20050514..May 14, 2005...Official Check in Disney's 1st 14 Day thru Panama Canal

[Scott H]

Yup 25K in FF for the whole trip. Just don't always get the best connections or arrival times. Our cost would have been $756 each otherwise. Ouch.

 

[rcostello1]

I'm thinking I can get the whole roundtrip for about $250 which isn't bad, $300 max.

Yesterday CO had $120 to MCO from IAD and JetBlue was showing around $150 with taxes so as long as I can do it for below $300 that's ok.

I really miss Song/Delta Express...they were around for so long and that's always what we flew. Ted is here but they seem to be a little more expensive and my miles aren't with them. The only thing they have going for them is flight schedule (non-stop and frequent) so they might win out.

I'm wary of booking my DC-FL leg because the schedules change so drastically. A 6pm flight became a 1pm flight in January...that means no working that day instead of leaving early, so I had them change it to the 7am flight which means a whole day of play in FL! And I would hate to miss out on a JetBlue sale next spring. $150 is about $30-40 too much.

I hate to pay more than $200 rt...I flew to LAX for $198 w/taxes and going to LAS for $203 w/taxes...I have high, or is that low, standards for air fare!

 

[dalemm]

Yes, I did get open jawed flights from WA-FL and CA-WA for the 25K FF miles. The times and connections were very good for us. We are getting into FL several days early prior to the cruise so we can visit WDW to get into the Disney feeling.

I understand if you don't have enough FF miles, most airlines will sell miles for around $25 per thousand miles.

 

[rcostello1]

I have plenty o miles. I got my sister to charge her tuition on my Amex for this year...I was more than double my $25,000 threshold for my bonus 10,000 miles...

2 of us are flying to San Fran for free this month. And we're staying on DVC points...so it's a 'free' vacation!

 

[Scott H]

OK I admit I am one of those people that charges everything on Amex to get the miles and hey it works for me.

Had to add an additional arrival day at WDW due to the late flight arrival on May 11. Now if DVC would get it together so we can make a reservation at DL for the end of this trip.

 

[bill3540]

Scott,
You live in my favorite place in the world. When I was younger, I use to hunt elk with the Turners at the Triangle X ranch. Wonderful people and a beautiful place in Grand Teton NP. I now hunt with a camera and a big lens and I still come to GT and Yellowstone about every other year just to photograph the elk and other wildlife. Are you on the cruise? If so, I look forward to visiting with you and sharing some Jackson Hole stories.
Bill

 

[bill3540]

OK, what is going on? Is everyone on this cruise[5/14] booking rooms at WDW? I just got off the phone with Disney reservations and it seems that several Disney hotels are pretty much booked during the week before the ship sails. Our favorite hotel, Coronado Springs, has nothing available other than suites, which is too much for only two adults, not to mention too expensive. We ended up getting a room at Port Orleans French Quarter, which is, apparently, equal to CS. Has anyone stayed at Port Orleans? This is unbelievable. Hope that my Disney stock goes up!
Bill

 

[Scott H]

We are at SSR for three nights prior to the cruise, Actually 2.5 nights as out arrival at MCO is at 12:51 AM. Oh well have had lost worse.

Bill we have been here in Jackson for the past 26 plus years, I also used to hunt quite a bit but not any as of late. I am sure we can share a story or two. I work at Grand Teton NP for a short while during the summers of 78 and 79 as an Interpretive Naturalist, (The Ranger that says what the different trees are).

PO FQ is a nice property we have enjoyed it in the past before becoming DVC members.

 

[kellib36]

We stayed at POFQ in Jan '03. We really enjoyed the quiet, relaxed atmosphere! Not sure where we'll be staying before the cruise, but I guess we better get started deciding.

 

[moocow35]

We are only flying down the night before, staying at Ron Jons by the Port. We will however be staying for a few days on the West coast, but not sure where yet As much as I would like to, I don't want to use all my vacation time for the year just on this trip.

Robin

 

[seaulater]

Scott,

we do the same thing, everything on the AX and then we get the miles and a free companion ticket each year!

