arieljasmine
<font color=magenta>Who says these things pass you
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2004
- Messages
- 6,098
Laurs & Andy do the Universe and the World Day One
Me Laurs 27
DH Andy 28
Day one 21 September 2006 Are we nearly there yet?
Well, after counting down from over 100 days, the morning finally dawned and we were off to Florida again! The usual frantic panicking from me had been in full force for at least a week, and I was wishing (as usual I might add) that I could just magic us there. I had checked and rechecked (and rechecked and, you get the idea) our hand luggage against the hand luggage regulations, pondered many times whether hand wipes were allowed, and what difference it made that we had safety matches (surely you can still set things on fire with them?!)
The taxi arrived to take us to Manchester at 6.15 am. The taxi driver was very concerned with how much everything cost at Disney and proceeded to question us on this, far too early in the morning for me and I let Andy field most of the questions. We got to the airport about 7.30am and checked in fairly quickly thanks to the delights of Premium Economy. We were also told that we could use the fast track passport control queue which was great as we had been expecting to have to wait a l-o-n-g time to get through. We got through quickly and easily, and went to a café to share a ham and tomato sandwich, and a hot chocolate for me and latte for Andy. We smoked a lot as usual in these situations, and bought some cigarettes which meant we got a cheap bottle of gin. I was quite surprised that we were allowed this, but they had the system of picking up your duty free at the gate in place.
We boarded the plane at 9.30 am, had our welcome drink (orange juice for me and champagne for Andy), and I gave Andy his lyrics quiz to puzzle over. We didnt set off until about 10.45 am, by which time I was already fed up of being on the plane. We got drinks and snacks pretty much as soon as the plane was up Andy had a Stella and I got a diet cola, and the yummy Worcester Sauce pretzels. In no time at all they we round with lunch at 12 noon, I had hardly had time to ooo and aah over the make up in the duty free magazine. We both had beef for lunch, which came with potatoes, carrots and broccoli, greek pasta salad, bread roll, cheese and crackers and a Gu chocolate pudding (soooo good). We had a baileys after that and then settled down to watch Over the Hedge cute film. We also watched most of the Da Vinci Code though I dosed through this so need to watch it again. We had a strawberry choc ice type of thing in the afternoon, and then tea at 6 pm a chicken caesar salad sandwich with apple slices and red grapes.
The flight overall took eight and a half hours (plus the eternity we seemed to sit on the plane for before it took off) which was too long for me. The air conditioning seemed to be blowing worse than usual and I felt pretty terrible for the last couple of hours of the flight and just couldnt wait to get off. When we did arrive in Orlando a miracle occurred. For the first time in five visits we filled the visa waiver form in correctly hallelujah! We nipped outside for a cigarette before picking up the luggage, and whilst looking for our safety matches, lo and behold what did I find in my coat pocket but a lighter! So much for all my checking and rechecking! We collected the cases, and Andy left me sat with them whilst he sorted out the car. He had been able to get us a great deal on a Chrysler Sebring, which we were both excited about. Finally, out into the sunshine and off to the Hard Rock Hotel!
Now, Im sure some of you will have heard me say (seriously, I tell everyone this) that the Hard Rock Hotel is the only hotel Ive ever wanted to live in its true. There is music playing almost everywhere which is the major draw for me, but the plush rock star mansion styling doesnt disappoint either. We pull up, park up and skip up to reception to check in.
We get our room assigned no problem and are welcomed back to the HRH. Also, given our free CD (you get a CD with a few rock tracks on to keep) and a map of the hotel. Over to the concierge desk to pick up our park tickets (which I somehow amazingly got free with the room package, yes, I even surprised myself) and then off to explore the room.
I was a bit disappointed that by the time we arrived it was a little late to go to Universal Studios, but it shut at 5 pm. So we sorted the luggage and showered and started to feel a bit human again. As I am a member of the Loews scheme, a guy came to the room to deliver us our free gift. We had the surprise regional gift which was a HRH pin (uber cool, especially as I collect them) and a HRH tin with a big chocolate coin in, and a card welcoming us to the hotel.
We then went out for our usual first night tea at McDonalds. I got a Happy Meal as always, one because this is our umpteenth meal of the day, and two because I am a big child and am always more interested in the toy than the food! I got what was supposedly a girls Happy Meal, but the toy was a Hummer! Not to worry, that is one of my most favourite cars.
After tea we dropped the car off and went for a drink from the walk up bar at Margaritaville. I was hoping that the alcohol would take the edge off how ill I was feeling since the plane journey. It didnt work, but at least I had my first strawberry margarita in ages. We amused ourselves by watching another customer who was playing the ring toss game and trying to get other passersby to do the same. He managed to get loads of people involved but I sadly didnt feel up to it. Left after one drink and straight to bed.
