Welcome home - Live trip report!

[arieliwish]

Hi guys, we're here and loving it!

Stayed at Premier Inn Manchester airport Sat night and considering it was a last minute booking, we couldn't fault it. Kids had two sofa bed type things but they were full size so all had a good sleep.

Sunday

Flights with Delta were fine, crew and food were excellent, no complaints at all. We'd requested wheelchair for DH so I pushed him through Manchester and got straight through security with him, very easy. Breakfast at Frankie & Benny's was lovely and we bought a few duty free things. All staff we encountered at the airport were friendly, which isn't how I remember them at all lol!
On arrival at Atlanta there was a wheelchair and young man waiting to collect DH and he whisked us through the airport and immigration. We had about a 15 minute wait for our immigration man but not bad as the main queue was quite big. Our immigration man was very serious with me and DH but once he got to the kids he was lovely and funny, quite a relief really! We then had two hours to kill in the airport so sat watching the NFL game on the tv'. The plane was late coming to the gate so it did get quite busy as there were loads of people on standby lists for the fight, something I've never seen before. Again on landing DH had a wheelchair waiting and a lovely guy swiftly got us through to the DME, the airport was quiet.

Finally arrived at Old Key West around 11pm (4am UK time!) and were disappointed to find we'd been allocated building 39 with a second floor room. I had emailed twice to request ground floor for DH and his hired motorised scooter. The man went away for a long time and then came back with room 2016 for us. We're on Millers road just after the bus stop and our patio looks onto the pool. It has a large accessible shower instead of bath. We couldn't do much more than collapse into bed! Garden Grocer had left our stuff at bell services as well as our Apple Scooter.

Monday

Woke at half 4 but felt terrible to forced myself back to sleep until 6.30. The plan for today would be to head to Epcot early but we were all exhausted so changed plans (first day!) Had a nice breakfast in Olivia's which we paid oop for, came to $54.98 plus tip. We had a look in the shop where I bought US benadryl and clear eyes, always have to buy these here! We got our refillable mugs and then DS and I got the Alamo shuttle to collect our car. Our driver chatted our heads off, he was from Montserrat and had family in Birmingham. Hi to the couple from Leicester/Newcastle who were also on the bus. At Alamo the guy did try to get us to upgrade to a bigger vehicle but we declined. I had added everything when I booked so there was nothing else for him to add. I thought we'd get a jeep suv but we got a silver Ford Explorer and it is MASSIVE! It has extra seats in the boot but they easily folded flat so we could get DH motorised scooter in - it is heavy to lift by the way, but we managed. Went back to OKW to collect DH and DD and headed to Epcot. Used our blue badge on the mirror and were waived through to the disabled parking. Oh and I hired a tomtom from ebay and it is fantastic, no worrying about which lane to be in and it reminds you to keep driving on the right hand side!

We all love Epcot, there's just something special about it, maybe it's because I remember it opening as a 13 year old and just being amazed by it (prob from Newsround reports of it!). We got our photopass card here and hired a locker for the back pack I was meant to leave in the car. Had a walk through innovations and then did Ellen's thing, we were slightly disappointed it didn't seem to have been updated since our last visit 8 years ago, surprising considering energy and the whole eco thing has changed so much. We did Mission space green ride so DH could do it with us. Last time it was just me and DD as DS was too small and DH couldn't due to his stroke etc. It was good and still exciting/scary as I'd forgotten how enclosed you actually are. And another note for anyone - motorised scooters can go in the regular queue for most rides and are parked up close to the ride itself. If this isn't possible then usually the scooter parking is close by. They don't allow pushchairs through at all though. There is certainly more disabled access than last time we were here and it wasn't bad then! Heavy rain and thunder around early afternoon but it eased off enough for us to walk about in it, warm rain - what's not to like?!

