13th August

After packing while my eldest son took the dogs for a long walk, dropping them off at the kennels then loading the car to head off to Gatwick airport, we really felt like we needed this holiday after, what has been a really stressful year for all of us.

We drove down the motorway through torrential rain. It wasn't pleasant and I was non too happy at being the one who was doing the driving, but hubby seemed to think my map reading skills were more dangerous than my driving:roll:.

After getting lost near the airport, we finally arrived at the Premier Inn where we were going to spend the night. The flight was for 11 the following morning and it is usually easier to stay overnight rather than fight your way through the car park commonly known as the M25 in the early hours of the morning.

We checked in then made our way to the airport to the twilight service, with Virgin, to check in our luggage easy as the queue was not very long and the person serving us was more than accommodating with our various wishes.

Back at the Premier inn, we met up with our friends who were coming with us (M&S), where we had dinner which wasn't that great for the price they charged, before we settled for the night where I didn't sleep all that well due to one child snoring, one child talking in his sleep, a hubby that snored and me trying hard not to have a panic attack and ending up hitting hubby in the face when I started to drift off!!

14th August

The day has arrived. Excitement creeps in, in a few hours we are going to be in the land of the Mouse yippee!!! Got up early, showered then met up with M&S for breakfast before we made our way on the coach to the terminal. Great having booked in the night before as when we got there the queues were massive! We went straight through security, fortunately we all decided that liquid items would be in the suitcase and not take any with us, so no need to have to delay putting them in them silly bags they give you at the airport like some passengers had to do.

We looked around the shops until our flight number appeared on the screens in front of us then made our way to the departure lounge where we spied our plane, ladybird, sitting there while everything was being packed on board. Eventually we were called to board the plane and once everyone was settled, it started to take off where eldest child starts to panic slightly. Fortunately I am sitting next to him, having volunteered to sit with the kids (big mistake) (hubby in another row) to hold his hand and calm him down a little, not helped by youngest child who says "Don't worry if we crash there will be nothing left of you you know!"

They fed us well, well as well as you can be fed with airline food. I had some sort of stew and dumplings, leaving most of it, but remembered to drink a lot of water and nibbled at some pretzels they handed out. We settled in to watch a film or two. The children wanted to watch Narnia, but unfortunately it wasn't working properly and after a few complaints the steward took it off. I sat and watched Fool's Gold starring Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson, an ok film if a little predictable at times. I read a fair bit, dealt with a child that was irritating the hell out of me and listened to my MP3 player. Fortunately the children were good on the flight if a little annoying, plenty for them to do, watch or play as there are interactive games on board.

The mistake, youngest child didn't shut up the whole 9 hours we were in the air, constant chatter in total overdrive and by the end I could have quite happily killed him!!! Why oh why do airlines only offer fizzy drinks to children? I had to beg for an orange juice for him as fizzy drinks make him hyper so he isn't allowed them. Wasn't it bad enough he was on a natural high anyway, could they not see I was coming to the end of my tether!

Landed at Orlando airport, find our coach to take us to the resort, sit waiting on it for an hour as they were expecting another passenger who didn't turn up, and finally, we arrived at All Stars Music, booked in, unpacked and spent the evening chilling out by the pool, conveniently located near to the bar!!:)

Disney\'s_All_Star_Music_Resort_45627_4_09042006_1909258276_500

This was in the window of our room to welcome us
SS851254

And this welcomed us into the room on our bed:)
SS851252