What a disaster!!

[WillowBelle]

I don't think there is a chance in the world that you could bore us!

 

[DisneyMomLiz]

Hi Topdog!

Just finished reading all 66 pages of your TR, does that qualify me to join the TD fanclub, please, please It took me two days of reading, in between projects at work...shh, don't tell my boss!

I just had to comment on your fabulous photos and your witty writing style. At first I was drawn in by your title, but made it through all 66 pages because of your photos and your great stories/descriptions. Also, you are too sweet...I love the story of the older couple at the diner, whose dinner you purchased!

Can't wait to read the final installments and get my WDW fill through your amazing pictures! Thanks!

 

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I am okay with cinnamon and brown sugar but not a fan with pecan. Not to mention I am not a potato fan, sweet or not. For Pete's sake, I don't even like french fries that much.

You don't like FRENCH FRIES??? My goodness, TD: what's wrong with you man??? You can eat jellyfish and I've blocked from my memory the other things you eat (some kind of blood something??) and you don't like french fries?

j/k with ya! To each their own, right?

 

[GoofyJediMaster]

Just started the TR. Looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

 

[Mrsdisneyb2b]

Nope he doesnt know! He wanted them so badly last year and i was against them... but, i decided to give in!

 

[Mrsdisneyb2b]

I am okay with cinnamon and brown sugar but not a fan with pecan. Not to mention I am not a potato fan, sweet or not. For Pete's sake, I don't even like french fries that much.

.

I can change you into a potato lover...

Dip the fries in vanilla ice cream! lolol

 

[topdog]

I don't think there is a chance in the world that you could bore us!

It's very long. Trust me.

Hi Topdog!

Just finished reading all 66 pages of your TR, does that qualify me to join the TD fanclub, please, please It took me two days of reading, in between projects at work...shh, don't tell my boss!

I just had to comment on your fabulous photos and your witty writing style. At first I was drawn in by your title, but made it through all 66 pages because of your photos and your great stories/descriptions. Also, you are too sweet...I love the story of the older couple at the diner, whose dinner you purchased!

Can't wait to read the final installments and get my WDW fill through your amazing pictures! Thanks!

Thank you. Glad you made it. The next installment should be coming up in a few.

You don't like FRENCH FRIES??? My goodness, TD: what's wrong with you man??? You can eat jellyfish and I've blocked from my memory the other things you eat (some kind of blood something??) and you don't like french fries?

j/k with ya! To each their own, right?

I don't know why. I don't mind eating french fries. Just not something I would crave for, that's all. Same with pizza. I can eat it. I just prefer not to eat it.

Just started the TR. Looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

Please stay tune.

Nope he doesnt know! He wanted them so badly last year and i was against them... but, i decided to give in!

But are they Disney Crocs.

I can change you into a potato lover...

Dip the fries in vanilla ice cream! lolol

Ice-cream is not my favorite food either. Some time it can take me up to 2 weeks to eat a pint of ice-cream. I will eat dessert when we are on vacation. While I am at home, I don't touch them.

 

[topdog]

A side note, one my way to work this morning. I always have to drive pass by the raceway since I only live a few miles away from it. Because the Pocono 500 is this weekend, I always have my camera with me just in case if I see something unusual.

So after I pass the track entrance, I spotted a couple of the racing team semi parked at a local drug store parking lot waiting for the track gate open. I pulled into the lot and took a few shot.

Then guess who came and pose with me.

Okay. I will post the next update in a few minutes. So stay tune...

 

[topdog]

Day# 8 (Sunday) Part 1

Finally, we will be leaving today. I was cranky and my feet were painful but who care at this point. Once again, I woke up at 5:45am. Gathering my camera gears and quietly sneak out of the room to take more morning pictures for one last time.

The sky was clear and no fog. I quickly set up my shots and spend about 30 minutes outside. Then move on back to inside and I even took a few with me in it. By the time I was done, it already pass 7:00am. It's time to head back to the room.

When I got back to the room, DW was still sleeping. I went for my shower and when I was done, DW was already up. She then took her shower while I continue to pack up all my camera gears. After DW got done with her shower, it was still early. Since our next ADR is at WCC @ noon (downstair), we have plenty of time doing nothing. DW decide she want's to pick up a heavy sweatshirt for herself at the WL gift shop while I watched a little TV. When she came back with this heavy duty Goofy sweatshirt plus a tote bag that was another promotion. I think it's like spend $30 and you can get a Disney tote bag for $10. This is what the tote bag look like.

