Day 16
Woken at 5am by my mobile ringing, I stumbled out of bed but by the time I got it out of my bag, it had stopped typical. It was an unknown number which was constantly engaged when I tried calling back.
Went back to bed and took a while to get back to sleep so I wasnt at my best when the alarm went off at 7am. Got breakfast and finished the packing, then called for bell services to get the bags. They put them in the car once it had been brought round, and everyone said Goodbye to us. We went to Virgin Valet, bypassed the queue and went straight to the PE check-in. We seriously toyed with upgrading to UC but the quote of £750 each seemed rather extravagant so we settled for our chosen seats 74A&C.
Drove back to GF to the surprise of the Greeter and Valet parking, and settled ourselves at the pool where else?! I really think this is one of the nicest pools we ever been in. Had lunch in the lounge and went back to the pool. Around 3pm we went to the Concierge desks to thank them for all their help and friendliness and gave them some shortbread for their own breaks. We then got the car around and very sadly left, after telling the Greeter and Valet parking people we really were going this time. Sob, sob!
The drive back to MCO was fairly uneventful, though we did come off the 417 by mistake at the same place we do every time we go, the car went back and suddenly the fact we were going home was very real. We changed clothes at the airport, we both put on trousers as we find the aircraft so cold and went airside after an extremely long security queue. We sat near the gate and were first onboard. The flight was much busier than the wonderful outward flight. The cabin crew werent very attentive and I was only offered one drink the entire flight! Dinner was okayish but we both skipped brealfast. I managed to sleep about 3 hours, a first for me.
We would have landed about 30 mins early, had we not been circling LGW for over 30 mins waiting for a slot. The bags took ages to come but when they did ours were near the beginning. Our driver was waiting for us and we slept most of the 90 min journey home. We arrived at 11.30 to find the house uncleaned my cleaner hadnt been in grrrr that was the reason for the 5am phone call. Another job to do ..
Final thoughts
Highs
DDE saved us loads $$$
BCV being so close to Epcot and having an Epcot view so we could see the fireworks.
Very short queues
Dallas and Dynasty on TV
GF everything there was of a much higher standard, the service, the quality of furnishings and fittings, the products in the bathroom, the linen, the towels which were proper bathsheets and even the toilet paper and tissues were much softer!
Keys to the Kingdom Tour really fantastic and good value.
Weather - which was fantastic.
Lows
The bed at BCV it means we cant go in a studio again.
My IBS which flared up due to the change of diet.
Concierge at GF quite honestly, I would stay nowhere else given deep pockets, and everywhere else will be compared to them! I know that isnt really a low but it has spoiled other places for us to a certain extent.
MCO this used to be a really clean airport but we think its deteriorated quite a lot over the years.
Overall, we had a great time. It may not have been a typical Orlando holiday in that we didnt do the parks a great deal, but we really felt we had the balance right for us a bit of park time and a lot of relaxation.
If youve got this far, thank you for bearing with me heres to next year!
Photos available to view here
http://gdancyger.photosite.com/Album3/
Woken at 5am by my mobile ringing, I stumbled out of bed but by the time I got it out of my bag, it had stopped typical. It was an unknown number which was constantly engaged when I tried calling back.
Went back to bed and took a while to get back to sleep so I wasnt at my best when the alarm went off at 7am. Got breakfast and finished the packing, then called for bell services to get the bags. They put them in the car once it had been brought round, and everyone said Goodbye to us. We went to Virgin Valet, bypassed the queue and went straight to the PE check-in. We seriously toyed with upgrading to UC but the quote of £750 each seemed rather extravagant so we settled for our chosen seats 74A&C.
Drove back to GF to the surprise of the Greeter and Valet parking, and settled ourselves at the pool where else?! I really think this is one of the nicest pools we ever been in. Had lunch in the lounge and went back to the pool. Around 3pm we went to the Concierge desks to thank them for all their help and friendliness and gave them some shortbread for their own breaks. We then got the car around and very sadly left, after telling the Greeter and Valet parking people we really were going this time. Sob, sob!
The drive back to MCO was fairly uneventful, though we did come off the 417 by mistake at the same place we do every time we go, the car went back and suddenly the fact we were going home was very real. We changed clothes at the airport, we both put on trousers as we find the aircraft so cold and went airside after an extremely long security queue. We sat near the gate and were first onboard. The flight was much busier than the wonderful outward flight. The cabin crew werent very attentive and I was only offered one drink the entire flight! Dinner was okayish but we both skipped brealfast. I managed to sleep about 3 hours, a first for me.
We would have landed about 30 mins early, had we not been circling LGW for over 30 mins waiting for a slot. The bags took ages to come but when they did ours were near the beginning. Our driver was waiting for us and we slept most of the 90 min journey home. We arrived at 11.30 to find the house uncleaned my cleaner hadnt been in grrrr that was the reason for the 5am phone call. Another job to do ..
Final thoughts
Highs
DDE saved us loads $$$
BCV being so close to Epcot and having an Epcot view so we could see the fireworks.
Very short queues
Dallas and Dynasty on TV
GF everything there was of a much higher standard, the service, the quality of furnishings and fittings, the products in the bathroom, the linen, the towels which were proper bathsheets and even the toilet paper and tissues were much softer!
Keys to the Kingdom Tour really fantastic and good value.
Weather - which was fantastic.
Lows
The bed at BCV it means we cant go in a studio again.
My IBS which flared up due to the change of diet.
Concierge at GF quite honestly, I would stay nowhere else given deep pockets, and everywhere else will be compared to them! I know that isnt really a low but it has spoiled other places for us to a certain extent.
MCO this used to be a really clean airport but we think its deteriorated quite a lot over the years.
Overall, we had a great time. It may not have been a typical Orlando holiday in that we didnt do the parks a great deal, but we really felt we had the balance right for us a bit of park time and a lot of relaxation.
If youve got this far, thank you for bearing with me heres to next year!
Photos available to view here
http://gdancyger.photosite.com/Album3/
