Travel day...what do you all do???

[lorapinky]

Hello everyone,

When that day finally arrives - the day you finally go to WDW how do you all feel?

For example are you a relaxed person in which you stroll to the airport on holiday mode or are you the stressed type which isn't relaxed until your feet are on WDW soil?

Do you have any traditions or stories regarding travel day?

We fly from Manchester airport; my mum and her husband pick me and DH up early in the morning, around 4:00am!!! We rush around checking and double checking that everything is turned off in the house and that we have left clear instructions to our friends/family on how to look after our bunnies!

Once in the car I am fretting that we won't get there in time or something will go wrong.

Last time my poor mum had to stop off to go to the bathroom and I was pacing around worried we were losing time! I practically ran her back to the car!

Once at Manchester my mum pulls up and we say our goodbyes, we then head to the check in counter (we always fly with virgin) and get our bags etc sorted and 'yes we packed out luggage ourselves' etc. I am always very friendly to the whoever is checking me in, this is a mixture of being a) a nice person anyhow b) holiday spirit and (most importantly) c) increase my chances of a free upgrade! It has never happened yet

Once we have done this (which I find stressful as I always feel that I won’t be allowed to fly?) we head to a seat and just get an overpriced drink, walk through WHSmith and 'unwind' a little!!! (in 2005 we went into the lounge in which we had breakfast of cereals, toast, muffins, orange juice, tea/coffees and a good range of newspapers. We even had the internet which I used to check the DIS, it made the waiting time so much quicker, though I am unsure if I will pay for it again this year?)

We then head to the check in bit and watch our plane until departure! (DH goes whiter and whiter as he watches everything get loaded into the plane as he doesn’t like flying, me on the other hand love to see the women with the flags on the virgin plane – it’s a great feeling ).

Once we are called on it’s always a nervous worry that you haven't got a nice seat etc, but the main thing is you have a seat! Once the seat is found the next big worry is the take off, neither of us like this. When the plane begins to move around whilst waiting to take off and lining up with the runway I could honestly if I was allowed jump off, I hate the feeling of take off

Once the engines start making that thunderous noise I grab my DH hand and close my eyes, I don’t open them until I think we are finally up in the air and levelled out. It always takes a few minute to feel at ease, though nerves soon disappear when excitement over the film you are going to watch kicks in

Despite being a nervous flyer I love to look out of the window, I love seeing all the fields etc below I could do this for the whole flight!

Upon arriving into Orlando the stress kicks back in 1) has your luggage got here 2) is your luggage in one piece? 3) where do you go etc. We just follow the crowds, passport control is always stressful but once through this you play the suitcase game! We were shocked the first time we went how many time you get your luggage and how to get rid of it again and again!

Once all this is done (finally) we introduce ourselves to the rep in which she directs us to the limo (we like to travel in style). Walking out from the airport into the Florida heat is always a joy! Once in the limo we help ourselves to a drink and watch all the signs to WDW pass us by (if you are like me seeing the first WDW sign is pure heaven you honestly could burst with excitement).

Once we are dropped off we checked in and hope for a good room and then rush to our room with anticipation. Once we have jumped around and done the obligatory phone calls to let everyone know we are safe we run to DTD (we spend each first evening there) and buy a hotdog from a stand and take in the Disney atmosphere. Once this is done we then each take $20.00 each and have to buy each other one gift. This is always fun and a good excuse to explore

Once we have done this we head back to our room ready for an early night (never earlier then 9:00pm as we like to get into the Orlando zone, though I always wake up early) ready for the holiday ahead of us!

Gosh I have rambled on!

I guess I am so excited about going in 4 months!

Please share your stories / traditions of your travel day (it doesn’t have to be an essay like mine!)

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

DP is usually the main planner/checker and takes full control of everything.
Which is a good thing as I am the pale green lady sat in the corner shaking and feeling very A Mixture of nerves/travel sickness will last until we finally touch down at MCO

Dp's father picks us up and after numerous checks of the house,doors,windows,gates,plugs.
And head count,suitcase count,passports,money,hand luggage etc we will finally set off.

We go to Manchester airport and wave of FIL and then onto Virgin to check in.
Our daughter loves the airport so we usually hear her shrieks of " look at the size of the plane" whilst mummy continues to look away and go greener.

Finally on board,DP is still fully under control and I sit on the end mumbling and clinging to the seat for dear life.
DD bounces around the plane in excitement and DP insists on filming my green face for future embarrassment.

DD then gets a little present to keep her occupied.
And on take off we all hold hands and DD sometimes cuggles mummy to make sure mummy is alright.
Once in the air I tend to hide my face in a magazine and ignore the vile smell of the food after numerous "sick" trips I might have a nap lol.

