Starting at the beginning, yesterday was the usual early start, and Jon very kindly gave us a lift to the airport, and we were there at about seven. The line wasn't very long for check in and we were rid of our bags pretty quickly, and then straight through security without any queue at all (and without any requests to turn out any electrical equipment).
Gatwick South terminal is very different now, and much better than it used to be. Cafe Rouge was selected for breakfast, and whilst our waitress failed dismally to remember our orders (hint - try pad and paper next time), the food was nice when it came, and we had a good table by the window and were able to watch the planes taxiing, taking off and landing.
We killed a bit of time browsing around the shops - Nicky got some perfume (holiday tradition) - Jo Malone this time, and Jake was marginally disappointed that we didn't agree that £225 for a leather jacket from Superdry was a bargain! Before too long our flight was called and we headed off to Gate 21. Sadly we didn't remember to look for the name of the plane, so we don't know whether any of us won the 'guess the name' competition we played over our sausage and bacon!
Our plane was certainly a fairly new one, and seemed comfortable, with good legroom. The latest entertainment system is an improvement as well - and can be used during take off and landing. I watched a few films (The Lego Movie and Robocop, both of which passed the time but were pretty poor, and got part way through Need for Speed - will have to finish it off on the way home.)
We landed at MCO at 4pm local time, and there was a pretty long queue for immigration, which we must have been in for about 45 mins. They have installed some terminals which do the photo taking an hand scanning bit of the process, which in theory should speed things up, but they don't seem to do so. Certainly they didn't for us given that our immigration officer got us to do it all again at the desk.
However, by the time we were through immigration our bags were waiting for us by the carousel, and we carried them on the shuttle train to the main terminal to avoid having to wait for them again. There was no wait at the Alamo desk, and once we'd chosen our car (the boys decided we should have the red Chevrolet - and very nice it is too) we were out and on the road by about 5.30pm.
At this point, the rain had started, and it was a pretty soggy drive from the airport towards WDW. We decided that we would stop in at Publix, and so we went into the one up the road from the Premium Outlets. We picked up the essentials there, and unfortunately, by the time we left, the rain was properly Florida torrential, and even though our car was about 30 yards from the entrance, we got well and truly soaked getting to it.
Thankfully, we could pull right up to the undercover area in front of BLT when we were checking in. They were expecting us, and check in was very easy. They presented us with a box containing our four Magic Bands, each in a labelled slot showing whose was whose, (we've all got a different colour - mine is orange), and then we came and unpacked in our room.
All that was left for arrival day was to wander over the sky-bridge to the Contemporary for a burger and to get our re-fillable cups, before heading back here and crashing out.
Most of us slept pretty well - I think we were all awake for a little while at some time or other during the night. Nicky had the worst night's sleep, and ended up chatting with people on Facebook at about 3am! Still, we were all up and out at a reasonable time, having breakfasted in room (the boys making a start on the various boxes of Poptarts they chose at Publix) and it was already pretty warm when we stepped outside!
We walked to the Magic Kingdom (and isn't it cool being able to say that!) and thanks to Magic Bands enabling us to travel light, we could march straight through the no bags line and straight through the new style turnstiles (that don't actually have turnstiles) with our Magic Bands magically turning Mickey green and letting us in.
And then, for me, the magic really happens. Jake was asking me the other day about when a Florida holiday really starts. He told me that for him, the holiday starts properly when he's on that shuttle train to the main terminal at MCO, which is a pretty good holiday milestone. For me, the special moment actually comes quite a lot later. The holiday really starts when I walk underneath the railroad station and emerge into Town Square, and I'm on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom - then the holiday has really started!
Funnily enough, as we walked down Main Street, I took a few photos of the castle along the way! We walked through the castle and into Fanstasyland, and stopped there for a quick drink break near to the Mine Train. Whilst having our drinks, we noticed that the ride was actually closed, and so Nicky had a quick chat with a cast member, and they explained that our Fastpass would be honoured later in the day if the ride reopened.
So, we decided to split up and do our own thing. We'd made sure that we'd all got WhatsApp installed on our phones and that we were all on the Park Wifi, so we'd be able to keep in touch. Nicky and I wandered over to the carousel, and rode that (walk on) before heading across the walkway to Philharmagic (walk in) and then down the way to Small World (walk on) and Haunted Mansion (walk in). We'd been keeping in touch with the boys - Jake had even been sending us pictures of his score from Buzz Lightyear (999,999 !!!) as well as Dole Whips.
We met up with the boys after watching a bit of the Move it, Shake it, Celebrate it parade, in time for our Buzz fast passes (again - loving these Magic Bands) and again Jake seems to have worked out the way to a great score - he didn't manage the max this time but was over half way there.
As the exit of the ride is so close to it, and as it was a walk in, we took the boys into the Carousel of Progress after Buzz. Not entirely sure that they would rate it as their favourite attraction of the day, but hey 'There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow'!
Nicky noticed on the app that the Mine Train was back up and running and so we were able to go and use our fast passes there (even though the time period had expired) and walk on within 5-10 mins rather than wait the 90 mins in standby. And I have to say that the new ride is a lot of fun. Overall, it is very like the Runaway Mine Train, but still a great addition to the park.
Across to Liberty Square and time for lunch at the Liberty Tree tavern - a new experience for all of us. The food was excellent, and we all enjoyed the 'Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake' for dessert.
We did have 2.15 fast passes for the Runaway Mine Train, but we decided to skip that and come back to BLT which is where we have been this afternoon, chilling out, enjoying a dip in the pool, playing table tennis, playing tennis (the younger members of the party) and generally relaxing.
And now we are contemplating what to do for tea.
Finally - in case you weren't convinced that we were having a great time - here are some photos to prove it!
