DAY 1 SATURDAY 21st OCTOBER 2006
The Cast:
Heather the trouble and strife er, I mean my dear wife (mad about Winnie-the-Pooh)
Daniel my 15 year old son (mad about Jack Skellington)
Rhiannon my 13 year old daughter (mad about Tinkerbell)
El Tel Me, so old I need to be carbon-dated (just mad in general)
We woke up nice and early at the Thistle Hotel, Horley, near Gatwick. It has become our usual overnight stop prior to flying out to Orlando on our once-in-a-lifetime trips (in 2000 and 2002). OK, we had to go back after the first trip (and the second, etc). We had dropped off our baggage at the First Choice check-in the night before but still needed to get to the North terminal three hours before our flight to get our boarding cards and because of heightened security checks. In the event it turned out to be very plain sailing through check-in and security.
We had breakfast at Garfunkels. We later discovered that Rhiannon left her dental retainers there (she has been wearing braces on her teeth and wore these to keep the teeth from moving back out of shape). That must have been a shock for someone!
We normally go with Virgin, but there have been such good reports about First Choice I thought wed try them out. We got a good deal on Star Class Premier tickets so we got to be boarded first. We took off on time around 10:30 and had a very pleasant flight. The crew were very good and attentive even better than Ive experienced on BA World Traveller Plus and Club (though the seating wasnt quite as good). The food was good too Id say on a par with BA. They had video on demand screens in the seat-backs, so I watched a couple of films and played a few games (I even won the million on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire if only it was for real).
We arrived at Sanford slightly ahead of schedule. Ahhhh so sunny and warm! Immigration was very quick we were one of the first off the plane and friendly too, which makes a change. Baggage collection took a while though. I then went to collect the rental care. I was expecting a Chrysler Concorde (which has a big boot) because we always seem to travel heavy (one of my gripes, but you never know when you need a kitchen sink). Unfortunately, they no longer make them and we had trouble fitting everything in to the alternative Dodge Charger. I took the plunge and upgraded to a Lincoln Signature Town Car. You could play a game of football in that boot!
We were staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The drive there was nice and easy down the 417 (it took about an hour). The CM at check-in was excellent particularly as he told us that Mickey had upgraded us free of charge to a Savannah view (Room 3218, overlooking Sunset Savannah and fairly close to the lobby). Big smiles all round. Heather then tried her luck by asking if we could have a Savannah room with bunk beds (as we had requested). We were told that there were none available but to ask again in a few days.
Daniel and I went to get some refillable mugs from Mara while Heather and Rhiannon settled into the room. The theming and décor of this hotel is truly wonderful. I dont think Im that easily impressed, but AKL was something special.
We then took the bus down to Magic Kingdom just to prove we were back again. The night was balmy and busy though the queues for rides were short. I didnt intend to ride anything though just watch Spectromagic and Wishes. I was a bit surprised that the Wishes being presented that night was Hallowishes. I was a little disappointed as Id been looking forward so much to seeing Wishes, and though that Hallowishes was only for the Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party, which we were going to later in the week. Hallowishes was still very, very good and pleased Daniel, our resident Nightmare Before Christmas fan.
We had a meal at Cosmic Rays as it was the only place that seemed to be open after 9pm . We were on the Disney Dining Plan - Ill do reviews on meals elsewhere. Id intended to take photos of our meals but in my haste forgot my camera just what I was determined not to do.
Obviously the jet lag was affecting me. Although I like to get into the timezone as soon as possible, it had been a long day. We took the bus back to AKL and retired to bed tired but very, very happy to be back in WDW.
The Cast:
Heather the trouble and strife er, I mean my dear wife (mad about Winnie-the-Pooh)
Daniel my 15 year old son (mad about Jack Skellington)
Rhiannon my 13 year old daughter (mad about Tinkerbell)
El Tel Me, so old I need to be carbon-dated (just mad in general)
We woke up nice and early at the Thistle Hotel, Horley, near Gatwick. It has become our usual overnight stop prior to flying out to Orlando on our once-in-a-lifetime trips (in 2000 and 2002). OK, we had to go back after the first trip (and the second, etc). We had dropped off our baggage at the First Choice check-in the night before but still needed to get to the North terminal three hours before our flight to get our boarding cards and because of heightened security checks. In the event it turned out to be very plain sailing through check-in and security.
We had breakfast at Garfunkels. We later discovered that Rhiannon left her dental retainers there (she has been wearing braces on her teeth and wore these to keep the teeth from moving back out of shape). That must have been a shock for someone!
We normally go with Virgin, but there have been such good reports about First Choice I thought wed try them out. We got a good deal on Star Class Premier tickets so we got to be boarded first. We took off on time around 10:30 and had a very pleasant flight. The crew were very good and attentive even better than Ive experienced on BA World Traveller Plus and Club (though the seating wasnt quite as good). The food was good too Id say on a par with BA. They had video on demand screens in the seat-backs, so I watched a couple of films and played a few games (I even won the million on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire if only it was for real).
We arrived at Sanford slightly ahead of schedule. Ahhhh so sunny and warm! Immigration was very quick we were one of the first off the plane and friendly too, which makes a change. Baggage collection took a while though. I then went to collect the rental care. I was expecting a Chrysler Concorde (which has a big boot) because we always seem to travel heavy (one of my gripes, but you never know when you need a kitchen sink). Unfortunately, they no longer make them and we had trouble fitting everything in to the alternative Dodge Charger. I took the plunge and upgraded to a Lincoln Signature Town Car. You could play a game of football in that boot!
We were staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The drive there was nice and easy down the 417 (it took about an hour). The CM at check-in was excellent particularly as he told us that Mickey had upgraded us free of charge to a Savannah view (Room 3218, overlooking Sunset Savannah and fairly close to the lobby). Big smiles all round. Heather then tried her luck by asking if we could have a Savannah room with bunk beds (as we had requested). We were told that there were none available but to ask again in a few days.
Daniel and I went to get some refillable mugs from Mara while Heather and Rhiannon settled into the room. The theming and décor of this hotel is truly wonderful. I dont think Im that easily impressed, but AKL was something special.
We then took the bus down to Magic Kingdom just to prove we were back again. The night was balmy and busy though the queues for rides were short. I didnt intend to ride anything though just watch Spectromagic and Wishes. I was a bit surprised that the Wishes being presented that night was Hallowishes. I was a little disappointed as Id been looking forward so much to seeing Wishes, and though that Hallowishes was only for the Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party, which we were going to later in the week. Hallowishes was still very, very good and pleased Daniel, our resident Nightmare Before Christmas fan.
We had a meal at Cosmic Rays as it was the only place that seemed to be open after 9pm . We were on the Disney Dining Plan - Ill do reviews on meals elsewhere. Id intended to take photos of our meals but in my haste forgot my camera just what I was determined not to do.
Obviously the jet lag was affecting me. Although I like to get into the timezone as soon as possible, it had been a long day. We took the bus back to AKL and retired to bed tired but very, very happy to be back in WDW.
