V-Flyer

Bit of a delay in this return TR, as its been a manic couple of weeks, as some will be aware of.
The week was true to form, with much welcomed sunshine and unseasonably warm weather in the 30’s. Disney got a good bashing with mini NH’s trip to meet the princesses for breakfast on the second morning a particular highlight.
Our timing yet again coincided with the Starwars weekend at Hollywood Studios which proved its worth, although extremely busy..
The $ exchange was felt with numerous things not as much as a bargain as previous trips, the Rainforest dinosaur restaurant at Downtown Disney the worst in terms for value for money.

We noticed the Prime Outlet mall had improved over the year, and now replicates nearly all seen at Premium, which was handy as Prime was on our doorstep, snr NH was able to Mini-sit whilst we nipped up to get mrs NH’s shopping done in the evenings.. (saying that, I ended up falling for numerous items myself)…

A new one on us, we took mini to see Arabian Nights, which I must admit to not looking forward to, but mini being a huge fan of all things horsey seemed an ideal evening out. We plumbed for the vip package, which was well worth it, and enabled her to meet the horses, sit on them and generally have a close up experience with the cast and animals.. The show itself was generally quite impressive and better than I was expecting, Mini screaming a the top of her voice for her chariot during one of the finale races was priceless and adding to the entertainment for many sat round us.

Seaworld visited although skipped the Shamu show following the recent events (anyway it must rate as the cheesiest show know to man kind), time was better spent in the kids zone wet play area, a good training ground for those on the BP graduate scheme, as the highlight seemed to be sporadic jets firing out of the ground to much amusement..
Another good find was the Olive Garden, which did fantastic takeout options on its main menu, a concept which we’ll use again, enabling ABC wines to get a bashing and have a decent drink or three back home and not worry about driving or taxi’s etc..
All in all a good week, slightly altered in terms of itinerary by having snr nh in tow, although being able to have some timeout in the evening was welcome, as were the margaritas at the pool bar watching crazy rodeo on the TV’s…
Vistana, had its usual up & down wifi, although 24hrs before the Sunday return flight was able to snag decent front seats for snr NH in Y and confirm ours for the bubble.
We headed to Downtown checkin on Sunday mid morning, with the cases (plus an extra new case..), cursed about having to pay again, however advantages out way the charge, still think Silver should get this included (VH seem to get an option on it). It was actually fairly quiet, just a couple in front of us, a large party in Y with loads of luggage held up the weighing scales, but nothing dramatic. Soon checked in fully and cards issued. One bag kept back to use for the day and changes of clothes etc..It was then off back to Prime, as mini needed to try some stuff on etc…well that was mrs nh’s excuse anyhow..
The day soon passed and we diverted to Walmart to fill up with fuel for the return of the Nissan Armada battleship, Hertz drop off, as with most at MCO was painless, and soon we heading into the chaotic chk-in area..VS’s was as cramped as ever, again not too busy (have seen it hundred times worse, but apparently only three flights that day). PE & UC lines in place, but no policing on entry. We join the PE line to drop remaining bag off, to be greeted by a fairly large family from “Darn Souff” in front of us, obviously tagged up as Y chatting amongst themselves about what’s the point of paying that for that Premium Economy, Cockney dad, complete with some sport related cap “anyway why would you want to sit upstairs apparently there are no exits”!! Cockney Mother appeared to be twitching looking down at our hand luggage tagged up with premium, and casting an eye over to the fairly long Y line. Well one thing I’m thinking is you seem to be enjoying the premium queue even if upstairs has no exits..! I gritted my teeth as the opportunity to point out which queue they were in was so tempting.. however I expected VS staff guiding people to free desks to of checked, but no, just waved them through to next available desk! (So there’s a ploy they will be using next time and telling their friends about..)
Bag ditched, and off for a drink and a browse around the shops, we’d kept time to a minimum at MCO, eaten before we’d arrived so didn’t seem much worth in heading upstairs etc. Time soon caught us up, and we headed over to security, which was busy although fast moving, decanting of DVD players, laptops etc all pre- organised and we were soon in that staggering disarray on the other side trying to repack, stop your trousers falling down whilst remaining upright in socks on the polished floor. Mini got her favourite seat in the windscreen of the train, which seemed to provide as much fun as some of the rides she’d been on (I must remember this for next time, might save a packet on theme park tickets..).

