foxylady
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2006
- Messages
- 314
Well, time do finally get down to it and complete the trip report from this years holidays. For some reason I couldn't muster up any enthusiasm for doing the reports until 2007's holiday was booked. This was booked over the last weekend and we are going to Orlando next year for 21 days
For those of you who are not familiar with my family, and have not read the pre-trip report, please let me do the introductions:
Myself (Catherine) (41) - loves anything Disney, especially Pooh and Mickey as Sorcerors Apprentice
DH (John) (47) - luckily loves disney as well, and is usually happy to agree with my plans
DS (Stephen) (14) - not too bad as a teenager, but doesn't like rides that go upside-down!
Thursday 20 July 2006 - Day One - The Journey
Packing completed the day before, and alarm set for 4.30 am. Don't know why I bothered with setting the alarm - cos I was awake well before that! I'm sure I'm not the only one, but "I WAS TOO EXCITED!"
DH & DS up at 5.30 am, final bits & bobs put into suitcases and ready for the off! DS then had to find the cats (who were being looked after by Mum & Sister) to say goodbye to them. He loves the cats and they both love him - one follows him round like a dog!
DSis was taking us to the airport on her way to work (not much of a detour, and I have returned the favour!). We left the house at 6.30 am, and halfway down the road the usual questions were asked: "Have you got passports/money/tickets, etc". Bag double checked and yes we had got everything. This was the first year we hadn't gone through a Travel Agent, so I was hoping all our plans did not come crashing round our ears!
Arrived at Birmingham Airport at 7.30 am, DSis dropped us off, goodbyes and hugs all round, and off she went to work. Check in was fairly painless, queues not too bad, and we had already booked our seats. Row 16 C, D & E. We soon got rid of our cases and had boarding cards in hand. Quick visit to the Travelex desk to collect some more money, and then went upstairs to go through security.
As we approached the security area, I noticed that there were notices up everywhere saying that once through security, it was all no smoking. Now this didn't bother DS and myself, but DH does smoke, so he was not a happy bunny. Found an area for DH to have a last ciggie, and then went through to the departure lounge.
Our flight didn't leave until 11.15 am so we still had quite a bit of time to kill! Read the paper and read some of my book. DS sprawled out (as teenagers do) and tried to get a bit more sleep (he didn't realise there were two 5.30's in a day!!). Last year DS was ill before he even got on the plane, and the whole of the plane journey was spent backwards and forwards to the loo to dispose of sick bags. Not sure whether he had some sort of bug, or whether it was the thought of the long flight etc, and the fact that he was tired.
This year I wasn't taking any chances and I had brought some travel sickness tablets. Made sure he had them about half an hour before boarding the plane, even though he was a little bit sick whilst in the departure lounge.
Waited as long as possible to board the plane (why is that people rush to get onto the plane, and then moan that they are stuck on it for so long?). Seats were just by the door so no trying to negotiate the aisles of the plane. However, locker space was tight!
Flight was a little late taking off, as the cabin crew said we were waiting for one more person. There had been an american lady get on the plane very last minute, but apparently we were still waiting for one more. Obviously, someone within the crew was not good at maths, as it turned out we were waiting for this american lady, who was already on the plane.
Take off very smooth, and as soon as seat belt signs went off, the three people in front of us immediately reclined their seats and they stopped reclined for the whole of the journey.
We wouldn't have minded if they had asked, or even if they had put the seats back up when the food came round, and to add insult to injury, they had the extra leg room seats anyway!! We also had two young children sitting behind us, who were fairly quiet, but did keep kicking the back of our seats, and that got quite annoying as well. 
Also could not see the TV screen properly either as the lady in front had quite a bouffant (sp) hairstyle and her head was in the way. Had to listen to my music and read my book which I finished and started another!
Rant over! and the good news that DS was not sick at all on the plane.
Chicken Carbonara was served (yuck!) so DH ate 3 meals (strange man - he likes plane food). About an hour before landing were served with a cheese sandwich and scone with cream - sandwich was horrible but scone was OK.