We got fastpasses for Test Track and Soarin and had lunch in sunshine seasons, our first use of the DDP. Got sandwiches which were huge, we would have shared two between 4 of us if we had known, and had to have a dessert which we didn't want, but got 4 cookies to take away. We also got small drinks (lemonade was fab, still not sparkling) and our server asked if we wanted to change them to large. Mm. We then did Figment and the Nemo ride which were a lot of fun and had a while looking at the fish and manatees and headed over to Mousegear and spent an awfully long time in there! The kids bought new lightweight lanyards and pins (thought they wouldn't bother with these this time as they're 18 and 15 but they're loving it!) and a Mickey baseball cap for DS. We also did the Land boat ride and enjoyed it again.

Dinner was in Garden Grill which was very busy. Our server was the most full on one we've ever had, replacing drinks before we'd finished and bringing more steak and potatoes when we really didn't want to eat much after the sandwiches earlier. He did bring a big bottle of Perrier which he said he could add to the DDP for us so I was happy with that. The steak and mash were to die for by the way, the turkey was good too but I didn't like the fish. I think it was because DD said it would be the fish in the tank farm we had just seen on the Land ride. I'm not sure if it is but it put me off!

Next Test Track and DH scooter got right through. However as we got to the front of the line the ride broke down and they did a full evacuation. We didn't find out what happened but we did hear people saying they'd had to climb down from the track. We were all given fastpasses with 31st Aug expiry date, and a cm got DH and his scooter in the lifts and helped him out, very good service and he was given a hard time by a lot of people in the queue, mainly south americans I'd like to point out. So we went to Soarin, which even with the fastpass was about half an hour wait. I had forgotten how good this was, and also how breathtaking when it scoops you up to the screen. Fantastic. Incredible. When we came out Test Track was back online so we went on it, had a bit to wait in fastpass but not too bad. We had already made our cars on our kttw card and DD asked the cm at the entrance to the design room if we could use our cars instead of make new ones, and said we'd been evacuated. He said 'oh you guys got evacuated? No, come straight through to the ride' - he opened the doors and took us to the front of the queue and on to the next car, bypassing the design room altogether, and we'd been quite happy to just stand and wait! The test sequence is more intense than the old ride, but great. BUT as our car got to the launch tunnel the ride stopped again! We sat for around 10 mins and thought we'd be taken off but we finally got going. I have to say sitting at the launch tunnel waiting is NOT good for my nerves lol! But the ride is fantastic, super fast and crazy! Loved it. It was then after 9 so we left the park and came back to the room to crash.

DH scooter played up a few times, mainly on inclines, we joked he was too heavy, but it won't charge now so called Apple Scooter and hopefully they'll contact us when they open at 8am.

Woke before 6 this morning and had intended to do MK but we've changed plans again and are going to DTD first and then MK later as we have BOG reservation for 4.35pm. Might go for a swim shortly.

I think that's everything for now, feels like we've done so much already!

 

[Tony Bush]

A great start. I'm glad you got your room sorted out ok, pity they hadn't done that from the start ! nice to see they are flexible on some dining plan stuff.

keep up the reports.... I'll read with excitement!

Tony

 

[wilma-bride]

Great start I'm impressed you managed to go back to sleep on your first morning, I can never manage to do that.

Sounds like a packed first day - can't believe Test Track is still breaking down, I thought they would have resolved all the old issues when it was refurbed.

By the way, you can edit the title by clicking on 'Edit', then 'Go advanced', that will give you the option to edit the title

 

[queendisney]

looking forward to reading more.

 

[Elise79]

Sounds great

Can I ask how big was the main bed at the Premier Inn? (I looked at booking however all I could find was 'double' and we need at least a 5' King bed)

 

[sammie1884]

Sounds like you are having a fab time! I love reading the live trip reports.

We are going to do Pin trading this time (the kids first time) so I am really looking forward to that!

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Great start, have a lovely holiday

 

[Shazzie B]

Glad they sorted the room out, we're hoping for buildings 30+ perhaps we'll get your old one now Have a great day tomorrow, we're finding NY as tiring as WDW, but like you I was awake from 2am so that hasn't helped

 

[arieliwish]

Sounds great

Can I ask how big was the main bed at the Premier Inn? (I looked at booking however all I could find was 'double' and we need at least a 5' King bed)

We have a king bed at home and it felt at least normal to us, doubles usually feel small! Was very comfy too, felt like a better class than premier inn and had tea and coffee in room and food and bar downstairs. Kids went down and brought pizza back to room. You had to pay to park but as DH has a blue badge it was free.

