Trip Report THE ONE WITHOUT a BUDDY

(For those of you just joining us, please go read “THE ONE FOR DINNER” before continuing.)

Hello my fellow Magicians!!!
I have been called the rain goddess, the harbinger of doom and plain ✈️ bad luck.

What kind of drama did I get myself into this time? Well as the name implies, this was a solo trip. Not this guy…
Star Wars Salute GIF

I narrowly missed some buddies, met some new buddies and reunited with some old buddies. But I know what you are all thinking….how was my flight(s)?

I have eluded to this story in @Tuvalu ’s TR but here it is. We will call it the EPILOGUE and I will try to be brief.

Two weeks after our Dinner trip, Tone and I were set to fly to PBI. We had an 8:50pm flight on Friday night because our youngest had a lacrosse game at 4:00. This would allow is to go to his game then head to the airport. His game of course got pushed back to 5:30. It was pouring and we had to drive to JFK and park so we saw about 5 minutes of the little guys game.
No traffic. 👍
Found parking immediately👍
One person in line in front of us at TSA precheck👍
Flight on time👍
“Let’s sit and have dinner.”
We see an acquaintance in the restaurant. He is on a major morning news show and is good friends with the people I work for therefore, I will not throw him under the bus. But, as we were heading to the gate we stopped by his table to say hi.
“Is your flight delayed?” He asks.
I felt like I had been sucker punched. I deflated. He had just jinxed me. Five minutes later we get the notification we will be delayed 30 minutes.
Thirty minutes is no biggie. We were waiting on our plane. Our plane arrived but then we were told our crew was on an inbound flight that would not be in until 11:45 pm. For those of you struggling with the math that is almost a three hour delay.
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I am afraid our flight attendants will time out. They don’t and we push back about midnight. Then go right back to the gate.
big brother pop GIF by Big Brother After Dark


A woman has decided she is too sick to fly. As the woman sitting next to Tone so eloquently put it, “we have had a three effin hour delay. And NOW your sick?”
And we wait for a new manifest.

We land in West Palm about 3:45am. The rental cars are offsite and do not open until 5am. I look for an Uber to take us to our hotel. $58!
We hem
We haw
We decide we will Uber, use our son’s truck for the day and have him drive us to the airport tonight (because our flight back is tonight-Saturday)
I go back on Uber, $98.
“No way!!!”
We find a bench outside and get comfy.
I call the hotel. The charge has already been put through but I convince the young man to reverse the charge.
At 4:30 the shuttle comes for the car rental place. At 5:00am they open.
We have plans to meet Tone’s brother, wife and two of their kids for breakfast at 8:45. We decide we will drive to my son’s house and crash on their couch (like 14feet long!) for a few hours. We pull into his driveway at 6:00am but are afraid to go inside and wake them. Their game is at noon so we want them to sleep. Instead, we sleep in the car in the driveway until 7:30. Then I sneak inside to use the restroom (my son is in the master BR so has his own) while my son snores on.
We then go to BIL’s hotel to use their shower and eat breakfast.
At breakfast for @MickeyCB
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By 10:30 we are headed to the game.
For @wdisney9000
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Tailgated:
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Took a few pix. The first is from high school. They now play together in college so I had to recreate it:
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Our flight home was delayed, of course. We landed about 1:00am Sunday morning. By 2:00am I was fast asleep.


So how would this flight be???
Stay tuned….
 

Darstarr

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
In the Parks
No
Thursday April 7, 2022 cont

It was raining hard. I donned my poncho and set out towards the exit of MK. I walked along, no need to run, running in the rain just gets you wet faster. When I got to the front I went toward the monorail because in the rain with thunder and lightning, (did I mention the thunder and lightning?) the boats usually close. Nope. Monorail was DOWN, go to the ferries, is what we were told. Seems safe.

