Travel Channel Disney Fans tidbits
- Thread starter Dave Dizney
- Start date
MaryJ
<font color=660099>Believes in Tag Gremlins, not T
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- 2,968
We actually like Tarzan Rocks better than the Lion King. With kids that are teens and older, we're more into the skaters than the audience participation at Lion King.Originally posted by lenshanem
Funny, I love the Tarzan Rocks show as much as the Lion King Festival. I always recommend it. I was surprised to read others don't like it!
TigrLvsPooh
Travel Channel's Ultimate Disney Fan
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2001
- Messages
- 12,074
Ok... well... this Pop Century stuff needed it's own post anyway. 
Let's see... it all started with check-in. The front desk people were totally confused when we got there. We told them who we were, filming a show, room already paid, etc, etc, and she just looked lost. So they had to get about 5 CMs before someone knew who we were, where are rooms were, and to give us our packet of goodies. DH was NOT a happy camper at this point. We were tired and not in the mood to stand around at the check-in for an hour. But it finally got sorted out... our rooms weren't ready so we went to the food court and left our bags with the luggage department.
After eating we went back to the front desk and were told our rooms were ready. We had already been given keys so we headed off. Our family had stayed at PC before in the 70's section. This time we were way, way, way, in the back. Probably the farthest building a person could possibly get. (so much for being TV stars, huh?) So we get to our rooms and guess what, the keys don't work. None of them. (we had three rooms). So we were able to find a luggage guy walking by and told him the problem. He contacted the front desk for us to tell them we needed new keys and also took our names to go and get our luggage out of storage. Well, time goes by, and someone FINALLY brings our keys. Probably like 30-45 minutes later. So we get into our rooms and wait for our luggage. And wait, and wait, and wait. 
I called down to the luggage place and I guess that guy never did tell them we needed our bags, but they apologized and said they'd send them right over. So we wait, and wait, and wait, and wait again. I am freaking out because we are supposed to go to Epcot to meet the producers to talk about our filming day (which was that very next day) and we had to change clothes because we were all in jeans and stuff from home.
So anyway, the luggage finally came. I was mad, but we had to hurry. That whole check-in process had already wasted several hours. We were only going to suffer out 2 nights in those rooms before moving over to BWVs (at our own expense) to really start our vacation. So we ran out of there quick!
We were gone that whole next day for the filming. Remember in my earlier post the kids and grandparents headed back to the resort around 10:30 pm to go to bed. Well, they got into their room and the adjoining door had been shut... probably by the mousekeeper... so the kids couldn't get to their beds. We hadn't given them our key. (totally our fault to think the door would still be open) So my mother-in-law calls down to the front desk and requests to be let in to the other room. They tell her they are sending someone "right over". (yes we've heard this before) Well, I guess they waited as long as they could... over an hour... and made 2-3 more calls... but nobody ever came. So the kids fell asleep in their clothes on the floor.
When dh and I got back to the room we instantly noticed the door was shut and the kids were not in their beds. So I went into a panic, and practically had a heart attack. We knocked on the room dividing door and woke everyone up so the kids could get their pj's on and go to bed. They were both crying from exhaustion.
So I called the front desk that night and complained. Then also called the next morning as we were checking-out to talk to the daytime manager. They apologized but did nothing. Not that I expected anything. We were glad to leave and probably won't ever be back. I also told the producers about all the trouble we had. But there really wasn't anything they could do at that point. It was over.
On a positive note, we LOVED our stay at the BWVs.
And then we went back to WDW 3 weeks later and LOVED our stay at VWL. We've stayed at almost every WDW resort so I know those problems aren't the norm. It is hard to go to WDW and let someone else take care of your plans. I am use to having my own reservations, my own confirmation #'s, and in this situation we were totally at the mercy of the CMs knowing who we were and why we were there.
Told you it was a long story!
