun when we went in the fall - it wasn't quite as hot, plus the MK looks awesome in the fall decorations.

Oh yeah, when we were talking about that on the way to the Concierge desk I asked Judy, what about her teaching schedule, and she said she'd be able to get a couple of days off. I was shocked.

Glad things worked out well for you. A casualty next, huh? Hope it isn't James, since the poor thing doesn't seem to have a bed to sleep in....

Hmmm. You'll just have to wait. Yes, that's one thing you know -- James did not fall out of bed!

 

[winkers]

Looks lile you got some ticket mojo .

 

[dd50]

I am so glad that you could use the tickets after all. Non-expiring is expensive. I remember when they were all non-expiring.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

That was a great update Glenn!

Horray for Stephanie and her mickey shaped ring! I'm happy they were able to work it all out for you guys. I understand about summer travel. First Lady Biscuit's principal sends an email reminder every year that they should not intentionally shedule any vacation time during the school year. She is VERY adamant about staff only missing for illnesses or something unexpected. As long as she teaches at her current school, summer is the only time we'll be able to go.

Love the descriptive way you described the resort. I'm glad you guys were able to find your room. Eventually.

I'm guessing from your photo that you must have gone back for the shirts. (Def poor organizing.)

Looking forward to hearing how the rest of the day goes down.

 

[kimmylaj]

i swear they should offer a college class on fuzzy disney math....hmmm....lets see if i spend 200 dollars to upgrade these tickets it will save us tons of money (i just wish my hubby understood) although i did convince him to upgrade from pop free dining to poly 40% off so i guess he kind of gets it

 

[Blueyed Girl]

Great update! I think you did pretty well on the tickets to nowhere. The room at CSR looks pretty nice. Glad you were finally able to get your luggage back!

What an awesome engagement ring!! I love the conversation back and forth between you and Stephanie.

Did you tell us what happend to your daughter when she missed school for the cruise? I can't remember. You don't have to if it's personal.....I mean, more personal than we usually get on the Dis.

 

[glennbo123]

Looks lile you got some ticket mojo .

Oh yeah! I got my mojo workin'!

I am so glad that you could use the tickets after all. Non-expiring is expensive. I remember when they were all non-expiring.

Yes, it's pricey! I didn't realize that they all used to be that way.

That was a great update Glenn!

Horray for Stephanie and her mickey shaped ring! I'm happy they were able to work it all out for you guys. I understand about summer travel. First Lady Biscuit's principal sends an email reminder every year that they should not intentionally shedule any vacation time during the school year. She is VERY adamant about staff only missing for illnesses or something unexpected. As long as she teaches at her current school, summer is the only time we'll be able to go.

Thank you! Your description of First Lady Biscuit's situation is what I was expecting with Judy, and was surprised when she thought she'd be able to get some time off. Maybe she's too new to understand how it really works.

Love the descriptive way you described the resort. I'm glad you guys were able to find your room. Eventually.

Oh yeah, no problem. It's like I've got a built-in compass or something...just like all men.

I'm guessing from your photo that you must have gone back for the shirts. (Def poor organizing.)

Couldn't get them until the next day. They probably just flat-out didn't have them yet.

Looking forward to hearing how the rest of the day goes down.

Good!

i swear they should offer a college class on fuzzy disney math....hmmm....lets see if i spend 200 dollars to upgrade these tickets it will save us tons of money (i just wish my hubby understood) although i did convince him to upgrade from pop free dining to poly 40% off so i guess he kind of gets it

If you start with the assumption of "we're definitely going back"....it all falls into place.

Great update! I think you did pretty well on the tickets to nowhere. The room at CSR looks pretty nice. Glad you were finally able to get your luggage back!

Thank you, thank you. The CSR rooms are very nice. Yes, we were happy to be in possession of our luggage again.

What an awesome engagement ring!! I love the conversation back and forth between you and Stephanie.

