Dimplenose
Stranger from the outside
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2002
- Messages
- 5,956
Day 1
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Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
Libbys 2209 Trip
Day 15 Monday August 10th
Well, I cant believe its here. After all my planning and dreaming the holiday is very nearly over. I am ready to go home. (We only ever have two week holidays when we go to WDW so it does seem a long time since we were at home.) But I dont want the reality of the holiday finishing and going home to DS A-level results, university acceptance and the beginning of a new phase for my little family.
Anyway we have nearly a full day to enjoy so well make sure we dont waste it.
I get everyone up and stuff our last remaining belongings into the suitcases and lock them.
Just as we are leaving for breakfast at the food court our express checkout details arrive, its nearly 8am. Weve charged about £600 to our room which is about what we mentally totted up as we went along.
Were only at the food court for half an hour much quicker and quieter this early in the morning.
Just after we return to our room there is a tap on the door and its housekeeping checking if she can do our room. Shes happy to come back in half an hour and Im happy that Ive been tipping the maid daily as this isnt Diana who has been doing our room for most of the fortnight.
We brought an extra empty holdall with us but now that it is full we have trouble getting the luggage into the boot. We wedge the holdall between the kids on the back seat and head off for DTD check-in.
It takes about 40 minutes to complete the check in. Weve lugged all of our hand luggage with us too, but we neednt have done as they are not interested in it and it never gets checked for size or weight here or at the airport.
Now that we are checked in we top up with $5 worth of petrol. We might have made it to the airport without but it is worth $5 for peace of mind.
Then we drive to the Magic Kingdom. It is very busy here and we have to wait for a third tram before se can get on one.
Once were in Main Street I just stand there trying to absorb all the sounds, smells and feelings that are impossible to capture on a photograph.
As we arrive a small parade starts from next to the Fire station. So we watch for a while before following it up Main Street.
Its an odds and ends day today so we end up walking miles as we end up flitting around the park.
First of all we get fast passes for BTMRR. Id love to go on Splash Mountain as its my favourite ride, but we got so wet last time that I cant face travelling home in damp clothes, so I just watch it for a while instead.
Then we flit back to Snow White, back to BTMRR via Pirates of the Caribbean.
We have lunch (well 3 of us have lunch, DD is in her I cant eat before I fly mode) at Colombia Harbour House. I love this place. The queues are usually busy but the seating area is like the TARDIS and seems to go on for ever. We sit upstairs at a nice large table. DS and I have fish and chips and Im delighted to find vinegar available. DH has a tuna sandwich and DD just nibbles on a few chips.
The rest rooms were rather a squeeze though as there were only 3 cubicles in the ladies loo.
After lunch we ride on the railroad for a complete circuit of the park before getting off at Toontown Fair to see Mickey and Minnies houses.
Then we do some window shopping before tearfully (very tearfully) watching the parade.
Some random stripey foliage that took my fancy.
Then we rather reluctantly head off for the monorail. Were leaving very early as were due on the later Virgin flight but Im a great panicker and like to have plenty of time to get to airports.
This time the Satnav takes us quickly and directly to the airport. We are a bit alarmed at the lack of signage to get back to the rental car area but we just follow signs for the car park and are eventually guided back to Dollar.
Once weve returned the car we nip to the loos and change out of our shorts and into our travelling clothes. This is a very sad moment.
Then we have a look around the airport shops. If you were ever short of time you could land at MCO and get all your souvenirs and holiday snaps here without even leaving the airport. I took some pictures of DD with an Astronaut, with Snow White and with Goofy. Im sure there were photo opportunities for Sea World and Universal Studios too.
We went to Borders and bought a couple of books before finding the food court for snacks and drinks.
As it get nearer to our leaving time we head for the gate. I pop into the toilet and as I am washing my hands notice another lady having a quiet sob. (Im getting tearful as I write this.)
The flight home was uneventful. The dinner inedible and the breakfast just turned my stomach by its very smell.
Back at Gatwick we had a heart in mouth moment as our last bag was one of the final 6 to reach the collection point. But we eventually retrieved everything safely.
We had a little problem finding our bus back to the car park as theyd reverted back to their normal stop while we were away.
The car was all ready for us and our drive home (via Sainsburys) took less than an hour.
Once home we found that, despite our checks, wed left the boiler on. Luckily everything was safe.
It was a very good holiday but it took days to get our bodies back to UK time (probably because Im getting older LOL!!)
