"MAY INCLUDE RUM"..14 NIGHTS SAPPHIRE FALLS.. MAY `19 TRIP REPORT

[schumigirl]

We don't eat a lot of the meals, mainly the snacks. I got the Ploughman's Platter just because it looked tasty, more of a snack for us all to munch on rather than a meal. We love the ice cream at Florean Fortescue's and all the different drink options. I have tried the fish and chips before as well, and my daughter likes the turkey leg with fries. We do most of our meal-time eating offsite, because we always drive and there are so many restaurants around town we love!

Oh I`m with you there....there are so many restaurants around Orlando we love too.....and having a car makes it so much easier!

Florean Fortescues ice cream we do enjoy....haven't tried one yet we didn't like......and yes, there are some lovely drinks on offer!

I don't think I`ve ever eaten a turkey leg in all the years we`ve been visiting! I do remember seeing them in Disney years back...….they were huge

 

[I-4Bound]

Oh I`m with you there....there are so many restaurants around Orlando we love too.....and having a car makes it so much easier!

Florean Fortescues ice cream we do enjoy....haven't tried one yet we didn't like......and yes, there are some lovely drinks on offer!

I don't think I`ve ever eaten a turkey leg in all the years we`ve been visiting! I do remember seeing them in Disney years back...….they were huge

I think the turkey legs are gross, but that's probably because of an incident at Disney when I was pregnant with my son. The turkey leg smelled so good that I just had to buy one. I took one bite and got so grossed out at the texture of it in my pregnant state that I almost threw up! That was 18 years ago, and I haven't had another Turkey Leg since!

 

[schumigirl]

I think the turkey legs are gross, but that's probably because of an incident at Disney when I was pregnant with my son. The turkey leg smelled so good that I just had to buy one. I took one bite and got so grossed out at the texture of it in my pregnant state that I almost threw up! That was 18 years ago, and I haven't had another Turkey Leg since!

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Yep, they`re not something I would ever eat. They are definitely gross...they do smell nice though!

I went off chicken and shrimp when I was pregnant.......funnily enough I don't really drink milk, never have done, but I was like cat woman when pregnant.....drank about 10 pints a day for about 6 weeks!!! My doctor wondered why I was putting on weight......lol....it had to be the full fat stuff....anything else tasted weird!!

Sorry a bit off topic......lol......

 

[disneyAndi14]

I bet those nosy people at the bar thought you two are celebrities, because everyone at the bar knows you!

I was shocked when you went into the water at the beach, I know from your reports you are not a fan of things lurking in the water

The beach looked so lovely, glad you enjoyed it

The steaming tea kettle in DA, is so cool, another thing I have to look for after reading your reports!

 

[schumigirl]

I bet those nosy people at the bar thought you two are celebrities, because everyone at the bar knows you!

I was shocked when you went into the water at the beach, I know from your reports you are not a fan of things lurking in the water

The beach looked so lovely, glad you enjoyed it

The steaming tea kettle in DA, is so cool, another thing I have to look for after reading your reports!

Lol.......it was funny in a way!

Yes, water isn’t my favourite place to be, but the water was beautiful and it was so warm........next time I’ll stop at my knees, that little extra bit was just too deep for a non swimmer scared of water......lol.......but fun!

I love that little kettle.......you can’t miss it, it’s just to the side of Florean Fortescues.......

 

[schumigirl]

We spent an hour or so with a friend in the lobby which was lovely and then we went back to the room to get changed and head over to the Club Lounge. We planned to go to the Ale House tonight, so wanted to go over to give a few cards and such out. One girl was leaving a few weeks after we had gone home and we`d miss her.....and we wanted to say goodbye to a few folks too.

Our walk is always a nice one and we take our time......no rush to be anywhere tonight.....

The lounge is fairly quiet again, and we hand over what we have brought over and get a few pictures of the food......although it was Paella which had replaced a dish I really liked....lemon chicken.....but it was proving to be a popular choice......not really a fan of it.

We take our usual table if no one else has sat there and we enjoy a glass or two of wine....we did plan to have sangria in the Ale House so red wine was our choice tonight...…...

We are getting the hang of this selfie thing!!!!! Sorry!!!!

