Possible Trip to WDW in January...Advice?

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

The plane was on US Airways, they allow for Cell Phone use while on the ground. Heck, they promote it ("if you have a Mobile PDA, please access usairways.com to check for connecting flight information")

And they pounded it into us during Traditions that, as CMs, we do not except tips. We're supposed to refuse forcefully three times, and then take it and call a lead or manager. Then again, it might be just Parks CMs and not Hotels.

Anyway, continuing what has apparently become a live trip report...

I had a wonderful time at Magic Kingdom today. It was familiar, but different at the same time. Thanks to some advance planning and the relatively light crowds, I managed to actually get in line for every attraction (though I did end up chickening out on Space (which is HUGE compared to DLs) and BTMRR). I also got to see the parade and the fireworks. Combined this with the lack of large numbers of SGs (or at least any I've noticed), I'm feeling pretty good right now.

However, there's just one thing I have gotta ask, I kept noticing it all day, and it just got to me.

Basically, I kept noticing that there were a really large number of Onstage CMs who were still wearing the DL 50th Anniversary nametag (this one) instead of the current one.

At DL, we do still have people wearing old nametags, but they are really few in number (I've only seen 2), and they are always in Backstage roles, mainly Costuming or Cast Scheduling. Even then, they're wearing the old nametage from when DCA opened (this one). We've completely phased out the 50th Anniversary nametag.

It's not a big deal, I was just wondering. Is it harder to get a new nametag at WDW (at DL, we just have to go to the TEAM Center and pay the fee, if the nametags are being replaced, we are issued them by our managers),

Anyway, I'm off to plan for Epcot tomorrow. And of course trying to visit a certain marsupial on Thursday ;) .

Most airlines do that, allow cell phone usage on the ground. I just noticed that when loading, they seem to want them off before push back. I think to avoid the situation you described. I mostly Fly American, Delta, Alaska, SWA, andof course, the little puddle jumpers that service the big guys!. Enough!

The thing that always gets me is the difference, like finding POTC in a different location in the Magic Kingdom, or the POTC enterance is mostly inside at WDW. The other thing is going to AK and looking for the Indiana Jones ride!! (Ummm wrong coast!) Sounds like your having a goood time.

Have fun!!

[Whazzup]

We always tip the Mousekeeping staff. We bring Disney stuffies with us and since we know the Mousekeeper will be making up the beds, we'll put our tip money in an envelope in Mickey's hands, write Mousekeeping on the envelope so they know it's theirs to keep, and we'll hide Mickey under the pillow or covers, or set him on the towel rack, or somewhere else we know the Mousekeeper will find him. We've always returned to the room to find interesting towel animals or little scenes the Mouskeepers make up using our stuffies. Fun!

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

We always tip the Mousekeeping staff. We bring Disney stuffies with us and since we know the Mousekeeper will be making up the beds, we'll put our tip money in an envelope in Mickey's hands, write Mousekeeping on the envelope so they know it's theirs to keep, and we'll hide Mickey under the pillow or covers, or set him on the towel rack, or somewhere else we know the Mousekeeper will find him. We've always returned to the room to find interesting towel animals or little scenes the Mouskeepers make up using our stuffies. Fun!

I always tip the cleaning staff at hotels I stay at. When travelling for work, since My tab is being paid for by work and not out of my pocket, I always tip them something. Not because I am expecting anything special, but they take care of things that I would do for myself at home, and I appreciate it!!.

And at WDW, I don't expect any thing special, but every single CM always seems to be happy to see us and says good morning and so forth. Just a very plesent atmosphere! Thats one of the reasons we look forward to going there. We have stayed at some places where the staff made you think you were a PITA by being there!

[Zazu]

Really? By whom? How did a term that describes the state of power, a mental condition or censorship be considered racist? It seems blackout would be an excellent description of the word blackout being considered a racist term. Someone has waaaay to much time on their hands.

Many things are possible if you're stupid enough. And yes, Disney has some CMs who are.

[Big Wallaby]

However, there's just one thing I have gotta ask, I kept noticing it all day, and it just got to me.

Basically, I kept noticing that there were a really large number of Onstage CMs who were still wearing the DL 50th Anniversary nametag (this one) instead of the current one.

At DL, we do still have people wearing old nametags, but they are really few in number (I've only seen 2), and they are always in Backstage roles, mainly Costuming or Cast Scheduling. Even then, they're wearing the old nametage from when DCA opened (this one). We've completely phased out the 50th Anniversary nametag.

When I lost my nametag in a car accident, it took me almost three months to get a real replacement. Cranbiz has a very interesting way he fixed the problem of a lost nametag.

I also have another friend who is using the old one right now because his came off his costume and management told him to wear the old one until a new one came in.

But other than that, we're not supposed to wear the old ones. It bugs me. Bad show.

[glendalais]

Anyway, before I get on with my report for today, I would like to award myself the SG Of The Day award :p: .

I was down at Downtown Disney visting the WDW Casting Centre (it's for a co-worker of mine who's interested in an intra-company transfer, I don't have the resources to move over to WDW....yet) and was heading back to Epcot to watch IllumiNations.

The bus to Pop Century wasn't there yet, so I just hopped on the first one that came. Turns out, it was heading over to the All Star Resorts, on the western end of the resort, when I got there, the bus for Epcot didn't come for another 15 minutes, and then stopped at Blizzard Beach on its way to Epcot.

The end result, my trip which should've taken 30-45 minutes, ended up taking an hour and a half.

Anyway, as you can tell, I went to Epcot today.

It was quite nice, I didn't get everything in (I skipped Soarin' and HISTA just on the basis that they are exact copies of DLR attractions), but I was able to ride Living With The Land (tried to look for New York or Texas/S.C. hometowns, but didn't see anything, sorry if I missed you, CMGUY!), Spaceship Earth and Test Track.

It was fun, though I must say that I liked MK better. It might just be the familiarity of it all.

Anyway, I'm off for the night. Tomorrow: AK/DHH/MGM!

Yes, I'm really tired, lol.

[glendalais]

Well, my last day here didn't go as well as I liked.

My Dad woke up sick this morning, so we had to stay at the resort. I did get to see Fantasmic! over at DHH today. Quite nice, IMO, I still prefer the DL version a bit more just based on the Mark Twain factor alone.

We head back to California tomorrow. Let me just say that I've thoroughly enjoyed my visit to WDW. It was great overall. Infact, I'm already starting to plan for my next visit for later this year or next year. However, does anyone know if the tradition of not couting visits to Parks outside your home resort against your sign-ins still applies?

It was great. I don't think I've ever enjoyed myself so thoroughly. I might very well go ahead and transfer over to WDW one of these days (or at least do a CP there). :D: