Just back - highs and lows

[stkf]

Just back from a Xmas/New Year trip to Orlando - this time last week I was in Epcot, very depressing!

Highs

- Virgin Economy: good service, choice of movies, great with kids, good flights there and back

- Rosen Inn Plaza i Drive: never stayed here before but would definitely go back, good location on what I think is the better side of I Drive

- kids being early risers: for once I wasn't complaining as we hit all the parks first thing in the morning before the crows were crazy

- All parks were good but I thought Sea World was great this year for XMas

- Cicis pizza: cheap, cheerful and quick, ideal holiday food

- weather: majority of the time absolutely fantastic

- Hollister sale items: bargains galore

Lows

- massive line at immigration in Orlando meant it took the best part of two hours to get through

- one really cold day: I have lived in the Scottish Highlands but this one day was cold!!! Still it was sunny

- jet lag!

 

[dixonsontour]

Thanks for doing this - love peoples high and lows

Sounds like a great time.

We've stayed there in the past and thought it was a great hotel for the price and a good location.

When are you planning on heading back?

 

[wayneg]

Welcome home.
I prefer flying indirect to avoid MCO immigration but next trip is with VA, thankfully at back of PE so hope we get thru quickly.

 

[Cyrano]

Welcome home

Enjoyed indirect last year and with Wayne about not looking forward to the single line for immigration at MCO this year

 

[Tony Toon]

Welcome home! So jealous of your Christmas trip - been there once before at Christmas and would love to do it again. I really enjoy reading 'highs and lows' when people get back so thanks for taking the time to post. Very pleased we are going indirect this summer and will have cleared immigration before we get to Orlando.

Mrs TT

 

[stkf]

We will go back at summer. Haven't booked flights yet but in a quandry as to what is best when flying with young kids. Going direct is great as it is quicker but MCO is not the best to fly into. There are few options from Glasgow for going direct as well.

Xmas is a fantastic time to go to Orlando, would defo recommend it. However, only if you have been before as there is no way of doing everything in the parks due to huge crowds.

 

[RDP]

The single immigration line at MCO seemed to move quite quickly when we we travelled last October. The main delays we experience at MCO are with baggage, it's seems to take an age to get the luggage to take through customs, then god help you if you put your case on the conveyor to transport it to the main terminal where you have to wait an age for it to show up! We have no choice with two young children and 4 full size suit cases, waiting by the carousel on the car hire level is usually the longest wait we have in trying to get out of MCO. My top tips for a quick getaway are
1. Don't put your cases on the conveyor after customs, hang onto them if you can.
2. If your car hire company allows - check in online , so you can go straight through to the garage without having to mess around with the desk.

Anybody got anymore tips?

 

[janiebubble]

have to say we were on the very back row of economy in Easter week last year so was dreading the one queue immigration but we were through before our bags were out so I don't suppose it matters at which point you're waiting

I'd always encourage people to take their bags up the escalator - found out about the interminable wait the hard way the first time we did it - never again!

Out of habit I always head to Terminal B for car hire - even though all the Virgin signs are pointing to Terminal A. The last two years there has been little or no line when I've been collecting my car (previously the line was always long)

 

[stkf]

The care hire wait always amazes me as some people seem to spend ages getting their car sorted whereas I always find it is a case of sign here and here, can we interest you in an upgrade(no) and then I am away in minutes.

Have to say one of my favourite times on holiday is walking over to the garage to pick up the car when you feel the heat for the first time and know you have a good time ahead of you.

 

[wayneg]

The care hire wait always amazes me as some people seem to spend ages getting their car sorted whereas I always find it is a case of sign here and here, can we interest you in an upgrade(no) and then I am away in minutes.

I am like yourself, usually sign and on my way but there are many reasons for holding up a rental. Its amazing how many people book smaller cars then try upgrade, takes time. If a rental agents spots a newbie or a hesitant renter they will spend time selling upgrades, uneeded add ons etc. Another is people turning up without prebooking. Even I can turn up, as I did in Oct, and have problems, the computer would not accept my license.
A short line can easily turn into hours if you get slow rentals.