Some details of our trip

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Pedro~UK

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Hi all

Just a few brief details of our trip, got back yesterday, stayed in a beautiful villa in Strafford Park Kissimmee with some friends, so two families of four.

The only low points were a five hour delay with Virgin from Manchester going out and the weather being too bad for our illuminations cruise.

The flight delay was due to a technical fault and they had to switch aircraft to a very old Air Atlanta 747-200, no seat back TV's and generally grotty appearance.

The worst part was when they eventually called us to board, they asked for those with young children to come forward to the gate. As we were in the process of doing that, they then announced that due to the different seating configuration of the new aircraft, the seat allocations on boarding passes were no longer valid and it would be 'free seating'.

That caused an almighty stampede and mayhem. People were scrambling from all quarters to get to the front of the queue, kids were frightened and screaming all over the place. A disgrace, both in the way that people conducted themselves and for Virgin to make such a silly announcement just as they asked for young children to come forward. Letter on its way to Virgin customer service!

The night of our Illuminations Cruise, which we had been so looking forward to, had one of the worst storms of the three weeks we were there. When we booked they were very keen to point out there is no guarantee of seeing the Illuminations and if the weather intervened the boat would still sail regardless.

The rain was so heavy they allowed us to cancel without any cancellation fee but we were really disappointed having booked this in February.

The rest of the trip was fantastic. We had '30 day Fun in the Sun Passes' so were able to come and go as we pleased at the Disney Parks. Decided to miss Universal and Seaworld this time so we did Magic Kingdom, MGM, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Disney Quest, Blizzard Beach.

Went to Kennedy Space Centre, had three days at Clearwater, did Fantasmic, Spectro. FitS, Illuminations, Ice Cream Social, Character Breakfast at Polynesian Ohana. Pleasure Island one evening, Cirque du Soleil, Boggy Creek Airboats, shopping sprees at Belz and LBV outlets, played four rounds of golf to name but some of the things we did.

Made a few notes so if I get chance I'll try and write things up properly.

Peter
 
Welcome back Peter :) !

I can't believe the silliness of making that announcement when they did - I appreciate they had no option given that they had had to change aircraft at the last minute but they should have thought of a much better way to handle it than this.

I'm really sorry your Cruise was washed out. Hopefully you can get a cruise for your next trip ?!

Do tell us more about your trip - what did you think of Boggy Creek Airboats?
 
Welcome back Peter :wave:

Such a shame about your Illuminations Cruise :( I hope you get to try it again one day. Looking forward to hearing more about your trip.
 
Thanks Shirley and Kaylee. Hopefully we'll get to do the cruise some other time.

Shirley - We loved Boggy Creek Airboats, the kids did especially. Takes you to swampy parts and close to wildlife you otherwise couldn't get to. You can also hire small boats (but only for a full day) and go fishing or just cruise around. Thumbs up from us.

Peter
 

Welcome Home -

What a shame about your Illuminations Cruise - you will just have to go back and see it!!!LOL!!!
 














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