New kid on the block!

Hi folks, just a wee welcome to all after lurking for a few weeks!

I'm a Virgin virgin (so to speak), but am going to Orlando on 1 July with partner and 4 kids (yes, I know, I'm mad) via Manchester. I must admit to being a wee bit disappointed that v:port doesn't seem to be on the Vigin Manchester agenda at present, after showing the kids it's wonders on the Virgin website, which I must say I found a pleasure to navigate around. Looiks like the Nintendo DSs and PSP will be packed after all!

Does anyone have any experiences to share with regards to when we should arrive at Manchester for what will probably be a pretty full flight? I live in Lanarkshire and have a 200 mile drive to endure before getting to the airport, so it's going to be an early start in any case!

[Bazz]

Hi GDE1966 and welcome to V-Flyer.

I can't help with your questions re MAN as I have not flown VS out of there but I am sure someone will chip in.

Enjoy the site.

Barry

Originally posted by Bazz
Hi GDE1966 and welcome to V-Flyer.

I can't help with your questions re MAN as I have not flown VS out of there but I am sure someone will chip in.

Enjoy the site.

Barry

Many thanks for the warm welcome, Barry. [y]

I would see if you can get there the night before and rest up before the flight.

GDE1966 - how old are the kids?

GDE1966,
Welcome to the site..

I recommend using the Search facility.
Try searching for MAN or MCO and you'll find experiences of flights from Manchester

Originally posted by lilyjosh0
GDE1966 - how old are the kids?

Hi Lily, they're 14, 13, 10 and 10 - a good age for their first Florida experience, not to mention they've all hit the dizzy heights of 4'6'', which will ensure they get on nearly every roller coaster at Universal Studios, IOA and Busch Gardens!

They're all good kids, so I don't expect any problems with them. No doubt there will be huffs and tantrums along the way, but hey, I'd be worried they were ill if none occured during the holiday [:p]

GDE1966 - 14, 13, 10 & 10! - good grief[:0] You're right they are at a great age to really enjoy all of the parks which means you will enjoy it too. I agree with Monkey and would recommend that you try and stay the night before near the airport. If you travel down on the day you will probably want to leave early in case of traffic problems etc. which means that you will probably arrive at the airport too early and be hanging around. This will make the journey seem much longer and more tiring. I realise with 4 kids that this may be an expensive option but even if you just stay in a Travelodge it can be a fun way to start your trip.

Only other bits of advice I can offer is that it will be hot so pace yourselves and don't miss the Spiderman ride at Universal. Where are you staying and are you doing the Disney parks?

Yes Ive been from Manchester - I always think its a bit more laid back than Gatwick but then thats probably down to Passenger numbers - I think the choices have been discussed - personally I woudl do the overnight stay - I think it also depends on your seat bookings and whether you want to move when you check in - online check in will help if you do this the day before - assuming you have booked yoru seats if not then make sure you have - theres plenty of information on here to help.

Have fun:D

GDE1966, welcome to the site. You'll find many helpful people and lots of advice. I have flown with the present Mrs Treelo from MAN to MCO many times (probably into double figures now) and 2 years ago we took my daughter, son-in-law and grandkids (aged 5 and 3). The kids loved the experience and took the LONG flight in their stride - VKids TV and drawing implements certainly helped. Children are so adaptable.

I endorse the opinions of those who have said get to MAN and stay the night, there are some great hotel + parking deals around. Failing that, I would get to check-in around 3 hours before ETA, which will give time for the extra security now in use, some breakfast and look around the airport.

As has been said, MAN is a bit more laid back than the London airports but there are a few shops and a fair Duty Free section to browse.

ABove all, enjoy[y]

Hi GDE1966 and welcome to V-Flyer.[y]

you have some great replies there, we live on the wirral so Manchester's is my local,

as people have said you need to get up here the night before or you have very early trip, you have to check in at 7/7.30 we only live 40 miles away but we always stay in the Hilton or the crown plaza prices including parking is about £100 to £130 we booked the Hilton for Aug and that was £105 for a family room plus 2 weeks parking but you may need 2 rooms

if you do get up here the day before drop your bags off and head to the trafford centre for some last minute shopping its huge

as Ive said on the Manchester's page vast and vtop have been popping in to Manchester quiet a lot lately so you could be lucky and get a odyssey flight

orlando is greatest place, my tip is get up early and get out

we are going to barbados in aug no orlando in 2006 but 2007 [y]

many regards have good one

Dave[y]

[Nottingham Nick]

Have to agree with wafren about the area around MAN.

Having spent Saturday in Manchester, before going to a VERY loud rock concert at the excellent MEN Arena - I have to say that it is a very impressive city.

Lots to see and do, lots of great places to eat and shop. Well worth spending an afternoon and evening there before your flight.

Nick

Welcome to the forum. I travelled MAN - MCO last September, so here's a link to my trip report.

I'm another Wirralian, so have flown from MAN many times, all other flights have been with Delta, so I'm quite used to Terminal 2. It's certainly improved facilities wise over the last few years, lots more places to eat and a large duty free.

Hello and welcome, are you a Dibber too?

The best bet would indeed be to stay overnight, My parents love Bewerleys and its quite reasonable, personally I prefer the Raddisson SAS ( especially the runway view suites ) however this hotel is not cheap.

Considering the stress involved in getting to the airport on the same day, possibly getting stuck in traffic, over exited kids etc, the money spent on a hotel in my view is well worth it, start your holiday a day early, chill out the night before and just stroll up to checkin at 7.30am.

The RADD and Hilton also both have pools, the carvary is nice in the Hilton, you could let the kids go swimmin and have a bit of huggin time with your other half[}:)].

Welcome to VF and I know your going to have a fab time.

Eh, not sure what a dibber is Eezy!

Thank you very much for all your excellent replies [oo]

Sadly, much as we would like to, we will not be staying overnight on the grounds that the cost of a couple of hotel rooms for the night goes a long way towards feeding the family for three days in Orlando! Yes, you can take the boy out of Scotland, but you can't take the Scotland out of the boy

It's been a wee while since I've been in Manchester, but I do like the city, but I expect we'll be shopped out when in FL, so it'll straight back up the road once we get back.

Once again, thanks for all your very helpful replies and for making me feel so welcome to v-flyer [y]

Check out The Dibb on the links, cool forum all about disney n florida