We say our goodbyes to those we won`t see tomorrow.....and the young lady who was leaving we wished her well and we really were sad to see her leave. But I`m sure she`ll prosper where was going.

Waving to everybody we headed down to the lobby and out to get a cab from the RP...….the ODC were there, so we took one of them and within a few minutes we were at the Ale House on Kirkman.....it is only a few minutes away......

It`s quite busy and we sit at the bar before a booth is available......and this is where the Karen Walker image becomes relevant...….

We sit beside a man who has had a few sherberts…..not drunk or anything.....but merry, he introduced himself to Tom and his place of birth for some reason......lol......the barmaid at this point said they were discussing alter egos and I immediately shook his hand and said "Anastasia Beaverhausen" pleased to meet you...…..I thought the barmaid was going to choke with laughter...….he had no clue who Anastasia Beaverhausen was......obviousy not a Will and Grace fan!!! He then realised who I meant and did laugh too....he had been telling the lady he considered himself to have James Spader as an alter ego. Didn't see it myself.

My husband says at times she really is my alter ego...…..I wonder why!!!! Apparently we have many similarities...…..

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Thank goodness he means it as a compliment..…….

We get a booth and bid adieu to our bar companion and get ourselves seated and order a pitcher of Sangria...…..

This one is very sweet tonight, but still very drinkable......it`s not strong and more like a fruity drink…….but we do enjoy it all the same...….

This is one of the best Ale House`s around the area.....well, it`s the best one we have frequented in Orlando.

Staff are as always in these places, incredibly friendly and chatty and I have to say they work incredibly hard......and deserve the gratuity they receive.

Again, we know what we like here and opt to begin with fried pot stickers...….we tried them steamed once, not as nice...…..but fried they have more of a texture.....and very nice they are too.

I have the salad with my entrée although Tom gets my red onion...I had forgotten to ask for no onions......with my usual honey mustard dressing.

Tom chooses the full rack of ribs, which were delicious....this is one place the ribs never disappoint......I do get a little taste off the rack and they are indeed delicious.....the sauce is a little sweet and a little spicy...…

I have the filet, with sweet potato fries......one of my usual dishes here, and the filet is probably one of the cheapest meals I ever eat in Orlando.....a mere $20 and it is actually really nice. I asked for it rare tonight and it is served perfectly...….for the bargain price it is pretty darn good!!!

We have another drink and pass the time chatting while the bar fills up and begins to get louder by the minute...….one of the RP staff came over to say hello, I hadn't noticed him come in but he had seen us.....nice guy and I was glad he had come over to say hello.....

We paid our check and called the ODC service to come back and pick us up, if they`re not busy they`ll arrive in a few minutes but tonight they were busy so we called a regular cab that RP use and he was there in a few minutes. Cab driver was nice and a local and we were home in a few minutes. We`ve used Mears a few times and always been happy with their service.

I went to the bathroom and Tom as usual snapped a few pictures......the lobby here is very impressive and very airy

It has a very good Universal store in the lobby, it`s a fair size and is very well stocked with some Sapphire Falls themed items too.

The Dutch Trading co is Sapphire Falls quick service place and offer food options from breakfast till late....and their coffee is lovely...….they do some lovely pastries and breakfast sandwiches......as well as meal options too. We hadn't tried them, but food does look good and anything we`ve tried we`ve been happy with.

Into our favourite, StrongWater Bar.

This is by far the best bar in the whole of Universal Orlando...….they have amazing cocktails and food and the staff are the best in the business!!! And the nicest too.

Tom wanders around and snaps some images of around the lobby and then goes outside to the balcony area and captures some beautiful images of everything all lit up......it is stunning...….and Sapphire is one the prettiest hotels in the resort, especially at night and especially when you come back by boat.

The bar isn't too busy tonight and we are sat beside one of the quieter convention people who had opted not to go with them on a night out to a restaurant......he was very nice and began to chat as do most people at the bar we find......we like this social interaction with folks and we have met some lovely people this way......and we recommended him a dish that thankfully he enjoyed.....phew...….

Lenny had made the syrup tonight for his newer cocktail....the blackberry daiquiri with thyme.....so we ordered one for Tom and I stuck to red wine tonight....although really as a last night we should have both had rum......but as Tom ordered two of these as the night went on I may have had a decent sip or two of his...…..

