The return of Mattnkatsmum. Decade of Dreams trip report. - Updated 6/13 About This Page:

[mattnkatsmum]

Once upon a time, not so long ago, I used to write trip reports. And then along came the credit crunch, or global recession, or worldwide depression, or whatever it is this week. So other boring real life problems made me a bit gloomy, and when I’m gloomy, I can’t write. Well, I suppose I can write but if I’m feeling gloomy, I write gloomy, and we don’t want gloomy trip reports do we?

So I’ve decided to dip my big toe back in Trip Report Land, primarily because I had such a super duper trip and met such great people that I only need to think about the wonderful vacation that we had and I feel fuzzy and warm and not very gloomy at all.

If you don’t mind, I won’t bother with the introductions, as I assume there may still be some people who read these posts who remember me. All you need know is that the party members were me and my hubby, Steve. We left the kids with Nana. Oh and we were spending 4 nights at Animal Kingdom Lodge (Jambo House) on DVC points.

Friday May 1st 2009

As my Dad needed to take the kids to school, he dropped us off at Manchester Airport ridiculously early, about four hours before our scheduled flight. As this trip was last minute and impromptu, we had booked economy tickets and I wondered whether there was any chance of us paying for an upgrade at the airport. (Forget any hope of a freebie upgrade on Virgin). Now, Steve and I have fifteenty squazillion Virgin Flying Club miles, which have almost become a standing joke as they are NEVER available to use for the flights we are booking. Well for once we lucked out and were able to use our points for a one way Upper Class upgrade.



Steve and I couldn’t get through Passport Control quick enough, as we had complimentary tickets to one of the business class lounges. Sorry I didn’t get any photos but the lounge was peaceful and full of blokes in suits and we didn’t want to look like tourists (though maybe the six glasses of wine and brandy on the cornflakes gave that away a bit).

The time just whizzed away in the lounge, and I would definitely consider paying out of pocket for one of these places in the future. There were light breakfast items, newspapers and copious amounts of alcohol.
In addition, we had our own special boarding call, and therefore walked straight onto the plane. Life was good.

By way of explanation, Virgin Atlantic has three classes of travel. Economy, in which we usually travel (if you had to pay out for four transatlantic tickets in school holidays, you’d travel coach too); Premium Economy, which is Economy with a bigger seat and more leg room, albeit at a vastly inflated price; and Upper Class which isn’t really Upper Class which is how people like the Queen and Simon Cowell fly when they travel with British Airways, it’s business class. Except, given that Virgin is primarily a holiday airline, rather than a business airline, it likes to pander to it’s wealthier travellers by making them feel special for having paid $8,000 for an airline ticket (I exaggerate not) and so Upper Class it is.

And you know what?

IT WAS FABULOUS..

First off, you are seated in your own little pod of wonderfulness.


I’m rich beyond my wildest dreams


There’s loads of magazines and newspapers, and face creams and lip balms.



You’re served with champagne before take off.

Then a pre flight cocktail.



Then a pre-dinner aperitif.



(By now I was wishing I’d taken it a bit easier in the lounge)

The food is individually prepared.










I was too stuffed for dessert.



I’ll just have a glass of that lovely wine thank you.

Then I headed up to the bar and drank some more.



And chatted to my new rich friends.



Miraculously my backside was now the size of Asia.

I was finding all this boozing hard work. So I donned the Upper Class noise reducing headphones.

And had the stewardess turn my seat into a BED.

Whilst I had a snooze.



Only to be rudely awaken and force fed afternoon tea.




And then I had a post afternoon tea alcoholic libation or three (or four).

And another little sleep.



I confess to being mightily miffed when the captain announced that we had to get ready for landing, and I had to turn my bed into a seat and nobody supplied me with intravenous vodka.

The best flight EVAH.

Now Steve also enjoyed his time flying Upper Class, but given that he was driving in Orlando, had a very nice time indulging in free orange juice. Which is a good thing as I am relying on Steve to fill me in on the details of our wonderful flight, my own memories being somewhat hazy.

I do recall that being UPPER CLASS flyers meant that were FIRST off the plane and the FIRST through passport control and the FIRST to collect our luggage from the UPPER CLASS baggage carousel.

He he he. I’m getting giddy just thinking about it.

We ambled (well, Steve ambled, I swaggered) over to wonderful Budget (who are now my car rental company of choice), Using their FastBreak service we collected the keys to our lovely car which seemed like a Rolls Royce compared to the Kia Hairdryer that Alamo fobbed us off with on our previous trip.

Just forty minutes after touchdown at MCO, we were driving through the gates of Walt Disney World.

[llgmommy]

Very cool..I want more please

[ilovedisney247]

Oh Goody! I'm so excited to see this Karen! It sounds like you had an Absolutely Fabulous flight! Your bed actually looks comfy!

[goofysdtr]

YAY! Karen's back! I was thrilled to see that you will be adding your voice to the DOD reports! Wonderful start! Glad you had such a good time on your trip over. I'm sure you made the entire ELC proud!

[oldmom]

i want to fly upper class!

[rlb38]

Welcome back Looks like a very posh way of travel. looking forward to more

[ArielsMomto2]

That is definitely the way to fly. Hurry back with more.

[belle0517]

Welcome back! Can't wait to hear more!

[MontiMouse]

Welcome Back!! Wow upper class sure sounds like the way to go. Looking forward to reading more

[nahtazu]

Cheers! What a fabulous beginning to your trip report! Can't wait to hear more.

[mcc0313]

Well all I can say is that I am so happy that you decided to write this TR...and I want to hear more.....(see what happens when you do not post much, your loyal fans are just ready to pounce as soon as we get a posting )

What a great flight...and of course it sounds even better when you are writing about it. What cool chair beds and a bar right on the plane (I think I need to fly transcontiental just so I can experience this, oh and so I can feel rich for at least eight hours from NY to London)

Can't wait to hear more....

[Griffin]

I can't believe that food is from an airplane!! Looks really yummy!

[Minnie Lor]

Fabulous start! So glad that you're writing again. I love yout TR's. the upper class accomodations. That's the way to fly even on a little jaunt. I thought it was amazing that they served you soup on the plane. Sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

[DyanKJ130]

YAY!! It's a TR by Karen!! Great to have you writing again! Awesome start - what a way to fly!! Looking forward to hearing more

[belleandmaddysmom]

Karen, I am glad to see you posting a TR too! I always love your TR!
Love the pictures from your flight! You were definitely flying in style, glad you got the upgrade!! Come back soon with more!