 

[sandshal]

Fab updates ......... Keep them coming xxxx

Sharon

 

[Elise79]

We have a king bed at home and it felt at least normal to us, doubles usually feel small! Was very comfy too, felt like a better class than premier inn and had tea and coffee in room and food and bar downstairs. Kids went down and brought pizza back to room. You had to pay to park but as DH has a blue badge it was free.

Thanks - can consider it next time we fly from Manchester

 

[susie2]

great reports, would be intersetd in who you rented the tomtom of we need one for our trip in nov, thanks susie

 

[arieliwish]

Tuesday 27th

Kids were tired today so we had a slower start. Me and DS went to pool for an hour, there were a few people sat around it but no one else in water. DH and DD met the scooter man at Bell Services and swapped batteries on the scooter, it now shows full battery where the other didn't and it doesn't drop when going up an incline. However later we found it didn't charge so need to contact them again to swap charger, thankfully battery still showing full.

Went to Downtown Disney and collected the gift card - jewellery room in world of Disney. Headed to DisneyQuest as this is an old favourite and were disappointed to find it was almost identical to 8 years ago. Grabbed lunch in Foodquest and that was good, burgers, pizza, parfait and fruit and massive drinks that we couldn't finish.

We did ride the comix and the headset pulled my glasses down so it was out of focus, same as 8 years ago, then Aladdin which was fun, jungle cruise was rubbish as you don't get water sprayed and we didn't feel involved at all, pirates was still fun, the alien encounter was offline as they'd had a leak or something, and we queued for astro blasters but half the cars wouldn't work so left the queue. Kids had a few goes on the machines and we left, all gutted that what we loved didn't live up to our expectations, maybe you shouldn't go back to some things.

Left the car here and got a bus to contemporary and walked to MK, couldn't find a bus direct to the parks from here. MK was hot and we had a reservation at 4.30pm at Be our Guest so walked straight there. The theming is very good in the new area, however we all commented that the construction of the mine train being in display is very un-Disney. There were lots of people waiting on he bridge at BOG so we checked in at the desk and were given a buzzer to wait. With no shade at all there it was boiling and kids were standing behind the lamp posts to get some relief. I think they'll have to shade this area soon and add some seating. We were called in and shown to our table in the Rose room on the right, lovely quiet room and despite the main room being much more beautiful it was very noisy. Loved the snow out of the window and the flickering candle lights. We ordered and went for a look around the West Wing room, DD had hoped to be in here but it was very dark and a lot of people (like us!) were coming in to look and take pics. The food was to die for, DS had steak, DS had chicken, I had shrimp and scallops, DH had salmon. Very very good and DS's fries were almost like real chips! Desserts were cupcakes and cream puffs and were lovely. The bill for this was actually cheaper than Garden Grill ($154 GG and $140 here) but it felt like a much classier meal.

From here were walked to Under the Sea which showed 30 mins but TP lines app showed 15, and we got on it in 12! Loved this ride as we all love little mermaid, even DS knows the words to the songs, he won't admit it though! Next we had a look in the shop and Gastons and headed to Tomorrowland. Carousel of Progress, another old favourite, was a walk on and felt updated thank god as last time we got stuck between centuries lol! It was nice to see a lot of people in here too. Then we did Buzz which was very busy and a 20 min wait, it didn't feel as good as DLP which I think was updated, felt very slow. Saw the Dogs on stage dancing to very loud music, Bolt, Dug, Pluto, Stitch. As it was getting late we tried to get fast pass for BTM but they'd stopped giving them out so did Haunted Mansion instead, again we love this ride. As everyone was waiting for the fireworks we left for the bus back to OKW, again we couldn't see one to DTD. I like how the cm's keep the pavements clear, DLP has the arcades at either side that you can walk through to avoid the crowds. The bus was packed and we left at 8.45pm, they're handy but I wouldn't like to have to rely on them, especially sighs scooter. I have to say once again that everyone is so good about the scooter and DH mobility, they really look after him.

