Highs and Lows...

[mickeyforpresident]

It's been a few weeks since we got back from our trip... jetlag really hit us hard this year (only just beginning to feel human again!)

Lows

• Virgin's online check in not working (the day before) as it couldn't locate my ESTA! Caused so much stress, without the need as it wasn't a problem at all...
• I would think again before flying indirect (at least with the short flight last). Travel day was a nightmare... Checked in at Manchester (because of ESTA thing) at 6:30am; flight to ATL was ok, but then flight from ATL to MCO was delayed on tarmac with no gate for hours!!! Following long immigration queues, picked up car in the dark (did not like that at all!) Flight on way back was not that much better - long delay leaving Atlanta (Airport closed twice as we were trying to board, due to rain). Plus, very loud family in cabin (very loud!!). Two of them sat behind us and kept getting up and yanking on my seat; they kept me awake all night long. Saving for PE next time!!
• Word of caution - don't check in late at the Hard Rock on the last Thursday on the month... they had a huge concert in the foyer (it sounded great, just not right then!) The check in agent literally communicated with pen and paper.
• Worst meals - Yachtsman Steakhouse (oh my goodness; it was bad!!) and NBA (seedy server - we did a runner after attempting main courses and throwing some money at him !!) However, worst meal ever was at Chef de France - such an oppressive place; I hated it.
• Not being able to buy a "Tomorrowland" pin (and it was the only thing I really wanted!)
• Being overweight on the way home - had to pay $66 excess luggage
• Having to take the car back half way through as lights appeared on the dashboard and the dashboard fogged up (on the inside) - Alamo were brilliant, no fuss at all.

Highs

• Kennedy Space Centre - up close tour - WAS AMAZING!!
• An amazing cast member at Universal - we did this big shop (and we were umming and arring over a Doctor Who t-shirt - I know more Dr. Who merchandise in the US than in the UK!!) Anyway - spent more than a few dollars and we noticed that during the transaction, a stranger handed a card over which was scanned and then she walked out... when we got the receipt it had a cast member discount on it - 33% off.... said stranger was waiting at the door and said "I love Dr. Who too" and then walked off..... how nice is that!!! We were gobsmacked and it totally made our holiday.
• New rides (for us!) Gringotts, The Mummy and Seven Dwarfs - all brilliant (loved them).
• WWOHP - is amazing.... Ice Cream to die for - seriously I would re-mortgage the house for more of that ice cream (not really, but it is good!!)
• Best meals - California Grill (the most amazing meal of our lives; completely perfect!!) and dinner at Be Our Guest (another perfect meal)! Our servers at both were terrific. Honorary mention to Cowfish (I thought it was nice but DW loved it completely).
• Discovering the Lapu Lapu and Captain's Maitai
• All of our rooms were lovely - stayed at the Radisson (family room - very nice little suite), Hard Rock family room - although was a long walk from the lobby and a nice room at The Contemporary... all lovely
• 'Human' Minions at Universal were soooo funny
• Starbucks on Main Street - one day it rained and rained and rained (oh you have never seen the likes) and it got cold - best cup of coffee ever (drank in our ponchos on the Tomorrowland Terrace)
• Fantasmic (used the dinner package a Mama Melrose which was really nice); we sat right at the front on the littler benches - completely amazing - completely brilliant - we didn't mind the spray either...
• The colour show on Cinderella Castle before the fireworks was truly breathtaking - loved it.

Neither high or low, but there are a number of things we won't do again next time: CP Breakfast, Chef Mickeys might not make it either, probably won't do Blue Men either .... not because they were bad, just that we've done them perhaps a little too much now. Dessert Party - seriously not worth it any more (and terrible cast members talking bad about customers behind their screen - made me very uncomfortable!) We've stayed at the CR a few times too, so thinking Poly or WL next time...

The weather was odd....first week was like British summer weather (I actually preferred it!!!), second week - normal really hot with odd shower, last week - rained from mid afternoon for most of the day!!

I'm sure there will be lots more but that's it for now!

We've worked out that our next trip will likely be in three years (never too early to start planning right!?)

 

[Owlpost23]

It's been a few weeks since we got back from our trip... jetlag really hit us hard this year (only just beginning to feel human again!)

Lows

• Virgin's online check in not working (the day before) as it couldn't locate my ESTA! Caused so much stress, without the need as it wasn't a problem at all...
• I would think again before flying indirect (at least with the short flight last). Travel day was a nightmare... Checked in at Manchester (because of ESTA thing) at 6:30am; flight to ATL was ok, but then flight from ATL to MCO was delayed on tarmac with no gate for hours!!! Following long immigration queues, picked up car in the dark (did not like that at all!) Flight on way back was not that much better - long delay leaving Atlanta (Airport closed twice as we were trying to board, due to rain). Plus, very loud family in cabin (very loud!!). Two of them sat behind us and kept getting up and yanking on my seat; they kept me awake all night long. Saving for PE next time!!
• Word of caution - don't check in late at the Hard Rock on the last Thursday on the month... they had a huge concert in the foyer (it sounded great, just not right then!) The check in agent literally communicated with pen and paper.
• Worst meals - Yachtsman Steakhouse (oh my goodness; it was bad!!) and NBA (seedy server - we did a runner after attempting main courses and throwing some money at him !!) However, worst meal ever was at Chef de France - such an oppressive place; I hated it.
• Not being able to buy a "Tomorrowland" pin (and it was the only thing I really wanted!)
• Being overweight on the way home - had to pay $66 excess luggage
• Having to take the car back half way through as lights appeared on the dashboard and the dashboard fogged up (on the inside) - Alamo were brilliant, no fuss at all.

