Get yer lugs on we're going to Disney - July 16 TR (update 8/11) Football and Chili's

Princess Leia

DIS Veteran
Joined
Feb 15, 2011

Welcome everyone! Some of you may already know me and have followed along on my 2015 Trip Report ‘The Theme Parks, the Dining and Compeed’. It’s great to have you along again. Some of you may just have stumbled across here ... stick around and please make yourself known and feel free to comment.

Meet the Family




This will be our 6th family trip to Florida. Our first trip was in July 2008.



The trip in 2008 was our ‘Once in a Life-time’ trip. I wonder how many people have said that? WDW has been an important part of every Orlando trip. The other theme parks we tend to visit on alternate trips.




I’m known on the Dis Boards as Princess Leia. I work full-time and spend most of my non-working life driving the children to their various activities. I have always enjoyed our family holidays. I also love singing and musical theatre.Favourite Park: Magic Kingdom

Favourite Ride: Space Mountain and Expedition Everest

Favourite Character (s) Pluto and Chip & Dale

Favourite Disney Movie: Peter Pan although I do have a soft spot for Pete’s Dragon! In fact Star Wars: the Force Awakens was pretty good.





Alan (DH) loves going to WDW. He wasn’t so keen on the idea the first time but was soon won over by how well organised it was! He is great with rope drop but not so great with late nights! He enjoys playing golf and watching rugby.
Favourite Park: Magic Kingdom

Favourite Ride: Splash Mountain

Favourite Character: Sulley

Favourite Disney Movie: Monsters Inc




Hannah is 15 years old. Her hobbies are singing, acting and being an all round drama queen! She spends a lot of time on Instagram and Netflix!Favourite Park: Magic Kingdom

Favourite Ride: Expedition Everest

Favourite Character(s): Pluto, Minnie Mouse and Rapunzel

Favourite Disney Movie: Tangled and Peter Pan




Then there's Peter. Peter is 11 years old. He has just finished primary school.He spends his time playing rugby, swimming, going to rugby matches, playing guitar and Xbox. He currently spends a lot of time on Snapchat, Instagram and playing Pokémon Go.


Favourite Park: Magic Kingdom and Aquatica

Favourite Ride: Space Mountain (will need to see if that gets replaced on this trip).

Favourite Character(s): Chip & Dale, Pluto and Stitch

Favourite Disney Movie: Monsters University


 
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In May 2015 we booked our summer 2016 holiday. This was extra early as we hadn’t even been on our 2016 holiday to Orlando yet. We booked to go to an all inclusive hotel in Turkey with an onsite water park. Peter, who loves a water park, particularly liked the look of this. We got a really good deal. We were due to be paying our balance at the beginning of May 2016. Some of the family were feeling a bit anxious about some of the recent events in Turkey. The part of Turkey we were due to go to wasn’t deemed as unsafe so travel companies were still going ahead with travel. Alan and I had a chat and decided to cancel our trip to Turkey. We had a look at possible options and in the middle of it all the inevitable happened – I searched for Orlando. I didn’t tell the children but decided to surprise them. Hannah’s birthday gave me an idea. A couple of years ago I purchased a 4 park lithograph set. I decided I would get the Magic Kingdom one framed for Hannah’s room. Hannah has always referred to the Magic Kingdom as her ‘Happy place’.

I haven’t posted a video before so fingers crossed that you can access it.



Hannah was quick to post on Facebook:

When your parents casually surprise you by telling you that you are going to Disney this summer!





The trip was in under 3 months!

 
Well, this sounds like fun and I'm glad to be here to enjoy the ride. Can't wait to read more.
 


Oh man, I thought I'd be first! Well, happy to be second :) I'm not sure what a "lug" is but I'm really glad you started this and I'm in for the long haul!
 
Yay! A new report! And I loved the surprise!! Maybe one day, I'll do something like that, though both my DH and I are horrible at surprises!

So I guess I'll be third! Looking forward to more! :)
 


Hello! Glad to be joining in. I was actually lurking for a little bit on your other TR, so I figured I should come out of the shadows early on this one. :)

Favourite Disney Movie: Peter Pan although I do have a soft spot for Pete’s Dragon! In fact Star Wars: the Force Awakens was pretty good.
I would have written almost the same thing myself! I'm cautiously optimistic about the new Pete's dragon movie coming out next month. I'm not sure I like the look of the new dragon though. Elliot shouldn't have fur!

Hannah is 15 years old. Her hobbies are singing, acting and being an all round drama queen! She spends a lot of time on Instagram and Netflix!
Hmmm...funny, sounds an awful lot like the 16 year old girl in my house! :p
 
Oh man, I thought I'd be first! Well, happy to be second :) I'm not sure what a "lug" is but I'm really glad you started this and I'm in for the long haul!
:welcome: Thanks for joining in on another trip report. We'll get to Disney quicker this time. I'll not keep you waiting too long on the "lugs" they'll be in the next update! It will be a long haul. Keep going through the next travel update or keep it to help you drift off to sleep! Well it was a long haul flight after all.

