And so the return to blogging is prompted by the best of things - a trip to Florida. Lots more to blog about as everybody knows, but those are subjects to be tackled another time. For now, let's just enjoy the simple pleasure of what we know and love - a trip report.
Uncle Martin picked us up at Boxley Road just after 6am, and after hugs (with possibly a tear or two) with Mum, we were on the road to Gatwick in his spacious Discovery. The M25 was a bit busy - and I haven't particularly missed it over the last couple of months of commutes - but we were at the airport not very much after seven. We were checked in already, so just needed to drop off bags, which was pretty straightforward. Virgin seem to have stopped the snaking queue approach at drop off, and it was a case of picking a line, and so we went almost as far from the entrance as we could meaning that there was only one group in front of us before our turn. Bag weights were all in the 9-13kg range so plenty of shopping capacity.
Upstairs and straight through security, which again would have been very quick apart from me being a plunker. I remembered to take my laptop out of my bag but not my iPad, which meant that my stuff ended up going through the scanners three times. N, J and G ended up sitting and waiting for me! By the time I had finally been cleared to fly, the consensus was that breakfast should be next. However, the South Terminal dining facilities were going through a bit of an overhaul - no food court at all - meaning that the remaining choices were pretty busy. We went for the one without a queue, which alarmingly turned out to be Nando's. Whilst I can't comment on their dinners (and J and G were keen to point out that they still rate them) their breakfasts were pretty rubbish.
Once we'd endured watery porridge and bendy french toast, there was still plenty of time for some duty free shopping. I think that the main purchase was some new Gucci perfume for Nicky. I avoided the temptation of a new camera, deciding that my existing one plus the iPhone would do fine for now. Before too long it was time to head to gate 13 and board "Hot Lips" for our flight, which was pretty uneventful. Between us we managed to watch a good number of films - I watched "Spotlight" on Jake's recommendation, and very good it was too, plus finished off my new Ian McEwan book.
Orlando airport was a bit of a disaster. We landed at around 3.30pm local time, and it wasn't far short of 6pm by the time we made it out in the car. We seemed to go from one queue to another. Firstly what can only be called a 'pre queue' for immigration, then the main event, then a crazy snaking queue around the luggage area to hand in our customs forms, before finally getting the sky train to the main terminal and the queue for the hire car. Most disappointing MCO!
Things started to look up a little in the Alamo garage. There weren't very many 'full-size' cars left, and they were all locked. Getting a little frustrated, we pointed this out to a member of staff, and he suggested we took a car from the other side of the lot, and so we made off with a Jeep. Seemed to be fine with the guy checking the paperwork at the exit, so a free upgrade.
I dropped people and luggage off at reception before heading to park the car at Boardwalk, and by the time I got back check-in was nearly complete, albeit with various discussions underway with staff, about our one day move, and about our country's longer term move out of Europe. We were commiserating with a French member of staff called Julien, and out of nowhere he decided to give us some bonus fast passes for the first two days of our holiday, so he is our new best friend!
Our villa seems very nice. Not too far from the front desk, with a view of the quiet pool (and we can keep an eye on whether the table tennis and pool tables are busy which should be handy). We wonder whether we might be the first inhabitants since a refurb because everything is pretty spic and span. We did point out what appeared to be a little leak in the shower when they brought our bags up, but the guy from bell services said he would get it checked but it shouldn't be anything to worry about.
By this point we were pretty tired, but in need of some food before bed. There was some talk of a quick trip into Epcot for quick service Japanese, but we didn't want to waste a day's worth of tickets, so we went along the Boardwalk and ended up in the Big River Grill. Inside was really loud, so we asked to sit outside, where it was still hot, but much quieter.
Thus refreshed and refuelled, J&G picked up some essentials for us on the way back up to our room (water, cookies ...) before we called it a day.
This morning we were all up at a decent time, what with the time adjusting and all, and true to his word, Jake was off to the gym at about 7.30, so we sent him with instructions to pick up pastries on his way back! The rest of us took our time about getting up, and enjoyed the pastries once the healthy one returned.
With the bonus fast passes, we decided that we would head out to Epcot in time to do Test Track prior to our appointed Soarin' time, and so we were in the park through the international gateway just after 9am, wandering through the quiet and closed UK and Canadian pavilions. We were pretty much straight on to Test Track, and Nicky and I designed a smart-car-ish vehicle compared to J&G's muscle car (which did beat ours in all the tests). We were done and off the ride with lots of time to spare so had a good look around Mouse Gear (including trying on of silly hats!) and a drink from Fountain View Starbucks before going in to Soarin'.
Unfortunately we made it down the slope of Concourse B, and then the fire alarm went off, and the whole building had to be evacuated. We did a full circuit of the exterior before being led back 'onstage' near to the Imagination pavilion, so we went in there and to the new DVC lounge (not bad - expect we'll use the free drinks / snacks / exclusive spot for a sit down opportunity again) for a drink. By this point our Spaceship Earth time had come around so that was our next destination which was good as always (although Epcot was clearly having a glitchy day - the photos at the beginning didn't work and so our faces didn't pop up in the animation at the end).
Heading back through Future World we stopped off at Club Cool - Jake persuaded Georgie to try Beverley - it wasn't met with approval! - before heading to the World Showcase, starting at the Mexico end, including a stop in to that pavilion for a quick boat ride. J&G checked the menu for the restaurant in there in case they wanted to go back some time, but it was deemed to have too many peppers and onions!
We ended up arriving at Teppan Edo earlier than our reservation time, but they didn't mind, and we were seated in less than five minutes. Whilst it is just the same, and just as fantastic, there were a few differences to report from today's visit - a little bowl of salad at the start, only two sauces (but still including yum yum), and even some changes to the menu (choices of steak, no scallops, no swordfish, opportunities to add extras ...).
After lunch we took the Morocco to Canada boat, and gave Soarin' another go. We were able to explain that we'd missed out earlier in the day, and so go into the fast pass line without using up one of our bonus fast pass privileges. The new ride is much the same as the old one, just with updated scenery to admire. And when I say it is much the same, that of course means that it is still fantastic.
Having been successful with Soarin' it was time to return to our rooms for some chill out time, given the temperature, plus this still being day one. When we got back, we discovered that we'd been left some Welcome Home cookies and milk by the lovely DVC Boardwalk staff.
More to follow in next post of rest of day trip including a very wet trip to MK and tomorrow I might get around to uploading some pictures.