First trip report

Well, just got back from 9 wonderful days in Disneyworld and decided it was time I post my experiences. First of all, I have to apologize for the delay in my posting, we actually got back last Sunday, but I woke up with a kidney stone Monday morning and this is the first I have had a chance to post.


We had a lot of firsts on this trip considering we have probably spent about sixty days at Disneyworld in the last 7 years. Our first new experiece was meeting someone from these boards. Our first night there, we met up with Orlpassholder and his friend, I can't say enough about these guys. These two were probably two of the nicest people I have ever come in contact with and I consider it an honor that I think I can consider them friends of mine. Next time we visit the world, I hope we can meet up with them again. It certainly didn't hurt that they share our same love of pin trading, but I think it is safe to say that we shared more than just that. If you guys are reading this, thanks a lot.


Our next first was Mickey's Philharmagic, have to say probably the best show of it's kind out there. This show captivated my two year old and had him reaching for things and laughing, and begging to see it again. He even watched all the other 3D movies because of it. Great animation, cute story and great effects, a must see in my book.


Next it was Mission:Space. What a great experience. I have to mention that Disney did a great job designing the module so people of all sizes can ride. I am a rather large guy and I fit without a problem, I also saw many smaller kids ridding and they seemed equally comfortable in the seats. Kudos to really thorough engineering on this one. I have to say that no matter how much I tried, I could not tell I was spinning or make myself feel disoriented at all, so I think a lot of the sickness might just be due to the fact that people think it should make them sick. I personally never saw anyone even look the least bick sick after riding it and we probably spent about 2-3 hours at this attraction during our vacation.


Since we were at EPCOT, we decided to try Test Track and see if Kenan was there. He was, I tried to introduce myself, but he seemed really stand-offish and puzzled. Dude, if you don;t want people to say high or recognize you, don't give your real name, where you work and have a picture of yourself as your Avatar. I'll just chalk it up to he was having a bad day, but I am glad I met Orlpassholder first or I would have been more uncomfortable with that meeting. Sorry Kenan.


I would say that crowds were about normal during the week for the week before Thanksgiving (we go this time every year), but the weekend crowds seemed much, much worse. If anyone is interested in hearing more, or getting a day by day breakdown, just let me know and I will continue my report. I hate to bore people if they aren't interested.


The last first that we had on this trip was staying offsite at the Sheraton Vistana resort. The resort is definitely 5 stars, but I didn't have the same feel every day as it does when we stay on property. Every night it seemed like our vacation ended and then started again the next day rather than being emerced in the magic 24/7. Maybe it is just us, but it is certainly worth it to stay on site if you can afford it. Well, I'll sign off for now, let me know if you would like to hear more.


Dizneykev

 

[The Mom]

Thanks for the report!

In Kenan's defense, I've found that the CMs who are actually working are a bit more standoffish than they are "off duty." Tim from Calgary was always able to make some time for me, but he was working at a full service restaurant, rather than taking tickets, handling crowds, working at an attraction, working counter service, etc.

I'm hoping the crowds will lessen a little bit by this weekend!

 

[mkt]

I gotta agree with Marcia... WDW is a job to him... maybe he was busy?

 

[SpongeScott]

I too met Kenan at TT while he was working, said hi to him, and he didn't have time to chit-chat. I understood that and didn't think anything else of it. He apologized later in a thread to me, but being on the line at TT doesn't lend itself to shooting the breeze. He remembered meeting me, but just couldn't talk at the time. So, been there, done that, but don't take offense at him "blowing you off". He's doing his job.

 

[tiggerlover1971]

I too have to defend keenan I met him quickly while we were waiting to "take off" he was busy but smiled and I didnt think he was standoffish I just thought he was doing his job

 

[dizneykev]

I would normally agree, but the day we went, Test Track was walk on with most cars only going with whoever happened to be in your group. I bet we were standing there for a good 2-3 minutes and nothing was going on. He shook my hand and said hello, but had a very puzzled look on his face. Like I said, I chalked it up to just bad timing, but it seemed kind of weird. perhaps his supervisor or someone was there at the time and he wanted to remian professional looking. I was just reporting what I experienced.

Dizneykev

 

[Kenan]

The amount of time I can talk to the guests while I work is minimal in certain positions. Those positions are the dispatch area (seat belt check), the person that advances the cars in the station, the person that shuts the gates, and the position where we group people into the cars. We have to be very efficient in those positions, or else the whole entire ride backs up and ruins the ride for everyone. If I ever come off as standoffish or puzzled, its just because I am in one of those positions and I can't slack off. Im sorry if I came off that way to you. I have met plenty of other board members, but they were only a 10 second meet, hello, im such and such, and goodbye. Once again, Im sorry if came off as being stand-offish or puzzled.

