25 days out & now DH wants to fly!

[Dancemom03]

Noooooo....
We've got just 25 days left til we leave. Last night DD16's wimpy BF said he'd rather sell a liver than sit in the car for 16 hrs from Balto to WDW. Made me realize we'd already made a mistake agreeing to take him along, but that's a moot point now...
Okay, so I'm thinking "hey, let me get a pic and I'll get that listed on ebay for you boy-o" when DH says this morning "well it would be nice to fly and your van has broken down twice lately." The traitor...
Let me explain, we always flew, loved it, but after the addition of DD4, combined with the increased security after 9/11, flying became more hassle for me than it was worth. I LIKE my van. The youngest princess does not wait well and I would probably rather sell a kidney (keeping my liver, sorry) than listen to the teen and the pre-schooler fight in an airport, bored for 2 hours before a flight and then continue it while we're all captive on the plane too (that's what happens when you add one more after 45...) Trust me, they're awful cute but it isn't pretty...
We don't exactly travel light, carting along the full size stroller, a pack'n'play, car seat, several suitcases, and multiple (boy, that's an understatement...)assorted bags.
With my vehicle, I don't have to worry about shoving everybody and everything into a rental car and then unloading it only to figure out a way to get even more (don't know about you guys but we come home heavily laden - once we even bought a concrete fountain that I'm ashamed to admit to) into it to return it and lug everything thru the airport. We've never traveled with ME so maybe that would make a difference but I'm just not enthused.
I ALWAYS discover something I needed got left behind in the van sitting in BWI's sattelite parking lot when we fly. (Ever try to buy good tap shoes in orlando on a sunday night when competition starts at 8 am the next morning? Darn that Murphy guy, we just can't get what I tend to leave behind at walmart...)
Plus the airport is over an hour from home so when I figure the door to door time involved (home to bc/yc) it really only takes us an extra 6-8 hours total to drive it and we probably save about $1000 after everything air-related is tallied.
A rental car will be a must so we can't economize there.
I thought I saw a travel zoo newsletter in the past week or so that offered $39- $49 from Dulles but can't find it now. While I'll still grumble and pout, if I could fly for less than $130 or so rt, it might be bearable. Does anybody remember that travel zoo email maybe? Have any insight on other budget airlines besides SW from Balto/Wash. area?
Any small encouragement you might offer would be appreciated...

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Noooooo....
We've got just 25 days left til we leave. Last night DD16's wimpy BF said he'd rather sell a liver than sit in the car for 16 hrs from Balto to WDW. Made me realize we'd already made a mistake agreeing to take him along, but that's a moot point now...
Okay, so I'm thinking "hey, let me get a pic and I'll get that listed on ebay for you boy-o" when DH says this morning "well it would be nice to fly and your van has broken down twice lately." The traitor...
Let me explain, we always flew, loved it, but after the addition of DD4, combined with the increased security after 9/11, flying became more hassle for me than it was worth. I LIKE my van. The youngest princess does not wait well and I would probably rather sell a kidney (keeping my liver, sorry) than listen to the teen and the pre-schooler fight in an airport, bored for 2 hours before a flight and then continue it while we're all captive on the plane too (that's what happens when you add one more after 45...) Trust me, they're awful cute but it isn't pretty...
We don't exactly travel light, carting along the full size stroller, a pack'n'play, car seat, several suitcases, and multiple (boy, that's an understatement...)assorted bags.
With my vehicle, I don't have to worry about shoving everybody and everything into a rental car and then unloading it only to figure out a way to get even more (don't know about you guys but we come home heavily laden - once we even bought a concrete fountain that I'm ashamed to admit to) into it to return it and lug everything thru the airport. We've never traveled with ME so maybe that would make a difference but I'm just not enthused.
I ALWAYS discover something I needed got left behind in the van sitting in BWI's sattelite parking lot when we fly. (Ever try to buy good tap shoes in orlando on a sunday night when competition starts at 8 am the next morning? Darn that Murphy guy, we just can't get what I tend to leave behind at walmart...)
Plus the airport is over an hour from home so when I figure the door to door time involved (home to bc/yc) it really only takes us an extra 6-8 hours total to drive it and we probably save about $1000 after everything air-related is tallied.
A rental car will be a must so we can't economize there.
I thought I saw a travel zoo newsletter in the past week or so that offered $39- $49 from Dulles but can't find it now. While I'll still grumble and pout, if I could fly for less than $130 or so rt, it might be bearable. Does anybody remember that travel zoo email maybe? Have any insight on other budget airlines besides SW from Balto/Wash. area?
Any small encouragement you might offer would be appreciated...

