Now that we've booked to go back again, I feel able to talk about our trip without feeling too depressed to be back!
Here goes.....
Wednesday 31st March
Got taxi to Manchester airport. We were booked in for dinner, bed & breakfast in the Radisson SAS airport hotel. We checked into our two executive suites (no standard rooms available!) at the hotel, had a very nice dinner before going to bed in our 'Italian-themed' suites with luxurious toiletries, lovely fluffy bathrobes and complimentary slippers!
Thursday 1st April (my birthday!)
Got up (not too early), opened my cards and some presents that DH & DS had packed for me and had a leisurely (and very nice) breakfast in the hotel before a very short moving escalator ride to the US Airways Envoy (Business) Class check-in. Airline & check-in staff were very friendly and welcoming. Quick check-in (past the huge queues for economy!) and were given tickets for the Business Class lounge. Very pleasant, relaxed, peaceful, free food & drinks (as much as you like). Wandered down to the gate and were among the first to board - marvellous. Huge seats that were fully adjustable to almost a bed. Personal TV screens, free champagne, excellent food - this is the life!
Arrived in Philadelphia, went through immigration and customs and then had a few hours to wait for our next flight to Orlando - but were allowed to use the special lounge again! Wandered around the shops at Philly airport - were starting to get a bit tired now. Finally, got on the plane - first class (leather) seats
this time. Very annoying American business man next to me, who was talking in a very loud voice on his mobile phone right up to take off - and then again as soon as we landed. Landed in Orlando at around 11:00pm local time (5:00 am UK time) - so were very tired by now. Made our way to baggage carousel only to hear our names being called over the tannoy. Feeling quite concerned, we went to the baggage office and found our bags were already in there - we think they must have arrived on an earlier flight from Philly! No explanation was given.
Went to Dollar car hire desk and joined fairly short queue (about 20+ people) - but had to wait for 2 hours till we got to the actual desk! It was ridiculous - they didn't have enough staff on. They did apologise, but we were getting exhausted by this time. Then we got the car and had to drive to the agents office to collect the keys for our condo. We finally arrived at the condo at about 2:30 am! A very, very long birthday!! Decided to change our plan to visit MK the next day - and have a lie-in instead!
Friday 2nd April
Despite intentions of lying in - were all awake early (6:30) due to time difference and so decided to go to MK after all! Headed to Ponderosa on 192 for b'fast. Got there at 8:00 am to find it already very busy. Had a quick b'fast and then headed for MK. Got FPs for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain. Everything seemed even better than I remembered from
previous trips. Very very busy - lots of queues. Didn't get on the riverboat ride or Buzz Lightyear due to huge crowds. Didn't feel like lunch - still full from b'fast - so had ice creams. DS wanted a coke float - but they had run out of Coke - incredible! They offered him a root beer float instead - but he said it tasted of liniment they used to use in his football team!
Went to Ohana at the Polynesian resort for Dinner (I had made a PS).Fantastic meal - DS thought it was the best meal he had ever had. Very impressed by the Poly beautiful hotel. After the meal we went down to the beach at the Poly and DH & I sat on loungers in a cabana while DS bagged a hammock. We could then see Wishes and the Electrical Water Pageant from the
beach. Magical!
Here goes.....
Wednesday 31st March
Got taxi to Manchester airport. We were booked in for dinner, bed & breakfast in the Radisson SAS airport hotel. We checked into our two executive suites (no standard rooms available!) at the hotel, had a very nice dinner before going to bed in our 'Italian-themed' suites with luxurious toiletries, lovely fluffy bathrobes and complimentary slippers!
Thursday 1st April (my birthday!)
Got up (not too early), opened my cards and some presents that DH & DS had packed for me and had a leisurely (and very nice) breakfast in the hotel before a very short moving escalator ride to the US Airways Envoy (Business) Class check-in. Airline & check-in staff were very friendly and welcoming. Quick check-in (past the huge queues for economy!) and were given tickets for the Business Class lounge. Very pleasant, relaxed, peaceful, free food & drinks (as much as you like). Wandered down to the gate and were among the first to board - marvellous. Huge seats that were fully adjustable to almost a bed. Personal TV screens, free champagne, excellent food - this is the life!
Arrived in Philadelphia, went through immigration and customs and then had a few hours to wait for our next flight to Orlando - but were allowed to use the special lounge again! Wandered around the shops at Philly airport - were starting to get a bit tired now. Finally, got on the plane - first class (leather) seats
this time. Very annoying American business man next to me, who was talking in a very loud voice on his mobile phone right up to take off - and then again as soon as we landed. Landed in Orlando at around 11:00pm local time (5:00 am UK time) - so were very tired by now. Made our way to baggage carousel only to hear our names being called over the tannoy. Feeling quite concerned, we went to the baggage office and found our bags were already in there - we think they must have arrived on an earlier flight from Philly! No explanation was given.
Went to Dollar car hire desk and joined fairly short queue (about 20+ people) - but had to wait for 2 hours till we got to the actual desk! It was ridiculous - they didn't have enough staff on. They did apologise, but we were getting exhausted by this time. Then we got the car and had to drive to the agents office to collect the keys for our condo. We finally arrived at the condo at about 2:30 am! A very, very long birthday!! Decided to change our plan to visit MK the next day - and have a lie-in instead!
Friday 2nd April
Despite intentions of lying in - were all awake early (6:30) due to time difference and so decided to go to MK after all! Headed to Ponderosa on 192 for b'fast. Got there at 8:00 am to find it already very busy. Had a quick b'fast and then headed for MK. Got FPs for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain. Everything seemed even better than I remembered from
previous trips. Very very busy - lots of queues. Didn't get on the riverboat ride or Buzz Lightyear due to huge crowds. Didn't feel like lunch - still full from b'fast - so had ice creams. DS wanted a coke float - but they had run out of Coke - incredible! They offered him a root beer float instead - but he said it tasted of liniment they used to use in his football team!
Went to Ohana at the Polynesian resort for Dinner (I had made a PS).Fantastic meal - DS thought it was the best meal he had ever had. Very impressed by the Poly beautiful hotel. After the meal we went down to the beach at the Poly and DH & I sat on loungers in a cabana while DS bagged a hammock. We could then see Wishes and the Electrical Water Pageant from the
beach. Magical!
more reports!!
