Magic Kingdom Entry Gates
The Airport
I mentioned yesterday how I have found staying in an Airport Hotel prior to travel made the whole process much more convenient. And this was confirmed again today.
We left our room at the Premier Inn at 7.30am and we were at the check-in area in the North Terminal (a few humndred yerds walks) at 7.40am. Having confirmed our detials we were able to go to bag drop at 7.45am and were ready to head through airport security.
We all know that airport security can be a nightmare, with every airport having a slightly different approach to what needs to go into which part of the process. For me it meant taking off my belt and taking my laptop, iPad and Kindle out of the bag, and their covers and in to another tray.
Because we are flying Premier Economy Gatwick allows us to use their Premier Lane Security channel at no extra cost. This was a great asset as instead of long queues we were able to walk almost directly through the scanning devices once we had put our bags and jackets in the trays for x-ray.
One of my objectives this year is to buy some new trousers while I am in the USA. Most of the ones I own, bought before I retired and started walking most days, are now 8" to 10" to wide for me around the waist. So walking through the security channel involved having to hold my trousers up, as without my belt they would have been at my ankles not my waist if I was not careful - I managed.
Drew had to be patted down, whereas I walked through without any problem. So by 8am, some kind of amazing record, we were through security and in to the airside of the terminal.
We have, over the years, seen the benefit for booking a airport lounge as they allow for a peaceful and quiet preparation for the plane rather than the noisy hubbub of the airport. This time we had booked with a lounge called My Lounge and by 8.20am we were say comfortable with a diet coke and some snacks. The Flight
At 10.20 we were invited to go to the boarding gate, but on arrival there it was noted that the plane would be one hour later leaving, due to its late arrival from a previous destination.
Boarding began at 11.15am and happened quite quickly with Upper Class and Premium Economy getting on first.
Those of you who have followed these blogs for a number of years will know that Premium Economy is a luxury we have treated ourselves to since 2009. The difference it makes to have extra legroom and to be in an area of the plane with only 48 other passengers with access to three designated toilets and two specified crew members makes the experience of being in the air for 8+ hours worth the extra money. Having a whole luggage box to the two of us also makes life so much easier than fighting for space as happens when we fly to places in Europe.
So we got to our seats, were served our pre-flight drinks and I continued to read my novel, on to number 2 for this holiday so far. We were seated in seats 18H and 18K, which are beside each other, with K being at the window and H in the aisle.
The plane left the gate at 12.15pm and we took off at 12.40pm.
The Captain of the plane was very enthusiastic about the flight. Drew suggested the captain was some kind of a flight plan nerd. He told us that the flight would take 8 hours 35 minutes and added "We have a cracking little route for you today, via Land's End past the Azores and down near the Bahamas". Drew noted that the captain sounded as exited about the route as Drew would about - 'iterative constructs in a computer programme'!!
After departure we had pretzels and a drink and then were treated to a lovely lunch.
For mains Drew opted for chilli con carne with beans, tomatoes and rice. Drew was pleased that it was served with a fresh slice of chilli and had a good spiciness, something that often doesn't happen when eating food on a plane. Drew of course had to have chilli in memory of the chillies he is growing at home and for which he has set up an automated irrigation system, so they survive our three weeks away!
I opted for chicken with sweetcorn. The chicken was light a chicken pie, but with mashed potatoes on top rather than a pie crust. The chicken had little pieces of pancetta through it given it a salty, tanginess which I really enjoyed. It was served with sweetcorn and peas, which were crisp, a good feat at 33,000 feet.
Drew and I swapped desserts so I had two lots of crackers and cheese and Drew had two chocolate brownies.
Afternoon tea was served with tea or coffee in a lovely ceramic mug. I don't remember being served tea in a mug on a plane before, but it is how I like to drink it, so I was very pleased.
You may have heard me complain before about the time entry into the US takes from the time of landing, to the time of arrival outside the airport, but I take all those complaints back. The process was amazingly streamlined and speedy today.
The plane landed at 4.15pm (9.15pm UK time) and we got to the gate and began disembarking by 4.30pm. Those passengers with ESTAs (viva waivers) and who had been in the USA since 2007 were welcome to use automated kiosks to check passport and answer the customs questions.
