Jan 2007
It's an ODD world
26/01/07 15:58 Filed in: Personal
Actually, in my haste the share the world of lower cost holidays I forgot to post my original thoughts that related to "It's a small world".
Those of you who have been spared the 'classic' Disney ride will have no idea what I'm talking about; those in the know seem to be split into two camps. Those who love the ride (and I'm sure you'll be able to find good psychological help via Yellow Page) and those who rode it with exactly the same expression that Shrek has (in the film of the same name) when Donkey trips off the "Welcome to Dulock" singing machine (itself a mickey take on the Disney ride).
OK. I realise its for kids. You tootle around the world of tiny singing dolls in a boat. I'm fine with that. It's slightly insane and the song does induce a brain ache like repetitive strain injury. But it's not too weird.
Until the last scene.
Can somebody confirm or deny this? But in the last section of the boat-through attraction; the 'world' is all white as are the costumes of the dolls. Some of which are sporting halos and wings. At which point I turned to 'The Mrs" and said "Are they dead?" and got "Is this meant to be heaven?".
At which point the frankly odd ride took a sinister turn. Perhaps sinister is too strong a word, but if it was heaven. What's all that about!?!
[UPDATE]
Since writing this, I've been assured that the final scenes of 'It's a small world' are intended to show all the peoples of the Earth in a single overwhelming place, dressed in clothes of a similar nature... i.e. white. I'm not entirely sure what that's meant to imply, mean or whatever.
Those of you who have been spared the 'classic' Disney ride will have no idea what I'm talking about; those in the know seem to be split into two camps. Those who love the ride (and I'm sure you'll be able to find good psychological help via Yellow Page) and those who rode it with exactly the same expression that Shrek has (in the film of the same name) when Donkey trips off the "Welcome to Dulock" singing machine (itself a mickey take on the Disney ride).
OK. I realise its for kids. You tootle around the world of tiny singing dolls in a boat. I'm fine with that. It's slightly insane and the song does induce a brain ache like repetitive strain injury. But it's not too weird.
Until the last scene.
Can somebody confirm or deny this? But in the last section of the boat-through attraction; the 'world' is all white as are the costumes of the dolls. Some of which are sporting halos and wings. At which point I turned to 'The Mrs" and said "Are they dead?" and got "Is this meant to be heaven?".
At which point the frankly odd ride took a sinister turn. Perhaps sinister is too strong a word, but if it was heaven. What's all that about!?!
[UPDATE]
Since writing this, I've been assured that the final scenes of 'It's a small world' are intended to show all the peoples of the Earth in a single overwhelming place, dressed in clothes of a similar nature... i.e. white. I'm not entirely sure what that's meant to imply, mean or whatever.
It's Disney time!
26/01/07 14:59 Filed in: Personal
In a more personal blog that usual I just wanted to talk about Disney. Or rather, it's that time again when we come to look at where in the world we want to go on holiday and the subject inevitably wanders towards Florida and Disney.
Now before I go any further and start a monologue of the virtues good or against I just want to make it very clear that these are just personal opinions and I'm not getting a handout from Disney or contra-Disney factions. Chance would be a fine thing.
Where was I before I started the disclaimer. Oh yes. Disney, Florida or not as the case may be.
Well, in the UK there are number of options open in terms of summer holidays open to people with children. But one factor that cannot be relied upon (until Global warming really kicks in) is the weather. Well, that's not entirely true.
I think the major factor is that people will inevitably spend a huge amount of money on a holiday in the UK and then have it rain, be cold etc. etc. Meanwhile a similar amount of money could take you further afield. More on the ecological factors later. But I think the key factor is how much BANG can you get for your buck (er pound).
Now a quick look on a rather popular and well advertised villa holiday firm tells me that a holiday for the five of us in Fuerteventura, Spain for two weeks will set me back £3600 (to round it down). Then you have to add car hire and so on. I make this roughly £300. So that makes just short of £4,000. If we look at Kenwood Travel (www.kenwoodtravel.co.uk) an excellent agent who seems to get Virgin Atlantic flights for considerably less that Virgin sells them. 14 nights, 6 person villa in a nice part of the Orlando area, including flights is ALSO £4,000 or so.
Which one will be cheaper when you get there? Well, lets face it, it's Florida. Apart from the fact that $50 is a great meal for 5, but is only £25 or so. It's just cheaper all round. Don't forget that staying on Disney property doesn't have to be super expensive and does come with its own benefits. First of which is that during 'magic hours' you can enter earlier or stay later in the Disney parks over and above normal guests. Which is pretty good when you consider its still warm in the evening.
If you are still keen on staying at a villa can I recommend "The Glenbrook Resort" - which can be found via http://www.globalresorthomes.com/resorts.cfm?whichResort=gb. We stayed at 16837 Glenbrook Boulevard and it was excellent. Why not click on the "View Homes" tab and look for the lower right hand home. That's where we stayed.
So what are the costs of doing it yourself. Well, for October in Glenbrook for 14 days its around $2,332.69. Which is approx. £1100.
Travelsupermarket.com (an excellent company) says we can get flights out to Orlando via the following operators and prices;
Avro gives us Monarch flights for £2050 or to bump up a class of seats just £2160
Apodo comes back with Continental Airlines and £1982.
Airline Network throws out Virgin Atlantic at £2166
I've gone for a standard sized car, around the size of a Vectra.
Kelkoo chucks out various cars in £200 - £280 price range. Lets average on £250.
So our total price is between £3200 and £3600. That's a minimum saving on getting somebody else to press the buttons of £400 and an average I'd say of around £600-£800. Because don't forget you can bargain direct with these people.
Now... If you don't think £400 is a lot of money than you clearly haven't seen the price of park tickets. Because what you save on the holiday will allow you buy all the tickets you want. Not to mention a few square meals.
One last trick to the wise. If your not in such a rush to get home and the odd extra day is open to you. Here's a little trick told to me by a frequent traveller.
It would appear that nearly ALL airlines over book a flight safe in the knowledge that people will miss a flight entirely, never turn up or appear after a designated 'point of no entry'. As a result they are always looking to offload a number of happy customers onto an alternative flight; especially if your flight is packed. Think about when you set off for your destination. Was the plain full to capacity? Chances are that if it was, your luck will be in.
Turn up at the check in desk around half way through loading; when the staff have an idea whether or not its close to capacity or not. Then point this out to staff before checking in and perhaps mention your not in a rush to get home. If the hint doesn't work then basically say "Are you looking to offload some passengers".
Then let the negotiations begin. You want a least a night in a hotel (preferably the airport one) and perhaps some voucher for taxi and why not some cash as well. The best deal I have heard is two nights in the Orlando International hotel, a hire car for the two days and $500 each in cash. Remember, you can always say no; after all, you have seat in the plane. But should you get lucky... play hard but fair.
Don't forget that some poor sap has already PAID for his ticket because they have double booked. With flight costs being likely to be $1000 and they get the room in the hotel for peanuts under a special agreement.... well, they are quids in all round.
Good luck happy traveller. Let me know how you get on. Best deal will be published in my next personal blog.
Now before I go any further and start a monologue of the virtues good or against I just want to make it very clear that these are just personal opinions and I'm not getting a handout from Disney or contra-Disney factions. Chance would be a fine thing.
Where was I before I started the disclaimer. Oh yes. Disney, Florida or not as the case may be.
Well, in the UK there are number of options open in terms of summer holidays open to people with children. But one factor that cannot be relied upon (until Global warming really kicks in) is the weather. Well, that's not entirely true.
I think the major factor is that people will inevitably spend a huge amount of money on a holiday in the UK and then have it rain, be cold etc. etc. Meanwhile a similar amount of money could take you further afield. More on the ecological factors later. But I think the key factor is how much BANG can you get for your buck (er pound).
Now a quick look on a rather popular and well advertised villa holiday firm tells me that a holiday for the five of us in Fuerteventura, Spain for two weeks will set me back £3600 (to round it down). Then you have to add car hire and so on. I make this roughly £300. So that makes just short of £4,000. If we look at Kenwood Travel (www.kenwoodtravel.co.uk) an excellent agent who seems to get Virgin Atlantic flights for considerably less that Virgin sells them. 14 nights, 6 person villa in a nice part of the Orlando area, including flights is ALSO £4,000 or so.