Landing I hate, and will mainly hide my face into the back of the seat in front.
And once finally off the plane I take in the heat/and smell of FLORIDA AHHHHHH Bliss.

We pick up the car and off we go to the hotel where we check in/ unpack/ DD checks out the beds and decides on "hers" and we head off once freshened up for a bite to eat before an early night.

All this was based on our last trip however next year will be different as we will have DD 8 and DD nearly 3

 

[tttessa]

I know exactly how you feel!!! I go into stress mode for a while every stage of the trip -then it dies down, then up again etc...

I think I will find it more stressful this time as we are travelling with the kids (5 + 7) and I'm worried we won't get to sit all 4 together on the plane.

We plan to stay at Gatwick the previous night and use the twighlight check in as someone has said you can have more time to "state your case for being together" if lots of people have checked in on-line or prebooked seats. (We booked VA through a travel agent - so don't know how pre booking seats etc will work yet... stress!!)

Also worried about entertaining 2 kids for over 9 hours after having to do it for 2-3 hours at the airport!!

Hey ho ... I've still got 11 months to stress over it - anyone got spare prozac...

Tessa

 

[dc1964]

I wouldn't worry about been split up, is it not the case that aviation rules state children under 16 must be seated with an adult, which i assume should mean the parent, for obvious reasons.


what is the last thing i do before going on holiday

1. Put pot plants in sink
2.leave radio on in case of burglars.

 

[Andy Lou & Meg]

Normally on the day of travel we are up quite early (we travel from Gatwick and only live 30 minutes from there but I guess the excitment always gets to us) having checked in the night before (with Virgin) I dont worry about turning up at the airport hours early. We like to arrive a couple of hours before so that we can drop our bags off then we head for breakfast somewhere - usually Garfunkles. Once that is done we have a wonder around the shops (normally to pick up some books) and duty free (we never by anything there so I dont know why we look). We then head up stairs or if there is a space there is a nice cafe overlooking the runway where DH and DD6 watch the planes take off and land.

On the plane we normally watch films, listen to Ipods or read. None of us are scared of flying so we really enjoy looking out the window...

On arrival after the endless queues at immigration and the numerous baggage reclaims its off to pick up the car and drive straight to our Disney Hotel.

Once we get there we allocate beds, unpack, arrange for Mickey to wake us up in the morning (DD still thinks he calls her personally which I think is wonderful). Then depending on how tired we are we will either eat in the hotel or head for our first and only trip to McDonalds near the All Star resorts.

With a bit of luck on the way back we have a wonder around the hotel to get our bearings then head off to bed.

Not very exciting and not normally stressful. I must say though that before we get to the airport DH asks me a least 3 times if I have the passports, money etc.........I am beginning to think he doesnt trust me.

 

[Disney owl]

I plan, pack & organise!

At airport we're both chilled as we'll have spent the previous night in airport hotel. Definalely the way to go. DH does worry a little about right check in counter, corect gate etc. & constantly watches info screens. But is's managable

 

[wicket2005]

The last two years we have flown from Newcastle and arrived at the airport at about 4 am. Usually on the way I double check and treble check essentials are in my bag, ie passport, credit card, etc. I am never stressed out just very excited though only truly relaxed when we are in the departure lounge.

However, I do get stressed out going through immigration because I know this is the person who ultimately allows us into the country, even though I have nothing to hide, I still feel like I have. We had a horrible officer last year which will no doubt make me feel worse when we head for immigration this year.

 

[Soprano]

Wake up. Check tickets/passports/holiday details. Call whoever is dropping up to Victoria. After shower grab coffee and check tickets/passports/holiday details. Too excited/nervous for breakfast. Leave quietly hoping no neighbour sees up as the paranoid in my suspects some of my neighbours know burglars…

Check tickets/passports/holiday details at Victoria, get on Gatwick Express. Arrive at Gatwick hoping to avoid long queues, hope there are no delays. Not once yet with Virgin! Drop off bags, then try and start to relax. Take Kalms, which may or may not help me.

Head to McDonalds for breakfast which I can not usually eat. Tour the shops. Check tickets/passports/holiday details. Try to use the toilets before boarding (apologies if too much information there!)

Hope the entertainment system works, hope the person in front will not push their chair back…

Brace for take-off (which I enjoy) switch over to US time and then start to relax. Watch the map, the time, the films, the time, the map, the films. Then boredom sets in…. Keep the kids happy, more tv, more clock watching….

Love coming in to land. Looking out at US soil, knowing we're almost there...

Finally arrive. The endless checks and stuff doesn't bother me, the monorail I have come to love, and then bag pick up! Take a quick few moments to settle down, then pick up the car, quick drive and a cheer as we arrive at the hotel. That's a great feeling, being given your key and being told we hope you enjoy your stay.

