These are NOT the rooms that I paid for! 3 Resorts in 10 days - Trivia Answers 9/3

[MEK]

Tell me it's fun when you have this:

 

[MEK]

Seriously. He waited until you asked for his last name at the check-in kiosk and THEN offered you a glass of champagne. I'm glad you made him pose for the picture because that just makes the story that much better.

And the response of the CM serving up the champagne - priceless!

I can see a mistake happening, but the lack of costumer service is shocking. A sincere apology is all you wanted and then to take the tip off? What? WHAT? That makes no sense. What a frustrating experience.

I just wanted to add that I think it's very funny you home ended up in Dublin. Mine usually ends up in the South Pacific. Who knew Delaware could be so hard to locate.

 

[MrsB1228]

Em's Lightning Eagle coaster looks pretty awesome. I love roller coasters but hate small confined spaces so I give Sum of all Thrills a miss. Looks like the two of you had fun though!

Your meals at Le Chefs look yummy but wow! are those tables close! We haven't been in a few years but I don't remember them being that close last time we were there. Probably because my memories are sprinkled with pixie dust, LOL.

I would have been very ticked with Phillipe's response too! A sincere apology for the mistake and the extra time it took to fix it was certainly called for. Glad you scored some bubbly, and the servers response to your question? Best. Reply. Ever.

Great update Brenda!

 

[KatMark]

I'll never forget that day. In typical fashion, our office decided we did not need to leave early as the snow hadn't started and we'd probably all get home before the heavy stuff started. I left at 3:30 as did several others. Mark left his office at 3 p.m. It took him 2-1/2 hours to reach me when I got off the train which had taken me 2 hours (normally a 45 minute ride). The next morning we woke up and could not open our garage door and barely got the front door open. We ended up with 26 inches + with the blowing snow.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

I just found your TR a few days ago and am disappointed that I am now caught up - it's been such an enjoyable read.

Thanks for adding a link at the bottom of each post to the next one. I can't tell you how much more enjoyable that makes a TR to read.

Congratulations on your great suite upgrade. I wrote about a similar kind of upgrade in my blog; they certainly make you feel special.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

The sequence of events involving the manager just had me rolling on the floor! It's amazing how he had a knack for compounding such a simple mistake into a hot complicated mess. That picture you made him take is priceless just for the awkward expression on his face!

 

[Alysa]

Oooooo - i am all cross on your behalf. I feel like Pacha's wife in The Emperor's New Groove. "I'd give that guy a piece of my mind. That kind of behavior just, just... Snarl. I gotta go wash something."

 

[francis6306]

Wow… you are easily won over! What can I say… I would be too! Free champaign? Why not… But he could STILL learn to say "I'm so sorry!" Would that kill him????

 

[emmysmommy]

We're Back! I plan to catch up with everyone's TRs/DR as well as my own in a few days but wanted to stop by and say "Hi"

We had a great time and I'll just share a few highlights in subsequent posts.

Greetings from Disneyland!

​

 

[teekathepony]

Welcome back, Brenda! Disneyland looks beautiful, but my eyes bugged out at the Iron Man suits! I'll be needing the story on tha one! Hahaha (I may be a big fan)

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[emmysmommy]

"I accepted and made him pose for a photo with me because gosh darn it this was a story to tell all my Dis friends and I needed the picture to prove it!"

How frustrating about the credit card! But too funny about wanting the proof to tell the story.

You also make snow scraping look like fun! Hope you are having fun this week.

Christine

Hi Christine! Thanks! Ha ha! Yes, as far as I can tell scraping ice is a fun thing to do. Of course I've only done it one time so perhaps it's not as fun through an entire winter??

So, after a the responses in ice scraping... I have to say between your video and Dave's Fargo clip - I resemble the Fargo clip.

I haven't made it into innoventions in ages. Although I think in September it may be a good AC break! A the poor response from your experience in France - ugh - people forget that sometimes all you want is an apology.... : /

Hi Sarah! Innoventions in summer is a welcome break from the heat! Plus who doesn't want to play the Great Piggy Bank Adventure and build your own roller coaster?