After she's done with her shopping, I decide to get a pair of the Crocs Mickey flip-flop I saw a couple of days ago. First of all, I am not a slipper kind of guy. I never even own a pair of flip-flop in my life and I don't like to wear socks. I made an exception for this trip to wear socks and look what happened to my feet. However, since this is a Crocs Mickey flip-flop, I made another exception. I know they do not have it at the WL gift shop but I do know they have it at one of the CR gift shop. Since we were still a couple of hours away from lunch, we decide to venture out one last time. It's better than sitting in the room doing nothing for 2 hours. So for the first time of the whole trip, I decide not to take my camera with me so I can actually enjoy the surrounding as we were walking around the property.

Walking to the boat dock this morning was a bit challenging since my feet really hurt. I have to tie my shoes as tight as I can and slow my pace down. It was a complete different feeling walking around Disney property without my camera. I am not sure how to explain it. I guess I was very focus on smaller detail with my camera when looking thru that tiny viewfinder all the time. Now without my camera, I can just take every thing in with much bigger picture. It felt a little weird at first but I then quickly learned to appreciate the atmosphere and the scenery. It's like I've been looking at the world from behind the window with my camera. Now, I am looking at the world from outside the window without my camera. Not sure if you understand what I meant. It's a whole different perspective and a lot take in.

It didn't take long to wait for the boat and we were at CR in no time. Again, it felt very weird without a camera in my hand and a bag on my shoulder. I don't know what to do with my hands and felt a bit lost. Once we got to CR and we went right to the gift shop. We looked for the margarita glass first but no dice. So we went to the clothing section to look for my Crocs Mickey flip-flop. I tried it on, it felt "spongy" if that's the right word for it. Unfortunately, they didn't have my size. Grrrrr.... No fear. I remember the PR gift shop had them too, so off the monorail and let the treasure hunt begins again.

Once we got to PR gift shop, I found the Crocs Mickey flip-flop in my size. On top of that, I picked up a few "Jibbits" for the Crocs as well. I tell ya. Those "Jibbits" are not cheap. I think they are like $4 for one. Ouch!!! (I know...I am a tight wart. What can I say?!)

While I was trying on the flip-flop, DW went off to pick up more "stuff". Half a dozen of Mickey water bottle holder. Before anyone ask, it a rubber ring in Mickey's shape. You can wrap the rubber ring around a water bottle neck and the rubber ring had a carabiner clip on to it so you it can hook on to your backpack or any where that has a loop. They are like $5 or $6 each. DW wants them as giveaway for her co-workers. Then she picked up a few more small items for her grand nieces also. By the time we pay for the stuff, it was over $70. Because of that, I picked up another promotion item for $20. A Disney rolling duffle. Not very big but big enough to carry a decent amount of stuff.

I just want to get out of there by then before we do any more damage. LOL...

In order to get back to WL, we took the monorail again to MK first and then take the boat ride back to WL. This time, it was more than weird to stand at the MK front gate without my camera. Suddenly, DW pull out her cellphone and start taking picture with her cellphone because she want to have the MK as her cellphone wallpaper. I thought that was a cool idea so I pull my cellphone and did the same. Once we board the boat, we turn around and wave goodbye to Mickey one last time. This is it. We won't be back for a while.

As soon as we got back to our room, we quickly packed all the souvenir. Not that we had a lot left to pack anyway. My new Disney rolling duffle came in handy too. I packed almost all our souvenir in this new suitcase and still has room to spare. I plan to take this suitcase as a carry-on at the plan since it was small enough. Once we got every thing packed, DW decide to take some more silly cellphone pictures with TED before we leave and I took one with TED hanging around at the balcony. LOL...

The best one was DW had TED holding up the KTTW card pretending he's opening the room door. That one is on DW's cellphone only. Once that was done, we went back downstair and proceed to check-out. It only took us maybe 5 minutes at the most to complete our check-out. After that, we went right outside of the lobby to check-in our luggage. Not so fast... The CM at the luggage check-in counter asked us what's our luggage check-in confirmation number. I looked at her like "HUH"!?!? She said, we need to call the airline to pay for the luggage fee and they will then give us a confirmation number. Only then, the CM can check-in our luggage. DOH!!!! We totally forgot about the luggage fee and it was on the ME package they left us with the instruction this morning. I felt like such a dork. Those darn airline.

