Just back

[amf]

Back yesterday after 3 weeks in Orlando...brief comments;-

HIGH POINTS

bmi flights Manchester to Washington and return sectors in New Economy - 38 inch seat pitch and wonderful staff

Orange Lake Country Club - wonderful accommodation and facilities

Airline Network with whom we arranged Dollar Car Hire. £572 for 3 weeks hire of a 7 seat mini van, no excess, all taxes etc., additional drivers and free tank of gas. Dollar didn't even need a CC imprint in view of nil excess.

Sizzler nearest to Orange Lake on 192.....food surprisingly good and decent buffet.

Golden Coral near Crossroads at LBV for breakfast....nice food. OK for dinner, more choices in buffet than Sizzler had but Sizzler dinner better quality.

Animal Kingdom - wasn't particularly looking forward to first visit to this park. Chose a quiet day and we all enjoyed it.

Fortnight before Columbus Day holiday weekend - lines non existant....straight on EVERYTHING

Kennedy Space Center - hadn't been in 10 years. Well impressed and definately a full day outing.

Beer - someone recommended Amber Bock....very potable, thanks British Beer no longer watered with one exception (see below).

Factory Outlets at Lake Buena Vista (correct name?) near junction of 535/536, heading towards 192. Superb range of stores. Old Navy and Character Warehouse (pick up Disney Toys at a fraction of the price) favourites.

"Scotch Corner" bar on 192.....genial hostess (from Cambuslang, nr Glasgow) full of good info re phone cards etc.

Universal/IOA parks.....APs are a steal compared to WDW. Fantastic parks


NOT SO GOOD

Columbus Day weekend crowds...large.

Watered Bass at Rose and Crown.....dearest for UK beer yet only pub which continues to water down UK beer

United's Red Carpet Club Executive Lounges (both Orlando and Washington)....range of freebies next to nil, dreary, not sufficiently large to accommodate all users. Just as well I was travelling dry (driving). bmi Lounges at Glasgow and Manchester had all the usual freebies (from hard liquor downwards and decent snacks)

As the good points far outweigh the bad we are looking forward to going back next July for another 3 weeks

Alex

 

[Enright78]

Re your Airline Network car hire...why did they not require an imprint? We have bought the Platinum package for this Oct, is this what you meant by no excess. Would be really useful to know this?
TIA

 

[amf]

Hi.....yes, we upgraded to platinum but as far as I remember that means you get a free tank of gas and coverage for additional drivers. In other words it does not affect the insurance excess because there is none.....this is the first time I've ever come across a nil insurance excess in the USA

If I'm correct then no imprint required (because there is nothing more to pay) whether you have Platinum or not.

Have a great one

Alex

 

[WDWfan uk]

Welcome home Alex !

Sounds like there weren't many low points and you had a fantastic trip !

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

Welcome home,sounds like you had a great time,and i agree there wasnt that many LOW points,so it must of been great

 

[amf]

Thanks for the welcomes.

The important points about the low points was that they were all managable; i.e;-

Large Columbus Day weekend crowds - dealt with this by taking things easy on the Saturday, early arrival/departure MGM (APs are great for just nicking in and out of parks....no need to spend all day at the park to feel you've maximised your spend) on the Sunday, early arrival at US on the Holiday Monday - park not too busy.

Watered beer at Rose and Crown - handled this by drinking elsewhere.

Poor RCC Lounges - I was really giving a heads up to those with RCC access....I noticed a few members travelling over with bmi, United's Star Alliance partner. Despite the poor comparison to the bmi Exec Lounges, they were still preferable to the Departure Lounges, particularly as the Orlando RCC Lounge had a kids room, which our kids liked.

Roll on 3 July 2004

Alex