feistyblue
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2003
- Messages
- 312
The Cast
Me - Claire, 28, fanatical planner and organiser
Katherine - 33, went to WDW with her parents in March 2003, had a bad time as wasn't allowed to experience the rides she wanted.
Charlie - My DS - 5 - Mr Sceptical, has proclaimed since he was 2 that "disney characters" are just people in costumes!
This trip was booked on the spur of the moment in November. I had been planning a four week long holiday in 2004/2005 but on browsing the Virgin website, and after a tough year, the temptation of Disney at Christmas was too good to pass up.
A few weeks before we left I decided to change our Gatwick hotel to a family suite at the Hilton and also to book executive lounge access as my partner has never experienced the "high life". I somehow managed to keep it all a secret.
Saturday 20th December we left for Gatwick at 11.15 am, and took our time going down there. We parked at short term and then made the short walk to the terminal to Virgin's Twilight Check-in. As we were early, we decided to do some shopping, purchased some luggage straps, nurofen and a travel adapter.
We also had something to eat.
Twilight Check in was pain free, and I picked up our P.E tickets for the return journey. I was really worried that DP was going to over hear me telling the check-in girl we were staying at the Hilton, so I practically whispered it to her.
We walked back to the car and then I pretended to get lost and we ended up right outside the Hilton. DP couldn't believe it when I told her we were staying here, and she cried when she saw the suite - it was big!
We ordered room service, watched tv and a movie for a bit and then settled down to sleep, ready for the flight the next day.
We were up earlish the next day, and after putting our overnight stuff in the car, took the tunnel to the terminal, we loved the ease of this and were glad we didn't have to rely on shuttle buses.
We made a quick trip to oversize check in with the car seat and then went straight to security.
We had a quick look round the shops and then went towards the lounge. DP's face when she realised we were going in was a real treat.
We hung out here for a bit and I took Charlie to watch the runway for a bit, and then made our way to the gate. It took ages to start boarding, but once we got our seats, we were grateful. We were given bulk head seats and they were in a little section of just three rows behind first class so it was very quiet.
The flight was ok, the entertainment was rubbish. The food was nice, a christmas dinner but despite requesting a kids meal, Charlie waited ages. I wouldn't bother next time as he prefers grown up food anyway. We encountered a fair bit of turbulance and I was really bored and very glad to get off the plane. It was cloudy in Orlando but pretty warm.
I had a real shock at immigration - they are so rude! More shocks at security - huge queues and long waits, and folding the stroller twice for x-rays didn't impress me. It's a big 3 wheeler so pretty heavy. It actually took two hours from leaving the plane to getting to the car hire queue. We had booked Dollar with Virgin, and that was quick and painless, big queues at the other desks.
The 7 seater Dodge van was lovely and clean, and the guy who took us to it was really nice and helpful.
An uneventful trip to the All Stars Movies, but the wait at check-in was ages and not much fun after such a long trip. Our room was in Love Bug 6, number 6295, was spotlessy clean, loads of drawers and storage space, and even with two huge suitcases, two huge bags and a large stroller, we had plenty of room.
DP went to the food court, only a 5 minute walk away and bought the refillable mugs. We went to bed at around 10pm totally exhausted.
Tomorrow to Sea World!
Me - Claire, 28, fanatical planner and organiser
Katherine - 33, went to WDW with her parents in March 2003, had a bad time as wasn't allowed to experience the rides she wanted.
Charlie - My DS - 5 - Mr Sceptical, has proclaimed since he was 2 that "disney characters" are just people in costumes!
This trip was booked on the spur of the moment in November. I had been planning a four week long holiday in 2004/2005 but on browsing the Virgin website, and after a tough year, the temptation of Disney at Christmas was too good to pass up.
A few weeks before we left I decided to change our Gatwick hotel to a family suite at the Hilton and also to book executive lounge access as my partner has never experienced the "high life". I somehow managed to keep it all a secret.
Saturday 20th December we left for Gatwick at 11.15 am, and took our time going down there. We parked at short term and then made the short walk to the terminal to Virgin's Twilight Check-in. As we were early, we decided to do some shopping, purchased some luggage straps, nurofen and a travel adapter.
We also had something to eat.
Twilight Check in was pain free, and I picked up our P.E tickets for the return journey. I was really worried that DP was going to over hear me telling the check-in girl we were staying at the Hilton, so I practically whispered it to her.
We walked back to the car and then I pretended to get lost and we ended up right outside the Hilton. DP couldn't believe it when I told her we were staying here, and she cried when she saw the suite - it was big!
We ordered room service, watched tv and a movie for a bit and then settled down to sleep, ready for the flight the next day.
We were up earlish the next day, and after putting our overnight stuff in the car, took the tunnel to the terminal, we loved the ease of this and were glad we didn't have to rely on shuttle buses.
We made a quick trip to oversize check in with the car seat and then went straight to security.
We had a quick look round the shops and then went towards the lounge. DP's face when she realised we were going in was a real treat.
We hung out here for a bit and I took Charlie to watch the runway for a bit, and then made our way to the gate. It took ages to start boarding, but once we got our seats, we were grateful. We were given bulk head seats and they were in a little section of just three rows behind first class so it was very quiet.
The flight was ok, the entertainment was rubbish. The food was nice, a christmas dinner but despite requesting a kids meal, Charlie waited ages. I wouldn't bother next time as he prefers grown up food anyway. We encountered a fair bit of turbulance and I was really bored and very glad to get off the plane. It was cloudy in Orlando but pretty warm.
I had a real shock at immigration - they are so rude! More shocks at security - huge queues and long waits, and folding the stroller twice for x-rays didn't impress me. It's a big 3 wheeler so pretty heavy. It actually took two hours from leaving the plane to getting to the car hire queue. We had booked Dollar with Virgin, and that was quick and painless, big queues at the other desks.
The 7 seater Dodge van was lovely and clean, and the guy who took us to it was really nice and helpful.
An uneventful trip to the All Stars Movies, but the wait at check-in was ages and not much fun after such a long trip. Our room was in Love Bug 6, number 6295, was spotlessy clean, loads of drawers and storage space, and even with two huge suitcases, two huge bags and a large stroller, we had plenty of room.
DP went to the food court, only a 5 minute walk away and bought the refillable mugs. We went to bed at around 10pm totally exhausted.
Tomorrow to Sea World!