So we went back into the lobby and DW called the airline immediately. In no time, every thing got squared away and we got our confirmation number. The CM took the number and check-in our two pieces of luggage. After that, we went back in again and wait for our ADR. I think we were about half an hour early. So we waited at the lobby. While we were waiting, I took out my camera again and snap a few more lobby pictures.

Then I decide to take TED out from the rolling duffle so he can have a few lobby shot. TED doesn't like to travel at the cargo so he must stay within my personal carry-on. LOL...

Once I got TED out, I have to be quick before any one wonder why a grown man is taking pictures with a stuff bear. I was a little too quick so the pictures was a little blurry and I only took 2.

As you can see this one, TED was sitting on the duffle holding my KTTW card. You can also see the blurry large totem pole in front of WCC at the background.

This rail cart was a very difficult one since every one walked pass by can see what I was doing. I pulled him out, set him on the cart, focus, took the shot and then stuff him back into the bag. All within 15 seconds or less.

Finally, when it was all said and done. The pager goes off. It was time for our last Disney meal. We gathered our bags and walked into WCC. The CM took us to our table with our menu. Guess who was our server for today??? It's the infamous M.T. Her fully name actually is M.T. Wallet. If any one of you ever ate at WCC, you probably had seen her already. She's an older lady. Very loud and lots of fun. We did saw her on our last trip but she didn't serve us. But I know what she's capable of because I saw 4 bottles of ketchup on our table. He! He!

First she took our drink order. I decide it's time for a change. So instead another smoothies, I got a strawberry milkshake this time and it's unlimited refill too.

...and DW got a chocolate milkshake. Sorry, no picture for her drink.

Since I liked the soup so much the last time, so I order that one last time as my appetizer. Even DW had the same thing.

For main course, DW had the Slow-smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich - Slow smoked pulled pork served with beans, French fries or grilled veggie pasta salad and BBQ sauce.

I was this close to order a roast chicken. But knowing I have a flight coming up and I wasn't sure I want to fly with a over stuff stomach. So instead, I ordered the Smoke House Stack Sandwich - Turkey, ham, bacon, American cheese, lettuce, and tomato, with shallot mayonnaise on asiago focaccia bread and served with potato chips. It was still a big sandwich.

Nonetheless, both sandwich taste very good and they were still too large but we managed to finish our food. When dessert time comes around, DW bailed out on me because she just can not squeeze another bite. So I ordered my #1 favorite dessert one last time, Kahlua-flavored Chocolate Cake - Served with chocolate mousse filling and fudge icing. Although I can only finish 2/3 of it and DW was no help. It was just as good as when I ate this cake on our first day.

During our lunch, I knew M.T. Wallet was up to no good because I saw the 4 bottles of ketchup on our table. So while M.T. was at the kitchen, I quickly moved all the ketchup bottles to another empty table. When some one asked for ketchup, M.T. yelled there were ketchup at our table and she was going to yell at me to bring the bottles over. Then she look at our table and realize there were no ketchup bottles. She began to scratch her head and wondering what happened. She mumble to herself that she purposely put 4 bottles of ketchup on our table before we were seated. I told her she must be mistaken us with another table. There were no ketchup on our table since we sat down. Ha! Ha! DW and I looked at each other and just smiled.

So finally, our last meal was over. We sign off our last check and there were no more dining point left. Here is my proof that we ate every point of our DxDP. (Look at the RED circle.)

I can hardly walk when we were done. Our ME bus was schedule to pick us up at 1:30pm and it arrived right on the button. By the time we got to the Orlando airport, we were way ahead of schedule because our flight depart at 4:30pm. So we found out gate and planted our behind and wait. We still have a couple of hours so I decide to pull my UMPC out and surf the DIS for a bit. Then by 4:00pm, the flight was delay to 4:45. We thought, that's okay. Only 15 minutes delay and our connect flight from Atlanta to Allentown is at 7:30pm. A few more minutes passed by and they delay the flight again to 5:15pm. That's still okay. We still have plenty of time to catch our connect flight since it's only a 1.5 hour flight to Atlanta. I wasn't sure why the flight was delay because I wasn't paying attention to the announcement and I know the plane was right there. But I think DW told me it was because the pilots need to eat before he can fly.

So by 4:45, they began to board the plane. This is not just a regular plane. This is a jetliner. I think it's a 757. There were 3 seats on each side of the plane and then another 4 seats in the middle. It even have a little screen at the back of each seat so we can watch TV shows. We choose not to pay for the headset. We read lips instead.

