jothp
Going to wash my car in honour of the mouse.
- Joined
- May 21, 2010
- Messages
- 2,212
Well I have started sorting through the hundreds of photos so thought it was about time to start the trip report.
For anyone who is interested this is a link to the pre trip report with the plan.
http://www.disboards.com/threads/the-first-trip-of-a-lifetime-ptr.3382678/
Day One - Wednesday 12th August - travel day
We got up early this morning, had a quick breakfast, packed the car and left for the airport. We had prepaid our parking at Cophall parking and found our way there with no problems arriving at about 7.30. The service was quick and efficient and once we had handed over our keys we got straight on a minibus to the airport and were there about 15 minutes later.
We went straight up to the virgin bag drop where there was no queue so we soon had our boarding passes and were on our way. Again there was only a short queue for security so we were through and ready to go by 8.40. By this point we were all hungry, having not had much before we left home. We decided on Frankie and Bennys for a 2nd breakfast. The food was good and the service was fast. We then killed the rest of the time until our flight browsing the shops and repeatedly checking the departures board for when we could get on the plane. At 10.40 the announcement came that our plane was boarding, we went straight to the gate and they were allowing everyone straight onto the plane as they arrived. We found our seats and excitedly waited for take off.
Take off was scheduled for 11.25 and we must have taken off near enough on time. We were well looked after on the flight. Drinks were served soon after take off and lunch was then served not long later along with another drink. After lunch we were served tea or coffee. About 3.30 we were all given a fab ice lolly and another drink and then at 5.45 we had afternoon tea which consisted of a choice of wraps, crisps and a cake bar. During the afternoon they ran two competitions one for the adults and one for the children. The children had to guess how many miles we had flown. My older two girls managed to come first and second and both got a little bag with sweets/headphones a pen etc. Middle DD Harriet was closest and won the captain's kit kat as she managed to get within 50 miles.
We landed about 3.15. We were sitting towards the back of the plane so we didn't make it off the plane and into the immigration hall until about 3.35. Our party was selected to use the automated kiosks as my husband had been to the US previously but it didn't like me and we were sent to a desk anyway - in fact I didn't see a single family around us who didn't have a problem with someone in their party. Luckily immigration seemed quite quick that afternoon and by 4.20 we had cleared immigration, collected our bags and taken the tram to the main terminal. We had to look around a bit to find our mears driver as our confirmation said he would be waiting for us at the bottom of the escalators in the main terminal but he was actually waiting by the second baggage claim which we didn't need as we took our cases with us. Once we found him we were speedily on our way to RPR. Check in was quick and easy and we were soon in our room. I was impressed by the amount of space compared to some rooms we have stayed in.
By about 5.30 we had unpacked the few bits we needed for our stay and gone to investigate the club room. We had some drinks and the main food offering. Feeling a little refreshed we went down to the lobby to print our express passes ready for the next morning before heading back to the room for an early night.
For anyone who is interested this is a link to the pre trip report with the plan.
http://www.disboards.com/threads/the-first-trip-of-a-lifetime-ptr.3382678/
Day One - Wednesday 12th August - travel day
We got up early this morning, had a quick breakfast, packed the car and left for the airport. We had prepaid our parking at Cophall parking and found our way there with no problems arriving at about 7.30. The service was quick and efficient and once we had handed over our keys we got straight on a minibus to the airport and were there about 15 minutes later.
We went straight up to the virgin bag drop where there was no queue so we soon had our boarding passes and were on our way. Again there was only a short queue for security so we were through and ready to go by 8.40. By this point we were all hungry, having not had much before we left home. We decided on Frankie and Bennys for a 2nd breakfast. The food was good and the service was fast. We then killed the rest of the time until our flight browsing the shops and repeatedly checking the departures board for when we could get on the plane. At 10.40 the announcement came that our plane was boarding, we went straight to the gate and they were allowing everyone straight onto the plane as they arrived. We found our seats and excitedly waited for take off.
Take off was scheduled for 11.25 and we must have taken off near enough on time. We were well looked after on the flight. Drinks were served soon after take off and lunch was then served not long later along with another drink. After lunch we were served tea or coffee. About 3.30 we were all given a fab ice lolly and another drink and then at 5.45 we had afternoon tea which consisted of a choice of wraps, crisps and a cake bar. During the afternoon they ran two competitions one for the adults and one for the children. The children had to guess how many miles we had flown. My older two girls managed to come first and second and both got a little bag with sweets/headphones a pen etc. Middle DD Harriet was closest and won the captain's kit kat as she managed to get within 50 miles.
We landed about 3.15. We were sitting towards the back of the plane so we didn't make it off the plane and into the immigration hall until about 3.35. Our party was selected to use the automated kiosks as my husband had been to the US previously but it didn't like me and we were sent to a desk anyway - in fact I didn't see a single family around us who didn't have a problem with someone in their party. Luckily immigration seemed quite quick that afternoon and by 4.20 we had cleared immigration, collected our bags and taken the tram to the main terminal. We had to look around a bit to find our mears driver as our confirmation said he would be waiting for us at the bottom of the escalators in the main terminal but he was actually waiting by the second baggage claim which we didn't need as we took our cases with us. Once we found him we were speedily on our way to RPR. Check in was quick and easy and we were soon in our room. I was impressed by the amount of space compared to some rooms we have stayed in.
By about 5.30 we had unpacked the few bits we needed for our stay and gone to investigate the club room. We had some drinks and the main food offering. Feeling a little refreshed we went down to the lobby to print our express passes ready for the next morning before heading back to the room for an early night.
It seems to be very hit and miss now, some are stuck for hours whilst others fly through.
to anyone following along.
We were getting lots of looks from the people around us and I had to wish that the ground would open up and swallow me. I just didn't know what to do - it really was like looking at a two year old having a tantrum. Now when she was 2 I would have just picked her up and moved her to where I wanted her, left her to it and it all would have been forgotten a few minutes later. Now she is 12 and virtually as tall as I am there was no way that was happening. Luckily after what seemed like an age of protest she did move but did nothing but strop and sulk for the rest of the flight and I did feel rather sorry for the lady sitting in the seat in front of her as she took out some of her frustration on the seat back screen! Thankfully her mood improved once the flight landed. After a nights sleep for all we had rather a long chat about how to let her feelings known in a more appropriate way for her age - hormones have an awful lot to answer for.