Once back at OKW me and DS got the boat to DTD for a look in the Lego shop, Ride Makerz, and at baseball and sports stuff in Team Mickey. Found the car and headed back and the traffic was much busier, as was DTD.

Another full day! HS Wednesday and maybe meet some friends from home later.

 

[pampat]

I;m living your holiday with you. I'm so glad that things are going well and most of your experiences are positive. We owned DVC for over 15 years and our home resort was OKW so I adore it and miss it terribly!

Pam

 

[arieliwish]

We're really liking OKW and our room feels quite close to the main building. Stayed at CBR before and it felt more spread out. Although maybe we'd feel that here if we were at the farthest point.

Wednesday 28th

Up fairly early again so after leaving our defective scooter charger at bell services at OKW we headed to HS, surprised how close Epcot and HS are to OKW. The studios were busy but not too bad at all, we had a wander round and got on star tours. As DH has a scooter they guided us to the fast pass where further up we were streamed off into the disabled line where they took us to the exit area to park the scooter and we got on the exit side. Love this ride and it's now 3D with random scenes. We got darth vader!

We then did the Indiana jones show after we'd picked up two fast passes for TOT and two for RnR. Kids did RnR but it still took them around 20 mins to get through and then DD and me went on TOT. Part way through the movie, just as we got to Rod Serling, everything flicked off and then the lights came back on. A kid near us asked if it was part of the ride lol! No it wasn't, there had been a power surge! They showed us through to the queue and the lifts that had been loaded with people still had their doors open. We stood for a while, an large American child behind us started bawling his eyes out as he didn't want to ride 'no more' as it was broken, his younger brother and sister were fine although his parents did tell him the only way out was the elevator ha ha! After a few minutes a cm came and announced we were being evacuated (again!) and took us out the back way handing out fast passes on the way. As we walked in to the shop to meet DH and DS we heard some uk people asking if the tills were still working as other rides were down too. We chatted to them and they said most other rides were offline too following a power surge. Luckily it was just before 1 and we headed to sci fi for our 1pm reservation.

The park was swarming with people looking for something else to do and sci fi entrance was crowded with people looking for tables or to move forwards their bookings. We eventually got seated at 1.30pm in a pink car and DD heard them say cars were for advance reservations and tables for walk ups, so we worried about seating for nothing! Food was excellent and our two servers were very good and attentive and Tony from NY very funny. I had picnic burger, DH and DS had strip steak, DD had chicken pasta. Desserts were huge, DH apple crumble, DS and me cheesecake, and DD asked our lady server what the sugar free brownie was like and she answered 'it won't be the best brownie you've ever had' so she ordered hot fudge sundae. Everything was back online when we came out so did star tours again, we got pod racers this time, and then we left as we had arranged to meet the people who own a pub my DD works at in the next village to us.

They own a villa and spend school holidays out here. They said they'd take us on their boat on a lake. Mm it was Lake Sheen, Lake Louise, Lake Butler etc. What a beautiful place, absolutely stunning and massive bodies of water with the most fantastic houses around. They showed us two houses that were shaqil o'neils, Justin's timberlake's, his nsync friend's, a pink one once owned by Brittany Spears - all three next to each other, then we saw the tiger woods house where his wife put his golf club through his car, and one under construction which is the biggest house in the us apparently! Had a fantastic few hours going around the lakes with their young son skiing off the back. Fantastic life style, I decided there and then that we should retire here lol!

We left and drive to Walmart on Vineland, which is huge, and bought some clothes, snacks, sweets and drinks, and stupid things like steak rub and A1 sauce! Called in to SSR artist's palette for food which again were massive portions for counter service meals! Collected a new charger from the main desk at OKW after the young man at bell services couldn't find it. The main man explained bell services are hired for their physical ability not brains ha ha! He did look like a mini hulk! Back to room to crash. Clearwater and the Buccs tomorrow!

