Just arrived back today (Tuesday 29th August) and would like to report some information back for anyone going in the near future.
Flights
Virgin Atlantic from Manchester great going although instead of the usual boarding via sky bridge we were all moved far too early into a subterranean cave with no toilets to be bussed out to the tarmac we waited for ages as there were a couple of other planeloads already down there. On the way back the entertainment system wasnt working we were offered compensation in the form of 10% off your next full price Virgin Flight not good enough especially when people book Virgin for the entertainment, films and games.
The alleged terrorist arrests took place while we were away but apart from having to remove your shoes to go through the security checkpoint at Orlando International on the way back there were no real delays. The only restriction coming back from the States is no liquids or Gels in your carry on baggage you can take cameras etc.
Rides/Parks
Mission Space Awesome as usual with a less intense experience available if you dont fancy the G-Forces/Weightlessness..
Everest Superb themeing and dont worry if your not really into big rollercoasters this is well done and doesnt feel that high and you dont get the feeling of exposure you get on some coasters.
Spiderman Never fails to impress.
Soarin Outstanding rode it a few times virtually everyone broke into applause when it finished every time. Again dont worry if your not good with heights its not that scary. Tip get in the middle of the 3 lines (line 2) if you can best experience of the 3 positions.
Stunt Car show at MGM is new and is superb get there 15 30 minutes early for a good view as some of the seats further back have restricted view due to stanchions.
Universal/Islands of Adventure both parks have decided to charge you an extra $30 (per person per day) for the privilege of getting an Express Pass needless to say we didnt take them up on this and both were relatively quiet (people voting with their feet?) However if you arrive early you can have all the big rides done by Midday.
Kennedy Space Center superb we got to see the Shuttle on the launch pad but missed the launch as it was delayed due to a lightning strike. Probably the highlight of the trip was meeting Astronaut Rick Searfoss after he did his Encounter with an Astronaut talk. He commanded 1 Shuttle Mission and piloted another 2 and was based in East Anglia when he was a Colonel in the US Airforce. We stayed behind after the talk and had a really good chat with him and got our Photos taken with him what a great down to Earth Guy!
Dining we really went to town on this trip and had some great food Ive itemised roughly what we spent for a party of 12 including drinks (quite a few drinks!) you can do these Restaurants a lot cheaper but there were a couple of special occasions amongst these visits:
Café TuTu Tango (International Drive) fabulously tasty Tapas type food at between 7 11 dollars a plate order 2 or 3 each and share great atmosphere. I personally recommend the Mango Duck Quesadilla, Cuban Grilled Steak Skewers with Lime Steak Sauce, Grilled Baby Lamb Chops, and Mandarin Pork Pot Stickers fantastic. ($420 including 18% tip automatically added).
Bahama Breeze (International Drive) excellent again never fails to please recommended was the Shrimp and Lobster Linguine, West Indies Patties and the Coconut Shrimp. ($380 - including 18% tip automatically added.)
Salt Island Chop House (International Drive) Superbly presented steak and seafood these people really know their subject we had a bewildering rundown of all the dishes and wines before we ordered. Some of our party had the Fillet Mignon cooked on an open fire they said it was the best they had ever tasted literally melted in your mouth. I can also recommend the Salt Island Seafood Sampler. Youll need a doggie bag at his place we only had mains no starters and we all had to take some home it was that good and lots of it. ($530 - including 18% tip automatically added.)
Orlando Ale House (Florida Mall) Great Beer and food 35 Shrimp Alfredo was excellent our 9 year old daughter had the Chicken Nachos the waiter was superb he fought in Baghdad with the US Army and was really chatty and interested in our view on world affairs he warned us that the Nachos would be a bit much for my daughter, but we said we would share it was a good job! That dish would feed 4 people over a few beers it was huge and it was only 8 dollars!
Chilis (US192) cheap and cheerful great TexMex food try the South Western Egg Rolls or their wings. ($120 tip extra).
