How The Western Caribbean Was Won! Completed 8/10/2016 - Page 5 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Time to go although I don't like the sound of the next update..
Neither, do I! Tough to get the updates done during the week and being off last week I was able to get a few of them done! Anyway, I'm really looking forward to starting the actual TR with lots of photos!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
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I love the Mystic Aquarium pictures! Fish are so much fun.
I'm having packing anxieties lately. I'm not sure exactly what to pack clothes wise or how many suitcases.
Keep the suitcases down to a minimum and as far as clothes pack not what you may use, but what you will need!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MayraLR
Almost time to sail! How exciting!
Yes, it is and I hope you will enjoy this portion of the TR. May be the weekend as tough to get these done during the week as I work and get home about 6:30 or so!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Looks like you had a great time in Mystic! Love that place. Looking forward to reading about the next section of your trip when you finally get on the ship!
Looks like you had a great time in Mystic! Love that place. Looking forward to reading about the next section of your trip when you finally get on the ship!
Mystic Aquarium was a lot of fun and a day well spent! I should have an update later today, when I actually begin the TR section and leave for Florida!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Registered Message Board Members Get Our Free Newsletter! When you register you'll have the option to sign up for our weekly PassPorter Newsletter. It's chock-full of feature articles; news; tips; contests; photos; and special offers in our online store.
Saturday, April 11 (Part I)
I woke up at 4 am, even though my alarm was set for 4:30 am. I lied in bed for a few minutes and instead of risking the chance of falling back asleep, I got up and showered. I slept pretty well last night, but did wake up a couple of times as I was quite excited for my first cruise.
I had a bit of breakfast with a banana and a yogurt and after this packed up a last few items for my trip, such as my travel documents, bottle of water and a few toiletries. After this I made sure to check everything in the condo such as thermostat settings and watering my plants. Basically, just closing everything up. My ride from the shuttle service is due here at 6:15 am as it was about 5:30 am now and was still a bit dark out, but the sun was coming up. Too early to bring my bags out, so I spent some time on the boards and catch up with some threads as well as give my goodbyes!
At 6:10 am I locked up my condo and brought my two bags downstairs and outside to wait for my ride. It was quite pleasant out with temps in the low 50's and sunny. Forecast highs today were in the upper 60's. While waiting outside, I ran into one of my neighbors and told her where I was going and she wished me well! She said, she’d watch over my condo and car for me.
It was now 6:30 am and my ride service was not here yet and was wondering how long am I going to have to wait? The other company, I’ve used in the past was always prompt! This company is not giving me a good impression of them! I called the company and they said they were on their way and that they were very busy this morning. Their office is only five minutes from me, so seems like a lack of organization and not due to traffic! My driver called and was having trouble locating my address. I had to guide him here as he was on the right street, but wrong address. Finally, he arrived at 6:40 am and 25 minutes late! It wasn’t a van but an older town car that seemed to be showing its’ age. He said we had one other passenger to pickup about five minutes away.
My driver was having trouble locating the address, but I knew the area and was able to find it for him. Am I the one, who should be the navigator? We picked up an older woman from another condo complex and soon we were on our way, but running a bit late. It was 7 am and boarding for my flight begins at 9 am. First the woman passenger would have to be dropped off at La Guardia, before myself at JFK. I talked quite a bit with the female passenger about travel as she was going to Las Vegas. We got on the subject of my cruise and she had been on quite a few, but never Disney.
At about 7:45 am we arrived at LaGuardia to drop her off and 15 minutes later we arrived at Terminal 5 at JFK to drop me off for my Jet Blue flight. There wasn’t much traffic on the roads this morning as it was early and a Saturday. I wish the driver had been a bit more prompt. Probably, more of the company’s fault than his. I still had an hour until boarding, so all was good. I checked in outside the terminal and paid the $2 per bag fee. Beats waiting in line inside. Funny, that you can only pay with a credit card, especially with just a $2 charge.
Before heading inside and going through security and onward to my gate, a few photos were in order!
