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View Full Version : It’s a “Wonder” I survived Trip Report: Day 0 – Travel day & first night


Pinky166
10-09-2009, 05:00 PM
The cast:

Me – Disney obsessed, Shopaholic & extremely clumsy (more on that later).
Lee (DH) – aka the Mad Hatter….you’ll soon see why.



7th September 2009 = Day 0

I was amazed when I woke up and glanced at the clock it was 6am! I thought I had slept quite well until Lee moaned about how much I had been tossing and turning during the night. :confused3 We had no reason to rush this morning as our flight wasn’t until 12.45pm, so we stayed in bed half watching tv and half snoozing until 8am. We got showered, collected all our belongings and went back to the Garden restaurant for breakfast which was included in the price of the room. It was a buffet breakfast and was ok (well tbh it couldn’t have got much worse from dinner last night). I don’t normally eat much for breakfast so I just had an egg and two slices of bacon, Lee had eggs, bacon, sausages & beans, we both had a cup of tea.


After breakfast we walked over to the Terminal & went through security. We looked around the shops where I bought some perfume and Lee got some aftershave. I called my mum again to check the dogs had been ok during the night (they had) & to say goodbye, then I got a ham and cheese baguette and some crisps to take on the plane (I don’t like any of the food they serve and don’t even bother trying it anymore) along with a handful of magazines from WHSmith. We walked over to our gate (13) and sat reading for a short while before they began boarding.


We took off at 1.05pm, the flight was ok. I can’t remember what the films were other than the new Star Trek film, the rest were all pretty naff so I just listened to my ipod & read. Lee however loves the Star Trek film and watched it twice on the plane….more of that to come!
Lee had a seafood tagliatelle for dinner whilst I munched on my baguette – he was pretty annoyed at himself for turning down my repeated suggestions that he should get a sandwich at the airport as his dinner was horrid. Mind you he made up for it eating all the chocolate he bought at the airport. I can’t remember what was served later on (probably the usual selection of sandwiches) as neither of us had whatever it was.

I decided to feed my shopping habit and bought a watch from the inflight magazine ;)


http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk318/pinky166_photos/Sept%2009%20Trippie/6839932.jpg


Gradually time ticked by and we eventually came into land, I think we were about 20 mins ahead of schedule at approx 5pm local time. We were off the plane fast and the first ones in the line for immigration, the guy we had was hilarious he was taking the mickey (no pun intended) out of me calling me bossy etc, between him and Lee they both teased me and I was bright red by the time we headed into the baggage area. :blush: All three cases appeared very quick and we were soon headed to the Magical Express. We were directed straight out onto the bus, the only down side of getting through the airport so quick was we had to sit and wait for ages on the bus. It was here that we discovered my dopey husband had left his itouch on the plane! :headache: I could have strangled him as I had asked him when we put our belongings back into the flight bag if he had packed his ipod away to which he replied “Yes dear”. :faint: After about 30 minutes we were on our way, although there was only 17 people on the bus the driver informed us we were stopping at five resorts!!! Luckily it turned out that Old Key West was second.


We checked in and were given Studio number 1620, which was on the 2nd floor and about a 6/7 minute walk to Hospitality House, we were taken along with our luggage in a golf buggy. To be honest we weren’t overly impressed with the room, the layout was strange – it was a triangular shaped room (which doesn’t really show in the photos below) and it was just really grubby and old. The bathroom was really dirty and the carpet had a horrible sticky feel to it so we ended up using our crocs as slippers. The food options were very limited too, although not too much of a problem as you can jump on the boat (approx 20 min ride) to Downtown Disney. I liked the hotel grounds they were very pretty but it just didn’t feel like Disney at all. In hindsight when booking last year I should have chosen Saratoga Springs over the two but made a quick decision without researching it and booked immediately before hubby could change his mind. Don’t get me wrong, it didn’t ruin our holiday or anything like that but we just wouldn’t go back. The only thing that drove me crazy for the 13 nights we were there was Lee’s constant complaining that they didn’t have a Hot Chocolate machine, he would moan about it every time we used our refillable mugs at the counter service place. :rolleyes:


http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk318/pinky166_photos/Sept%2009%20Trippie/IMG_0429.jpg


http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk318/pinky166_photos/Sept%2009%20Trippie/IMG_0430.jpg


http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk318/pinky166_photos/Sept%2009%20Trippie/IMG_0431.jpg


