This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
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I managed to check in online the evening before but unfortunately it wouldn't let me check my friend in, so we opted to go to Disney Downtown Check-In to ensure all was OK, plus of course getting rid of the luggage before we went off and did some more shopping.
Arrived at Downtown Check-In around 9 am and I'm pleased so say there were definitely 2 lines in operation(next to each other), one for economy passengers and a joint one for UC/PE/Gold Card holders. There were no more than a dozen people in the economy line and no-one in front of us. However, there were apparently grumblings about 'queue jumpers', i.e. UC/PE passengers, and before we knew it 2 economy passengers had literally run in front of us to the next available check-in agent. Next thing I know a gentleman in the economy line suddenly brandishes his silver card and tells me he has priority??? However, the check-in agent had other ideas and called myself and my friend over instead, let's just say he was not happy, which I can understand in a way but as an UC passenger the check-in agent called me over first.
In less than 5 minutes my friend was checked-in, boarding passes and Delta Crown Lounge invitation issued.
We then spent our last day doing a bit of last minute shopping and having lunch at Epcot, before heading off to MCO.
On arrival at MCO we could not believe the line for Virgin check-in, it was winding away from the check-in area round to security! I dread to think how long some poor people must have waited.
Security was a breeze, all lines were open and again, in a few minutes, we were through and went up to the Delta Crown Lounge. I had been 'prepared' for the opposite of the Clubhouse by v-flyers, but thankfully it was still a nice respite from the main departure areas, even though there was hardly a spare seat to be found.
We didn't wait to be called to the gate, but after checking the flight was on time we made our own way down to the gate. It was a tad late boarding, maybe 15 minutes?, but it was nice for UC to be called first, although as usual a lot of other people thought it meant them as well, they were no doubt 'disappointed' when the agents turned them away.
The cabin filled quickly and everyone was served their chosen drinks. Now, although the crew weren't 'bad', I did feel they were not as pro-active as the outbound crew, particularly when it came to the loos! I was very disappointed in the way PE passengers were using the loos, sometimes the line was a good 5/6 people long. Please don't get me wrong, I'm not a snob in that I don't want to 'share' the loos, but when you're paying to fly UC, to have to stand in line waiting for the 5/6 PE passengers in front of you to do their business is not acceptable, anyway moan over.
We didn't see much of the FSM at all, although what little we did see was not too good, she seemed to have a little attitude problem with the amount of 'complaints' coming from UC that night (regarding the loos and quality of food). Now, onto the food, again I had gluten free which basically was inedible so I had to send away to the bin, and have a big bowl of cornflakes instead. The new menu was in effect tonight but nearly everyone in the UC cabin had something negative to say about it, hence the unhappy FSM.
My suite was converted into the bed early on and I'm pleased to say I slept 90% of the journey so can't comment on any other aspect of the flight, except to say I was woken at 7 am and had another bowl of cornflakes before queuing up for the toilet behind 4 premium passengers (again).
Arrived at Gatwick 20 minutes early and disembarked after the downstairs PE and small economy section. There were a couple of other passengers moaning about the loo debacle and a crew member told all 3 of us that Virgin are going to be getting rid of the downstairs PE (on the Gatwick/Manchester planes) and replacing with additional suites (well, we'll see).
Didn't have to wait too long before the Gatwick baggage conveyor belt sprang into action, unfortunately there was no priority for UC or PE passengers and one of my cases was one of the last off.
I'm returning to Orlando in May but am flying PE (currently up in the bubble) but when I return next December I'm going to splash out and treat myself to UC again - I think I'm hooked!