ArielJasmine
Me Laurs 27
DH Andy 28
Day one 21 September 2006 Are we nearly there yet?
Well, after counting down from over 100 days, the morning finally dawned and we were off to Florida again! The usual frantic panicking from me had been in full force for at least a week, and I was wishing (as usual I might add) that I could just magic us there. I had checked and rechecked (and rechecked and, you get the idea) our hand luggage against the hand luggage regulations, pondered many times whether hand wipes were allowed, and what difference it made that we had safety matches (surely you can still set things on fire with them?!)
The taxi arrived to take us to Manchester at 6.15 am. The taxi driver was very concerned with how much everything cost at Disney and proceeded to question us on this, far too early in the morning for me and I let Andy field most of the questions. We got to the airport about 7.30am and checked in fairly quickly thanks to the delights of Premium Economy. We were also told that we could use the fast track passport control queue which was great as we had been expecting to have to wait a l-o-n-g time to get through. We got through quickly and easily, and went to a café to share a ham and tomato sandwich, and a hot chocolate for me and latte for Andy. We smoked a lot as usual in these situations, and bought some cigarettes which meant we got a cheap bottle of gin. I was quite surprised that we were allowed this, but they had the system of picking up your duty free at the gate in place.
We boarded the plane at 9.30 am, had our welcome drink (orange juice for me and champagne for Andy), and I gave Andy his lyrics quiz to puzzle over. We didnt set off until about 10.45 am, by which time I was already fed up of being on the plane. We got drinks and snacks pretty much as soon as the plane was up Andy had a Stella and I got a diet cola, and the yummy Worcester Sauce pretzels. In no time at all they we round with lunch at 12 noon, I had hardly had time to ooo and aah over the make up in the duty free magazine. We both had beef for lunch, which came with potatoes, carrots and broccoli, greek pasta salad, bread roll, cheese and crackers and a Gu chocolate pudding (soooo good). We had a baileys after that and then settled down to watch Over the Hedge cute film. We also watched most of the Da Vinci Code though I dosed through this so need to watch it again. We had a strawberry choc ice type of thing in the afternoon, and then tea at 6 pm a chicken caesar salad sandwich with apple slices and red grapes.
The flight overall took eight and a half hours (plus the eternity we seemed to sit on the plane for before it took off) which was too long for me. The air conditioning seemed to be blowing worse than usual and I felt pretty terrible for the last couple of hours of the flight and just couldnt wait to get off. When we did arrive in Orlando a miracle occurred. For the first time in five visits we filled the visa waiver form in correctly hallelujah! We nipped outside for a cigarette before picking up the luggage, and whilst looking for our safety matches, lo and behold what did I find in my coat pocket but a lighter! So much for all my checking and rechecking! We collected the cases, and Andy left me sat with them whilst he sorted out the car. He had been able to get us a great deal on a Chrysler Sebring, which we were both excited about. Finally, out into the sunshine and off to the Hard Rock Hotel!
Now, Im sure some of you will have heard me say (seriously, I tell everyone this) that the Hard Rock Hotel is the only hotel Ive ever wanted to live in its true. There is music playing almost everywhere which is the major draw for me, but the plush rock star mansion styling doesnt disappoint either. We pull up, park up and skip up to reception to check in.
We get our room assigned no problem and are welcomed back to the HRH. Also, given our free CD (you get a CD with a few rock tracks on to keep) and a map of the hotel. Over to the concierge desk to pick up our park tickets (which I somehow amazingly got free with the room package, yes, I even surprised myself) and then off to explore the room.
I was a bit disappointed that by the time we arrived it was a little late to go to Universal Studios, but it shut at 5 pm. So we sorted the luggage and showered and started to feel a bit human again. As I am a member of the Loews scheme, a guy came to the room to deliver us our free gift. We had the surprise regional gift which was a HRH pin (uber cool, especially as I collect them) and a HRH tin with a big chocolate coin in, and a card welcoming us to the hotel.
We then went out for our usual first night tea at McDonalds. I got a Happy Meal as always, one because this is our umpteenth meal of the day, and two because I am a big child and am always more interested in the toy than the food! I got what was supposedly a girls Happy Meal, but the toy was a Hummer! Not to worry, that is one of my most favourite cars.
After tea we dropped the car off and went for a drink from the walk up bar at Margaritaville. I was hoping that the alcohol would take the edge off how ill I was feeling since the plane journey. It didnt work, but at least I had my first strawberry margarita in ages. We amused ourselves by watching another customer who was playing the ring toss game and trying to get other passersby to do the same. He managed to get loads of people involved but I sadly didnt feel up to it. Left after one drink and straight to bed.
ArielJasmine
hope you are better tomorrow 
Looking forward to tomorrow