Anyway we decided to unpack before going to get some food. Luckily I had remembered the way the golf buggy had taken us so we headed towards Hospitality House when a not so magical moment happened……I slipped on the edge of the pathway and fell smack down face first on the concrete pavement. OUCH! Boy did it hurt!! For those of you that haven’t closely inspected the paths at OKW it is like poured concrete with hundreds of bits of broken shells poked into it – so as you can imagine it was very rough. Thankfully I still had my jeans on that I had travelled in, however I still cut both of my knees, quite badly on my left one, also both of my palms where I had attempted to stop myself. I was extremely lucky as although my face hit the floor I had broken my fall enough that I didn’t cut my chin and mouth. I was so embarrassed but luckily no one else was around, Lee helped me sit up and gave me a big cuddle as I was a big crying shaking mess. We sat there for a good five minutes as looking back now I was badly shaken up. Lee was making me laugh (after he knew I was ok) he said I looked like a break dancer doing the move they call the “worm”….so as you can imagine for the next three weeks, actually to this day he still chants " :woohoo: Do the worm, Do the worm :woohoo:”. :rolleyes:


Anyway eventually Lee helped me up and although he wanted to take me back to the room I wanted something to eat – I was starving as I hadn’t eaten much at all since dinner the night before. I sat down at the garden (pub style) benches - as the counter service really is just that a counter outside with no seating other than approx five benches. Lee went over and ordered the food, we both had a cheeseburger with fries, coke and chocolate cake – we used 2 x counter service credits. The cheeseburger was just ok but neither of us liked the fries or chocolate cake so they all ended up in the bin. On the way back we popped in the shop as it would be rude not to. ;) I spent $150 on pins, magnets and a resort Christmas decoration…..good times! It was medicinal i'll have you know. :laughing:


We hobbled back to the room and put some Savlon on my cuts. We were surprised that we had managed to stay awake until gone 11pm, normally we are crashed out by about 9pm at the latest. I was absolutely knackered but so excited to have arrived! :yay:


Coming soon – Day 1: Hollywood Studios, lunch at ESPN and “Dude, where’s my car????”

natalielongstaff
10-10-2009, 02:58 AM
ouch :headache: im glad you were ok, naught Lee for taking the mick !!!

jjk
10-10-2009, 03:42 AM
ouch Claire, that sounded painful :hug:

glad you managed to fit in some retail therapy though x

jockey
10-10-2009, 04:16 AM
Glad you were ok after your fall

saratogagirl
10-10-2009, 04:52 AM
Ouch Claire!! I bet the retail therapy made you feel so much better x

jamjar84
10-10-2009, 05:15 AM
Ouch @ the fall. :(

Nice watch that you got on the flight. :) Did you get the ipod back? :)

craigs bride
10-10-2009, 05:24 AM
glad you were ok .the shopping must have helped lol.

CustardTart
10-10-2009, 06:21 AM
Awww, Claire! :hug::hug::hug: What a horrid start to your trip!!! Did Lee ever get his iPod touch back? The wait on the ME isn't much fun either - esp when you're the last resort on the list... :headache: Sorry OKW was a disappointment - I hope it didn't detract from the rest of your hols, hun... As for falling over - thank goodness you were wearing jeans!!! Glad the trip to the shop helped... :rolleyes:

suzycute
10-10-2009, 07:03 AM
Your fall sounded painful - glad you were OK - shopping is always a good medicine!

Pinky166
10-10-2009, 07:17 AM
Thanks for reading everyone. :thumbsup2

Ouch @ the fall. :(

Nice watch that you got on the flight. :) Did you get the ipod back? :)

Nope! :headache: We rang Virgin and after about 10 minutes of being put through to different people we ended up at baggage claim as that is apparently where the stuff ends up. They however hadn't had anything handed in but have sent me an email to confirm so i've got to do an insurance claim.

