Never Thought I'd be Gambling

Wow...what a few weeks it's been! Going from part-time to a full-time manager position makes you feel like you've been thrown to the wolves. The learning curve was steep for me, but since I had a chance to clean out the email inbox (over 300 emails)....and many of the overstuffed drawers and loose papers around the office....and made a few of my lists, I feel I am in a better position to do my work. So what do I do?

I'm a Tour Manager. I set up at least twenty day trips per month with some overnighters over the long weekends thrown in for good measure. Almost all are bus and van trips, and we go all over Germany...mostly, as well as countries that can be reached in seven hours or less, which is just over a good half dozen. It's a dream job really. Yes, we have our bread and butter sightseeing tours, but we also do what I want to do. My mind is spilling over with ideas, and I'm pretty excited about sharing some of those destinations with our community and fellow travelers.

I actually bought one of those digital voice recorders to change the subjet...and not the one where you say what row and space your car is in...but one where you can put your voicenotes in folders and can find them again. In a job with lots of moving parts and lots of ideas flowing, I think it is a necessity! I had a few nights where I did wake up thinking, oh my God, did I forget to order a bus, book a city guide and what if my tour escort doesn't show up or did I put gas in the van....you know, the typical "I just started a new job and don't feel comfortable yet" feelings. I think this is the first weekend that was virtually low stress.

And why do I think I'm gambling? Because setting up tours is a strange bird. You set up a tour in hopes of people signing up. As it gets closer and you don't get the numbers you initially budgeted for or you get more, you start crunching the numbers. Then comes decision time? Do I cancel the tour? Do I upgrade to a larger size bus? Do I need to "buy" another city guide, because in this particular city, a city guide will only take 20 people? And other such questions...so yes, you are gambling, because twice now, I did not cancel a tour, because I had a good feeling, and both filled up at the last minute. So far I haven't lost money on a tour, but I bet it will happen, and there I will be explaining myself on the red carpet. But other than that, it's low stress....no really.

So, if you are in Europe, have been in Europe and have some great ideas to send this way, please do! I'd love to hear your thoughts! Also, if you just started a new job, please share what it has been like for you!

FREE Multi-day Tickets to Disney for Military Families

It has finally happened. Or at least the first time since I can remember. Disney is now offering FREE multi-day tickets for your military family in a program they are calling "Disney's Armed Forces Salute". The Disneyland parks have a different deal than the Disneyworld Parks in Florida, so be sure to read below.

Here is Disney's Press Release:

Disney Parks Celebrate U.S. Military
With Free, Multi-day Admission to Theme Parks in 2009

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida / ANAHEIM, California (January 4, 2009) – As Disney Parks ask “What Will You Celebrate?” and invite guests to turn their personal milestones into magical family vacations in 2009, America’s military personnel will have one more reason to celebrate: Free multi-day admission to Disney’s U.S. theme parks.
With the “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” offer, active and retired U.S. military personnel, including active members of the United States Coast Guard and activated members of the National Guard or Reservists, can enjoy complimentary, multi-day admission into Disney’s U.S. theme parks, great rates at select Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort hotels, and additional special ticket offers for family members and friends.
“For so many of the men and women who serve in our U.S. military, time together with their families is cause enough for celebration,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “We are grateful for their service and hope ‘Disney’s Armed Forces Salute’ will allow our troops to create wonderful, magical memories with their family and friends.”

At Disneyland Resort in Southern California:
Through June 12, 2009, each active or retired member of the U.S. military can receive one complimentary three-day “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” ticket valid for admission to both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure parks. During the offer period, active or retired U.S. military personnel also may make a one-time purchase of an adult or child three-day “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion” ticket for up to five family members (including spouse) or friends for the price of an adult 1-Day Park Hopper ticket.
Disneyland Resort hotels are also offering special room rates for active or retired military personnel. For example, at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, active or retired members of the military and their families may find hotel rooms starting at $119 per night during value season, with great savings during other times of the offer period. This offer is available through June 12, 2009, and the number of rooms available at these special rates is limited.
For information regarding “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” at the Disneyland Resort, or to make reservations, military personnel may call 714/956-6424.