Taco Bell Outrageously cheap Mexican fast food thats a lot healthier than McDonalds if you want something quick we fed 2 adults and 6 kids for $15! Excellent were the Steak Chalupa with Nacho Cheese and the Chicken Crunchwrap Supreme Mmmmmmm!
The Coral Sea at Epcot very nice but considering its a seafood restaurant the menu was a bit restricted (Lunch) the Entrees had only 3 seafood dishes no Lobster, Crab, Shellfish etc.
Tuscan Grill at Mall at Millenia excellent sandwiches and a great starter if your not overly hungry is their Bruschetta.
Gripes:
Why do some restaurants add 18% automatically as a tip Id rather have the satisfaction of giving the tip to the waiter/waitress (if 18% was automatically added we didnt leave any extra).
The bar in the departure lounge for Virgin at Orlando International is now an Outback Steak House you can drink at the bar but if youve kids with you you have to sit down this caused a bit of a stir as we only wanted drinks. We bought some appetisers anyway so it all worked out well in the end the previous bar was better as you could have a drink and then buy food from any of the food outlets and eat them at you table.
A great trip all round if Ive missed anything then Ill add to this thread over the next few days too tired to type any more as Im jet lagged and looking forward to a long sleep in my own bed!
And again a Big Thank You to all the Americans we met over there I dont think we met a single rude one they were all polite, happy and genuinely interested in our trip and where we were from (as we were about their families and lives). What a great bunch of people special thanks also to those not already mentioned:
The Baloon Guy at Giordinos Italian (kept the kids entertained for ages). He made a Mongoose riding a Motorbike, eating a Snake, who was eating a Rabbit who was eating a piece of Lettuce!!!
The Pilot who took my Father in Law up in a WW2 fighter to do acrobatics at Warbird Adventures.
The guy on the gate at Lake Berkley Resort who always had a smile for us.
Enjoy your trip everyone!!!!!
Flights
Virgin Atlantic from Manchester great going although instead of the usual boarding via sky bridge we were all moved far too early into a subterranean cave with no toilets to be bussed out to the tarmac we waited for ages as there were a couple of other planeloads already down there. On the way back the entertainment system wasnt working we were offered compensation in the form of 10% off your next full price Virgin Flight not good enough especially when people book Virgin for the entertainment, films and games.
The alleged terrorist arrests took place while we were away but apart from having to remove your shoes to go through the security checkpoint at Orlando International on the way back there were no real delays. The only restriction coming back from the States is no liquids or Gels in your carry on baggage you can take cameras etc.
Rides/Parks
Mission Space Awesome as usual with a less intense experience available if you dont fancy the G-Forces/Weightlessness..
Everest Superb themeing and dont worry if your not really into big rollercoasters this is well done and doesnt feel that high and you dont get the feeling of exposure you get on some coasters.
Spiderman Never fails to impress.
Soarin Outstanding rode it a few times virtually everyone broke into applause when it finished every time. Again dont worry if your not good with heights its not that scary. Tip get in the middle of the 3 lines (line 2) if you can best experience of the 3 positions.
Stunt Car show at MGM is new and is superb get there 15 30 minutes early for a good view as some of the seats further back have restricted view due to stanchions.
Universal/Islands of Adventure both parks have decided to charge you an extra $30 (per person per day) for the privilege of getting an Express Pass needless to say we didnt take them up on this and both were relatively quiet (people voting with their feet?) However if you arrive early you can have all the big rides done by Midday.
Kennedy Space Center superb we got to see the Shuttle on the launch pad but missed the launch as it was delayed due to a lightning strike. Probably the highlight of the trip was meeting Astronaut Rick Searfoss after he did his Encounter with an Astronaut talk. He commanded 1 Shuttle Mission and piloted another 2 and was based in East Anglia when he was a Colonel in the US Airforce. We stayed behind after the talk and had a really good chat with him and got our Photos taken with him what a great down to Earth Guy!
