PassPorter Community - Message Boards and Forums - View Single Post - Our Getaway from VT's -28 degree Weather

Brenda · 02-06-2003, 07:38 PM

Adventurers: Me Brenda age 49
DH Bob age 57
BIL John age 58
SIL Laura age 54
Dates January 18th-26th

Staying Off Site: Summerfield Suites @LBV

Our 5th trip to Disney and our second time staying off site, we would much rather stay on site but this was B&SIL's first trip and they were on a very strict budget. Found an excellent rate thru HotelKingdom, a 2 bedroom Suite w/2 full baths, full kitchen, living room w/TV & VCR, free shuttles to parks and shopping center, free complimentary breakfast & newspaper daily, within walking distance of several restaurants, for $118.75 per night that comes out to about $59.50 per night for each couple. A very nice Hotel, heated swimming pool (not enough for us [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] ), hot tub, everything very clean,excellent maid service, she even did up our dirty dishes in the dishwasher every day! It seemed to be booked full, I think there was a soccer tounament going on somewhere, lots of cars decorated with Go Team and pictures of soccer balls.

Prior to the trip DH and I purchased AP's to also use for our upcoming Dec. trip with all our kids and grandkids!!!(We became DVC members last Nov. and have ressies all set at BCV & BWV [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] ) B&SIL bought the 3 day 1plus park hopper passes. All PS's were made, pennies & quarters all ready in the M&M mini containers(works great),Happy Limo all lined up to pick us up at the airport, my PassPorter check list, checked and double checked plus all important papers and notes safe and snug inside the deluxe binder!

Sat. Jan 18th 6:30 a.m.
WOW woke up to -28 degrees outside BRRRR, Our flight isn't until 11:30 a.m. out of Burlington with Jet Blue about a 35 min. drive, but we are stopping for Breakfast on the way with DIL's who are coming to our house first and leaving their car. They arrive at 7:45, Anxious or What!!! Grab our bags head out the door I name off things everyone should have (Now keep in mind this is DIL's first trip and first time flying ever) When I ask about picture ID's they both look at me like I have grown an extra head!! They don't have any on them AAARRRGG!!! We make a mad dash back to their house, they run in and run back out, now 8:15 and off to Breakfast(good thing they were early) We stop at Friendly's and manage to have a pretty relaxing meal until I mention the Connection meal vouchers I gave them for Christmas, I see panic on SIL's face, did she bring them we all ask? Out to the car she runs (she does this a lot throughout the week) grabs her carry on and starts pulling things out, Whew at the bottom is the envelope they are in, Christmas bow and all [img]graemlins/dizzy.gif[/img] I make a mental note to buy her a PassPorter for their next trip!

Off to the Park & Shuttle, in and out in a matter of minutes, hop the shuttle and we are at the Airport by 10:15. We get into a very short line for Jet Blue, check in is fast and efficient, boarding passes in hand head for the Gate. Go thru Security this too fast and efficient, just one little glitch (you guessed it SIL) in her carry on is a small sewing kit with a small pair of scissors, they check it out and tell her she can keep it but when she returns she better put it in her checked bags or MCO will keep them.

Love Jet Blue(our first time with them) seats so comfortable, and the TV's are a big plus, while watching them time just Flew by. I did notice several children and they were all very much entertained by them too, this made for a very quiet trip LOL Transfer at JFK easy and quick Arrived at MCO at 3:40 and got down to baggage claim about 4:00

Made arrangements with Happy Limo to pick us up with a Towne car, we had two options #1 We could be met at the baggage claim area but would than have to wait for driver to go and get the car and than come get us at a certain parking spot. #2 Call them when we get to baggage claim and we would be instucted to go to level one at a certain parking spot. We chose #2 while DH was getting our bags I called the 800 #, they told us to go down to level one and than go to parking spot all the way down to right, we waited there about 10 min. than saw a car coming with a happy face on the license and knew this must be him(other companies were using the same spot) The driver got out and said our last name than went to open trunk, put bags in,(Towne car just enough room for 3 normal bags 2 carry ons and and 3 bags of groceries in trunk they had a child's car seat in there too, back seat 3 adults, middle one, feet a little cramped on bump in the middle, another adult in the front passenger side) Our driver was very quiet but polite, I did try to start up a conversation but not much response, we stopped at Goodings for our grocery run. Run is the word to describe it, he said we had 15 min., I had to laught at DIL's they were literally running up and down the aisles, we managed to get what we wanted in 15 min but very expensive, banana's $1.09 a pound!! DIL's arrived out to the car in just about 15 min. all out of breath, SIL said if they were playing that Game Show, where you fill your cart in a certain amount of time they would have won!!

