Snafus, Stupidities and So Many Firsts TR Dec 11- 19th - COMPLETED 1/25 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Snafus, Stupidities and So Many Firsts TR Dec 11- 19th - COMPLETED 1/25
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the cast of characters and all the Ws in this trip you can read my PTR here)
As for the title? You’ll have to read on to find out who and what the snafus and stupidities were about (I know, not a very kind word but it flowed so nicely!) Wait ‘til you read what these seasoned travelers managed to mess up along the way. Not pretty!
Let’s get ‘er started:
December 11th – We depart!
The night before our departure was restless. Not necessarily because of the trip. We’re building a house for the first time and my DH, Ken had a lot on his mind. So his tossing and turning turned into my tossing and turning. Alarm was set for 5 and we were up around 4 unable to fall back asleep. Why does that happen before a vacation??
We woke up the kids, got ‘em ready in record time and headed out the door at 6:45 to pick up my MIL for her 2nd Disney excursion. We were also meeting my parents at the airport.
We had just gotten hit with a nasty cold snap so we felt like we leaving at a good time! And fortunately everyone was healthy which is a small miracle.
We got to the airport with enough time to comfortably check in, make it through security and get to our gate. Once parked, we took the shuttle to the terminal (only one in Milwaukee!) and were ready to check in. Ken noticed he did not put on the Disney tags yet so we stepped aside to do that. Hmmmm…why did we have 1 tag left over when we needed all 4 of them? SNAFU #1: We left a piece of luggage in the car back in the remote parking lot! Just in time a shuttle bus was outside so Ken raced outside, chased after the driver and got to the remote parking and back within five minutes. Whew! Disaster averted!
We then proceeded to check in to Southwest Airlines. Flying Southwest was the first "first" of the trip! Just like the goofy commercials everyone was more than pleasant and eager to help. We’re sold, especially since we bought our tickets for $200 round trip!
Flight left on time at 9:45 and we landed around 1:20. Smooth ride.
An airline pilot showed us how to get to DME. I never remember. I love cruising by the counter and corresponding line. We hopped on the bus within five minutes then waited, and waited for like forever to leave. Maybe it was only 25 minutes but waiting feels like forever when you really want to get somewhere!
We arrived at CSR around 2:40 and there was no line to check in. We did not do online check in since we had 3 rooms and wanted 2 of them to be connecting and all of them to be near each other. Not a problem. We were assigned 9b Cabanas and they upgraded us to water view which we were happy with so we strolled to our rooms. Our parents’rooms were ready but ours wasn’t. No biggie since we planned on dropping and going.
SNAFU #2: When we got to the rooms a cleaning lady was outside ours and the distinct smell of cigarette smoke came wafting out. Um, all rooms are non smoking for one and for two, Abby has asthma so I don’t care what you do to clean the room it wasn’t going to work. I called the front desk and the message was going to get passed to the room assigner to call back. Twenty minutes passed so I called back and asked to speak with the room assigner. Someone dropped the ball so I was told to wait where we were and someone would come with our new keys. We waited and waited and waited. Ken decided enough is enough. He was going to the front desk to resolve it. Wouldn’t you know that’s when someone came? Rooms changed we headed out to DHS.
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SNAFU #3: (but who’s counting?) When we got to the park we tried to buy autograph books but since our rooms were switched our KTTW cards did not work. So you guessed it, we could not get in the park with our keys. Strange thing is our parents changed rooms as well and their cards worked but ours did not. They got in the park and waited for us while we went to Guest Services with me shouting, “I DO NOT FEEL THE MAGIC!”
We waited in a long line and finally got our keys corrected and got in. Here's out first picture. there will be lots more I promise:
We headed for dinner at Pizza Planet (I’d give it a B). While chowing outside we heard the music and saw the lights of Osborne lights so we headed over. Wow is all I can say – both for the lights and the mammoth crowds! They were very cool, indescribable scene really. Ah…finally feeling some Disney magic!
After taking them in for awhile we headed back to the resort for some rest after a long and frustrating day.
Weather was: Cold! Like winter coat and gloves cold – in the 40s and windy
We tried: Osborne lights
Result was: Awesome!
Coming up: Abby hits a Disney milestone and Alex’s first special celebration
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We flew Southwest last trip. Great experience (esp. since it was our fisrt flight). The cigarette smoke smell is a . I manage a b&b, and there always seems to be somebody to break the No Smoking rule!!!! Glad you got the room change. We stayed in Ranchos.
We flew Southwest last trip. Great experience (esp. since it was our fisrt flight). The cigarette smoke smell is a . I manage a b&b, and there always seems to be somebody to break the No Smoking rule!!!! Glad you got the room change. We stayed in Ranchos.
Can't wait to read more!!
Yes, nice of someone to throw a wrench into our first day! The lady at the front desk was in disbelief. Smoke? You must be mistaken all our rooms are non-smoking! Well, not everyone follows the rules as you say.
Great start!
Glad the room keys got straightened out and they got you into a new room! I would think they deal with that all the time- I can imagine plenty of folks not following the non-smoking rules!
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
About This Page: 
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the cast of characters and all the Ws in this trip you can read my PTR 
(I know, not a very kind word but it flowed so nicely!) Wait ‘til you read what these seasoned travelers managed to mess up along the way. Not pretty! 
Alarm was set for 5 and we were up around 4 unable to fall back asleep. Why does that happen before a vacation??
And fortunately everyone was healthy which is a small miracle.
Just in time a shuttle bus was outside so Ken raced outside, chased after the driver and got to the remote parking and back within five minutes. Whew! Disaster averted!
I love cruising by the counter and corresponding line. We hopped on the bus within five minutes then waited, and waited for like forever to leave. Maybe it was only 25 minutes but waiting feels like forever when you really want to get somewhere!
Deb
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
Great experience (esp. since it was our fisrt flight). The cigarette smoke smell is a 
Susan
I'm glad you enjoyed the lights!
. Can't wait for more!
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