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28 Apr 02, 10:29 PM |
#1
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Imagineer
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MINUTES OF ASTRID'S WDW MEETING
Held Between Monday 11th and Wednesday 27th March 2002 Location: All Star Music, Walt Disney World Chairman’s Report: (a) Travel & Arrival Statement 1. Present: Astrid - Chairman and Treasurer Bryn (9) - Junior Partner Carys (6) - Trainee (but learning fast! ) 2. Travel & Arrival Statement Reality re-occurred at 6.30am, half hour prior to the time set on the alarm, and it was decided that a relaxing bath was in order before the days antics commenced. Younger employees were quite happy pressing every button imaginable on the tv but had strict instructions not to go near the button marked x-rated movies or play station! Before retiring to the peace of the bathroom instructions were given for a unanimous decision to be made as to whether check-in of luggage or breakfast at the hotel should take place first, pros and cons were discussed at length (traipsing back and forth and back and forth to check in or; earlier, less relaxed meal! ), leaving B&C to discuss (for discuss also read: argue/shout/scream/bicker etc! ) this the bath beckoned invitingly. Ah, bliss, peace quiet ………… ring ring, ring ring ……. #### & blast “answer my mobile Bryn”, “where is it?!”, “In my bag”, “Where’s your bag?!”, “By my bed”, “OK, oh, it’s stopped!” ……………….. ring ring, ring ring …… “The hotel phone’s ringing Mum, what shall I do?!”, “Pick it up Bryn!!”, “There’s no-one there, I’ve put it down” ……….. ring ring, ring ring …….. “Th ….” , “Pick it up Bryn!” (for full re-enaction say last four words with increasing desperation and dawning thought that this was the alarm call! ), “It’s someone telling us the time, what shall I do?”, “Put it down Bryn - thank you!” ………. ring ring, ring ring ……… “Mobile’s ringing Mum!” “Get it quick Bryn”, “It’s Dad he wants to talk to you”. The prior thoughts consisting of peace, bath, relax had completely disappeared by now and a wet and disgruntled Chair immerged from the bath, spoke to their Dad and informed him that, no, I hadn’t overslept thank you!! Finally, all members of the Company were dressed and the decision of check-in versus breakfast reached. We were starved and, considering the many miles that would be walked on our forthcoming trip, breakfast first was the vote! At £15 for the three breakfasts it wasn’t cheap, but at least it was a buffet so plates were re-filled a number of times (well, excluding Trainee’s who decided she only wanted to have one boiled egg - Chairman decided not to mention this to Messrs Visa etc! ). Back to the room, and resembling assorted pack animals the Company headed for the airport. Luckily trolleys were soon to hand and at 9.40am we were ushered to the little red carpet and non-existent queue of Virgin Premium Economy check-in!! Seats all as pre-booked and boarding cards in hand we waved (and giggled amongst ourselves!! ) at the very long economy check-in line and went through to the departure lounge. The usual browse round the shops ensued then a coffee, Cokes and cakes at a bar overlooking the planes. To check all was running well in ‘I’m staying at home and not jealous at all land’ a phone call was made to Michelle (aka Squitty), and I tried hard (yeah yeah! ) not to depress her further with talk of views of aeroplanes and boarding times! Time to get the little train to the departure gate and then the joy of hearing “Will families with children under 2, First Class and Premium Economy Passengers please like to board the plane first!” Onto the plane and upstairs (well that was a whole new experience in itself! ) where we got our first view of the lovely spacious area we’d be spending the next 9 hours in. Chairman was handed Champagne to sup whilst organising young employees (they had orange juice or water), we ended up with four (large! ) seats either side of the aisle to share between the three of us and, head of Company decided to sit away from youngsters in the vain hope of a peaceful flight! All concerned decided this was definitely the way to travel, stacks of room around the seat, foot rests, loads of space to store hand luggage and trays of food that were delivered and collected really quickly. Further, more detailed reports on the joys of Premium Economy can be given upon request! The only downside would appear to be the fact that this is the way we’d always like to travel and I’ve a feeling Messrs Visa and Barclaycard would not look kindly on this! Food eaten: Garlic Chicken - Chair; Fish & Pasta - Employees (Note to file: Yuk! ) Films watched: Hearts from Atlantis, Shallow Hal, Bandits (all good). Atlantis & Bubble Boy were selected by younger element. 