Yay! A new report! And I loved the surprise!! Maybe one day, I'll do something like that, though both my DH and I are horrible at surprises!

So I guess I'll be third! Looking forward to more! :)
It wasn't anything too grand although better than last year when they found out by reading over my shoulder when I was on the Disboards. :welcome: back, great to have you along!

Hello! Glad to be joining in. I was actually lurking for a little bit on your other TR, so I figured I should come out of the shadows early on this one. :)

:welcome: and thanks for coming out of lurkdom. Good to have you here - feel free to join in!

I would have written almost the same thing myself! I'm cautiously optimistic about the new Pete's dragon movie coming out next month. I'm not sure I like the look of the new dragon though. Elliot shouldn't have fur!

Hmmm...funny, sounds an awful lot like the 16 year old girl in my house! :p

It looks sufficiently different from the original rather than just a remake so it should be able to stand alone. I suppose the fur will help if he ends up doing character meets. Pete's Dragon is one of my earliest memories of Disney films that and the Herbie movies. I don't have quite the same fondness for them. I love the music in Pete's Dragon. Candle on the Water is my favourite Disney song.

I was sharing what I had posted with Hannah. "Mum, tell me you didn't post that video. I'm such a state - I didn't have my makeup done!" Sorry Hannah! :)


:wave2: Hello!

Looking forward to your trip report.

:wave: and :welcome:. Glad you could join us!
 
Day One Part One: You Can Fly! You Can Fly! You Can Fly!

Travel... not the most exciting part of any trip. Please feel free to skip and come back and join me later. If you choose to stay the only relief is that you don’t have to endure it in real time. That would be even more boring. There is a lack of photos. I really didn’t want to be taken away for questioning due to over exuberant photo journalism. Hannah has just discovered some photos on her phone and e-mailed them to me. When they eventually arrive I will add to this post.

We had direct flights from Glasgow to Orlando with Thomas Cook. My Dad arrived at 6:30 am to give us a lift to the airport. The check in queue was long but moved fairly quickly. There were a good number of large family groups. While we were in the queue we heard one Dad announce to his extended family, “Get yer lugs on we’re going to Disney!” and our trip report title was born. His family all dutifully put on their Mickey Ears for a photo. For any readers unfamiliar with the Scots language ‘lugs’ is a Scots word for ears. Anyway we adopted this phrase and used it more than a few times this trip. Security was again well organised, quick and painless.

I had booked us into the Upper Deck Lounge. This isn’t a service that we usually use. Before the trip I was checking on a website that offers a ‘Free If’ deals that means if you find the exact thing for less after you have booked you can make a claim within 24 hours and if successful will get it for free. The cost of the lounge for the 4 of us was £72.50. I submitted a claim with screenshots as I was able to book on the Glasgow airport website for £65 as under their pricing Hannah was classed as a child. I got an e-mail to say that my claim was successful and that I would get my £72.50 refunded. We headed there straight after security. We were able to get a basic breakfast with pastries, toast, some cereals and yoghurts, fruit juices and coffee.



Alcoholic drinks were also included with a limit to four per person. Seriously, four alcoholic drinks at breakfast? Who wants to drink that? Put your hands down - it was a rhetorical question! Well, maybe the Air Transat pilots but best not to speculate. I picked up some soft drinks at Boots to take on the flight.

Our flight was at 10:10 - I had booked seats near the front of the plane in the hope of being able to exit first. We had 4 seats together in the middle of the plane 7 D – H. The leg room was good – I think the section of the plane we were on is operated as premium economy on some flights.

The inflight entertainment was much poorer than Virgin. I paid the £12 to upgrade Hannah, Peter and Alan’s but even then the offerings were pretty limited. There were 2 meal choices; chicken and bangers and mash. The food wasn’t up to much. I opened a bottle of lemonade and it fizzed up all over me. Alan shook his head. Peter shook his head. Peter has developed the same head shake and eye roll as Alan. I ended up watching Toy Story 3 and read some of my book. I think Peter watched The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 2, Kung Fu Panda 3 and half of The Force Awakens. Hannah also watched the Hunger Games.

The flight lasted for 8 hours 50 minutes. We landed in Orlando at 2pm local time. There is a 5 hour time difference between the UK and Orlando with the UK 5 hours ahead.

Last year it took us over 2 and half hours from landing to getting our hire car not helped by the fact they held us on the plane for 45 minutes after landing. Fingers crossed this year would be better! We were amongst some of the first able to get off the plane. We moved quickly to the immigration area and there wasn’t a huge queue. We didn’t have to wait long before we were called forward by a TSA officer. As we moved away we looked over our shoulders – what a queue!