You get it! Any apology would have made me drop it but at that point I was so annoyed.

I've got to get my husband to do sum of all thrills next time we visit! He loves roller coasters and is an engineer, so he'd probably love it. Thanks for including that. We've always spent little time in that area...mostly because I want to book it to living with the land because I'm a nerd.

Those are some close quarters in France!! As for Phillipe... It always boggles my mind when I meet or come across a less than magically happy cast member. That comment, "after all, this is France" is pure gold. Now that kind of happy snark I can go for!

Enjoy your time at the Grand Californian!! What a beautiful place. Take lots of pictures. Also, can't wait to hear about your stay in WL in August. Have fun!

Oh Jennifer your hubby will LOVE Sum of all Thrills if he is an engineer! He'll probably get all the tools and math that are used as well.

The quote, "after all this is France" was so great. We used that quote through the remainder of our trip. Here's a photo of the young man to which the quote is attributable! (He was adorable!)

Great pics!

Thank you!

I've only done Sum Of All Thrills once, back in 2010 I think, and to be honest I found it really lacking. I think simulators just don't work for me for some reason. I did thoroughly enjoy the fact that you have a monitor of the other person in front of you though. We had a LOT of fun with that. They need to record it because I for sure would have bought that one.

Gosh you are such a sweetie for paying for someone else's meal.

Seriously though, what awful awful service. I can't even fathom the response you got (or lack thereof).

AHHHHH GRAND CALIFORNIAN!!!!! I am so jealous. Have a blast. I'll be watching FB for updates!!

Rob I will agree that a simulator does NOT replace a thrill ride such as Y&Y but the positive side of it is it is in AC and you don't have to wait that long! Really, I'm trying to think of more pros but yeah, it will never measure up to a real live steel coaster!

Yeah, it was an oops with paying for someone else's meal but gosh darn it I wanted the satisfaction of a, "gee madam, we're sorry!" I suppose the apology was found in the champagne glass!

AHHHHH YES, the Grand Californian was so very nice! I rather failed at the FB updates since I just didn't take a lot of time to do that but I will upload a lot of photos tonight!

Thanks for thinking of us!

I am far too claustrophobic to even watch those tiny little pods enclose my DH while he rides. It gives me the shivers! I have done the simulator in DisneyQuest and that one was awesome!
Too bad about your bill, but really too bad about the service surrounding what should have been a very small issue! I don't blame you for wanting Phillipes last name to complain. But I will admit to laughing at him trying to bribe you with champaign! After all miss, this is France! Too funny!

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If you are claustrophobic, that is not the ride for you! The first time we did it I worried about that but I figured I could contain my hysteria for 90 seconds. I haven't done the Disneyquest version since we were only in there for a grand total of 1/2 hr.

Ha! Yes, we can all laugh now at the comedy of the bill and the champagne. I'm sure I will see Phillipe next trip since there's no hard feelings and I've rebooked it not only next month but for December as well.

Oh, oh... see the photo above. That's for you too!

This update had me laughing out loud so much. Oh my goodness, after a morning with a fussy baby it really made my day.

The photo of you and Phillippe is priceless.

Enjoy your stay at the Grand Californian.

Hi Ashley! Awww how's baby Jonah? My gosh he's what, 3 months now?? Glad you got a chuckle from that story.

Thanks for the well wishes - our mini vacation was wonderful.

Why do all these things always happen to you, Brenda? I'm not sure I would have been so forgiving (probably because I don't like champagne ).

Loved the photos, and love Chefs de France (although I will be sure to try NOT to get that CM when we are there next month).

Hope you are having a great time at DL.

Hi Kathy! Yeah, not sure why I have these things happen to me but I looked for a bulls eye on my back and didn't see one!

We'll be there next month too! Lunch on the 23rd. I need to get caught up with your TR so I can compare notes.

Just caught up with your Chefs story. I just love that you got the manager to pose for a photo with you and the champagne!!

Hi Linda! Phillipe wasn't getting away from my camera! It put an exclamation point on that story for sure!