 

[arieliwish]

great reports, would be intersetd in who you rented the tomtom of we need one for our trip in nov, thanks susie

eBay seller syedlfc I got it from, it was just under £20 for two weeks and £22.50 for three weeks so I got the three weeks so I had a few days before to program it and extra days to return it.

 

[pinkcardigan]

Sounds like you are having a fantastic time loving reading along BOG is on my hit list for next year

 

[arieliwish]

We were very impressed with BOG, felt very classy, food, service, setting, everything.

Wanted to add that DD asked to buy a light up Ariel clip as we came out of sci fi and the man on the desk went to get one, and then said they were usually $100 but she could have it for free lol! 18 but 8 inside still! Thank you Barry!

 

[susie2]

eBay seller syedlfc I got it from, it was just under £20 for two weeks and £22.50 for three weeks so I got the three weeks so I had a few days before to program it and extra days to return it.

great thanks, loving your reports

 

[arieliwish]

Late/early update depending on your time zone. Just a quick check in as I won't get chance in the morning as we need to be up and out early for backstage tour thing, tired can't remember title!

Had an easy morning in our quiet pool on Millars Road, was busier than expected but fine. Really enjoyed the change of pace, although we all appear to have caught more sun than we thought. Stopped using our piz buin spray as it was greasy and got coppertone spray in he shop, maybe we need to reapply more often!

Had lunch in Olivia's, for convenience mainly, but it was excellent. 3 of us had buttermilk chicken with gorgeous mash and veg and DS had strip steak and he said it was the best steak he's ever had, huge 10oz thing too, he told the waitress and she said she'd tell the chef. Desserts were nice but again too big to finish. I'll post some pics this weekend. We had planned to head to Clearwater before Tampa Bay Buccs game but were running late after looking round the shop again and going to the concierge to print off an email with directions from the Buccs. It had sat nav instructions on so all seemed straight forward enough.

We left OKW just after 3 and drove along the I4 to Tampa. I think it was around 70 miles and it was busy but manageable for all but the last 6. There were lanes coming from everywhere and traffic nose to tail at a standstill. When we got nearer the stadium the roads the sat nav was telling me to go down were cordoned off by the police so I had to keep going! Twice I pulled into game car parks to ask for directions for Buccaneer Plaza and they didn't really know. Finally I got a police man and he pointed me in the right direction. I had to collect car park ticket and directions from here, as it was international booking, and that was easy enough just pulling up at the security hut. I then got back into the traffic and stopped for directions to car park 14 and luckily were next to it. It was just over the road from the stadium so easy to get there with a short walk. Got parked up at half 5, horrible last bit of the journey. Had to get to far end of stadium for box office to collect tickets but only had to wait 10 mins for gates to open at 6. We found our seats in front of the pirate ship and then had a good walk around taking pics etc and got hot dogs and drinks.

The whole set up and staff and prices were excellent, we saw the NFL game at wembley last oct and it doesn't compare at all. The game was good although Tampa lost to Washington Redskins 30 - 12, but the atmosphere was amazing, the cannons get fired when Tampa score (thankfully not many times as we were in front of them!) and they have fireworks and music all the way through. They ask you to text a pic of you in the stadium for them to show on big screens and the kids got theirs shown! We had to stand a few times for the anthem and to honour members of the military that were guests for the game, but we got into the spirit of it all.

After the game we left via the escalators without any delay or hold up of any kind and walked straight over the road to the car. Again no comparison to wembley when they constantly hold the crowds back. Followed the police directions until we were out of the diversions and the sat nav took over. Got easily out of Tampa but the I4 was heaving all the way back, and we arrived back at OKW just after midnight.

I'm glad we did this, I've loved nfl since the early 80's when I was a teenager and channel 4 started showing it so it was fantastic to see a game in the USA. If we ever did this again I'm not sure I'd drive to Tampa, I think I'd look at other travel options. So off to sleep now, looking forward to our tour in he morning. Have a Good Friday y'all.