kevin_cambs_uk
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2003
- Messages
- 305
Kev and Family go to see Mickey (Left 29th August (Flew 30th), Home 13th Sept)
Arrival Day
We consist of me (DH), Wife, (DH), daughter (DD), and daughter’s boyfriend (DBF).
We decided to go again, after a spell of 4 years absent, as it was DD’s last year at A Level’s and would probably be off to University. As it turns out she got at a place at Cambridge University, so to be able to go to Florida for 2 weeks after all her hard work was really a spectacular finish.
This was my 7th trip since 1999, wife’s 4th, daughters 4th, and boyfriends 1st.
The cost for the over all holiday was paid for by me and the wife, I asked DD and DBF was to pay the £300.00 for their tickets, and I would do the rest, a good deal I thought!
The costs were as follows;
4 Virgin Atlantic Flights = 2135
2 POP Century Rooms = 1176
1 Car Hire = 292
4 Dis Tickets (14 day Ult) = 700
4 Sea World (7 day SW/AQ) = 180
4 Universal/IOA 3 day free = 276
2 Gatwick Hotel Rooms = 320
4 Kennedy SC Tickets = 100
4 Coach Tickets to and from Gatwick = 150
Spending money = 1623
I had allocated each day for 4 adults to be around $200 for food etc and spending money, the idea not to use any credit cards for anything.
The Day Before …
Right all packed up, ready to go to the airport for Twilight check in, I had decided it was too far in the morning for my father in law to drive us there and back, as he is 68 and I find it tiring at 39 years old, so we decided to go the day before, stay over, use twilight check in and then be much better rested for the next day.
We were dropped off in Cambridge by my Father in Law for the coach, around 11.30. Coach would leave at 11:50, arrive at 15:30. So far so good, got the coach, and we were there around 15:40, so much more relaxing than the drive. Off the coach and found the Virgin desk. Virgin staff there ready, but no queue, straight up and ready for the check in.
The lady was very helpful, especially when she saw that I had filled in the API, however her face and attitude dropped a little when she saw I had forgot the zip code, and then she went on to say that when you get to the States without it, there’s going to be hassle. At this point, I remembered I had the address for POP in my wallet, which I dug out, and then she got the zip code from that, and she was then well happy!
Check in done, you know the passports are going to be okay, as one was not an E passport, but also you know that you have got the day and time right, the plane is ready, which after 7 months of planning for me was a relief.
We then walked to the Hilton, attached to Gatwick, somewhere we had not stayed before. We were very pleasantly surprised at how good it was, well worth the £160 per room.
Our evening meal was included in the price, which was an all you can eat type affair. We had a drink in the bar, coke for me!, I don’t drink !!, and then onto the food. The grub was outstanding, superb line of starters form soup, fresh meats,, salads. Mains were like Beef Stroganoff, Soup of the day, and Roast Turkey with trimmings. It was absolutely brilliant. After stuffing ourselves for nearly an hour, we were fit to burst.
Off to bed ready for the morning.
Up at 7, and then breakfast, again, more buffet, but so beautifully done, I love my food and this was heaven. I thoroughly recommend the hotel, and I will use again without a doubt.
Out the Hotel, off to Gatwick, thru security upstairs, and remembered to get the plastic bags for the cosmetics, and again straight thru. Now compared to MCO, I hate Gatwick. For me it’s nothing short of crowded, dirty, old, tired looking and nasty. Surprisingly it has not changed one bit. We found seats, but where we were the air con was not working, so I slowly started to over heat, and had to buy a T shirt. About 10.30, the board says our flight is delayed until 11:45, half an hour, which is not bad as some have had longer than that.
We then proceeded to Gate13, which surprised me; I always expected to go from the gates around the carousel, that you get the little train to, but not today. We went in the gate and then I saw the plane for the first time. I don’t know what it is, but when I see planes like BA or Virgin, I get a little nostalgic, about being on one of our airlines, and being all patriotic, something that brings me almost to tears. Our plane going out was Virginia Plains.
We boarded at 11:45, and we left the run way at 12:10. We had 4 seats in a row right at the back. The drink came thru very quick, the staff were lovely, we had a choice of meal, and we had the V Port system, which I had never used before. Ice cream just before we landed and a sandwich just before that.
