It’s a “Wonder” I survived: Trip Report - Day minus zero, Hilton Gatwick - The DIS Discussion Forums

Pinky166 · 10-09-2009, 04:40 AM

Well now that I have been bought back down to earth with a week of rain and never ending laundry which I can’t get dry.

I thought I should make a start on my trip report and relive all those magical and one or two not so magical memories.

Firstly for those that may not have read my pre trip report let me introduce the cast:

Me – 34, Disney obsessed, Shopaholic & extremely clumsy (more on that later).

Lee - 35, My crazy hubby who is now known as the Mad Hatter….you’ll soon see why.

Here we are (please excuse Lee's chapped lips, he was getting over a slight cold):

6th September 2009 = Day Minus Zero

Let me start by telling you that when a big event is happening in my life, such as my Birthday, Christmas or the night before a holiday I turn in to the biggest kid in the world and work myself up into such an excited but tense/stressed frenzy that drives everyone around me crazy….including myself!

Well today was no exception when I woke up at 2am!!! I knew that there was no chance of me going back to sleep so rather than wake Lee I got up and went downstairs where I laid on the sofa for an hour, then tidied up, played with the dogs in the garden, paced around the house and generally sat twiddling my thumbs counting down the minutes until Lee finally got up about 7am.

We took the dogs for a nice long walk and packed the last few essentials in the case then waited until about 1pm before loading the cases and the dogs in the car…it was a tight squeeze for the cases but we managed it. We drove to my parent’s and dropped the dogs off, had a quick cup of tea and said our goodbye’s. This for me is the worst bit as I drove away crying my eye’s out, I miss my little pups and 23 nights is the longest we have ever left them.

It took about an hour and a half to get to Gatwick, the roads were clear other than some speed restrictions where the road works are. We drove straight to the BCP long stay car park (I had managed to get a good deal of £110 for 23 nights) then caught the bus for the 2 minute ride over to the terminal. We went over to the Virgin section to do Twilight check in – wow the queue was huge so I guess there was a flight due to leave soon. The Premium Economy check in queue had a rope across closing it off so I went and spoke to a guy at the side who kindly unhooked it for us and let us sneak over to the next vacant check in desk. Result! We got the seats I had reserved online 78 A+C which are in the upstairs cabin but a row in front of the one’s we prefer, 79 A+C. Anyway we were now free of our cases so we decided to walk around the shopping village where I started my spending spree with a necklace from Accessorize.

We checked out the restaurants for dinner later but neither of us fancied anything in particular so we decided to see what the hotel has to offer. We walked over to the Hilton as we got near there was another massive queue, fortunately we were able to bypass this queue & head inside to the lobby to check in. It turns out that a Virgin flight to Las Vegas had been delayed so they were all checking in at the Hilton - I really hoped this wouldn’t have any knock on effect on our flight in the morning.

We checked in easily using our voucher (I cashed in £25 worth of Tesco Clubcard vouchers for a £100 Hilton voucher - thanks to Joh, Wilma bride

) and the extra £48 in cash. We were given the keys to our room, 7140 which was in the new building. It was a bit of a long walk but it was a very nice room, very bright & spacious with an extremely comfy bed.

The lovely bathroom:

We relaxed in the room for about an hour or so watching tv, I called my mum to see if the dogs were ok then I filled in the Visa Waiver forms to get that job over & done with.

We freshened up & went down the the Garden Restaurant in the hotel about 6.30pm. We decided to order off the menu rather than the buffet they were also serving (it was busy due to the delayed flight). Lee had the duck breast & leg confit (sorry I can’t remember what came with it & I forgot to take my camera down to dinner) I had a sirloin steak with hand cut chips & mushrooms. We waited 20 mins before our drinks - two cokes arrived & 55 mins before our dinner was bought out. It was awful service (not just slow but a miserable waitress too) and the food was just average = £65 + small tip!

We watched a bit of tv before I fell asleep about 10.30pm….I was so tired but felt a bit more relaxed as we were at the airport & checked in!

Coming up – Travel day & the first of my not so magical memories……

CustardTart · 10-09-2009, 05:22 AM

Ooooh!!! That's a lovely pic of you and Lee, Claire!!! Very glamorous and your hair looks lovely...

Hotel room looks nice too - very smart/comfy...

And does this mean I'd better get on and do my trip report...?

