From WDW to DL With Love - January 06, 2011 part 3

[disneywondergirl22]

We LUV SWA!!!!!

we loved SWA too, until i last week when i had a business class ticket, which allowed me to pass through the airport security lines and check-in very quickly, but did NOT result in having a seat on the plane for me when i arrived at the gate (i had been given a "security" slip instead of a ticket at check-in). didn't get to board until after the blue slips, the entire A section, and most of the families.

they had to BEG customers to give up a seat. as they were loading the families, a few people came forward to get the later flight and travel vouchers. then, once i boarded the plane, and everyone else had boarded, there were still about 4 empty seats, so the guy who gave up his seat for me, as well as several standbys, all got to get on the flight in the end. under other circumstances, i would have just waited for the next plane, which was about 3 hrs later, but i had connecting travel and a border to cross, just couldn't do it. then, nearly didn't get my drink (i didn't get one on my first flight, also business class, they gave me a voucher as i left the plane). nearly didn't have room for my carry-on in the overhead bins because i was so late getting on (lots of finagling there and asking people to be nice since it was only a 50 minute flight).

i should really ask for a refund of the $20. all that stress for nothing.

otherwise, usually have no problems. but with a paid Business Class ticket, I really should have been guaranteed a seat. so that was a big notch for the "no" pile for SWA. but really, with cheap flights, free bags, no change fees, this day in age, you can't afford to fly anyone else.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

Wow!!! What an active group...I hope I get to catch up on all the postings here...I feel like such a latecomer! LOL

My Hubby and I just booked this cruise, I'm so excited as the Panama Canal has always been my dream cruise, and now I'm finally doing it...and with Disney.
After I post this, I'm heading to the website to check things out (and will PM TigFanJeff) and will find a countdown signature to add to my posts.

We're staying at OKW on the 5th (unless our waitlist room at BLT comes through)...flying Southwest down in the morning. After the cruise we hope to stay at one of the Disneyland Hotels for 2 nights and fly home on Sunday...just have to wait until around Aug 17th for Southwest to extend their schedule.

BTW...My vote for a Moderate would be Port Orleans-Riverside. That used to be my favorite until we joined DVC. We prefer the Alligator Bayou rooms....seems more like a riverside resort than a hotel.

Be talking to you!

Judy (and Russ)

Welcome Judy and Russ.

we loved SWA too, until i last week when i had a business class ticket, which allowed me to pass through the airport security lines and check-in very quickly, but did NOT result in having a seat on the plane for me when i arrived at the gate (i had been given a "security" slip instead of a ticket at check-in). didn't get to board until after the blue slips, the entire A section, and most of the families.

they had to BEG customers to give up a seat. as they were loading the families, a few people came forward to get the later flight and travel vouchers. then, once i boarded the plane, and everyone else had boarded, there were still about 4 empty seats, so the guy who gave up his seat for me, as well as several standbys, all got to get on the flight in the end. under other circumstances, i would have just waited for the next plane, which was about 3 hrs later, but i had connecting travel and a border to cross, just couldn't do it. then, nearly didn't get my drink (i didn't get one on my first flight, also business class, they gave me a voucher as i left the plane). nearly didn't have room for my carry-on in the overhead bins because i was so late getting on (lots of finagling there and asking people to be nice since it was only a 50 minute flight).

i should really ask for a refund of the $20. all that stress for nothing.

otherwise, usually have no problems. but with a paid Business Class ticket, I really should have been guaranteed a seat. so that was a big notch for the "no" pile for SWA. but really, with cheap flights, free bags, no change fees, this day in age, you can't afford to fly anyone else.

In the uk, we get a tv prgrame called american airline, I swear to god, the stuff the staff put up with is just incredible, NO WAY would they put up with the way the customers talk to the staff in the uk. I just cant believe the way swa handle the ridiculous requests and insults.