Highs

• Kennedy Space Centre - up close tour - WAS AMAZING!!
• An amazing cast member at Universal - we did this big shop (and we were umming and arring over a Doctor Who t-shirt - I know more Dr. Who merchandise in the US than in the UK!!) Anyway - spent more than a few dollars and we noticed that during the transaction, a stranger handed a card over which was scanned and then she walked out... when we got the receipt it had a cast member discount on it - 33% off.... said stranger was waiting at the door and said "I love Dr. Who too" and then walked off..... how nice is that!!! We were gobsmacked and it totally made our holiday.
• New rides (for us!) Gringotts, The Mummy and Seven Dwarfs - all brilliant (loved them).
• WWOHP - is amazing.... Ice Cream to die for - seriously I would re-mortgage the house for more of that ice cream (not really, but it is good!!)
• Best meals - California Grill (the most amazing meal of our lives; completely perfect!!) and dinner at Be Our Guest (another perfect meal)! Our servers at both were terrific. Honorary mention to Cowfish (I thought it was nice but DW loved it completely).
• Discovering the Lapu Lapu and Captain's Maitai
• All of our rooms were lovely - stayed at the Radisson (family room - very nice little suite), Hard Rock family room - although was a long walk from the lobby and a nice room at The Contemporary... all lovely
• 'Human' Minions at Universal were soooo funny
• Starbucks on Main Street - one day it rained and rained and rained (oh you have never seen the likes) and it got cold - best cup of coffee ever (drank in our ponchos on the Tomorrowland Terrace)
• Fantasmic (used the dinner package a Mama Melrose which was really nice); we sat right at the front on the littler benches - completely amazing - completely brilliant - we didn't mind the spray either...
• The colour show on Cinderella Castle before the fireworks was truly breathtaking - loved it.

Neither high or low, but there are a number of things we won't do again next time: CP Breakfast, Chef Mickeys might not make it either, probably won't do Blue Men either .... not because they were bad, just that we've done them perhaps a little too much now. Dessert Party - seriously not worth it any more (and terrible cast members talking bad about customers behind their screen - made me very uncomfortable!) We've stayed at the CR a few times too, so thinking Poly or WL next time...

The weather was odd....first week was like British summer weather (I actually preferred it!!!), second week - normal really hot with odd shower, last week - rained from mid afternoon for most of the day!!

I'm sure there will be lots more but that's it for now!

We've worked out that our next trip will likely be in three years (never too early to start planning right!?)

 

[Owlpost23]

Sounds like a wonderful time! How thoughtful of the TM at UNI to give you that great discount!

 

[Elise79]

Glad you had a great time

It just goes to show how the restaurants vary though - YS was our best meal (again) and we had an amazing night there. Last year at CG was the worst server I've ever encountered and serious just ok food so we won't be going back!

As for the rain - I can believe it as we've been there got that t-shirt Best thing is to just get out when it approaches especially when you are getting prolonged storms.

Never too early to start planning but staying other places after the CR you will miss being able to walk to MK

 

[micksn]

Sounds like you had a great time, despite your transport problems. The weather does sound as if it's been odd this year The WL might be nice when they have finished the refurb

 

[LiquidSunshine]

Sounds like a wonderful trip - glad you had a great time. KSC was a highlight for us, amazing!

An amazing cast member at Universal - we did this big shop (and we were umming and arring over a Doctor Who t-shirt - I know more Dr. Who merchandise in the US than in the UK!!) Anyway - spent more than a few dollars and we noticed that during the transaction, a stranger handed a card over which was scanned and then she walked out... when we got the receipt it had a cast member discount on it - 33% off.... said stranger was waiting at the door and said "I love Dr. Who too" and then walked off..... how nice is that!!! We were gobsmacked and it totally made our holiday.

Big thumbs up for the cast member!

 

[1andrea]

You might have been there the same tim as us. I still haven't done my high and lows as the biggest low is being back!!

 

[Kath2003]

Glad that overall you had a lovely trip.

It's a shame that both your domestic flights were delayed - we tend to have more problems with delays on international flights (sat on the tarmac in the UK for over 3 hours during our last trip...).

 

[Mummycat]

Sounds like a fab trip glad you had a good time

 

[jothp]

It sounds like a great trip. I'm really surprised by how well we've readjusted to the UK time since we only got back on Monday morning. I think the jetlag affected me more on the outbound trip. I was waking up at 4am for about 5 days. We had a great meal at BOG and at YS too.