BRobson · 10-09-2009, 05:35 AM

Great start Claire - just think I will be at the Hilton tomorrow night

I love the photo of you and Lee

jjk · 10-09-2009, 05:49 AM

great start looking forward to reading More

natalielongstaff · 10-09-2009, 05:59 AM

Great start Claire, look forward to hearing more

mandymouse · 10-09-2009, 10:37 AM

Great start Claire, I can't wait to read some more

Jets fan · 10-09-2009, 10:45 AM

Great start, really looking forward to reading more

Tina

jockey · 10-09-2009, 10:45 AM

Great start

Pinky166 · 10-09-2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CustardTart

Ooooh!!! That's a lovely pic of you and Lee, Claire!!! Very glamorous and your hair looks lovely...

Hotel room looks nice too - very smart/comfy...

And does this mean I'd better get on and do my trip report...?

Thanks hun....Lee has mastered the art of taking those hold the camera out as far as you can and hope for the best type shots....whereas I have to take about 10 to get it right.

Yes you do need to get on with your trippie.

Pinky166 · 10-09-2009, 12:37 PM

Thank you all for reading, hopefully I will have the next day up later or tomorrow.....not much you can write about a long plane journey.

Hope you have a fab time Jackie! I am insanely jealous.

Cyrano · 10-09-2009, 02:50 PM

Great start Claire

Glad you posted about the Hilton and Tesco. Think we might give this serious thought for next year.

Wish we had been given the Visa Wavier form in advance this year as it would have saved me having to redo them at MCO

Pinky166 · 10-09-2009, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyrano

Great start Claire

Glad you posted about the Hilton and Tesco. Think we might give this serious thought for next year.

Wish we had been given the Visa Wavier form in advance this year as it would have saved me having to redo them at MCO

Thanks Reid. Definately worth doing the Tesco voucher thing - I didn't have many saved hence only using the £25 but you can change up as many as you like.

At Gatwick they always have a pile of the waiver forms on the top of the check in desk so you can take as many as you want....I always grab a spare just incase.

Pegasus928 · 10-10-2009, 04:14 AM

Great start - looking forward to reading more

craigs bride · 10-10-2009, 04:27 AM

great start cant wait to read more .

suzycute · 10-10-2009, 05:51 AM

Your hotel room looks fab! Look forward to reading more!

