malcolm silcock
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- May 26, 2002
- Messages
- 75
Holiday from May 19th to June 2nd
Staying at Shadow Bay Apartments, Kissimmee.
Players
Me (Malcolm) 40 year old, Story teller, Grump and Organiser (if things go wrong).
DW (Maria Spanyardo) 34 years old, Saver of holiday money, Proposer of holiday and Organiser (if things go OK).
DS (Ben) 14 years old, six foot tall (going through the spot zone just now), very laid back (in love with Buffy the Vampire Slayer arent we all).
DD (Katie) 12 years old, two foot tall, is going to be an actress or a barmaid, unable to talk so sings everything to you (and anyone else that will listen).
DS (Keiran) 5 years old (Autistic) provider of the most fun and biggest problems.
DM (Elva) 260 years old pixie, thrill freak and recipient of the largest food portions in USA.
DF (Roy) 200 year old water park and water ride expert, talked a good talk about riding thrill rides but total score for the holiday NIL.
Day 1 (the outward journey)
Friday
After last year problems getting to Glasgow airport DW and myself were a little worried about the pending three hour drive. So at 03.00am got up (checked for snow) and packed the kids into the car. Keiran was giving us a you must be mad look as hed only been to bed for three hours and as we spend most of out nights trying to get him to sleep - waking him up was a novelty (and a revenge).
Half way down (near Dundee) I called DF on the mobile to check they were out of bed (they had stayed at my sisters in Kirriemuir, their very old and needed the extra hour in their beds. They also had to drop off their dog (a rat called Big Mac but Im sure theres more meat on a Big Mac than this dog) for my sister to mind while they where on holiday. Turns out they where just a little in front of us and we agreed to meet at my works office at Glasgow airport where we would be leaving the cars during our holiday saving long term parking fees tight or what?
We met up OK at the airport and proceeded to check-in. We were early, but we needed to be as we had to get the bulk-head seats confirmed (even though we had a fax confirmation from Britania that two bulk-head seats were booked for Keiran and Maria -on medical grounds), the attendant had a face on her like the back end of a camel in a sand storm, boy was she a happy bunny good PR for the airline. Mrs. Ghanis Khan then advised us that we could not have the bulkhead seats with a disabled passenger. After pointing out that her head office had confirmed it and that Airtours, KLM, BA, Easyjet and many other airlines gave us these seats without a problem she gave up her deeds to these seats (think shed sold the rights to some one else and would now have to give the money back?).
After getting rid of all the baggage (kept the DW) we headed to the McDonalds (Keirans fav. and my least fav. food) for breakfast and a walk round the various shops. On checking with DF we discovered that the promised plug-in mosquito killers and adapters where were short packed (we planned on three but only had the one I had packed). A quick trip to Boots sorted this out and the new plug-ins and adapters were packed in DFs hand luggage.
Time to check-in to the departure area (and duty free section) via passport control and airport security. It was while passing security that DF was pulled up for a baggage and body search Why? Yes you guest it the plug-in bug killers and adapters I just packed in his bag had upset someone on the screening machine Laugh, I was crying.
Anyway onto the plane via a coffee and a trip to the duty free shop (DF bought a bottle of Pernod at the duty free stange, didnt know he liked it) and we settled down for the flight which was uneventful if a little cramped (Marias and Keiran seats were a little better on the knee room as they were the bulk-head seats).
Announcement by Captain advising that today was Malcolm Silcocks 40th birthday will kill Maria when we land!
Meals and entertainment were OK.
Arrived at Orlando International at 15.00 hrs and went to the baggage re-claim area. I have to say that this double baggage handling system is a pain in the ankle! Sanford is much quicker and a whole lot easier I can even get out of Murmansk Airport quicker and that says something (steps off soapbox).
After collecting our baggage for the second time we find the Alamo bus without too much of a problem and load-up for the rental car site.
At Alamo Im all ready for their sales patter Ive got all the insurance we need and we dont want an up-grade. Only pending question is does DF want to add his name as a second driver which he is still debating as we are called forward to the desk. I hand over the voucher and await the pending questions
Q. Would you like an up-grade?
R. Yes why not WHAT!! I hadnt opened my month, DF had decided to upgrade and add his name to the insurance cover while he was queuing!!!??
Right outside to the seven seater Truck (thats what they drive like), load the baggage, kids and anyone else standing still for too long and off we go to find the apartment agent (keys) and then the apartment in Kissimmee. Go to Walmart for min. stores (beer, coffee, milk and beer)
Get the keys and find the apartment without getting too lost too many times and start the un-pack program. Apartment is great it was an up-grade after they messed up our hotel booking.
Weve all in our light UK clothing still (you feel such an idiot at Glasgow airport in shorts and T-shirts when everyone else is wearing wholly mammoth jackets and seal skin pants). So as chief un-packer, porter and get those for me - Im feeling the heat (its 19.35 and still in the low 90oC).
Quick change of clothes and its down to Sonnys for a BBQ special - $46.00 for seven people and a large bag of to go meat.
Back to the apartment and crash out into bed, feel like Ive been up for three days without sleep.
Tomorrow its Universal Studios.
At 03.00 I woke up!!!