<<Co-Pilot's note: Mr B, at this point, decided not to follow the instructions set out by the Department of Homeland Security guidance and follow his own procedure. This meant leaving his glasses on when the signs clearly said to remove them. This was on the 'supposed logic' that his glasses are on in the passport process and "he always knows best">>
This worked very smoothly, but the output from the process had an X across it in my case and not in Drew's so we did not know what this meant. We went through an almost empty channel and got to the usual immigration desk, where Drew was waved through and I had to be re-photoed and re-enter my finger prints. <<I told him so!! But he doesn't listen.>> I maintain the problem is that my picture looks different from the passport because of the four stone I have lost since retirement - Drew, as you will see from his notes, believes differently - I did have to take my glasses off for the final photo, so maybe he is right.
That being said we were through passport control by 4.50pm, an amazing speed, and had collected our bags by 5.05pm and were through customs by 5.10pm. The best and most efficient service of any visit we have had to the States.
We then had a small monorail ride to the main terminal building and had to go down two floors to the check-in desk for the Disney Magical Express, the coach that would take us to our hotel.
We got on the bus at 5.25pm and it departed at 5.30pm. The bus had passengers for each of the accommodations in the Magic Kingdom area: Wilderness Lodge, Bay Lake and the Polynesian Village before arriving at the Grand Floridian Hotel. The bus got here at 6.25pm and we were ushered in the check-in for the hotel, where a 'cast-member' called Jeff checked us in. He was delighted to show us and give us our personalised Magic Bands.
We were in our room by 6.40pm and unpacked and settled in. Our room is on the Royal Palm Club area of the hotel, which means we have free access to the range of food and drinks available in the club area from 6.30am to 10.00pm. We are in a 'Castle View Room' so that is the Magic Kingdom Castle you can see across the lake in the photo below.
The room is nice a spacious with two King size beds and a lovely settee. More pictures are on Flickr.
Boarding began at 11.15am and happened quite quickly with Upper Class and Premium Economy getting on first.
Those of you who have followed these blogs for a number of years will know that Premium Economy is a luxury we have treated ourselves to since 2009. The difference it makes to have extra legroom and to be in an area of the plane with only 48 other passengers with access to three designated toilets and two specified crew members makes the experience of being in the air for 8+ hours worth the extra money. Having a whole luggage box to the two of us also makes life so much easier than fighting for space as happens when we fly to places in Europe.
So we got to our seats, were served our pre-flight drinks and I continued to read my novel, on to number 2 for this holiday so far. We were seated in seats 18H and 18K, which are beside each other, with K being at the window and H in the aisle.
The plane left the gate at 12.15pm and we took off at 12.40pm.
The Captain of the plane was very enthusiastic about the flight. Drew suggested the captain was some kind of a flight plan nerd. He told us that the flight would take 8 hours 35 minutes and added "We have a cracking little route for you today, via Land's End past the Azores and down near the Bahamas". Drew noted that the captain sounded as exited about the route as Drew would about - 'iterative constructs in a computer programme'!!
After departure we had pretzels and a drink and then were treated to a lovely lunch.
Lunch
The starters were a Summer Salad with crispy lettuce leaves, cucumber and strawberries, topped off with mint leaves. This was served with a little bottle of balsamic and olive oil to sprinkle over the salad. This was sharp and tangy. The crunchy leaves and the sweet strawberries went very well together with the oil. The whole dish was fresh and delicious.For mains Drew opted for chilli con carne with beans, tomatoes and rice. Drew was pleased that it was served with a fresh slice of chilli and had a good spiciness, something that often doesn't happen when eating food on a plane. Drew of course had to have chilli in memory of the chillies he is growing at home and for which he has set up an automated irrigation system, so they survive our three weeks away!
I opted for chicken with sweetcorn. The chicken was light a chicken pie, but with mashed potatoes on top rather than a pie crust. The chicken had little pieces of pancetta through it given it a salty, tanginess which I really enjoyed. It was served with sweetcorn and peas, which were crisp, a good feat at 33,000 feet.
Drew and I swapped desserts so I had two lots of crackers and cheese and Drew had two chocolate brownies.
