Tim and Family Do Orlando - The Journey

[Goofyish]

The Cast List:

Me (Tim) – Chief Planner, Camera Holder and Video Tape Loader
DW (Julie) – Video Photographer and General Packhorse
DD1 (Nicola, 12) – Sun Glass Breaker, Boy Watcher and Little Miss Forgetful
DD2 (Jade, 8) – Dalmatian Fan and Coaster Junkie
Nanny – Small green thing that was once a rabbit, much loved by Jade
Pablo – Citroen Picasso, much loved by Tim

The Journey

We planned to travel down to Gatwick on Friday 12th – the day before our flight. As soon as DW and the girls came home from school and got changed, we packed Pablo and set off.
I decided on the M40 route (thinking the M1 would be a bit busy). All went fine until just before High Wycombe when the traffic ground to a holt due to a lorry going off the motorway into a ditch! Luckily the hold up was only for a short while and we were soon on our way heading for the London Orbital Car Park. We entered the M25 in second gear and I don’t think we got above third gear until we were nearing the M23 turn off!
We finally made it to the Gatwick Hilton, checked in and took our bags to the room. I then ran down and took Pablo to his new home for the next two weeks. After a long tearful goodbye I caught the courtesy bus back to the airport and walked over to the Hilton. (Carefully noting down Pablo’s location ).
Once settled, we walked over to the south terminal to find some dinner. After a quick look at the Virgin check in desks (completely deserted), DDs decided that we would have a McDonald’s for dinner.
It was then back to the hotel for a good nights sleep – but I couldn’t sleep for the excitement

Next morning we woke at 6:30am, got washed and dressed and made our way to check in. Our flight was the Virgin VS15 taking off at 12:30pm. The check in hall looked a bit different from the night before – it was packed; even at 7:30am!
We queued for about 30 minutes to check in – but we got the seats we had booked. They were checking passports and asking the security questions along the queue to save time. After you were checked you had a green sticker put on your passport.
Before we made our way through to the departure lounge we had a nice breakfast.
There was quite a queue to go through to the departure lounge due to the extra security checks.

When we arrived at the gate they were handing out the Virgin kids bags, so DD’s went and got theirs. There was a second bag and body search before we were allowed to board – although for some reason I wasn’t searched – must look honest!

Take off was delayed slightly due to a back log of planes caused by early morning fog at Gatwick

Out outward plane was a 747-400 called Barbarella. It was equipped with the ‘Nova’ entertainment system, which had 7 film channels, 1 TV channel and a sky map.

I only watched one film (twice) – Dr. Doolittle II. Didn’t fancy any of the other films on other. I was surprised that there were not more films for kids. All the other films were 18 or 15 certificate.
The food was just OK. Here’s the menu:

Starter
Pasta pearl salad
Wholemeal mini loaf

Main Course (or Entrée) options
‘Fish and chips’

Mediterranean vegetable risotto

Garlic and herb chicken

Dessert
Passion fruit and mandarin mousse cake
Cheese and biscuits
After dinner mints

Tea or Coffee

I had the ‘Fish and chips’ which was just eatable!

We landed at 5pm – only 20 minutes late.

Next instalment – through the airport and off to WDW

 

[Nanajo1]

It sounds like you got off to a good start. I await your report.

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

Good start to the vacation.

I love flying Virgin.