Got back to sleep at 04.00 and woke up at 07.35 can we cancel today?
Staying at Shadow Bay Apartments, Kissimmee.
Players
Me (Malcolm) 40 year old, Story teller, Grump and Organiser (if things go wrong).
DW (Maria Spanyardo) 34 years old, Saver of holiday money, Proposer of holiday and Organiser (if things go OK).
DS (Ben) 14 years old, six foot tall (going through the spot zone just now), very laid back (in love with Buffy the Vampire Slayer arent we all).
DD (Katie) 12 years old, two foot tall, is going to be an actress or a barmaid, unable to talk so sings everything to you (and anyone else that will listen).
DS (Keiran) 5 years old (Autistic) provider of the most fun and biggest problems.
DM (Elva) 260 years old pixie, thrill freak and recipient of the largest food portions in USA.
DF (Roy) 200 year old water park and water ride expert, talked a good talk about riding thrill rides but total score for the holiday NIL.
Day 1 (the outward journey)
Friday
After last year problems getting to Glasgow airport DW and myself were a little worried about the pending three hour drive. So at 03.00am got up (checked for snow) and packed the kids into the car. Keiran was giving us a you must be mad look as hed only been to bed for three hours and as we spend most of out nights trying to get him to sleep - waking him up was a novelty (and a revenge).
Half way down (near Dundee) I called DF on the mobile to check they were out of bed (they had stayed at my sisters in Kirriemuir, their very old and needed the extra hour in their beds. They also had to drop off their dog (a rat called Big Mac but Im sure theres more meat on a Big Mac than this dog) for my sister to mind while they where on holiday. Turns out they where just a little in front of us and we agreed to meet at my works office at Glasgow airport where we would be leaving the cars during our holiday saving long term parking fees tight or what?
We met up OK at the airport and proceeded to check-in. We were early, but we needed to be as we had to get the bulk-head seats confirmed (even though we had a fax confirmation from Britania that two bulk-head seats were booked for Keiran and Maria -on medical grounds), the attendant had a face on her like the back end of a camel in a sand storm, boy was she a happy bunny good PR for the airline. Mrs. Ghanis Khan then advised us that we could not have the bulkhead seats with a disabled passenger. After pointing out that her head office had confirmed it and that Airtours, KLM, BA, Easyjet and many other airlines gave us these seats without a problem she gave up her deeds to these seats (think shed sold the rights to some one else and would now have to give the money back?).
After getting rid of all the baggage (kept the DW) we headed to the McDonalds (Keirans fav. and my least fav. food) for breakfast and a walk round the various shops. On checking with DF we discovered that the promised plug-in mosquito killers and adapters where were short packed (we planned on three but only had the one I had packed). A quick trip to Boots sorted this out and the new plug-ins and adapters were packed in DFs hand luggage.
Time to check-in to the departure area (and duty free section) via passport control and airport security. It was while passing security that DF was pulled up for a baggage and body search Why? Yes you guest it the plug-in bug killers and adapters I just packed in his bag had upset someone on the screening machine Laugh, I was crying.
Anyway onto the plane via a coffee and a trip to the duty free shop (DF bought a bottle of Pernod at the duty free stange, didnt know he liked it) and we settled down for the flight which was uneventful if a little cramped (Marias and Keiran seats were a little better on the knee room as they were the bulk-head seats).
Announcement by Captain advising that today was Malcolm Silcocks 40th birthday will kill Maria when we land!
Meals and entertainment were OK.
Arrived at Orlando International at 15.00 hrs and went to the baggage re-claim area. I have to say that this double baggage handling system is a pain in the ankle! Sanford is much quicker and a whole lot easier I can even get out of Murmansk Airport quicker and that says something (steps off soapbox).
After collecting our baggage for the second time we find the Alamo bus without too much of a problem and load-up for the rental car site.
At Alamo Im all ready for their sales patter Ive got all the insurance we need and we dont want an up-grade. Only pending question is does DF want to add his name as a second driver which he is still debating as we are called forward to the desk. I hand over the voucher and await the pending questions
Q. Would you like an up-grade?
R. Yes why not WHAT!! I hadnt opened my month, DF had decided to upgrade and add his name to the insurance cover while he was queuing!!!??
Right outside to the seven seater Truck (thats what they drive like), load the baggage, kids and anyone else standing still for too long and off we go to find the apartment agent (keys) and then the apartment in Kissimmee. Go to Walmart for min. stores (beer, coffee, milk and beer)
Get the keys and find the apartment without getting too lost too many times and start the un-pack program. Apartment is great it was an up-grade after they messed up our hotel booking.
Weve all in our light UK clothing still (you feel such an idiot at Glasgow airport in shorts and T-shirts when everyone else is wearing wholly mammoth jackets and seal skin pants). So as chief un-packer, porter and get those for me - Im feeling the heat (its 19.35 and still in the low 90oC).
Quick change of clothes and its down to Sonnys for a BBQ special - $46.00 for seven people and a large bag of to go meat.
Back to the apartment and crash out into bed, feel like Ive been up for three days without sleep.
Tomorrow its Universal Studios.
At 03.00 I woke up!!!
Got back to sleep at 04.00 and woke up at 07.35 can we cancel today?
Krissy
