Yesterday is HERE

Wednesday 27 Sept

Sad faces , its going home day.

Its been an amazing trip - we honestly can say we have loved all of it but now we have the reality of getting the eldest back to Uni and me getting myself a job so as to fund further holidays !

We hadn’t set an alarm last night as we have been awake super early every day so we were pretty sure we would be up and about and at Virgin check in for opening at 8am

Of course, this was the one morning we actually slept late and ending up running around .

Trying to get 6 cases between the two of us down the very long corridor was a challenge to say the least so tempers were a bit frayed by the time we set off at 9.

Andy had checked at reception who said that although checkout was 11, we would be ok till 12

Our only time on WDW was the Disney springs check in



Check in was great , we had no wait but did get the dead eye as being in the Premium queue we did get to bypass the line of people who were waiting on the other side

Cases were all underweight and once we had seen them safely on the lorry, we made a quick dash to the Outlets as Andy wanted to get a tracksuit for travelling home and we needed to pick up some trainers for Nick

We stopped at the Panera Bread at Vineland for Breakfast



I had a cheese and ham soufflé with a strawberry cream cheese pastry

Both delicious



Andy had a couple of the sandwiches , which came with a random piece of bread



We both agreed that we are pleased we finally made it here and that we will definitely have this on our list for the future. Such fresh quality food for such a great price



We had been a bit leisurely over breakfast and realised we needed to get back sharpish so it was a bit of a sprint to Nike - where I said absolutely nothing on discovering Andy hadn’t actually tried anything on so it wasn’t just a case of grab and go - he needed to check them out.

Well these will be blimmin expensive trackies if they end up costing us an extra day on the bill …. Of course I never said this, but I did think it

We made a mad dash back which involved me haring along to the room to retrieve the few things we had left in there, while Andy parked the car before our key was de activated.

As I passed him at reception I heard theg irl say the bill was $600 and my heart sank as that sounded to me like we had been charged the extra day ( it was just after 12 now)

Turns out the issue was that hold they had placed on the card - they were trying to add the whole amount to the bill when we hadn’t used it at all.

Plus the fact that we had pre paid one night already - it seemed to be causing loads of confusion but after 10 minutes or so , it was finally sorted and we were just charged for the one night plus our parking.

Phew. But I wouldn’t agree to the hold again in future !

It was just before 1 now and with a few hours to kill, we headed down to the pool to chill out - we are so going to miss this 100 degree heat tomorrow



I had the no longer frozen hurricane that we had bought in Walmart ( only $1.97 !)



And then I had the mango pineapple lemonade slush



Nice menu for poolside bar



We shared the hummus and tortilla chips and the pork quesadilla



It came to $26 which included the tip ( which is automatically added here)

Some Ducks came to see if there were any leftovers



Just before 5 we went in to shower and change - I took a few more resort



Around reception, shop and café





A final longing look towards the parks




It was busy on the roads so we were glad we had set off in plenty of time - we arrived just before 6 and dropped the car off no problem.

We went straight through security which was as hot, loud and disorganised as ever but we were through in 20 minutes or less and set off for the shuttle - Not reading the signs properly and ending up going to the wrong terminal and having to come back again - doh !



It was packed out at the gate but we managed to find a seat and Andy went to get some duty free - I changed into my travel gear all ready for a cold arrival at home and by 7 we were starting to Board.

We were in row 24 in the bubble so after stowing our hand luggage cases in the cupboard we settled into our seats - maximum guilt free reclining in these babies !




Loved the roomy side storage



We had a pre take off drink around 7.20 of prosecco and then another before dinner - Amarula for me and Brandy and Coke for Andy at about 8.30







I didn't think it was a fab menu Dinner came out around 9.30



I went for the beef - it was "ok"



The chocolate Dome pudding thing was too rich for me



I had already pre ordered the vegan meal for Andy before we left the UK - but what came out was a low sulphur meal, not vegan and it was pretty yak. Except the cute cakepot



It was all a bit meh

I watched Baywatch - I quite liked it , don’t judge - then I grabbed a bit of kip , on an off for a couple of hours . Andy didn’t sleep at all - I think he may have watched Deep Water Horizon and the Accountant . But I may have made that up

Breakfast came round at 0230 US time

I think this continues to be feeble



Plain yoghurt, granola, fruit and a chocolate pastry

The best bit about breakfast was the hidden mickey on the mug



And then we were arriving in the uk



We were through the kiosks at record speed and Our cases were among the first 5 to come off and so we were in the arrivals hall within 30 minutes of landing. Our taxi guy was waiting for us and we whizzed straight off to load up the car.