The flight was full. My guess is this flight might have over 200 passengers. We pulled out of the terminal at 5:15pm and we didn't have to wait too long at the runway before take off. Everything was smooth sailing from that point. So I though...

The flight to Atlanta was fine. No turbulence whatsoever. Our flight actually ends up ahead of schedule by 15 minutes. So we landed at Atlanta at about 6:30pm. We still have one hour before we connect to our next flight. So I thought...

Once the plane was landed, the captain told us the terminal is extremely busy. Our plane has to sit on the runway until the terminal is clear but it shouldn't take too much longer. But in less then 5 minutes, the captain spoke again. The airport still can not allocate a terminal for our flight and they don't know when one will be available. So they asked us to be patience. 20 minutes gone by and we are still not moving. The captain spoke again. He apologize for our inconvenience blah...blah...blah... and asked the passengers please be patience due to the terminal traffic. Another 30 minutes later, the captain finally announce a terminal is available now and we will be moving shortly. By then, my feet doesn't feel good at all. My legs were all cramp up and I am 6' 2" tall. I felt like a pretzel sitting in that seat for so long. After the captain's announcement, the flight attendant then spoke. Apparently, this flight carried a lot of international passengers that connect to another flight that goes to either Brazil or Paris. The airline aware of the situation and have people at the counter, "all hands on deck", waiting to help should they need to change their flight.

Soon the plane finally move and dock. By the time we exit the plane and ran upstair to the main floor, it was already 7:30pm. DW hunt for the nearest monitor immediately and found out that our connect flight has already departed. Oh boy! This is not good but what are we going to do?! Not to mention my feet were throbbing badly after the short run.

So we dread ourselves back to the airline counter and see what they can do for us. Their so called "all hands on deck" were only 3 reps taking care of a long line of customers. I was shaking my head thinking if this is what they call "all hands on deck", I can only imagine when they don't have a situation. We got in line like every body else. It took a while before it gets to our turn. We explain to the lady behind the counter what happened to our flight from Orlando and see what other options we have.

First she gave us this look like what are we talking about or like she's not aware one of their flight had a major delay and now many of the passengers need help to get another flight. She took her time and punch in the keys on her terminal and finally she drop the bomb on us. She said, "Your flight to Allentown has already left. The only flight we can get you back to Allentown is to take a flight at 7:30am tomorrow morning to Detroit and then connect to another flight back to Allentown." SAY WHAT!!!! DETROIT...tomorrow morning!!!! DW almost exploded right then and there. My feet were already in agony and now this. I said to her, "Do we sleep at the airport then??" She replied, "Well...I guess the airline can put you up to a local hotel for the night." Then her desk phone rang and she have to "excuse" us for a moment.

By then, my head was spinning at 200mph and the pain on my feet was getting worse. DW was about to burst into tears and I have to think fast on how to resolve the situation. I don't even want to know will we ever see our luggage again. What a mess!!! What a disaster!!!!! I said to DW, "There is nothing we can do right now other than go with the flow and hope the flight to Detroit can get us home eventually. Standing here to argue with this woman isn't going to get us home." I continued, "This kind of thing happen all the time if we fly often enough. We just got lucky this time since this is only the fourth trip DW has ever flown in her entire life."

So after DW and I made up our mind, the woman got off her phone. She said, "What would you like to do?" I thought, "You got to be kidding me!!!" I replied, "You only gave us one option. So what do you think we should do?" She didn't know what to say. I continued, "We will take the flight to Detroit tomorrow morning and stay at the local hotel overnight then." I doubt it she even realize my sarcasm. She starts punching the keys on her terminal and gave us a new set of boarding passes for the flight to Detroit and the flight from Detroit to Allentown. After that, she pulled out her desk drawer and got a hotel voucher plus two meal vouchers and hand them to us. Also she gave us two little bags of something stating they are overnight kit. The hotel we will be staying is Comfort Inn and there are shuttle buses that can take us there. However, she did not tell us where the shuttle bus station at until DW ask her. The meal vouchers was a joke. I looked at the vouchers. It was only worth up to $7 per person. I guess I can only get a happy meal out of this one and I don't even know how to use this meal voucher. I shake my head thinking what a let down this is after a week of deluxe dining at Disney. On our way from leaving the counter, I asked the woman what about the luggage. She said the luggage will be fine but she never told us how are we going to retrieve our luggage. At that point, I was just too tired to deal with her any more. Somewhat thankfully, the luggage only have our dirty clothes. Since DW has a backpack on her as a carry-on with most of her valuable and essential stuff. I have my Disney rolling duffle with majority of the Disney souvenir in it also as a carry-on plus my camera bag as a personal bag, won't forget that this time. I took a gamble, hope for the best and left without asking how to retrieve our luggage. The line behind us was getting longer by the minute and I don't want to hold up any more of her time to help other people. While we were waiting, I over heard the people behind us were from the same flight. They, too, also lost their connection but most of their destination were either Brazil or Paris. They are probably in a much worse situation than we are.