The guy beside us comments he must love me very much as Tom never says a word about me sipping his daiquiri...…….his answer is......of course with a smile...…

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Aww....bless!!!! He really is the best...….

The cocktail is delicious though and we thoroughly enjoy our evening at the bar again...…..it has the best atmosphere and everyone is treated as a friend as soon as you enter the bar.

We`d had such a lovely evening again, and we so enjoyed our time in here as well as everywhere else in UOR...….

Eventually the bar begins to fill up and we say goodnight and goodbye for now to the staff we always enjoy being around...…hugs all round and we head back to our room where Tom suggests we should pack most of the stuff up...…

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I`ve been dreading this...…..

We order tea and do make a start, and it is quite a daunting thought of trying to fit all this stuff into two admittedly large suitcases with a 70lb limit each.....but we have to start...….

And we do...…...make a start...……………..

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I really don't get very far with mine, well, I do and my case is bursting at the seams and I still have loads to fit in......oops!!!! ...…

I gave up with a grand gesture of...……..

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We were going to need another suitcase.

Oh dear. And this is always the sad part of the trip.....packing up and leaving. So, I was a little stressed......so I suggested I go do online check in for our flight tomorrow..…..I could do that.

So, while Tom finished off most of the packing I got us checked in and drank some tea when it arrived...…..

We sat and watched some tv and after spending some time glancing lingeringly out of the large windows, we went to bed. We would miss this view, rooms and just being here.

 

[Flyg1rl]

I love reading your trip reports.

 

[schumigirl]

I love reading your trip reports.

Welcome along........

I’m glad to hear you enjoy the reports.......always good to hear.......this one is almost done now........but new one will be along soon as it’s round about 6 weeks till we leave.......woohooo.......

Nice to see you post here though........

 

[Disney Addicted]

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We get a booth and bid adieu to our bar companion and get ourselves seated and order a pitcher of Sangria...…..

This one is very sweet tonight, but still very drinkable......it`s not strong and more like a fruity drink…….but we do enjoy it all the same...….

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The guy beside us comments he must love me very much as Tom never says a word about me sipping his daiquiri...…….his answer is......of course with a smile...…

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The salad looks amazing! Tons of cherry tomatoes and olives. And ohh that sangria looks so tasty as well! I love sangrias.

By the way, I was drinking ice tea and almost spit it out at that. I mean, I've heard the "happy wife, happy life" bit before, but not the "It's no coincidence that nothing rhymes with husband" LOL

 

[schumigirl]

The salad looks amazing! Tons of cherry tomatoes and olives. And ohh that sangria looks so tasty as well! I love sangrias.

By the way, I was drinking ice tea and almost spit it out at that. I mean, I've heard the "happy wife, happy life" bit before, but not the "It's no coincidence that nothing rhymes with husband" LOL

Salad was gorgeous!!! The salads are so fresh and that one is a favourite of mine.....although I do try and leave the onion behind.......and oh yeah.....sangria is lush!!!

Lol......yep.......nothing does rhyme with husband does it.......

 

[keishashadow]

Nothing better to beat the end of vacation blues than having another one on the books!

Sign me up for the club! Pineapple on pizza is yummy!!

I love Jay Pritchard (Ed O'Neill)!

Two thumbs up for pineapple pizza club (although i’m Quite fond of anchovies too, just not together lol)

Ed O’neill Is a treasure

I hate Scotch Eggs...….yuk......not an egg fan at all anyway, but you do get some nice ones in the UK, made with good meat around the egg. Tom quite likes them, and will get them from farmers market places, not grocery stores. Haven`t heard anyone rave about it...….

Shame you didn't like it though......was the other food enjoyable from Potter?

I can’t wrap my head around the concept of a scotch egg

I think the turkey legs are gross, but that's probably because of an incident at Disney when I was pregnant with my son. The turkey leg smelled so good that I just had to buy one. I took one bite and got so grossed out at the texture of it in my pregnant state that I almost threw up! That was 18 years ago, and I haven't had another Turkey Leg since!

Eeek, that’s all it takes sometimes

Will say, even tho i’m Not a big fan of theme park turkey legs in general, disney’s Are about as good as it gets.

 

[macraven]

I am so impressed with all the pictures!
So vivid in color and clear.

