There isn't much to say about these two days so I will get them done in one.
As you would expect I didn't sleep much and was wide awake by 7am. Showered, dried and dressed I get the rest of the family ready. All ready, cars packed we hit the road about 10am.
The traffic was fine nothing to report on. We arrived in Stafford services bang on 12.
Elsie soon found the poor excuse for a kids play area and was happy in there.
Dave and I had something to eat. He had soup and a sandwich. I had a cajun chicken wrap was better then what I was expecting. We bought a drink and a chocolate bar each for the road.
Back on the road and about 40 minutes from the hotel (according to google maps) I realised I forgot my straightners
I can't live two weeks with out them I was really annoyed I had forgotten them.
We stopped off to get some cash out and arrived at the hotel about 2pm
Check in was fine we had to empty the car then leave the keys with reception as we were leaving the car in their car park for the two weeks.
In the room Elsie spots the bath and starts demanding bubbles. Straight in the bath before Dave and I have even taken our shoes off.
What can I say she is a mermaid.
We were all freshened up and ready to meet our great friends in the lobby at 4.30pm (I think it was around then Paula you can correct me if that's wrong).
They arrived and even though Paula and I have spoke for over two years this was the first time we have ever met. It felt like we were seeing family. We had a great night and Elsie loved Paula and Phils 3 girls. Thank you so much for dinners guys.
Connie and Elsie these two little ladies are born on the same day March 10th 2011.
After a lovely meal and a few drinks Paula and the rest of the family made their way home about 9.30 it was a school night and we had an early morning.
Back in the hotel we were all in bed by 10. Of course Elsie hated her cot so she ended up in our bed and I ended up on the sofa.
January 31st - Travel to Orlando
I got literally no sleep I was a very tired grumpy lady in the morning Dave will agree with that.
We weren't booked on the shuttle till half 7 so we got up washed dressed slowly and were still ready by 6. Dave rang down to reception to ask about getting on an earlier shuttle they said that it was fine.
Check out, quick shuttle trip to Terminal 2 we were still at the airport about 6.30. Of course Virgins desk didn't open till 7. We stood in short line that had already formed. We hadn't checked in online as we wanted bulk head seats and were told if we checked in online we wouldn't get them.
A man who worked for the airport security come over and said he would check us in on the self service. I said no and explained the bulk head situation he said it would be fine. Dave checked in fine mine came up with an error. He told me it was because my ESTA was invalid.
WHAT?!?!? Oh my I felt sick he told me that I would be seen to first as it was important to get this sorted.
Whilst I am stood there fighting back the tears a lady comes over and starts asking about travel insurance and before we know it we have agreed to be on the TV.
Check in opened and we were took straight to a lady ready to deal with us. My ESTA was fine it was because I had an infant added to my booking that I couldn't check in on the self check out. That man is lucky he disappeared or he would of got a few words from me that's for sure. Luckily I had my ESTA printed any way.
So on the TV to talk about travel insurance
Did you see us on Daybreak?
Through security and straight to Franky and Bennys I needed food I was hungry and stressed lol! Our phones were crazy with people texting and ringing saying they saw us on the TV.
After breakfast Dave treated me to a new pair of GHDs after leaving mine at home! Love him so much! Thanks Dave.
We found a soft play area where we spent the rest of our time at the airport till they called our flight.
Our plane
The flight was fine Elsie fell asleep twice which was great. I watched Pitch Perfect very funny and the campaign not quiet as good as what I had expected.
Food was good I ate it all this has never, ever happened before normally I through up at the smell/sight of it.
Very impressed with Virgin and landed on time even though we took off late.
Orlando International airport security was fine, 30 minutes and we were through. We just beat BA so we were lucky. Collected bags waited ages for the push chair because they had taken it off and left it in the corner with out telling us.
Drop the bags back off and on the monorail. We saw for a few seconds some one else I know from the DIS who was getting on the plane we just got off. Hello Hayley!
Waited ages to get the bags again then had to trek to the other side of the airport for ME. ME left 5 minutes after we got on and we were the first stop YAY!
Elsie and I went and checked in whilst Dave got some fresh air. Elsie was given a bunch of balloons and a certificate. We were family of the day and had been upgraded to a 1 bed villa
Collected our garden grocery order and the bell hop took us to our room 2345. Easy number right? The entire fortnight if we were asked room number I kept saying "43?? Dave what is it?" haha terrible memory.
Any way we dumped our stuff got Elsie in the push chair and made our way to DTD for an EOS and a quick look round the toy shop. Elsie got the Doc McStuffin doctor set and we headed back to our villa.
We forced ourselves to stay up till 10pm and it didn't take long for us to fall asleep.
)