Let's see... it all started with check-in. The front desk people were totally confused when we got there. We told them who we were, filming a show, room already paid, etc, etc, and she just looked lost. So they had to get about 5 CMs before someone knew who we were, where are rooms were, and to give us our packet of goodies. DH was NOT a happy camper at this point. We were tired and not in the mood to stand around at the check-in for an hour. But it finally got sorted out... our rooms weren't ready so we went to the food court and left our bags with the luggage department. After eating we went back to the front desk and were told our rooms were ready. We had already been given keys so we headed off. Our family had stayed at PC before in the 70's section. This time we were way, way, way, in the back. Probably the farthest building a person could possibly get. (so much for being TV stars, huh?) So we get to our rooms and guess what, the keys don't work.
None of them. (we had three rooms). So we were able to find a luggage guy walking by and told him the problem. He contacted the front desk for us to tell them we needed new keys and also took our names to go and get our luggage out of storage. Well, time goes by, and someone FINALLY brings our keys. Probably like 30-45 minutes later. So we get into our rooms and wait for our luggage. And wait, and wait, and wait. I called down to the luggage place and I guess that guy never did tell them we needed our bags, but they apologized and said they'd send them right over. So we wait, and wait, and wait, and wait again. I am freaking out because we are supposed to go to Epcot to meet the producers to talk about our filming day (which was that very next day) and we had to change clothes because we were all in jeans and stuff from home. So anyway, the luggage finally came. I was mad, but we had to hurry. That whole check-in process had already wasted several hours. We were only going to suffer out 2 nights in those rooms before moving over to BWVs (at our own expense) to really start our vacation.
So we ran out of there quick!We were gone that whole next day for the filming. Remember in my earlier post the kids and grandparents headed back to the resort around 10:30 pm to go to bed. Well, they got into their room and the adjoining door had been shut... probably by the mousekeeper... so the kids couldn't get to their beds. We hadn't given them our key. (totally our fault to think the door would still be open) So my mother-in-law calls down to the front desk and requests to be let in to the other room. They tell her they are sending someone "right over". (yes we've heard this before) Well, I guess they waited as long as they could... over an hour... and made 2-3 more calls... but nobody ever came. So the kids fell asleep in their clothes on the floor.
When dh and I got back to the room we instantly noticed the door was shut and the kids were not in their beds.
So I went into a panic, and practically had a heart attack. We knocked on the room dividing door and woke everyone up so the kids could get their pj's on and go to bed. They were both crying from exhaustion.So I called the front desk that night and complained. Then also called the next morning as we were checking-out to talk to the daytime manager. They apologized but did nothing. Not that I expected anything. We were glad to leave and probably won't ever be back. I also told the producers about all the trouble we had. But there really wasn't anything they could do at that point. It was over.
On a positive note, we LOVED our stay at the BWVs.
And then we went back to WDW 3 weeks later and LOVED our stay at VWL. We've stayed at almost every WDW resort so I know those problems aren't the norm. It is hard to go to WDW and let someone else take care of your plans. I am use to having my own reservations, my own confirmation #'s, and in this situation we were totally at the mercy of the CMs knowing who we were and why we were there. Told you it was a long story!
TigrLvsPooh
Travel Channel's Ultimate Disney Fan
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2001
- Messages
- 12,074
We usually fly.... but we drove this past May and it wasn't bad at all. We went for two weeks and wanted to have our car with us. I think it's about an 18 hour drive. We enjoyed driving around WDW and having more freedom from the buses.
It's pretty cheap to fly from here... usually about $129 on Southwest.
It's pretty cheap to fly from here... usually about $129 on Southwest.
TigrLvsPooh
Travel Channel's Ultimate Disney Fan
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2001
- Messages
- 12,074
Like I said before, we had stayed at Pop Century a couple of times before and never had those problems. I think they were just confused from the get-go about our situation. I'm sure the deluxe resorts are better at handling these different circumstances.