 

[schumigirl]

Nothing better to beat the end of vacation blues than having another one on the books!



Two thumbs up for pineapple pizza club (although i’m Quite fond of anchovies too, just not together lol)

Ed O’neill Is a treasure



I can’t wrap my head around the concept of a scotch egg


Eeek, that’s all it takes sometimes

Will say, even tho i’m Not a big fan of theme park turkey legs in general, disney’s Are about as good as it gets.

Oh yes!! It’s nice to have trips planned! Makes it easier to come home......

Yay, another pineapple club member........anchovies??? Cannot develop a taste for them at all......unless they’re mish mashed in a sauce where I can’t see them........scotch eggs aren’t for me......Tom loves them though, but they got to be good ones.......

Ed o neill is a legend!! He’s so “uncelebrity” and seems down to earth and not filled with his own self importance.......cool guy!

Maybe one day Tom will get a turkey leg and I’ll try a bit......maybe......

 

[schumigirl]

I am so impressed with all the pictures!
So vivid in color and clear.

Thanks mac........I do like our pictures and will pass on your compliments to Tom........ He does take the vast majority of them........the ones I take are sometimes blurry.......lol......I need my glasses on to take a decent picture!!

 

[schumigirl]

WEDNESDAY MAY 22ND

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Our final day is always a mixed bag. On the one hand we are so excited to be home and see our boy and everything that is back home for us, but there is tremendous sadness to be leaving a place we love so much.....we always have the best times here and if it wasn't for Kyle back home we could stay here for much longer......but realities are such, its time to go home.

We shower and dress quickly and head over to the RP for breakfast, we will be back there for lunch where we will meet our friend and enjoy some time again with him before we set off. That was going to be the highlight of our day as he is so lovely. And always makes me smile even when I`m feeling a little blue...….

But for now, breakfast is on the cards.

It`s a little sombre today but we have our usual fayre and chat and say our goodbyes to the staff we know so well.

And have a check out of the views for now...…..these hotels are really coming on and Endless Summer is now open and next summer Dockside will open with a grand total of 2,700 extra rooms......that`s a lot of rooms.

We head back over to Sapphire to get packed up and ready to leave....the plan is to leave our luggage here with bell services while we go meet our friend at RP and have lunch in Jake`s...….

Packing isn't easy......we really need to limit what we buy from now on.....so much stuff!!!!

Although I had seen a suitcase that might fit our needs...….

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Eventually we did manage to get everything packed in, with a few tight tucks here and there and thankfully we never take back any toiletries we have......no need really and they would have taken up so much room......so didn't pack them and we did leave a few items we could happily live without.

We go down to check out and we are about to hand our cases in to Bell services when Mike comes in and says the car is ready for us......oops.....we tell him we`re not leaving till later......now that is fabulous service!!!!! We tell him we`ll be back around 3pm to leave then...….

Cases safely with Bell services, we wander back over to RP......even the security guards we know were looking at us as if to say....you again.....lol.....

We take some snaps of what will be the new grab and go place when the refurb gets done.

It is a larger space that we realised and although we had been shown the renderings privately, I think they are now on show in the lobby area. It looks to be very beautiful and can`t wait to see it all done. The full lobby area will be very different but stunning when it`s finished.....it`ll certainly be different...…...

They do need some décor on the walls in the rental car desk......looks a little plain...….

Before going down to Jake`s as we are a little early, we chat to the ladies on the concierge desk and Kayla is there again, so we get to chat to her some more and say goodbye again too.....lol.....

I`m liking the look that`s forming in the RP...….I love the original look and will miss the theme, but I think what is going in will be just as beautiful......although we aren't staying here this trip, this still feels very much like home.

Jake`s isn't as quiet as I thought it would be, but it`s not overly busy either......we get our table and although I`m not very hungry, I guess I need to order something...…...but first I head outside and get some pictures of the outside area of Jake`s...…

I ended up going with the salad with grilled chicken and Tom went for the BBQ flatbread...…...both were delicious.....especially Tom`s!!!!! I did manage to get a little bit that had no onions on it...but it was gorgeous.

Our friend had arrived by now and we were delighted to see him as always...….and my coconut ice cream had just arrived too...….this is gorgeous!!! Very sweet and has a lovely coconut flavour…...lush!!!!

