Hi All
Flying with Virgin next Summer - any thoughts?
Flying with Virgin next Summer - any thoughts?
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Virgin Atlantic Economy from Gatwick to Orlando
- Thread starter Jonathan Woolf
- Start date
pauluk
Member
Do the twilight check in the night before. than use the check in at downtown disney early in the morning you are leaving, so you have
lots of time left in the day.
remember to book your seats 90 days out.
I found it is easier to upgrade the car in Orlando (assume you are getting a car) , insurance cost does not change.
lots of time left in the day.
remember to book your seats 90 days out.
I found it is easier to upgrade the car in Orlando (assume you are getting a car) , insurance cost does not change.
The Mighty Tim
Well-Known Member
As transatlantic flights go, the experience isn't too bad. Food's half decent for airline food, there's plenty to choose from on the in flight entertainment and they even ran a colouring competition for the kids, where the prize is a soft toy of some description.
My only regret is that I didn't take the offer of an upgrade to exit row seats. I can't remember the price, but it was somewhere between £30 and £50. The normal economy seats aren't so good for my long legs!
Actually, my only other issue is that LGW is a pain in the backside to get to from where I live, but IIRC, the flight options out of LHR weren't so good.
My only regret is that I didn't take the offer of an upgrade to exit row seats. I can't remember the price, but it was somewhere between £30 and £50. The normal economy seats aren't so good for my long legs!
Actually, my only other issue is that LGW is a pain in the backside to get to from where I live, but IIRC, the flight options out of LHR weren't so good.
Graham9
Well-Known Member
I have always flown Virgin Atlantic "Cattle Class". Always find the seats narrow and close together which gets uncomfortable after a few hours. Food's ok, I guess but I would suggest eating a full breakfast before the flight as the food isn't filling. (not for me anyway). Don't bother with the entertainment as we have our media player to keep us occupied. If you can get the fire seats, all the better.
Graham9
Well-Known Member
Last prices I saw was about £300 each way per person for the upgrade. That's way over the top for my liking.
The Mighty Tim
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I looked into that too. Way out of my price range too.
English Tink
Member
Also, the v room is worth every penny.. It's £20 pound per a a person. 
Graham9
Well-Known Member
Also, the v room is worth every penny.. It's £20 pound per a a person.
Last time we flew Virgin we had a deal which included the VRoom, which is just somewhere to sit, watch tv and have an all-you-can-eat breakfast. All very nice - as we didn't pay for it. But £20 each is beyond ridiculous for what you get.
English Tink
Member
Believe me when I say this - it's better than having to sit in the departures lounge at Gatwick with a load of screaming kids..
IWantMyMagicBand
Well-Known Member
I love Virgin, great for kids (are you taking any?). We still use the backpacks they give out. Make sure that you book a childs meal, just because you have booked a child seat does not mean that they will get a child's meal. There were a lot of confused and disappointed parents on our last flight (I had booked ours though ) The entertainment system is brilliant and the 747's have just all been refurbed. Depending on how old your kids are, if they are under 5 I would definitely pay for premium on the way home so they can sleep. Mine were used to sleeping in the car, but sleeping on a plane in economy was completely different! I ended up cradling 2 of them while my husband had the third in his lap.
I wouldn't bother with VRoom unless you are getting it for free. We arrived at the airport 3 hrs prior to flight, and once we had got through security, eaten and shopped we were boarding. You would need to allow extra time to enjoy the Vroom. I did it when I was childless, and it was great, but when kids take 3 times as long to get anywhere...well, it's just not worth it.
Anyhoo, you can't go wrong with Virgin, the staff are great, I enjoyed the food onboard (as the cook in our family every meal that I haven't cooked is gratefully received by me as a time-off treat
)
) The entertainment system is brilliant and the 747's have just all been refurbed. Depending on how old your kids are, if they are under 5 I would definitely pay for premium on the way home so they can sleep. Mine were used to sleeping in the car, but sleeping on a plane in economy was completely different! I ended up cradling 2 of them while my husband had the third in his lap.I wouldn't bother with VRoom unless you are getting it for free. We arrived at the airport 3 hrs prior to flight, and once we had got through security, eaten and shopped we were boarding. You would need to allow extra time to enjoy the Vroom. I did it when I was childless, and it was great, but when kids take 3 times as long to get anywhere...well, it's just not worth it.
Anyhoo, you can't go wrong with Virgin, the staff are great, I enjoyed the food onboard (as the cook in our family every meal that I haven't cooked is gratefully received by me as a time-off treat
)
All of the above replies are really helpful.
Just booked a hotel and 21 nights parking at Gatwick for less than £300 too.
332 days to go - will get me through my work this year - need to have something to look forward to don't you!
Just booked a hotel and 21 nights parking at Gatwick for less than £300 too.
332 days to go - will get me through my work this year - need to have something to look forward to don't you!
English Tink
Member
Please tell me you didn't book Gatwick Europa.
It may be really close.. But it's really run down.
Days inn in Horley is brilliant if you want what I think is good.
Sofitel in Gatwick - seems ok - thank you to English Tink
English Tink
Member
Twilight check in is good.. But we waited for two hours to just check our bags in.
On the day is quicker.
On the day is quicker.
IWantMyMagicBand
Well-Known Member
Yes on the day is quicker, and there is always a chance to ask the "Is Premium full today?" question while mentioning how efficient the check-in assistant is and what you are celebrating
English Tink
Member
We had to do the twilight check in this time because our seats got messed up.. They put me on my own and all my other family on the upper deck.. While I was on the bottom.. :/ we sorted it out when we where there.Yes on the day is quicker, and there is always a chance to ask the "Is Premium full today?" question while mentioning how efficient the check-in assistant is and what you are celebrating
Anyone know what time DTD check in is?
The Mighty Tim
Well-Known Member
The thing about check in at DTD is that, unless you hire a car or get a taxi, you've got to cart all your klatch on to the Disney transportation bus to DTD.
If you take the Magical Express, it gets you to MCO in plenty of time, and although the check in area can be a bit chaotic (certainly was like that last time I was there!), you don't wait as long. Plus if you get any last minute souvenirs on your final day, you can still put them in your luggage.
If you take the Magical Express, it gets you to MCO in plenty of time, and although the check in area can be a bit chaotic (certainly was like that last time I was there!), you don't wait as long. Plus if you get any last minute souvenirs on your final day, you can still put them in your luggage.
English Tink
Member
Were staying DTD resorts.. So it's easy.