Cast Me, DW and DS (2 yrs)
This is my first attempt at this trip report malarchy, so as a precursor, I should warn you I am not one who spends my vacation making copious notes so I am writing purely from memory and some of the detail may be missing - that said.............
Day 1 - 21/2/03
Having spent much of the previous day worrying about DS who was running a temperature of 103F, we were relieved that he enjoyed a good nights sleep and his temp had stabilised by morning we had been supplied with antibiotics by the Doc, but fortunately we were not to need them. So at 6.10am (only 10 mins behind schedule) we departed for Heathrow. The journey was smooth and uneventful, save for a bit of congestion caused by Terminal 5 construction site and vehicles. We were parked at 7.20am and in terminal 3 by 7.40am.
The American Airlines check in queue was typically long, but moved fairly swiftly. 20 mins later we were at the desk. Due to special offers, I had booked separately to DW and DS, so the agents were not able to reserve seats for us, and I had not been sufficiently organised to arrange this with AA so at check-in we were advised the flight was full and they were unable to allocate us seats together, therefore we would receive our seat allocation at the gate. We cleared security, grabbed some bagels and coffee for breakfast, then headed down to the gate at about 9.30. (NOTE: The eating options airside at Terminal 3 are poor so you would be well advised to eat prior to clearing security) We were allocated seats 23 A,B & C which was fine with us and we boarded 20 mins later.
We were 50 mins late leaving Heathrow, and we were grateful that AA had cancelled our original connection as that only gave us 70 mins in Miami and we would now certainly have missed it. As it was we now had 3 hours to play with so we were relaxed about the late departure. The flight was comfortable American Airlines wins every time for me with the extra legroom. Lunch was served about an hour and a half into the flight - cant remember what it was, but it was typically uninspiring.
After lunch, we set about the task of getting DS off to sleep. He obliged remarkably easily, and we sat back to relax for a couple of hours. Our peace was short-lived as he awoke after 20 mins, and would not be sleeping again for the remainder of the flight. Fortunately for me, he wanted nothing to do with Daddy
, and therefore DW was tasked with amusing DS for the majority of the flight.
We arrived at Miami 20 mins late we began the long walk to immigration this always seems twice as long when you have a car seat and two year old in tow at least this time he was awake and walking. (The last time we flew to the US, he fell asleep on landing and had to be carried in his car seat!!) Immigration was worse than usual the hall was so full they were holding us outside in the corridor. It took us 40 mins to clear immigration, and that was through the US citizens line, which I can use by virtue of DW and DS belonging.
We collected our luggage and proceeded to clear customs we were thrilled to be selected for screening and were directed to row 15 with all other potential miscreants fortunately we passed the check and went off in search of the AA baggage drop for connecting flights. It was right outside the exit from customs but oh joy, we were instructed to go to the TSA security check for additional screening. We followed the yellow line as instructed singing something about follow the yellow brick road and submitted our luggage to the TSA reluctantly removing all locks before we did so. In total, it was now 75 mins since we landed.
We grabbed something to eat and drink, and chased DS round the airport for two hours. We were totally amazed by his boundless energy since it was now 11pm in the UK and he had only slept 20 mins all day. We boarded our Orlando bound 737 for the 40 min flight and DS was asleep before take-off. When we arrived in Orlando, I did have the joy of carrying him in the car seat, and was exhausted by the time we reached the luggage carousel at least here I could get a trolley, and happily parted with the required three dollars.
Reunited with our luggage, we headed for the Alamo desk and five minutes later we were in the Alamo parking lot selecting our Minivan A Chevrolet Astrovan which was huge. (If youre wondering why we need a minivan for three of us the cast will be expanding tomorrow) 20 mins on the 528, I4 and 535 and we were pulling into the Vistana resort at 9.40pm a 20.5 hour journey door to door. Check-in was painless we were allocated a unit in the Fountains section away from the main roads, and close to the pool and childrens play area exactly as we had requested. We got to our unit, had a quick look around and quickly got acquainted with the sleeping facilities. It had been a long day!!