I also really like the Sum of All Thrills! The fact that it can actually turn you upside down (up to 4-5 times!) is what makes it for me. And your France experience sounds like a nightmare, but at least you got that picture out of it.

Well we definitely split some chili cheese fries, and I believe we also had burgers because the chicken bay was closed. When it comes to food, I never forget.

And me too! Just about a month to go.

I think we only had 1 inverted part of our ride. I thought I could build a coaster that only did loops but apparently not. Unless we don't know how to build the segments. In any event, it is so much fun.

Wow! Great memory there Mr. DDW! Yes, we split the chili cheese fries and yes there were burger involved since my favorite bay was closed.

I'm so excited for less than a month now!

 

[emmysmommy]

Wow, I got majorly behind!

first of all, I dyed of laughter at the crime scene thing. I can't believe they just stole that candy! My boyfriend's dad witnessed someone steal a hoodie before in Epcot! He told the CMs and they didn't even care!! They didn't do anything.

I love that Alice in Wonderland New Fantasyland sign. I just posted pics of that actually, but of different signs.

Nice food reviews! MM LTT!! I tried it for the first time this trip and I loved the ooey gooey cake! I loved the pot roast too, especially the veggies. I honestly could have triple the amount of veggie and three times less pot roast. The veggies were awesome!

Nice photos from your hotel room! So pretty!!

Just read more- WOW about that story about Chefs de France. I can NOT Believe he made you take champagne from him! I can't believe you didn't get a sorry either. Sadly, I had my first complaint this trip too

Also regarding the complaining monorail operator- I have had an incident with a monorail operator who literally complained to us 5 minutes about Disney. He said he would never step foot in Disney with his family and that is so overpriced! Something about monorail workers, i guess!

Hi Rachel! No worries, I am now majorly behind everyone else's updates yours included.

Glad you are now a LTT fan! That dessert is so awesome!

I need to get caught up to see what your complaint was (if you have gotten to it yet.)

Wow. Those Disney CMs should encourage people to come to WDW since that's how they get paid. Hmmm... not sure what you say to that one.

Take care!

So close!! I won’t be there in August but Paige and her DBF will be for the last week or so, Mom a friend of hers and I head back down Sept 11!!

Hmm…maybe Dec? Either that or Jan for the next big trip, I STILL want to hit up food and wine, but don’t know how much money I’ll haave left after Sept haha! Hopefully by Dec I'll just be a cast member ahaha

I have never done Sum of Thrills and I think the only time I’ve been in Innoventions was to cut through, but not being a big rollercoaster person, I’m not sure if I’d want to do it haha.

Wow, Chefs was…interesting, the food looks great, but that manager seems like a poo head! Mom did say something about the CM’s just being not as friendly in the France area versus any other area…hmm

Hi katt! Awwww one day we'll cross paths at WDW. Perhaps when you ARE a CM!!! I'll be there Dec. 5th - 13th.

Seriously. He waited until you asked for his last name at the check-in kiosk and THEN offered you a glass of champagne. I'm glad you made him pose for the picture because that just makes the story that much better.

And the response of the CM serving up the champagne - priceless!

I can see a mistake happening, but the lack of costumer service is shocking. A sincere apology is all you wanted and then to take the tip off? What? WHAT? That makes no sense. What a frustrating experience.

I just wanted to add that I think it's very funny you home ended up in Dublin. Mine usually ends up in the South Pacific. Who knew Delaware could be so hard to locate.

Hi MK! I don't suppose in France they have an equivalent for "I'm sorry"!! At least, Phillipe didn't know it!

Ha ha! Perhaps someone needs to look at their programming to get Delaware where it belongs on the map! That must be great to watch you fall into the middle of the ocean!

Em's Lightning Eagle coaster looks pretty awesome. I love roller coasters but hate small confined spaces so I give Sum of all Thrills a miss. Looks like the two of you had fun though!

Your meals at Le Chefs look yummy but wow! are those tables close! We haven't been in a few years but I don't remember them being that close last time we were there. Probably because my memories are sprinkled with pixie dust, LOL.