Awww, Claire! :hug::hug::hug: What a horrid start to your trip!!! Did Lee ever get his iPod touch back? The wait on the ME isn't much fun either - esp when you're the last resort on the list... :headache: Sorry OKW was a disappointment - I hope it didn't detract from the rest of your hols, hun... As for falling over - thank goodness you were wearing jeans!!! Glad the trip to the shop helped... :rolleyes:

OKW didn't detract from the holiday but we would never stay at that resort again.

I was so pleased that I kept my jeans on as I almost changed into shorts as I was hot but thankfully I couldn't be bothered. :laughing:

mandymouse
10-10-2009, 07:45 AM
Lovely watch Claire, it's just the kind of one that I would choose. We felt the same way about the Caribbean Beach Resort last Summer when we got the free dining, it just didn't feel Disneyfied (that's why I'm always very happy to go back to the Pop Century ;)) :hug: Sorry to hear about your fall, but I'm sure your retail therapy took your mind off it :rotfl2::rotfl2:

I look forward to your next installment :thumbsup2

Pinky166
10-10-2009, 07:53 AM
Lovely watch Claire, it's just the kind of one that I would choose. We felt the same way about the Caribbean Beach Resort last Summer when we got the free dining, it just didn't feel Disneyfied (that's why I'm always very happy to go back to the Pop Century ;)) :hug: Sorry to hear about your fall, but I'm sure your retail therapy took your mind off it :rotfl2::rotfl2:

I look forward to your next installment :thumbsup2

Thanks hun, the watch is called Hidden Hearts if you look at the pattern of the strap it is intertwined hearts.

A bit of shopping always helps doesn't it. ;)

buzz for boys
10-10-2009, 08:31 AM
your fall sounds painful !! Cant believe noone handed in your Ipod
Looking forward to the next installment x

irongirlof12
10-10-2009, 12:10 PM
oh you poor thing, that fall sounds quite nasty ( but anyway ...do the worm do the worm :lmao:)

Pegasus928
10-10-2009, 01:37 PM
Glad you never fell on your face or that would have been extra painful.

Looking forward to the next report

scottish mum
10-10-2009, 02:45 PM
Ooohhh poor you, glad you were still able to do shopping :rotfl2:

The Fetherstons
10-10-2009, 04:05 PM
Oooh dear poor you Claire:hug:
What a good remedy tho, love you idea of a bit retail disney therapy:thumbsup2
Love your watch:love:, shame about the Ipod and you being disappointed with OKW

Cyrano
10-10-2009, 07:29 PM
I would have been mad about the iTouch :headache:

thelittlemermaid83
10-11-2009, 07:38 AM
Ouch, :hug:

Glad a bit of retail therapy helped ease the pain.

Kirsteen
10-13-2009, 07:26 AM
Ouch Claire :hug: glad the shopping helped, there really was nothing else for it ;) I had to laugh at Lee's 'do the worm' comment though :rotfl: Looking forward to the next installment :woohoo:

wideeyes
10-13-2009, 08:51 AM
Oww, poor you.:hug:

I'm not that keen on the look of OKW ether.

cap'njack.
10-13-2009, 11:28 AM
Glad you managed to get there in one piece (no pun intended).

Shame about the Hotel room though...hope it didn't affect the rest of your trip :)

Pinky166
10-14-2009, 02:26 AM
Thanks for reading everyone. :thumbsup2

oh you poor thing, that fall sounds quite nasty ( but anyway ...do the worm do the worm :lmao:)


:lmao: :lmao: :lmao:


Ouch Claire :hug: glad the shopping helped, there really was nothing else for it ;) I had to laugh at Lee's 'do the worm' comment though :rotfl: Looking forward to the next installment :woohoo:


Shopping really is the best medicine. ;)

wilma-bride
10-14-2009, 01:53 PM
You poor thing, Claire, I hope your poor knees healed up quickly. I know what you mean about OKW - we liked it as a resort but the lack of counter service option was annoying.

raph_b
10-14-2009, 02:46 PM
I was wondering when this report was going to get underway :rolleyes1

Bit of a nightmare start - can't believe Lee left his iTouch on the plane - at least you are insured for it :)

And sorry to hear about the fall - sounds painful! But look on the brightside - it could have been a lot worse. It's a shame Lee didn't get any pictures of the worm though......

