DISWolves
Dreams really can come true !!!!
- Joined
- May 26, 2007
- Messages
- 1,750
Day 29 – The Finale – Farewell Disney for 2011
We awoke at 8:30 and realized that our dream was finally over for at least this year.
Our luggage was crammed full due to the many items we had purchased throughout the past four weeks. One by one the suitcases, holdalls and rucksacks were transported down to the car. We bid a final farewell to Hilton Bonnet Creek and made the short journey to DTD Virgin check-in.
The Premium Economy line was empty and so we were checked in within 5 minutes although the Economy line stretched back for quite a way. Yet again this facility proved to be a bonus considering the amount of luggage that we were returning with. Each year we set out to travel lightly but I guess the back-to-school tax-free weekend is to hard to resist when purchasing clothes etc.
A short drive around the corner to Earl of Sandwich where we had breakfast. Since we were in no rush this was taken at a leisurely pace followed by a gentle stroll around the various shops. Despite numerous visits to World of Disney store, I had only recently noticed the various figures that are suspended from the ceilings.
Fuel was getting low in the car and since it was our final day, I didn’t want fill up again, so we decided to head to the Florida Mall in order to kill a few hours before our final journey to the airport. We managed to catch the grand opening of the newly refurbished Disney Store, and were handed free Disney canvas bags on entering the store.
We purchased a few items from here and also from the Apple Store, before calling time and heading for the airport. During this journey, I kept a nervous eye on the fuel meter since the miles remaining diminished a lot faster than the actual miles covered. We made it back to the rental drop off, running on fumes.
The lines at security were quite long, however, we managed to get airside in about 10 minutes. We made our way toward Gate 82 with a quick stop off at Starbucks for coffee. The rest of the time was spent make use of the free wifi surfing the net, and soon we were called to board the new Virgin Airbus A330 (Beauty Queen) in Premium Economy.
The layout and facilities were a lot better than we were more familiar with in our many previous journeys in Virgin Economy. As soon as we were seated, I had a glass of champagne followed by a bucks fizz. The inflight entertainment is also enhanced; compared to the 747’s, with a remote control, touch screen, audio video and USB connections. I took advantage of this to charge our Apple devices, ready for the journey home.
The food presentation was also a first for us, having ‘real’ cutlery and crockery.
I had Braised Lamb curry, while Sue and Emma had Slow braised chicken stew, which we all enjoyed. Breakfast was also good.
We hit some severe turbulence as we were flying near to New York and the Captain advised that this was the tail end of the recent tropical storm that had passed up the East Coast.
We touched down at Manchester at 8:15 and were quickly unloaded from the aircraft, which is another one of the benefits of travelling PE, however this was cancelled out due to failure of the luggage carousel inside the terminal building. The journey south on the M6 was long and tiring, bringing an end to our Disney adventure for this year.
Apologies for the delays in posting these reports, which is mainly due to work commitments, however just like the fourth bridge, we are due to set out again for another 4 weeks with the Mouse and 21 day DDP at OKW within the next day or so!
HIGHS
Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek – A super hotel of which we would seriously consider if staying offsite in the future.
Old Key West – Perfect yet again – and met all of our needs – Lovely location on Millers Road.
Disney Dining Plan – Ate at lots of places we would normally not bother with.
Discovery Cove – Our 5th visit but just as enjoyable as all of the previous ones.
Disney Cruise Line – Our second Disney cruise, but our maiden voyage on the Disney Dream. It was so good we have booked the same cabin for 2013.
Castaway Cay – The highlight of the whole 4 weeks !!!!. Just a perfect setting – Paradise.
Virgin P.E. – The little few ‘extras’ made the journey much more bearable
LOWS
Not having any park tickets after leaving the cruise. A lot of people say that Orlando is not just Disney / Universal, but to us, that’s what it’s all about!
Phew……Just about made it..............I have finished !!!!!!
Thanks for reading and leaving comments.
