Back home again: Highs and Lows

[2Tiggies]

We just got in yesterday and it was back to work/school for us today so feeling a little worse for wear

Here are our highs and lows in the meantime though.

Highs

• Weather was fab
• Lowest crowds we have ever seen. Everything was walk on for at least the first hour (we are early birds at the parks) and many rides remained walk on for at least another hour. We never saw any standy lines top a 60 minute wait
• Continental Airlines - Despite severe delays both ways due to thunderstorms, I cannot say enough about the crew both onboard and on the ground. We also loved the route and found it so much more relaxing than the direct flight with VA. We were also blessed with First Class upgrades one one of the legs. The check in clerk never even said anything. It was only when they called the tiered boarding and said First Class, which is rows 1-5. We never expected that!
• Photopass: The pictures we got this year were probably of the highest standard we have ever received. We came home with 460 unedited shots on our card.
• The Resort Photo Session. I know some folk on here were asking about this and wavering as to whether it was worth the cost. It absolutely was. We got 59 photos on our CD (you can no longer add them to Photopass by the way) and every one of them is printable. I will continue to do one of these every trip if budget allows, even if we cut something else to get it.
• Cast Members who did special little things for us for no reason other than to be really sweet. Countless times. I have noted all their names and the ones I never got round to City Hall to complete a compliment card for are getting an email via the Disney site.
• MNSSHP. We booked 2 parties. The first was very busy but with armed with a strategy we accomplished more than we did last year when it was so quiet. The second party was very quiet, as in walk up to the kerb in Main Street as the headless horseman came through.
• Port Orleans French Quarter. I cannot say enough about this resort. The boat to DTD is fab and the bus service was outstandng once again. We rarely waited for buses and most of the time had to sprint to get one that was waiting.
• La Nouba. Wow!! I don't have words for this one. DD walked out and I asked her what she thought and she simply said: "Breathtaking!" Lol
• Last, but I saved the best for last, I had the best Disney travel companion anyone could wish for. DD keeps up the pace, clocks a full day at the park, runs for FP's (we get a lot of these), goes on all and any rides, takes photos, and never complains.

Lows

Long delays from Newark to MCO on the outbound due to engine failure and then landing in a thunderstorm where the sky was splitting around us (spectacular sight) only to find that due to the close proximity and nature of the storm, all luggage belts were closed until it had passed so we waited 2 hours for our luggage. But never mind, I am struggling to think of any lows aside from coming home. Even when things went wrong there was something good in it or that came out of it. So far, our best trip ever. Again! Again!

 

[DISWolves]

Welcome home Lee

WE WANT A TRIPPIE...WE WANT A TRIPPIE...WE WANT A TRIPPIE...

 

[2Tiggies]

Welcome home Lee

WE WANT A TRIPPIE...WE WANT A TRIPPIE...WE WANT A TRIPPIE...

Thanks Nigel. I wasn't going to do one but may be persuaded. I have about 4000 photos after deleting the ones I didn't want to keep plus 460 on Photopass. I may do a picture TR

 

[~Piglet~]

I wasn't going to do one but may be persuaded. I have about 4000 photos after deleting the ones I didn't want to keep plus 460 on Photopass. I may do a picture TR

Ooh, yes please! I enjoyed reading your last trippie glad you had such a fab time, would love to hear everything about MNSSHP - I can't wait for next year's

 

[wayneg]

Sounds fantastic, welcome home

 

[crabbie1]

I was thinking abt you today lee. God thats gone quick!!! Sounes like you had an even better time than last year. So deflating when we all hv to return home hey. Hope you do a trippie. How much was the photoshor and how long did it take? Do u hv any pics to show and is there a link for me to look at?

 

[RDP]

Welcome back, would love a TR, no pressure!

 

[orangetiggs]

How kuch was the resort shoot? Wonder if too late to book, we fly next week?

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

Welcome home - glad you had a great time! We missed you.

We had the same thing landing at MCO - it seemed endless!! DD fell asleep on the airport floor waiting!

 

[2Tiggies]

Thanks all

I have to say if I am stranded at an airport, MCO is not a bad one to be at. There was a lady overseeing the baggage/giving info over a pa system constantly. She was standing at a little desk aside of the carousels. And wow, was she great. She was so comical and lively without being OTT. When the luggage came out she had everyone jumping around and cheering lol. She is one of the many people due a compliment letter from me.

Photo sessions are $150 plus tax (around $165 in total) for a 20 minute session. How many photos you get depends on how quickly you move as you get your slot and what you manage to do in that is what you get. If you want more time you do need to book the pricier one - which is $350 plus tax and add $50 if you want a CD, but you can do those in a park if you prefer it to a resort.

 

[dixonsontour]

Sounds like you had a fantastic time

 

[2Tiggies]

Sounds like you had a fantastic time

It was the best trip ever.

 

[Cyrano]

Welcome home

Sounds like you had a great time

 

[disneyholic family]

welcome back!!!!!!

sounds wonderful!!!

and here's another vote for a trippie with piccies!!

as for your wait at MCO, you were very lucky that it was only your luggage stuck on board the plane...

a few years back, we were waiting to board a plane at MCO (for a flight to los angeles and disneyland woo hoo)......there was one of those famous orlando thunder and light shows going on all around....
well....we of course, couldn't get onto our plane because jetways to planes are closed in lightning storms.....but much worse than that - the arriving people on our plane coudn't get off their flight.....they had to sit on the plane for THREE HOURS!!!!.....that's right....it was a very long storm and they had to sit on their plane for THREE HOURS before they could open the jet way to the plane and let them off.....can you imagine sitting on the plane at the airport for THREE HOURS with lightning cracking all around you?
i'm sure it wasn't exactly fun

by the way, was it you who asked about shipping a package to your resort? did it meet you on arrival?

 

[Pegasus928]

Welcome home Lee - you make everything sound so positive and definitely have the attitude 'We're on holiday - nothing it going tospoil that'
Unfortunate things happen to all of us but it's how you cope with them that defines you as a person, and it sounds like you and Tove are 'glass half full' type of Dissers

Hopefully you will do a trippe as I would love to hear about it all in more detail.

Do I need to start a poll??

 

[Sarah28]

welcome home and so glad you had a great time, sounds amazing! would love to see some piccys

 

[joolz1910]

Welcome home - sounds like you had a fabulous time!

 

[Chilly]

Sounds fab, please do a TR

 

[Disneymad]

Blimey, that went quick.

Sounds like you had a fantastic time, upgraded to First too even, result!

Agree with everyone else, would love to see a trippie, even if it was only a photo one

 

[scottishgirl1]

Glad you had such a great time and also that the photo session went well. We did this last year at the Grand Floridian and were so pleased with the photos that we booked for the Polynesian for next trip. Hoping we will still be pleased with the results.