We were all set.Cast - Me (DH), DW, DD (9) & DS (8).
Flight was not until early afternoon, so a little worried we would be kicking our heels at the airport, so I called and put back the taxi an hour. Instead of 6am, He would now be arriving at 7am. We dropped our cases off at Gatwick the night before using Virgin's twilight check-in. I wanted to do this in the hope we could change our seats. Worked as the lovely check-in Girl gave us bulkhead seats.
Taxi arrived at 7am as planned and all was going well. As we got closer too Gatwick on the M23, the traffic started to build up, so we go Him to drop us off at the short stay car park. It was then off for breakfast. This time we went airside straight away and headed for Garfunkles. Big mistake. It is open planned with no roof and the food was disappointing. Next time we'll use the landside one.
Bought a new Sony camcorder at duty free along with some other goodies. Virgin flight was 20 mins late, but flight was smooth. Is it me, or do they turn on the in-flight TV on later each year
Customs and Immigration at Orlando was quite slick. Was worried that the queue would be longer given the new photo and finger print. You enter the hall as per normal. Keep an eye out for empty booths to the right. Most people see a queue and just join it. We went to an empty booth even though there were long queues. The same person who checks your passport, visa waiver and customs declaration takes your picture with a web cam. The finger print is also electronically using two fingers. The whole process takes less than a minute.
After collecting our cases it was off to Alamo for car collection. We had always used Dollar via Virgin previously. This year we used Funways Holidays. The total cost was a lot cheaper than Virgin and we were about to discover why
. No rep to meet us as with Virgin. As a seasoned pro I knew where the Car Hire desk was anyway. When it was out turn, the clerk went straight into hard sell mode for an upgrade. "How many cases have you got?" She asked " "Four I replied and one holdall, plus hand luggage". Funnily enough, the car I had been reserved only takes 1 large case and 1 small case. I refused to upgrade at a cost of £250 and take the car anyway. Once I get to the Alamo garage (on site) I am pointed to the row of cars in my category. I chose one and all the cases fit in. About to drive off when I discover I am in the wrong row Anyway, in the end, find the right car and manage to get two cases in the boot. The rest of the baggage fits in the the back sit with the kids. Not impressed with Alamo at all. Not shown how to use the car, etc. Luckily I know through experience.
Find our way to La Quinta Inn Lakeside along US192 West. Hotel and room are nice. We quickly unpack. Everyone is tired, but more hungry, so pop over the road too Sizzler. Meal is awful. Food is cold and waiter is rude. Luckily, this will be the first of only two bad meals all holiday. One refund and no tip later, it's time for bed as we all will be up early due to the time difference.
Tomorrow, Sea World beckons...
Trev
) that we have hired cars in FL, we have never been taken to the car and shown how the car worked.