I told DW, let's check in to the hotel first and then get something to eat. After that, we will have a good night rest and everything will work out tomorrow. So I thought...

 

[ccigliano]

Wow - this is just awful. When my vacation is over, all I want is to get home. I am in "gotta get home now" mode. Any situation like this would throw me off kilter and I am really not sure what the result would be. And it seems like things get worse the next day .

 

[auntiegem]

Why do you need to know when are we going again?? You want to join us???

Well, that COULD be fun. Mostly I just need to know when I might be able to enjoy another awesome trip report from you!

 

[auntiegem]

I hope it won't bore you.

Yeah, right.

 

[auntiegem]

Day# 8 (Saturday) Part 1

I told DW, let's check in to the hotel first and then get something to eat. After that, we will have a good night rest and everything will work out tomorrow. So I thought...

Oh. My. Word.

 

[gapeachie]

OH MAN!!!

You should have called. I'm in the Atlanta area.

I have enjoyed reading your trip report.

Thank you for sharing it with us.

 

[KathyRN137]

.... we will have a good night rest and everything will work out tomorrow. So I thought...

Cue the ominous music!

Now I know why you chose "What a Disaster!" for your title!
This report will be ending with a bang...

How stressful!

Kathy

 

[Jeanine3kids]

Wow TopDog What a Disaster is right!!!!! Last August when I was on my way to Disney I checked my flight to see if it was on time and it says its delayed so I call the airline and they tell me to get to the airport because they are trying to get the flight out on time so me DH and 3 kids head to the airport our flight is suppose to leave at 6:30 PM. When I get to the airport I see the flight is delayed until 11:50PM I almost freak out because I have 3 little kids who really want to get to disney. They start crying its a DISASTER. We stayed in the airport for 6 hours before our flight takes off its the longest 6 hours of my life when we finally board the plane at 12:00AM I put my baby in the middle seat and I have a safety harness for him that attaches to the seatbelt he is sleeping at this point, the stewardess comes over and tells me I have to move him to the window seat I look at her like she is crazy I say to her please don't make me move him he will wake up and he will talk and yell the whole flight she was really nasty and toldme to move him so I did and that was the kiss of death because the whole flight he was really loud and everytime someone looks at me I would point at that stewardness and say blame her I wanted to kick her BUTT LOL. wse finally arrived at our hotel at 3:30 am it was a disaster. LOL I feel your pain.

 

[GeminiAngel]

How dare you leave us with such a cliffhanger!!!!
Get back over here and start typing!!

 

[Iluvjiminy]

OMG...........I'm hooked, read the entire TR in ONE day!!!! DH thinks I have lost my mind. He left for work at 10:15 and I'm still sitting here reading. I have a hard time sleeping so.............I have made it to the end and will NEVER be able to sleep now that you left me hanging like this!!! I rarely read TR's but this one caught my eye and I must say it has been wonderful. Not only was the report itself very interesting and entertaining but your photographs were AMAZING!!!! I must show this to DH tomorrow at some point in time even if I must interrupt his sleep. Hmmm..............mean of me isn't it?? ..................NAH!!!! LOL Anyway, thank you so much for sharing, I can't wait for the rest of the story.

Becky

 

[GoofyFairie]

Oh topdog! This day was so UNMAGICAL I don't know what to say! Pokey feet, delayed flight, missing connections and happy meals! I'll bet KARMA is messing with you for messing with M. T. Wallet at WCC! How disappointing you never found the glass, but those Crock Flops look very comfy! I do hope that things are better in the morning.

 

[disneynuts777]

Oh Topdog I feel your pain. I cannot tell you how many times over the years we have missed our connector flight due to delays on the first leg. At least it was just the two of you. Doing it with young children is enough to make you go over the edge!!
My DD's are not young anymore but I always check to see if I can get a direct flight that is not insanely priced.(Does not often happen)
Cannot wait for the next installment!