If I wait til August on our anniversary date I should have another free ticket. Maybe I will use in May. I'm going to start checking fares though.

Found I could go one way on Delta leave SLC at 10:15 a.m. direct flight to MCO arrive 4 p.m. for $174 today. Not bad. However, last year got it for about $130 one way on Continental out of Las Vegas.

I'll have to start investigating more thoroughly!

Linda

 

[Scott H]

Good to hear some one has had some luck with the companion ticket. I usually forget about it, however every time I do remember it seems like the fare is pretty high and oft cheaper to just buy two rt fares. That said thanks for the reminder now to dig those out and think about using them later in 2005.

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

Wow

I am jealous of some of those great rates!!

I can fly one way on American West for $182 but the times are awful and would spend ALLLL day flying West to East


Debbie

 

[Cap]

We're booked at Boardwalk for two nights before the cruise. Still undecided about the west coast end.

 

[myfairygodmother]

......easing my way in from "lurkdom"


Hi Yall!!

I don't think that I have actually posted since about page 3 of this thread but I have been lurking in the shadows to keep up with everything. I have been investigating airfares and anxiously awaiting "real dates" from the airlines but I have decided to wait until the end of the year before making any flight decisions. We will be driving(rental car) to Florida so we'll only need one way tickets from CA to SC--if I book now, the best deal without changing airlines midway will be about $400 each. Independence Air just started flying out of our area and they plan to be flying cross-country by the end of the year. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that their rates will be comparable to JetBlue(who does not fly out of our area).

No WDW before the cruise for me--I opted for 3 days at DL afterwards as I have never been. We'll be arriving in Port Canaveral the night before.

Liz

 

[cotomom]

welcome myfairygodmother!

I too spent a good chunk checking out airlines today. So far, best out of southern CA to MCO would be Song Airlines, as previously mentioned.

It's actually about $15/ticket cheaper than the SAME exact flight we took back in January

Just waiting on the A-OK from the rest of our group to make a purchase.

One more step in feeling closer to the Magic!

'Night all!
Kendra

 

[rcostello1]

We're staying at Beach Club Villas the night before the cruise. I'm torn as to whether I want a rental car for the day. Maybe I will see if there is a rental place at one of the village hotels. Hmm, I have a friend who lives right off property, if she's in town I could bum around with her. I have to go to some 'backstage" places while I'm at WDW so I need a car.

I'm going to get a *something*--be it a van, limo, etc. to take us to the port, so I don't need a car for that. I want to go in style. I'm going for broke!

If anyone hears that the Disneyland 2005 points are out for DVC let me know. I call almost everyday (and check the website). I want to stay at the Grand Californian in a concierge room. I guess I will get a concierge room and a regular room. I have 5 people plus 2 friends will be joining us in SoCal.

As long as I can get a room through DVC I will be happy!

 

[ImprovGal]

I'll be staying at WDW for 2 nights before the cruise and then DL for 3 nights after the cruise. I booked a DL "Happiest Homecoming" package, but am waiting for AAA room only discounts to be released for 2005 before I book my WDW room.

Count me in as another person waiting for Southwest to start booking May (I think that time period should be available sometime around Dec or perhaps January). I've got a Rapid Rewards award to redeem that fortunately can be used as two one-way flights.

-- Amy

 

[Scott H]

rcostello1, we would also like to do GC concierge on DVC points. I also have been calling every day and will definitely let ya know via a post here, email and PM, when they open up. Please do the same. Kinda frustrated with DVC on this issue, as we are well past the 11 month window and they don't have this together. I understand the process but a little planning should have been in order.

If you have not syated at GC, you will not be disapointed.

 

[rcostello1]

I've stayed at GC before, but they make the hallways at BVC seem short!! It's beautiful, but I'm so partial to WDW it's hard to get over it. We stayed for many years with Boardwalk concierge before becoming DVC members so I was very used to those amenities.

I do like the shorter walk to the parks! I've stayed at all 3 CA properties, plus the Anaheim Hilton (a favorite!).

No point charts yet, at least not on the web. And after calling member services at 9am, nothing there either!