It was about 8:20 am and I went into the terminal and through security. It was quite fast as I had expedited security with my ticket on Jet Blue and was able to go ahead in line! That’s a good perk with my “Even More Space” seat!
Jet engine in Jet Blue terminal
The direction I was heading
I can’t believe the line for this place as there are plenty of options here for coffee!
My gate
I took a seat in the waiting area and relaxed for a bit, before boarding would begin for my flight. I checked through my carry on bag and separated those items, I wanted to have at my seat during the flight including my camera and DCL Passporter.
The scene at my gate once boarding was called.
Boarding began at close to 9 am and I was one of the first to board with my priority seat , which was 1A and a window seat, which I love for photos during the flight.
View from my seat before we began taxiing.
The flight was full and the doors were shut at about 9:20 am. Glad there weren’t any late showing passengers, so we could proceed on time. We began taxiing at about 9:35 am.
Pulling away from the gate
The long ride on the tarmac at JFK, before takeoff
Finally, at about 10 am we were in the air and on the way to Orlando, where we’d be in just over two hours! Quite a bit of air traffic this morning at JFK as there were about five or six planes in front of us. But all was good now!
Over Rockaway Beach near JFK
More of Rockaway Beach from the air
This was it for my air photos, until the approach into Northern Florida and Orlando as it was quite cloudy for much of the flight.
Shortly after takeoff the flight attendant came around for drink and snack service. I had a coke along with bags of Doritos and Terra Blue Chips. Watched some programming on Direct TV, including some news and Masters Golf coverage as this was the big weekend for this tournament. I was able to take a nap for about thirty minutes, which is always good! I woke up just as we were beginning our descent and approach into Florida and Orlando.
One of beach areas in central Florida. May be Ponte Vedra near Jacksonville and St. Augustine.
Approach into the lakes area near Orlando
Highways and residential areas near Orlando
Just about to cross the highway and to Orlando Airport, which is just on the other side!
Touchdown in Orlando!!!
I was quite happy that we landed on time at 12:20 and better yet, nearly ten minutes early. We taxiied for a bit over to our gate and had to wait an extra five minutes or so as they had to wait for the operator to bring the gate to our plane. I was one of the first off the plane as I was in row one.
My flight at the gate after arrival
Made a quick pit stop after disembarking the plane and then walked (more of a hurried pace) to the monorail and took it to the main terminal and were there quite shortly as always.
Before going to baggage claim, I went outside to check out the weather. It was quite warm and certainly in the mid 80's and quite muggy. This has to be expected in Florida, even in April, which is usually quite pleasant. I went to baggage claim one level down and our bags were not on the carousel yet. A few minutes later, they were finally being loaded and it seemed I had to wait quite a while for mine. There were not many passengers waiting when I got my bag.
After collecting my bag, I went upstairs to the central area of the terminal and check in to my room at the Hyatt, one floor up from this part of the terminal. There were quite a few guests checking in and had to wait about ten minutes. It seems they had enough staff, but just a busy time for the hotel. All went well with check in and they had rooms available at the time, but none with a tarmac view, which I wanted. I left my phone number and they would call me, when my room was ready. They said it would it would probably be about an hour. In the meantime, I got some photos from the hotel overlooking the terminal area.
One of my favorite aspects of Orlando Airport
Quite a different perspective from within Orlando Airport
I had some time to wait, so I went to the food court to have some lunch. I decided on Moe’s Southwestern Grill as some of the choices seemed good. I had a burrito bowl with steak, rice, cilantro, pinto beans, guacamole, cheddar jack cheese and pico de gallo sauce with some tortilla chips on the side and a coke. It was quite good, but filling.
It was about 2:15 pm and went back to the Hyatt check in to see if my room was ready as they hadn’t called me yet. My room had just become available, so I was able to check in. I went through the usual procedure and also told them that I’d be taking a Disney cruise tomorrow. They gave me a letter and explains what to do for baggage pickup. My bag will be picked up at my room later tonight and transferred to the Disney Magic. One less thing to worry about!