This is where they had us line up to wait for the ferry to the TTC. In the rain. With the thunder and the lightning.
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Yes, we are OUTSIDE the covered area. The covered area is roped off. Then some bold people led my some lady in an awesome shirt, unroped the area and set all the water logged people free into the dry covered compound. Others yelled, “there’s a line”. Others yelled back at them, “there is dryness”.
I am not sure what Disney was thinking. I know what I was thinking…
Angry The Lion King GIF


It was raining really hard. I am not sure if you can tell from these photos.
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And there is this…
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I made it to the car. My feet were soaked but I was relatively dry thanks to my dollar store pink poncho.
I drove to SSR and as I was showing the security guard my ID he said my room just popped up. Well Yay! I did not expect it to be ready yet. Good ole SSR never disappoints!!!
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Fourth floor in the Springs section which is closest to the main pool. You know, because with me at WDW the sun will come out and it will be perfect pool weather!👍
Schitts Creek Reaction GIF by CBC
 

Darstarr

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
In the Parks
No
Thursday April 7, 2022 cont

I have stayed at Saratoga since the refurb but something about my room hit me hard. I loved it. It made me, happy. So very very happy. I took many pictures to share my happiness. This beautiful deluxe studio:
Entering the door
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This was part of a lockoff with the connecting door in the entry way near the front door.
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Kinda cool, looking back at the door into the full length mirror. (My version of a selfie)
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Cooler at my feet🍻

Love this rack and I put it to use immediately!
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Kitchenette
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Bathroom
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I personally prefer the big bottles over those teeny tiny ones. I can use as much product as I want and do not have to worry about running out
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EF34C7A7-FD65-4983-A5E2-462331971178.jpeg
 

Darstarr

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
In the Parks
No
Thursday April 7 cont
In the closet:
43E60FBB-8F52-4E03-B338-567B6BFB7471.jpeg

Why???
DA9FFF3F-78A4-4147-BAF3-56F67DF29D38.jpeg

Again, why? I am on vacation. I will be wrinkled and like it thank you very much.
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Mattress👍👍
Pillows not so much but I sleep with a memory foam pillow so no hotel pillow ever satisfies me.
CAFF6B32-6ACF-427F-B221-54200D68AB51.jpeg

Storage
429FBCC8-6F58-493B-B415-8C2DBA912D50.jpeg

4D5C483C-DC90-45C9-9F44-E1ED7E9ABD6A.jpeg

Outlets👍
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New. AC and a ceiling fan.
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Nice modern touch!
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The view:
009DF4E5-6142-4108-B984-42E8D5DE572E.jpeg

More view in a few😂
 

Darstarr

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
In the Parks
No
April 7 cont

I had decided I was heading to Epcot so I canceled my Star Tours LL at HWS in hopes of getting something at Epcot. An earlier/better time for Soarin’ popped up which I wanted to swap out my existing time for but…STRIKE FOUR , there is no modify button. I canceled it and went to rebook and got exactly the same time as I already had. Grrrrr😡

I donned my poncho, downed my beer flavored water and headed to the bus stop. Driving by in a big golf cart was one of my favorite CM’s, Mark, from Wisconsin. I yelled, “Mark!!!”
He stopped and looked at me. I said, “Darlene from…”
Mark finished my sentence”…Long Island!”

He offered me a ride but I was heading to Epcot and his golf cart is not made for the roads😂

It was raining…
AB6BDC1A-38A0-417E-AF85-043FA7F9F190.jpeg

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Really raining.

I took the time to try to book a LL for the Star tours LL I had canceled.
Oh my gosh! Look what popped up
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Frozen!!!

Only, it isnt letting me book it. Why???
It says here…
DF3CDA3D-23A1-4A39-B383-5A3EDDA41756.jpeg


I AM NOT ELIGIBLE UNTIL 4:56???

WHAT?!?!!

Strike five!!!!

I get to Epcot and head to guest services. By scanning my magic band the CM can see my LL activity. I explain I canceled Soarin’ to rebook at an earlier time but ended up getting the same exact time.

“Oh, yes. That happens.”

I explained I canceled Star Tours but it won’t let me book anything else.

“But you did book something else.” She said in that fake chipper voice that is worse than nails on a chalkboard. “You booked Soarin’ right here at 2:56.”

“Yes I did because there is not a modify button so I had to cancel to rebook”. I explained.

We went around like this for a few more minutes. I was getting frustrated that I lost not one LL but two. She kept getting more chipper.

