An Invasion of a "STRANGER" Kind.... NEW THREAD IS UP!! Go Thee NOW!

[carissanboys]

Your PTR was hoppin' yesterday!

Glad you got some good airfare. I've picked up people from Dulles before (it's so far out there!), but have never flown out of that one. But, my parents have flown Air Tran before. Aren't they the ones with TVs on the back of each seat?

 

[pipersmom]

I can't believe you found two flights so cheaply! That's awesome, Liesa! Will you actually be staying in DC? Piper and I still need to re-schedule our aborted trip.. :

 

[All7OfUs]

if only i werent going with the kids in august i might take you up on that offer to zip on down. and being as this is an adults trip and their will be a tiny bit of alcohol you may want to check out my new favorite thread. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2400496
also known as lushes unite at disney
seriously i usually get my grand marnier slushie but this time thanks to my wonderful disers i shall have a plethora of options

OK, going to check that one out! I have some definite ideas on a few things I'd like to partake of We'll have a whole series (as usual on that!)

Not a lush, but I've been keeping my eye on some tasty looking things! Probably has something to do with this being a week of "Freedom".

Seems like you got some great deals on the airfare!!!!!!

I love how the planning just takes on a life of its own after being dormant for days or even months!!!

Cheese pretzels in AK huh.... I'll try to remember to scout this out for ya!

I did! I did!!

And why does this planning turn into such a monster??!!

I finally finished though, getting all onto Excel, and now Mary and I will compare! 2 heads are better than one!

Yes!!! Find me those pretzels. I want a confirmation of all pretzel sightings.

Your TR was hoppin' yesterday!

Glad you got some good airfare. I've picked up people from Dulles before (it's so far out there!), but have never flown out of that one. But, my parents have flown Air Tran before. Aren't they the ones with TVs on the back of each seat?

Too much fun going on here!! I love it!!

My sister is in McLean, and I guessed as to the closer; I hope she's not going to be too perturbed at me for picking a 6 am flight. I afear a 3 AM run coming on.

TVs? I have no idea!! I figured when they were trying to charge me $6 to pre-pick my seat, I'd also have to pay for 2 squares of TP, and $2 for an overhead reading light.

I can't believe you found two flights so cheaply! That's awesome, Liesa! Will you actually be staying in DC? Piper and I still need to re-schedule our aborted trip.. :

Do you really think that's a good deal?? I sure hope so.

My sister lives in McLean, VA, and I'll be with her for about 3 days. I don't see her very often, so it will be nice to have some time to catch up. I'm not as close to her as my other sis in Bowling Green, but this will be a good chance to try again.

 

[MKBekka]

I wanna come to your DIS meet! I'll keep you all sober! I'll already be there anyway.....

 

[jenb1023]

I think I have Tim beat - DC is only 100 miles away from me (about a two hour drive).

We've flown AirTran to Orlando or from Orlando three times and had a good experience every time. Yes, you can use ME. I know we could check bags at POP for AirTran but think Pop was a test resort so I am not sure if you can from any resort now or not. I would have to check the transportation thread to see but I need to get back to work.

HMMM. . . USA souvie. What about salt and pepper shakers? They always remind me of a 1970's load the kids in the station wagon USA vacation souvie.

 

[tinkgurl]

So, it is done- unless something majorly drastic happens between now and my trip, here's what I've got:

Sept. 2 Washington Dulles to Orlando arriving at 10:30 AM for $81 (Air Tran)

Sept. 13 Orlando to Portland, OR arriving leaving at 6:00 arriving at 11:00 for $158 (Continental)

Total: $239

I had budgeted $250 total for airfare, so I'm under so far.

Woo! That's so exciting to have that done! It means the trip and plans are really real!

 

[eandesmom]

No problem. Actually, maroo and I have been using the hours for last year posted here on the DIS. Most people say they should be pretty similar and are useful for prelim. planning.