Boarding was literally called on arrival at the gate, good timing by the NH’s…we loitered back with snr NH, before heading down, PE/UC barrier in place, not much use for us, as I get pulled for secondary screening again! (note to self; must get rid of this long beard and white cap).
On board at last, up the stairs, and start the removal of all in-flight needs before bags despatched into various cupboards. The middle exit area proving a useful space to unpack mini’s toys and colouring in – most of which was getting launched by me over the row of empty seats in front, much to the amusement of the CC and some fellow passengers. Mini was at the same time getting herself arranged for the journey in true nonchalant style.
Overhearing CC talking to other pax about moving people around I had a quick word about snr nh on her own at the front of Y, and to see if any “opportunities” were available. Unfortunately PE was full, but she then spent the best part of the free time available before lock down, going that extra mile to arrange snr nh into a legroom seat, ply her with bubbles and generally give her a personal service… what an absolute star and a real credit to VS, unfortunately I didn’t get chance to ask permission to use her name on her, least to say lets call her “M”, however a letter specific to the service she showed us is going in to VS on the back of this TR.. M kept coming back up to tell us she’d be moved, we’ve given her some bubbles and she’s fine!! , a legend who sets the benchmark in terms in in-flight hospitality.
During the time M was sorting snr nh out, mini had been doing some frantic colouring and had gone to give said picture to the CC and one for pilot, another CC then took her to the front and let her personally hand over the picture to the pilots, again mini was beaming from ear to ear, I come back up from down stairs to see her missing and mrs nh, just points to the front where I see mini in full conversation with the pilots and CC, a priceless moment..
Before long we settle in, and soon airbourne, I quaff a few drinks early on, as I need some kip and a clear head for arrival. Dinner service starts. Now we are one row back from the middle in the bubble. By the time the trolley reaches us- the Beef has run out, so its some chicken thing or the meat dodging option…appalling, especially given PE is sold with the menu’s and choice etc…VS sort it out!!
Flight then fairly uneventful, mini was fighting sleep, so mrs nh had to watch the Chipmunks twice and help out with numerous colouring-in projects before she decided to curl down.

Breakfast and approach; Managed to chew my through the stodgy cheese ham thing, mainly because I was hungry and must of drunk most of the orange juice on the tray at the back to wash it down. Managed to pre-pack most of mini’s stuff before lock down, enabling a quick exit. Bit of a delay on exiting as imagine the usual bridge docking chaos at man was happening again. Snr NH had been disembarked first, through help of the lovely “M” and was waiting for us in the run down to immigration.
Welcome back to MAN! We waited and waited, as did numerous other PE and UC passengers for our bags, as what appeared to be near ¾ of the rest of the plane picked up their stuff and left.. Priority luggage was non-existent, if anything was the last load of bags to be off loaded. VERY VERY POOR and this will be flagged up to VS.
We enter the arrivals hall, and glance at the boards, every other flight except ours is showing Delayed/ Diverted…whats going on?? Head out to get the bus back to Bewleys and the car, Sirens can be heard everywhere?? All very disconcerting, Bus driver hasn’t heard anything. When we get to Bewley’s we crash out for a coffee and a relax (no point rushing onto the M60 at 8.30am..) and try and find out what’s going on, news eventually breaks that some “green” types had broken onto the runway area, apparently using the cover of VS’s landing, protesting about airfreight expansions or some like this. I presume they’d factored in the added fuel and carbon effect all these flights were now having being diverted to Birmingham, Gatwick, East Midlands etc… We were very lucky, as I really could of done without a extra Coach journey back up from Birmingham or worse…

All in all,
Some major let down issues:

Running out of core food choice in PE, especially so soon.
MAN, baggage handling, No priority off load, actually last set to be offloaded. Someone with clout from VS needs to get to MAN and get them sorted..
The ongoing issue of the antiquated IFE / seats on the MAN/LGW fleet, which we know is supposed to be getting resolved “eventually”

Major plus points in terms of the experience:

The crew were fantastic, especially one individual, who showed us our loyalty, was well founded and passion in the job does still exist.

