The Good, The Bad and The Buggy - Nov 2011 TR - Page 16 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Did we ever find the key? - NOPE. We checked everywhere. Even when we got back, I thought maybe it was in with the clothes. Nope. That little stunt cost us $210. Because that is what it costs to have another key made and programmed. But we were insured for the windshield - so to replace that was no cost.
Overall, we had a great trip! We did a bunch of new things. We bought AP’s and are planning to get at least 20 days on them for the year! We did a couple extra “hard ticket” things but they were totally worth it. The WAT - I was a little nervous but I thought it was fantastic! I would do that anytime. We also did MVMCP, which wasn’t new for us. We did it last year too. It was fun but not a must do every year. We did the Lunch with an Imagineer which was very fun! We got to learn some “behind the scenes” scoop while having a top notch meal! 11/11/11 - four parks/one day - that was really tiring but very fun! I thought we would spend more time traveling that day but it worked out nicely. I was amazed that we had the stamina to do it all!
Hotel- a little disappointing. BLT is our home resort so I think that is why I was so disappointed too. I really like the location. Being able to walk to MK is great. Just a few things that we didn’t like and the bugs topped the list. There were other things as well, 3 ice machines in the entire building, building showing wear, no Mickey head towel, the lax rules. It was just missing on the magic. So next time, we will wait until the 7 month window and book at a different resort. It may be a while before we try a repeat at BLT. We did contact the DVC and Chuck spoke with them. I will let him update you on that conversation and the results.
Travel - Driving farther down on the first day made our arrival day really easy. Then coming home, we split the drive almost in half. It went super smoothly. We always have fun on road trips. We just like traveling together. We aren’t just married - we are best friends and that makes things so cool!
Food - OMG! The food! Love dining at WDW. So many great restaurants so little time. DxDP was worth it to us. I haven’t done the financial breakdown exactly yet. But for the meals we were eating, we were definitely getting our $86 pp a day. We could not have eaten like we did for less than that - I’m sure. We did end up with a lot left over. But we are still planning on DxDP next year too. It just works for us. When we were on the reg DP, we would still order apps. And for the TIW card, we don’t want to have to worry about what things cost and have to bring the $ for it. We ordered things and didn’t even have to think about the cost while on the DxDP - I love that! Next year, I have to lose weight before the trip just so I can dine at Disney!
We are already planning for next year. So - not too shabby for our 1st attempt at a TR, if I do say so myself. It was fun to write and revisit it all. Chuck will be adding his final thoughts and two cents in here sometime soon. Thanks for following along.
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The bugs were kind of everywhere. On the wall by the elevator, on the balcony, as well as by the pool. What side of the building were you on. Maybe that had something to do with it? I'm hoping that it was just a fluke and that things get better.
We were on the side facing MK, but we had a pool view. Now that I think about it we did notice the bugs on the balcony the first day, but they werent as bad as the trip progressed.
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Great TR Coop! I have enjoyed it immensly! Partially, bc we are friends and I like to know what you were up to when I was missing you!
40 snacks??!!! That is crazy! I read on here somewhere in the last few days that Disney is cracking down on meal trade ins starting next year. Gone will be the days of being able to do that. From what I read, as of now, it depends who you ask and where (like you found out) but next year it will be NO trades across the board. Ugh.
Sorry you had a not so magical time at BLT, but it seems like a magical trip overall. I have to say that I think that it would be hard to have a non magical time with Chuck! You two are so cute!
Can't wait to hear from Chuck what happened with the DVC rep.
Thanks for sharing your adventures and loving relationship with all of us!
Thanks for sharing! It sure did sound like you had a wonderful trip. Bummer about the bugs and the key, but otherwise it seemed to be just what you both needed, especially with your busy lives leading right up to the trip!
I'm glad Contempo Cafe was able to exchange your credits for snacks. I had heard sometimes no one would do that, and you'd be left with wasted credits. I would've loved to have so many snacks to enjoy after a trip!
I'm curious to hear how Chuck made out with the DVC folks! I'm hoping that they were sincerely sorry that your first DVC wasn't the most magical.
__________________
Huge Disney Fan...Always Have Been...Always Will Be!
Disneyland 60th Anniversary Celebration TR here!
2013 WDW trip here!
2011 trip to Hawaii here!
Thanks Coop & Chuck for your TR! I really enjoyed it. My wife and I are thinking about an adults only trip next November, and I got a lot of dining ideas from your report. It's going to take some convincing, but I'm also going to try talking her into doing the 4-in-1 day too!
So,final thoughts and an after trip report.
We had a FABULOUS time,despite the bugs,and the attitude of some rude concierge employees,the missing key,and did we mention the bugs? We had a smooth trip home,except for the windshield crack.It seemed to fly by as we listened to the CD's we bought at WDW,and talked about our trip.We had already started planning our next trip,and planning our dining plans.