 

[aan1701]

we loved SWA too, until i last week when i had a business class ticket, which allowed me to pass through the airport security lines and check-in very quickly, but did NOT result in having a seat on the plane for me when i arrived at the gate (i had been given a "security" slip instead of a ticket at check-in). didn't get to board until after the blue slips, the entire A section, and most of the families.

they had to BEG customers to give up a seat. as they were loading the families, a few people came forward to get the later flight and travel vouchers. then, once i boarded the plane, and everyone else had boarded, there were still about 4 empty seats, so the guy who gave up his seat for me, as well as several standbys, all got to get on the flight in the end. under other circumstances, i would have just waited for the next plane, which was about 3 hrs later, but i had connecting travel and a border to cross, just couldn't do it. then, nearly didn't get my drink (i didn't get one on my first flight, also business class, they gave me a voucher as i left the plane). nearly didn't have room for my carry-on in the overhead bins because i was so late getting on (lots of finagling there and asking people to be nice since it was only a 50 minute flight).

i should really ask for a refund of the $20. all that stress for nothing.

otherwise, usually have no problems. but with a paid Business Class ticket, I really should have been guaranteed a seat. so that was a big notch for the "no" pile for SWA. but really, with cheap flights, free bags, no change fees, this day in age, you can't afford to fly anyone else.

Just a couple of things. Some you may like and some you may not. First. From your story you sounded like you were running late, I am not saying you were, just that is the impression I got. If that is the case, we can give your seat away 10 min before departure. Again I am not saying this was you, just maybe what happened. On the flip side, the agent who checked you in should have realized that you were a bussines select passenger and issued your bording card as you are guaranteed A1-15. Again the only reason you would not get this is if you were late. I would love to know were this happened. I might know people to whom, if we did mess up, I can pass it along. (one of my best friends in the company is in charge of the airport experience and always hitting me up for problems.) Please I need to point out, I am not saying that you were late, just trying to get to the bottom of a problem that you had.

 

[aan1701]

We LUV SWA!!!!!

I thank you. So does my paycheck .

 

[aan1701]

Welcome Judy and Russ.


In the uk, we get a tv prgrame called american airline, I swear to god, the stuff the staff put up with is just incredible, NO WAY would they put up with the way the customers talk to the staff in the uk. I just cant believe the way swa handle the ridiculous requests and insults.

Lyne, are you talking about the reality show with Southwest Airlines. If so, the friend I mentioned in the above post was one of the "Stars". Her name is Susie, and she is like a sister to me. Just a FYI that show is over 8 years old now. DW and I are taking her and her new husband to WDW next year as their wedding gift. (Thank god for DVC). No she did not marry the guy that she had the tearfull good by to in one episode. Sorry about the rambling.

 

[LindaBabe]

GOOD MORNING, Happy Cruisers! It's another lovely day in the neighborhood. Hope your day is a great one.

 

[zakerdog]

Something to keep in mind when using Disney ground transportation on Jan 6th. Unless they have changed it, the bus does not pick up at all the resorts. Better check to make sure.

 

[TDC Nala]

SWA would still be my airline of choice IF they got the nonstop flights to Orlando back. No way will I go to Orlando through Chicago.

Flying them on Monday and that will be the last time until I come back from SNA in January. If they still have flights to Dulles from SNA when the schedule opens.

 

[Poohbug]

Yay Just booked the flight to MCO. The SW flights I have been checking went down $23 and I decided I had better just book. Plus, I know I will have to check bags for this trip, so SW will save me money there. SW only started to fly out of MKE a year ago and it's my new favorite airline. We will not get in until late on the 5th, so now I have to get a good deal on the MCO Hyatt.


As far as moderates go-I have stayed at all of them and my favorite is CBR. I love the tropical feel. I have to say that I hate POR. I realize this is a personal preference but I really don't like it. It's a shame because we have a family of five and that is the only moderate that will fit our family now. Our future visits as a family will most likely be offsite until the kids grow up.


We finally have rain here today. My lawn and garden are so happy.