Snacks and Drinks
We were kept supplied with drinks: water, coke, coffee, orange juice, throughout the flight. At one point Drew had a FAB ice lolly, but that was to sweet for me. Between reading an light dosing (for about 30 minutes) the flight seemed to speed past.Afternoon Tea
An hour before we were due to land we were offered Afternoon Tea. This was three very dainty sandwiches with ham and tomato, smoked salmon and cream cheese, and egg with slow roasted tomato. Two were on wholemeal bread and one on white. These were really tasty and were still fresh after 7 hours in the air. Drew, making the great sacrifice of having my sweet food as well as his own, managed two each of a lemon and pistachio cake, a chocolate cake and warm scones. To be fair he did forgo the strawberry jam and clotted cream which was available with the scones.Afternoon tea was served with tea or coffee in a lovely ceramic mug. I don't remember being served tea in a mug on a plane before, but it is how I like to drink it, so I was very pleased.
Arrival
You may have heard me complain before about the time entry into the US takes from the time of landing, to the time of arrival outside the airport, but I take all those complaints back. The process was amazingly streamlined and speedy today.
The plane landed at 4.15pm (9.15pm UK time) and we got to the gate and began disembarking by 4.30pm. Those passengers with ESTAs (viva waivers) and who had been in the USA since 2007 were welcome to use automated kiosks to check passport and answer the customs questions.
<<Co-Pilot's note: Mr B, at this point, decided not to follow the instructions set out by the Department of Homeland Security guidance and follow his own procedure. This meant leaving his glasses on when the signs clearly said to remove them. This was on the 'supposed logic' that his glasses are on in the passport process and "he always knows best">>
This worked very smoothly, but the output from the process had an X across it in my case and not in Drew's so we did not know what this meant. We went through an almost empty channel and got to the usual immigration desk, where Drew was waved through and I had to be re-photoed and re-enter my finger prints. <<I told him so!! But he doesn't listen.>> I maintain the problem is that my picture looks different from the passport because of the four stone I have lost since retirement - Drew, as you will see from his notes, believes differently - I did have to take my glasses off for the final photo, so maybe he is right.
That being said we were through passport control by 4.50pm, an amazing speed, and had collected our bags by 5.05pm and were through customs by 5.10pm. The best and most efficient service of any visit we have had to the States.
Magical Express
We then had a small monorail ride to the main terminal building and had to go down two floors to the check-in desk for the Disney Magical Express, the coach that would take us to our hotel.
We got on the bus at 5.25pm and it departed at 5.30pm. The bus had passengers for each of the accommodations in the Magic Kingdom area: Wilderness Lodge, Bay Lake and the Polynesian Village before arriving at the Grand Floridian Hotel. The bus got here at 6.25pm and we were ushered in the check-in for the hotel, where a 'cast-member' called Jeff checked us in. He was delighted to show us and give us our personalised Magic Bands.We were in our room by 6.40pm and unpacked and settled in. Our room is on the Royal Palm Club area of the hotel, which means we have free access to the range of food and drinks available in the club area from 6.30am to 10.00pm. We are in a 'Castle View Room' so that is the Magic Kingdom Castle you can see across the lake in the photo below.
The room is nice a spacious with two King size beds and a lovely settee. More pictures are on Flickr.
it sounds as if things are going quite smoothly for you on this trip, I hope it continues like this
ReplyDeleteIndeed, so far so good. Time enough for a hurricane or something equally exciting in the next theee weeks 😉
DeleteFab start Haydn, I'd not realised you can book into a lounge pre flight. That sounds very civilised. I hope I follow your example too and loose 4 stone post retirement!
ReplyDeleteHi Kath,
DeleteYou have to pay for the pleasure, but it makes all the difference to the comfort of the experience. Their is a company called Lounge Pass which has a wide selection of Lounges around the world.
The 4 stone was easy, so walking to St. Mary's or cycling, I reckon both will do it. The hard thing is to eat as you are now, not increase the input to make up for the output - that wouldn't help, but is tempting, at least in the early days.
Loving the co-pilot's notes and the "I told him so"! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Alice,
DeleteWas always thus 😉