Goofyish
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 10, 1999
- Messages
- 8,541
The Cast:
Me, Tim (Quite old)
DW, Julie (Not quite so old)
DD1, Nicola (16)
DD2, Jade (12)
DAY 15 - 29th December 2005
Weather Report: Sunny
The Journey Home
We packed last night so didn't have much to do this morning.
We planned to get to the Virgin Downtown Disney check-in when it opened, so we called Bell Services to come and collect our bags. They were up within 5 minutes!
As we had a Towncar Transfer booked for 4pm to take us to the airport we took a cab to DTD. (it was actually a nice Towncar).
When we arrived at the Virgin check-in there was only a samll queue. So we dumped our case in front of the vans and joined the queue.
As we waited a family joined the queue behind. I thought " I know you!" When they said hello Tim in their Geordie accent I knew it was Squitty (Michelle), Neil and their DD from the boards
We chatted to pass the time in the queue and then the Virgin lady came along the line checking passports and DTD vouchers etc. When she saw our flight number she said that it had not left Gatwick yet due to the weather and didn't know when it would arrive! She gave us a number to call for updates!
Once checked in we wandered into DTD for some breakfast and last minute shopping. Soon it was time to head back to the Dolphin for our airport transfer, so we headed back to the bus stops to catch the bus back to the hotel.
Once back in the Dolphin lobby I went to call the Virgin number we were given. It turned out to be the standard recorded flight status line - completely useless. All it kept telling me was our flight was due to take off at 12:30pm! Even though by now it was later than that UK time LOL.
After trying the number again a few times I decided to try a different approach and instead of picking the flight information option I went for reservations and got through to a human. They told me that the flight had left Gatwick about an hour late.
We were relieved that we wouldn't be spending the night in the airport
Just before I took a look outside to see if our FL Tours Towncar was there yet and there was our friendly driver holding up our name
So we all piled into the car and set off to the airport.
once at the airport we headed to the food court for some much needed food. Nicola and Jade has a pizza, Julie had a hot dog and I had chicken strips. I was tempted by the Chinese outlet, but thought better of it - didn't want to upset the folks sitting near me on the plane
We had a good wander around the airport shops and then headed towards security. The lines stretched right across the atrium and it took about 40 minutes to get through!
Once through security and the little train ride we headed to the duty free shop. Nicola wanted to get some smellies. While sampling the various smells, I bumped in to Squitty again They were waiting for the Manchester flight (which ended up being delayed because the cabin crew were stuck in their hotel - you can imagine the reception the cabin crew got when they finally arrived!).
Once Nicola had got her chosen smellies we grabbed a drink and found some seats and waited for our flight to board and take us back to a wet, cold old England
Me, Tim (Quite old)
DW, Julie (Not quite so old)
DD1, Nicola (16)
DD2, Jade (12)
DAY 15 - 29th December 2005
Weather Report: Sunny
The Journey Home
We packed last night so didn't have much to do this morning.
We planned to get to the Virgin Downtown Disney check-in when it opened, so we called Bell Services to come and collect our bags. They were up within 5 minutes!
As we had a Towncar Transfer booked for 4pm to take us to the airport we took a cab to DTD. (it was actually a nice Towncar).
When we arrived at the Virgin check-in there was only a samll queue. So we dumped our case in front of the vans and joined the queue.
As we waited a family joined the queue behind. I thought " I know you!" When they said hello Tim in their Geordie accent I knew it was Squitty (Michelle), Neil and their DD from the boards
We chatted to pass the time in the queue and then the Virgin lady came along the line checking passports and DTD vouchers etc. When she saw our flight number she said that it had not left Gatwick yet due to the weather and didn't know when it would arrive! She gave us a number to call for updates!
Once checked in we wandered into DTD for some breakfast and last minute shopping. Soon it was time to head back to the Dolphin for our airport transfer, so we headed back to the bus stops to catch the bus back to the hotel.
Once back in the Dolphin lobby I went to call the Virgin number we were given. It turned out to be the standard recorded flight status line - completely useless. All it kept telling me was our flight was due to take off at 12:30pm! Even though by now it was later than that UK time LOL.
After trying the number again a few times I decided to try a different approach and instead of picking the flight information option I went for reservations and got through to a human. They told me that the flight had left Gatwick about an hour late.
We were relieved that we wouldn't be spending the night in the airport
Just before I took a look outside to see if our FL Tours Towncar was there yet and there was our friendly driver holding up our name
So we all piled into the car and set off to the airport.
once at the airport we headed to the food court for some much needed food. Nicola and Jade has a pizza, Julie had a hot dog and I had chicken strips. I was tempted by the Chinese outlet, but thought better of it - didn't want to upset the folks sitting near me on the plane
We had a good wander around the airport shops and then headed towards security. The lines stretched right across the atrium and it took about 40 minutes to get through!
Once through security and the little train ride we headed to the duty free shop. Nicola wanted to get some smellies. While sampling the various smells, I bumped in to Squitty again
They were waiting for the Manchester flight (which ended up being delayed because the cabin crew were stuck in their hotel - you can imagine the reception the cabin crew got when they finally arrived!).Once Nicola had got her chosen smellies we grabbed a drink and found some seats and waited for our flight to board and take us back to a wet, cold old England