-Kenan

 

[mkepcotmgmak]

Thanks kenan for doing your job!!! When I meet you i will understand that you are at WORK and doing what has to be done, and you probably aren't having a bad day - you just won't be able to stand around and talk!

 

[wdwfan22]

I can not believe the comment regarding Kenan. Kenan is one of the most friendliest board members I know. How can you judge someone from just a 2 minute encounter. Also, why did you feel the need to post that. If you had a problem with him you should have dealt with him directly. I find your comment mean and inappropriate. I'm sorry if I came off mean, but Kenan is not like anything you just have described.

 

[mkepcotmgmak]

Originally posted by wdwfan22
I can not believe the comment regarding Kenan. Kenan is one of the most friendliest board members I know. How can you judge someone from just a 2 minute encounter. Also, why did you feel the need to post that. If you had a problem with him you should have dealt with him directly. I find your comment mean and inappropriate. I'm sorry if I came off mean, but Kenan is not like anything you just have described.

VERY TRUE. it would have been better to go to him in a different way... maybe a "WERE YOU OK THAT DAY?" or something like that - other than trying to front him like that. You must not know Kenan - he is one of the friendliest guys! And i too am not saying this to be mean - i just feel like you worded that wrong.

 

[tiggerlover1971]

Originally posted by Kenan
The amount of time I can talk to the guests while I work is minimal in certain positions. Those positions are the dispatch area (seat belt check), the person that advances the cars in the station, the person that shuts the gates, and the position where we group people into the cars. We have to be very efficient in those positions, or else the whole entire ride backs up and ruins the ride for everyone. If I ever come off as standoffish or puzzled, its just because I am in one of those positions and I can't slack off. Im sorry if I came off that way to you. I have met plenty of other board members, but they were only a 10 second meet, hello, im such and such, and goodbye. Once again, Im sorry if came off as being stand-offish or puzzled.

-Kenan

Keenan I understand :wave: as a matter of fact I thought you thought I was crazy :lol:

 

[dizneykev]

I find it interesting how people on these boards get so easily offended. I have re-read my post many times and can honestly not see how anything I said could have been offensive. Since none of you were there when the incident happened I find it hard for you to tell me I was wrong about my perception. There are thousands of members of this board who I am sure like me look forward to meeting face to face the people they hear from day to day on these boards. Unless a meet is set up in advance, the only people we might run into are known cast members that have stated where they work. I personally was looking forward to meeting Kenan because so many people have such good things to say about him and I respect his posts on the boards. Those of you who have gotten to know Kenan personally will certainly have a high opinion of someone you consider your friend. All I stated on was my first impression. I am sure there are many other people who will attempt to meet members of this board when they are in Disneyworld and I wanted them to be aware of what they might find.

If I offended Kenan in any way I am sorry, but from reading his post, it certainly didn't sound that way. in fact, I am certain the only reason he read the post to begin with was because some other member wrote him and told him about it. Why else would a cast member be interested in the post. A thread with 10 posts, 3 of them from myself certainly is not shaking anything up.

It is responses like this that keep so many others from posting often. What ever happened to the first ammendment and fair journalism. Now, I guess it is ok to report what you experienced as long as it is 100% PC? What sort of fair trip report would it be if I did not give my honest reviews?

Here is a trip report for everyone who likes PC material. My trip was very nice, not good or bad. I enjoyed, but not too much all of the attractions I visited. The weather was neither too rainy, hot or cold. The crowds were encouraging, yet not too large and the people I encountered were just the correct amount of friendly. I can neither recommend or discourage anyone from any activity that I experienced. My accomodation were adequate, yet not too pricey or cheap. In all I would have to say I enjoyed myself the appropriate amount for someone who apparently is not allowed to share his opinion.

Thanks for all of the discouragement, I'm sure you will see even fewer post from me in the future.


BTW, did any of you notice how you were able to label me as "mean and rude" and all you did was read words that I typed on a screen. I think a personall meeting was a beter judge of an experience and I don't believe I used as harsh a words as you did.



Dizneykev

 

[ISTCrew20]

Originally posted by dizneykev

If I offended Kenan in any way I am sorry, but from reading his post, it certainly didn't sound that way. in fact, I am certain the only reason he read the post to begin with was because some other member wrote him and told him about it. Why else would a cast member be interested in the post. A thread with 10 posts, 3 of them from myself certainly is not shaking anything up.

If you say that to anyone, they'll be offended. Maybe you just caught him at a bad time, but I beleive it was your perception. Kenan's not like that

 

[dizneykev]

If I say what to anyone they will be offended? DO you mean my description of his demeanor as being stand-offish and that he appeared puzzled by my approaching him? Oh my, what a terrible description of someone. I would be honored if that is the worst thing anyone ever said about me. But as we saw, it wasn't. I have now been labeled as a rude and offensive person. No wonder 90% of the posts on this board are from 2% of the members. No one else is allowed to express themselves if they are not in the clique. Excuse me for expressing my opinions, I'm sure what everyone else has to say is more important than me. I don't believe this had anything to do with him as a person, simply the way it came off to me personally. I don't believe anything I said was in any way a description of Kenan as a person. If anyone truly believes that I am glad I am not as shallow as they are.