I love flying, love turbulence, and love aircraft food. So I plugged in the PSP, watched, Alien, Black Hawk Down, and 2001: A Space odyssey, by the time I looked up we were ready to land, blummin brilliant.
They brought the VWF out almost as soon as the first drinks were done, so plenty of time to fill them in. I always fill them in, and as ever I can never remember if its England, Great Britain, or the United Kingdom for the country !. United Kingdom does not fit in the boxes provided, so I asked this older gentleman, and he said he always puts UK, so I did just 2 letters !
Forms all done. Just before landing when your strapped back in, they played the VWF program, which I thought they maybe should have played at the start of the flight !!!
My faith in Virgin was restored by this flight, as the last time, we were disappointed. Well done Mr Branson and Team.
They also announced the DTD check in facility, and that as a VA customer, not VH customer, you could still use it at a cost of only $10 per person.
Landed at 16:10, and as soon as the seat belt sign is off, everyone rushes like mad as usual! Now here, the hall for immigration fills up like mad, I decided to keep as far right as poss., as per a DIS tip, and sure enough the extra 3 lines at the other end reserved for US travellers, when they were thru, people were called from our queue.
We were thru in less that 10minutes. Our guy seemed nice, he put the passports in the machine, asked for right 4 fingers, left four fingers, two thumbs, and a photo. We all did the same, and I swear he never looked at he VWF’s. We were thru in 5 minutes.
MCO is brilliantly efficient. We went to the carousel, and the cases were already there, all 4 of them, little queue to the custom’s, a joke with the guy about eating fruit, and that was it, we were thru. 7 months of planning, worrying, checking API; ESTA; checking passports nearly every week finally paid off. As Alan Patridge would say; Cash Back !
We kept our cases on the train to the main terminal, found the dollar desk, and I advised the other 3 to find a seat, while I sorted the car. This was the longest wait of the holiday 15 mins at least. But the lady was very helpful, I handed over the voucher, no hassle for an upgrade, never wanted the paper portion of the driving licence and no credit card. I was surprised by all 3.
I was then ready for someone to take all the cases to the car like before, which I like for a only 5 dollars, but there was no one, so we trudged over to the dollar desk in the car park ourselves, and at the little kiosk, she pointed out all the scratches on the body work, which I had to sign for, and then she gave us the keys and the location. Again, no one to offer to take them.
Boy it was hot, but for the first time ever on arrival, it was raining. Found the car, a Dodge Avenger, a car I would love to hate soon. We got 3 cases in the boot and one on the back seat between the kids. Remembered to drive on the right and we were out!
We took the 407 to WDW, more by luck than judgement, I wanted to take the interstate, but |I somehow ended on the 417, we entered WDW, with it raining.
We could not find POP Century. I just expected there to be signs, but there were none. We found one direction sign, but we still could not find it. After 20 minutes, I drove to All Stars, and asked for directions from the Security. Our first Disney CM and you realise just how friendly and good they are, she cheered up the spirits in the car.
We then found POP, which is near Wide World of Sports, so just follow the signs for WW of S, and you will get to POP Century. Drove to security, he was very nice and funny and polite beyond belief, but before he let us in, he wanted photo id, and our name to check arrivals. We were in, parked up and then saw the main building and all the large icons; it was brilliant, so cool, friendly and inviting.
First shock into the main hall was the beautiful air conditioning. Check-in area which was huge. Much better than Caribbean Beach. No queue, large area, brilliant theme, looked brand new. Our CM was lovely, again, friendly and funny. We got connecting rooms, on a third floor, all our room keys which were park tickets as well, DBF got a first timer badge. Back to the car found the room, in and door shut.
Phew here at last, no problems, great rooms, location and resort. It’s a huge relief.
Rooms had 2 beds, double, TV, table etc, one sink, but more modern air con which as lovely and cold, but very quiet too. We quickly un packed, showered and changed.
Went to Hess at Downtown Disney (as you do!). Pizza’s all round for everyone, as we were starving. Kids and wife were very tired, but I was alive with excitement of being back, and being pleased with the planning of it all.
Wandered around the shops, and then drove back to POP for a good night sleep. I informed the kids we would be up at 7.00 for breakfast, as we were off the Kennedy Space Center for my best day out.
