Planes, trains, automobiles; oh yes and a monorail

I was watching TV earlier when an advert came on for a job site, you know the one with Max Beasley where he starts off by talking about fears. Apparantly we are only born with 2 fears:

1. Loud noises
2. Falling

The rest of our fears are learnt behaviours, how does that work?!?!?

Anyway, I am sure you are wondering what this has to do with my love of all things Walt Disney World? Well today we tried to deal with one of my fears so visited the place with extortionate parking costs - yes we went for a trip to the airport as I hate flying with a passion.

Really, how does a large tin can filled with people stay up in the air? I have read those fear of flying books and know the statistic that you are more likely to be killed being kicked by a donkey than you are when flying but that doesn't make it any easier for me; however I do understand its a means to an end and allows me to visit my favourite place so you will find me dragging myself onto one of these:

Having arrived in Orlando you have a few more means of transport to try out, once you have cleared customs at MCO (sorry haven't flown into Sanford so can't tell you about that) you travel across to the main terminal on a shuttle (if possible and you can manage it take your luggage with you, missing out the second bag drop which saves loads of time)

You then have the choice of hire car, Disneys Magical Express, a travel company shuttle, a town car and so the list goes on.....James is yet to drive in Orlando so we opt for the Virgin Shuttle which takes us to our hotel; its the luck of the draw if you are the first or last drop off but who cares once you have gone under the Walt Disney sign - you know you are really there!

Staying on site has the advantage of transport directly to the 4 theme parks, 2 water parks and Downtown Disney either by bus (or motor coach as they call it), boat or the monorail. However, the term direct isn't all that it seems; sometimes if you are in a resort with seperate sections your bus or boat may take a sometimes lengthy detour.

For example when returning from Downtown Disney the bus to Port Orleans will visit Riversides 4 stops before heading over to the French Quarter and at The All Star resort a bus leaving for Animal Kingdom may stop at Sports, Music and Movies before heading off to the park.

Don't let this put you off though as they normally offer a pretty efficient service; just be prepared when planning and make sure you leave in plenty of time if you have those ever important ADR's

Here's a Friendship boat which travels between Hollywood Studios and Epcots International Gateway, which also serves the Swan and Dolphin hotels, the Yacht and Beach club and the Boardwalk

The most spectacular form of transport at the resort is the monorail, which from the TTC services Epcot and Magic Kingdom (including the Poly, the Contemporary and the Grand Floridian). To watch the monorail disappear into the Contemporary is still an amazing sight after all these times (you can get some incredible photo's of the monorail travelling around Seven Sea's Lagoon from the balcony at the Californian Grill - which unfortunately is closing for a refurb)

And after all that fun you will find me dragging myself on to the Magical Express to the airport for 8 and a half hours spent in a flying tin can to come home with thoughts of how long it will be until the next time.....

Before I sign off just to let you know of a little update; at the bottom of the blog I have added an option for you to subscribe by email - fingers crossed it will mean that the next time I post you will get a lovely little email drop into your inbox to let you know a new post is dying to be read

Until the next time......

xxxx