The Alarm goes off at 5am, I quickly check I am not dreaming or it is the fire alarm again but it is not, it is actually 5am on the day we go to WDW, but then my worst fears are realised Val is already up, oh no that is the bathroom out of bounds until check-in!!
Glenn is up and getting ready, he is so excited he is bombarding us with 50 questions a minute about Delta, the car we are hiring, the hotel, who he is sitting next to on the plane, even at this early hour I smile as I am pleased he is excited, and remember how Scott used to be like this, unlike now at 16 on the day we are going to WDW we are physically trying to pull him out of bed.
At this point, Val kindly allows me to use the bathroom, where I quickly shower and get ready, when I get out Scott is still in bed but there seems to be some movement. I decide to get a coffee downstairs and take Glenn with me; although I offer him a drink and something to eat he is so excited that he does not want anything. We sat down at a table together while I had a coffee and just talked for 15 minutes, it was really nice as the hotel at that time was quite empty as you would expect, I found out that Glenn was worried about the flying not to the extent of Val and Scott but quite apprehensive, all he was looking forward to was getting the car at Orlando as we had ordered a Dodge Grand Caravan, I tried to explain to him that we may get something different but he was hearing none of that.
After finishing the coffee, we went back up to the room and I was surprised to find everyone ready so we decided to go to the terminal as there was no point hanging around. Although not having the car on site was a pain just being able to walk to the airport made up for that, even having to get the train to the North Terminal was no hassle. We headed to the Delta check-in to where we found only 6 people in front of us, so far so good. Now anyone that knows me or travels with me for work will be able to tell what is coming now, yes we are selected to have our bags searched, why? We are a family of four going to WDW, but as you have no choice we had to just accept it and smile. Unfortunately the guy that did the search decided that he would not only take each bag apart but he will do it as slow as he could, now remembering Val suffers from a great fear of flying all we want to do is check in and go though as quickly as possible so she can chill and start taking her tablets to calm her down, I could see she was getting quite annoyed to see all the clothes she had taken hours to iron and all the other stuff neatly packed was getting thrown about, also every time the guy took another bag she kept saying for gods sake I hope he puts everything back as he found it!!
Eventually we are allowed to check in, as we were searched we were allowed to use first class check in, where there is no queue, we tried to explain to the lady that we wanted 2+2 and not to be sat together which she finds difficult to understand, the reason is because we would like two aisle seat but also to be separated so if Val gets upset it would not upset Glenn, although me telling her it was because we did not like each other did not help!! All checked in and with boarding cards now in our hands hand we go straight through to security and airside
We sit in the same area as we did the last time we went to WDW, not because it is a requirement but we just happen to go that way. The problem is as I am so used to travelling on my own I start wandering off as I normally do, to duty free, wh smiths, get a coffee and some water and the find a smoking area, on my return Val says welcome back and goes off touring the shops. For the first time ever when having indirect flights it is on time and the go to gate notice is on the monitor early, the problem is Scott is missing. I am getting quite agitated as I just want to get to the gate, Val says to me how on earth can you get so wound up when you travel all the time, I am surprised you ever manage to get on your flights. Scott apparently is buying trainers in the Nike shop the question is why, are we not going to the trainer capital of the world? Eventually he buys a pair and we can be on our way but not before I have a hissy fit as everyone appears to be moving in slow motion!!
We get to the gate within 15 minutes and Val and Scott take a tablet that was prescribed by our doctor to calm them down, actually I think Val took three times the dosage but it has the desired effect and we get on the plane with no problem. The seats on the 777 are great we are near the front of economy Glenn and I have two seats on the right [There was a lady with the window seat who talked to Glenn quite a lot], and Val and Scott were one row in front in the middle. I know Val and Scott argued who had the aisle seat but Scott won as he claimed to be 6 foot tall and have longer legs than Val ok as she is 5 foot you may have a case. The flight was uneventful, I was surprised Glenn gripped my arm on take off but that was no problem. Val and Scott slept some of the flight as the tablets meant they were on another planet, I must try and get some to hide in their food at home
We managed to arrive in Atlanta 45 minutes early, this is a first for us as we normally have to re-enact scenes from home alone to get our connections. We arrived at 12.45 and our connection to MCO was 15.50 so we had plenty of time. Immigration was virtually empty [in 2003 when we were late it was a zoo], but although we chose the queue with only six people in front of us there was a problem with clearing one person but as we had so much time it did not matter. When we got through our bags arrived with 5 minutes so we went through customs really quickly off loaded the bags and then went trough the security checks no problems. Then we got Atlanta airports version of RNR coaster to our terminal, this tram moves like a bat out of hell, we found our gate and just chilled out, I obviously found the smoking room as well.
