Just back...Highs & Lows

[Elise79]

We got back yesterday morning from a 10 night trip split between WDW & NYC. We flew out to JFK on the late evening flight and spent the night at an airport hotel before flying down early the following morning to MCO. Then spent 5 nights at OKW before flying back to Newark to spend time with relatives. The transatlantic flight were on VA with the internal flight down on AA and back on JetBlue. VA flights and JetBlue were great. AA was adequate but in comparison wasn't in the same league - plane was old and tired (even compared to the pre-refit 747 on VA) but it got us there and it's only a 2.5hr flight. It probably didn't help that we flew in on a A330 with VA. Immigration at JFK was far quicker than MCO too.

Highs:

• OKW - love this resort. Room was ready at 12 noon and they meet all 3 of my requests and we couldn't have been happier with it.
• Yachtsman Steakhouse - booked an ADR for DHs birthday and had another amazing meal. We requested our favourite server and he really looked after us. DH got a special menu and a plate of petit fours for his birthday and DD got a cake pop and candle for hers (server did this off his own back by asking when her birthday was even though it's not until June). All I got was the bill!
• Being walked down the street by a green army man - love this as you only get it in Disney
• Weather - was perfect. Got to swim twice while we where there (I don't swim unless it is HOT)
• Lifeguards at the main pool at OKW - spent ages playing with DD
• Cubs Den at WL - dropped DD off there for a couple of hours one evening and one of the CMs remembered her from before!

Lows:

• Car from Dollar was in the worst condition we have ever had and it was the best out of the two we could pick! On the upside Dollar Express worked as it should and we bypassed the queue at the main desk with no issues.
• Coming home!

When we went back up to NYC we spent a day in the city, a day shopping and a day chilling out. I am happy to post more about NYC if anyone is interested

 

[Magic Megadegs]

Sounds fabulous! Yes please on the NYC front.

Also (only asking because we are thinking of a similar trip in a couple of years) if you were to DK it again would you do it that way around again ie Orlando followed by NYC or vice versa?

Thank you and so pleased you had such a good trip!

 

[twissie]

Sounds like a brilliant trip. Id also like to hear more about NYC as I'm doing an NYC and Orlando trip this summer. So relieved to hear you like JetBlue as we are booked with them.

 

[wayneg]

So relieved to hear you like JetBlue as we are booked with them.

You should have no problem with JetBlue, we used them for 3 flights last year and will be using them for one this year, great value airline.

Welcome home Tracy, shame about Dollar but the last couple of times we have used them have not been great on the car condition, I do like their Express system but condition of their cars is what is putting me off booking with them this year.
Best rates I saw for this year were with Holiday Autos in their sale but everyone was getting Dollar cars, held off for something better but nothing yet, HA have another sale starting Friday with upto 25% off, might have to bite the bullet.

 

[Pootle]

Glad to hear you had another good trip Tracy. Pleased that OKW continues to live up to your expectations as it does for us In January we did a few days at the BC, which was nice enough, but won't bother again .... good job it takes all sorts

Interesting observations about Jet Blue, particularly as I'm likely to be organising internal flights next year.

 

[CupcakeLisa]

Sounds like a brilliant trip. Id also like to hear more about NYC as I'm doing an NYC and Orlando trip this summer. So relieved to hear you like JetBlue as we are booked with them.

We have always had great flights with Jet Blue, never heard any bad reports about them

 

[Ciorsdah]

Glad you had a great trip.

I am doing a similar one later this year, 5 nights in NYC, then flying down to Orlando for 10 nights (on Jet Blue) and back up to NYC for my return flight home.

Really relieved to hear that so many people have positive Jet Blue experiences.

 

[bee86]

Sounds like you had a fab trip!!!

Delighted to hear all the good things about OKW as my parents are saying there in June
Never been to NYC its on my to do list

 

[Elise79]

As we were staying with family we were a 40 minute train ride outside Manhattan. We spent one day in the city itself to do the tourist sights and then we spent the rest of time more locally in NJ.

In the city we went up the Empire State Building - we struck lucky as it was a really clear day. DH & I visited the 9/11 memorial, Grand Central station, Times Square, Broadway and walked a lot of the other areas! DD went to the American Girl doll store with our family which she loved.

We had wanted to go up the Statue of Liberty however it was fully booked (6 weeks before) to go to the crown so we are going to do that next year.

Sounds fabulous! Yes please on the NYC front.

Also (only asking because we are thinking of a similar trip in a couple of years) if you were to DK it again would you do it that way around again ie Orlando followed by NYC or vice versa?

Thank you and so pleased you had such a good trip!

We are doing NY again next summer as we have a wedding to go to but this time we are doing NY first. I don't think I have a preference as such.

Glad to hear you had another good trip Tracy. Pleased that OKW continues to live up to your expectations as it does for us In January we did a few days at the BC, which was nice enough, but won't bother again .... good job it takes all sorts

Interesting observations about Jet Blue, particularly as I'm likely to be organising internal flights next year.

We didn't care for BCV either and hated SAB

JetBlue were excellent - plenty of legroom, free inflight wifi, one checked bag included, drink and snack service in flight - they are now going to be our internal airline of choice.

 

[scoobydooby]

What is SAB?

 

[Pootle]

What is SAB?

Stormalong Bay - It's the Yacht and Beach's huge pool complex which a lot of people go mad for!

 

[scoobydooby]

Oh I see. Yes we go mad for that just never seen that abbreviation before! Best pool on property in my kid's opinion. They love that pool and resort!

 

[wayneg]

Stormalong Bay - It's the Yacht and Beach's huge pool complex which a lot of people go mad for!

Not our type of pool either, The quiet pools at OKW are perfect.

 

[pickers1982]

Oh I see. Yes we go mad for that just never seen that abbreviation before! Best pool on property in my kid's opinion. They love that pool and resort!

Loved Sab as did the little one

 

[PJB71]

Glad to hear you had a fantastic time

 

[scoobydooby]

SAB certainly is fun for children of all ages. My son loves the group ball games that gangs of 'lads and dads' play for ages every day. It's a really sociable pool for active friendly kids. We are going as a whole family again in summer 2015 and I suggested two rooms at a moderate as I feel we need to the space now or even a two bed condo off site (gasps!), but both my kids say they'd prefer to squeeze in at BC and even share a bed (double gasps) for the sake of that pool!

 

[MrRomance]

Glad you had a good trip... out of curiosity, your favourite server at Yachtsman, is it Ricardo? We love that guy, he's awesome!

 

[DLPDreams]

Sounds a great trip! Liking the comments about OKW .

Love NY - it just has such a buzz about it .

Are you very jetlagged - wonder if it's easier with a shorter trip? Although to be fair, last time I went to NY it was a short trip and I really suffered for days afterwards, but I think that was possibly down to lack of sleep and running round like a loon for 4 days while there!

 

[Elise79]

Glad you had a good trip... out of curiosity, your favourite server at Yachtsman, is it Ricardo? We love that guy, he's awesome!

Darrell - he has been serving us for the last couple of years and as we eat there every few months he remembers us

Sounds a great trip! Liking the comments about OKW .

Love NY - it just has such a buzz about it .

Are you very jetlagged - wonder if it's easier with a shorter trip? Although to be fair, last time I went to NY it was a short trip and I really suffered for days afterwards, but I think that was possibly down to lack of sleep and running round like a loon for 4 days while there!

No jet lag really - doesn't make any difference how long we are there really. Bit tired tonight but been at work all day.

 

[pickers1982]

Whats the signature dish at the yachtsman. Always do le cellier for steak even when we stay at the beach club, maybe we should reconsider