[ilvminnie]

Final day. It seemed like it took so long to get here & now it's over already. I'm really not ready to leave. Oh well, guess there's not another choice. I just keep reminding myself we'll be back in Oct.

We had breakfast planned at CP for 8:25. Since it wasn't an EE day I had gone down to the front desk the night before to find out the best way to get to MK for our breakfast. The CM assured me there was a "breakfast bus" that would be there at 7:15. Great. So we get up, finish packing & call the bell hop to pick up our luggage to put it in storage. We're at the bus stop at 7:05. A little early, but that's ok. So we waited, & waited, & waited. Finally about 7:30 2 CMs from the hotel come out. They're part of the transportation control group. We ask about the character breakfast bus. They call & say it will be there in 2 minutes. Well, the bus that came in 2 minutes was for the AK breakfast. Evidently the one for MK came at 7:00!!! I told the guy that I was told 7:15 & now what are we supposed to do? He apologized & said to follow him & he'd put us in a cab to get us there in time. Sure enough, they called a cab & the CM came out & handed the driver cash to take us to MK. (I really think the 2 areas that need the most work right now are Beach Club operations & transportation. I heard at least 2 other people complaining to manager types about different things at BC. I'm hoping they get things under control. Right now I'm not inclined to stay there again even though it is my home resort.)

Once at MK we walked up Main Street toward CP. There was a group of new CMs going through orientation & one of the trainers noticed DD's birthday pins & brought us over for the group to sing Happy Birthday! I'm sure it was a great training opportunity for them, but even more enjoyable for DD. She knew all the attention was just about over now. (BTW, I saw about 4 such groups during this trip. Makes me wonder about all these rumours of layoffs.....)

Got to CP & walked right in. The hostess checking us in as well as our waitress commented on the light crowd that morning. We didn't mind...shorter lines at the buffet are good when you're hungry. Tinkerbell & I had said we would mee there, so I kept looking around for someone who fit the bill. I was coming back from my 2nd trip to the buffet when I noticed this table with 6 people at it right next to ours. The man had a walker/cane, 2 of the girls were just about Tink's granddaughters ages, & the lady had a Mickey Mouse ears hat. I looked at her & she looked at me. I walked over & put my plate down & then turned back to her. She said "Pam" at the same time I said "Tinkerbell" & next thing you know we were hugging like we'd been friends for years. We had a very nice visit & just couldn't get over the fact that our tables were right next to each other. It just capped a great trip. About midway through the breakfast - yep again! - the birthday celebration started. DD paraded around with Pooh & they brought her a cupcake with a candle & a birthday card signed by Pooh & the gang. Of course I knew it was coming since I had mentioned the birthday when I made the PS. But DD was totally surprised & excited.

Time to say goodbye to Tink & family & try to get those last rides in in the hour we had left. There was nearly NO ONE there! In an hour we drove the cars, did Buzz, did Pooh & Peter Pan & took our last spin through the Emporium. Then back to BC to wait for the towncar. While we waited I had a nice little chat with Art (of Travel Channel fame, remember?) & made a last trip to the gift shop. (Ooooh, forgot to mention that we loved Pal Mickey so much that we went to the gift shop the next day & bought him. He's really a lot of fun.) The driver got there & we're off to the airport. The flight was delayed an hour due to lightning in the area that stopped our plane from landing so that those folks could get off & we could get on. But other than that a nice uneventful flight. (Those are the best kind!) I wish I was still there, but I just keep thinking about my Oct trip.

[dznygrl]

Wow, MORE transportation troubles! I'm sorry there were so many frustrations on your trip! (And I'm sorry your trip report is over. It was so entertaining to read!)

But that is so neat that you met Tinkerbell!! :D And it sounds like your DD had a great birthday celebration...or two or three.... :laugh

You get to go back in October, lucky duck!!! :whistle:

Oh, did I mention--your DD and I really do have a lot in common! I looooove Pirates!!!! :D Hehe. I can totally see myself buying tons in the gift shop there...

[DisneyTeacher]

I loved Pal Mickey too. My father-in-law bought him for me our first day and we carried him with us every day. I thought I might not like carrying around all the time but it really was no trouble.

I am less than impressed with your transportation problems. It sounds like a problem in communication between CMs. I hope it is better when you go back in October.

I am so glad you met tink, how funny to have tables right next to each other. I can't wait for her to return to hear her tell about it too.

[ilvminnie]

Originally posted by dznygrl
But that is so neat that you met Tinkerbell!! :D And it sounds like your DD had a great birthday celebration...or two or three.... :laugh

You get to go back in October, lucky duck!!! :whistle:

Oh, did I mention--your DD and I really do have a lot in common! I looooove Pirates!!!! :D Hehe. I can totally see myself buying tons in the gift shop there...