The flight to MCO was on time and only took one hour, we had 2+2 seating again, no problems, we arrived at the gate at 5.10pm walked through the terminal, got the train straight to baggage claim, no checks which is another advantage of an indirect flight. Again our bags arrived within 5 minutes so off we went to Dollar, there are no queues this is just perfect. So far so good, hold on what are they saying to me the car we booked 10 months ago is not ready but if I paid $30 per day I could have a smaller car or I will have to wait 30 minutes, no choice we will wait, we may have flown over from the UK and are tired but it is not worth $30 x 21 days. Within 5 minutes they call my name the car is now ready, it was as we ordered a Dodge Grand Caravan, everyone is impressed the boys are pleased as they have a row each to themselves, that should stop the fighting. The drive to the All Stars took 20 to 30 minutes using the old directions from our Virgin holiday pack we had in 2002. The best part is always going through the Walt Disney World sign, I start thinking to myself I cannot believe we are here.
We parked up at ASMO and went to check in no queues again, at this point we were all excited as we knew we had three weeks ahead of us, and as we knew the All Stars so well it was like coming home but that is where our problems started. Unfortunately we got a check in agent that did not understand what we were saying, we requested Toy Story by fax and on the telephone the week before and was told it would be no problem, I know that requests are not guaranteed and although Fantasia was ok [we had booked preferred rooms] we asked her to try and see if you have anything in TS, as we like it there and also our friends were in that block so it would be good to be together, but the lack of help from her was unbelievable eventually she called someone but you could tell the conversation was on the lines of what a pain these people are!. Vals tablets had worn off so she was like the beast in B+B, she kept appearing and getting really annoyed, she was talking to me at the top of her voice but the comments were really directed at the CM, eventually we said forget it, we dont want to be a problem Fantasia is fine. When we got to the room, Val was not happy as it was in a vary dark area overlooking the car park and bushes, she asked us if we were ok with it, as the rest of us were tired we said yes, then she says but I am not [so why ask?]. We called the front desk and got a different CM who was just so helpful, after we explained, could he check if they had a different room, success, he found us the perfect room 8857 second floor, fantasia overlooking the pool. [Although I suppose it was not important, but to us to have a pleasant view for a stay of 21 days was important as our expectations were not a car park view. Also I think as we had travelled from the UK which took us 18 hours between the Gatwick hotel and ASMo we were tired so it looked worst than it was. Also we were taken by surprise by having a CM check us in who was annoyed that we used travellers checks to pay for the room and totally ignored our questions and our request to see if there was availability somewhere else, then to act if our polite request was the end of the world, then to be rude to us, well in our opinion, sighing and talking about us on the phone as if we were idiots. Normally we find Disney employees to be fantastic; we were quite shocked by her attitude]
Anyway we dumped our bags in the room quickly unpacked a few things but my request or should I say pleading / begging worked and so we headed off to the food court, Val and the boys got mugs [one for me as well] and ordered some food while I had a couple of beers [same bar staff as 2003], I then ordered a pizza, which is an excuse to get another beer as the wait is 15 minutes after ordering it. When it arrived I had forgotten how big they were, and it was all mine, problem now was everyone else had finished eating and I was left there on my own as Val had to go to the shop with Glenn to mark the items she would have to buy, and as it was not cool for Scott to sit with me he dissappeared, it was just me and a pizza the size of a small island loll
After eating three quarters of the Pizza, we went back to the room and unpacked the rest of the stuff, Glenn and Scott went to the arcade while this was happening, so Val and I got it finished in record time me chucking all my stuff in the draw, while Val was hanging and carefully placing her stuff away, I did offer to help her but she threatened me with dare touch it. When the boys came back, they decided to go swimming so I headed down to the pool, had a beer, any excuse again eh!! Val and Scott joined me a few minutes later, even though I was hiding in the corner. Glenn had fallen asleep so was in bed. Val and I discussed what we would do tomorrow and stuff we had to do over the three weeks, while she also had a couple of long island iced teas.
Our friends children arrived back from the park and joined us at about 11.30 and told us everything they have been doing for the 5 days they had been in Orlando, but at about 12 I went back to the room, Val stayed out another 30 minutes, well she had slept on the plane, I was asleep before she came back!!
