Coast To Coast highs and lows

[Elise79]

We've back two weeks so I thought I'd do our highs and lows from our DL and WDW trip!

Lows first fortunately not many:

• Food at HBD was a real let down again. We only ate there as part of the tour but I had a kids meal and it was better than DHs adult meal.
• Food on the flight home (Virgin PE) was terrible as usual and DDs kids meal was missing - but the crew did their best and found her a meal in Economy and made her a special tray up - credit to them!
• No MagicBands in DL - really missed them! It was a pain having to have room keys and tickets and making sure we had them all before we left the room. Didn't miss FP+ but did the MB especially when go to the pool!

Highs:

• Loved DL - we stayed in the Villas at the Grand Californian in a one bed on our DVC points. Fantastic room and the hotel couldn't be better located.
• Both parks were nice but I think that DCA just edged it as favourite with such amazing themeing. Radiator Springs Racers was so much better than TT.
• Weather in CA is so nice hot with no humidity
• Used Supershuttle to get to DL from LAX and was glad I did. Very good service.
• Stayed at BLT in WDW in one bedroom looking over bay lake. Great view and we love the location but wasn't quite as good as VGC!!
• Did the Ultimate day of thrills tour again - great way to do all the big rides in one day and luckily for us we did Epcot as the third park as Dinosaur was closed so didn't do AK.
• Yachtsman Steakhouse - had two excellent meals here again
• DisUnplugged 10th Anniversary Mega Meet. Great time at the events and the podcast recording. Highlight was the sip and stroll around Epcot on Sunday evening with Julie and Corey. Group of 32 drinking around the world!
• Despite being sceptical the changes to the kids clubs are actually really good - DD had a blast while we were at Epcot.
• Weather in FL was the hottest and driest we have known in July.
• Couple of nice evenings spent in various bars/lounges: Territory Lounge, Top of the World and Gurling Suitcase
• Flights all good. Had a VS Dreamliner to LA which is a lot nicer than the 747s. Flew Virgin America LAX to MCO and was impressed with that too!

Finally we all had our global entry applications approved so can now bypass immigration in the US

Looking forward to WDW trip in December but we will be back to DL in a couple of years

 

[LiquidSunshine]

Sounds like you had a great trip! Would love to do DL to WDW.

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

Finally we all had our global entry applications approved so can now bypass immigration in the US

Elise where did you do your Global Entry interview. We'd like to apply but I don't think we will be going back to the US till next summer so just wondering where we would have to do the interveiw

 

[Elise79]

Elise where did you do your Global Entry interview. We'd like to apply but I don't think we will be going back to the US till next summer so just wondering where we would have to do the interveiw

We had to go to Sanford - MCO was full while we were there. There are time limits between the application and interview so you would need to apply closer to your next trip.

Our application process took about 24 hours for the uk part then just over 3 weeks for the provisional to come back from the US. We then set up the interviews.

All 3 of us had to be interviewed even DD who is 8.

We go at least twice a year so the $100 fee is worth it to us.

 

[2Tiggies]

It sounds like a lovely trip. It's nice to see a side by side comparison of your experience at DL vs WDW all in one trip. You don't get to see that very often.

It was funny reading about your Magic Bands vs KTTW cards. At first I missed having the room key on a card. I had got used to wearing it on a lanyard abut now the thought of carrying it around over my neck seems unthinkable.

I'm so sorry we missed you. So close

 

[disneyholic family]

how does global entry work?

 

[Elise79]

how does global entry work?

Citizens of certain countries can access the global entry system by applying (application varies by country). You have to have background checks done by the US CBP then once you have provisional acceptance you have to schedule an interview in the US.

Once approved you can bypass immigration lines by going to the dedicated global entry kiosks. You also get TSA Pre when flying on certain airlines in the US making security quicker too. Its $100 for 5 years.

 

[disneyholic family]

Citizens of certain countries can access the global entry system by applying (application varies by country). You have to have background checks done by the US CBP then once you have provisional acceptance you have to schedule an interview in the US.

Once approved you can bypass immigration lines by going to the dedicated global entry kiosks. You also get TSA Pre when flying on certain airlines in the US making security quicker too. Its $100 for 5 years.

thanks!
theoretically, i guess we can sign up for it - we're americans....i would do it just for the TSA precheck i think...
but i'm too lazy....

 

[disneyholic family]

double post