I tried one more time to make her understand I had two LL. Now I have one booked and I should be able to book another one. “You did book another one, you booked Soarin’”

“I ALREADY HAD SOARIN’! I was trying to get a different time.”

“You did everything right.” She said.
What the $&@!?
“Then why did I get screwed?” I answered and walked away before I said or did something regretful.

STRIKE SIX
If you cancel a LL you will essentially lose an LL unless the cancelation and rebook is done within minutes of the original booking. Because there is no modify button the program only recognizes the booking then sets your clock for two hours before you can book again (or after you tap into a booked LL) In other words, chose carefully or cancel at your own risk.

Should it really be this hard???
I have a college degree. Two even, but this is just dumb.
 

fractal

Well-Known Member
April 7 cont

I had decided I was heading to Epcot so I canceled my Star Tours LL at HWS in hopes of getting something at Epcot. An earlier/better time for Soarin’ popped up which I wanted to swap out my existing time for but…STRIKE FOUR , there is no modify button. I canceled it and went to rebook and got exactly the same time as I already had. Grrrrr😡

I donned my poncho, downed my beer flavored water and headed to the bus stop. Driving by in a big golf cart was one of my favorite CM’s, Mark, from Wisconsin. I yelled, “Mark!!!”
He stopped and looked at me. I said, “Darlene from…”
Mark finished my sentence”…Long Island!”

He offered me a ride but I was heading to Epcot and his golf cart is not made for the roads😂

It was raining…
View attachment 634757
View attachment 634758
View attachment 634759
Really raining.

I took the time to try to book a LL for the Star tours LL I had canceled.
Oh my gosh! Look what popped up
View attachment 634760
Frozen!!!

Only, it isnt letting me book it. Why???
It says here…
View attachment 634761

I AM NOT ELIGIBLE UNTIL 4:56???

WHAT?!?!!

Strike five!!!!

I get to Epcot and head to guest services. By scanning my magic band the CM can see my LL activity. I explain I canceled Soarin’ to rebook at an earlier time but ended up getting the same exact time.

“Oh, yes. That happens.”

I explained I canceled Star Tours but it won’t let me book anything else.

“But you did book something else.” She said in that fake chipper voice that is worse than nails on a chalkboard. “You booked Soarin’ right here at 2:56.”

“Yes I did because there is not a modify button so I had to cancel to rebook”. I explained.

We went around like this for a few more minutes. I was getting frustrated that I lost not one LL but two. She kept getting more chipper.

I tried one more time to make her understand I had two LL. Now I have one booked and I should be able to book another one. “You did book another one, you booked Soarin’”

“I ALREADY HAD SOARIN’! I was trying to get a different time.”

“You did everything right.” She said.
What the $&@!?
“Then why did I get screwed?” I answered and walked away before I said or did something regretful.

STRIKE SIX
If you cancel a LL you will essentially lose an LL unless the cancelation and rebook is done within minutes of the original booking. Because there is no modify button the program only recognizes the booking then sets your clock for two hours before you can book again (or after you tap into a booked LL) In other words, chose carefully or cancel at your own risk.

Should it really be this hard???
I have a college degree. Two even, but this is just dumb.


Well that pretty much sucks.

Was the CM dressed as Jafar?

giphy.gif
 

lindawdw

Well-Known Member
That darn Genie+ is the MOST frustrating app most of the time and NOT user friendly!!! I will never understand why you see a time and think you're grabbing it but by the time you actually get your confirmation, the return time can be totally different from when you booked. That is not how the old fastpass used to work and it's one of the biggest complaints from guests!!!! Your description of the conversation to the guest services CM was quite entertaining though.
Donald Duck Lol GIF
I sure hope the rain stopped soon as this day is not going all that well for you.
 

slipperalwaysfits

Well-Known Member
. Pays to ask. But I also payed it forward. I saw a couple wandering aimlessly and told them the other two seats at my table were available if they were interested. Which of course they were.
Awwwww that’s awesome!
More view in a few😂
Lovely view! Your room is fabulous!!
Should it really be this hard???
I have a college degree. Two even, but this is just dumb.
Yes, I’m sorry you got screwed. I feel like there are more ways to make Genie work more effectively that the CM’s hadn’t figured out yet.
 

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