V-Flyer

A week at Vistana Resort and 4 nights at Vistana Villages had proven a nice break, weather was fairly poor for about 3 days, but allowed us to do the “shopping bit” and other such mundane activities.

It was our intention this time to give WDW a fairly wide berth, except for the “not so spooky Halloween” event which we can highly recommend, although much frustration at not being able to attend Universal’s offering due to mini. Something quite funny about being dressed as a zombie on “It’s a small world” with three Dracula’s in the boat in front.. Our main pull this year was to do Universal and Aquatica, given mini was now getting old enough to appreciate what was on offer (more of this shortly).

IOA and Studios was a first for us (well, I went when it was in soft pre-opening some time in the early 80’s which doesn’t count). Very impressed and thoroughly enjoyable, although hate to imagine what it would be like in July/August, especially in the sickly Potterland. Already a hour or so queue for a $45 black chop stick…err no thanks..
Mini was feeling generally brave and had a taste for rollercoaster’s, maybe overly brave given the tears we ended up with a few times, although within half-an-hour shouting “again!” A brief encounter with some Hull residents and another famous V-flyer gave mini some additional Dutch courage to do the Jurassic park ride, and proved to be the limit of her adrenaline exposure.. Fast passes on another day, enabling us to get a proper soaking on the Popeye boat ride going on it 3 times in succession..
Gatorland a fun alternative afternoon out, mini also nearly standing on a wild Rat Snake slithering across the path.. First time to Aquatica was also successful, as the layout/ slides do lend themselves to smaller guests. Before long the trip was coming to an end.

Our location at Villages was ideal for the final return to MCO on the Thursday at the lower end of ID, avoiding the DTD check-in this time (at $10/each fairly pointless, given we just held our luggage at the accommodation after checking out and would be checking in PE at MCO). Ditched bags and went on a final fling to Seaworld (mini’s favourite)- she had some questions to ask the staff (homework… how long can penguins hold their breath for, etc ). Had never tried the Shark Grill before so booked in for lunch- Its o.k. over priced and food average fare but the setting is impressive, especially when two sharks decided to start fighting, was half expecting a bloodbath to develop…

Called it a day, nipped round the corner to pick bags up and then fill the car up before returning, via south entrance at MCO. Hertz as always provided seamless hand back. Mrs NH had been spending again so we’d ending up travelling back with 2 more bags than we’d arrived with, a porter was more than happy to help the transfer- something we’d normally avoid, but proved a much more fluid trip across to check-in (Superman as he was known, a great character and great interaction with mini! Sorry “Superhelper”). Mrs did quite enjoy the arrival at Check-in with a fully laden cart of luggage and by-passing the fairly long Y queue (simple things!)

Hadn’t been able to chk mini in online again, but still managed to bag row 19, which seemed fine. Bags ditched then off for a well deserved beer at the sports bar, a hideous place, very expensive and surly staff- when will we learn….decided to go through as we’d arrived with limited time on purpose, security was flowing, only held up by US business type in front of us, with all his worldly possessions as hand luggage.

The usual hang around the gate area, waiting on the call for boarding, much confusion as another VS flight was called from adjacent gate, meaning everyone thought the MAN flight was boarding. All eventually resolved, and soon the PE/AU call was made. We wanted on asap to get some locker space, appeared many others also- in fact the whole plane…Ground staff were actually well organised and managed to keep a clear run for PE and boarding was smooth (except the bottleneck in the gantry for duty free pick-up).
Settled in, downed the cava and soon we were trundling down the runway on route to sunny Manc. CC appeared more senior and more efficient, a couple of black shirts knocking around and tending pax needs throughout, service was prompt and organised, the front loos kept free where ever possible. The food was also good, well mine was, the lamb curry was lovely.
Watched Devils Double, which was also great especially on the new IFE and settled in for some sleep as driving at the other end. Mini was in usual mode, frantic colouring, then glued to IFE and soon crashed out for the night.

Stirred about hour & half out of MAN, breakfast was soon served, and was a welcome feed, do like this offering compared to those minging cheese bun things they used to serve.

