DMC
17-05-2004, 18:29
Just getting back into the swing of work after 2 weeks in Orlando and thought I would take time out to post a Trip Report.
We left home on the evening of the 29th and made use for the first time of Virgin's Twilight Check In, which we were imprssed with and having gotten rid of the cases, we felt that our holiday had really started.:D
At Check In, we asked if we could purchase an upgrade and we were told by a very helpful Check In Assistant that there were 4 seats left, however as it was now 8.30pm the on site Ticket Office was closed and we would have to see them in the morning.
We were told that they opened at 6.00 a.m. so we went back to the Hotel had something to eat and had a good nights sleep.[|)]
We got up early on Friday, went through to the Sales Desk at 5.45 am to find it open and asked if we could buy an upgrade for 2 of the 4 remianing seats.
We were then told that in fact there were no seats available :( when we questioned the Sales Assistant further saying that if the desk wasn't open last night and the main office had closed at 9.00 pm the night before, we were puzzled as to how 4 seats could have been sold - to which we got a withering glare and told that that was the position and that was it :(:(
Anyway whilst waiting to board, we met none other than Sir Richard Branson, he was doing some publicity work, very charming indeed, I didn't bring up the issue about the upgrade though.
We got to the plane to find that it had been refitted and had the new Entertainment System, which really impressed me.[^][^]
However this was short lived, the guy next to me had a problem with his Head Phone Socket, so me being me, couldn't let him go the whole flight without anything to watch, offered him the use of mine, with me sharing my wife's headset and watching her screen.
Thankfully about 4 hours in to the flight, the Stewardess came along with a Protable DVD Player, so normality was returned.:)
The flight was uneventful, as always the food wasn't up to much, thank goodness we alsway take our own.:)
Landed 40 mins early :) but then made to wait on the plane for 15 mins as the Customs Hall was full :( through Customs within 15 mins :(but then had to wait ages for the bags at both collection areas, finally got out to the taxi, 2hrs 15mins after we had landed :(
Checked into our usual Hotel, the Rosen Plaza and got our usual room so we were all set - or so we thought.[:0]
As we were unpacking in became obvious that all of the clothes in my wifes case, including those packed in the 'spare case' which was inside the main case, were all soaking wet - so we spent several hours trying to dry everything out.
We came to the conclusion that the only way this could have happened was after we had checked the bags in at Gatwick, my wifes case couldn't have been protected from the rain that had been falling for much of the night :( Needless to say a letter has now been sent to Virgin.
Thankfully there was no long term damage.:)
The rest of the 2 weeks passed without any further problems, we spent our days getting up at around 7.00 am and either running along I'Drive or down to the Hotel Gym for good workout.
Then it was down to the pool for 9.30, with a good book to get a few rays [8D]
Early afternoon it was a light lunch and out to the shops, the usual haunts such as Florida Mall / Mall of the Mallenia and Premium Outlets - it has to be said that we didn't really buy that much ( although my credit card bill might show otherwise )
I chatted with a few of the staff at Hugo Boss & Ralph Lauren etc saying that they didn't seem to have much stock. They were telling me that they couldn't source the goods fast enough, it appears us Brits have been taking full advantage of the improved exchange rate.
After a few hours shopping it was back to the Hotel for some R&R before we went out for dinner.
We ate most nights at our favorite place, The Olive Garden on I'Drive, a big thank you to Clint / Sonny / Maria and Shelia for looking after us so
We left home on the evening of the 29th and made use for the first time of Virgin's Twilight Check In, which we were imprssed with and having gotten rid of the cases, we felt that our holiday had really started.:D
At Check In, we asked if we could purchase an upgrade and we were told by a very helpful Check In Assistant that there were 4 seats left, however as it was now 8.30pm the on site Ticket Office was closed and we would have to see them in the morning.
We were told that they opened at 6.00 a.m. so we went back to the Hotel had something to eat and had a good nights sleep.[|)]
We got up early on Friday, went through to the Sales Desk at 5.45 am to find it open and asked if we could buy an upgrade for 2 of the 4 remianing seats.
We were then told that in fact there were no seats available :( when we questioned the Sales Assistant further saying that if the desk wasn't open last night and the main office had closed at 9.00 pm the night before, we were puzzled as to how 4 seats could have been sold - to which we got a withering glare and told that that was the position and that was it :(:(
Anyway whilst waiting to board, we met none other than Sir Richard Branson, he was doing some publicity work, very charming indeed, I didn't bring up the issue about the upgrade though.
We got to the plane to find that it had been refitted and had the new Entertainment System, which really impressed me.[^][^]
However this was short lived, the guy next to me had a problem with his Head Phone Socket, so me being me, couldn't let him go the whole flight without anything to watch, offered him the use of mine, with me sharing my wife's headset and watching her screen.
Thankfully about 4 hours in to the flight, the Stewardess came along with a Protable DVD Player, so normality was returned.:)
The flight was uneventful, as always the food wasn't up to much, thank goodness we alsway take our own.:)
Landed 40 mins early :) but then made to wait on the plane for 15 mins as the Customs Hall was full :( through Customs within 15 mins :(but then had to wait ages for the bags at both collection areas, finally got out to the taxi, 2hrs 15mins after we had landed :(
Checked into our usual Hotel, the Rosen Plaza and got our usual room so we were all set - or so we thought.[:0]
As we were unpacking in became obvious that all of the clothes in my wifes case, including those packed in the 'spare case' which was inside the main case, were all soaking wet - so we spent several hours trying to dry everything out.
We came to the conclusion that the only way this could have happened was after we had checked the bags in at Gatwick, my wifes case couldn't have been protected from the rain that had been falling for much of the night :( Needless to say a letter has now been sent to Virgin.
Thankfully there was no long term damage.:)
The rest of the 2 weeks passed without any further problems, we spent our days getting up at around 7.00 am and either running along I'Drive or down to the Hotel Gym for good workout.
Then it was down to the pool for 9.30, with a good book to get a few rays [8D]
Early afternoon it was a light lunch and out to the shops, the usual haunts such as Florida Mall / Mall of the Mallenia and Premium Outlets - it has to be said that we didn't really buy that much ( although my credit card bill might show otherwise )
I chatted with a few of the staff at Hugo Boss & Ralph Lauren etc saying that they didn't seem to have much stock. They were telling me that they couldn't source the goods fast enough, it appears us Brits have been taking full advantage of the improved exchange rate.
After a few hours shopping it was back to the Hotel for some R&R before we went out for dinner.
We ate most nights at our favorite place, The Olive Garden on I'Drive, a big thank you to Clint / Sonny / Maria and Shelia for looking after us so