At the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida:
From January 4 to December 23, 2009, each active or retired member of the U.S. military may obtain one complimentary five-day "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" ticket with Park Hopper and Water Park Fun & More options. This ticket is valid for five days of admission into the four Walt Disney World theme parks, plus a total of five visits to a choice of a Disney water park, DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park or certain other attractions. During this offer period, active or retired U.S. military personnel may also make a one-time purchase of up to a maximum of five, five-Day "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets for $99 per ticket, plus tax, for family members (including spouse) or friends. Although this ticket for family members and friends does not include either the Park Hopper or Water Park Fun & More options, this ticket can be upgraded to add either such option, or both, for an additional $25, plus tax, per option. All tickets and options are non-transferable and must be used by Dec. 23, 2009.

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Page 2 -- Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Salute U.S. Military…

Ask about the great rates that may be available at select Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort hotels for active or retired U.S. military personnel during this offer period.
For information on the “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” offer at the Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort, or to make reservations, active and retired U.S. Military personnel may call the ITT office on their base. Information is also available at www.disneyworld.com/military.

Other Offer Details:
· Complimentary "Disney’s Armed Forces Salute" tickets for the Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort may be obtained only by active or retired U.S. military personnel, including active members of the United States Coast Guard and activated members of the National Guard or Reservists.
· Please see a participating U.S. military base ticket office for an exchange certificate for the complimentary “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” ticket for the Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort. The exchange certificate will need to be redeemed for such ticket by the active or retired military personnel at a Main Entrance theme park ticket window (maximum of 1 such complimentary ticket per service member, regardless of where the exchange certificate is obtained).
· "Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets for family members and friends may be purchased only by active or retired U.S. military personnel, including active members of the United States Coast Guard and activated members of the National Guard or Reservists (or their spouses, but not both).
· “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets for admission to the Disneyland Resort can be purchased only at participating U.S. military base ticket offices. "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets for admission to the Walt Disney World Resort can be purchased only at participating U.S. military base ticket offices (including at the Shades of Green Resort at the Walt Disney World Resort), or at Main Entrance theme park ticket windows.
· Military personnel (or their spouses) who purchase "Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion” tickets for family members and friends at participating U.S. military base ticket offices (including at the Shades of Green Resort at the Walt Disney World Resort) will receive exchange certificates to be redeemed by such military personnel (or their spouses) for tickets at Main Entrance theme park ticket windows (one ticket per exchange certificate).
· The military personnel (or spouse) will be required to present valid military identification (which, for activated members of the National Guard or Reservists, also includes orders showing active status between Jan. 1, 2008 – Dec. 23, 2009 for the Walt Disney World Resort and between Jan. 4, 2009 – June 12, 2009 for the Disneyland Resort) for all ticket transactions (including to exchange and redeem the exchange certificates for the tickets at Main Entrance theme park ticket windows). A valid ID may also be required for admission.
· "Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion” tickets are limited to five per service member (regardless of place of purchase and whether purchased by service member or spouse) and all five must be purchased at the same time. Accordingly, no service member (or spouse) may purchase "Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets at any military base ticket office if that service member (or spouse) previously purchased "Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets (whether at that same military base ticket office or at any other military base ticket office or place).
· First day of use of “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” complimentary tickets and "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets at the Disneyland Resort must be no later than June 12, 2009 and tickets expire 13 days after the first day of use or June 25, 2009, whichever occurs first. Last day of use on “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” complimentary tickets and "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets at the Walt Disney World Resort is Dec. 23, 2009.
· Tickets must be used by the same person on any and all days. "Disney’s Armed Forces Salute" complimentary tickets may be used only by the service members to whom they are issued. "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets may be used only by the friends and family members for whom they are purchased.
· This offer may not be combined with any other offer.

What Will You Celebrate?
Military personnel taking advantage of this offer will find even more to celebrate during their stay. Beginning in January, Disney Parks will embrace a newly identified nationwide travel trend called “celebration vacations,” in which Americans mark special occasions in their lives with a family vacation.
In 2009, Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts ask guests “What Will Your Celebrate?” and lead this growing trend with new entertainment and services that allow guests to turn their personal milestones –a birthday, an anniversary, Quinceañera or any special occasion – into magical Disney experiences.
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CONTACT: DISNEYLAND RESORT P.R. 714/781-4500

WALT DISNEY WORLD PUBLIC RELATIONS 407/566-6397