Old-Time Orlando?!

[EssexSue]

Originally Posted by carolmc

It gets better - my seat wouldn't come upright ...but cabin crew said it didn't matter Then we saw Captain pay for the fuel in Miami from a large brief case in cash - $. Oh and did I mention that we were the last flight to leave Miami just ahead of Hurricane Andrew and the Capt even did a slight detour so we could see the hurricane coming in
Needless to say this was our last flight with Aeroflot

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We were out there for Andrew!

[SimonV]

Originally Posted by sotagals

Smiles: Big cars (we had a Renault 5 at home) and as a bonus you only needed to book economy to get a good sized saloon.

Smiles but also cringes : $20 motel rooms

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Yup, that car size (and automatic transmission?) really took some getting used to. We even had one visit where they gave us a 10-seat mini-van because they were out of mid-size! Go figure...

And there's nothing wrong with $20 motels (as long as you're paying by the day and not the hour ).

[SimonV]

Originally Posted by sotagals

Smiles : characters interacting with the crowds at US. We also met Marilyn, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz (ask your grandad)

Cringes : check out Mr socks and sandals in the background

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Those shorts are pretty dodgy, too...

[SimonV]

Originally Posted by carolmc

It gets better - my seat wouldn't come upright ...but cabin crew said it didn't matter Then we saw Captain pay for the fuel in Miami from a large brief case in cash - $. Oh and did I mention that we were the last flight to leave Miami just ahead of Hurricane Andrew and the Capt even did a slight detour so we could see the hurricane coming in
Needless to say this was our last flight with Aeroflot

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OK, the briefcase did it. That HAS to take the Dodgy Flight Prize of all time...!

[themeparksandy]

I was 12 years old at the time and we flew with Britannia airlines from Birmingham. It’s good to know that other flights from different airports had to refuel in Bangor also as I had heard at the time Pilots had to use more fuel taking off from Birmingham as the runway was to short.
I also remember having to get a coach from Orlando airport just to get to the car rental area.
My dad taking a wrong turning as he wanted to go to a times share thing to get cheaper tickets but ended up going to Universal studios instead.
Staying at this hotel for a week bigfloridacountry/courtofflags.htm

[borntoshop]

We first went 26 years ago, we did a week in Florida and then a week in Jamaica. I was 4 months pregnant at the time so only used the static seats on the rides.

We landed in Bangor for fuel as well. Stayed in a days Inn on the 192. Remember animal kingdom's opening day and when you could park next to universal studios before city walk and the islands were built.

[BucksBugsy]

Smile: the sound of crickets

Cringe: picking a rough hitel on OBT for my very first nights stay because I didn't know any better

[SimonV]

Originally Posted by Eeyore rocks

Can anyone remember when Virgin gave the maps out? The pink shaded area was no go area..like Church Street Station..

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I never saw a Virgin Holidays map, so hopefully someone else out there has one. I just can't imagine Church Street Station being a 'no-go' area, though. In the 1980s and 90s, it was THE great night-time entertainment centre.

[SimonV]

Originally Posted by themeparksandy

I was 12 years old at the time and we flew with Britannia airlines from Birmingham. It’s good to know that other flights from different airports had to refuel in Bangor also as I had heard at the time Pilots had to use more fuel taking off from Birmingham as the runway was to short.
I also remember having to get a coach from Orlando airport just to get to the car rental area.
My dad taking a wrong turning as he wanted to go to a times share thing to get cheaper tickets but ended up going to Universal studios instead.
Staying at this hotel for a week bigfloridacountry/courtofflags.htm

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That's some real, serious reminiscences right there Getting the shuttle from MCO to the (Alamo) car hire depot (on Sand Lake Road) was also something I'd forgotten about, as it seems most hire cars have been at the airport for ages now (it's only since about 2004, I think).at Court of Flags resort definitely had a long and very colourful history as a major hotel with UK tour operators. As the Delta Orlando it was a flagship hotel for several operators, and catered for very large UK numbers at peak periods. I remember it was one of the few that offered beans on toast for breakfast!

[SimonV]

Originally Posted by borntoshop

We first went 26 years ago, we did a week in Florida and then a week in Jamaica. I was 4 months pregnant at the time so only used the static seats on the rides.

We landed in Bangor for fuel as well. Stayed in a days Inn on the 192. Remember animal kingdom's opening day and when you could park next to universal studios before city walk and the islands were built.

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Yup, that's definitely part of the Orlando experience from the early 90s. It's hard to think of Universal without their massive car park now, but it was definitely a LOT more basic and home-spun back in the day! The Days Inns were also hugely popular in the 90s but largely fell out of favour with the UK market with the rise of the villas, while other hotels offered a slightly better experience at a similar price point.