Many thanks - we did have a fantastic time! Everything is frantic right now! It was before we went, and even more so now we are back ... but I'm enjoying it too
We are seriously jetlagged, but fighting it to get everything done as well as enjoy some very pleasant time with friends for Christmas drinks etc. as well as working.
IOA - all rides walk-ons ........... woohoo!!!!! Spidey three times ! The Grinchmas show was really well done - their make-up is stunning, I looked at them close up and you just could not see the join. This park never disappoints - excellent!
MVMCP - rides walk-ons during first parade and after second parade ( it pays to plan!!) Main Street was just a joy - SO pretty. WISHES - terrific! Not so keen on Twas The Night Before Christmas - rather cheesy for us. Poor dancers - males in Argyll sweaters with the bow ties?? Poor girls step-ball-changing in naff wigs? Oh no my dear :embarrasment:
Candlelight Processional was wonderful - the lady signing for the deaf was incredible - she was compulsive viewing.
It didn't start raining until we were inside the Rose & Crown - we were treated like VIPs in there by everyone. Unfortunately my beloved ROE was marred by heavy rain and a pall of smoked headed right in our direction. I felt very sorry for anyone on the cruise... freezing cold, driving rain and damp fireworks.
MGM is feeling tired to me (apart from Fantasmic). I would like to have seen them do something with TGMR on the last rehab other than just clean it.
Animal Kingdom was, as ever, wonderful - a truly classy park save for my usual disgust at Chester and Hester's Dinorama. .. and why have they removed the shoes from outside the temple at Kali? We used to love watching people take their shoes off, thinking they had to
We had a very moving encounter with an older CM thankful for British support since 9/11.
DH and DS particularly enjoyed Busch Gardens - although Kumba was down, they rode Montu and Gwazi several times ..... well I was going to ride Gwazi, but I had caught the bad cold DH had kindly given me and was too bunged up to enjoy it
The weather was generally very cold - below average cold with VERY cold evenings., but the sunny days, though cold, were great. We really froze watching ROE on our last evening. It was a completely clear night and the fireworks, lasers etc were perfect - we walked right around the World, whilst they played the Millennium music right the way through. I love the sentiment behind this music, and what was the TON & TOD parade and ROE - I'm afraid I just cannot keep a dry eye listening to the words of the songs, particularly now when their optimistic lyrics seem so unrealistic now .... yet they seemed real enough to me in 2000. Only three years hence and they make me feel I was being so incredibly naive. Well, anyway...
Suitcase-wise, we padlocked on the outward journey, and for the return, kept the padlocks off but just used luggage straps, and we carried non-clothes gifts in our hand-luggage - this worked well. I did see a case or two totally broken on the carousel at LGW, with tape keeping them together. We were also kept at the check-in desk for 20 minutes at MCO whilst our check-in clerk went behind scenes to run thorough checks on our passport but that's okay, we understand.
We didn't bother with kerbside check-in at DD and still got the seats I'd reserved!! No complaints with Virgin although I think the food has gone downhill.
All in all, a great trip with some great memories
Get better soon Karen
Sorry to have missed you, Shirley - knew you were going soon, 'everything' seems to have come around really quickly. Not that I'm panicking, of course
