FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX: Will Dec 5 Never End?

Thursday, 5 December 2024

Will Dec 5 Never End?

We made it! Our "home" at Disney's Vero Beach Resort

We boarded our flight bound for Chicago without a hitch. We woke up to a view of Lake Michigan. This was our second time waking up to Dec 5. Upon arrival we utilised Mobile Passport Control, eligible for returning ESTA holders, which saved us some time going through US immigration. All in all a pleasant experience. The immigration was nice, laughing at Malcolm's bad jokes at 0720am. Surprisingly, our luggage came out quickly. The process to recheck the bags was well signed and easy. Before long we were off to get the airport shuttle train from Terminal 5 to Terminal 1. Again, well signed and quick. The one thing I hate about US airports is security. They are so inefficient and well behind other global major airports. Install the new machines already. Taking everything out and taking off shoes took forever, with people undoubtably not doing something to the TSA's liking. Fortunately this time around, the line wasn't too long and we got through within 20 minutes. We took it as a win.

Felt like such a coca-cola traitor

My Japanese meal entree

Part 2 - the main

Good morning Dec 5...again!

On the shuttle train from Terminal 5 to Terminal 1 at Chicago ORD

There was no priority pass lounge at Terminal 1 at Chicago O Hare. Boo. There was a food credit option unfortunately that was not included with the Priority Pass via the Amex Platinum Charge. We were hit with the smell of all things representing sugar as soon as we landed - sweet coffee, donuts, cinnamon sugar, bagels and more. We bought a couple of drinks to tie us over the last 2 hours of transit- chestnut praline latte and an oatmilk gingerbread chai latte.

We had been lucky with our flights so far and we finally hit our first snag. The flight took forever to load. We forgot how much carry on Americans like to take onboard. Once boarded, we stopped somewhere along the tarmac, and waited for about 50 minutes. Something electrical had to be reset and we had to wait for maintenance to fix it. I was fearful that our flight would be cancelled but fortunately we started moving again! Phew. By now, energy levels were down to zero. The children had both passed out even before the plane took off and stayed asleep until we landed in Miami. Once again, much to our surprise, our luggage were one of the first to come out. Hallelujah for all 4 suitcases not getting lost.

My warm coffee flavoured milk...oops I meant latte. 10 points for spelling Malcolm correctly though!

Gone!

The Miami airport tram system to the car rental centre. Most importantly our driver looks awake and was smiling!

Our second snag came in the form of our car rental pick up at Hertz. For some reason, our gold membership was not attached to our reservation and the staff member at the gold counter refused to help us despite being able to show our membership details and him not having anyone else to serve. So back to the pleb line we went. By now it had been another 45 minutes, couple that with the plane delay, we had to deal with Miami peak hour traffic. The planned 2 hour drive turned into a 3 hour drive. It was team effort keeping each other awake once the sun had set and the adrenaline from the rental car hooha had subsided. We utilised everything we had in the bag including kazoo karaoke. The joy of seeing the Mickey Head silhoutte on arrival at Disney's Vero Beach Resort was overwhelming. We had been "on the road" for 43 hours since leaving home.

Bedtime!!!