Live report - 3 weeks in Orlando

[Elise79]

Firstly forgot to say we bought an inexpensive non contract mobile in Best Buy. Despite the comments about poor customer service the staff were very good.
They activated the mobile and the $15 topup card. Feel really grown up with a USA mobile number. But it is really so that when outlaws arrive we will not be stung for serious bills with our iPhones when we get back home.
Miss the data access, though Diane says that is a good thing as my addiction to email and Internet needs help!

The rain poured like never before when we went to DTD tonight. We were stuck in World of Disney store for 2 hours. Before finally biting the bullet and getting totally soaked.

Tomorrow looks like a MK day unless the weather has other plans

Glad you are having a good trip - weather sounds like what we had a few weeks ago except we got stuck at the back of Epcot!

With the AT&T SIM cards and if you have an unlocked smartphone you can buy a data package - it was $15 for 100MB However both DH & I loved having access to the net in the parks.

 

[cazzie]

Great live trip report. hope you all have a fantastic time.

 

[buzz for boys]

I used to have a £100 rule, if Virgin were within £100 (£300 for 3 of us) I felt Virgin had a superior product that was worth the extra money.
Now I have no rule, its down to cheapest, Delta indirect but immigration is done for a very simple arrival at MCO or TPA plus better service and quality of plane, IFE and food. Hope this changes with the new A330-300.
Trying Virgin again in August after 3 years avoiding them, hope they have improved.

I have never travelled indirect but if it was indirect or Virgin I would pay extra to go indirect. I hoped the bad experience we had last trip was a one off however my friend has just returned from florida and travelled Virgin and her experiences mimicked ours - truly terrible.
Im guessing with the virgin pilots threating strikes that the virgi brand is about to take a huge knock and hopefully that will bring the virgn atlantic prices more in line with the service you recieve!!
That said they would have to be significantly cheaper for me to consider travelling virgin again.

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Hi Reid, bit late but I'm here now. Can't wait to read your live updates!! Xx

 

[Cyrano]

Thanks for the updates, hope the weather gets better! Have you considered putting a t mobile sim in your iphone, I used one in my ipad last trip only $1.49 for unlimited 24hr access

Glad you are having a good trip - weather sounds like what we had a few weeks ago except we got stuck at the back of Epcot!

With the AT&T SIM cards and if you have an unlocked smartphone you can buy a data package - it was $15 for 100MB However both DH & I loved having access to the net in the parks.

I looked so hard at options to use a sim with the iPhone but my head was hurting. Given that we have free wifi with the hotel I could not see me paying $15 for 100Mb. I wonder if in could make this last 3 weeks. Something to consider next time

Boring as usual we were up by 6.30 and breakfasting at 7.15.
The hotel has a nice selection of 2 hot items, waffle maker (which the troops love) and various cereals, Danish, bagel and cold items.
Coffee and tea is available 24/7.

There was a holdup on the monorail line so we did not get to the Magic Kingdom gate until just before 9am.
Mum and Robyn headed off to Snow White, while I headed off with the thrill seekers (Morgan & Jack) to Splash Mountain. I also picked up FP for BTM for Diane and M and J.
I am pleased to report that I remained relatively dry on the back row of Splash Mountain. Morgan and Jack did not fair so well
Had not realised that lap bars had been fitted. Definitely makes you feel safer :good vibes
We met up and all did Haunted Mansion.
Then it was child swap time

Robyn and I headed to Speedway while Diane and the others to Big Thunder Mountain.
On route we picked up FP for Peter Pan and scored bonus FP for Mickey's Philharmagic.
When we all met up we did IASW, a family staple

We managed to grab a FP for Buzz and rode one of my favourites - the TTA, along with another go on Speedway and Laugh Floor.

Managed to catch a couple of Photopass photographers today.

As the rain came on at 2 and stayed until after 6, we spent most of the time back at the hotel.

We were the welcoming party for Mil and SIL who arrived 3 later than expected. A story I am sure they will share on another day. But for now time to let them sleep on it

Think tomorrow we will eat at either Sweet Tomatoes or Logan's Roadhouse.
Also our park will be either AK or EPCOT dependant on the others .

 

[DISWolves]

Hi Reid....just catchin up
Star Tours......Must do this when we go in August, can't remember last time we rode it
Lap bars on SM ???
I also like TTA, just to recharge the batteries for a while, although I admit to closing my eyes a few minutes as well!
When are we going to see some pics?
Keep em coming!....Enjoy

 

[disneyholic family]

Thanks for the updates, hope the weather gets better! Have you considered putting a t mobile sim in your iphone, I used one in my ipad last trip only $1.49 for unlimited 24hr access

where did you buy that?

that's very inexpensive!!!!

the AT&T data package just isn't enough data for DH - he needs much more than that...(he works non-stop right through the holiday - no matter where we are....a bit annoying, but hey, it pays the bills )


Reid, what's IASW? (probably a really dumb question, but i'm not proud )

 

[Tony Toon]

Loving the live updates - thank you so much. Just about managing to contain my excitement before we head out on the 7th July

Reid, what's IASW? (probably a really dumb question, but i'm not proud )

It's a Small World.

Mrs TT

 

[disneyholic family]

It's a Small World.

Mrs TT

so now we have proof positive that i'm braindead...
i couldn't figure out what the IA was for....i kept thinking something something small world.....
duh....

 

[cannp123165]

Great updates.

