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

[kpros]

I hear that alot about Southwest. What I've noticed about Southwest is that the more stops the plane makes on it's route, the more likely it is to be late. If you get on a flight that originates at your location, it's usually not quite the same issue. I've had late flights on every airline I've every flown (except maybe PSA - does that date me or what).

I'm planning to take a very early flight from LAX to Orlando and it shouldn't be a problem (knock on wood - ouch, that hurt my head).

But we are talking about airlines here, so anything is possible at anytime.

Ken

 

[jin diesel]

Originally posted by kpros
But we are talking about airlines here, so anything is possible at anytime.

You couldn't be more right about that, Ken!!

I hear that alot about Southwest. What I've noticed about Southwest is that the more stops the plane makes on it's route, the more likely it is to be late.
.....
I'm planning to take a very early flight from LAX to Orlando and it shouldn't be problem (knock on wood - ouch, that hurt my head).

Yes, it seems as though a stop along the way is inevitable (with Southwest at least). I wish I could find a flight that is REASONABLY priced where I'd fly from San Jose to LAX and then DIRECTLY to Orlando. It just seems to make more sense to me than stopping "1/2 way" in Texas or something like that. The more direct the route - the less the chances of being late.

Are you flying out on the 13th? (The Friday before?)

There's a great chance that you may be able to find a direct flight from LAX to MCO, non-stop at a low fare!

-jindy

 

[kpros]

Right now, Southwest has a 1 stop (doesn't change planes) that goes from LAX to Phoenix and then on to MCO. We have taken that flight twice before and it has worked well. At this point, they don't have any non-stops from LAX to MCO. Our target flight leaves at 7:00am and gets in at about 3:30pm. It is almost as good as a non-stop because you don't have to change planes.

I'm sure they will mix up the flight schedules some more before May, 2005.

Friday the 13th, a great day to fly.

Ken

 

[seaulater]

Jindy-we take a direct Delta from Salt Lake City to MCO everytime we go. You could pop over from San Jose into SLC and then go direct. It leaves at 10:15 a.m. arrives MCO about 4:15 p.m. There is also another direct that leaves somewhere around 4 p.m. SL time and gets into MCO around 10:30 or so.

When I checked last week on Travelocity the one way fare was not too bad.

Linda

 

[Lisa F]

Hi everyone! I just caught up on the last 10 pages or so (but I probably should have gone back further). I can't believe how busy this thread has been! We, too, have been busy but it IS making the time go quickly... the last time I checked we had 11 months to go, now we have less than 10!!!

I decided, since I was going to be renting points, that I should list them on the rent boards and I can't believe that the bulk of them went immediately! The best part is that I'm transferring to another member so I don't have to worry about maintaining someone's reservation for them and what if they want to cancel before then etc. Woohoo! Actually, the best part is that as soon as I receive the certified check this morning our entire cruise will be PAID FOR with $760 left over for airfare (though if jet blue's rates are any indication it will be less than that). Actually the money will go into an ING account to earn a little interest for me until the cruise. I'm just so psyched to be this organized (and it helps having a cat 11 too!)

We are going to fly out of JFK and are also waiting for jet blue to release their fares. We're planning to fly back on the 31st and hope that's enough time to do DL (not a redeye though, I can't sleep on planes and would be miserable and might as well take the next day off if I did that). We are planning on a leisurely plane ride back to NY. Nothing makes a 6 hour flight pass like being able to watch tv!

I really really really want to stay at the Grand Californian. I know there are MUCH less expensive hotels but I am thinking of splurging a bit and booking the 50th anniversary package they have (since we are planning on 3 nights). It's pretty expensive but who knows when we will get back to DL. I do LOVE my nice hotels (weird for someone who prefers a cat 11 on the cruise, huh? ) Anyone else planning to splurge a little on the GC or is everyone tapped out after their verandah cabins? Is the GC on the monorail too or can you "just" walk to the two parks from there?

I hope I can check in more frequently but things are just nuts around here. Every time I have a few minutes to DIS I find myself overwhelmed by the number of pages I have to review on this thread!