I would have been very ticked with Phillipe's response too! A sincere apology for the mistake and the extra time it took to fix it was certainly called for. Glad you scored some bubbly, and the servers response to your question? Best. Reply. Ever.

Great update Brenda!

Hi Carol! Ah those pixie dust distorted memories! I know them well. Yeah, it was close quarters but thankfully they were a nice group of ladies.

Wasn't that reply awesome? Loved him. He looked a lot like my middle son so I had to take his photo. Plus he was just so cute and adorable and that quote was so perfect!

I'll never forget that day. In typical fashion, our office decided we did not need to leave early as the snow hadn't started and we'd probably all get home before the heavy stuff started. I left at 3:30 as did several others. Mark left his office at 3 p.m. It took him 2-1/2 hours to reach me when I got off the train which had taken me 2 hours (normally a 45 minute ride). The next morning we woke up and could not open our garage door and barely got the front door open. We ended up with 26 inches + with the blowing snow.

Oh my gosh!! Who knew a few feet of snow would do that?? Well not me! I was conducting some training in our Hoffman Estates office about 15 years ago and a snow storm blew through. My training room was an interior room with no windows and someone came by and asked if I was letting my class to home early due to the storm. Huh? I didn't realize that it was a big deal until I looked out the windows and saw cars in the ditches. Oops!! Sorry guys.

Wow! So on those days do you just stay home and wait for it to get cleared? What a great photo!

I just found your TR a few days ago and am disappointed that I am now caught up - it's been such an enjoyable read.

Thanks for adding a link at the bottom of each post to the next one. I can't tell you how much more enjoyable that makes a TR to read.

Congratulations on your great suite upgrade. I wrote about a similar kind of upgrade in my blog; they certainly make you feel special.

Hi there! I'm so glad that you dropped by and are reading!! You are most welcome here!!

I learned that chapter link from other's here on the boards so I'll give credit to DisneyKidforLife (Rob)!! I agree, it makes getting caught up easier.

Thanks! I'll have to read your upgrade story in your blog. Thanks for sharing the link.

The sequence of events involving the manager just had me rolling on the floor! It's amazing how he had a knack for compounding such a simple mistake into a hot complicated mess. That picture you made him take is priceless just for the awkward expression on his face!

Hi Dave! Yeah, you would think that Phillipe went out of his way to not bring any satisfaction to the situation. He was customer dis-service!!

You like that photo huh? I wanted Phillipe at his finest, looks like that worked!

Oooooo - i am all cross on your behalf. I feel like Pacha's wife in The Emperor's New Groove. "I'd give that guy a piece of my mind. That kind of behavior just, just... Snarl. I gotta go wash something."

Hi Alysa! Oh my gosh, I haven't seen that movie since Em was little. I loved John Goodman (well, his voice) in that movie. Thanks for bringing back some great memories with that.

Wow… you are easily won over! What can I say… I would be too! Free champaign? Why not… But he could STILL learn to say "I'm so sorry!" Would that kill him????

Hi Christen! What can I say? A drink makes me shut up!

Welcome back, Brenda! Disneyland looks beautiful, but my eyes bugged out at the Iron Man suits! I'll be needing the story on tha one! Hahaha (I may be a big fan)

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Hi Wendy! Thanks so much!! They have an Iron Man exhibit in Disneyland's Innoventions. It was really interesting but nothing interactive.

I thought of you so much with my new Nikon Coolpix P7799 point and shoot camera that I got to replace my Sony HX1. I HAVE to learn to adjust the settings for low light photos. I'll share some of my attempts but I'm still getting used to it.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Well since you took the time to stop in and say Hi, it's only polite to return the favour, so "Hi" right back at ya!!

Looking forward to some more Disneyland details from the Grand!

Oh and of course more updates.

Also, I know you now have an Iron Man suit at home. Don't even pretend you don't!

 

[scottny]

Oh we got there 4 days after that date.
I have to try WCC one day.
I love taking the monorail and doing the loop around Epcot.
That insurance company sounds familiar. LOL.
I have never done Sum of all Thrills. I might get sick.
Love Chefs de France. I just posted our dinner there.
I hate rude people. I do hope you did contact customer relations and the champagne didn’t win. LOL
All caught up.

