And Now For Something Useful

Disney World has finally updated its online dining tool.  It is considerably more user friendly, and you can now see a list of all of your ADRs in one place.  Previously, you could only see a list of the ones you made in that session.  I'm guessing that like us, many of you make multiple ADRs in different sessions.  Now you can get a list of them altogether.

Another bit of encouraging news which pertains mainly to us but may also encourage many of you: even though a significant number of people make their ADRs right at 180 days, you can still get reservations for the places you want to eat at closer to your trip.  When we booked our trip a few months back, we were already in the 180 day period and yet with the exception of one restaurant, were able to get every ADR we wanted at the time we wanted.  This included CRT which I made two separate reservations for.  Both of which I've now cancelled but the point was, this formerly hard-to-get ADR was wide open on two separate days.  The only place we wanted to eat at and had difficulty scheduling was 'Ohana.  We did get it but at an inconvenient time (NOAlgore'sInconvenientTruth).  Yet, just today, while playing around with the new online dining deal, I was able to secure 'Ohana at the time we wanted.  Huzzah!

Lastly a word about changing flight times.  Until a few weeks ago, I wouldn't have thought this was information which needed to be passed on, but then I ran into someone who didn't know you don't have to pay activation charges when you get a new cell phone or sign up for new service.  If before you sign up you tell them you will not pay the charge, they will waive it.  I thought everyone knew that but apparently not everyone does.  If you didn't, now you do.

Now here's my flight change story: we're flying Delta Airlines. They love to change flight times and it shows. Their "policy" is if the flight change causes you to arrive or depart at least an hour later than originally ticketed, they'll change your flights one time for no charge. Their policy is silent about leaving earlier.  We are scheduled to fly home from Orlando at 7:00 in the am.  Don't ask me why, but that's what we booked.  One assumes there was a good reason I picked that flight.

I have been regretting it ever since and contemplating eating a change of flight fee to move us to later flights.  Only Delta now charges a whopping $150 per ticket to change.  For the ZZUBs, that's $600 ducks to avoid a minor inconvenience.  No dice.  But as I was looking at our itinerary, I observed that Delta had changed our flight and we were now leaving at 6:15!  In the freakin' am!!!!  The website said I might be able to change our flights without cost under certain conditions (see above).  Since the "policy" was silent on early departures, I clicked around and picked out a later flight to see what it would cost.  Adding in the change of flight fee with the cost difference in the new flights, it was a little over $2,000 to leave later.  I threw up on my desk.  Looked at the screen again to confirm it was correct and threw up a 2d and 3d time. The 4th time it was just dry heaves.

Undeterred, I called Delta.  The woman I spoke with politely changed our flights without any cost at all.  I didn't have to even go all ZZUB on her.  She just said, "of course there's no charge since we altered your itinerary."  Funny.  Evidently the "policy" only applies to the website.

So: if you find yourself in the situation where your flights have been changed.  Don't fret none.  Just pick up the phone and give them a call.  You might be surprised at what happens.

All of which makes me wonder what tips y'all possess that you're willing to pass along.  Don't assume we all know them b/c like the cell phone activation charge, not everyone does know it.  The only caveats are these: I'm looking for genuine tips not funny ones, and let's avoid anything to do with parking, pool hopping, refillable mugs and room occupancy.  For the obvious reasons.

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Have a nice Memorial Day. Please pause on Monday to remember our servicemen and women and pray for them and their families.  They have sacrificed much for our freedom.  Let's especially consider those who, as Lincoln said, "gave the last full measure of devotion."  God bless their memories.  God bless their families.

God bless the USA.