Buttys' travels in Orlando - Day 2

[elisebutt]

Breakfast is included and is an all you can eat buffet – so we do. Pay bill and checkout, Taxi ordered from concierge turns up – It’s a LIMO!!! £8 later we disembark and this time we find a skycap, another £7 later and we are deposited at the front of the enormous check in queue.

Noooo – we have a trainee and it is the first time she has worked on her own. 6 torn up boarding cards and 45 mins later and she escorts us to the corner we are supposed to sit in to wait for disabled assistance. They only want us to wait here until boarding – HA!! Miss Stroppy leaps out of my mouth and we are shortly being escorted straight thro security – past more long lines, with Baz in a wheelchair and deposited in the departure lounge. I race around getting ciggies and cigars and find the yukky smoking area for a last puff. At 11.10 the nice man with a wheel chair escorts us thro into a long corridors and instructs us to wait for the buggy??? A few mins later a very, very nice rep from United comes along and flags down a golf cart for us. Gets us to the gate, reorganises all our seating so we are all together – at last!! And we are on the plane ahead of everyone else – we’re off….. or are we.

‘This is the captain speaking, I’m afraid there has a been a breach of security and all the luggage has to be unloaded and rechecked”

Turns out some freak was caught running around on the tarmac and the 3 planes he was caught near had to be checked in case he chucked something in one of the holds.
Baz and I had heated discussion about this, as I thought he should be shot on sight and he thought this was a tad extreme. We finally took off about 1 and a half hours late.

I had doped kids up with Phenigans and they were shortly snoozing peacefully. Lunch was good – Chicken breast and cheesecake. Lots of drinks on demand – none of this Airtours style charging for it – wine with meal, followed by brandy and coffee – yum.

Had a little doze and then kids woke up – luckily had followed advice from boards and packed lots of snacks and goodies. Got to Washington eventually, wheelchair waiting for us, whizzed thro customs and security. Baz forgot his Cigar cutter in pocket – so almost a full body search. Got to our gate to find plane had just departed – AAAAAAGH!!!

We had to wait 4 more hours until next flight to Orlando – we got meal vouchers from united and trotted off for the worst McDonalds in the world, whilst I found the smoke room. Got another super buggy up to our gate – opposite smoke room – woohoo. Boarded first again into our Premium Economy seats on possibly the oldest plane in the fleet – surrounded by Germans over for the Bike Week. Loads of spare seats so we spread out and dozed for the next 2 hours. Yet another wheelchair waiting, so straight thro to collect luggage and into Tiffany’s limo. Finally check in at 12.05 a.m.
Ask for an upgrade and get it – 2 Bed suite – super woohoo!!!
Fall into bed and collapsed at 2ish

 

[KayleeUK]

Oh no what a shame you missed your connection Good news about the upgrade though

Kaylee

 

[CarolynU]

We flew with United via Washington in Feb, and I expected an absolutely huge lush place and instead it all seemed very small with not much to offer in the way of food and shops. I wonder if you were in the same terminal ? If so that would explain the McDonalds. Stll you are there now so let the fun begin! Carolyn

 

[jue]

Hello Elsie

Can't wait to read about the rest of your holiday.
You luckey thing Premium Economy.
Good idea about the phenegan think I'll try that on DH on our trip in October

 

[elisebutt]

I thought washington was a bit of a dive compared to Heathrow and Orlando - I couldn't get a chapstick for love nor money anywhere and I needed it desperately. Next time will be head of the packing list - plane really dried out my lips.

The place just seemed to be one long corridor with a few shops and coffee places scattered thro it.

The Phenigans is great as you can use it to prevent travel sickness and allergies to bites as well. It does tend to make the kids dopey for the whole 24 hours tho, so don't use the whole doseage if you want them to enjoy the next day properly

 

[Sue F UK]

Phenigans - I must get me some of that!

I know what you mean about the chapstick Elsie - I thought it was just me!

 

[Fiona R from UK]

Phew - what a long day....

I hope you're all raring to go on Real Day number 1....

 

[Hilary]

What a trip!

I bet you were ready for that upgrade by the time you arrived!

 

[WDWfan uk]

......LOL at "Miss Stroppy leaps out of my mouth !!
What an exhausting journey! Thank goodness for the upgrade!

Be careful with the Phenergan as Elise says - it does take a long time to wear off - it can take days in some cases and can inhibit reactions.

 

[Minniespal]

Thanks for the wonderful report - luv reading them!!!!