November 2009 Visit

Disney was Great! - The Air Tran flight home?

This trip was filled with almost 200 pin trades with Cast Members and other Traders. Carolyn was able to finish 8 or 9 different hidden Mickey sets as well as find a few Limited Edition Pins. We attended this years first Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on Tuesday. It appeared to us that Disney put up more decorations on Main Street this year than last year. However, when you compare it to Main Street in Disneyland we feel Disney World could still do more . Wouldn't you know it, Mother Nature held off with the rain right up until the Christmas Party started. The parade was canceled while the drizzle slowed down enough for the Fireworks to go off beautifully.

Carolyn purchased couple Christmas Party Passholders Pins, as well as the Christmas Party framed set. Earlier on Tuesday we dropped in at Hollywood Studio's for the three new released Pins including the Limited Edition Passholders pin. ( I looked for my little Rat friend by Hollywood Studio's Trading Station, he did not show up for the Photo Shop.)

We were able to get a reservation at Animal Kingdom Lodge Sanaa Restaurant to enjoy our usual. As usual the quality of the food was fantastic, however the server was not the best in the world. She was slow to check back with us, so we had to wait for a new fork, dessert selection menu, dessert and I never received the Hot Tea with my dessert. In addition to the slow service the server developed a negative attitude. When she brought our check we paid for the meal with our Disney Plan Card and I left a $20.00 bill to cover the $19.43 for the drinks and appetizer. I crossed out the tip section and wrote in service slow and rude. When we received our checkout statement my wife noticed that we had a $19.43 charge to our room. Although the signed receipt was clear as to our intentions, the waitress charged our room and pocketed the $20.00 for her tip on a $68.00 meal.

Once again we enjoyed the time away from all the work and personal family issues. Usually we spend three full days in Disney World, however this trip was our first two day trip. We thought that two full days and the arrival day would be enough time in Disney World. IT WASN'T! Neither Carolyn or I was ready to go home and can not wait for the 20th to go back.

Should we demand compensation from Air Tran?

We always enjoy flying Air Tran to Florida and our trip down was no exception to the rule. In fact one of the Flight Attendants went above and beyond the normal level of service. I love the Stem Ginger cookies they offer in flight. After the young lady found this out she gave me a couple extra during the flight and as we prepared for landing she gave me a small bag with 8 or 9 packages of the cookies.

The Flight back on Wednesday night was not so great. The flight was rightfully delayed 35 minutes due to Ida related weather. Once in the air I noticed the landing gear went Up - Down - Up - Down - Up - Down - Up - Down - Up - Down - Up. Approximately 20 minutes into the flight the Captain informs us that he can not get a Landing Gear Up indicator light and was returning to Orlando to have it checked out. Once we return to the Orlando area the plane circles the airport for a while. The Flight attendant explained to another passenger that the Plane needs to burn off fuel because the plane was too heavy for the short runways. Now bear in mind we are in a 717 and the Orlando airport has 747 and much bigger Planes land. Although I needed to be discrete so my wife didn't freak out as she had no clue that the landing gear wasn't locking in the down position. I laughed at the flight attendant when she repeated the same thing to me. She told me to hush and gave me a nervous wink. As the Plane gains altitude the Captain informs us the "gear up light" is now good and we are proceeding to Atlanta to change planes. We landed in Atlanta with no problems, change planes  and set down in Indianapolis 2 1/2 hours late.

OK! Should we request compensation for almost having to do a foam landing without landing gear - Paying for a non-stop flight and having to not only stop but change planes - Arriving 2 hours late due to airline maintenance issues?

Let me know at webmaster@grnfldinds.com

PS. Among the variety of illnesses my Doctor gave me.  I have RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome) and the 2 hour additional time having to sit was absolutely brutal.

11-18-2009 We just received a Letter from Air Tran Airways apologizing for or delay due to an "unforeseen maintenance irregularity".  Let's See! Landing Gear didn't Work - We had to change planes in Atlanta and were 2 hours late with what should have been a non-stop flight.

12-09-2009 We just spoke with Mr. Earl Williams  of Air Tran Corporate office. This gentleman was very understanding and accommodating. Air Tran is and will be our Air Carrier of choice. From the up to date young Air fleet to the personal touches of the Crews. Thank you Mr. Williams for your understanding and help in this matter.

Our Disney Tip of the Month:

All the Disney World Parks have security doing bag checks at the entrance looking for who knows what. TIP: Never go thru a bag check line with a Female officer. The female officers are much to detailed and take much more time to check out the guest's bags. I say women are more detailed orientated and my wife says they are nosey and want to dig in all your stuff.

We did an informal time study - The male officers checked 2/3rds more Guests thru the gates than the female officers. The guys look in the primary bag, feel the little bags and say thank you. The females generally make you take out any small bags, they look in them, open all pockets of your camera bag or Purse. They get into your stuff way to deep. Besides, what the devil are they looking for - Glass Containers, Guns, Knives, Dope, Rocket Launchers - I'm not really sure. With the exception of the Rocket Launchers, I've observed all the above in the possession of a Disney Guest.

Retired Cop's view point: The bag check is a feel good measure. I could and have carried a firearm into the Park each time. If a person wanted too, they could get anything into the park. They never check the guests person, wheel chairs and strollers.

We plan to bring the good and the not so good about our Disney adventures.