Dining we really went to town on this trip and had some great food Ive itemised roughly what we spent for a party of 12 including drinks (quite a few drinks!) you can do these Restaurants a lot cheaper but there were a couple of special occasions amongst these visits:
Café TuTu Tango (International Drive) fabulously tasty Tapas type food at between 7 11 dollars a plate order 2 or 3 each and share great atmosphere. I personally recommend the Mango Duck Quesadilla, Cuban Grilled Steak Skewers with Lime Steak Sauce, Grilled Baby Lamb Chops, and Mandarin Pork Pot Stickers fantastic. ($420 including 18% tip automatically added).
Bahama Breeze (International Drive) excellent again never fails to please recommended was the Shrimp and Lobster Linguine, West Indies Patties and the Coconut Shrimp. ($380 - including 18% tip automatically added.)
Salt Island Chop House (International Drive) Superbly presented steak and seafood these people really know their subject we had a bewildering rundown of all the dishes and wines before we ordered. Some of our party had the Fillet Mignon cooked on an open fire they said it was the best they had ever tasted literally melted in your mouth. I can also recommend the Salt Island Seafood Sampler. Youll need a doggie bag at his place we only had mains no starters and we all had to take some home it was that good and lots of it. ($530 - including 18% tip automatically added.)
Orlando Ale House (Florida Mall) Great Beer and food 35 Shrimp Alfredo was excellent our 9 year old daughter had the Chicken Nachos the waiter was superb he fought in Baghdad with the US Army and was really chatty and interested in our view on world affairs he warned us that the Nachos would be a bit much for my daughter, but we said we would share it was a good job! That dish would feed 4 people over a few beers it was huge and it was only 8 dollars!
Chilis (US192) cheap and cheerful great TexMex food try the South Western Egg Rolls or their wings. ($120 tip extra).
Taco Bell Outrageously cheap Mexican fast food thats a lot healthier than McDonalds if you want something quick we fed 2 adults and 6 kids for $15! Excellent were the Steak Chalupa with Nacho Cheese and the Chicken Crunchwrap Supreme Mmmmmmm!
The Coral Sea at Epcot very nice but considering its a seafood restaurant the menu was a bit restricted (Lunch) the Entrees had only 3 seafood dishes no Lobster, Crab, Shellfish etc.
Tuscan Grill at Mall at Millenia excellent sandwiches and a great starter if your not overly hungry is their Bruschetta.
Gripes:
Why do some restaurants add 18% automatically as a tip Id rather have the satisfaction of giving the tip to the waiter/waitress (if 18% was automatically added we didnt leave any extra).
The bar in the departure lounge for Virgin at Orlando International is now an Outback Steak House you can drink at the bar but if youve kids with you you have to sit down this caused a bit of a stir as we only wanted drinks. We bought some appetisers anyway so it all worked out well in the end the previous bar was better as you could have a drink and then buy food from any of the food outlets and eat them at you table.
A great trip all round if Ive missed anything then Ill add to this thread over the next few days too tired to type any more as Im jet lagged and looking forward to a long sleep in my own bed!
And again a Big Thank You to all the Americans we met over there I dont think we met a single rude one they were all polite, happy and genuinely interested in our trip and where we were from (as we were about their families and lives). What a great bunch of people special thanks also to those not already mentioned:
The Baloon Guy at Giordinos Italian (kept the kids entertained for ages). He made a Mongoose riding a Motorbike, eating a Snake, who was eating a Rabbit who was eating a piece of Lettuce!!!
The Pilot who took my Father in Law up in a WW2 fighter to do acrobatics at Warbird Adventures.
The guy on the gate at Lake Berkley Resort who always had a smile for us.
Enjoy your trip everyone!!!!!
Great restaurant reviews, thanks very much 
Did you book or just turn up?
