I'm getting into this late but I read through the whole thread looking for this and didn't see it... I don't know if the FA's and GA's could even do this but is it possible that after the trip down when the OP had to request the two seats together, her return ticket was somehow marked so that...
We went after Thanksgiving this past season and at the time, they had a discount for the ride-along. You had to contact the RP HQ (not just the WDW location) and you could pre-buy a ticket for the $99 ride-along for $49. Not sure if this is an ongoing thing but you might check it out.
Also...
Hey, a bunch of neighbors here!! We live just south of Temecula near Fallbrook and like the wine tasting tours. You do need to remember that it's not Napa though!
We went to WDW last Thanksgiving and were very disappointed with the "new management" of thier Tiki room. We had been telling our 5 year old all about it and he even know the song. The new part of the show at WDW frightened our DS so much he began crying and wanted to leave.
We were so glad...
And to think... when I moved out after graduating from school (waaaaay too long ago) I threw away a whole drawer full of "A" and "B" tickets!! Probably some maps too! Wish I still had them!!
Catalina is a fun trip. Many people love it (ourselves included), some don't. I don't think there is any scheduled service to Catalina from San Diego (if there is, the trip would take way too long to be over and back in a day and still be able to do much). We live in northern San Diego county...
36 minutes is WAY optimistic (you'd have to be on a road rocket and have the freeways to yourself) but you SHOULD be able to do it in an hour at that time on a Saturday. Of course, an accident can happen at any time and all it takes is one to really snarl the freeways.
Personally, I would...
I am all for flying (heck, I'm a licensed pilot) and the safety statistics are just as others have pointed out -- you are safer flying than driving, but...
If you are looking just at the money, will you need to rent a car when you get there if you fly? If so, driving may still be cheaper.
To get from one resort to another (unless, as someone already said, the two resorts happen to be on the same bus route), you can go to any theme park or other attraction (water park, DTD) as long as it is open and switch busses to your destination.
You're right, it's not valid. I was the younger of two. My brother has alway had health issues which in the past my parents took care of. Since Mom passed away and Dad has gotten older (93), I now have to take care of both my brother and my father. Not complaining... just an example of how...
Our trip just after Thanksgiving last year totalled almost exactly $10,000.
This included:
Air fare from San Diego
Town car transfers at both ends
7 nights at the Yacht Club
Meals
Ultimate Park Hoppers
MVMCP admission
1 night of in-room child care
1 night at the MCO Hyatt Regency...
I was looking for it when we were at Castaway Cay on our early December cruise and couldn't find it. I asked one of the lifeguards and he said it was taken out for cleaning.
One up-side to the rain is that, although it won't deter most vacationers, it might make a dent in the locals showing up. We S. Californians tend to stay inside when it's raining! Although this is the wettest year that we have had for quite a while so people might just be fed up and come out...
Well, I don't know the answer for sure but ya gotta figure that the monorail is going to open in time to get guests from the monorail resorts to Epcot in time for its opening. Depending how busy a time you are going, I would just plan to get to the monorail (TTC) a half hour to hour before...
We went after Thanksgiving this past season and at the time, they had a discount for the ride-along. You had to contact the RP HQ (not just the WDW location) and you could pre-buy a ticket for the $99 ride-along for $49. Not sure if this is an ongoing thing but you might check it out.
Also...
Well, that's a pretty wide open question....
From Disneyland to the west entrance of Joshua Tree National park (just outside of Joshua Tree, CA on highway 62) is 124 miles. From Disneyland to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park headquarters (just outside Borrego Springs, CA) is 125 miles...
Yeah, don't forget to slow down, take a deep breath, and have a great time! Everything will be fine! There is nothing that you can forget that will ruin your vacation unless you let it. ::MickeyMo :Pinkbounc
dtsaos,
Do you drive your kids anywhere in a car? You do!! How could you!?!
Statistically, your kids are in MUCH, MUCH more peril any time they are in your car than anything you have mentioned.
You just have to be realistic about life and do what you are comfortable with.