Easy trip home and we were back walking through our front door at 1130 - probably a record for us - It was lovely to see Connor and the dogs and that the house was still standing ! Jamie was at school so we would catch him later

I started on the unpacking and finding a new home for all the starbucks mugs




I found some more trainers



And an Armani jumper I had picked up for $15



The same case had been opened twice - the one with the Jack Daniels in , so we reckon sniffer dogs doing their thing …..



We did the customary Fridge memories moment - it makes me smile every time I look at all the fab places we have been



And that was us , home and all sorted

I wrote my reflections a little while later which are HEREand I wouldn’t change any of them

What I would add is that the Revolut card worked really well for us and we also had the Halifax clarity card - both of which we will use again.

In future I would opt to pre pay as many of the hotels as I could though. We found each one was slightly more than we had expected and we had a few times where the whole paying thing was just more complicated than it needed to be - so I think paying in sterling before we go is less hassle.

We also found it lovely having no tolls in the non Florida states - we didn’t encounter a single one and it makes you realise how much you do shell out in Florida with tolls everywhere !

We had so many amazing memories - its hard to single out the top ones but New Orleans stole our hearts and is definitely somewhere we will return to. We enjoyed all the other places but its unlikely we will return to any of them .. although the Ozarks are quite spectacular and I would love to see them when the leaves are turning .

So what next ...

After a year of false starts and disappointments, I start a new contract tomorrow for 6 months which I am really thrilled about . Its based in London so nothing like the hideous commute that I gave up.


That takes me to the middle of summer and after that, who knows.

It’s a notable birthday for Andy this year so its his choice …. And he’s hedging his bets so far

But In 9 weeks we have flights booked to Fort Lauderdale .. As yet have not sorted any accommodation.

We haven’t decided if it’s a Miami based trip or whether to go up to the Carolinas.

We are pretty relaxed about it.

Now this trippy is finished, I best get planning

Thank you for reading and to those who have commented., thank you so much for sticking with it.

It was brilliant. All of it. We loved it . I hope you did too

Great trip and fab news about the job!

Oh such a shame that this has ended, what a fabulous trip. Good luck for your new job tomorrow and i look forward to the March trip report.

Another amazing trip, hard to believe how much you did seems like ages ago reading about Nashville and Memphis! Some fantastic memories .

I love that you snuck more shopping in on your last day
I watched bay watch too and thought i5 was really funny breakfast on the plane, so disappointing, on Thomas cook we got a lovely cooked breakfast!

If you’re going in 9 weeks please can you go to Margaritaville in Hollywood beach and review it for me we are flying to Miami and debating staying here on our first or last night, it looks amazing!

A fab read as always xx

Fantastic trip and a really enjoyable report - thanks for sharing it. And really good news about the job - hurrah!

What a brilliant trip. Have loved every minute of reading along Amanda.
Congratulations on the new job.
Happy planning for the next one.x

I've really enjoyed your trip report, was getting all excited when I seen a new day added. Thanks a lot for sharing, good luck with your new job, and I look forward to your next report

Amazing trip - thanks for taking the time to write it all up!

Can't believe you are going off again in 9 weeks. Super jealous!

I hope the first day went well!

Thanks for sharing your holiday - a truly fabulous trip!

I hope you manage to get the next trip sorted soon!

Thank You

Thank You for the lovely comments - job is great and time is whizzing by - need to book some accommodation soon !

LOL, that's the second time I have seen Margaritaville mentioned today so I need to check this place out !
We had such a great trip , so many different experiences, fab food, great weather and generally just brilliant . Thank you for the lovely comments