They have a lot of cool t-shirts & stuff now. It seems like it's really increased their merchandising of the ride. And of course everyone that loves the movie is drawn even more to the goodies.

Yep...DD had a great birthday. But that was my aim - to make it one she'd never forget. I want her to be wanting to relive hers just like you want to relive yours.

[ilvminnie]

Originally posted by DisneyTeacher
I am so glad you met tink, how funny to have tables right next to each other. I can't wait for her to return to hear her tell about it too.

Yeah, we decided it was meant to be when we wound up with tables next to each other. She took some pictures (we had packed our digital already) so I'm sure she'll post them when she gets back next week.

[jmouse]

What a wonderful birthday trip for your daughter! One to remember for years to come. And you have given me some ideas to use in the future.

I agree with you that BC Operations needs some tweaking, ok a lot of tweaking! I do hope they return soon to the excellent service they once had.

BTW, those orientation groups you saw were undoubtedly the new batch of WDWCP kids just arriving to start their internships.

Thanks for sharing your trip. I am so glad that you and Tinkerbell got to meet one another!

[preidel24]

ilvmiinie,

What a great trip report. We are going in Nov for my DS's 9th birthday celebration. We are also hopefully doing the birthday cruise. Were staying at the BC concierge I do hope they get their act together a little better by then. I have them doing a welcome BD basket for my DS with Pal Mickey, Penny Press book, Epcot Passport and new autograph book. I hope they get that right!! and deliver it to the right room. How was evrything else at the BC the construction, the pool, the rooms are they still wonderful.

Paula

[neen626]

I really enjoyed your trip reports!! They were wonderful!
I am so glad that despite some problems, you all really made the most of your trip and had a great time, and your DD birthday was so special :)

Thank you for sharing with us :)

[goofygal1975]

Thank you for sharing your trip with us!! What a magical time for your dd!! I'm so glad, with the exception of a few resort problems, that you all had such a great time!!

What a neat thing that you guys and Tink were actually seated next to each other!!!:D

[Jacki]

Your trip report was great, despite the mishaps, it sounds like you had a great time. What a wonderful birthday your Disney Daughter must have had!! congrats to you all!!!

TTFN, Jacki:)

[disneymaverick]

Great trip report! Thanks for sharing.
Question though: How sick did your sister get after mission space? i get very very car sick just wondering what kind of reaction she had.
just fyi i got sick on star wars and on the movie in Canada:nooo:

[ilvminnie]

Originally posted by jmouse
[b]BTW, those orientation groups you saw were undoubtedly the new batch of WDWCP kids just arriving to start their internships.[b]

Maybe some, but not all. Quite a few of them were older than I am...& we won't say just how old that is, but remember DD just turned 18!:whistle:

[dznygrl]

If anyone sees an orientation group like that in DL next Spring, I might be one of them!! :nervous (Hopefully!)

By the way, let me add: when I *am* working in Disneyland, I will of course let you folks know where to look for me. If anyone happens to find me, PLEASE introduce yourself! It'll feel so great to meet DCers!! :D

[ilvminnie]

Originally posted by preidel24
How was evrything else at the BC the construction, the pool, the rooms are they still wonderful.

Paula

We didn't even make time for the pool, although it looked like there were a lot of folks enjoying it. Everything else was great, & Art was just as pleasant as can be. They are doing some construction on the exterior just outside of the lobby entrance from the pool side, but I never saw anyone actually working there. Evidently that was why we could stay in that 2-bedroom suite on Saturday night...they're not being booked right now due to the construction, but no construction was scheduled for the weekend.

[ilvminnie]

Originally posted by disneymaverick
Great trip report! Thanks for sharing.
Question though: How sick did your sister get after mission space? i get very very car sick just wondering what kind of reaction she had.
just fyi i got sick on star wars and on the movie in Canada:nooo:

She probably shouldn't even have attempted it without Dramamine.She knows there are a number of things she gets motion sickness from. Rafikiman can't handle Star Tours or Canada either, so he didn't try Space this trip. But I'll have Dramamine for him for the cruise in Oct so if he takes that he may go ahead & try Space. My sister just kept feeling dizzy & a little nauseous. It probably lasted for a couple of hours, although she never actually got sick. (She might have felt better if she had.) We kept feeding her "bready" kinds of things like pretzels & got her some Sprite. I think the carbonation helped. My advice, if you can't do "simulation" types of rides or teacups, don't try it without Dramamine. (Maybe they ought to open up a Dramamine stand outside Mission: Space!)