Great TR and mini NH looks delighted after her visit to the pilots !

Great TR, thank you. Shows again that excellent service by people who enjoy doing their job can redeem the offering and overcome some of the less than stellar aspects (e.g. food choice).

Like the pictures too. The only problem is that the pilot on the starboard side appears to be a bloke I used to work with - he was good at Six Sigma but to my knowledge had never taken flying lessons.

Perhaps the DS family were travelling with someone with an Ag card

NH

Cracking to get such a good Crew It makes all the difference and notwithstanding the low points on the trip (such as the bags etc) I am sure that "M" the crew member will linger in your mind the next time you come to book. (That is assuming you have won the Lottery or similar given the plummeting exchange rates )

I too cannot fathom why VS continue to dish up those awful chewy croissants

Thanks for sharing the TR and Pics with us all

buns

Thanks for the TR Mike, loved the pic of mini in the cockpit

Neil wrote:Thanks for the TR Mike, loved the pic of mini in the cockpit

T'was a strange hat she'd acquired but did seem to be the favourite ?

You can actually see the picture given, propped up on the middle bottom control panel..

Excellent report Mike, thank you. A pity about the "major let down issues" - food, baggage priority, IFE - these are seemingly almost a constant these days.

Unless, as Paul suggests, the family from down south were Ag, it is a pity that they weren't redirected - ideally to the back of the Y queue. No lesson for them there then.

Good news about your mum being well looked after - all it needs is one really keen and able cabin crew and everything invariably seems better.

What a great Trip report! loved the pic of her highness & the pilots

Sorry to hear there were some major low points, but glad that at least the crew were on the ball & M really did go that extra mile with looking after your whole family. Marvellous!

Thank you for the great TR, NH. Hope you had a great time in MCO, even without the beef choice.

I'm going to have to get my Apprentice to try and pass a drawing to the pilots the next time we fly.

DarkAuror wrote:I'm going to have to get my Apprentice to try and pass a drawing to the pilots the next time we fly.

Needs to be done pre aircraft door closure at the airport, as gone are the days of mid flight visits...

Great TR NH with lots of similarities from yesterday for me. Bit of a worry when the answer to a lot of the recurring problems seems to be "everything will be Ok when the new planes arrive"

On the priority baggage issue - I now am sure the issue is not with MAN or indeed LGW but with the loaders at the Downtown Disney Check in. Last trip, checked in at airport, priorty handling worked, this trip downtown, waited and waited, and waited for bags to come off.

David

NH,

Thanks for the TR - mini looked as if she was having a good trip both in Fla and on board!

M

Great TR. Great pics. Shame about much of the service/food, but nice that M looked after you so well.

northernhenry wrote:Dinner service starts. Now we are one row back from the middle in the bubble. By the time the trolley reaches us- the Beef has run out, so its some chicken thing or the meat dodging option…appalling, especially given PE is sold with the menu’s and choice etc…VS sort it out!!

Had this problem on VS76 when we came back from MCO in mid-May, only ALL of the PE choices had run out by the time the crew got to the mid-bubble exit As mentioned in my TR at the time, and in my letter to the bean counters at Crawley (which hasn't yet even been acknowledged) we were definitely not amused. Thanks for the humour in your TR - it really is great when one of the crew does exactly what it says on the tin - and then goes that bit further.

the chicken we had was disgusting, but they had also run out of the pasta as well as the salmon. very poor

Thanks for an entertaining trip report. Mini NH must have had a lot of fun.