They are. When my hours came out it wasn't huge changes, although there were enough to have me tweak things a bit. If they aren't out next week, they will be the week after so just be patient! Also, they showed up on the main hours page first, not the individual park calendar pages so I thought they weren't out, when they actually were!

Today was another big day on the planning frontlines!! I went back to the strategic drawing board (ie. cheapoair.com) and went with my first flight idea. After telling LeeAnn last night what I was thinking, she jumped right on it, and actually bought her ticket right then.

I have no idea what kind of fare she got, as she needed roundtrip (edited to add-- I just got an e-mail and she says she paid $335), but I can tell you mine was a cool $158!! I thought it was an ok price, and that it probably wouldnt' go much lower than that. I think Cynthia is right though, it might have gone down to around $120, but the extra time knowing it is a done deal was worth the $30 to me. I know I saved at least that from my original budget for my Dulles/ MCO leg.

So, it is done- unless something majorly drastic happens between now and my trip, here's what I've got:

Sept. 2 Washington Dulles to Orlando arriving at 10:30 AM for $81 (Air Tran)

Sept. 13 Orlando to Portland, OR arriving leaving at 6:00 arriving at 11:00 for $158 (Continental)

Total: $239

I had budgeted $250 total for airfare, so I'm under so far.

That is a great fare for you! And for LeAnn, if it's just one person honestly the extra now to get it done makes sense. When we are booking for 6, we have to wait as it really adds up.

WHOO HOOO!

Airline tickets always make it seem SO much more real to me!

 

[glennbo123]

You didn't just pull the trigger on airfare....you launched a whole salvo! Way to go!

We found those jalapeno pretzel things way back in Asia, at some stand near the Maharajah Jungle Trek and Kali River Rapids.

 

[glennbo123]

I think I have Tim beat - DC is only 100 miles away from me (about a two hour drive).

115 miles for me. 2 hours, 22 minutes per Yahoo.

 

[All7OfUs]

Woo! That's so exciting to have that done! It means the trip and plans are really real!

They are getting more and more really real! I finished my Excel plans today, and will hash things out with maroo in the next week or so. Now, I need to give my journal (s) some tender loving care!! They have been feeling very neglected and empty. Now I can fill them up, and give them the attention that they need!

They are. When my hours came out it wasn't huge changes, although there were enough to have me tweak things a bit. If they aren't out next week, they will be the week after so just be patient! Also, they showed up on the main hours page first, not the individual park calendar pages so I thought they weren't out, when they actually were!

That's great to know! I hope once maroo and I get agreed on everthing we won't have to make gigantic changes again. Patience. Job is hardly my middle name. But, in my defense, I've waited for a year and a half already for this trip.

OK, will check the main page first this week every day!

That is a great fare for you! And for LeAnn, if it's just one person honestly the extra now to get it done makes sense. When we are booking for 6, we have to wait as it really adds up.

WHOO HOOO!

Airline tickets always make it seem SO much more real to me!

I thought so too. The difference shouldn't even be more than $30 or so, and who knows, they might even go up! But you are right, $30X6 is $180!! That's a night at a mod!!

The way I see it as far as milestones go:

1) Decision to go

2) Ressie made

3) Airline tix bought

4) rooms/ pkgs. paid off

5) ADRs made

6) 1 month mark

7) Packed

8) 1 week mark

9) Airport check-in

Did I miss any??

 

[All7OfUs]

Holy cockadoodly doo!! Are we gearing up for a Meet!!!???

I can be very, very stoked about this!!! Even if it's just a few hours somewhere in D.C. Let's seriously think about this!!

OK, going on my official SCCP Hunt List.

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Yay Liesa! I am almost as excited as if I'd bought my OWN tickets! Nothing is stopping you now! Sounds like you got a good deal, too - especially for having to buy two one-way tickets instead of one round trip.

Well, I have no help to offer for the American Pavillion - I honestly can't even remember what that gift shop even looks like! I'm sure I've been there - does the movie dump you out there?

 

[jenb1023]

115 miles for me. 2 hours, 22 minutes per Yahoo.