Driving up to Summerfield Suites I was very impressed nice looking landscaping out front two ponds with fountains, lots of pretty flowers. Check in was done by a very pleasant and helpful clerk, when she heard about our fast run thru Goodings she said we should have waited because there is a WinnDixie out behind Hotel across the back parking lot. We did go here during the week and things were much cheaper than Goodings,

OK now I must mention the weather, it was 54 degrees when we got there and it dipped down to mid 40's that evening, but I guess it still beat
-28 degrees!!! I sure am glad I brought my warm jacketw/hood and gloves!

For supper we walked across the street to an Italian place called Giordano's this was about 6:30 and not very busy there, I had chicken lasagna and DH and DIL's had the spaghetti w/meatballs. Mine was so-so the sauce very bland, and they said the same about the spaghetti, salad was not very fresh quite limp, I think maybe made up earlier in the day, coffee & cheesecake very good.

Back to the Hotel to finish unpacking and belive it or not we all head out to the hot tub (43 degrees out) people looked at us like we are crazy but up here in VT we go in hot tubs outside in the winter awesome while it is snowing on you) so this was heaven after a long day of travel and running [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] Back to our Suite and discuss what to do tomorrow, DIL's have only 3 days of parks so we have to make the most of it.

Tomorrow get shopping done at Marketplace have early supper at Rainforest Cafe than back to suite for rest because we are having a night of Pleasure Island, Adventure Club here I come [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