I did have an odd feeling when we returned,that the bloom fell off the rose,so to speak.I wanted to let the DVC know that we were a little disappointed in a few things.I had a few things to get off my chest,so I sent an email asking them to contact me.
They sent back a reply,and it said "due to the nature of your email,we will have a representative contact me". Hmmm sounds like they take these things seriously.
A few days later a representative called.his name was Travis,and he was definitely their "fireman" He listened as I went over the trips events that seemed a little less than Disney-esque. He never interrupted and was very pleasant on the phone.We talked about things for about 30 minutes,and I felt a lot better.He told me a few things that I will share.
When you make a complaint,they(DVC) researches your visit,where you stayed,what,if anything,was going on at the resort,ect.
Secondly,BLT is having BIG problems,and we weren't the only ones who weren't happy.They are going to go into some additional refurbishing(on a newly constructed resort)they have already had major alterations immediately after they opened.
They have completely turned over management of the BLT,and are changing some of the housekeeping procedures,and maintenance.
The DVC really does care about their members and he certainly proved it.
We received some refund points(totally unexpected) and we would be getting some gifts in the mail.(probably a mug haha)
A few days later,we checked our home page,and sure enough we had refunded points in our bank.Then later on a Fedex truck pulled up with a package. In it a whole bunch of "swag". Hats,water bottle,signed picture of Mickey,Minnie,Donald,Daisey,ect. lunch bag,and a couple more gifts.
I really felt better about the whole deal,and whipped off a quick email to the DVC to thank them and say what a good man they had in Travis.
A few days later,a call came from Travis,saying that he was called into the office and they read him our note,and he got some kind of award.He did go "above,and beyond" in making it right in our eyes.His call was sincere,and I think I made a new friend.
Thank you all for your support,it was/is fun to share our trip with people as "nuts" as we are about the mouse. We pretty much have our trip planned for next Sept. and probably OldKeyWest. I know we'll be doing a trip report then,Coop loves the sharing of this crazy addiction,And I need feedback on next years wheel cover haha
Merry Christmas,Happy Chanukah,and a Happy New Year to All.
When we had problems last June, DVC went above and beyond to make it right for us, too. Reminded me yet again why I really love being a member. Glad it worked out for you all, too!
Glad to hear about your great DVC experience after your trip!
I figure we are crazy nuts about the mouse when you plan what meals you want to do before you even really leave WDW.
We were doing the same thing! I have a list going of all the places we want to do again, as well as new ones we want to try. Yes, we started the discussion...at the airport on the way home. No, I'll be honest some were talked about while sitting at the table waiting to pay for the meal.
Thanks for your thoughts Chuck. It's been such a fun report getting feelings and point of view from you both. Plus, you know how much I love Coop, so it's been nice to get to know you as well.
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Because that is what it costs to have another key made and programmed. But we were insured for the windshield - so to replace that was no cost. 
We also did MVMCP, which wasn’t new for us. We did it last year too. It was fun but not a must do every year. We did the Lunch with an Imagineer which was very fun! We got to learn some “behind the scenes” scoop while having a top notch meal! 11/11/11 - four parks/one day - that was really tiring but very fun! I thought we would spend more time traveling that day but it worked out nicely. I was amazed that we had the stamina to do it all! 
BLT is our home resort so I think that is why I was so disappointed too. I really like the location. Being able to walk to MK is great. Just a few things that we didn’t like and the bugs topped the list. There were other things as well, 3 ice machines in the entire building, building showing wear, no Mickey head towel, the lax rules. It was just missing on the magic. So next time, we will wait until the 7 month window and book at a different resort. It may be a while before we try a repeat at BLT. We did contact the DVC and Chuck spoke with them. I will let him update you on that conversation and the results.
and that makes things so cool!
So many great restaurants so little time. DxDP was worth it to us. I haven’t done the financial breakdown exactly yet. But for the meals we were eating, we were definitely getting our $86 pp a day. We could not have eaten like we did for less than that - I’m sure. We did end up with a lot left over. 
But we are still planning on DxDP next year too. It just works for us. When we were on the reg DP, we would still order apps. And for the TIW card, we don’t want to have to worry about what things cost and have to bring the $ for it. We ordered things and didn’t even have to think about the cost while on the DxDP - I love that! Next year, I have to lose weight before the trip just so I can dine at Disney! 
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Thank
Pixie Dust
so much for sharing your thoughts and adventures with us! 
Thanks so much for taking us along for the ride! 
"Sparky"(My first trip.)
about the key and windshield. Glad you could trade in the TS credits for snack credits. 
your TR, 
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