Dizneykev

 

[mkt]

Originally posted by dizneykev
No wonder 90% of the posts on this board are from 2% of the members.

That's not really a bad thing. For any internet message board to say they have 190 members that dedicated (that's 2% of the current board), that's saying quite a bit. Now keep posting... only 318 more posts and you're in the 2%... for some of us, that's barely 2 weeks worth of posts.


as for what you said that was offensive... nothing was. One line however, did seem particularly rude to me:

" Dude, if you don;t want people to say high or recognize you, don't give your real name, where you work and have a picture of yourself as your Avatar."

 

[Kenan]

Originally posted by dizneykev


If I offended Kenan in any way I am sorry, but from reading his post, it certainly didn't sound that way. in fact, I am certain the only reason he read the post to begin with was because some other member wrote him and told him about it. Why else would a cast member be interested in the post. A thread with 10 posts, 3 of them from myself certainly is not shaking anything up.

Actually, I found it on my own. I am a daily reader of these boards, and read through pretty much every post there is. So, I know whats going on and whats not.

I have a job to do. I work at Walt Disney World's busiest attraction. My talk time is very minimal. All I ask people to do is say hi to me and there name and thats about it. I can't get into conversation much.

 

[ISTCrew20]

It wouldnt of been rude if you im'ed Kenan directly. Its not right to post it here for everyone to read. Everytime I met up with Kenan, and its been over 15 times, hes been nothing but nice, including before I knew him, and I said Hi, and understood he had a job to do and left it at that. Even if someone didnt want to have a conversation with me, I would understand, and maybe stay away from the person, but not come back here, and tell everyone what happend, thats where you were wrong.

But whatever, you think you did nothing wrong...some people are like that I guess. As WDWfan22 said, you cant judge someone after seeing them for seeing them for 2 minutes...Get to know someone before you tell them who they should tell there name too, and what to put in their avatar.

 

[mkepcotmgmak]

Originally posted by dizneykev
If I say what to anyone they will be offended? DO you mean my description of his demeanor as being stand-offish and that he appeared puzzled by my approaching him? Oh my, what a terrible description of someone. I would be honored if that is the worst thing anyone ever said about me. But as we saw, it wasn't. I have now been labeled as a rude and offensive person. No wonder 90% of the posts on this board are from 2% of the members. No one else is allowed to express themselves if they are not in the clique. Excuse me for expressing my opinions, I'm sure what everyone else has to say is more important than me. I don't believe this had anything to do with him as a person, simply the way it came off to me personally. I don't believe anything I said was in any way a description of Kenan as a person. If anyone truly believes that I am glad I am not as shallow as they are.


Dizneykev

WAIT WAIT WAIT Kev - it seems like you didn't mean it to be rude to Kenan or anything like that - just your first impression of someone... it was just odd reading it on your trip report that's all. I mean - it was like... why put that in there? In a way it seemed like you might be calling him out on something - just a difference of personalities. If i met you in person tomorrow, and you didn't talk to me that much ... i would probably be like.. "hmmm... wonder if something is wrong", and then i would probably private message you to ask... "was anything wrong?" - instead of posting about it and saying for everyone to read...

" I met DisneyKev yesterday - he seemed to be standoffish - dude - don't post your name and stuff if you don't want to meet people".... know what i mean? that is the only thing that caught me off guard - but not that it really matters to me - but it seems like you were just making a statement - i just think it looked odd.

and btw - sucks coming home after a great trip huh? when is your next trip - probably not soon enough - i know mine never are.... haha. and glad to hear that mission:space accomodates for room - i am tall - and hope i will have leg room!!! - and dude - it is DISNEY WORLD!!!! not - Disneyworld... hahaha - j/k - (disneyland, disney world) hehe - sorry.:lol: :lookaroun

 

[aim]

Glad you had a good trip! I absolutly LOVED PhilharMagic! Very good show! I bet it was cute to watch your 2 year old! But I have to admit, it had me reaching for some of the stuff. lol, and I loved the smell effect!

 

[mkepcotmgmak]

Originally posted by WDW*babe
Glad you had a good trip! I absolutly LOVED PhilharMagic! Very good show! I bet it was cute to watch your 2 year old! But I have to admit, it had me reaching for some of the stuff. lol, and I loved the smell effect!

don't you LOVE and HATE that at the same time - reaching out for stuff that you KNOW isn't there... haha