What a long day but I how enjoyable it is to be travelling to WDW
Glenn is up and getting ready, he is so excited he is bombarding us with 50 questions a minute about Delta, the car we are hiring, the hotel, who he is sitting next to on the plane, even at this early hour I smile as I am pleased he is excited, and remember how Scott used to be like this, unlike now at 16 on the day we are going to WDW we are physically trying to pull him out of bed.
At this point, Val kindly allows me to use the bathroom, where I quickly shower and get ready, when I get out Scott is still in bed but there seems to be some movement. I decide to get a coffee downstairs and take Glenn with me; although I offer him a drink and something to eat he is so excited that he does not want anything. We sat down at a table together while I had a coffee and just talked for 15 minutes, it was really nice as the hotel at that time was quite empty as you would expect, I found out that Glenn was worried about the flying not to the extent of Val and Scott but quite apprehensive, all he was looking forward to was getting the car at Orlando as we had ordered a Dodge Grand Caravan, I tried to explain to him that we may get something different but he was hearing none of that.
After finishing the coffee, we went back up to the room and I was surprised to find everyone ready so we decided to go to the terminal as there was no point hanging around. Although not having the car on site was a pain just being able to walk to the airport made up for that, even having to get the train to the North Terminal was no hassle. We headed to the Delta check-in to where we found only 6 people in front of us, so far so good. Now anyone that knows me or travels with me for work will be able to tell what is coming now, yes we are selected to have our bags searched, why? We are a family of four going to WDW, but as you have no choice we had to just accept it and smile. Unfortunately the guy that did the search decided that he would not only take each bag apart but he will do it as slow as he could, now remembering Val suffers from a great fear of flying all we want to do is check in and go though as quickly as possible so she can chill and start taking her tablets to calm her down, I could see she was getting quite annoyed to see all the clothes she had taken hours to iron and all the other stuff neatly packed was getting thrown about, also every time the guy took another bag she kept saying for gods sake I hope he puts everything back as he found it!!
Eventually we are allowed to check in, as we were searched we were allowed to use first class check in, where there is no queue, we tried to explain to the lady that we wanted 2+2 and not to be sat together which she finds difficult to understand, the reason is because we would like two aisle seat but also to be separated so if Val gets upset it would not upset Glenn, although me telling her it was because we did not like each other did not help!! All checked in and with boarding cards now in our hands hand we go straight through to security and airside
We sit in the same area as we did the last time we went to WDW, not because it is a requirement but we just happen to go that way. The problem is as I am so used to travelling on my own I start wandering off as I normally do, to duty free, wh smiths, get a coffee and some water and the find a smoking area, on my return Val says welcome back and goes off touring the shops. For the first time ever when having indirect flights it is on time and the go to gate notice is on the monitor early, the problem is Scott is missing. I am getting quite agitated as I just want to get to the gate, Val says to me how on earth can you get so wound up when you travel all the time, I am surprised you ever manage to get on your flights. Scott apparently is buying trainers in the Nike shop the question is why, are we not going to the trainer capital of the world? Eventually he buys a pair and we can be on our way but not before I have a hissy fit as everyone appears to be moving in slow motion!!
We get to the gate within 15 minutes and Val and Scott take a tablet that was prescribed by our doctor to calm them down, actually I think Val took three times the dosage but it has the desired effect and we get on the plane with no problem. The seats on the 777 are great we are near the front of economy Glenn and I have two seats on the right [There was a lady with the window seat who talked to Glenn quite a lot], and Val and Scott were one row in front in the middle. I know Val and Scott argued who had the aisle seat but Scott won as he claimed to be 6 foot tall and have longer legs than Val ok as she is 5 foot you may have a case. The flight was uneventful, I was surprised Glenn gripped my arm on take off but that was no problem. Val and Scott slept some of the flight as the tablets meant they were on another planet, I must try and get some to hide in their food at home
We managed to arrive in Atlanta 45 minutes early, this is a first for us as we normally have to re-enact scenes from home alone to get our connections. We arrived at 12.45 and our connection to MCO was 15.50 so we had plenty of time. Immigration was virtually empty [in 2003 when we were late it was a zoo], but although we chose the queue with only six people in front of us there was a problem with clearing one person but as we had so much time it did not matter. When we got through our bags arrived with 5 minutes so we went through customs really quickly off loaded the bags and then went trough the security checks no problems. Then we got Atlanta airports version of RNR coaster to our terminal, this tram moves like a bat out of hell, we found our gate and just chilled out, I obviously found the smoking room as well.