I was issued my room key and walked to the elevators nearby with my carry on bag and check out my room and see what kind of view I had. There was quite a crowd at the elevators as there were a bunch of middle school kids in the hotel for a dance competition being held here. I waited a few minutes until the line eased off and then took the elevator to the 7th floor and room #7131.
NEXT: Amazing, How Quickly Things Change!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Last edited by SuperDave; 08-09-2015 at 10:04 PM..
Oh come on, you can't stop there! I want to see the view from the room! At least once you finally got on the road from your place, things went smoothly. That car company certainly didn't give a great impression arriving that late.
Waiting for the car service would have driven me crazy! I'm obsessively early for things and would rather have a bit of a wait at the gate than spend the time worrying about missing the flight. Seems like an easy flight, though, and it's definitely relaxing to have your destination be the airport hotel.
I would have been pacing waiting for that driver to get there. But so glad you made it safely to the airport and the flight was smooth. Can't wait to see photos of your room at the Hyatt!
Oh come on, you can't stop there! I want to see the view from the room! At least once you finally got on the road from your place, things went smoothly. That car company certainly didn't give a great impression arriving that late.
Oh, I know Cheryl, but the update was getting quite long! Oh, you will see the view! Did you and Mark have a tarmac view, when you stayed there on your WDW/Aulani trip in 2013
My transport service to the airport was not that great with them being so late! Well, I also would be using them on the return as well!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
Waiting for the car service would have driven me crazy! I'm obsessively early for things and would rather have a bit of a wait at the gate than spend the time worrying about missing the flight. Seems like an easy flight, though, and it's definitely relaxing to have your destination be the airport hotel.
I'm quite prompt as well and especially on a trip day as I can't wait to get there! I'm always at the airport early as well. It was certainly quite convenient staying at the Hyatt at MCO!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MayraLR
Glad you had a smooth flight!
All was good! Would have preferred flying out of Westchester than JFK as much closer to me and a smaller airport, but I used points on this and the former required many more points!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pris
Ugh! A 25 min. late pick up would have made me crazy! It's a good thing you had plenty of time to make your flight. I love the Orlando airport!!
I've never had a pickup show up that late. Not a good way to impress a first time customer! Funny thing is I got an email from them the night before that they would be arriving 10 minutes early! I make sure I always have plenty of time to arrive at the airport with traffic etc. I wasn't expecting a 25 minute late arrival that was never really explained. They didn't call me as I called them regarding the tardiness!
Orlando airport may be my favorite of all airports I've been to and have been to many! It's just so welcoming! More airports should have their major food areas before security and not after!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
I would have been pacing waiting for that driver to get there. But so glad you made it safely to the airport and the flight was smooth. Can't wait to see photos of your room at the Hyatt!
Believe me.....as I certainly was getting quite aggravated with the situation! Flight went great and looking forward to sharing my room photos (even though Cheryl didn't like the time when I cut off the post! )
__________________
October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
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Tough to get the updates done during the week and being off last week I was able to get a few of them done! 
Anyway, I'm really looking forward to starting the actual TR with lots of photos! 
Looking forward to reading about the next section of your trip when you finally get on the ship!
The other company, I’ve used in the past was always prompt! This company is not giving me a good impression of them! 
Finally, he arrived at 6:40 am and 25 minutes late! It wasn’t a van but an older town car that seemed to be showing its’ age. He said we had one other passenger to pickup about five minutes away.
We picked up an older woman from another condo complex and soon we were on our way, but running a bit late. It was 7 am and boarding for my flight begins at 9 am. First the woman passenger would have to be dropped off at La Guardia, before myself at JFK. I talked quite a bit with the female passenger about travel as she was going to Las Vegas. We got on the subject of my cruise and she had been on quite a few, but never Disney. 
I woke up just as we were beginning our descent and approach into Florida and Orlando.
This has to be expected in Florida, even in April, which is usually quite pleasant. I went to baggage claim one level down and our bags were not on the carousel yet. 
PassPorter Guide Author
Oh, you will see the view! 
I make sure I always have plenty of time to arrive at the airport with traffic etc. 
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