Halfway progress report

[Peebee]

Hi everyone, have decided to have a bit of a rest day at the villa after being at MK till closing last night, so sitting by the pool with the laptop I thought i'd give people a few updates.

- US Airways flight out via Charlotte was really good, with immigration at Charlotte very pleasant and straightforward indeed. Great arriving at MCO having cleared customs, and saving £600+ compared to a direct flight with Virgin or BA is a decent bonus too. IFE good, and better than Virgin too. Food was ok, and cabin crew helpful.

- Did the dessert party at MK last night. Was a great experience with lots of lovely puddings, but probably wouldn't do this again. The didn't replenish a lot of the desserts after the initial rush, and the seating area was IMO a little oversold. Perhaps it was down to it being a Saturday night, but they need to be careful they don't overmilk this new source of income.

- Halloween party at MK was great, and most rides were a walk-on. Parade and special fireworks as good as ever, and we thought it was well worth the cost of the tickets.

- Spent Friday night at Celebration, first with a meal at Market St cafe, then watching the leaves 'fall' from the sky on the hour! Kids had brown paper bags from the local shops, and spent ages collecting the paper leaves. Not sure what we're going to with them all, but apparently we just have to take them home...

- Saw Buzz Lightyear's homecoming parade with Buzz Aldrin on Friday. Was wonderful to see the great man up close…and Mr Aldrin as well, of course!

- Had AP special passes to see a preview of the new Tinker Bell DVD at MK last Sunday. Disney really made us feel special - free drinks and snack, plus chance of photos with Tink and her friend Terrence (coming to the parks in a month or so), and a goody bad for the kids.

- Lunch at Chefs de France was lovely. Their lobster bisque, ham and cheese sandwich and creme brulee combination is great value, and we saw Remy too! He really is impressive and so neatly operated too, so well worth a visit.

- Parks have generally been not that busy, although the F&W at Epcot does get very busy (and the number of drunks by late afternoon seems higher than previous years). Saw Starship and Richard Marx in the Eat to the Beat concerts. Nice to have them scheduled every day compared to the Flower and Garden festival restriction of just weekends - you can be walking around the park and just think to pop along for a seat near the back.

- Staying at the most beautiful off-site villa at Windsor Hills. Love the home and the resort. Very spacious and beautifully kept, with good facilities.

- Oh, last thing - the weather. Compared to the constant rain back in May it has been gorgeous, in the high 80s/low 90s most days. Probably 30 mins rain in total all week due to humidity. Not sure how comparable this is to August conditions - probably a little drier I guess - but we're likely to give that time a try next year as the kids have stood up well to the heat.

Right…back to the pool and some swimming to work off some calories. Any questions about anything, just ask away.

Paul

[jen_uk]

Sounds like a brilliant holiday, any chance of seeing some pics?

[Shazzie B]

Sounds like you're having a great time sooo jealous. What night did you do MNSHP-hoping to do next year!

[wayneg]

Done US thru Charlotte a couple of times, will be a consideration next August again as we might call and see friends in Charlotte and then drive down to Orlando.
Waiting for next update, enjoy rest of your trip.

[Janine1983]

Sounds fantastic! We fly out on the 23rd Oct!!!

We havn;t booked the MNSSHP yet, but umming and ahhing over it. We're a party of 7, and my ds is only 2. So wasnt sure if this would be scary or not??? xx

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Great to read your report - nothing better than a relaxing day by the pool

We flew via CLT - think we also claimed Virgin miles as the carrier was a partner of VA - might be worth checking if you haven't already.

Glad you enjoyed the Halloween party - have you got loads of candy to eat?

We have also stayed at WH - we ordered pizza one day from Giordanos before we went into the parks later on

Hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday and the weather stays lovely and sunny for you.

[wayneg]

Originally Posted by Mrs Doubtfire

We flew via CLT - think we also claimed Virgin miles as the carrier was a partner of VA - might be worth checking if you haven't already.

Yes US airways are a VA partner, can claim 100% of miles in economy http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb...bfSubmit1.y=14

[Peebee]

Thanks for the comments everybody. Have uploaded a few pics - hopefully they will come across ok.

Did MNSSHP on Thursday evening. Only booked it only about 48 hours before once we were sure weather was going to be ok. Got AP discount and then collected tickets at one of the parks later that same day - 10% or so discount off normal price that way. Really isn't scary at all (as the name says and loads of small kids around the place having a great time. As you'll see from the pictures we grabbed loads of sweets and candy, and haven't really made a dent on it yet.

Didn't think about the Virgin miles allowance, but that's a great idea, thanks for mentioning it.

We ordered in some pizza from a place called Flippers one evening. They are based next to the new Target on the 192, and it was fab, really lovely base and enough for lunch the following day too!

Also forgot to mention the pony ride at Fort Wilderness, in case you wonder what the picture of DD is all about. $5 for a short ride around the paddock on 'Nemo' and she loved it.

Paul

[bigbear]

Beautiful pictures. We had great pizza at Flippers too.

[Cochise]

sounds fantastic stuff, we fly out friday, weather.com is predicting some isolated tstorms in and around then. We loved us airways in 2005, great flights. In addition we are staying in windsor hills on holtrock st. Cant wait, would love to just get the flight over with though

[Peebee]

Originally Posted by Cochise

sounds fantastic stuff, we fly out friday, weather.com is predicting some isolated tstorms in and around then. We loved us airways in 2005, great flights. In addition we are staying in windsor hills on holtrock st. Cant wait, would love to just get the flight over with though

Just taken a look at the link for Holtrock St and it looks lovely - if I stand on the pool deck I think I could probably see it - we're on Teascone Blvd, about 100 meters from the turn into Holtrock. The kitchen looks almost exactly the same spec as the one here, and the kids have been loving the fridge with the built-in ice dispenser (including crushed ice!).

[eeyorefanuk]

Really lovely pictures, cannot believe how much sweets you have there, its like I am in my favourite dream

[jockey]

Lovely day

[natalielongstaff]

Wow !! how cute is that Remy pic

[Cochise]

Originally Posted by Peebee

Just taken a look at the link for Holtrock St and it looks lovely - if I stand on the pool deck I think I could probably see it - we're on Teascone Blvd, about 100 meters from the turn into Holtrock. The kitchen looks almost exactly the same spec as the one here, and the kids have been loving the fridge with the built-in ice dispenser (including crushed ice!).

Kitchens i think are chosen in the house deals as a package, choices are in the wood used. Have you used the pool? I read you register at the clubhouse and pay a deposit of $6 each. We always have saturdays off and will take in an afternoon or two there.
Think the kids will have to fight to get to the ice machine with a bottle of soco in the house