We got a few pictures here and then sat and chatted the next couple of hours away...….our friend is just the nicest guy on earth and it is such a relaxing time....we could have sat here all day!!!!

Eventually though it`s time for us to head back over to get the car and head off. Saying goodbye to this friend is never nice, he makes so much time for us and he is so special to us but we do keep in touch between visits which is nice.

But, goodbyes over we wander back and pick up our luggage and Mike has the car ready for us again......sadly this time we are getting in to leave.

We thank Mike and his guys for taking such good care of us again and we`ll see them soon.....

Driving off we now just want to be home. But we have a fairly long time before that happens. Driving down the beautiful Universal Blvd isn't nice going this way, but it`s still so pretty...….

Final leg coming up...…...

 

[schumigirl]

The airport is a short drive away and thankfully no delays or incidents.

We used to leave much earlier and hang around the airport longer, but now we left as late as possible but still within a range in case there was any traffic issues...…..but spending time at the hotel especially if we were with our friend was a much more pleasant way to spend our time.

There is no line going into the parking garage to drop the car off.....and straight to Alamo where as usual, there are no extra charges or discrepancies to argue over...….so it`s straight over to the terminal where we take our final gulps of American fresh air......minus the buses of course!!!!

Straight up to departures and as we are much later than usual, the line is huge...….and we can`t seem to see the Premium line...….there`s just so many people around......but it is there and we go straight to the front as there is no one else inline for Premium. This is a good perk of Premium.....our cases are only slightly overweight, but we made sure our hand luggage was packed to the gills with things too......she lets us off any costs which was nice.

We make sure our Global Entry number is typed in, this way we do get TSA Precheck which isn't automatically given on the way out.....but if you tell them to add your GE number, you do get it. It`s well worth it at times.

Boarding cards in hand we head round to the food court to have a drink and share a slice of pizza while checking if we have any messages on our phone.....not having email was a pest this trip, but having the phone was a good way to communicate in it`s place.

We thought we might share a slice of pizza and we do quite like the one on offer here...….and so much pepperoni!!! It was lovely....and would keep us going if the food on the plane was not so good.

We visit the bathroom and then head through the TSA Precheck line.....and although the regular lines weren't as bad as we had seen before, we were glad of the precheck! It`s so much easier not having to take off shoes, bring all electrical items out and so on...…..our bags are going through and the man in front of us went to grab his bag when one officer told him they needed to chat about some of the items in his bag!! Oops.....

Straight though for us today, no extra swabs or searches...….and then we were heading for the most miserable sight of all......the people mover going the wrong way!!!!

It`s short but not so sweet going this way......

We do pop into Duty Free and buy some rum that we really don't need, but we get it anyway...….I have a look around at perfumes and decide I don't really need anymore.…..but it is tempting. The line today is huge and I`m almost tempted to say don't bother...….but we wait and it does move slowly, but it moves.

We check the gate no and again see it`s wrong on the boards......we go and sit beside what is our plane, but there are hardly any other folks around......I guess some have gone to the wrong gate listed on the boards.

As we don't have too long to wait, time passes quickly.....we buy a big bottle of water and a muffin each as breakfast isn't the most appealing....you can get water or drinks anytime on board....non alcoholic as well as alcoholic.....but we like to have water right beside us and we can drink as much of it as we like without disturbing Cabin Crew.

As they begin to call for boarding assistance passengers and babies, the usual crowd congregates around the gate where folks need to get through...….Premium passengers are next on, but I never understand why everyone else decides to stand and block access to the passage way...….but we do go through, having to say excuse me a few times....and this time we don't have to show passports as we go through, it`s a facial recognition machine...….just need to hand over our boarding cards. Much easier.

As we walk on the gangway we see there are five Border Officers standing just looking at everyone......I smile as I always do to people and do get a smile back which I wasn't sure I`d get. Never seen that before on our flight.

We greet CC with a smile and take our seats on the plane......we are at the rear with no one behind us again......these are our favourite seats on this plane.....either side will do...….

The Premium Cabin is nice.....not too many seats and can be a little quieter......depends on your travelling companions of course. But, you have a dedicated CC looking after you and of course the extra luggage weight and getting on and off the plane first.