I can't believe there wasn't a hot chocolate machine there :scared1:

Can't wait to read some more Claire :)

PS Shall I PM you my address so you can send my Build A Dino to me? ;)

Chilly
10-14-2009, 03:42 PM
ouch not a good way to start the holiday.

That must have been a lot of pins for $150!

Ware Bears
10-16-2009, 07:17 PM
Ouch :headache: hope your knees aren't too painful tomorrow. :hug:

florida sun
10-17-2009, 11:42 AM
Ooh Claire, you poor thing that fall sounds nasty:hug:. Looking forward to reading more:goodvibes

Pinky166
10-18-2009, 08:00 AM
Thank you all for your lovely comments. :thumbsup2


You poor thing, Claire, I hope your poor knees healed up quickly. I know what you mean about OKW - we liked it as a resort but the lack of counter service option was annoying.

Glad I'm not the only one, I read so many great reviews on here about OKW but it just didn't do it for us.


I was wondering when this report was going to get underway :rolleyes1

Bit of a nightmare start - can't believe Lee left his iTouch on the plane - at least you are insured for it :)

And sorry to hear about the fall - sounds painful! But look on the brightside - it could have been a lot worse. It's a shame Lee didn't get any pictures of the worm though......

I can't believe there wasn't a hot chocolate machine there :scared1:

Can't wait to read some more Claire :)

PS Shall I PM you my address so you can send my Build A Dino to me? ;)

Oh the cheek of it! :eek: I told you I'd be back and finished my report before you. :p

I have sent off the insurance claim now so fingers crossed we will get some money back.

As for pictures of me doing the worm....if Lee had taken some they would have survived about 30 seconds, I would have destroyed them. :sad2:

Oh no don't you start about the lack of Hot Chocolate machine.....my ears have just stopped bleeding from Lee whinging about it. :lmao:

Your build a dino is lost in transit I think....we didn't have room in the case so I posted it home and it hasn't arrived yet. :confused3 ;)


ouch not a good way to start the holiday.

That must have been a lot of pins for $150!

:rotfl2: It was quite a few Claire....I came back with a couple. :rolleyes1

tennisfan
11-01-2009, 01:16 PM
Glad you were ok after your fall, I hope it didn't ruin your trip

wicket2005
12-22-2009, 02:17 PM
Shame about the room and the worm, hope your foot was ok for the rest of the holiday.

Snowy-girls
12-30-2009, 06:11 PM
A very nice room,shame it did'nt feel 'disneyfied' to you.
Ouch :headache:,to your fall :hug:.Hope it did'nt scupper your holiday plans.
No hot chocolate :scared1:,oh Lee i am with you on this one :sad2:.Any news about the ipod?.x.

mark&sue
01-13-2010, 04:38 PM
Kirsty left about 20 DVDs on our plane when we went to Spain. I have e:mailed easyjet but so far heard nothing. don't hold out much hope after hearing about poor Lee's loss of his ipod.

Shame about OKW. We love Saratoga Springs but know everyone likes different resorts and I guess we have to try different ones to know the ones we like

susan

disney_princess_85
01-22-2010, 12:04 PM
Hi Claire! :wave2:

For some reason, I seem to have missed your report. :confused: Never mind, I'm here now and on board! You can be my weekend reading. :goodvibes

Sorry you weren't impressed with your room and OUCH! Your fall sounds quite nasty. :(

wils
01-23-2010, 07:04 AM
Finally catching up -ouch!

kellie37
02-13-2010, 10:17 AM
oh poor you :hug: what a start