Goofyish
01-01-2006, 06:43 AM
The Cast:
Me, Tim (Quite old)
DW, Julie (Not quite so old)
DD1, Nicola (16)
DD2, Jade (12)
DAY 1 - 15th December 2005
Weather Report: Cold in UK, Sunny and 77 degF in Orlando
The Flight Out and Arriving
We all slept suprisingly well and woke when the alarm went off at 8am.
After showering, shaving (me) and cleaning teeth we set off to the terminal.
Our original idea was to grab some breakfast, but none of us was that hungry (must have been the excitement LOL). The queue to go through security was quite small so we decided to go straight into the departure lounge and look round the shops.
After checking that none of us had any sharp objects etc. we passed through the security scanners - Julie, Jade and I sailed through, but poor old Nicola set every alarm in the book off! She still had her mobile phone and MP3 player in her jacket pocket! So she had to endure the complete body search and walk back through the scanner a few times - she was so embarrised!
Finally we made it through to the shops. We got a few bits and pieces, nothing special caught our eye though. After a snack and a drink we sat and people watched until it was time to take the long trek to the gate. Don't some folks wear some silly stuff to fly in!
At about 11am the 'Go To Gate' message came up on the screens so we set off. It's quite a long way - good job they had the moving walkways!
The plane started boarding at 11:45am. As we were sat at the back (row 61), we boarded in after the 1st Class and Premium passengers.
The plane we had was: Ladybird (G-VAST) which is a 747-41R for all you plane spotters out there!
There seemed to be more room on this plane than the standard Gatwick 747s, and the bonus was it had the Odyssey entertainment system, so we had games!!!!!
We started to pull back at 12:45pm.
The flight was quite smooth. There was a bit of turbulence where the seat belt sign came on and one bit where even the cabin crue were instructed to take their seats. But it wasn't that bad.
For dinner we had Christmas dinner - it was vile! Not even real turkey, just a slice of processed turkey roll. Roast potatoes were so over cooked and the gravy was just brown gunk at the bottom of the tray. Glad we took plenty of snacks on board :)
We landed at around 4:45pm US time - 10 mins. early.
We sailed through imigration and had a really nice friendly imigration officer.
Our cases seemed to be about the last to come up! Everyone else had just about gone! Just a few folks standing at the back of the room re-doing their green forms LOL
Out FL Tours Towncar driver was waiting or us by the Virgin luggage belt with out name on his board. After saying hello he helped get our cases and we walked down to his waiting car. We were on the road from the airport at 6:10pm.
There was a short wait to check in at the Dolphin:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/3246Dolphin-Checkin-med.jpg (http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=13339&size=big&sort=2&cat=500)
We were allocated room 11037. It was a fantastic view.
To the right we could see the Tower of Terror in MGM
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/3246View-1-med.jpg (http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=13340&size=big&sort=2&cat=500)
In front of us was the Swan
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/3246View-2-med.jpg (http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=13341&size=big&sort=2&cat=500)
and to the left was the Boardwalk with Epcot World Showcase behind
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/3246View-3-med.jpg (http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=13342&size=big&sort=2&cat=500)
Once we had settled into the room and freshened up, we headed to Epcot via the Friendship water taxis. We had to activate our Annual Passes at the International Gateway guest releations - and it took ages. The CM was German, and she kept having to re-print the passes because of spelling mistakes!
Eventually we made it into Epcot and had a very welcome burger and fries from the American Pavillion.
Dining Review:
We all had burger and fries with a regular coke. Very nice after the long journey.
4 burgers, fries and cokes came to $33.68
The plan was to watch Illuminations, but we were all nearly falling asleep standing up, so we headed back to the hotel.
Me, Tim (Quite old)
DW, Julie (Not quite so old)
DD1, Nicola (16)
DD2, Jade (12)
DAY 1 - 15th December 2005
Weather Report: Cold in UK, Sunny and 77 degF in Orlando
The Flight Out and Arriving
We all slept suprisingly well and woke when the alarm went off at 8am.
After showering, shaving (me) and cleaning teeth we set off to the terminal.
Our original idea was to grab some breakfast, but none of us was that hungry (must have been the excitement LOL). The queue to go through security was quite small so we decided to go straight into the departure lounge and look round the shops.
After checking that none of us had any sharp objects etc. we passed through the security scanners - Julie, Jade and I sailed through, but poor old Nicola set every alarm in the book off! She still had her mobile phone and MP3 player in her jacket pocket! So she had to endure the complete body search and walk back through the scanner a few times - she was so embarrised!
Finally we made it through to the shops. We got a few bits and pieces, nothing special caught our eye though. After a snack and a drink we sat and people watched until it was time to take the long trek to the gate. Don't some folks wear some silly stuff to fly in!
At about 11am the 'Go To Gate' message came up on the screens so we set off. It's quite a long way - good job they had the moving walkways!
The plane started boarding at 11:45am. As we were sat at the back (row 61), we boarded in after the 1st Class and Premium passengers.
The plane we had was: Ladybird (G-VAST) which is a 747-41R for all you plane spotters out there!
There seemed to be more room on this plane than the standard Gatwick 747s, and the bonus was it had the Odyssey entertainment system, so we had games!!!!!
We started to pull back at 12:45pm.
The flight was quite smooth. There was a bit of turbulence where the seat belt sign came on and one bit where even the cabin crue were instructed to take their seats. But it wasn't that bad.
For dinner we had Christmas dinner - it was vile! Not even real turkey, just a slice of processed turkey roll. Roast potatoes were so over cooked and the gravy was just brown gunk at the bottom of the tray. Glad we took plenty of snacks on board :)
We landed at around 4:45pm US time - 10 mins. early.
We sailed through imigration and had a really nice friendly imigration officer.
Our cases seemed to be about the last to come up! Everyone else had just about gone! Just a few folks standing at the back of the room re-doing their green forms LOL
Out FL Tours Towncar driver was waiting or us by the Virgin luggage belt with out name on his board. After saying hello he helped get our cases and we walked down to his waiting car. We were on the road from the airport at 6:10pm.
There was a short wait to check in at the Dolphin:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/3246Dolphin-Checkin-med.jpg (http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=13339&size=big&sort=2&cat=500)
We were allocated room 11037. It was a fantastic view.
To the right we could see the Tower of Terror in MGM
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/3246View-1-med.jpg (http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=13340&size=big&sort=2&cat=500)
In front of us was the Swan
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/3246View-2-med.jpg (http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=13341&size=big&sort=2&cat=500)
and to the left was the Boardwalk with Epcot World Showcase behind
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/3246View-3-med.jpg (http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=13342&size=big&sort=2&cat=500)
Once we had settled into the room and freshened up, we headed to Epcot via the Friendship water taxis. We had to activate our Annual Passes at the International Gateway guest releations - and it took ages. The CM was German, and she kept having to re-print the passes because of spelling mistakes!
Eventually we made it into Epcot and had a very welcome burger and fries from the American Pavillion.
Dining Review:
We all had burger and fries with a regular coke. Very nice after the long journey.
4 burgers, fries and cokes came to $33.68
The plan was to watch Illuminations, but we were all nearly falling asleep standing up, so we headed back to the hotel.