Goofyish
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 10, 1999
- Messages
- 8,541
Sunday 10th August 2003
The Cast:
Me Tim, 39/40
DW Julie, 36/37
DD1 Nicola, 14
DD2 Jade, 9
The alarm went off at 7am not really need, because I had been awake for a while. Must have been the excitement of today being the day we fly to Florida.
After a quick showers and having checked out of the hotel we headed to the terminal. Due to Garfunkels vanishing from land side, we decided to head straight for departures and get breakfast there.
Gatwick was again very busy it took us a while to push our way through to the entrance to the departure lounge. Having sailed through security we headed to the airside Garfunkels for breakfast. I had the full works just in case the food on board was the usual dire offerings.
Following a quick look round the shops, we headed towards gates 31-38 on the little train thing. They seemed to be picking people at random to re-scan your hand luggage as we entered the gate area we werent picked. Our plane, Jersey Girl was there waiting for us.
Boarding started at around 10:15am (first class, premium economy and special assistance passengers first). Because we were at the rear of the plane we got called up to board next. They started off searching everyones bags as you boarded. So, we queued up waiting for our turn. Just as we reached the search table they seemed to change their minds and waved everyone through what a complete waste of time that was!
The plane would have pulled back on time if there hadnt been a bit of trouble with seat allocations. There seemed to be a disagreement on the allocation of bulkhead seats. Eventually the combined efforts of 4 hostesses seemed to get the matter sorted and we were away yippee.
There were about 3 planes in front of us queuing before our turn on the runway. Finally it was our turn and the plane turned onto the runway. The engines went to full power and the pilot took his foot of the brakes and we were off down the runway then suddenly the engines noise stopped and the pilot jammed on the brakes!!!!! The entire plane fell silent.
After a few seconds there was an announcement to say that there was a slight technical problem lovely!
It must have been minor, because a few seconds later the engines were at full throttle again and we were away.
We later found out that apparently the pilot got a warning light that something on the plane wasnt quite ready for takeoff so he had to abort it was a bit of a shock though!
The flight was fairly uneventful after that. Apart from a problem with the entertainment system they had to re-start it 3 times. So, I ended up seeing the first 5 minutes of X2 (X Men movie) 3 times.
Dinner was roast beef (cant remember the other options). It was just edible. Im glad I had that full English at the airport though.
We finally landed at 3:45pm; 20 minutes late. The lines for immigration control were long and slow moving. There was the usual quantity of folks being sent back to re-do the forms. No problems with ours and we headed to pick our cases up for the first time. After picking the cases they are scanned again (checked luggage and hand luggage) before putting them on the conveyor belt to the main terminal. We waved goodbye to our cases and hopped on the train. On arriving in the main terminal building our hand luggage was scanned yet again! They were also scanning some peoples shoes too.
Our Tiffany Towncar driver was waiting for us at baggage claim and helped me get the cases from the conveyor and then we all headed out to the car. After a quick stop off at Publix for some room essentials (crisps, cookies, muffins etc.), we were off to Disney and Port Orleans Riverside.
Check in was quick and painless and we got the building we asked for building 14 room 1435. We let bell services know the room number so they could drop our cases off. They said they would be about 15 minutes.
Now we had a greed to meet Lorraine (BWalker) and her family in the MK at 7:00pm so were anxious to get changed and refreshed. It finally took nearly an hour for the bags to arrive!
We finally arrived at the front of MK at 8pm!
Part 3 next First Night in MK
The Cast:
Me Tim, 39/40
DW Julie, 36/37
DD1 Nicola, 14
DD2 Jade, 9
The alarm went off at 7am not really need, because I had been awake for a while. Must have been the excitement of today being the day we fly to Florida.
After a quick showers and having checked out of the hotel we headed to the terminal. Due to Garfunkels vanishing from land side, we decided to head straight for departures and get breakfast there.
Gatwick was again very busy it took us a while to push our way through to the entrance to the departure lounge. Having sailed through security we headed to the airside Garfunkels for breakfast. I had the full works just in case the food on board was the usual dire offerings.
Following a quick look round the shops, we headed towards gates 31-38 on the little train thing. They seemed to be picking people at random to re-scan your hand luggage as we entered the gate area we werent picked. Our plane, Jersey Girl was there waiting for us.
Boarding started at around 10:15am (first class, premium economy and special assistance passengers first). Because we were at the rear of the plane we got called up to board next. They started off searching everyones bags as you boarded. So, we queued up waiting for our turn. Just as we reached the search table they seemed to change their minds and waved everyone through what a complete waste of time that was!
The plane would have pulled back on time if there hadnt been a bit of trouble with seat allocations. There seemed to be a disagreement on the allocation of bulkhead seats. Eventually the combined efforts of 4 hostesses seemed to get the matter sorted and we were away yippee.
There were about 3 planes in front of us queuing before our turn on the runway. Finally it was our turn and the plane turned onto the runway. The engines went to full power and the pilot took his foot of the brakes and we were off down the runway then suddenly the engines noise stopped and the pilot jammed on the brakes!!!!! The entire plane fell silent.
After a few seconds there was an announcement to say that there was a slight technical problem lovely!
It must have been minor, because a few seconds later the engines were at full throttle again and we were away.
We later found out that apparently the pilot got a warning light that something on the plane wasnt quite ready for takeoff so he had to abort it was a bit of a shock though!
The flight was fairly uneventful after that. Apart from a problem with the entertainment system they had to re-start it 3 times. So, I ended up seeing the first 5 minutes of X2 (X Men movie) 3 times.
Dinner was roast beef (cant remember the other options). It was just edible. Im glad I had that full English at the airport though.
We finally landed at 3:45pm; 20 minutes late. The lines for immigration control were long and slow moving. There was the usual quantity of folks being sent back to re-do the forms. No problems with ours and we headed to pick our cases up for the first time. After picking the cases they are scanned again (checked luggage and hand luggage) before putting them on the conveyor belt to the main terminal. We waved goodbye to our cases and hopped on the train. On arriving in the main terminal building our hand luggage was scanned yet again! They were also scanning some peoples shoes too.
Our Tiffany Towncar driver was waiting for us at baggage claim and helped me get the cases from the conveyor and then we all headed out to the car. After a quick stop off at Publix for some room essentials (crisps, cookies, muffins etc.), we were off to Disney and Port Orleans Riverside.
Check in was quick and painless and we got the building we asked for building 14 room 1435. We let bell services know the room number so they could drop our cases off. They said they would be about 15 minutes.
Now we had a greed to meet Lorraine (BWalker) and her family in the MK at 7:00pm so were anxious to get changed and refreshed. It finally took nearly an hour for the bags to arrive!
We finally arrived at the front of MK at 8pm!
Part 3 next First Night in MK
Phew, bit of a scary moment then, but all's well.