Unpack, then head off to get something to eat. FINALLY spending dollars. Pop into Walgreens for some snacks, then back to the hotel for a bit of TV and an early night, knowing the body will be waking itself up at 5/6am!

 

[ukdisneydreamer]

We fly from Glasgow and have the benefit of staying at the holiday inn there the night before.

Get up travel day eat breakfast and check everything before checking out of holiday inn, cross the road to airport and head to St Andrews building to check in at TCD. Once checked in DH and I go straight through to departure area (just in case) and browse around duty free, head to the bar for some dutch courage . Then we go to look for the BIIIIIG jumbo that sticks out a mile at Glasgow and plonk ourselves down for the wait. DH goes to the toilet about 20 times before we even board.

Once we are called head upstairs to Premier and hope we have the seats at the back so we can recline fully. Take off is quite easy for us, sme bolied sweeties for our ear popping and we are fine. This is where the boredim sets in as all the stress DH has gone through (he stresses about the tickets, the luggage, everything) kicks in and he promptly falls asleep - I try to find things to occupy myself - but get very restless on the plane.

Arrive at Sanford and hopefully because we are one of first off the plane there shouldnt be long queues. Go outside and feel the WHUMP as Florida air hits us. DH goes to Dollar desk to get car and then we head straight down I4 (I know people say to take the tolls but we prefer one straight road) to Pop Century.

Because we arrive at WDW about 9pm local time we usually just check in and then head to Walmart for some supplies(Ruffles, Pepsi and subs) its a good excuse to spend money straight away.

Head back to our room and watch USA tv till we drop off in time to get up about 6am the next day to head to MK.

 

[tashasmum]

Up very early (actually i don't sleep the night before as i am too excited even after going for 10 years). Get dh and dd up at 5 ready for our lift at 5.30. Head straight to check-in to get rid of the bags then its off to terminal 1 for breakfast. Watch a few planes taking off and landing whilst browsing the newspapers then back over to terminal 2 and through security. After locating the right gate we take it in turns to browse through duty free just to pass a bit more time. Stock up on drinks and snacks and then we are ready to board. When the plane starts to board i always need a trip to the loo. When we land in Florida and after all the rigmarole of getting the bags and car we head straight for the hotel to unpack.
Our first evening is a bit of a tradition and we head for DTD to buy the cross stitch kits they have brought out since our last visit. A bit of tea before going to Walmart to stock up on beverages and snacks for the parks. It's just a case of staying awake as long as possible,don't know why as we are up about 5am ready to start the day at Mk.

 

[Ali and boyz]

Panic

I am a bundle of nerves the whole day, get a bit calmer once we reach the airport

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Always go the night before and stay at Gatwick. Not playing with the M25 the day of ANY flight!

Get up around 6am flight day (lie in for me!) go to the check in desks for 7am, go through fasttrack security and up to the Clubhouse for breakfast and relax before the flight.

Go down to the gate when called and then get annoyed as priority boarding does not seem to work at Gatwick.

Get to Orlando, and I know I have arrived on holiday when the shuttle train says "this shuttle is leaving momentarily"

 

[islandmum]

because my dad was a 747 captain and because of where we live (we do alot of travelling on planes with the kids - at least 15 flights a year) both me and the kids dont see the travel as anything huge to get all excited about.

I mean we love to fly, but I know how and when to book the tickets, I know the " tricks of the trade" to get certain things, I know what times to check-in without hassle (personally I do the twi-light check-in as many others do, stay at the Sofitel in Gatwick overnight and mosey on through to the clubhouse lounge and chill out with the kids before the flight .... no stress or rushing) and the kids view planes as just another way of getting somewhere as they travel on them so often.

but for us from here ..... flight leaves at 7.15 to St Lucia so we'll check-in at 7 (wonderfully laid back here!!) and we live exactly 1.5 miles from the end of the runway so travel isnt a problem! then change in St Lcuia for flight to San Jaun, arrive San Juan 10.50. Lunch at Nathan hot dogs in the concourse, Miami flight at 12.15, arrive Miami about 2pm, off to hotel in Miami for a week or so then drive off to WDW .... YEEEHAAAA!

it is really nice to see peoples excited faces getting on planes to go somewhere, but excited flyers also make you cringe in the airports with some of the things they do and some of the things they worry about.

my tip - flying is easy, be firm in the reservations you book, dont get obsessed with things like "seat guru" which is great but dont get stressed if the seats you get are not what they advise ..... its all over in a matter of hours anyway. Its the safest way to travel, use twi-light check-in if you can and as you say .... NEVER be grumpy with the check-in staff ... they control your destiny!!