The seats are spacious and we do have a good amount of legroom.....definitely worth the extra cost.

On night flights everyone reclines, as they should do......but you don't feel it`s tight in any way, especially when you recline too. Most people are very considerate and don't recline until the food service is out of the way......if anyone was to recline during the food service CC usually inform them to put the seat upright at this time.

We do at this point get our customary glass of bubbly or you can have orange juice...….guess which we have!!!! Yep...…..

Drinks and food are complimentary in Premium with TC...…..economy passengers have to pay......with Virgin everyone gets complimentary drinks. Both companies we enjoy flying with regardless......

We pull back from the gate at exactly 6.20 which was our time and after a swift taxi around we take off smoothly at 6.40pm into clear skies.

We do look out to see the last glimpses of Florida before we head up the Eastern Seaboard again…….always a sad glance, but Tom reminds me we`ll be back soon.

They do look after us on flights. First drink service is fairly swift and I get a white wine and Tom opts for the bubbly...….

It`s a nice way to begin our flight.

I do like being able to see out and enjoy looking to see where we are passing over...…...

At this point, we got our bottle of champagne we ordered...…..we thought since Tom wasn't driving the other end this time, we would treat ourselves again...….and it is quite nice champagne...…..CC had it chilled and had aske Tom when we wanted it delivered, so he had said just before food service...…..ideal. Then we could get some food and hopefully then fall asleep.

It was lovely...…..and just at that food was served......with another little bottle of wine!!!! Food today had no choices…….it was chicken.....or chicken...….so we took the chicken!!!

It was in a bbq sauce which was lovely I have to say, with mash and some veg.....followed by cheese and crackers with grapes and a lemon dessert which again was lovely...….we both really enjoyed this meal......especially as we had champagne to have alongside it......

A quick bathroom visit for both of us and we came back to settle down in our seats for the duration of the flight...….before we did I noticed the girl in the centre seats beside us didn't look well at all...…..

We did look at the movies, but for me there were too many Thor/Star Wars/Iron Man movies for me to choose from......so I put the screen to the Skymap…..so did Tom as he didn't feel like watching anything either.....sleep was preferable tonight. We did hope we would sleep.

And sleep we did........I think I slept for around almost 4 hours constantly, Tom slightly less…...I had a neck pillow, cushion, earplugs, eye mask and the cosy blanket they give you.....so I was cocooned a little.....I did wake up once or twice to see which plants and stars I could see, and the moon was a beautiful pink colour...….but mostly I slept. there were no screaming kids which is always a blessing......but Tom was aware the girl beside us was needing a little help through the night......and when the lights went up, she didn't look good at all.

Around 90 minutes away from landing the lights go on and they now make an announcement if there are any doctors, nurses or paramedics on board there is a young woman in need of some assistance. Oh no!!! the last thing you want anyone to be is ill on a plane!!! A lady came forward to say she had just retired but had been a nurse and she looked after her...….she came back to her seat with her and the poor girl looked dreadful...….we did wonder if we would land in Ireland as we were just about to fly over it......

But, we kept going and we glanced outside and it looked beautiful up here.....of course we knew the weather on the ground wasn't as nice.....

Breakfast was orange juice, strawberry yoghurt, muffin and a pastry....with a cup of tea or coffee...….it was edible, that was all you could say. Well, the pastry was ok, everything else I left. I did drink more water though.

It was cloudier now looking out...….and soon we were feeling the slight turbulence of going through the heavy cloud we are so used to in this country.

We landed on time with a very smooth landing, but they made the announcement that we couldn't get out of our seats as medics were coming on board to remove the young lady beside us. The poor girl and her boyfriend looked dreadful....him with worry......and as we attached ourselves to the gangway the CC had to announce would everyone please stay in their seats.....yep, folks were getting up and blocking the way for paramedics.

They did get them off and to hospital, hope she was alright, it only took around 15 minutes.....and then we were allowed off...….and again, we thanked crew for their taking good care of us and we flew like the wind to get to passport control before everyone else on the plane got there......so again, being in Premium had a definite advantage.....we reached passport control and a few seconds later we were both through to baggage claim.

And straight to the bathroom...….of course!!