I beleve AirTran flies out of BWI. You might want to try Spirit out of Reagan (sp?), though I beleive you will have to connect in Detroit (Smith Terminal ).

 

[cocowum]

Check SW, They are currently offering $128 RT pp out of Baltimore.

 

[PlaneJoy1]

First check out Indenpendance Air at www.flyI.com or Airtran, Delta, Southwest, or US Airways. Those are probably your best bet.

Second - pack light. Everyone gets ONE suitcase. That's it! You can do laundry there if need be, but that extra souvenier shirt can be worn while your there. The airlines will only allow one 2 carry on's, including your purse. Take a back pack for everyone to use while at the parks.

Third - do you need the pack-n-play or does the hotel have one you can rent/borrow? I'm not sure on this one, just asking.

Forth- check the stroller and the car seat with your bags. (don't tag the car seat with DME tags)

Fifth - depending on what time your flight leaves you may not need to be there so early. Check the airport website for wait times on the day you'll be leaving. A lot of airports have a chart on theirs sites that will tell you what you can expect on a typical day. Security has gotten to be less of a hassle as of late if you just have a little patience.

That's my thoughts and probably about 5 cents worth. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Dancemom03]

Thanks for all your help...
No matter what numbers I run it's still close to $1000 for the 4 of us - not counting the BF soon to be without a liver - Southwest is cheapest but of course the discounted seats are gone for the 4 days or so that we could fly. It was considerably more on Independance Air from Dulles although I remember now that was the one I was looking for and would have sworn they had some enticing $39 rates a few weeks ago. A rental car big enough for 5 with a car seat would add another 300+ to the total.

I offered the family the option of changing our usual concierge room to a standard room on the third floor of BC if they felt strongly enough about flying. That didn't quite go over well... At last count they were leaning towards driving down with lil ol' me in the van so they could stay in the style to which they've become accustomed.
I sure hope the BF changes his mind and keeps his liver. Maybe he can change career focus and become a doctor instead. Whatever he does let's hope it pays well... I suspect, if my teen princess is still in tow, he's gonna need it...

Normally, when we drive, we leave Balto. just before dawn and get into Orlando around dusk so it's not a horrible drive during those daylight hours. The few times we've left at night have seemed much rougher, probably because we're already tired by then. We'd be up from 4 or 5am until 9pm anyway on a normal working day so it doesn't seem as bad.
I'm sure we'll have another great trip although i think I'll still keep checking for some last minute low price airline seats just in case.

I'm thrilled vacation time is nearly upon us but an extra month or two might have made all the difference in airline prices. It still feels like I should be waiting for Christmas and here we're halfway thru summer. We might not be flying this year but time sure is...

 

[pumpkinboy]

Here's an Idea: how about BF flies down on his own nickel, and meets you all there! You're already covering his room, and have offered him transport in the van for free (plus he'd have the proceeds from the sale of his liver). If he needs to do something else, he can pick up the tab for it, right? He should be able to get something for under $200, then take DME and meet you all at the Beach Club.

Good luck to all of you! Have a great trip!

 

[Poohs Pal]

I agree with pumkinboy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want to hear how the trip went with DD"s BF along for the ride. You will probably need a major by the time you get home(LOL). Susan

 

[Brian Noble]

Tell the BF that he should consider some organ that comes in pairs, so he won't be so put out after the sale. Otherwise, he can fly his own darn self.

(And I'm usually one of those "really would rather fly" people.)

 

[twinklebug]

Does he really ~NEED~ to come along? If he's causing problems now, just think what he could do to your vacation down there.

Nothing tests the bonds of love like a quick seperation