 

[disneywondergirl22]

Just a couple of things. Some you may like and some you may not. First. From your story you sounded like you were running late, I am not saying you were, just that is the impression I got. If that is the case, we can give your seat away 10 min before departure. Again I am not saying this was you, just maybe what happened. On the flip side, the agent who checked you in should have realized that you were a bussines select passenger and issued your bording card as you are guaranteed A1-15. Again the only reason you would not get this is if you were late. I would love to know were this happened. I might know people to whom, if we did mess up, I can pass it along. (one of my best friends in the company is in charge of the airport experience and always hitting me up for problems.) Please I need to point out, I am not saying that you were late, just trying to get to the bottom of a problem that you had.

well, yes, we were a bit late, but got there LONG before that 10 minute cut off. i was checked in about 45 minutes prior to departure, but then had to get through security, which was quick since i got to use the shortcut line (maybe 5 minutes or so). and i got to the gate desk before boarding had begun. but it took them so long to figure out why i didn't have a seat, that they started boarding! i was standing there at the desk for a good 20 minutes before they issued me a ticket. i'm sure they were just as confused since i had, in fact, checked in with plenty of time, AND had arrived at the gate before boarding had begun, and yet still didn't have a seat. the agent said something about "it didn't save", over and over and over again. "i dont know why, but it didn't save".

also, since i didn't check any bags, i went to the self help kiosk to get my own ticket printed. and when i got the weird slip, i was confused, but hehe, there were only 2 agents at the time, and they were working with a mile-long line of people trying to check bags. getting their attention was not working whatsoever (i'm short and small and look like a teen, so i tend to get ignored by many adults who think i am not worthy of their time). so i took my carry-on and my security pass and just left, deciding if i could get through security with it, i'd get a ticket at the desk, worry about it then. and like i said, i made it to the gate before boarding had begun. so i should have been fine.

but it took the people at the desk so long to figure out what happened, and they were trying to help other people at the same time. a couple other people had gotten the same slip, and they walked up, handed over their security slip, and a ticket was printed right away, in fact, i think they were just chilling on the desk already, printed and ready to go. how could these folks who didn't have BC just have a ticket waiting, and yet i paid for a guarunteed seat and they didn't have one for me? thats wrong.

but once the very nice gentleman gave up his seat for me, i was escorted all the way onto the plane by a SWA staff member, like, all the way, making sure i had a seat and space for my bag. so that was nice.

BWI, btw.

 

[CruznLexi]

My paper work from AAA says pick up at BC and transfers to GCH. We have a small DVC contract but wanted to go on that cruise so booked on board and now have 1 payment left.

 

[Bookwood]

Ok everyone, for those who are familiar with the mod resorts, I want your advice. We always stay at the YC with the fam, but me being a young grad student and spending so much on the cruise, I'm looking for a mod for this trip. last year I did the Pop and hated it (to each his own), so while I'm looking to save some money, its not important that I save oodles of money as I'd never stay there again. Anyways, I've narrowed it down to Port Orleans Riverside or Caribbean Beach. I would love to hear from those of you who've stayed at one or both. Right now I'm slightly leaning more towards CBR because it has the "tropical" feel that makes me feel like I'm on vacation and away from the ickiness of NJ, especially in the wintertime. But I'm still open to both, and will be making my decision by the weekend, so if some of you could chime in, I would greatly appreciate it, thanks!

I have not stayed at Riverside or CB so I'm not going to be much help. We're booked for POFQ for the night before the cruise - I like the smaller atmosphere of FQ. We stayed have stayed at Coronado Springs and loved it. BIL stayed at CS last month and said they would never go back as it's too big.

 

[CruznLexi]

I have stayed at both and we prefered CBR. It is huge but we got a room close to the main pool and food court. PO just did not have the Disney appeal to us. But CBR did. Shutters us great too. Plus the pool bar makes great tropical drinks. CBR was redone about a 2 years ago so the rooms are nice.

 

[carmie3377]

Yay Just booked the flight to MCO. The SW flights I have been checking went down $23 and I decided I had better just book.

Thanks for the heads up about the fares going down. I checked our flights to MCO plus my flights to/from San Fran in Oct and I saved a total of $69 to go towards our flights home That's just one of the reason we love SWA airlines.