We always look so bedraggled getting off a night flight......don't look much better on the way out either, but I tried not to look in the mirror when a woman beside me let out a groan as she saw herself in the mirror too......lol.....actually she looked alright!!!!

Our luggage was off unusually quick this morning, this was a good sight to see!!! Luggage.....both cases and no damage to them......can`t ask for more...….

Through to the other side we stopped in at a café and had the biggest mug of English Tea and a bacon sandwich each...….real bacon!!! It was lush.....then it was a quick walk down through the Skywalk to the Radisson, where after another bathroom visit, we called our driver and said we were at the door of the hotel.

The airport charges cars for pick ups, so getting us here at the hotel saved her paying that cost, and it was so much easier......

It was a beautiful morning actually despite our pilot telling us it would be grey and miserable......and as our car arrives, our luggage goes in the boot and we get in the back and sit back to enjoy or few hour drive to get back home.

We chat for a while, but eventually we both drop off.....she expects this with all her pickups after night flights...….and we must have slept for almost 3 hours, as we wake up around 20 minutes from home......she laughs and says we were both unconscious......lol.....I felt like I had slept.

We get my phone out and call Kyle to tell him we are close so could he put the kettle on...….he has taken this week off as he has loads of vacation time.....so he had a few things planned, plus he would be here when we got back today.

Back home we get the biggest hug!!! He does miss us as we do him.....and it is nice to be back...….suitcases in and into Utiity room for attention after we catch up...although we do get it done fairly quickly once we start...….we had missed him a lot as always. Facetime is lovely, but we are close and missed that daily interaction...….so it was lovely to see him and be able to hug him.....although I think one big hug would have been ok with him.....lol......

Sitting having a cup of tea with Kyle is lovely.....as we slept so well, we aren't in the least bit tired now. This is definitely the way to go for us.....get the car service at least on the way home. But, we laugh and chat and both share our stories...….later they went for a pizza for Kyle and Tom and I had a good old hot curry each...….delicious!!!

We stayed up till 11pm, and in that time I managed to get all the washing washed and most of it dried......perfect.

So, that in a nutshell is our May 2019 trip report......completed.

It was again, an amazing trip and we loved every second......the parks were amazing.....never too busy and we enjoyed the rides a lot. Being able to take our time and not rush anywhere is perfect for us and how we like to vacation.

The hotel was as always perfect. It is so beautiful and we love staying there for two weeks at a time...….beautiful grounds, restaurants and wonderful staff all add up to the perfect trip. We cannot thank everyone there enough for everything they do for us and welcome us like family every single visit. We know a lot of people so well now, and do have extra special ones we absolutely adore and love to see every trip.

One of the reasons we love having a car every trip is being able to visit new and old favourite restaurants, and discovering new towns and places we don't know is fabulous. . We wouldn't see half the places we do without one.

The weather was blisteringly hot......when we arrived it was hot, but the heat just increased the whole time we were there and it was wonderful.....we hadn't expected it to be so hot. Some days, yes, we could have enjoyed it slightly cooler.....but we made the most of it.

Seeing friends is always special to us, and we did get to see and spend time with some of the nicest people around......and we met some new people too which was lovely.

Our next travel date is September 3rd...…..we arrive and stay in Sapphire Falls for 6 nights...….then we move over to RPR for 23 nights......we are so looking forward to that trip......a whole month of HHN and Orlando....pre trip report will begin soon as it`s only around 6 weeks till we leave!!!!!

A million thanks to everyone who has commented along the way, or if you have just read it, I hope you have enjoyed it...….I always enjoy reading comments and I appreciate each and every one......

So, hope to see you all in September...….HHN sounds amazing...….

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Till next time...…….

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[I-4Bound]

Great report, as always! September will be here before you know it!

 

[schumigirl]

Great report, as always! September will be here before you know it!

Thanks Andrea.....glad you were here for the report and nice to hear you enjoyed it......

Yep, just around the corner now......

 

[J'aime Paris]

Great read as always Carole!!
Thank you for allowing all of us to tag along on your and Tom's adventures

I will be eagerly watching for the Sept TR to begin...no rush, lol!

 

[Dynamoliz]

Thanks once again for taking the time to share your vacation with us. I had hoped to spot you in the parks this fall but if we do go I think it will be mid October. I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and will be watching out for your next report.