Back home - highs and lows

[dixonsontour]

Landed back this morning after a fantastic time

Hoping to do a food review and maybe a trip report in due course but for now

Highs

First time flying premium with thomson on dreamliner. Great flights no complaints at all. Upgrade to premium was £139 a person for both ways so we went for it. Normal cabin looked great too.

Cabana bay. Loved the hotel. Had a normal room very spacious. Nice atmosphere and great pools and lazy river. We swam every day.

Weather. Fantastic - sunny all week and no rain. Daily highs of 86 degrees.

Universal - parks really quiet except harry potter. Everything a walk on. Not been for 3 years. DD is now 8 and enjoyed the rides especially minion mayhem and MIB.

Harry potter - used the 7am early opening twice as a cabana bay guest which was a great way to experience without crowds. Really well done and DD was really into the whole thing. She especially loved the interactive wand and surprised me by wanting to dress up in her grffyndor cape and tie. She was also chosen in Ollivanders.

Food - lots of good offsite eating after 2 onsite trips. Especially enjoyed trying Teak neighbourhood grill burgers, peach valley cafe and hash house a go go.

Shopping - didn't do the outlets mainly Ross, Marshalls, Joann and Michaels. Used lots of coupons eg the wilton cake tin I bought yesterday in Joann was 50% off with a coupon - cost approx £10 whereas they are £35 here. Got some converse for $30 that were £55 here too.

Bumping into to Linda off the DIS (Linda67) in diagon alley

Lows

MNSSHP - did this on Sunday. Had a great night but missed parade as DD was shattered. We had planned on seeing the late parade as last year it was a zoo for the earlier parade. We still had a lot of fun and have seen the parade the last 3 years. Also didn't get to ride 7 dwarves mine train as it was down and then line too long.

Tiredness/grumpyness at beginning of trip -DH unfortunately had to go on last minute work thing to London they day before we flew so was shattered. DD was also being a pain in the bum so day 1 wasn't the best day for the Dixon family. Fortunately by night time we were back on track.

 

[wayneg]

Sounds like a great trip (after the first day)

You enjoyed Hash House? we didn't, massive portions but no flavour to the food at all. Matt had the dish featured on Man V Food but it was just a massive plate of slop. My burger was OK but far better elsewhere, can't remember other meals we ordered but none of wanted to return.

 

[tinkerpea]

Love highs and lows!
So thanks for posting.

I guarantee that every trip our travel day starts off excited and turns sour by the time we get off the plane,sometimes before hand as travelling is so stressful lol.
We're normally speaking by bed though haha.

I really enjoyed universal this summer, I did the first 3 days without DH as he was still in uk, and we needed the fol pass, so I'd love to go when it's quiet.
We didn't get to do diagon alley though as it opened up the day we left the US and I wasn't paying another days ticket to stand in lines.

Glad you had a great time

 

[dixonsontour]

Sounds like a great trip (after the first day)

You enjoyed Hash House? we didn't, massive portions but no flavour to the food at all. Matt had the dish featured on Man V Food but it was just a massive plate of slop. My burger was OK but far better elsewhere, can't remember other meals we ordered but none of wanted to return.

We went for breakfast dh in particular was impressed. He had a chorizo hash skillet.

 

[tinkerbells mum]

Glad you had a good trip. Did you fly in to Sanford we're flying premium on the Thomson Dreamliner in April and am looking for feed back on the plane and airport. I'll look out for your trip report if you do one xx

 

[chmurf]

Thanks for sharing

I'm looking forward to reading your food report. They're always full of good ideas for the avid planner

 

[Disneymadhouse]

Glad you had a good trip

Looking forward to your report as always

Claire

 

[dixonsontour]

Glad you had a good trip. Did you fly in to Sanford we're flying premium on the Thomson Dreamliner in April and am looking for feed back on the plane and airport. I'll look out for your trip report if you do one xx

Yes Manchester into Sanford.

Plane and staff were great. Free alcohol and drinks, 4 course meal then a light afternoon tea before landing. Screen pulled out of the seat arm - lots of choice of film, tv and music to suit us all.

Sanford is so much easier than mco. No line at immigration - through in 5 mins. Bags off quickly then walked over to alamo. DH had pre registered so he went to a self serve kiosk. Then you choose your car from a line - each line is marked with the category eg SUV, fullsize.

Came down to Orlando on 417 toll road.

 

[pickers1982]

Yes Manchester into Sanford. Plane and staff were great. Free alcohol and drinks, 4 course meal then a light afternoon tea before landing. Screen pulled out of the seat arm - lots of choice of film, tv and music to suit us all. Sanford is so much easier than mco. No line at immigration - through in 5 mins. Bags off quickly then walked over to alamo. DH had pre registered so he went to a self serve kiosk. Then you choose your car from a line - each line is marked with the category eg SUV, fullsize. Came down to Orlando on 417 toll road.

How long is the the drive from Sanford?

 

[tinkerbells mum]

Yes Manchester into Sanford. Plane and staff were great. Free alcohol and drinks, 4 course meal then a light afternoon tea before landing. Screen pulled out of the seat arm - lots of choice of film, tv and music to suit us all. Sanford is so much easier than mco. No line at immigration - through in 5 mins. Bags off quickly then walked over to alamo. DH had pre registered so he went to a self serve kiosk. Then you choose your car from a line - each line is marked with the category eg SUV, fullsize. Came down to Orlando on 417 toll road.

That's great to hear thanks for answering I'm really looking forward to flying premium we've got transport booked (not Magical Express though!) and I'm a bit nervous about it as most people seem to hire a car, I'm sure Thomson will have it all under control lol!

 

[dixonsontour]

How long is the the drive from Sanford?

Took us about 45 mins to Universal - was Friday tea time.

 

[dixonsontour]

That's great to hear thanks for answering I'm really looking forward to flying premium we've got transport booked (not Magical Express though!) and I'm a bit nervous about it as most people seem to hire a car, I'm sure Thomson will have it all under control lol!

I did see a yellow mears coach at the airport assume that will be the transport offered. Sanford is so small it will be obvious i'm sure.

 

[tinkerbells mum]

I did see a yellow mears coach at the airport assume that will be the transport offered. Sanford is so small it will be obvious i'm sure.

Thanks, I'll keep a look out for mears and hope for the best!!

 

[disneyholic family]

sounds like a lot of fun!!