Landed more or less on time, and immigration not too bad. I think Sanford have this organised really well in that it is one long line (in USA now), and you are then directed to the next available security man. I had warned DS not to say a word, and only speak when spoken to, but the guard was very pleasant. Asked us the usual questions and he commented we must like visiting the mouse, as he could see we had been before. He asked DS how old he was, and DS grunted that he was "four-een" (what is it about teenagers that they don't seem to pronounce their t's?). As he was 14 this year, he had to have his prints taken and photo thingy taken, so he felt really grown up.
Cases collected, it was out to find the Alamo offices, and collect the car. The lady behind the desk had a few problems with sorting out our paperwork, but eventually managed it. I had registered for the Drive Direct with Alamo which is supposed to save time and had registered DH's driving licence onto the system as he was the main driver. However, the booking was in my name and this is what caused the problem.
Anyway out to the car lot to choose our transport for the 2 weeks. We had booked a 7 seater, which I know seems a little excessive, but Dollar had given us a free upgrade last year to a 7-seater, and this had spoilt us. A very nice Alamo man pointed us in the right direction and said he would find us a good van. We ended up with a gold Cevrolet Uplander, complete with DVD player (not that we had any DVD's to play!!). Inspected the car for bumps/scratches etc and noticed a mark over the rear wheel. DS took a photo on his mobile so that if there were any queries on return, we had the evidence that it wasn't us.
Loaded car and off we went to find the 417. We always use this route to ease us into driving in America. We had to find the management company where we had to collect the keys, and surprisingly we found this quite easily. We thought we were lost, so I said we should pull into a gas station to ask for directions (we were on the right road), and lo and behold, there were the offices. Keys collected and we were given very clear directions to the Villa, although we knew we had to follow the 192 to the end, and then turn south down the 27.
Another 20 minutes or so and we were driving into the estate, and our property was very easy to find. The property was a two bed two bathroomed property, which was plenty big enough for the three of us. No private pool, but there was a communal pool, tennis court, snooker table, clubhouse, etc, that we could use.
By this time we were flagging somewhat, so we went back to Publix on the US27 for some essentials, milk, OJ, drinks, beer, etc. DS was hungry (what's new?) so we found a Denny's for a meal. Cannot remember what we had but it came to $31.10 plus tip.
Back to the villa, unpacked and crashed out at 10.00 pm (which was really 3.00 am UK time).
PS - Will try and work out how to post photos (can anyone help there?) so that you can see what we look like!!
__________________
For those of you who are not familiar with my family, and have not read the pre-trip report, please let me do the introductions:
Myself (Catherine) (41) - loves anything Disney, especially Pooh and Mickey as Sorcerors Apprentice
DH (John) (47) - luckily loves disney as well, and is usually happy to agree with my plans
DS (Stephen) (14) - not too bad as a teenager, but doesn't like rides that go upside-down!
Thursday 20 July 2006 - Day One - The Journey
Packing completed the day before, and alarm set for 4.30 am. Don't know why I bothered with setting the alarm - cos I was awake well before that! I'm sure I'm not the only one, but "I WAS TOO EXCITED!"
DH & DS up at 5.30 am, final bits & bobs put into suitcases and ready for the off! DS then had to find the cats (who were being looked after by Mum & Sister) to say goodbye to them. He loves the cats and they both love him - one follows him round like a dog!
DSis was taking us to the airport on her way to work (not much of a detour, and I have returned the favour!). We left the house at 6.30 am, and halfway down the road the usual questions were asked: "Have you got passports/money/tickets, etc". Bag double checked and yes we had got everything. This was the first year we hadn't gone through a Travel Agent, so I was hoping all our plans did not come crashing round our ears!
Arrived at Birmingham Airport at 7.30 am, DSis dropped us off, goodbyes and hugs all round, and off she went to work. Check in was fairly painless, queues not too bad, and we had already booked our seats. Row 16 C, D & E. We soon got rid of our cases and had boarding cards in hand. Quick visit to the Travelex desk to collect some more money, and then went upstairs to go through security.
As we approached the security area, I noticed that there were notices up everywhere saying that once through security, it was all no smoking. Now this didn't bother DS and myself, but DH does smoke, so he was not a happy bunny. Found an area for DH to have a last ciggie, and then went through to the departure lounge.
