Virgin Introduction Meeting Thingy?

[feathersmcgraw]

Hi everyone.
We are off to Florida in 64 days . We went in 2010 with Virgin and was told to attend some sort of introduction meeting, the day after we arrived. We didn't go as it seemed a waste of a morning and went straight to the parks to get there as soon as possible.
So I am wondering; 1) Does anyone know what I am on about and what it's called and 2) Have you been to one yourself and if so 3) Is it worth using up a precious morning of our holiday to go?

TIA, Stef

 

[flortlebap]

I've been and no it's not worth it. Skip it, we now always do

 

[feathersmcgraw]

Thank you flortlebap, your advice is much appreciated
We'll skip it and have more fun at the parks

 

[laura_<3]

We never attend the 'welcome meeting' either, its not worth it if you already have tickets etc (just my opinion though)

 

[Disney Princesses LW]

we went to ours only because we wanted to complain about our hotel the checkin took over 2 hours not even a queue and in our room their not enough beds!!! the rep sorted it and we got basket of free gifts to say sorry

whilst at the meeting we got our (already purchased from ebay) Universal tickets stamped by one of the reps to get special early entrance to WW of Harry Potter and free breakfast
so wasnt a complete waste of time

Having said that the year before we didnt attend the welcome meeting .... we didnt need to complain as we had no probs with the room

 

[Shazzie B]

We went to it on our 1st trip - when it used to be held at Downtown Disney - not worth it - none of the shops were open. Also we'd worked out that it was close to Typhoon Lagoon so took our swimming stuff; but being 1st timers didn't realise you couldn't walk to TL or catch a Disney bus directly there - fortunately a kindly bus driver took pity on us and dropped us there anyway.

I also went to one a few years ago when Virgin were offering a free meal at Hard Rock Cafe if you attended - I went on my own & said DH had to stay with Kids as they were still in bed I got the vouchers.

Next time told DH it was his turn to try the same trick -it worked but Virgin Rep gave him some grief and said it wasn't really allowed

2 years ago we did the order extra tickets from Virgin Concierge call so they deliver to airport, they'll also include your WWoHP early entry tickets as well then. Going to try the same again this year

So I've sat through two - but never again - with the help of Dis I know more than them anyway

 

[queendisney]

we have only ever gone if we know we are going to get something out of it..ie when they offered the free voucher for a meal at the Hard Rock! Also popped in one year to grab the extra 10% coupon off of Reeboks..but they really aren't worth bothering with otherwise. You don't get either offer nowadays.

 

[thestevied]

Always consider it a waste... Especially first day when you just wanna get to the parks!

 

[darthtatty]

You don't have to go the first day of your holiday. We've been to some a few days later. They have them every day ( I think )
They are really just a waste of time. I think the one I went to a few years ago was very short, we just went to pick up shuttle passes and left.

 

[Ciorsdah]

I've had a few issues with Virgin around this very thing.

We have booked everything through Virgin, including the Universal Studios tickets. I was told that we would get everything in a wee pack a week or so before we leave.

Then I was told by another Virgin Holidays rep that we had to attend this welcome meeting to exchange our ticket vouchers for actual tickets for Universal - this would then allow us early entry to WWoHP. Within the first 2 days of holidays...!

Needless to say I wasn't happy with this, we are planning to go to Harry Potter in the 2nd week of our holiday not within the first 2 days.

I emailed the Florida concierge and requested that we pick things up at the airport, she replied saying that because we had booked through Virgin Holidays and not the concierge service she wouldnot be able to arrange to have our tickets picked up at the airport

I ended up having to complain in writing to Virgin Customer Services, the concierge and our holiday rep explaining that forcing someone to attend a welcome meeting to simply pick up tickets because they were booked through the holiday side of the company was insane.

Eventually they gave in, I can pick up my Universal tickets at our hotel reception on the 2nd day of our holiday.

I would certainly email to enquire, as like I said, they told me that I was not allowed to pick up anything at all at the airport unless it had been booked directly with the concierge.

Next year I am DIYing it!!

 

[George12]

I bet that a rock star wouldn't have to go through these hoops as us mere mortals do!