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#925598 by sjcraythorne
02 Sep 2016, 19:56
Hi,

I know the answer is as early as possible , but realistically how early do I need to get there to secure a free spa appointment?

It'll be a Wednesday, and I'll be on the 13:15 to MCO.

Thanks, Stevey
#925605 by buns
02 Sep 2016, 21:48
As you are on the last flight out of Gatwick, you should be able to grab one of the later slots after the Barbados and Las Vegas flights have left (i.e. after 10:30)

As to what time to arrive at the Clubhouse........ :-P

Seriously, getting in there around 9 should do you fine

buns
#925616 by buns
03 Sep 2016, 09:52
sjcraythorne wrote:Thanks Buns, that's great to know, we're overnight at LGW and didn't really want to rush to the clubhouse for 06:30.


No harm at getting there at the crack of dawn (we frequently opt to get there around 8:30 BTW) but it is a question of how much you can take given you are going to be on an aircraft for a further 9 hours ;-)

When we arrive at the Clubhouse, we take a table at the Brasserie and Mrs Buns goes off to book her appointment - the first question asked is what flight you are on and as I said before, as you are on the last flight of the day (barring delays) getting an appointment ought not to cause a problem.

If you have not already seen it Here is the link to the Gatwick Clubhouse and you will see the tab for the Spa which contains a PDF menu.

Have a great time

buns
#925624 by sjcraythorne
03 Sep 2016, 10:59
Thanks Buns.

Cant wait. Ive only been to LHR clubhouse before. Heard LGW is much smaller, and not just as exciting. As long as they can make a few nice mojitos, I'll be happy.

Have a toddler with us this time, should definitely make things a bit different!
#925627 by buns
03 Sep 2016, 11:36
sjcraythorne wrote:Thanks Buns.

Cant wait. Ive only been to LHR clubhouse before. Heard LGW is much smaller, and not just as exciting. As long as they can make a few nice mojitos, I'll be happy.

Have a toddler with us this time, should definitely make things a bit different!


At the far end of the Clubhouse is a play area for the little ones - you can sit in the seats there and have your meals / drinks whilst your toddler plays

buns
#925628 by sjcraythorne
03 Sep 2016, 12:00
Thanks, I really hope my little one does not disturb anyone in the CH or flight. Mum and I will try our best to make sure she is no trouble, but it does worry me a bit!

Thankfully we're travelling to MCO, so I imagine it will be a family-orientated flight.
#925633 by marshy11
03 Sep 2016, 12:48
sjcraythorne wrote:Thanks, I really hope my little one does not disturb anyone in the CH or flight. Mum and I will try our best to make sure she is no trouble, but it does worry me a bit!

Thankfully we're travelling to MCO, so I imagine it will be a family-orientated flight.


Take lots of new things for her to play with/do. But don't let her behaviour spoil your trip and don't worry about it. In my experience it is the parents who don't care or notice their own offspring that cause the biggest gripes. As long as I can see a parent is trying is all I ask.
#925644 by RedBull
03 Sep 2016, 13:27
sjcraythorne wrote:Thanks, I really hope my little one does not disturb anyone in the CH or flight. Mum and I will try our best to make sure she is no trouble, but it does worry me a bit!

Thankfully we're travelling to MCO, so I imagine it will be a family-orientated flight.


My little boy (20 months) is very well known for his big tantrums. I've had in him UC 4 times in the last few months and I can assure you it's not been a problem at all.

First of all the staff are always very attentive to his needs, and are always really friendly with him which goes a long way. Then as Marshy11 said, as long as you're trying your best to occupy her, nobody minds a bit of noise at all. Our rule is pretty much anything goes to keep him calm. For example, at home we have a strict no phone/tablet rule, but on the plane that goes out of the window! If he looks like he's going to tantrum we give him a tablet and he's as quiet as a mouse for ages. Same goes with a dummy, normally not used at home but the second he looks like he's going to erupt we stick one in his mouth and it's like an off-switch!

A couple of other tips; as soon as we're in the air we ask for some snacks for him (bread roll, banana etc) and make sure he's full as quickly as possible. Then we put the bed down so he has lots of space to play with toys while we have dinner together. As soon as he gets tired we then have a bed ready for him to sleep. Also, we've stumbled across sticker books, which keep him fixed and happpy on our laps for take-off/landing.

It can be hard work on long flights, but we often get comments from other passengers at the end about how well behaved he was, so it's worth it.

Also, you may not be aware but if travelling with a baby you can take pretty much any food/drink through security for them, so if she's a fussy eater at all you can just take through whatever she would normally eat at home. It'll slow you down a little as they'll need to check it, but if using the UC wing anyway it's not really a problem.

Finally don't forget that you can take a fold-down stroller on board in UC, which means you'll have it as soon as you get off and don't have to stand around for 10 minutes waiting for it to be brought to the gate. Plus there's no risk that it'll get lost or broken (both of which have happened to us!)

For us, the build up to the first trip caused a fair bit of anxiety not knowing how it would be, but now we're totally relaxed about it and often enjoy a couple of glasses of champagne together on board - usually while he sleeps!

Have a great trip :-)
#925656 by buns
03 Sep 2016, 15:12
Spill wrote:Just a quick question about the LGW CH - do they serve the Virgin Redhead cocktails? :)


Why of course they do :-D

If gin is not your drink of choice (in essence a redhead is a gin based cocktail topped up with prosecco) then there is a Breakfast Martini using marmalade vodka

buns
#925661 by sjcraythorne
03 Sep 2016, 19:12
Thanks everyone for the replies - @RedBull it's great to hear I can take a stroller on board with me, was dreading the walk and Immigration wait at MCO with toddler without buggy!
#925663 by mikethe3rd
03 Sep 2016, 20:07
AFAIK, the VS15 on Wednesday's goes at 13:00 and not 13:15. My booking got changed earlier in the year so worth logging in and double checking.
#925702 by Edna Cloud
04 Sep 2016, 11:40
Just to say the stroller on board is a request not automatic. If there's room, the crew will store the stroller if you are in Upper Class, but it's not guaranteed (e.g. there might be more than one person wanting to bring a stroller on board, or there might be a wheelchair). If there isn't room in the cupboard, the stroller will be taken off you at the door of the aircraft, but the good news is that US airports are usually pretty good about bringing strollers back to the aircraft door so you don't have to walk far with a little one.

Have fun

EC
#925704 by sjcraythorne
04 Sep 2016, 11:58
Thank you - do you just ask as you board the plane, or do you need to arrange it ahead of time? (i.e. at check in, or at the gate?)

Also, do I need to get a luggage tag for it?
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