Our flight didn't leave until 11.15 am so we still had quite a bit of time to kill! Read the paper and read some of my book. DS sprawled out (as teenagers do) and tried to get a bit more sleep (he didn't realise there were two 5.30's in a day!!). Last year DS was ill before he even got on the plane, and the whole of the plane journey was spent backwards and forwards to the loo to dispose of sick bags. Not sure whether he had some sort of bug, or whether it was the thought of the long flight etc, and the fact that he was tired.
This year I wasn't taking any chances and I had brought some travel sickness tablets. Made sure he had them about half an hour before boarding the plane, even though he was a little bit sick whilst in the departure lounge.
Waited as long as possible to board the plane (why is that people rush to get onto the plane, and then moan that they are stuck on it for so long?). Seats were just by the door so no trying to negotiate the aisles of the plane. However, locker space was tight!
Flight was a little late taking off, as the cabin crew said we were waiting for one more person. There had been an american lady get on the plane very last minute, but apparently we were still waiting for one more. Obviously, someone within the crew was not good at maths, as it turned out we were waiting for this american lady, who was already on the plane.
Take off very smooth, and as soon as seat belt signs went off, the three people in front of us immediately reclined their seats and they stopped reclined for the whole of the journey.
We wouldn't have minded if they had asked, or even if they had put the seats back up when the food came round, and to add insult to injury, they had the extra leg room seats anyway!! We also had two young children sitting behind us, who were fairly quiet, but did keep kicking the back of our seats, and that got quite annoying as well. Also could not see the TV screen properly either as the lady in front had quite a bouffant (sp) hairstyle and her head was in the way. Had to listen to my music and read my book which I finished and started another!Rant over! and the good news that DS was not sick at all on the plane.
Chicken Carbonara was served (yuck!) so DH ate 3 meals (strange man - he likes plane food). About an hour before landing were served with a cheese sandwich and scone with cream - sandwich was horrible but scone was OK.Landed more or less on time, and immigration not too bad. I think Sanford have this organised really well in that it is one long line (in USA now), and you are then directed to the next available security man. I had warned DS not to say a word, and only speak when spoken to, but the guard was very pleasant. Asked us the usual questions and he commented we must like visiting the mouse, as he could see we had been before. He asked DS how old he was, and DS grunted that he was "four-een" (what is it about teenagers that they don't seem to pronounce their t's?). As he was 14 this year, he had to have his prints taken and photo thingy taken, so he felt really grown up.
Cases collected, it was out to find the Alamo offices, and collect the car. The lady behind the desk had a few problems with sorting out our paperwork, but eventually managed it. I had registered for the Drive Direct with Alamo which is supposed to save time and had registered DH's driving licence onto the system as he was the main driver. However, the booking was in my name and this is what caused the problem.
Anyway out to the car lot to choose our transport for the 2 weeks. We had booked a 7 seater, which I know seems a little excessive, but Dollar had given us a free upgrade last year to a 7-seater, and this had spoilt us. A very nice Alamo man pointed us in the right direction and said he would find us a good van. We ended up with a gold Cevrolet Uplander, complete with DVD player (not that we had any DVD's to play!!). Inspected the car for bumps/scratches etc and noticed a mark over the rear wheel. DS took a photo on his mobile so that if there were any queries on return, we had the evidence that it wasn't us.
Loaded car and off we went to find the 417. We always use this route to ease us into driving in America. We had to find the management company where we had to collect the keys, and surprisingly we found this quite easily. We thought we were lost, so I said we should pull into a gas station to ask for directions (we were on the right road), and lo and behold, there were the offices. Keys collected and we were given very clear directions to the Villa, although we knew we had to follow the 192 to the end, and then turn south down the 27.
Another 20 minutes or so and we were driving into the estate, and our property was very easy to find. The property was a two bed two bathroomed property, which was plenty big enough for the three of us. No private pool, but there was a communal pool, tennis court, snooker table, clubhouse, etc, that we could use.
By this time we were flagging somewhat, so we went back to Publix on the US27 for some essentials, milk, OJ, drinks, beer, etc. DS was hungry (what's new?) so we found a Denny's for a meal. Cannot remember what we had but it came to $31.10 plus tip.
Back to the villa, unpacked and crashed out at 10.00 pm (which was really 3.00 am UK time).
PS - Will try and work out how to post photos (can anyone help there?) so that you can see what we look like!!
__________________