Lisa

 

[kpros]

Lisa F - The GC is not on the Monorail system, but it does have a direct entrance to Disneys California Adventure. You still have to walk over to the main entrance for Disneyland (but it's not a very long walk).

Ken

 

[Az Pirates]

Also, if you're looking for a short walk and convienience be sure to request a room somewhat close to the elevators.

One stay at the GC I swear our room seemed like a 2 mile hike!
It WAS very quiet and secluded as it was at the end of several very long hallways.
Probably some peoples idea of paradise - but something a little closer to the lobby would have made for happier feet at the end of the day.

 

[Lisa F]

Well I own at BWV and if you believe some of the posts on the DVC boards, I should be used to 20 mile long hallways by now! I'm really getting excited about this trip, though!

 

[moocow35]

Jindy,

I was just playing around on Jet Blue's website and they do fly out of San Jose. San Jose to Orlando stops over in New York and the one way price is $396, but if you are close to Oakland, Oakland to Orlando via New York is only $196.

My flights for California (the trip next week) dropped the day after I booked them, so now I have $120 worth of vouchers to use on a future flight with Jet Blue

Robin

 

[tupperny]

I cannot believe that it is only 300 days away (depends on how you are counting) to this great cruise.

We have booked 1/2 of the airfare and hotel (decided to splurge and stay at Paradise Pier (sorry--don't know all the abbrev. yet). We couldn't pass up the deal at LAX and hope that since we leave on Memorial Day, traffic won't be too bad.

Jeff: Magnet is great and thanks for the web site.

Is there any plan to get together for any events on board? I know that it is early, but this is our first Disney cruise and we LOVE to plan. We have a pre-cruise party already planned.

I keep hearing about the ressie rush to get Palo resers. Is it really that bad? We are considering brunch, tea and maybe 2 dinners. Does anything think that there will be a limit on how many resers one can make?

Does anyone have experience at the ports that we are going to? Any suggestions?

Thanks for all the info that you experts are posting. I glanced at the other repo cruise--189 pages! WOW.

Let's keep chatting and hopefully Disney will tempt us with tidbits of info soon!

Bill

 

[jin diesel]

Originally posted by moocow35
...so now I have $120 worth of vouchers to use on a future flight with Jet Blue

That's awesome, Robin!! When do the vouchers expire? I hope you can use them for your return flight from CA to FL (if you're living in FL next May, that is )after the cruise!

 

[Hygiene99]

Jindy we love SW have had Very little problems with them ..

 

[micknstang]

I am traveling on the Disney Magic on 5/14/05 and I have started a new yahoo group for people to talk and plan. This list is moderated and you wil not be spammed. So come on over and climb aboard the Magic.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dcl_magic_westbound_panama/join

Thanks

Scott

 

[moocow35]

Jindy,

They are good for a year! Wherever I am living, I plan to use them on the flights for this cruise.

Scott, I signed up for the group, thanks!

Robin

 

[Lisa F]

Originally posted by tupperny
decided to splurge and stay at Paradise Pier

Bill, were you able to book a room only reservation or did you book the internet package for 3 nights?

Lisa

 

[Scott H]

DVC Members still no point charts available for 05 at DL properties. Just off the phone with MS.

 

[tupperny]

Lisa:

We were able to book a room only. Not cheap--$185 per night (AAA rate), but the four of us will share a room so that we can stay there.

We were getting hints that there will be a promotion later and that the rate will come down. Just wanted to make sure that we had a bed since it was the holiday weekend.

Anyone know how we can get discount 2-day hopper passes?

Bill

 

[Serena6010]

I was just curious.......Does anyone know how many kids are booked onboard for our cruise?

 

[JenKatt]

Originally posted by Serena6010
I was just curious.......Does anyone know how many kids are booked onboard for our cruise?

I don't have numbers, but my hunch would be less than expexted. Taking kids out of school that late in the year (exams and all) for that long makes me think there will be little ones (less than 6) some school age kids, but very few teenagers and such.
Just my two cents

 

[rcostello1]

That would be my guess too. Our state tests are given the whole time during the cruise, but I don't have anything to do with them. One of my friends wanted to go but she can't because she has to be here for tech support. Hehehe...not me!