She was really sweet, and she obviously loved Disney. I almost wanted to say, "Are you familiar with the DIS? 'Cause a description of your ring is definitely going into my TR".

Did you tell us what happend to your daughter when she missed school for the cruise? I can't remember. You don't have to if it's personal.....I mean, more personal than we usually get on the Dis.

I don't know if I did or not. It's nothing traumatic, really. We met with each of her teachers prior to leaving and we asked each of them whether they could give us homework, reading assignments, etc. ahead of time that she could work on during the cruise. She would definitely have had time on the flights to read, and we would have asked her to set aside some time each day to do some work. Not crackin' the whip exactly, but you know, just trying to keep up. Each one of them said, "No, she'll have no problem catching up." Wrong! She had a carpload of work for the next couple of weeks trying to get caught up and complete the current stuff. It really affected her and she regretted going on the trip. I think they just didn't want the extra work of figuring out what they would assign during that week until they got there.

 

[eandesmom]

I don't know if I did or not. It's nothing traumatic, really. We met with each of her teachers prior to leaving and we asked each of them whether they could give us homework, reading assignments, etc. ahead of time that she could work on during the cruise. She would definitely have had time on the flights to read, and we would have asked her to set aside some time each day to do some work. Not crackin' the whip exactly, but you know, just trying to keep up. Each one of them said, "No, she'll have no problem catching up." Wrong! She had a carpload of work for the next couple of weeks trying to get caught up and complete the current stuff. It really affected her and she regretted going on the trip. I think they just didn't want the extra work of figuring out what they would assign during that week until they got there.

UGH! That happened with BOTH Kendall and Taylor last year. Part of it was teachers not providing stuff, part of it was kids not studying or selectively not telling us about tests the day after we got back but either way, it was bad all around. Bad enough that T did homework during the trip, including emailing writing assignments by midnight on one occasion but then both bombed a math test when we got back.

One can't really blame a week away for that but it sure didn't help. And neither missed a week, only 3 days of school, and not even in a row.

We won't do it again, tempting as it might be.

 

[Flossbolna]

I am sooo glad that the ticket issue could be resolved the way you wanted it! And with the no experation option you could even use those tickets over a long period of time since they will never expire! So even if you go on a shorter trip.... Possibly you could also upgrade them with Water Park & More option? Then you would have non expiring water park days on them as well.

Oh and I did manage to spot Judy in your first room pic! The rooms look great. I think I really would enjoy CSR a lot. I am looking forward to hearing about more of your experiences.

 

[SurfinTX]

I love the pics of the room! It looks like the CSR is a value with the queen beds and all. If we were going to a mod again I would definantly pick CSR...if it wasn't for the 5 in our party.

Was it really that hard to navigate CSR? When we stayed at POR everything was pretty straightforward with signage and 2 story buildings.

Glad to hear that everything went great with your PChef tickets and your worst fears were avoided.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Yes, it's pricey! I didn't realize that they all used to be that way.

WDW tkts were non expiring forever - this whole pay for hopping and non expiring is fairly new (well to we old time visitors ) after 2001, but not sure of the exact year - maybe 2004? Had an AP then so not real sure . When EPCOT first opened we went for a long weekend and bought 3 day tkts which were good for both parks - cannot recall when they actually began calling them Hoppers, but definitely remember staying at a brand new CBR and we had 5 day hoppers - no extra charge and non-expiring. In the early 90's they took photos of guests and put those on the tkts . A heavy type of paper the tkts were back then...still have most of ours including the one with a lovely photo.

 

[Native NYer]

Joining in!
I'm really enjoying your TR.
The room at CSR is beautiful.

 

[arbolita]

Regarding those long cylindrical pillows - we wound up using them on several occasions for pillow fights. or would whack someone with them to wake them up in the morning, heh. Fun all around! Unless you were getting hit with one to wake you up, that is.