 

[aan1701]

well, yes, we were a bit late, but got there LONG before that 10 minute cut off. i was checked in about 45 minutes prior to departure, but then had to get through security, which was quick since i got to use the shortcut line (maybe 5 minutes or so). and i got to the gate desk before boarding had begun. but it took them so long to figure out why i didn't have a seat, that they started boarding! i was standing there at the desk for a good 20 minutes before they issued me a ticket. i'm sure they were just as confused since i had, in fact, checked in with plenty of time, AND had arrived at the gate before boarding had begun, and yet still didn't have a seat. the agent said something about "it didn't save", over and over and over again. "i dont know why, but it didn't save".

also, since i didn't check any bags, i went to the self help kiosk to get my own ticket printed. and when i got the weird slip, i was confused, but hehe, there were only 2 agents at the time, and they were working with a mile-long line of people trying to check bags. getting their attention was not working whatsoever (i'm short and small and look like a teen, so i tend to get ignored by many adults who think i am not worthy of their time). so i took my carry-on and my security pass and just left, deciding if i could get through security with it, i'd get a ticket at the desk, worry about it then. and like i said, i made it to the gate before boarding had begun. so i should have been fine.

but it took the people at the desk so long to figure out what happened, and they were trying to help other people at the same time. a couple other people had gotten the same slip, and they walked up, handed over their security slip, and a ticket was printed right away, in fact, i think they were just chilling on the desk already, printed and ready to go. how could these folks who didn't have BC just have a ticket waiting, and yet i paid for a guarunteed seat and they didn't have one for me? thats wrong.

but once the very nice gentleman gave up his seat for me, i was escorted all the way onto the plane by a SWA staff member, like, all the way, making sure i had a seat and space for my bag. so that was nice.

BWI, btw.

BWI says it all to me. Look I love my job and my company, but we have some complete morons working at BWI. When I fly, I try to avoid it like the plague. Still thanks for the clarification. I think I know what happened and it is a computer system problem. See after x amount of boarding passes are issued, and yes yours should have been as business select is a auto check in, the computer locks out the issue of boarding passes anywhere but the gates. I will pass your story to my friend and it will be one of the things of a very long list of things for her to look into. I even just told her about something that is really getting under my skin. Don't worry, it really does not affect the passengers, just what people who share my job title.

 

[aan1701]

Thanks for the heads up about the fares going down. I checked our flights to MCO plus my flights to/from San Fran in Oct and I saved a total of $69 to go towards our flights home That's just one of the reason we love SWA airlines.

Just wanted to give a heads up about our change policy. Starting at the end of Jan 2011 (The excat date is on our website) you will only be able to exchange your ticket in for another ticket for the person named in the ticket. I maybe understanding it wring since it does not affect mu department, so I am not sure if you could let's say you bought the ticket for your young child, I think since you paid for it it is all good. I am not sure. Check the web site. Just wanted to give you guys the heads up.

 

[carmie3377]

Just wanted to give a heads up about our change policy. Starting at the end of Jan 2011 (The excat date is on our website) you will only be able to exchange your ticket in for another ticket for the person named in the ticket. I maybe understanding it wring since it does not affect mu department, so I am not sure if you could let's say you bought the ticket for your young child, I think since you paid for it it is all good. I am not sure. Check the web site. Just wanted to give you guys the heads up.

Thanks Alan. I noticed that today when I was changing my flight. I was wondering about the deal with mutliple people on one reservation though. I know that everyone is broken down separately, like when they charge the cards or issue credit it is broken down into each person. So, I was wondering if all the credit from one confirmation could go towards a new ticket for any one person on that confirmation or if each individuals credit would only transfer to a ticket with their name. I will look further on the website since you are not sure.

 

[aan1701]

Thanks Alan. I noticed that today when I was changing my flight. I was wondering about the deal with mutliple people on one reservation though. I know that everyone is broken down separately, like when they charge the cards or issue credit it is broken down into each person. So, I was wondering if all the credit from one confirmation could go towards a new ticket for any one person on that confirmation or if each individuals credit would only transfer to a ticket with their name. I will look further on the website since you are not sure.

Sorry about not being more sure. It really does not affect the department I work in, so I really did not get all the details. If needed I can look into it.

 

[WDW Princess 71]

For those of you who have done the past PC cruises and/or other "special" longer than 7 night DCL cruises, do they still have only one character meal for the whole cruise (Mickey's breakfast) or are there other character meals since its a longer cruise? Just curious...

 

[DCL_FAN_TAC]

$45 savings on my current SWA booking for our 1/5/2011 flight -- we will use the funds on our return flight from LA

Thanks everyone for the heads-up, and Alan & Carmen for their patience with all my questions

Getting closer to this cruise...priceless!!!