 

[natebenma]

You're back! I'm back!!! The Liberty Bell is back!




Passed by "your room" (at least the outside) and thought of you!

Sorry to hear it was chilly. My boys actually saw a guy in jeans and a winter jacket in the elevator at BC. LAST WEEK!

My husband worked for the sponsor of Sum of All Thrills (Raytheon) when he graduated from college. We did this attraction twice on our trip.

Your story about Phillipe the manager at Chefs was hilarious!!! Love that you took his picture!

And finally, not to upstage your story about the stolen candy caper, but I have another candidate for Mother of the Year- a woman abandoned two of her kids in the Winnie the Pooh line! I'll be writing about that one soon.

 

[emmysmommy]

Well since you took the time to stop in and say Hi, it's only polite to return the favour, so "Hi" right back at ya!!

Looking forward to some more Disneyland details from the Grand!

Oh and of course more updates.

Also, I know you now have an Iron Man suit at home. Don't even pretend you don't!

Hi Rob! Happy National Hot Dog Day! (it's official, look it up! )


Shhhh... the Iron Man suit will be our little secret. It was a bugger to get that in my suitcase though.

Oh we got there 4 days after that date.
I have to try WCC one day.
I love taking the monorail and doing the loop around Epcot.
That insurance company sounds familiar. LOL.
I have never done Sum of all Thrills. I might get sick.
Love Chefs de France. I just posted our dinner there.
I hate rude people. I do hope you did contact customer relations and the champagne didn’t win. LOL
All caught up.

Hi Scott!

Agreed, the monorail loop is a great photo op..... and a chance to make sure there's still water in the lagoon. I had a dream it was drained one time so now I always check.

Ohhh, don't even think about Sum of all Thrills then - those CMs probably don't want to pull out their disinfectant spray bottles and mops. Nope, no way!

I need to get caught up with your TR so I can read about your Chefs dinner. I hope you had a no drama meal. You know you DO pay extra for the drama, just look at my bill!!

Yeah, Customer Relations said the restaurant was an independent and not Disney governed so I just dropped it and moved on to enjoy my day. (And be a tattle tale and tell everyone about what happened!)

Glad you're caught up.

You're back! I'm back!!! The Liberty Bell is back!



Passed by "your room" (at least the outside) and thought of you!

Sorry to hear it was chilly. My boys actually saw a guy in jeans and a winter jacket in the elevator at BC. LAST WEEK!

My husband worked for the sponsor of Sum of All Thrills (Raytheon) when he graduated from college. We did this attraction twice on our trip.

Your story about Phillipe the manager at Chefs was hilarious!!! Love that you took his picture!

And finally, not to upstage your story about the stolen candy caper, but I have another candidate for Mother of the Year- a woman abandoned two of her kids in the Winnie the Pooh line! I'll be writing about that one soon.

Welcome back Dee. I finally made it to your new TR!

Yay! They must have been refurbing the Liberty Bell but I'm glad it's back! Thanks for the photo proof.

Ahhh, "our room".... it is missed. We'll be back in a few weeks and I'm sure we will be thinking of the people in room 4157 who are enjoying the fabulous suite!

Uhhhh... not sure why someone would be in winter wear in July?? Maybe he was trying to see what it was like to be a fur character??

Your DH probably knew how to build a coaster/jet/bobsled and knew about the engineering techniques. Us, we just turn the dials and slide the ruler and hope that our coaster doesn't fall off the tracks.

Can't wait to hear your story for that mother of the year recipient! Oh, and I need to see PHOTOS, all your PHOTOS. Especially since you had some great new cameras!

 

[emmysmommy]

Friday March 1, 2013: Day 7, Part 3​

It was time to walk off lunch and enjoy the best that WS has to offer! Next stop, the good ole’ US of A. The American Adventure show was starting soon and who doesn’t love a good nap, err I mean show after a big lunch. Em and I were the last two people to be seated in the theater so while I was hustling to get to the theater I took some pretty cruddy photos.

Although I’m not a huge fan of the animatronics, they do help tell the story of our history in a meaningful way. The Golden Dreams audio/video montage at the end is my favorite Americana experience at WDW! I’ve seen the show a dozen times and I still leave teary eyed.

America
Spread Your Golden Wings
Sail on Freedom’s Wind
‘Cross the Sky
Great Bird with your Golden Dreams
Flying High, Flying High

So awesome!

Now for some more WS fun! Italy must not have interested us since we moved on to Germany where we browsed the shops and noticed a very uncomely Belle Christmas ornament. We posed with Snow White and her little men topiaries.

Beautiful glasswork

Stopping in Norway, I recently began admiring Laila, the essence of Norway. I was looking for Em to be a guinea pig since I was already sporting a light citrus fragrance. Apparently she has no interest in smelling like Norway. I spritzed up one of the sampler mouillettes and wafted the lovely scent around but then hesitated to make a purchase since I wasn’t sure I wanted to lug around a bottle the rest of the day. I should have purchased it and had it delivered to our hotel gift shop. Doh! Rookie mistake.

Moving on to Mexico, we couldn’t pass up riding the Gran Fiesta Tour with its IaSW-eque ambiance! Those Three Caballeros and their antics! That Donald and his womanizing ways… he is cute though so perhaps his duck charm shouldn’t be ignored?

We had successfully navigated WS so while we were deciding where else to roam we noticed that the globe from Illuminations was being hauled out and put into position. We had yet to see this show this trip other than the partially obstructed view from our room at the YC.

It was 5pm by the time we finished going through some shops in FW and decided to hop the monorail back to our resort. We had some time for rest and relaxation before our 8pm dinner at ‘Ohana.

The monorail delivered us safely to our destination where I have no idea what we did for the next 3 hours. Actually, my idea is that Em probably watched TV in the living room and I napped in the bedroom. I NEVER nap at home so this little luxury is welcome on vacation.

A Yellow and Blue sign... Bring back the PINK!!!

Continued Next Post

​

 

[emmysmommy]

Friday March 1, 2013: Day 7, Part 4

We were at the Polynesian at 8pm for our dinner reservation for one of my new favorite dinners in all of WDW! This was only the second time to eat at ‘Ohana for dinner so we were definitely expecting great things – and we were not disappointed.

Samantha was our server and kept the food flowing from the salad to the pot stickers and chicken wings to the various meat options to finally the amazing bananas foster bread pudding!! Making the meal all the better was my beverage of choice - a tasty pina colada. Finally a cocktail for which I could tell there was alcohol duly measured in it.

Yummy bread!

One note about the beef… it was perfectly cooked to my preference with pink in the middle. I’ve heard you can ask for skewers cooked to your liking so don’t be afraid to ask for a version that is more or less well done.

According to my last photo during the meal we didn’t finish our dessert. I wonder if you can ask for it to-go since I’m sure there are others like me that by the time you have eaten the bread, salad, veggies, pot stickers, wings, noodles, pork, beef, chicken, and shrimp there’s ZERO room in your gullet for dessert!! It’s such a lovely sight to behold that bread pudding but it’s beyond misery to try and finish one more thing.

Goofy kid

Someone needs to keep an eye on their kid!

Back on the monorail and we were delivered to the CR where the castle was oh so lovely.

We were bored because the rest of our evening consisted of doing cartwheels in the room and trying to reprimand my kid for not following my parental instruction. Apparently a time out for her candy didn’t influence her behavior!

That’s a wrap for day 6!

Continued Next Post

​

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Hmmm, I think you might lose your Women's Club membership since you didn't spend much time in Italy. I hear the ladies tend to like it there. Of course I have no idea why.

Hmm, I may have to create an "I Survived Grand Fiesta Tour" t-shirt for future trips.

Ooh, you got to see the globe haul out. I thought it was a pretty cool thing to see.

Yes I agree... Bring back the Pink! I don't know why but the new colour scheme just looks... odd.


"Someone needs to keep an eye on their kid! "

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Looking at your food pictures from Ohana and then looking at my sad lunch right now. Sigh.

That picture of Em and the statue was too funny!