Will You Chill Out if I Sprinkle You With Pixie Dust? The End p136 *New TR Link* p138

[marDgreen88]

Oof! That sounds frustrating, but I'm glad you said that just incase anyone ever has trouble with it in the future! That's the thing about rental cars. When you're so used to your own car, finding something as simple as windshield wipers in a rental car can be a hassle!

That CM definitely needed a happy pill or something. Ugh.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

K once told me he wears pants about two weeks out of the year and socks about 5 days a year. Now that's what I'm talking about.

I'm assuming when he's not wearing pants he's wearing shorts.

P.S. Note to self - figure out how the gas cap, lights and wipers work on rental car before leaving home with it (NEXT WEEK!!!)

Glad to hear you got some happiness in a glass at Epcot!

I'm wondering now about doing any online requests for our trip - We have AKL Jambo savannah view and there are only so many studios so I can't imagine it would be too bad. Somewhere I've seen a map and list of the rooms, I'll have to check on that. And at OKW we booked the Hospitality House category - I wonder about requesting a floor level? How many floors are there anyway? Sorry for the sidetrack.
Carry on with Illuminations - I love it!!!

 

[eandesmom]

I really shouldn't but I am at your meltdown.

You will understand why in my next update.

What a total bummer about the check in. Out of curiousity, did your request show when you checked the reservation online? I know mine showed up in one spot (main WDW "my vacation or whatever it's called I think) but not on the member services site. I've been emailing my requests in, for some reason I feel a ton safer that way (written record) versus calling. If you email you get a response back that they have it. When I've called they "dumb it down" to something that fits with the online check in options...which is not generally what I'm looking for.

I hope our experience is different this time. I have heard that the corridors there are confusing. I am super excited to stay there, for the location if nothing else but am more excited about VWL from a villa perspective, very curious to see how it is compared to the resort rooms.

Heck. I'm just excited!!!!!!!! And praying we don't get too much rain.

TWO WEEK DANCE TIME



So it was one of those tilt kind of cap covers...not a push release but push till it tilts out? I can see where that would be an issue.

That was seriously a to go glass picture?

I cannot wait to go to the Ditch. I'm thinking....2pm...2 weeks from tomorrow, right after our Mexican Culinary Seminar.



maybe we can con some folks into meeting us there...salt on body parts notwithstanding.



The Ditch makes everything better.

Don't force it? Sounds like the engineer coming out.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I am absolutely positive that I would have never ever EVER figured out the gas cap of that car....especially since I have never pumped my own gas. I figure if the day comes that I ever have to, well, hopefully I won't be in a car with a confusing gas cap on top of whatever adventure THAT turns out to be!

Ugh, that stinks about the less-than-magical CM. I don't think your request is THAT uncommon. And especially with your trip so far, I don't blame you for going straight to La Cava!! Your jalapeno margarita looks great! I'm aiming for a cucumber one myself next time!

 

[natebenma]

Untitled by dvcmek1, on Flickr

My first time into the bubble and we didn't go through the arches and now - SUN GLARE! Bummer. Clearly I have failed Disney 101 but not getting the appropriate picture.

I the sun glare pic of your return to the bubble!!

I agree with 2xcited2sleep- that is a GREAT picture. I love the colors, and although you can't make out the words, you know exactly what it is!

Seriously????? That's it. - and that's exactly what I did, no longer fearful that I was "forcing it". I took my three middle fingers and pushed as hard as I could and, as if by magic, the gas cap cover sprung open.

Hilarious story! But I would have used just one finger to open it. Just sayin'

There was no one in line and I walked right up to a CM to check-in. Note: I booked a standard view studio and requested the 4th floor. Twice. But when I got my room assignment I was on the bottom floor.

I told the CM that I had requested a high room and she replied, "well, you should have done on line check-in".

Me "Really? Well, do you have anything NOT on the first floor".

CM "No. The hotel is booked solid". And then she just glared at me with this look that was definitely less than magical.

Over on the BC/YC thread, we almost always advise regular check-in for the resort, because that way if you are not satisfied with your room assignment and want to make a change you are not holding anyone up. With online checkin you are supposed to grab your keys and go. With regular checkin, you can ask (as you did) if there was another room that meets your request.


But this strategy did not work in this case. I guess that advice is not as helpful with the villas at BCV or BWV- since they are often at full or close to full capacity.