02-06-2003, 07:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
Brenda Community Rank: Traveler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Montpelier,Vermont Posts: 304	Our Getaway from VT\'s -28 degree Weather Adventurers: Me Brenda age 49 DH Bob age 57 BIL John age 58 SIL Laura age 54 Dates January 18th-26th Staying Off Site: Summerfield Suites @LBV Our 5th trip to Disney and our second time staying off site, we would much rather stay on site but this was B&SIL's first trip and they were on a very strict budget. Found an excellent rate thru HotelKingdom, a 2 bedroom Suite w/2 full baths, full kitchen, living room w/TV & VCR, free shuttles to parks and shopping center, free complimentary breakfast & newspaper daily, within walking distance of several restaurants, for $118.75 per night that comes out to about $59.50 per night for each couple. A very nice Hotel, heated swimming pool (not enough for us [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] ), hot tub, everything very clean,excellent maid service, she even did up our dirty dishes in the dishwasher every day! It seemed to be booked full, I think there was a soccer tounament going on somewhere, lots of cars decorated with Go Team and pictures of soccer balls. Prior to the trip DH and I purchased AP's to also use for our upcoming Dec. trip with all our kids and grandkids!!!(We became DVC members last Nov. and have ressies all set at BCV & BWV [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] ) B&SIL bought the 3 day 1plus park hopper passes. All PS's were made, pennies & quarters all ready in the M&M mini containers(works great),Happy Limo all lined up to pick us up at the airport, my PassPorter check list, checked and double checked plus all important papers and notes safe and snug inside the deluxe binder! Sat. Jan 18th 6:30 a.m. WOW woke up to -28 degrees outside BRRRR, Our flight isn't until 11:30 a.m. out of Burlington with Jet Blue about a 35 min. drive, but we are stopping for Breakfast on the way with DIL's who are coming to our house first and leaving their car. They arrive at 7:45, Anxious or What!!! Grab our bags head out the door I name off things everyone should have (Now keep in mind this is DIL's first trip and first time flying ever) When I ask about picture ID's they both look at me like I have grown an extra head!! They don't have any on them AAARRRGG!!! We make a mad dash back to their house, they run in and run back out, now 8:15 and off to Breakfast(good thing they were early) We stop at Friendly's and manage to have a pretty relaxing meal until I mention the Connection meal vouchers I gave them for Christmas, I see panic on SIL's face, did she bring them we all ask? Out to the car she runs (she does this a lot throughout the week) grabs her carry on and starts pulling things out, Whew at the bottom is the envelope they are in, Christmas bow and all [img]graemlins/dizzy.gif[/img] I make a mental note to buy her a PassPorter for their next trip! Off to the Park & Shuttle, in and out in a matter of minutes, hop the shuttle and we are at the Airport by 10:15. We get into a very short line for Jet Blue, check in is fast and efficient, boarding passes in hand head for the Gate. Go thru Security this too fast and efficient, just one little glitch (you guessed it SIL) in her carry on is a small sewing kit with a small pair of scissors, they check it out and tell her she can keep it but when she returns she better put it in her checked bags or MCO will keep them. Love Jet Blue(our first time with them) seats so comfortable, and the TV's are a big plus, while watching them time just Flew by. I did notice several children and they were all very much entertained by them too, this made for a very quiet trip LOL Transfer at JFK easy and quick Arrived at MCO at 3:40 and got down to baggage claim about 4:00 Made arrangements with Happy Limo to pick us up with a Towne car, we had two options #1 We could be met at the baggage claim area but would than have to wait for driver to go and get the car and than come get us at a certain parking spot. #2 Call them when we get to baggage claim and we would be instucted to go to level one at a certain parking spot. We chose #2 while DH was getting our bags I called the 800 #, they told us to go down to level one and than go to parking spot all the way down to right, we waited there about 10 min. than saw a car coming with a happy face on the license and knew this must be him(other companies were using the same spot) The driver got out and said our last name than went to open trunk, put bags in,(Towne car just enough room for 3 normal bags 2 carry ons and and 3 bags of groceries in trunk they had a child's car seat in there too, back seat 3 adults, middle one, feet a little cramped on bump in the middle, another adult in the front passenger side) Our driver was very quiet but polite, I did try to start up a conversation but not much response, we stopped at Goodings for our grocery run. Run is the word to describe it, he said we had 15 min., I had to laught at DIL's they were literally running up and down the aisles, we managed to get what we wanted in 15 min but very expensive, banana's $1.09 a pound!! DIL's arrived out to the car in just about 15 min. all out of breath, SIL said if they were playing that Game Show, where you fill your cart in a certain amount of time they would have won!! Driving up to Summerfield Suites I was very impressed nice looking landscaping out front two ponds with fountains, lots of pretty flowers. Check in was done by a very pleasant and helpful clerk, when she heard about our fast run thru Goodings she said we should have waited because there is a WinnDixie out behind Hotel across the back parking lot. We did go here during the week and things were much cheaper than Goodings, OK now I must mention the weather, it was 54 degrees when we got there and it dipped down to mid 40's that evening, but I guess it still beat -28 degrees!!! I sure am glad I brought my warm jacketw/hood and gloves! For supper we walked across the street to an Italian place called Giordano's this was about 6:30 and not very busy there, I had chicken lasagna and DH and DIL's had the spaghetti w/meatballs. Mine was so-so the sauce very bland, and they said the same about the spaghetti, salad was not very fresh quite limp, I think maybe made up earlier in the day, coffee & cheesecake very good. Back to the Hotel to finish unpacking and belive it or not we all head out to the hot tub (43 degrees out) people looked at us like we are crazy but up here in VT we go in hot tubs outside in the winter awesome while it is snowing on you) so this was heaven after a long day of travel and running [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] Back to our Suite and discuss what to do tomorrow, DIL's have only 3 days of parks so we have to make the most of it. Tomorrow get shopping done at Marketplace have early supper at Rainforest Cafe than back to suite for rest because we are having a night of Pleasure Island, Adventure Club here I come [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]