TigrLvsPooh
Travel Channel's Ultimate Disney Fan
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2001
- Messages
- 12,074
We're in West Lafayette...... it's about an hour to the airport from here.
dbal
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2002
- Messages
- 398
Erika & Dave- Thank you guys so much for your posts. I love hearing about the behind the scenes process. It's really fascinating to find out what goes into making one of these shows. Now I can't wait to pop in my tape of the show again and think back to all the funny things you guys went through while making it.
Thanks!
Thanks!
beattyfamily
DIS Cast Member
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2000
- Messages
- 23,572
TigrLvsPooh, thanks so much for sharing so much interesting inside scoop with us! Now, don't you feel better getting that off your chest?
That is so funny that they filmed you taking the bus but you really drove, CRT was actually closed when you ate there, and you had to 'pretend' to enter the park after breakfast!
Please continue to post if you think of anything else.
Now after reading your post, I want to go watch the show again while remember what you've said!!
That is so funny that they filmed you taking the bus but you really drove, CRT was actually closed when you ate there, and you had to 'pretend' to enter the park after breakfast!
Please continue to post if you think of anything else.
Now after reading your post, I want to go watch the show again while remember what you've said!!
Disney Panda
World Showcase Luvah!
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2003
- Messages
- 214
Thanks ultimate fans for sharing the unseen details of your experience.
canwegosoon
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2004
- Messages
- 7,145
Dave...I thought you and your family did a great job A++++
I want to know, can you be my trip planner?
Great job.
I want to know, can you be my trip planner?
Great job.
Dave Dizney
<font color=blue>Super-Duper organized Ultimate Di
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2004
- Messages
- 460
Erika! I knew peer-pressure would make you cave! You've given me a very enjoyable Sunday afternoon of reading! My wife returned after a week-long conference, and is going through a stack of printed threads.
I'm so sorry to hear about your problems at PC! I have to say that not all of the kinks were out by the next week we were there and checking into our resort. First, the towncar was late, but no big deal. When we arrived at AKL, the lady behind the desk said that we had our two rooms, but in different sections of the resort! We objected at first, but then thought it may have been for two different views for the next morning shoot. I turned to my wife and said "Maybe they want to shoot the animals in two different savanna's tomorrow morning." I turned back to the lady and her eyes were as big as saucers
-- "Sir, we don't allow hunting at the Animal Kingdom Lodge!" We laughed so hard -- then she saw we were with the Travel Channel.
We were supposed to meet the producers that evening, but a shooting schedule went longer than planned -- no problem -- went out and played the rest of that evening in the MK, and finally grabbed a Simba-paw brownie, and headed off to bed early. Mickey woke us up early the next morning sounding like an old man from the Bronx. It took 10 or more calls from Mickey and "his dad" to get the boys up.
My wife made the beds -- yeah, you think I'M bad!
The crew showed up at 6:00am and our director Jamie introduced himself. I can't comment about him, but my wife giggled at your explanation of him, Erika. About 15 people came into our room, including the Resort Manager who was VERY apologetic about our room setup. Evidentially, they were supposed to put us up on the third floor for one of the bigger balconies, and WITH adjoining rooms. Our schedule had us moving to the Beach Club on the second day -- but she made sure that we could be there the whole time, and would it be OK if they moved our belongings to our new rooms.
When we returned after a 14-hour day, our rooms were moved to the third floor, HUGE balconies, and about 8 towel-animals and lei's. So, when the production was over, they had to evict us kicking and screaming!
So I think they got some of the bugs worked out by the time we got out there, Erika. Sorry you got the short-end of the resorts!
But there seems to be something "special" you got in return. You can't just leave us by throwing out that carrot without dropping even a hint!
Your kids were troopers! If you look at the video, you'll see that our boys were about their age in one of the shots. Those were fun days, enjoy them while you can -- we head out next week to celebrate our son going to college. The time between where you are and where we are goes by way too quick -- take time to smell the fry-carts!
Let's keep this thread going -- we'll be on again tomorrow!