This is my first attempt at this trip report malarchy, so as a precursor, I should warn you I am not one who spends my vacation making copious notes so I am writing purely from memory and some of the detail may be missing - that said.............
Day 1 - 21/2/03
Having spent much of the previous day worrying about DS who was running a temperature of 103F, we were relieved that he enjoyed a good nights sleep and his temp had stabilised by morning we had been supplied with antibiotics by the Doc, but fortunately we were not to need them. So at 6.10am (only 10 mins behind schedule) we departed for Heathrow. The journey was smooth and uneventful, save for a bit of congestion caused by Terminal 5 construction site and vehicles. We were parked at 7.20am and in terminal 3 by 7.40am.
The American Airlines check in queue was typically long, but moved fairly swiftly. 20 mins later we were at the desk. Due to special offers, I had booked separately to DW and DS, so the agents were not able to reserve seats for us, and I had not been sufficiently organised to arrange this with AA so at check-in we were advised the flight was full and they were unable to allocate us seats together, therefore we would receive our seat allocation at the gate. We cleared security, grabbed some bagels and coffee for breakfast, then headed down to the gate at about 9.30. (NOTE: The eating options airside at Terminal 3 are poor so you would be well advised to eat prior to clearing security) We were allocated seats 23 A,B & C which was fine with us and we boarded 20 mins later.
We were 50 mins late leaving Heathrow, and we were grateful that AA had cancelled our original connection as that only gave us 70 mins in Miami and we would now certainly have missed it. As it was we now had 3 hours to play with so we were relaxed about the late departure. The flight was comfortable American Airlines wins every time for me with the extra legroom. Lunch was served about an hour and a half into the flight - cant remember what it was, but it was typically uninspiring.
After lunch, we set about the task of getting DS off to sleep. He obliged remarkably easily, and we sat back to relax for a couple of hours. Our peace was short-lived as he awoke after 20 mins, and would not be sleeping again for the remainder of the flight. Fortunately for me, he wanted nothing to do with Daddy
, and therefore DW was tasked with amusing DS for the majority of the flight.We arrived at Miami 20 mins late we began the long walk to immigration this always seems twice as long when you have a car seat and two year old in tow at least this time he was awake and walking. (The last time we flew to the US, he fell asleep on landing and had to be carried in his car seat!!) Immigration was worse than usual the hall was so full they were holding us outside in the corridor. It took us 40 mins to clear immigration, and that was through the US citizens line, which I can use by virtue of DW and DS belonging.
We collected our luggage and proceeded to clear customs we were thrilled to be selected for screening and were directed to row 15 with all other potential miscreants fortunately we passed the check and went off in search of the AA baggage drop for connecting flights. It was right outside the exit from customs but oh joy, we were instructed to go to the TSA security check for additional screening. We followed the yellow line as instructed singing something about follow the yellow brick road and submitted our luggage to the TSA reluctantly removing all locks before we did so. In total, it was now 75 mins since we landed.
We grabbed something to eat and drink, and chased DS round the airport for two hours. We were totally amazed by his boundless energy since it was now 11pm in the UK and he had only slept 20 mins all day. We boarded our Orlando bound 737 for the 40 min flight and DS was asleep before take-off. When we arrived in Orlando, I did have the joy of carrying him in the car seat, and was exhausted by the time we reached the luggage carousel at least here I could get a trolley, and happily parted with the required three dollars.
Reunited with our luggage, we headed for the Alamo desk and five minutes later we were in the Alamo parking lot selecting our Minivan A Chevrolet Astrovan which was huge. (If youre wondering why we need a minivan for three of us the cast will be expanding tomorrow) 20 mins on the 528, I4 and 535 and we were pulling into the Vistana resort at 9.40pm a 20.5 hour journey door to door. Check-in was painless we were allocated a unit in the Fountains section away from the main roads, and close to the pool and childrens play area exactly as we had requested. We got to our unit, had a quick look around and quickly got acquainted with the sleeping facilities. It had been a long day!!