Arrival Day
We consist of me (DH), Wife, (DH), daughter (DD), and daughter’s boyfriend (DBF).
We decided to go again, after a spell of 4 years absent, as it was DD’s last year at A Level’s and would probably be off to University. As it turns out she got at a place at Cambridge University, so to be able to go to Florida for 2 weeks after all her hard work was really a spectacular finish.
This was my 7th trip since 1999, wife’s 4th, daughters 4th, and boyfriends 1st.
The cost for the over all holiday was paid for by me and the wife, I asked DD and DBF was to pay the £300.00 for their tickets, and I would do the rest, a good deal I thought!
The costs were as follows;
4 Virgin Atlantic Flights = 2135
2 POP Century Rooms = 1176
1 Car Hire = 292
4 Dis Tickets (14 day Ult) = 700
4 Sea World (7 day SW/AQ) = 180
4 Universal/IOA 3 day free = 276
2 Gatwick Hotel Rooms = 320
4 Kennedy SC Tickets = 100
4 Coach Tickets to and from Gatwick = 150
Spending money = 1623
I had allocated each day for 4 adults to be around $200 for food etc and spending money, the idea not to use any credit cards for anything.
The Day Before …
Right all packed up, ready to go to the airport for Twilight check in, I had decided it was too far in the morning for my father in law to drive us there and back, as he is 68 and I find it tiring at 39 years old, so we decided to go the day before, stay over, use twilight check in and then be much better rested for the next day.
We were dropped off in Cambridge by my Father in Law for the coach, around 11.30. Coach would leave at 11:50, arrive at 15:30. So far so good, got the coach, and we were there around 15:40, so much more relaxing than the drive. Off the coach and found the Virgin desk. Virgin staff there ready, but no queue, straight up and ready for the check in.
The lady was very helpful, especially when she saw that I had filled in the API, however her face and attitude dropped a little when she saw I had forgot the zip code, and then she went on to say that when you get to the States without it, there’s going to be hassle. At this point, I remembered I had the address for POP in my wallet, which I dug out, and then she got the zip code from that, and she was then well happy!
Check in done, you know the passports are going to be okay, as one was not an E passport, but also you know that you have got the day and time right, the plane is ready, which after 7 months of planning for me was a relief.
We then walked to the Hilton, attached to Gatwick, somewhere we had not stayed before. We were very pleasantly surprised at how good it was, well worth the £160 per room.
Our evening meal was included in the price, which was an all you can eat type affair. We had a drink in the bar, coke for me!, I don’t drink !!, and then onto the food. The grub was outstanding, superb line of starters form soup, fresh meats,, salads. Mains were like Beef Stroganoff, Soup of the day, and Roast Turkey with trimmings. It was absolutely brilliant. After stuffing ourselves for nearly an hour, we were fit to burst.
Off to bed ready for the morning.
Up at 7, and then breakfast, again, more buffet, but so beautifully done, I love my food and this was heaven. I thoroughly recommend the hotel, and I will use again without a doubt.
Out the Hotel, off to Gatwick, thru security upstairs, and remembered to get the plastic bags for the cosmetics, and again straight thru. Now compared to MCO, I hate Gatwick. For me it’s nothing short of crowded, dirty, old, tired looking and nasty. Surprisingly it has not changed one bit. We found seats, but where we were the air con was not working, so I slowly started to over heat, and had to buy a T shirt. About 10.30, the board says our flight is delayed until 11:45, half an hour, which is not bad as some have had longer than that.
We then proceeded to Gate13, which surprised me; I always expected to go from the gates around the carousel, that you get the little train to, but not today. We went in the gate and then I saw the plane for the first time. I don’t know what it is, but when I see planes like BA or Virgin, I get a little nostalgic, about being on one of our airlines, and being all patriotic, something that brings me almost to tears. Our plane going out was Virginia Plains.
We boarded at 11:45, and we left the run way at 12:10. We had 4 seats in a row right at the back. The drink came thru very quick, the staff were lovely, we had a choice of meal, and we had the V Port system, which I had never used before. Ice cream just before we landed and a sandwich just before that.