10-09-2009, 04:40 AM	#1
Pinky166 a little on the OCD side very impulsive, which doesn’t bode well for our credit cards! They don't call me "Clever Claire" for nothing! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Herts, England Posts: 13,893	It’s a “Wonder” I survived: Trip Report - Day minus zero, Hilton Gatwick Well now that I have been bought back down to earth with a week of rain and never ending laundry which I can’t get dry. I thought I should make a start on my trip report and relive all those magical and one or two not so magical memories. Firstly for those that may not have read my pre trip report let me introduce the cast: Me – 34, Disney obsessed, Shopaholic & extremely clumsy (more on that later). Lee - 35, My crazy hubby who is now known as the Mad Hatter….you’ll soon see why. Here we are (please excuse Lee's chapped lips, he was getting over a slight cold): 6th September 2009 = Day Minus Zero Let me start by telling you that when a big event is happening in my life, such as my Birthday, Christmas or the night before a holiday I turn in to the biggest kid in the world and work myself up into such an excited but tense/stressed frenzy that drives everyone around me crazy….including myself! Well today was no exception when I woke up at 2am!!! I knew that there was no chance of me going back to sleep so rather than wake Lee I got up and went downstairs where I laid on the sofa for an hour, then tidied up, played with the dogs in the garden, paced around the house and generally sat twiddling my thumbs counting down the minutes until Lee finally got up about 7am. We took the dogs for a nice long walk and packed the last few essentials in the case then waited until about 1pm before loading the cases and the dogs in the car…it was a tight squeeze for the cases but we managed it. We drove to my parent’s and dropped the dogs off, had a quick cup of tea and said our goodbye’s. This for me is the worst bit as I drove away crying my eye’s out, I miss my little pups and 23 nights is the longest we have ever left them. It took about an hour and a half to get to Gatwick, the roads were clear other than some speed restrictions where the road works are. We drove straight to the BCP long stay car park (I had managed to get a good deal of £110 for 23 nights) then caught the bus for the 2 minute ride over to the terminal. We went over to the Virgin section to do Twilight check in – wow the queue was huge so I guess there was a flight due to leave soon. The Premium Economy check in queue had a rope across closing it off so I went and spoke to a guy at the side who kindly unhooked it for us and let us sneak over to the next vacant check in desk. Result! We got the seats I had reserved online 78 A+C which are in the upstairs cabin but a row in front of the one’s we prefer, 79 A+C. Anyway we were now free of our cases so we decided to walk around the shopping village where I started my spending spree with a necklace from Accessorize. We checked out the restaurants for dinner later but neither of us fancied anything in particular so we decided to see what the hotel has to offer. We walked over to the Hilton as we got near there was another massive queue, fortunately we were able to bypass this queue & head inside to the lobby to check in. It turns out that a Virgin flight to Las Vegas had been delayed so they were all checking in at the Hilton - I really hoped this wouldn’t have any knock on effect on our flight in the morning. We checked in easily using our voucher (I cashed in £25 worth of Tesco Clubcard vouchers for a £100 Hilton voucher - thanks to Joh, Wilma bride ) and the extra £48 in cash. We were given the keys to our room, 7140 which was in the new building. It was a bit of a long walk but it was a very nice room, very bright & spacious with an extremely comfy bed. The lovely bathroom: We relaxed in the room for about an hour or so watching tv, I called my mum to see if the dogs were ok then I filled in the Visa Waiver forms to get that job over & done with. We freshened up & went down the the Garden Restaurant in the hotel about 6.30pm. We decided to order off the menu rather than the buffet they were also serving (it was busy due to the delayed flight). Lee had the duck breast & leg confit (sorry I can’t remember what came with it & I forgot to take my camera down to dinner) I had a sirloin steak with hand cut chips & mushrooms. We waited 20 mins before our drinks - two cokes arrived & 55 mins before our dinner was bought out. It was awful service (not just slow but a miserable waitress too) and the food was just average = £65 + small tip! We watched a bit of tv before I fell asleep about 10.30pm….I was so tired but felt a bit more relaxed as we were at the airport & checked in! Coming up – Travel day & the first of my not so magical memories…… __________________ Claire Sept 2000 - I-Drive, Sept 2002 - Kissimmee, Sept 2003 - AKL, Sept/Oct 2006 - Univ PBR, June 2008 - DLRP, Hotel NY, Dec 2008 - Univ HRH, WL & YC, Sept 2009 - OKW, 4n Wonder & Poly, June 2010 - BLT, Nov 2010 - DLRP, Sequoia Lodge, Jan 2011 - Univ RPR, Dream Maiden Voyage & AKV, Sept 2011 - WBTA & BLT, Oct 2012 - Paris & DLRP, June 2013 - 7n Med Cruise, Oct 2013 - Univ RPR, SSR, & Fantasy, May 2014 - EBTA, Sept 2014 - WBTA Last edited by Pinky166; 10-09-2009 at 12:33 PM.

10-09-2009, 05:22 AM	#2
CustardTart I am sooo proud, happy, relieved and impressed - it's a great day... Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: South West London... Posts: 15,478	Ooooh!!! That's a lovely pic of you and Lee, Claire!!! Very glamorous and your hair looks lovely... Hotel room looks nice too - very smart/comfy... And does this mean I'd better get on and do my trip report...? __________________ Grand Floridian Resort & Spa - Christmas 1998 * Dolphin/Vero Beach - Easter 2000 * Polynesian - August 2001 * Grand Floridian Resort & Spa - August 2004 * Beach Club/DCL Wonder - May 2005 * Grand Californian Hotel - NYE 2005 * Polynesian - August 2006 * DCL Magic Western Caribbean - September 2007 * Yacht Club - October 2007 * Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa - December 2007 * Villas at Wilderness Lodge/DCL Wonder Double Dip - May 2008 * DCL Magic Mexican Riviera/Disneyland Hotel - August 2008 * Boardwalk Villas - October 2008 * Animal Kingdom Villas/Hard Rock Hotel Club - Easter 2009 * Bay Lake Tower/DCL Magic Eastern Caribbean & Tortola/Villas at Wilderness Lodge - September 2009 * Bay Lake Tower - June 2010 * DCL Magic Westbound Transatlantic - September 2010 * Old Key West - October 2010 * Sequoia Lodge/Paris - November 2010 * Boardwalk Villas/DCL Dream Inaugural Cruise - January 2011 * Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa/Villas at Wilderness Lodge - November 2011 * Animal Kingdom Villas/DCL Fantasy Western Caribbean - November 2012...