This isnt my last report Ill post an epilogue in a day or two.
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
Libbys 2209 Trip
Day 15 Monday August 10th
Well, I cant believe its here. After all my planning and dreaming the holiday is very nearly over. I am ready to go home. (We only ever have two week holidays when we go to WDW so it does seem a long time since we were at home.) But I dont want the reality of the holiday finishing and going home to DS A-level results, university acceptance and the beginning of a new phase for my little family.
Anyway we have nearly a full day to enjoy so well make sure we dont waste it.
I get everyone up and stuff our last remaining belongings into the suitcases and lock them.
Just as we are leaving for breakfast at the food court our express checkout details arrive, its nearly 8am. Weve charged about £600 to our room which is about what we mentally totted up as we went along.
Were only at the food court for half an hour much quicker and quieter this early in the morning.
Just after we return to our room there is a tap on the door and its housekeeping checking if she can do our room. Shes happy to come back in half an hour and Im happy that Ive been tipping the maid daily as this isnt Diana who has been doing our room for most of the fortnight.
We brought an extra empty holdall with us but now that it is full we have trouble getting the luggage into the boot. We wedge the holdall between the kids on the back seat and head off for DTD check-in.
It takes about 40 minutes to complete the check in. Weve lugged all of our hand luggage with us too, but we neednt have done as they are not interested in it and it never gets checked for size or weight here or at the airport.
Now that we are checked in we top up with $5 worth of petrol. We might have made it to the airport without but it is worth $5 for peace of mind.
Then we drive to the Magic Kingdom. It is very busy here and we have to wait for a third tram before se can get on one.
Once were in Main Street I just stand there trying to absorb all the sounds, smells and feelings that are impossible to capture on a photograph.
As we arrive a small parade starts from next to the Fire station. So we watch for a while before following it up Main Street.
Its an odds and ends day today so we end up walking miles as we end up flitting around the park.
First of all we get fast passes for BTMRR. Id love to go on Splash Mountain as its my favourite ride, but we got so wet last time that I cant face travelling home in damp clothes, so I just watch it for a while instead.
Then we flit back to Snow White, back to BTMRR via Pirates of the Caribbean.
We have lunch (well 3 of us have lunch, DD is in her I cant eat before I fly mode) at Colombia Harbour House. I love this place. The queues are usually busy but the seating area is like the TARDIS and seems to go on for ever. We sit upstairs at a nice large table. DS and I have fish and chips and Im delighted to find vinegar available. DH has a tuna sandwich and DD just nibbles on a few chips.
The rest rooms were rather a squeeze though as there were only 3 cubicles in the ladies loo.
After lunch we ride on the railroad for a complete circuit of the park before getting off at Toontown Fair to see Mickey and Minnies houses.
Then we do some window shopping before tearfully (very tearfully) watching the parade.
Then we rather reluctantly head off for the monorail. Were leaving very early as were due on the later Virgin flight but Im a great panicker and like to have plenty of time to get to airports.
This time the Satnav takes us quickly and directly to the airport. We are a bit alarmed at the lack of signage to get back to the rental car area but we just follow signs for the car park and are eventually guided back to Dollar.
Once weve returned the car we nip to the loos and change out of our shorts and into our travelling clothes. This is a very sad moment.
Then we have a look around the airport shops. If you were ever short of time you could land at MCO and get all your souvenirs and holiday snaps here without even leaving the airport. I took some pictures of DD with an Astronaut, with Snow White and with Goofy. Im sure there were photo opportunities for Sea World and Universal Studios too.
We went to Borders and bought a couple of books before finding the food court for snacks and drinks.
As it get nearer to our leaving time we head for the gate. I pop into the toilet and as I am washing my hands notice another lady having a quiet sob. (Im getting tearful as I write this.)
The flight home was uneventful. The dinner inedible and the breakfast just turned my stomach by its very smell.
Back at Gatwick we had a heart in mouth moment as our last bag was one of the final 6 to reach the collection point. But we eventually retrieved everything safely.
We had a little problem finding our bus back to the car park as theyd reverted back to their normal stop while we were away.
The car was all ready for us and our drive home (via Sainsburys) took less than an hour.
Once home we found that, despite our checks, wed left the boiler on. Luckily everything was safe.
It was a very good holiday but it took days to get our bodies back to UK time (probably because Im getting older LOL!!)
This isnt my last report Ill post an epilogue in a day or two.
