Virgin Twilight Checkin - Staying at Gatwick - Where to eat

[kazd]

We are doing the twilight checkin and are staying at the Ramada, can anyone suggest places to eat around there.

Thanks

 

[natalielongstaff]

gosh i had not thought of eating that night lol
tooooo busy planning the actual holiday !!

what a great question

 

[mandymouse]

Hi there kazd

We always do twilight check in and then have a wander around the airport to the shops and restaurents upstairs. There is a large McDonalds, a pub that does really nice pub-grub (and breakfast on departure morning), but the last time we were there we went to Frankie and Bennys and had some very nice pizzas.

Hope this helps

mandymouse

 

[kazd]

Natalie,

Unfortunately food is important to me. I guess its taken the place of smoking. I have to say that having lived in the US for five years, I think the US preoccupation with eating out has rubbed off on me, much to the detriment of my figure.

Mandy,

Thanks for that, I must admit I hadn't thought about eating at the airport but thats probably a good idea. Guess the best bet would be to check in at the hotel and then drive to the airport and check in there.

We are not leaving our house until 4ish after the kids come home from school. So it will be a little snack, change of clothes and off. We are off this Friday so starting to get excited and at the same time really worried that we haven't planned the itinerary properly. It never occured to me to make an itinerary until I found this board. But it makes complete sense.

Karen

PS

Our hotel does free breakfast for up to three children if the adults have full breakfast (costs £11.00 ea). We thought that would probably be cheaper than having breakfast at the airport. Unless of course we just went to McD's for brekkie. Do you remember the price of the breakfast you had at the pub?

 

[mandymouse]

Hi there kazd

Sorry I can't remember exact prices but I'm sure it was about £5 for a full breakfast. If you have a wander around the night before, all the prices are displayed on the menu outside the pub.

mandymouse

 

[kazd]

doh (In my best Homer Simpson Voice) Of course, thanks again.

 

[Little Starfish]

We went to Franky and Benny's in the South Terminal the evening before our flight. The Pizza was really thin and crispy..so nice! The burgers etc looked fairly good too. Made a good start to the holiday!

 

[mandymouse]

Hey kazd

Is it this Friday that you are going on holiday? I take it your off to Orlando. Is this your first visit? and where are you stopping? sorry, but I'm just nosey.

Have a great time

mandymouse

 

[kazd]

Hi MandyMouse,

Yes its mine and the kids first visit to Disney Florida, I am ashamed to say that even though I lived in DC for 5 years I didn't ever get to go. Most of my vacations were spent coming back to blighty to visit family. However, I had my honeymoon on the West Coast and did visit Disney for the day.

We did 3 weeks in Sarasota about 8 years ago, but my DS was only 20 months so we gave Disney a miss.

We decided to go for Villas (Disney hotels were just too expensive although if I ever win on the Premium Bonds we will be there like a shot). I trawled the net and eventually came up with OrlandoVillas, shortlisted by search for all the extras and came up with one in Kissimmee. Didn't fancy the hotels because we have three kids and this always seems to cause a problem and didn't want to be stuck in one room with three kids. Looked at Holiday Suites but they seemed comparable to the price of the Villas and we thought it would be nice to have more space.

Our villa has cost £500 for the week, but it has all the extra's I wanted like King Size Bed (can't stand to be cramped in bed, especially when you get visitors in the night). Playstation (yes I know we probably won't get to use them but they are there in case of emergencies). Disney themed rooms for the kids etc.

We then move to Marco Island where we have another villa, this was a bit more expensive about £700 but is also fully loaded and has internet as well as games, dvd's etc

My DH has been three times but it was nearly 15 years ago, so things will have changed. This will be a complete learning curve for us, but I am already thinking about booking up again.

Do you know anything about this dvc, is it some sort of reward points thing.

 

[mandymouse]

Well Kazd

That all sounds fantastic, I hope you have a fab time and I look forward to hearing all about it when you get back.

mandymouse

p.s. give Goofy a big hug from me

 

[kazd]

Hi Manymouse,

We will thanks, and we will give goofy and Rubber Duck (thats what my four year old calls Donald) a big hug.

By the way, yes its this Friday we are off.

Kazd

 

[DisneyBB]

Hi Kazd,

DVC is the "Disney Vacation Club", it is a time share. You purchase a certain number of points and every year you can spend them on holidays. We bought boughts, and our home resort in OKW. We have stayed at the other DVC resorts, Boardwalk villas, beachclub villas, and wilderness lodge villas. It is ideal for us as we get to stay in self catering accommadation right in the heart of Disney.

 

[Pootle]

Hi Karen

When you are there - if you feel you are going to love it so much that you'll be back at least every other year - then take a look at the DVC. You can sign up for a tour at any of the theme parks; there is always a DVC stand somewhere. Currently they are only selling the new resort, Saratoga Springs, but you can buy on the second hand market for different 'home' resorts and at cheaper prices. Whatever, you won't be put under any pressure to buy and could consider it on your return home, having got all the details.

Have a great holiday.

 

[Bellis Belle]

Hi There

Definately Frankie & Bennys, south terminal, gets you in the Florida mood and the food is excellent, kind of New York Italian theme going on.

ENJOY and have a fab time

 

[kazd]

Frankie and Bennie's it will probably be then, we have one here in Northampton which is quite good.

Kazd