We arrived at the baggage carousel before any cases. Soon cases started arriving. We had two new cases in a bright shade that were easy to spot but we had to check more than a few black cases before we finally got ours. We distributed the cases between us. Quick, keep moving! We knew where we were going. First up, a ride on the Fake-o-Rail. The new four wheeled cases were easy to manoeuvre. “No, we do not want to give you back our cases!” Finally the elevator and head to the Budget car hire desk. Last year the Budget car hire line was impossibly slow. We said “Never again!” When I discovered that my travel agent had booked Budget for car hire I wanted it changed. She got back to me to say that we would lose our additional driver and have to pay an additional premium. Reluctantly we stayed with Budget. This time there was no queue and we were served within 10 minutes. We signed a few screens. They gave us a choice of 3 car makes. We usually choose the Chevy Impala knowing from experience it has the best trunk for luggage. That wasn’t an option this time so after Alan enquiring about which had the biggest trunk we were given the keys to a Ford Fusion. It was a bit of a tight squeeze getting the cases in but Alan managed to persuade them. We managed to get through the airport and in our car in just over an hour from landing. Success! The Budget car hire probably worked in our favour as most of those with Thomas Cook would have had the included car hire with Alamo.

After last year’s experience of the sleepy SAT NAV I printed out a copy of directions. This got us going in the right direction before Dermot (SAT NAV man) woke up!

 
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Day One Part One: You Can Fly! You Can Fly! You Can Fly!
While we were in the queue we heard one Dad announce to his extended family, “Get yer lugs on we’re going to Disney!” and our trip report title was born. His family all dutifully put on their Mickey Ears for a photo. For any readers unfamiliar with the Scots language ‘lugs’ is a Scots word for ears. Anyway we adopted this phrase and used it more than a few times this trip.
Love the origination of the title! And I learned something new!

I had booked us into the Upper Deck Lounge. This isn’t a service that we usually use. Before the trip I was checking on a website that offers a ‘Free If’ deals that means if you find the exact thing for less after you have booked you can make a claim within 24 hours and if successful will get it for free. The cost of the lounge for the 4 of us was £72.50. I submitted a claim with screenshots as I was able to book on the Glasgow airport website for £65 as under their pricing Hannah was classed as a child. I got an e-mail to say that my claim was successful and that I would get my £72.50 refunded. We headed there straight after security. We were able to get a basic breakfast with pastries, toast, some cereals and yoghurts, fruit juices and coffee.

This is so awesome! Go you!!
Alcoholic drinks were also included with a limit to four per person. Seriously, four alcoholic drinks at breakfast? Who wants to drink that? Put your hands down - it was a rhetorical question! Well, maybe the Air Transat pilots but best not to speculate.
Totally cracking up at this!

Alan shook his head. Peter shook his head. Peter has developed the same head shake and eye roll as Alan.
More funnies! :)


The flight lasted for 8 hours 50 minutes.
Longer than what our drive is supposed to take but probably how long it actually takes...lol.

Last year it took us over 2 and half hours from landing to getting our hire car not helped by the fact they held us on the plane for 45 minutes after landing. Fingers crossed this year would be better! We were amongst some of the first able to get off the plane. We moved quickly to the immigration area and there wasn’t a huge queue. We didn’t have to wait long before we were called forward by a TSA officer. As we moved away we looked over our shoulders – what a queue!
We arrived at the baggage carousel before any cases. Soon cases started arriving. We had two new cases in a bright shade that were easy to spot but we had to check more than a few black cases before we finally got ours. We distributed the cases between us. Quick, keep moving! We knew where we were going. First up, a ride on the Fake-o-Rail. The new four wheeled cases were easy to manoeuvre. “No, we do not want to give you back our cases!” Finally the elevator and head to the Budget car hire desk. Last year the Budget car hire line was impossibly slow. We said “Never again!” When I discovered that my travel agent had booked Budget for car hire I wanted it changed. She got back to me to say that we would lose our additional driver and have to pay an additional premium. Reluctantly we stayed with Budget. This time there was no queue and we were served within 10 minutes. We signed a few screens. They gave us a choice of 3 car makes. We usually choose the Chevy Impala knowing from experience it has the best trunk for luggage. That wasn’t an option this time so after Alan enquiring about which had the biggest trunk we were given the keys to a Ford Fusion. It was a bit of a tight squeeze getting the cases in but Alan managed to persuade them. We managed to get through the airport and in our car in just over an hour from landing. Success! The Budget car hire probably worked in our favour as most of those with Thomas Cook would have had the included car hire with Alamo.
So glad everything worked out in your favor this time! I think it would be so nerve-wracking after all that flight time to be in Orlando but not able to quickly get to Disney!