9 Hours later and the Company arrives at their destination!! Those dreadful immigration cards (which had been checked and double checked by Chair - only two new cards required this time, I’m getting better at this!. grasped and we were first off the plane (with stewardess holding back economy passengers to ensure out swift departure! ) and onto the monorail. Whizzed through immigration and our luggage was first off, on a separate conveyor belt too! We all had time to stand amazed at the Beagle dogs who were busily sniffing everyone’s luggage for fruit and vegetables, before handing back our luggage and then collecting it again (one day that system will make sense to me! ). On to pick up the car from Dollar where the usual conversation took place: “This is a picture of your car Mrs Blackburn, do you want an upgrade?” “No thank you”, “How much luggage do you have …. Oh might have trouble fitting that in, do you want an upgrade?” “No thank you”, repeat conversation over another 3 or 4 times and you get the general impression! Walked to collect the car and, guess what, the luggage fitted in with no problem!! Note to File: Dollar beat Alamo hands down on convenience and speed, it was a joy to collect the car from the airport and so do without the shuttle bus scenario. Chairman was rather concerned at driving from the airport to the All Star Music as this was a totally different route than taken in past trips. However, Junior Partner came to the rescue by shouting route instructions from the back of the car every 5 minutes! (think small bonus on return is deserved! ). And, then, we’re here!! Through the security gates and checked-in, collecting our clever cards that seem to do most things for us apart from make the tea. NB. Chair also ensured that charge facility is not placed on younger employees cards! Our room was found (432 if you’re interested! ) and, apart from not overlooking the pool was all that had been previously requested by fax, Calypso 10, ground floor. It was 7.15pm and we were there!! Unpacking commenced and a short time later kids were in swimsuits and we headed to the pool. An informal meeting had been arranged with the Robinson Family (aka Dave, Valerie, Gary and Julie) by the pool and we were all really excited at seeing our friends again. Two steps out of the room and Carys collapsed in a crumpled heap on the stone floor (this was not in the plan! ). She hit her forehead badly on the ground and seemed to completely pass out for a few seconds. I hauled her back into the room and put her on the bed where she soon woke up again and seemed absolutely fine albeit as white as a sheet. She insisted she was ok and I put it down to excitement and the journey, I kept her on the bed for 10 more minutes to double check she was alright but she was raring to go again, so, panic over, we headed, once again to the pool. I had anticipated we would be at the pool earlier than DVG&J and so were just looking casually around for somewhere to sit when suddenly an excited Valerie and Julie were in front of us!! They’d got back to the hotel quite a bit earlier and had been looking out for us. We were thrilled to see them and the four kids jumped in the pool and were happy as larry whilst I sat (collapsed more like! ) in a chair by the pool with Dave, Valerie and a beer and we caught up to date with all the news - ah this is the life! Dave took Bryn and I to the Foodcourt for our unlimited mugs - a bargain at $9.99 (plus the inevitable tax! ) for endless drinks during our stay, and we had a quick look around our home for the next 14 days! Heaven knows where the time went but before I realised it was 11pm, Bryn and Gary had hit the amusement arcade room whilst Julie and Carys were slowly turning into mermaids still in the pool! I was exhausted and decided bed was called for, arrangements were made for Walmart with Dave in the morning and we went back to the room and zonked! Chairpersons Comment: I think I like it here! Astrid |
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28 Apr 02, 10:48 PM |
#2
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Imagineer
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Premium economy ? mmmmmmmm
Poor carys, Astrid! hope she recovered ok...boy you must all have some stamina, we're just fit to drop when we first arrive! .
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Disney Cruise Line Forum Moderator WDW, DLP and DCL since 1996... |
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30 Apr 02, 01:24 AM |
#3
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Imagineer
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Like Angel said... you all did so well staying up so long!
Obviously been in training!
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1 May 02, 06:47 PM |
#4
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Imagineer
Join Date: Mar 02
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Makes very interesting reading Astrid .
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3 May 02, 05:59 PM |
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Cream Tea anyone ?
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the Shareholders are liking what they're hearing - bodes well for the future of the company
.
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Steve Don't cry because its over, smile because it happened. My Orlando Map - http://www.orlandomaps.co.uk |
7 May 02, 02:48 PM |
#6
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Guest
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Poor Cary's
great to meet up with friends on Holiday . |
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