I'm so sorry to hear about your problems at PC! I have to say that not all of the kinks were out by the next week we were there and checking into our resort. First, the towncar was late, but no big deal. When we arrived at AKL, the lady behind the desk said that we had our two rooms, but in different sections of the resort! We objected at first, but then thought it may have been for two different views for the next morning shoot. I turned to my wife and said "Maybe they want to shoot the animals in two different savanna's tomorrow morning." I turned back to the lady and her eyes were as big as saucers
-- "Sir, we don't allow hunting at the Animal Kingdom Lodge!" We laughed so hard -- then she saw we were with the Travel Channel.We were supposed to meet the producers that evening, but a shooting schedule went longer than planned -- no problem -- went out and played the rest of that evening in the MK, and finally grabbed a Simba-paw brownie, and headed off to bed early. Mickey woke us up early the next morning sounding like an old man from the Bronx. It took 10 or more calls from Mickey and "his dad" to get the boys up.
My wife made the beds -- yeah, you think I'M bad!
The crew showed up at 6:00am and our director Jamie introduced himself. I can't comment about him, but my wife giggled at your explanation of him, Erika. About 15 people came into our room, including the Resort Manager who was VERY apologetic about our room setup. Evidentially, they were supposed to put us up on the third floor for one of the bigger balconies, and WITH adjoining rooms. Our schedule had us moving to the Beach Club on the second day -- but she made sure that we could be there the whole time, and would it be OK if they moved our belongings to our new rooms.
When we returned after a 14-hour day, our rooms were moved to the third floor, HUGE balconies, and about 8 towel-animals and lei's. So, when the production was over, they had to evict us kicking and screaming!
So I think they got some of the bugs worked out by the time we got out there, Erika. Sorry you got the short-end of the resorts!
But there seems to be something "special" you got in return. You can't just leave us by throwing out that carrot without dropping even a hint!
Your kids were troopers! If you look at the video, you'll see that our boys were about their age in one of the shots. Those were fun days, enjoy them while you can -- we head out next week to celebrate our son going to college. The time between where you are and where we are goes by way too quick -- take time to smell the fry-carts!
Let's keep this thread going -- we'll be on again tomorrow!
Dave Dizney
<font color=blue>Super-Duper organized Ultimate Di
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2004
- Messages
- 460
Canwegosoon -- Sure I could do you're planning! But in order to insure that you follow the plan correctly, I'd have to go on the actual trip of anyone's trip I'd plan.
YOU HEAR THAT MILLIONAIRE POSTERS? I AM AVAILABLE!
YOU HEAR THAT MILLIONAIRE POSTERS? I AM AVAILABLE!
Fantasmic303
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2003
- Messages
- 1,928
Originally posted by TigrLvsPooh
Also I got teased by the whole family for my schoolgirl crush on Jamie, but HELLO can we say Yum???
I'd like to interrupt this regularly scheduled Disney-themed thread to inquire for further details about this "Jamie" character.
Specifics, Erika...three in particular:
1 - approximate age
2 - is he single?
3 - where might we locate a picture of the eye candy???
So far I count two ladies of the Dis (you and Dave's DW) who approve...I'm wondering what it would take to get "Jamie" to show ME those magical backstage WDW areas!!
dpuck1998
<font color=blue>I'm innocent I tell you...innocen
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2003
- Messages
- 10,279
Thanks Dave and Erika for the great descriptions of all your adventures. I watched the show again with another family that is going with us to Disney in October. I paused it often and told them about all the little tidbits you have shared. Like the long wait for Dinosaur the Ride to fit the camera. BTW we sat in the same seat at CRT, I think you were in my seat Erika 
Our boys loved it. Did they get to meet Aladdin?
Are you going to give us any hints about your great experiance? Did you get to see the Disney storage area? The underground tunnels? Did you get to wear Mickeys outfit?
Our boys loved it. Did they get to meet Aladdin? Are you going to give us any hints about your great experiance? Did you get to see the Disney storage area? The underground tunnels? Did you get to wear Mickeys outfit?
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