 

[Pugsly]

The rain poured like never before when we went to DTD tonight. We were stuck in World of Disney store for 2 hours. Before finally biting the bullet and getting totally soaked.

I could think of worse places to be stuck.

Enjoying your updates, Reid. Keep 'em coming.

 

[Cyrano]

When are we going to see some pics?
Keep em coming!....Enjoy

Having some trouble with photo bucket and the iPad. Will keep trying and hopefully will get some uploaded.

Sunday we headed to Animal Kingdom, which was looking as beautiful as ever.
Crowds really seemed to have swelled today.
We got FPs for Everest and then caught a safari truck to the savannah . Lots of animals out. Funniest part was giraffes chasing wilder beasts, and wilder beasts chasing tommies. DS was on video cam duty so not sure if he caught the action
MIL really enjoyed the foliage and was even brave enough along with Robyn to go on Kali. We had a fun family time having the raft to ourselves. Though I was definitely not sitting in the best seat

After coming off Everest I noticed that we might be lucky and catch Fnding Nemo show which was due to start in 10 minutes. Result, we were seated fairly easily.

I had really worried that staying as a group would be really difficult. A couple of times the oldies needed a bit of encouragement to speed up But as we separate at times since Robyn does not do the major thrill rides, it was surprisingly painless.

We used Photopass photographers quite a bit today, so that the others could see how it worked.

After lunch I stayed with Robyn while the rest of the gang went on Dinosaur.

Think this was our last ride of the day and the rest of the time was spent wandering through the shops.
We have yet to see AK parade as we are always done before 3.45. Today was no exception as we left just after 2.30.

Supper was a takeaway pizza back at the suite. SIL decided they would head out to a restaurant for supper.
Later at night we and MIL headed to DTD for a couple of hours.

 

[Cyrano]

Monday is the last time we are a group of 11. SIL2 is on route Virgin from Manchester.

.... and then we'll be 14.

Today it was back to EPCOT. The FP machines at Soarin were playing up so th queues were backing up . It is the first time I have every seen a CM run for cover as he just panicked . Felt partly sorry for him but also annoyed . It made a poor situation worse. Helpfully a female CM arrived and worked her magic given folk good attention to get matters resolved.
My AP was not working at any FP machines so I needed a Fastpass Key Card.

Crush was down this morning so we will just have to have a bletter with him another day

Yeha Robyn tried Mission Space. Though as we were queuing I remembered the ride only took 4 people. Morgan nicely agreed to go on with the grandpa nets and show them the ropes

After lunch we headed over to World Showcase. Managed to get round to China before the clap of thunder had us heading for the exit. The rain was spitting by the time we got to the car so we did not get wet.

Grannie came with us as we decided to head to Premium Outlets. The others headed back to Walmart for more water and then the hotel pool.

Diane and her mum were pleased as the Kiplin bag shop had 60% off certain items. Jack and I found a window ledge to sit on for a while

SIL has just txt so the clan are trying to co-ordinate tonight's choice of restaurant. We had thought about Logan's but SIL2 did not hire a car so we will need both 7 seaters to go and collect them.

I will let you know if we are still all talking to each other later

 

[disneyholic family]

wow 14!!! so who's carrying the group flag?
and have you learned portuguese...
actually, now that i think about it, the brazilians should be there soon (if they're not there already)..
your group will fit right in!!!

 

[Cyrano]

wow 14!!! so who's carrying the group flag?
and have you learned portuguese...
actually, now that i think about it, the brazilians should be there soon (if they're not there already)..
your group will fit right in!!!

There is plenty of colour in the parks. So far we have seen Mexican, Brazilian and Puerto Rican tour parties

Well I am pleased to report that after our trip to Logan's at Sandlake Road we are all still friends
Restaurant were great and sorted out a side room for a table for 14.

We put the kids down one end of the table and allowed them to catch up. The adults did similar. Including tip we were $120 for the lot of us.

Then it was tine to play taxi again. The MIL and SIL headed of with my TomTom to Best Buy to get a pay as you go phone.
We took SIL2 to the Walmart so that they could stock up on water, pringles and snacks.

SIL2 has booked a shuttle to Magic Kingdom tomorrow.
MK has EMH so this would not have been my choice. but hey ho we will see how it goes.
Thankfully with 3 weeks and previous visits we are not so precious about betting on every ride each time we visit a park

 

[wayneg]

Never knew there was a Logans on Sandlake road, always use the one opposite Old Town which gets too busy at times, last trip we tried to go but 45 mins+ wait, went to Orlando Alehouse instead.
Have fun in MK.

 

[jen_uk]

Sounds like you are having a great time, looking forward to hearing more and seeing some photos

 

[Muscateer]

The rain poured like never before when we went to DTD tonight. We were stuck in World of Disney store for 2 hours. Before finally biting the bullet and getting totally soaked.

We were in DTD Friday night too and went to see Cars 2 then ended up at Bongos, the rain was pouring out my flipflops. Got the ponchos on and spent quite a while in World of Disney too. We had great weather up to 22nd. Enjoy

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Loving your report Seems like you are getting the rain most afternoons - is it normally like this in June? I have never been this time of year - but we got a bit of the wet stuff in August

$120 for all of you at Logans seems like a bargain meal - especially if that included gratuity.

 

[cliveywolves]

Loving your report Seems like you are getting the rain most afternoons - is it normally like this in June? I have never been this time of year - but we got a bit of the wet stuff in August


Yep the rain and storms on the afternoons, we've found them very common when we have gone in June.