Flight lucky dip !

[AlexE]

After all the various threads on various boards I would like to comment. This will not help the many holiday makers who have really bad experiences when going on holiday but something I have learnt over the years when flying.

Its all a lucky dip !

Does anyone really enjoy sitting like a sardine in a can for 9.5 hrs?

We all do it at the beginning and the end of our hols. It doesn’t seem to make any difference whether you fly charter or scheduled. I’ve done both many times since 1979 and obviously had some great flights, some not so great and some you would not wish on anyone but I still continue to go back for more. At the end of the day we all love the Disney fantasy in the middle so put up with the rest.

I'm convinced that Disney is the real world and for the rest of the time we all live in a fantasy world - this gets me through to the next visit, and probably the next.

Here's to our future ‘perfect’ holidays - whichever carrier we use.

 

[allie5]

Well said, Alex!!

I agree 100%. I have flown Virgin, BA and the supposed "Quality" airlines as well as the cheap as chips charters and others inbetween. There is hardly a jot of difference between the whole darn lot of them.....!

It is TRULY a lucky dip! While many people advocate Virgin as the "best" I know PLENTY of people who would dispute this (especially in recent years). A decent charter will give you as much legroom and the same level of service for less bucks, these days....though some Virgin snobs would NEVER admit to this

At the end of the day, as long as the plane gets you there in safety and relative comfort, I couldnt care less what name is on the side of the plane!

 

[signtalker]

Well I'll jump on the virgin band wagon, Ive flown like yourselves with many airlines, and to be honest I dont think anybody can touch virgin for service, especially if you have disabilities, they are by no means perfect, but their services for the disabled do put others to shame.

Jules

 

[Grumpy John]

We are frequent Virgin flyers and have been for many years. From memory we have had just one occasion to question our holiday with them and the problem was sorted out very efficiently and in a matter of days.

We did use a charter airline a couple of years ago (because we had obtained some vouchers for the travel company they own) and were very disappointed. Had many problems going and coming home. All of our efforts to get satisfactory answers were met with either blank expressions at the travel agents or non returned phone calls.

Virgin are not perfect but compared with the majority of other carriers going to Orlando they take some beating.

I will sing their praises and always will

 

[allie5]

Well, you better hope they never lose your wedding dress and show no interest in finding it again. Or put you in single beds for your honeymoon. Or tell your partner they cant have the flight deck visit (pre 9/11 I might add!) that had been arranged as birthday surprise, as they were just for kids. Oh, and that is OK to change flight details at the last minute. They also think its fine to employ stroppy, rude and arrogant people to work as cabin crew.

I could go on, but nuff said!! All airlines are going to have good and bad days. Even after the ton of trouble I have had with Virgin I would still use them again, IF the price and availability were suitable for my needs.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

I've flown BA, Virgin, AA, United and a couple of charter companies, to Orlando and elsewhere in the USA. In my opinion there is very little to choose between them when travelling in the same class. The only time I really notice the difference is when you step up to business class (not even Premium Economy makes much difference in my view). None of the airlines have offered consistently better customer service; I've had good and not-as-good experiences with all of them. For a few years we favoured Virgin when flying to Orlando because we used the Downtown Disney check-in facilities which none of the other airlines offered (one of the few genuine differences between the airlines), but even that is now closed.

None of the airlines are guaranteed to give to you the "perfect journey" so my advice is go with whichever is cheapest (or find somebody to pay for your business class seat!).

Regards

Rob

 

[kazzie]

Alex,
I love that! WDW is the real world and this one we live in is another universe

 

[Grumpy John]

Alex, unfortunately the real world of Disney is not going to pay for the holidays we all enjoy in Orlando. Obviously you think that the fantasy world you live in doesn't pay the bills, buys the cars, buys the holidays - I DON'T THINK SO!!!

Your real world just charges high prices and in one or two parks - in my humble opinion - rips people off!!!

I think a generous helping of pixie dust needs to be tipped over your whole body to bring you back to earth! and the REAL world!

 

[marlouwrig]

I think we all know that Disney is not a charitable institution but in business to make a profit - and that to a certain extent we are being 'ripped off'.

Yes I do know that but what I can't explain is why that does not seem to detract from the feeling of pure pleasure I feel when planning or experiencing the 'magic'.

I think it would take someone a great deal cleverer than I am to explain, but please feel free to try

 

[AlexE]

Allie5 – sorry but I had to have a giggle to myself and I’m sure you can now. At the time it couldn’t have been much fun with no wedding dress and twin beds. I presume Virgin rectified it for you.

Grumpy John – what can I say but you really need to chill man ! Of course Disney is a very large profit making company and are in it for the punters (us) who wouldn’t try to rip them off at some point. The big but it ……….. we keep going back for more of the same year after year they must be doing something very right.

At the end of the day we only get one life and my philosophy is live it to the full and if we choose to spend some of that time being ‘ripped-off’ by Disney, then fine I’m all for it. With the money resources everyone has, I say do what you can, where you can as long as you enjoy your own choices and you don’t hurt anyone.

So power to Disney and my next trip!

AlexE

 

[neilybealy]

i've recently been to prague for a long weekend and flew on easyjet

was dreading the flight as being crammed in like sardines

but was pleasantly surprised when i sat down on their 737 to discover the same amount of legroom as when we flew on virgin's 747-400 from gatwick to orlando

and at least the flight to prague was only 90 mins