10-09-2009, 05:35 AM	#3
BRobson Beavers is a dangerous place to be I will just have to enjoy Food and Wine and skip the running Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Elgin,Scotland Posts: 15,347	Great start Claire - just think I will be at the Hilton tomorrow night I love the photo of you and Lee __________________ Jackie

10-09-2009, 05:49 AM	#4
jjk Pete and I wait and watch some lovely baby lizards I have always booked myself "Play Up Pompey" Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading UK Posts: 21,326	great start looking forward to reading More __________________ Rachel "Play up Pompey, Pompey Play up" Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter 2000 Disneyland paris 2003 Ramada inn 2004 Quality inn plaza2005 Cumbrian lakes2006 Emerald Island July and December2007 Emerald Island May and July2008 Emerald Island and Contemporary Resort2009 Saratoga Springs 2010 Animal Kingdom lodge2011HRH Animal KingdomLodge 2012Holiday inn Miami ocean front /Animal Kingdom lodge

10-09-2009, 05:59 AM	#5
natalielongstaff I need a cup of tea and a big bar of free chocolate now Was born with my dancing shoes at the ready I will be back later to stalk some more Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: leicestershire,england Posts: 80,413	Great start Claire, look forward to hearing more __________________ April 2003 DLRP, November 2004 WDW and Barbados, September 2005 WDW, September 2007 WDW,October 2009 WDW

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10-09-2009, 10:37 AM	#6
mandymouse If It's Not A Bahama Mama Then I'm Not Interested Can I put my Christmas Tree up yet ? Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Nuneaton U.K. Posts: 71,917	Great start Claire, I can't wait to read some more __________________ Mandy xx

10-09-2009, 10:45 AM	#7
Jets fan DIS Veteran Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Windsor, Berkshire, UK Posts: 1,418	Great start, really looking forward to reading more Tina

10-09-2009, 10:45 AM	#8
jockey Repeat after me....I LOVE CROC's, I LOVE CROC's, I LOVE CROC's!!!!!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: N.Ireland Posts: 7,270	Great start

10-09-2009, 12:37 PM	#10
Pinky166 a little on the OCD side very impulsive, which doesn’t bode well for our credit cards! They don't call me "Clever Claire" for nothing! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Herts, England Posts: 13,893	Thank you all for reading, hopefully I will have the next day up later or tomorrow.....not much you can write about a long plane journey. Hope you have a fab time Jackie! I am insanely jealous. __________________ Claire Sept 2000 - I-Drive, Sept 2002 - Kissimmee, Sept 2003 - AKL, Sept/Oct 2006 - Univ PBR, June 2008 - DLRP, Hotel NY, Dec 2008 - Univ HRH, WL & YC, Sept 2009 - OKW, 4n Wonder & Poly, June 2010 - BLT, Nov 2010 - DLRP, Sequoia Lodge, Jan 2011 - Univ RPR, Dream Maiden Voyage & AKV, Sept 2011 - WBTA & BLT, Oct 2012 - Paris & DLRP, June 2013 - 7n Med Cruise, Oct 2013 - Univ RPR, SSR, & Fantasy, May 2014 - EBTA, Sept 2014 - WBTA

10-09-2009, 02:50 PM	#11
Cyrano Disney VIP Anyone for haggis Aren't we all a cagey lot Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: 6,800Km from our happy place Posts: 30,597	Great start Claire Glad you posted about the Hilton and Tesco. Think we might give this serious thought for next year. Wish we had been given the Visa Wavier form in advance this year as it would have saved me having to redo them at MCO __________________ Reid Theme Park Attractions & Strategies board 4th - 25th July 2013 2 weeks OKW/ 1 week RPR Twelve highlanders and a bagpipe make a rebellion.

10-10-2009, 04:14 AM	#13
Pegasus928 DIS Veteran Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Grimsby, Lincolnshire Posts: 4,303	Great start - looking forward to reading more __________________ Check out our 2009 music video HERE Our 2005 Florida Music Video HERE Our Halloween 2009 Trip Report with lots of pictures HERE

10-10-2009, 04:27 AM	#14
craigs bride DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Eastleigh/Southampton Posts: 1,159	great start cant wait to read more . __________________ I can be your tinkerbell and you can be my peter pan and we can run away together off to never never land2009

10-10-2009, 05:51 AM	#15
suzycute DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: England Posts: 1,429	Your hotel room looks fab! Look forward to reading more! __________________

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