 

[teekathepony]

I like your backlit, sun glare picture. Lots and lots of people have great, well lit pictures of the arch, this one is really artistic and interesting. It's like a little secret that you share with other Disney lovers -- we all know what it is even without the perfect lighting and the words. Very nice, I'd go ahead and change your story to "I didn't want to take a well lit picture of the arch, too mainstream. So I took this artistically lit shot instead."

Ok seriously, let's tally this trip up, shall we?
MEK puts up with...
-5 days of BIL and family (incl. breakdowns)
-frustrating gas cap
-getting a bottom floor
-getting a seriously cranky CM (wow, no need for the attitude there, lady!)
-taking two suitcases by herself
-getting lost
-getting stuck
-taking stinky pictures (which don't stink, imo)
-Denny takes little more than a make up bag into the room after her fiasco with the two suitcases

Add it all up and I think you were well within your rights to have a little explosion. I'm very happy that you made it up so quickly and got yourself a jalapeno margarita, I bet that made you feel better!
Can't wait for IllumiNations!!

 

[krhst25]

We had a rental Mitsubishi and the same thing happened to us--- LOL! At least you were able to get liquid happiness ! My favorite is the Avocado margarita. Is the Jalapeño spicy?

 

[SoonerGirl]

I'm not laughing at you, really I'm not, it's just the visual of you walking around the car trying unsuccessfully to open the gas cap is quite amusing!

Sorry about the crappy CM, she obviously forgot to dust herself with pixie dust that morning. It was a simple request and she had no reason to be hateful about it

Yay for heading for the cure all location of the Ditch I haven't tried a margarita there yet that wasn't awesome!

 

[mickeystoontown]

As I was reading the story of both you and Denny trying to get the gas cap open, my mind went straight to the scene in Vacation where Chevy Chase is walking around the car looking for the place to pump the gas. At least you figured out how to open it without standing around too terribly long.

Well, at least you survived the vacation with the family before you had your mini-meltdown. I would have hated for your brother to have seen that. Can you just imagine?

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

My first time into the bubble and we didn't go through the arches and now - SUN GLARE! Bummer. Clearly I have failed Disney 101 but not getting the appropriate picture.

On the contrary, I like it a lot! You get a Disney silhouette thing going on there. It's a different POV of a sight we've seen many times.

So I look over on the driver's side of the car and darn it - there is no gas cap opener anywhere - its not on the floor (where mine is ). It's not on the dashboard (is anyone's). It is nowhere.

Remember the good old days, when they put a little finger-sized indentation on the cover and you simply opened it manually? Have we really improved on that?

Denny "I am going in the store to get some___________ (can't remember what)"

Crowbars.

So - the moral of this lengthy story - if you ever rent a Mitsubishi you PUSH on the gas cap cover to open it. Someday you may thank me.

Or, rent American.

I told the CM that I had requested a high room and she replied, "well, you should have done on line check-in".

Me "Really? Well, do you have anything NOT on the first floor".

CM "No. The hotel is booked solid". And then she just glared at me with this look that was definitely less than magical.

Hmm. This seems to be arguing against Glenn's "don't check in online" theory. Now I'm confused.

Ugh - Between the gas cap fiasco, the less than magical CM, and getting myself stuck in the doorway, I suddenly became very grumpy and must have said something to Denny which he didn't like.

I couldn't believe I had been in Disney for a week, weathered 5 nights with my brother's family and maintained my cheeriness, and now I felt like I was ready to melt.

Bring back BIL!

I knew right where I wanted to go. Recognize this?

The bar at the Ditch.

I was about to say it sounded like everyone needed a drink.

And it was at this precise moment that I realized, if left to my own devices with unlimited expendable income, I could easily become an alcoholic in the Epcot land of Mexico!

If you're going to be an alcoholic, it might as well be there.

 

[amazingact21]

You know, the thought of how to get a rental car's gas cap off never crossed my mind until I read your update. I feel like that's one of those things even the most prepared person would get stuck up on. Everyone knows to ask the basic questions, like "How do I open the trunk?" and "Where's the switch to turn on the headlights?" Nobody ever thinks "How do I have to go about filling up the gas tank?"

I'm sorry that you had to go through such a hassle and then had to deal with that unpleasant CM. I can't believe she didn't even try to accomodate you. Someone wasn't living up to the Disney standard...