I'm glad you were able to get answers and a really nice solution to your tickets to nowhere! Since it won't be the fall, any thoughts about when the next trip might take place?

 

[DisneyLaura]

Hi there! Just joined in on your TR from Dan's.

 

[marvali]

I LOVE beer and tomato juice....

NOW we know where that tongue thingy started!

Then I really dug deep, looking for anything, “how about AAA, or Blood Bank of Delmarva?” (I was thinking of what cards I had in my wallet in case I actually had to produce identification in the unlikely event she said “Why, yes! Yes we do give a Blood Bank of Delmarva discount!”

I love when they give me my BBoD discount!

I thought about asking about my grocery card, but I have that under a pseudonym, “Bob Frapples”.

Judy making a call. I think it was to bell services!

YESSS! More Where is Judy-Do! I found her again!!!! I almost lost her in that comforter pattern.

but I wonder about people who made travel plans around the park tickets they knew they were getting and hadn’t allowed extra time to take advantage of this. I mean, it was a very nice surprise, but there may have been people who couldn’t use them. It’s kind of a big surprise when you have air and hotel reservations involved. Anyway, enough about those poor schmucks. This is my TR.)

Whew, I was worried we were gonna have to read two TRs at the same time. This one already moves faster than Gerber prunes passing through a baby's system!

After the merriment of our free waterpark tickets died-down, the travel person handed Judy our park hopper passes. Judy glanced at me to take the ball on this one.

It's a MAN thing!

“Yes, you can upgrade these tickets to non-expiring. Would you like to add any days, as well?”

Niiiice! You won't be appearing on any Priceline commercials with William Shatner calling you a wuss!

We found our way to the elevator that we’d used before to get to our floor and a maintenance worker also got on the elevator. He was very nice and asked us where we were from, and if we’d just arrived and those kinds of questions.

Then when we got off the elevator he held the door and said, “Do me a favor”.

Yes?

“…..Enjoy!”

We took a few steps and Lauren said, “I love Disney!” I said, “I know! Where do they find these people?!”

Yep, being at Disney is like one big nonstop

Hmmm...think I can persuade my boyfriend that I need that kind of engagement ring???

I don't see why not! If he doesn't go for it, call glennbo. Apparently he can negotiate with the best of them!

Holy Cow!! What a GREAT update!!! I am so retroactively excited for you, I can hardly stand it!!

OK, more tom. AM!!!

Don't know how you can sleep with that constant glow??? Oh wait, you said RETRO-actively....

Looks lile you got some ticket mojo .

You'd think he would have found a pole and do some mojo dancin'!

Oh yeah, no problem. It's like I've got a built-in compass or something...just like all men.

Yes, ANOTHER man thing!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Originally Posted by jordanyosh
I LOVE beer and tomato juice....

Mixed together????

 

[glennbo123]

UGH! That happened with BOTH Kendall and Taylor last year. Part of it was teachers not providing stuff, part of it was kids not studying or selectively not telling us about tests the day after we got back but either way, it was bad all around. Bad enough that T did homework during the trip, including emailing writing assignments by midnight on one occasion but then both bombed a math test when we got back.

One can't really blame a week away for that but it sure didn't help. And neither missed a week, only 3 days of school, and not even in a row.

We won't do it again, tempting as it might be.

It really gets tough as they get to the higher grades. It's a good thing though, that our kids take their schoolwork seriously enough to be upset at the effort it takes to get back on track. Like you, we won't do it again either.

I am sooo glad that the ticket issue could be resolved the way you wanted it! And with the no experation option you could even use those tickets over a long period of time since they will never expire! So even if you go on a shorter trip.... Possibly you could also upgrade them with Water Park & More option? Then you would have non expiring water park days on them as well.

We're not exactly sure how we'll use them either...a week+ trip or what. But they're ready to go!

Oh and I did manage to spot Judy in your first room pic! The rooms look great. I think I really would enjoy CSR a lot. I am looking forward to hearing about more of your experiences.