After last year’s experience of the sleepy SAT NAV I printed out a copy of directions. This got us going in the right direction before Dermot (SAT NAV man) woke up!
Smart woman! :)
 
Ah, ears! Title makes more sense to me now and I love it :thumbsup2 Now while in theory 4 alcoholic drinks with breakfast sounds interesting, if I even managed to get through them it would be bedtime for me!!

Excellent that you made it to your car just over an hour after landing. We've always had good luck using DME, getting to our resort within an hour of landing except for our last to trips for some reason. I think it's because on those trips we arrived later at night; we'll see on our upcoming trips since we're landing early!
 
While we were in the queue we heard one Dad announce to his extended family, “Get yer lugs on we’re going to Disney!” and our trip report title was born. His family all dutifully put on their Mickey Ears for a photo. For any readers unfamiliar with the Scots language ‘lugs’ is a Scots word for ears.
EARS! I thought for sure it would be some kind of shoe :teeth:.


I got an e-mail to say that my claim was successful and that I would get my £72.50 refunded.
I always find I enjoy myself much more when something is free :laughing:


The flight lasted for 8 hours 50 minutes. We landed in Orlando at 2pm local time. There is a 5 hour time difference between the UK and Orlando with the UK 5 hours ahead.
I won't complain about our 5 hour flight from California! But I will complain that we lose 3 hours on the way to Orlando because of the time change :sad2:


We managed to get through the airport and in our car in just over an hour from landing. Success!
That's a great time frame, wow!
 
I knew what your title meant, we say it down here too (well I'm originally from Suffolk so maybe there) :rotfl2:

You got through passport control so quickly :faint: Fingers crossed we get the same luck next month!
 
Love the origination of the title! And I learned something new!
Ah, ears! Title makes more sense to me now and I love it :thumbsup2
EARS! I thought for sure it would be some kind of shoe :teeth:.

I aim to educate. Mickey Lugs have been born. Stay tuned for more Mickey Lugs.

I knew what your title meant, we say it down here too (well I'm originally from Suffolk so maybe there) :rotfl2:
I know lugs is used in the North of England but who'd have thought it would get as far South as Suffolk! :welcome: They must have let some Northerners in!

This is so awesome! Go you!!
I always find I enjoy myself much more when something is free :laughing:

I know, I was very pleased as I expected the company to squirm out of it. Who says there's no such thing as a free breakfast?

Longer than what our drive is supposed to take but probably how long it actually takes...lol.


That is a long drive! That is a direct flight - I really couldn't stomach an indirect flight but I know plenty people do.

So glad everything worked out in your favor this time! I think it would be so nerve-wracking after all that flight time to be in Orlando but not able to quickly get to Disney!

Excellent that you made it to your car just over an hour after landing. We've always had good luck using DME, getting to our resort within an hour of landing except for our last to trips for some reason. I think it's because on those trips we arrived later at night; we'll see on our upcoming trips since we're landing early!

That's a great time frame, wow!

It does become a bit of a competitive sport getting through the airport. It is much easier now that the children are older and can help a bit. We were pleased with how quickly we got through and how everything worked in our favour on this occasion.


You got through passport control so quickly :faint: Fingers crossed we get the same luck next month!

I hope so! Last year 3 British flights arrived at once and immigration was a nightmare! My cousin arrived on the slightly later Thomas Cook Glasgow flight and they ended up being a few hours at the airport.

Joining in! What a neat birthday gift! Love how you personalized it with an old photo on the note.
:welcome: Great to have you along! I like the fact that Hannah has it up in her room but the note will always be there too! She really does love Magic Kingdom and all the memories she has from there.

I won't complain about our 5 hour flight from California! But I will complain that we lose 3 hours on the way to Orlando because of the time change :sad2:

I know what you mean I hate the time change on the way back when we arrive in the morning having lost a night. Not good! The strangest one we've had was when we flew to Vancouver. The flight was eight and a half hours but due to the eight hour time difference it was only half an hour later than when we left Glasgow. Very strange!


Great report so far. Following along.
:welcome:Thank you. It's great to have you along!
 
I'm so glad you told us the meaning of lugs....whew! I, like several others, thought it meant shoes for sure and I'll be darned if I could figure out why their shoes weren't on in the first place but, I wasn't going to ask in case I was the only loser know nothing out there.
 
For any readers unfamiliar with the Scots language ‘lugs’ is a Scots word for ears.
So that's what it means! Funny I actually lived in Aberdeen for a year in 1998 but lugs is one word I didn't pick up on. I have to say I lived there for a few months before I realized that everyone in Scotland didn't mistakenly think my name was "Ken". :rotfl2:
 

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