I am so glad you posted Glenn! I was going to write that it should be about the same distance to you but I has a feeling Liesa would suggest a meet (see below) and I didn't want to assume you would want to meet us crazy people.

Holy cockadoodly doo!! Are we gearing up for a Meet!!!???

I can be very, very stoked about this!!! Even if it's just a few hours somewhere in D.C. Let's seriously think about this!!

OK, going on my official SCCP Hunt List.

I would love to try to work something out but I didn't want to take away from the time you wanted to spend with your sister. A meet in VA, MD or PA would probably be better than DC due to parking, traffic, etc.

Though I may just need to meet you at Dulles and get on the plane instead!

Okay, I am still sick and working, posting and eating lunch at the same time so you are going to have to help me out with what SCCP stands for?

 

[All7OfUs]

I wanna come to your DIS meet! I'll keep you all sober! I'll already be there anyway.....

For the record, you should tell everyone here and now, exactly how much we drink. Or not. I'd say a bottle of red wine about every month. A mixed rummy yummy about once every 3 weeks???

You can come to the PDX meet, it'll be very fun!

I think I have Tim beat - DC is only 100 miles away from me (about a two hour drive).

We've flown AirTran to Orlando or from Orlando three times and had a good experience every time. Yes, you can use ME. I know we could check bags at POP for AirTran but think Pop was a test resort so I am not sure if you can from any resort now or not. I would have to check the transportation thread to see but I need to get back to work.

HMMM. . . USA souvie. What about salt and pepper shakers? They always remind me of a 1970's load the kids in the station wagon USA vacation souvie.

That's nothing! We used to drive 100 miles from Hemet to LA for dinner quite often growing up. So, you'll have no EXCUSE for not joining us!!

OK, I"ve finally found an Air Tran expert! You have no idea how happy I am to know you've had good luck. I'll check the Transportation board too, to see if they've been added to every resort or not.

Hey now, that's not a bad souvie idee-er!! If I can find some for under $4 I'll do it!! My in-laws love pewter and have a ton of it. For some reason when you said American S&P shakers they immediately came to mind. I love pewter too, and hope I end up with some of theirs.

 

[All7OfUs]

Well, it's been a magical day in the neighborhood! Nighty night all... my hot bath and lumpy, crappy bed await me. I can't wait for a new mattress very soon!

By the way, I thought I'd post a few pictures of my common everyday enemies this week to remind you all of JUST WHY I NEED THIS TRIP!!!

 

[yinyanggirls]

Okay, okay, I'm here!!! Honestly. I've browsed so many times I thought I was subbed but then Liesa would invite me again and I'd realize NOPE, never did. So, Liesa, you can thank Jen for "reminding" me as well.

That's nothing! We used to drive 100 miles from Hemet to LA for dinner quite often growing up. So, you'll have no EXCUSE for not joining us!!

Hemet to LA??? Good grief woman! I thought travelling 45 miles to Tucson for dinner was bad.

Congrats on the plane tickets! I'd say under 200 for cross country is excellent!!!

 

[that's nice]

Is there a meet in the works?


I think DC is like 5 1/2- 6 hours away from me.
Don't tell anyone.. I've never been there before.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

The way I see it as far as milestones go:

1) Decision to go

2) Ressie made

3) Airline tix bought

4) rooms/ pkgs. paid off

5) ADRs made

6) 1 month mark

7) Packed

8) 1 week mark

9) Airport check-in

Did I miss any??

I love that you put packed before the one week mark. I wish I was that organized. I'm usually still running around the night before with a few last minute items. ie small tubes of toothpaste, searching for the matching flip-flop etc.

 

[carissanboys]

If my husband was home and I wouldn't have to take all 3 boys with me, I'd be up for a meet! I've had my share of D.C. though. Living around there for 6 years and dealing with the traffic was enough for me!

 

[englishrose47]

Liessa I may still do a solo in September !! If so will be the 8th thru the 16th and stay at Pop!!!! But if I am going in October for Free prolly will save the money!!