But it's completely understandable why all of that added on to the past days with your brother and co. led to a not so great moment. You'd been playing mediator all week and enough was enough! And alls well that ends well, especially if that road leads you to a Mexico margarita.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

If you're going to be an alcoholic, it might as well be there.

 

[glennbo123]

Hey I like your sun glare-y arch picture too. It's got that MEK artistic vibe to it.

I'm impressed that you thought to search the Internet to help solve your gas cap predicament. It's amazing, the wealth of knowledge now at our fingertips...even how to open a gas cap! And it proves that you weren't the only one who had trouble.

I tell ya, I get more confused about online check-in vs not, by the second. I think they're not consistent from resort to resort in how they're using it to assign rooms.

 

[CandleontheWater]

Sorry you got a less than stellar CM at check in. I still don't understand how on-line check in would have granted your request, but regular check in didn't.

Don't feel bad about the meltdown, we all have those moments at Disney! Margaritas do make everything better, and fireworks don't hurt either! I love watching Illuminations from Norway with a margarita in hand, so I don't think you could have made a better choice for the evening.

 

[Millie12591]

Finally caught myself up on your TR!!

Wow! What a whirlwind! You saw your boy off, went to the BC, walked in through Christine's private entrance and had yourself a good time in an almost empty WS. I don't think I've ever been there when it's just opened, note to self to try that next time I get a chance.

Then you toured AofA, which makes me even more excited to be staying there!!
It has such great appeal, I was looking at the map you posted thinking of the fastest way to get from the area we'll be staying in (Little Mermaid) to the bus stops. Then it dawned on me, I'll be there for only two nights and two days, what do I want to race through the resort for?!? I want to take it all in and walking the longest way will be the best visual option any way!!

Then you were off to Daytona and had a great time with friends! I think those are sometimes the best visits, the quick kind where everyone has a great time with good food , good company and drink.

Can't wait to see what y'all get yourselves into next.

Uh-oh, I'm getting a whiff of a melt down.....better go see what happened.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Uh oh... We are staying at BWV in ONE WEEK and we aren't doing online check-in. Are we doomed?

We added a night so we have a 3 night reservation and a 1 night reservation. They are linked but we are thinking that NOT doing online check in is better because of the two reservations. I hope we aren't making a mistake. I guess we'll find out... in just ONE WEEK!

So funny about the gas cap!

I would have been a little annoyed with my DH if he hadn't brought the rest of the stuff in with him too.

 

[Pinkocto]

I'm really sorry, but this update got me laughing. Any chance to say that to Denny in the future? 'Dont force it' would annoy me to no end. And shame on him for not bringing in any other bags. You checked in, had to deal with a not so pleasant CM, and brought in two bags. And then he gets miffed at you. I'm glad you made up quickly, but he's the one who should have apologized IMHO.

So glad the evening ended pleasantly

 

[MEK]

Rentals and gascaps! They're my nightmare. I think I've had a similar experience before and totally done the "looking like an idiot who doesn't know how to put gas in a car", for like 15 minutes before.

Good to know....Mitsubishi, push the gas cap.

That is the first time we have not been able to figure out how to open the gas cap. And, as Captain O said, its probably because we have always rented an American made car. Dumb old Mitsubishi.

The BWV corridors are totally confusing. I always get confused by the floors too. We were on the second floor, which was technically the first floor, and I like an idiot got on the elevator to go up, only to see there was no up, and then we had to promptly exit.....this was all witnessed by a maintenance guy.

I am so glad I am not the only one who had trouble in there. Seriously, I kept getting turned around for the next three days and my room was RIGHT near the elevator. It should not have been that hard.

I do think its weird that I had to go down to go to the first floor, so I can definitely see making the mistake you did. The maintenance guy is probably used to seeing people all over the place getting lost.

Mmmmmm, the Ditch. Gooooooood choice.

The BEST choice in Epcot and probably all of Disney World! (IMHO)

I the sun glare pic of your return to the bubble!!

Thanks! I edited the crap out of it to make it look like that.

I would NEVER have figured out the gas cap trick... Kudos to you!!

If I didn't have my phone I have no idea how long we would have been there. I would have had to go up to random people in the parking lot and ask for help. Denny wouldn't have - he went to hide in the store.