Which one will be cheaper when you get there? Well, lets face it, it's Florida. Apart from the fact that $50 is a great meal for 5, but is only £25 or so. It's just cheaper all round. Don't forget that staying on Disney property doesn't have to be super expensive and does come with its own benefits. First of which is that during 'magic hours' you can enter earlier or stay later in the Disney parks over and above normal guests. Which is pretty good when you consider its still warm in the evening.
If you are still keen on staying at a villa can I recommend "The Glenbrook Resort" - which can be found via http://www.globalresorthomes.com/resorts.cfm?whichResort=gb. We stayed at 16837 Glenbrook Boulevard and it was excellent. Why not click on the "View Homes" tab and look for the lower right hand home. That's where we stayed.
DIY
Villa
So what are the costs of doing it yourself. Well, for October in Glenbrook for 14 days its around $2,332.69. Which is approx. £1100.
Travelsupermarket.com (an excellent company) says we can get flights out to Orlando via the following operators and prices;
Flight
Avro gives us Monarch flights for £2050 or to bump up a class of seats just £2160
Apodo comes back with Continental Airlines and £1982.
Airline Network throws out Virgin Atlantic at £2166
Car hire
I've gone for a standard sized car, around the size of a Vectra.
Kelkoo chucks out various cars in £200 - £280 price range. Lets average on £250.
So our total price is between £3200 and £3600. That's a minimum saving on getting somebody else to press the buttons of £400 and an average I'd say of around £600-£800. Because don't forget you can bargain direct with these people.
Now... If you don't think £400 is a lot of money than you clearly haven't seen the price of park tickets. Because what you save on the holiday will allow you buy all the tickets you want. Not to mention a few square meals.
Parting shot
One last trick to the wise. If your not in such a rush to get home and the odd extra day is open to you. Here's a little trick told to me by a frequent traveller.
It would appear that nearly ALL airlines over book a flight safe in the knowledge that people will miss a flight entirely, never turn up or appear after a designated 'point of no entry'. As a result they are always looking to offload a number of happy customers onto an alternative flight; especially if your flight is packed. Think about when you set off for your destination. Was the plain full to capacity? Chances are that if it was, your luck will be in.
Turn up at the check in desk around half way through loading; when the staff have an idea whether or not its close to capacity or not. Then point this out to staff before checking in and perhaps mention your not in a rush to get home. If the hint doesn't work then basically say "Are you looking to offload some passengers".
Then let the negotiations begin. You want a least a night in a hotel (preferably the airport one) and perhaps some voucher for taxi and why not some cash as well. The best deal I have heard is two nights in the Orlando International hotel, a hire car for the two days and $500 each in cash. Remember, you can always say no; after all, you have seat in the plane. But should you get lucky... play hard but fair.
Don't forget that some poor sap has already PAID for his ticket because they have double booked. With flight costs being likely to be $1000 and they get the room in the hotel for peanuts under a special agreement.... well, they are quids in all round.
Good luck happy traveller. Let me know how you get on. Best deal will be published in my next personal blog.
Zealots at the ready
23/01/07 19:14 Filed in: Technology
Apple have launched the iPhone; at long last and so far there's a 50/50 split in the media about whether or not its the best thing since the invention of the wheel or just a fancy Blackberry.
Personally, while I can't help but have Apple envy at the style. I can't just help thinking about the market for;
a) Screen cleaners and;
b) Screen protectors
You get the idea. Any device that uses its most expensive component, its screen, as an active part of the interface is in for some stick. You can't help but wonder if Blackberry looked at the cost, the needs and thought better of it. I'm not saying for a minute that they are in the same market. But Steve Jobs seems to think so, because he said so in his big introduction. Which is odd, because I can't imagine a business, outside media, that's going to think all funky and go for the iPhone. Which is a shame, because its bound to impress at meetings.
Personally, while I can't help but have Apple envy at the style. I can't just help thinking about the market for;
a) Screen cleaners and;
b) Screen protectors
You get the idea. Any device that uses its most expensive component, its screen, as an active part of the interface is in for some stick. You can't help but wonder if Blackberry looked at the cost, the needs and thought better of it. I'm not saying for a minute that they are in the same market. But Steve Jobs seems to think so, because he said so in his big introduction. Which is odd, because I can't imagine a business, outside media, that's going to think all funky and go for the iPhone. Which is a shame, because its bound to impress at meetings.