:
Nigel, Sue & Emma
THAT"S ALL FOLKS........SEE Y’ALL REAL SOON!!!!
Return to INDEX
We awoke at 8:30 and realized that our dream was finally over for at least this year.
Our luggage was crammed full due to the many items we had purchased throughout the past four weeks. One by one the suitcases, holdalls and rucksacks were transported down to the car. We bid a final farewell to Hilton Bonnet Creek and made the short journey to DTD Virgin check-in.
The Premium Economy line was empty and so we were checked in within 5 minutes although the Economy line stretched back for quite a way. Yet again this facility proved to be a bonus considering the amount of luggage that we were returning with. Each year we set out to travel lightly but I guess the back-to-school tax-free weekend is to hard to resist when purchasing clothes etc.
A short drive around the corner to Earl of Sandwich where we had breakfast. Since we were in no rush this was taken at a leisurely pace followed by a gentle stroll around the various shops. Despite numerous visits to World of Disney store, I had only recently noticed the various figures that are suspended from the ceilings.
Fuel was getting low in the car and since it was our final day, I didn’t want fill up again, so we decided to head to the Florida Mall in order to kill a few hours before our final journey to the airport. We managed to catch the grand opening of the newly refurbished Disney Store, and were handed free Disney canvas bags on entering the store.
We purchased a few items from here and also from the Apple Store, before calling time and heading for the airport. During this journey, I kept a nervous eye on the fuel meter since the miles remaining diminished a lot faster than the actual miles covered. We made it back to the rental drop off, running on fumes.
The lines at security were quite long, however, we managed to get airside in about 10 minutes. We made our way toward Gate 82 with a quick stop off at Starbucks for coffee. The rest of the time was spent make use of the free wifi surfing the net, and soon we were called to board the new Virgin Airbus A330 (Beauty Queen) in Premium Economy.
The layout and facilities were a lot better than we were more familiar with in our many previous journeys in Virgin Economy. As soon as we were seated, I had a glass of champagne followed by a bucks fizz. The inflight entertainment is also enhanced; compared to the 747’s, with a remote control, touch screen, audio video and USB connections. I took advantage of this to charge our Apple devices, ready for the journey home.
The food presentation was also a first for us, having ‘real’ cutlery and crockery.
I had Braised Lamb curry, while Sue and Emma had Slow braised chicken stew, which we all enjoyed. Breakfast was also good.
We hit some severe turbulence as we were flying near to New York and the Captain advised that this was the tail end of the recent tropical storm that had passed up the East Coast.
We touched down at Manchester at 8:15 and were quickly unloaded from the aircraft, which is another one of the benefits of travelling PE, however this was cancelled out due to failure of the luggage carousel inside the terminal building. The journey south on the M6 was long and tiring, bringing an end to our Disney adventure for this year.
Apologies for the delays in posting these reports, which is mainly due to work commitments, however just like the fourth bridge, we are due to set out again for another 4 weeks with the Mouse and 21 day DDP at OKW within the next day or so!
HIGHS
Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek – A super hotel of which we would seriously consider if staying offsite in the future.
Old Key West – Perfect yet again – and met all of our needs – Lovely location on Millers Road.
Disney Dining Plan – Ate at lots of places we would normally not bother with.
Discovery Cove – Our 5th visit but just as enjoyable as all of the previous ones.
Disney Cruise Line – Our second Disney cruise, but our maiden voyage on the Disney Dream. It was so good we have booked the same cabin for 2013.
Castaway Cay – The highlight of the whole 4 weeks !!!!. Just a perfect setting – Paradise.
Virgin P.E. – The little few ‘extras’ made the journey much more bearable
LOWS
Not having any park tickets after leaving the cruise. A lot of people say that Orlando is not just Disney / Universal, but to us, that’s what it’s all about!
Phew……Just about made it..............I have finished !!!!!!
Thanks for reading and leaving comments.
:Nigel, Sue & Emma
THAT"S ALL FOLKS........SEE Y’ALL REAL SOON!!!!
Return to INDEX
