First time at Manchester airport and First Choice! Help!

[Debs Hill]

Today I booked our flight for next March 2011 but now have lots of questions!

We are flying from Manchester for the first time with First Choice......can we do the day before check in at the airport like with Virgin at Gatwick? Has anyone done this? Which terminal do they fly from? What is the food and entertainment like? We are in the premium economy bit!

When we arrive at Sanford (another first) how long can we expect it to take to get through customs etc? Is the Alamo car hire actually at the airport? How long would it take to drive to Univeral and/or Orlando (not sure where we are going first!!).

Sorry for all the questions but I know you guys will have the answers!
Debsxx

 

[stephensmum]

We're flying from Manchester with Virgin & no night before check in, same last year with Delta, so i imagine it's not on at Manchester.
Have flown to Sandford in the past & always found it fairly quick.
We don't hire a car, so can't help with that one.

 

[paul_toria96]

Can't say about FC, but Sanford - we got through quite quick and then Alamo is on site and we were the only ones there and got it done really quick.

Have a great time

 

[Debs Hill]

Thanks guys, all sounds positive so far!
We had such a horrible time at Orlando International last time........3 hours from getting off the plane to finally getting in the car. Customs was hell, luggage took forever and then when we checked in with the car hire they said they had no cars left !!!!!! I can laugh about it now but it wasn't funny at the time after a 9 hour flight, a small child and 90 degree heat!!

How long does it take to drive from Sanford to Universal/Disney?

Where did you stay at Manchester airport the night before (if you did)?

So excited to start my planning!!!
Debsx

 

[Helen B]

Can't help with the length of time from Sanford - Orlando but I think it's about 45 miles.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience at MCO, I've never had a problem there at all.

When we went in June, we stayed at the Premier Inn which is just off site - they have 2 Manchester Airport and Freight Terminal, they are next door to each other. We were in the Manchester Airport one, and paid £29 - they have a shuttle bus, which is £3 per person, just beware the Premier Inn is the first stop, and it took us 30 minutes to get to Terminal 2, which was the last stop. I don't know if you were planning on driving to the airport, but they also do Park and Fly, so you can leave your car there for 2 weeks as well.

I think your flight will be from Terminal 2 - pretty sure thats where the Sanford flights go from.

 

[gemmybear83]

I did day before check in with First Choice when I flew to Mexico a couple of years ago, in the travel booklet you get there was a phone to number to reserve this.

The night before we checked in and dropped our bags off at a seperate check in desk, was much more relaxing and avoided the long queues the next day!

There are lots of airport hotels - there is a travelodge next to the Premier Inn which is often on offer on the £9/£19 deals.

Were staying at the Radisson which is connected to the terminals, so avoids a shuttle bus. It gets great reviews we paid £79 on Expedia and then got 12% Quidco cashback.

 

[stephensmum]

We stayed at the Britannia Country Hotel, it was thru Superbreak & included 15 days parking, for £55. Also got over £5 back from quidco. Stayiing ther again this year.