Almost Live Trip Report OKW

[Shazzie B]

Background
This is going to be our last family holiday for a while; DS20 is now at Uni studying Forensic Science & DD18 starts Primary Education at Uni 2 days after we get back

I booked this holiday last year, after saying that was our last family holiday We had a great time last year but we went with another family so the holiday was quite different to what we normally do, so I persuaded DH 1 more trip to Disney, he wanted to go to the Caribbean again.

Plan was to spend 4 nights in New York and the 4 nights at my Brother's in Connetticut who would be 2 years into a 3-4 year work posting in America. Then fly down for a 9 night stay at OKW with free dining

I've always enjoyed the planning side of holidays, like so many fellow Dissers, but this year it's really helped me through 'one of those years'. My Dad had replacement hip surgery this time last year and after some abnormal blood results Drs discovered he had bowel cancer. Big op in Jan just after his 80th birthday, but he's doing really well and didn't have to have chemo or anything-they caught it really early. I've been in hospital twice too- nothing major, Stem Cell donation in March & just had a lump removed from my face-which I thought at first was a boil so became known in the family as Susan Now have a two inch scar on my left cheek, DS wants to sign me up for the Pirates League,

 

[Tony Bush]

Sorry to hear you've had a bad year... I hope you have a fabulous time, I'm sure you will and the magic of Disney will work wonders

Tony

 

[Mummycat]

Have a great trip and well done for keeping your sense of humour through a bad year (the Susan joke made me laugh)
Have fun

 

[Shazzie B]

DBiL picked us up at 6 am yesterday and we made it to Heathrow before 7am We'd done on- line check-in and bag drop desk was quiet too so that part went smoothly too. through security with only a small wait then breakfast. we didn't have much, I had toast & boys a breakfast gap, DD didn't have anything, it was still early she hasn't seen am much since she finished school in June.

Flight was on time and landed 30 mins early, food seemed better this time- was even given a menu. DD still didn't eat, she had a bad experience a few years ago and now won't touch plane food- i haven't eaten it fora few years either- as I had to deal with 'bad experience'. She ate a selection of snacks before we landed though. Immigration queue wasn't bad at all- mind you DH always makes us 'power walk' so we were in 1st group off of plane, and two other flights were a fraction behind us, so queue quickly grew. Bags were coming through by the time we got to carousel. The white immigration form has changed since we last flew - I'm sure it used to ask if carrying any food, now just asks if carrying any meat, dairy seeds etc. so had no where to declare sweets, crisps etc.

Car hire collection wasn't as smooth as Orlando,we had to get 'air train' to car hire collection area- but Alamo don't operate from their so then had to get a shuttle bus. Nice car though. Trusty Sat Nav got us across Manhatten to hotel in NJ with only one slight detour - anyone watching the tennis yesterday -we had a tour of the car-park

Hotel is in NJ, not far from Lincoln Tunnel, basic suite but we have a good view can see Empire State Building. Early dinner at a local McDonalds then only lasted until about 8pm - hence early awake this am,usually put this to good use at Disney

 

[Shazzie B]

Sorry to hear you've had a bad year... I hope you have a fabulous time, I'm sure you will and the magic of Disney will work wonders

Tony

Thank Tony, To be honest I know a lot of people have far worse to deal with, but it's hit home that we're now at that age we're worrying about parents & kids Disney's our special family time.

 

[Shazzie B]

Have a great trip and well done for keeping your sense of humour through a bad year (the Susan joke made me laugh)
Have fun

It started with just me & DD calling it 'Susan' but then became the family joke - Sisters, nieces etc would all ask how Susan was My nephew thought his Mum had gone loopy when she said she was popping down to see me asI'd had 'Susan' removed. laughter's the best medicine an all that.

 

[Shazzie B]

We've spent 3 busy days in NY, doing all the usual tourist stuff.

 

[Shazzie B]

Treated us all to tickets for Matilda as part of DDs 18th Birthday present. Thankfully theatre was air conditioned, saw Wicked in London a few weeks ago and nearly melted myself! Timing of show was great - terrific thunderstorm started just before we went in, pleased DD as it meant we had to get a cab from Central Park - we'd planned to walk.

 

[Shazzie B]

You can't take some people anywhere without them goofing about.

 

[Shazzie B]

Christopher Robin's actual toys on display in NY central library

 

[Shazzie B]

Cake Boss, DD loves this show

Mmmm Cake

 

[Shazzie B]

We are now chilling in a nice hotel in a Connetticut town called Norwalk. We had planned to spend a long week-end at my Brothers who lives nearby, only he moved back to the UK last week-end I've forgiven him as when he popped in to tell us a few weeks ago he also delivered our ME luggage tags that I'd arranged to be sent to his house. We decided to visit the area anyway as being a planner I'd already looked up stuff to do round here - may go and wave to his old house.

Think I've sussed this photo bucket thingy on my iPad now, so I'll be able to post pictures from WDW, we fly down early Tues am.

 

[pampat]

Well, you seem to be making up for your rotten year - good for you, you deserve a wonderful holiday.

We went to see the toys in the Public Library last year - they brought tears to my eyes!

Looking forward to hearing more.

Pam

 

[Mummycat]

Cake Boss, DD loves this show

Mmmm Cake

Love these pictures- me and my 9 year old daughter love watching the show together- are the cakes as good as they look? looks like a great start to the holiday.

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

Well it looks like the trip is certainly turning into a good one. Sorry to hear about your nasty year but hopefully everything is on the way up now.

 

[Linda67]

Looks like you are having such a great time

 

[Shazzie B]

Love these pictures- me and my 9 year old daughter love watching the show together- are the cakes as good as they look? looks like a great start to the holiday.

The cupcake I had was gorgeous, I didn't really like the Cannollis though, the others did. There was a queuing system to get in, you're given a ticket like at the deli counter. I thought we were going to be ages, but the shop is actually quite small so just looks really crowded when you see it on the show. We parked at end of street & walked up, back to car within 30 mins as car park was 5 dollars per half hour Never going to complain about parking at Milton Keynes again

 

[Shazzie B]

Christopher Robin's actual toys on display in NY central library

I was the same, the whole exhibition of children's books was lovely and very nostalgic

 

[Shazzie B]

Spent a lazy few days at beach & pool recharging batteries ready for Disney. Currently at hotel near JFK, early night as our flight is at 7:10am Next post from Disney

 

[Shazzie B]

Boy was it a long day. Up at 4:45 and on airport shuttlebus, nerve racking journey as stopped at every other terminal before ours, at check- in 80 minutes before flight though. Flight down to Orlando with American Airlines stress free. Landed on time and straight to ME, bags to follow later. Had to wait 15 mins for ME bus to leave but yay, we were 1st stop.

Checked in to OKW, I was 1st in queue, but the 1 CM on duty was serving a lady who took absolutely ages, another CM turned up, queue was now back to door, and served us before the other lady had finished. Pixie dust in that our room was ready, so we decided to check it out before leaving for MK. Felt like a long walk to building 38, we hadn't requested any particular area, just 30+ as we wanted dual entry to bathroom. Couldn't decide which area would be best for us, and didn't want to be disappointed if we didn't get what we wanted, if that makes sense We have view of 6th Tee.

Dumped our stuff, quick drink and then off to bus stop for MK