Immigration was also fairly smooth, the chipped passport route all bottlenecked up as numerous people got confused on what they were supposed to be doing, we however had settled for the traditional route, and a wise choice. Luggage started to arrive and in traditional MAN efficiency, a high proportion of the PE bags came off nearly last, including all ours… Come on VS, MAN handling need a kick up the arse, yet again.

Overall, a thoroughly efficient return trip, in-flight service did appear a few notches higher than the outbound, Manchester’s handling letting the whole experience down.

PS, Penguins can hold their breath on average for 10 to twenty minutes by the way..

NH

Great TR NH

Glad to hear to enjoyed the rest of your time in Florida.

Thanks for the TR NH.

Sounds like these A330s are settling in; front loos in action, good food, good IFE and two ladies in black shirts. Sounds like a good time was had by all.

I had the lamb curry a few weeks back and it was very tasty - mine was very hot and spicy (I like a good jalfrezi) but I wondered if the heat caught a few people out

Cheers

Martin

Thanks for the TR , NH.
I'll get my pal at MAN to use his size 11's on the handlers..but no promises!
Great to see the educational traits of Sea World being useful

BTW did mini find out why polar bears don't eat penguins?

Thanks for the TR.

I enjoyed Aquatica as well

"...mini also nearly standing on a wild Rat Snake" - well, you'd be wild as well if someone nearly stood on you!

Great TR, and glad all went well for you.

Excellent TR NH, thank you.

I am glad the NHs had an excellent trip after the problems before departure. Not only that but a V-Flyer social too with a couple of legends - brilliant.

Thanks also for the penguin information, something else I no longer have to either worry or wonder about.

Interestingly (well, I thought so!) the longest dives that the Australian Antarctic division recorded featured a couple of emperor penguins holding their breath for 22 minutes. And the deepest dive they recorded was 565 metres. Which is really rather deep.

I'm off out now - now where did I put my anorak.

Great TR NH, glad to to hear you had a lovely time in Florida.

Sea World is a good park for kids! I always feel like the penguins are going to start dancing like the film "Happy Feet"!!

Thanls for the TR. Glad you enjoyed your trip?

Ans how nice for the other v-flyers to meet mini.

Do people really queue up for an hour to spend $45 bucks on a stick??

tontybear wrote:
Do people really queue up for an hour to spend $45 bucks on a stick??

You have no idea of the madness/insane money grabbing in that stupid place. But for the rest of us, it leaves the rest of the park empty to enjoy!

Thanks for the TR Mike - sorry if we pushed mini's boundaries with JP!

Sounds a good flight, and a bit annoyed I chose the quite drb hickey option instead of th curry.

Our landing experience couldn't have been different. One of first off, straight in to the empty automatic scanners, and our three bags were in the first 20 on the belt. We were back in th car 25mins from touchdown.

Great TR ,glad you had a good time

Excellent read NH, thanks.

Hopefully the therapy for mini won't be too expensive, though you should be able to get a BOGOF for her exposure to the denizens of some strange and savage world....and Jurassic Park.

Concorde RIP wrote:"...mini also nearly standing on a wild Rat Snake" - well, you'd be wild as well if someone nearly stood on you!

Wild? It was absolutely livid...

Nice TR Mike. Bit worried about these ungodly experiments you appear to have been carrying out on penguins though.

Great TR, thanks Glad Orlando continues to put smiles on everyone's faces. Love that place

mdvipond wrote:

Concorde RIP wrote:"...mini also nearly standing on a wild Rat Snake" - well, you'd be wild as well if someone nearly stood on you!

Wild? It was absolutely livid...

Was it called Gerald?

pjh wrote:

mdvipond wrote:

Concorde RIP wrote:"...mini also nearly standing on a wild Rat Snake" - well, you'd be wild as well if someone nearly stood on you!

Wild? It was absolutely livid...

Was it called Gerald?

Well the gorilla was called Gerald and he was indeed livid to be kidnapped from his flange*

Here is the 'interview'

The Hissing snake may have been called Sid ...





[* myth alert - baboons form flanges, gorillas form a 'whoop']

Thank you for the great TR, NH.

Good to read that you had a good time.