arieliwish
I've got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty,
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2005
- Messages
- 1,108
Hi all,
We're back, arrived at Manchester (cold and drizzly!) at 5.30am this morning.
Hopefully I'll do a trip report in the next week or two, but here are a few comments:
Night before stayed at crowne plaza with parking - adequate, no complaints, good shuttle service.
First Choice star class - excellent. Staff were great, plane was very comfy and clean, food was good, kids food and gifts were very good. Entertainment was excellent. Both flights on time.
Dollar cars - got upgrade from intermediate to 7 seater Grand Caravan for $14.99 a day, the price of a full size. Don't know if I got ripped off or not, but we loved it!! They also accepted my Natwest annual insurance without any question, just swiping my credit card for the $1500 fee should any accidents occur.
Caribbean Beach Resort - what can I say?! First time on site and it was far better than we hoped. Lovely relaxing atmosphere, great pools, beaches, staff very helpful and maid had sense of humour with kids toys and teddies - found them in various places around our room, even on the toilet and in the bath!
Location was great for getting around the world, and package pick up at hotel was invaluable.
Paid for the dining plan, which was a bit more than we would have spent on food eating in places like sizzlers, golden corral, etc., but it allowed us to eat in some very nice disney restaurants. Best meal was Boma, very good. Had several character breakfasts and dinners. Overall, well worth it, definitely got our money's worth, but far too much food for any normal family to eat!! And our kids eat like sparrows!
Petrol - was a shocking $2.95 a gallon when we got there! (Feel the sarcasm, look at our prices!). This dropped to $2.48 over a few days, but of course when I went to fill up it was up to $2.59! 17.5 gallons = $46. Not sure what we would pay over here for the equivalent, but I'm guessing it would be quite a bit more! And yes, the Hess stations around Disney were the cheapest we saw.
Parks - felt busier than sept last year, but all rides were virtual walk-ons, even soarin' was at most a 10 min wait. (4 times, really good).
Did all the big rides this time, what a difference a year makes for kids 9 and 6 last year to 10 and 7 this time - they NEED the big rides! I was very scared of Mission Space, but it was fine, I needn't have worried. Tower of Terror was my other worry, and boy was it justified! Rode it for the first, and very last!, time. Don't do dropping things, I'm afraid! The Hulk was great, very smooth, and Rock n Roller Coaster was FAST - never been that fast that quick in my life, did it twice though - I can handle coasters!
One other thing - I read on these boards about pre purchasing a phone card online and printing it out. Can't remember the exact site, but I bought a Bizon one for $19. You dialled a 1-888 number, entered your pin at the prompt, then dialled the UK number prefixing with 01144. On first use it told me how much credit I had and that I could talk for 14 hours!!! DH almost passed out when I told him - he thought I could use that up easily! LOL. No, I didn't talk for that long, but it seemed as though each time I used it, it cost a dollar, regardless of whether it was a 10 second answer machine message (some people are never in when you want them to be!) or a 10 minute call. The credit card bill was waiting for me at home, and the exchange rate meant the card cost me £10.65 - well worth it for the convenience of not having to go looking for a card, and for the number of calls I made.
All in all, a fantastic holiday. We still believe in the magic, maybe even more. DD (10) is set on applying for the WDW international program when she's 18 - she asked a CM in the UK, Epcot about it, and it sounds like a once in a lifetime opportunity. Of course that means I would have to visit her every 2 - 3 months.........!!
Sorry its so long, will post a proper trippie soon,
Lynn
We're back, arrived at Manchester (cold and drizzly!) at 5.30am this morning.
Hopefully I'll do a trip report in the next week or two, but here are a few comments:
Night before stayed at crowne plaza with parking - adequate, no complaints, good shuttle service.
First Choice star class - excellent. Staff were great, plane was very comfy and clean, food was good, kids food and gifts were very good. Entertainment was excellent. Both flights on time.
Dollar cars - got upgrade from intermediate to 7 seater Grand Caravan for $14.99 a day, the price of a full size. Don't know if I got ripped off or not, but we loved it!! They also accepted my Natwest annual insurance without any question, just swiping my credit card for the $1500 fee should any accidents occur.
Caribbean Beach Resort - what can I say?! First time on site and it was far better than we hoped. Lovely relaxing atmosphere, great pools, beaches, staff very helpful and maid had sense of humour with kids toys and teddies - found them in various places around our room, even on the toilet and in the bath!
Location was great for getting around the world, and package pick up at hotel was invaluable.
Paid for the dining plan, which was a bit more than we would have spent on food eating in places like sizzlers, golden corral, etc., but it allowed us to eat in some very nice disney restaurants. Best meal was Boma, very good. Had several character breakfasts and dinners. Overall, well worth it, definitely got our money's worth, but far too much food for any normal family to eat!! And our kids eat like sparrows!
Petrol - was a shocking $2.95 a gallon when we got there! (Feel the sarcasm, look at our prices!). This dropped to $2.48 over a few days, but of course when I went to fill up it was up to $2.59! 17.5 gallons = $46. Not sure what we would pay over here for the equivalent, but I'm guessing it would be quite a bit more! And yes, the Hess stations around Disney were the cheapest we saw.
Parks - felt busier than sept last year, but all rides were virtual walk-ons, even soarin' was at most a 10 min wait. (4 times, really good).
Did all the big rides this time, what a difference a year makes for kids 9 and 6 last year to 10 and 7 this time - they NEED the big rides! I was very scared of Mission Space, but it was fine, I needn't have worried. Tower of Terror was my other worry, and boy was it justified! Rode it for the first, and very last!, time. Don't do dropping things, I'm afraid! The Hulk was great, very smooth, and Rock n Roller Coaster was FAST - never been that fast that quick in my life, did it twice though - I can handle coasters!
One other thing - I read on these boards about pre purchasing a phone card online and printing it out. Can't remember the exact site, but I bought a Bizon one for $19. You dialled a 1-888 number, entered your pin at the prompt, then dialled the UK number prefixing with 01144. On first use it told me how much credit I had and that I could talk for 14 hours!!! DH almost passed out when I told him - he thought I could use that up easily! LOL. No, I didn't talk for that long, but it seemed as though each time I used it, it cost a dollar, regardless of whether it was a 10 second answer machine message (some people are never in when you want them to be!) or a 10 minute call. The credit card bill was waiting for me at home, and the exchange rate meant the card cost me £10.65 - well worth it for the convenience of not having to go looking for a card, and for the number of calls I made.
All in all, a fantastic holiday. We still believe in the magic, maybe even more. DD (10) is set on applying for the WDW international program when she's 18 - she asked a CM in the UK, Epcot about it, and it sounds like a once in a lifetime opportunity. Of course that means I would have to visit her every 2 - 3 months.........!!
Sorry its so long, will post a proper trippie soon,
Lynn
Welcome home Lynn, I can't believe you're back already, I'm pleased you had a fab time and I can't wait to hear all about it