The flight to MCO was on time and only took one hour, we had 2+2 seating again, no problems, we arrived at the gate at 5.10pm walked through the terminal, got the train straight to baggage claim, no checks which is another advantage of an indirect flight. Again our bags arrived within 5 minutes so off we went to Dollar, there are no queues this is just perfect. So far so good, hold on what are they saying to me the car we booked 10 months ago is not ready but if I paid $30 per day I could have a smaller car or I will have to wait 30 minutes, no choice we will wait, we may have flown over from the UK and are tired but it is not worth $30 x 21 days. Within 5 minutes they call my name the car is now ready, it was as we ordered a Dodge Grand Caravan, everyone is impressed the boys are pleased as they have a row each to themselves, that should stop the fighting. The drive to the All Stars took 20 to 30 minutes using the old directions from our Virgin holiday pack we had in 2002. The best part is always going through the Walt Disney World sign, I start thinking to myself I cannot believe we are here.
We parked up at ASMO and went to check in no queues again, at this point we were all excited as we knew we had three weeks ahead of us, and as we knew the All Stars so well it was like coming home but that is where our problems started. Unfortunately we got a check in agent that did not understand what we were saying, we requested Toy Story by fax and on the telephone the week before and was told it would be no problem, I know that requests are not guaranteed and although Fantasia was ok [we had booked preferred rooms] we asked her to try and see if you have anything in TS, as we like it there and also our friends were in that block so it would be good to be together, but the lack of help from her was unbelievable eventually she called someone but you could tell the conversation was on the lines of what a pain these people are!. Vals tablets had worn off so she was like the beast in B+B, she kept appearing and getting really annoyed, she was talking to me at the top of her voice but the comments were really directed at the CM, eventually we said forget it, we dont want to be a problem Fantasia is fine. When we got to the room, Val was not happy as it was in a vary dark area overlooking the car park and bushes, she asked us if we were ok with it, as the rest of us were tired we said yes, then she says but I am not [so why ask?]. We called the front desk and got a different CM who was just so helpful, after we explained, could he check if they had a different room, success, he found us the perfect room 8857 second floor, fantasia overlooking the pool. [Although I suppose it was not important, but to us to have a pleasant view for a stay of 21 days was important as our expectations were not a car park view. Also I think as we had travelled from the UK which took us 18 hours between the Gatwick hotel and ASMo we were tired so it looked worst than it was. Also we were taken by surprise by having a CM check us in who was annoyed that we used travellers checks to pay for the room and totally ignored our questions and our request to see if there was availability somewhere else, then to act if our polite request was the end of the world, then to be rude to us, well in our opinion, sighing and talking about us on the phone as if we were idiots. Normally we find Disney employees to be fantastic; we were quite shocked by her attitude]
Anyway we dumped our bags in the room quickly unpacked a few things but my request or should I say pleading / begging worked and so we headed off to the food court, Val and the boys got mugs [one for me as well] and ordered some food while I had a couple of beers [same bar staff as 2003], I then ordered a pizza, which is an excuse to get another beer as the wait is 15 minutes after ordering it. When it arrived I had forgotten how big they were, and it was all mine, problem now was everyone else had finished eating and I was left there on my own as Val had to go to the shop with Glenn to mark the items she would have to buy, and as it was not cool for Scott to sit with me he dissappeared, it was just me and a pizza the size of a small island loll
After eating three quarters of the Pizza, we went back to the room and unpacked the rest of the stuff, Glenn and Scott went to the arcade while this was happening, so Val and I got it finished in record time me chucking all my stuff in the draw, while Val was hanging and carefully placing her stuff away, I did offer to help her but she threatened me with dare touch it. When the boys came back, they decided to go swimming so I headed down to the pool, had a beer, any excuse again eh!! Val and Scott joined me a few minutes later, even though I was hiding in the corner. Glenn had fallen asleep so was in bed. Val and I discussed what we would do tomorrow and stuff we had to do over the three weeks, while she also had a couple of long island iced teas.
Our friends children arrived back from the park and joined us at about 11.30 and told us everything they have been doing for the 5 days they had been in Orlando, but at about 12 I went back to the room, Val stayed out another 30 minutes, well she had slept on the plane, I was asleep before she came back!!
What a long day but I how enjoyable it is to be travelling to WDW
I loved the pool bar at ASMo - fantastic for people watching and just relaxing 
))).