You're the first person to mention a Judy-sighting, so you get all the points for this round. Marvin was too late.

I love the pics of the room! It looks like the CSR is a value with the queen beds and all. If we were going to a mod again I would definantly pick CSR...if it wasn't for the 5 in our party.

The rooms were beautiful. Are you making fun of our 5 people in a 4 person room thing?

Was it really that hard to navigate CSR? When we stayed at POR everything was pretty straightforward with signage and 2 story buildings.

No, just the first time finding the room. After that it was a breeze.

Glad to hear that everything went great with your PChef tickets and your worst fears were avoided.

Thanks!

WDW tkts were non expiring forever - this whole pay for hopping and non expiring is fairly new (well to we old time visitors ) after 2001, but not sure of the exact year - maybe 2004? Had an AP then so not real sure . When EPCOT first opened we went for a long weekend and bought 3 day tkts which were good for both parks - cannot recall when they actually began calling them Hoppers, but definitely remember staying at a brand new CBR and we had 5 day hoppers - no extra charge and non-expiring. In the early 90's they took photos of guests and put those on the tkts . A heavy type of paper the tkts were back then...still have most of ours including the one with a lovely photo.

2001 was the first year I ever went for more than a day. Prior to that it was just "a day at MK" or "a day at Epcot" while visiting either my snowbird grandparents or Judy's sister. So I only ever bought a ticket at the gate to get in right then.

Joining in!
I'm really enjoying your TR.
The room at CSR is beautiful.

Thanks Native NYer and I'm glad you joined in!

The decor in the CSR rooms is very nice indeed!

Regarding those long cylindrical pillows - we wound up using them on several occasions for pillow fights. or would whack someone with them to wake them up in the morning, heh. Fun all around! Unless you were getting hit with one to wake you up, that is.

Oh yeah, to a kid those pillows look like natural-born weapons. I think a fight broke out once, but we put a stop to it. Never thought to wake someone up with one.

I'm glad you were able to get answers and a really nice solution to your tickets to nowhere! Since it won't be the fall, any thoughts about when the next trip might take place?

Thanks Tree! I'm not sure...I put in an earlier reply that we'll probably make a DVC reservation for next June, just to be sure we have one if needed, but we may end up cancelling it and taking a trip out west to see the Grand Canyon and some sights like that. We should be in Disney in June 2012 though for Peepfest (Jordanyosh's birthday DISmeet).

Hi there! Just joined in on your TR from Dan's.

Hello Laura!

I hope you have an enjoyable time here. Make yourself at home!

I love when they give me my BBoD discount!

It did work at Borders Bookstore once.

YESSS! More Where is Judy-Do! I found her again!!!! I almost lost her in that comforter pattern.

That's great Marvin! Nice job! Too bad all the points already went to Magdalene.

Whew, I was worried we were gonna have to read two TRs at the same time. This one already moves faster than Gerber prunes passing through a baby's system!

And it's almost as colorful.

It's a MAN thing!

Darned right.

Niiiice! You won't be appearing on any Priceline commercials with William Shatner calling you a wuss!

Mamby pamby!

Yep, being at Disney is like one big nonstop

Well put.

I don't see why not! If he doesn't go for it, call glennbo. Apparently he can negotiate with the best of them!

Well I'm not all that great with houses or cars, but I can probably get you a Mickey engagement ring. No problem.

Don't know how you can sleep with that constant glow??? Oh wait, you said RETRO-actively....

Good one!

You'd think he would have found a pole and do some mojo dancin'!

Um, I think that's completely different.

Yes, ANOTHER man thing!

<fist bump>

<burp>

Mixed together????

Yep.

 

[nittanyliongirl02]

That's great that you were able to upgrade your tickets! Tell you what...I'll trade you a Disney ticket for a PSU ticket....I totally think that's a fair trade .

Great update.....and totally jealous of Stephanie and her Mickey shaped diamonds!