I love flying, love turbulence, and love aircraft food. So I plugged in the PSP, watched, Alien, Black Hawk Down, and 2001: A Space odyssey, by the time I looked up we were ready to land, blummin brilliant.
They brought the VWF out almost as soon as the first drinks were done, so plenty of time to fill them in. I always fill them in, and as ever I can never remember if its England, Great Britain, or the United Kingdom for the country !. United Kingdom does not fit in the boxes provided, so I asked this older gentleman, and he said he always puts UK, so I did just 2 letters !
Forms all done. Just before landing when your strapped back in, they played the VWF program, which I thought they maybe should have played at the start of the flight !!!
My faith in Virgin was restored by this flight, as the last time, we were disappointed. Well done Mr Branson and Team.
They also announced the DTD check in facility, and that as a VA customer, not VH customer, you could still use it at a cost of only $10 per person.
Landed at 16:10, and as soon as the seat belt sign is off, everyone rushes like mad as usual! Now here, the hall for immigration fills up like mad, I decided to keep as far right as poss., as per a DIS tip, and sure enough the extra 3 lines at the other end reserved for US travellers, when they were thru, people were called from our queue.
We were thru in less that 10minutes. Our guy seemed nice, he put the passports in the machine, asked for right 4 fingers, left four fingers, two thumbs, and a photo. We all did the same, and I swear he never looked at he VWF’s. We were thru in 5 minutes.
MCO is brilliantly efficient. We went to the carousel, and the cases were already there, all 4 of them, little queue to the custom’s, a joke with the guy about eating fruit, and that was it, we were thru. 7 months of planning, worrying, checking API; ESTA; checking passports nearly every week finally paid off. As Alan Patridge would say; Cash Back !
We kept our cases on the train to the main terminal, found the dollar desk, and I advised the other 3 to find a seat, while I sorted the car. This was the longest wait of the holiday 15 mins at least. But the lady was very helpful, I handed over the voucher, no hassle for an upgrade, never wanted the paper portion of the driving licence and no credit card. I was surprised by all 3.
I was then ready for someone to take all the cases to the car like before, which I like for a only 5 dollars, but there was no one, so we trudged over to the dollar desk in the car park ourselves, and at the little kiosk, she pointed out all the scratches on the body work, which I had to sign for, and then she gave us the keys and the location. Again, no one to offer to take them.
Boy it was hot, but for the first time ever on arrival, it was raining. Found the car, a Dodge Avenger, a car I would love to hate soon. We got 3 cases in the boot and one on the back seat between the kids. Remembered to drive on the right and we were out!
We took the 407 to WDW, more by luck than judgement, I wanted to take the interstate, but |I somehow ended on the 417, we entered WDW, with it raining.
We could not find POP Century. I just expected there to be signs, but there were none. We found one direction sign, but we still could not find it. After 20 minutes, I drove to All Stars, and asked for directions from the Security. Our first Disney CM and you realise just how friendly and good they are, she cheered up the spirits in the car.
We then found POP, which is near Wide World of Sports, so just follow the signs for WW of S, and you will get to POP Century. Drove to security, he was very nice and funny and polite beyond belief, but before he let us in, he wanted photo id, and our name to check arrivals. We were in, parked up and then saw the main building and all the large icons; it was brilliant, so cool, friendly and inviting.
First shock into the main hall was the beautiful air conditioning. Check-in area which was huge. Much better than Caribbean Beach. No queue, large area, brilliant theme, looked brand new. Our CM was lovely, again, friendly and funny. We got connecting rooms, on a third floor, all our room keys which were park tickets as well, DBF got a first timer badge. Back to the car found the room, in and door shut.
Phew here at last, no problems, great rooms, location and resort. It’s a huge relief.
Rooms had 2 beds, double, TV, table etc, one sink, but more modern air con which as lovely and cold, but very quiet too. We quickly un packed, showered and changed.
Went to Hess at Downtown Disney (as you do!). Pizza’s all round for everyone, as we were starving. Kids and wife were very tired, but I was alive with excitement of being back, and being pleased with the planning of it all.
Wandered around the shops, and then drove back to POP for a good night sleep. I informed the kids we would be up at 7.00 for breakfast, as we were off the Kennedy Space Center for my best day out.