WTH was up with the CM at Boardwalk?? "You should have done online check in???". That just does not seem right to me - although I wouldnt have battled her either. But frustrating. So on the online check-in debate... Will you or won't you later this month? I had always thought you had a greater chance of pixie dust with in person check-in...apparently not...

I have always had good luck with in person check-in, so my theory is (1) it was Saturday night and (2) it was 8pm. I know Cynthia and I will be checking into the Boardwalk early, so I'm not worried about doing on line and I'm checking in to VWL at about 1pm on a Tuesday. I might just confirm my requests and do it in person again.

All I can say is I thought the CMs at the BC were a thousand times nicer than those at BWV.

Tequila has medicinal and magical properties, I tell you...fixes EVERYTHING!!

I could not agree more! That rita sure made everything right with the world again.

My father bought a used car in pristine condition, drove around 1/2 a day, went to a gas station to fill it up and could not figure out how to open the gas cap cover open. So he got a screwdriver and pried the sucker off the car. THEN it looked like a car my dad would be driving!!I miss my daddy!!!

OMG I laughed out loud when I read this. That's one way to figure it out. We obviously hadn't reached the screwdriver state. Thank goodness. I guess we could always have called the rental car company.

We all have our cranky moments MEK, your brother's family is lucky you didn't EXPLODE on them and Danny should have just seen it coming. Everyone has a breaking point, luckily you were so close to (Epcot's) Mexico!!

It was weird, because I was so happy to be back in the world, but it just shows that a few properly placed annoyances can really spoil a mood. At least I knew I would snap out of it once I got back into the Disney spirit.

Oof! That sounds frustrating, but I'm glad you said that just incase anyone ever has trouble with it in the future! That's the thing about rental cars. When you're so used to your own car, finding something as simple as windshield wipers in a rental car can be a hassle!

I agree. Heck - I still have to think about how the windshield wipers work in Denny's car. But every car we have ever owned in the last 20 years has a gas cap lever in the same spot. Go figure.

That CM definitely needed a happy pill or something. Ugh.

Or something - maybe SHE need a margarita from the Ditch.

I'm assuming when he's not wearing pants he's wearing shorts.

Uh Yes - you assumed correctly! How great would it be to wear shorts all year round? Not that I care to show my legs that many months of the year, but you know what I mean.

P.S. Note to self - figure out how the gas cap, lights and wipers work on rental car before leaving home with it (NEXT WEEK!!!)

Woo Hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! NEXT WEEK!

Glad to hear you got some happiness in a glass at Epcot!

That drink was like magic. I absolutely love those ritas. People can rave about a GGS, but my Epcot drink of choice is the jalapeno rita!

I'm wondering now about doing any online requests for our trip - We have AKL Jambo savannah view and there are only so many studios so I can't imagine it would be too bad. Somewhere I've seen a map and list of the rooms, I'll have to check on that. And at OKW we booked the Hospitality House category - I wonder about requesting a floor level? How many floors are there anyway? Sorry for the sidetrack.

There are only two floors at OKW (maybe a few villas have 3, but I may be making that up). We stayed near the HH and our building only had two floors. The villas near the Hospitality house have elevators. A lot of the other buildings don't.

I think you will be fine at AKL. I just think this was a fluke because of the day of the week and the time we checked in.

Carry on with Illuminations - I love it!!!

Well, I took a TON of pictures, so get ready (shock - I know)

 

[Nermel9]

Ugh, the gas cap, what a nightmare! I'm glad you thought to google it, it probably would have taken me much longer to think of that! I'll keep that in mind if we ever rent a Mitsubishi (or any car where we can't figure out the gas cap!)

I LOVE your pictures under the arch! You always take the best pictures, you should be an official Disney photographer someday!

Ugh that CM sounds very un-magical. I hate the first floor too, I don't want people walking above me. I have to put in a room request for POR and I don't know if I want to request Oak Manor or a 2nd floor room..I don't want to do both because I'm hoping our room is ready when we check in and I don't want to be waiting around for requests, but...ugh I don't know! I still have a few weeks to decide!

Yay for Epcot and a margarita from the Ditch! I cannot wait to go there and finally get to drink one since I missed out in May!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

You were lucky to have a service manual. The rental car we had last Feb. had something we couldn't figure out, looked all over for the manual. It was in the trunck under the spare tire!

The Ditch is such a nice looking place, didn't try a 'rita though, my bad!