April 17, 2011 on the Dream

[Disney1fan2002]

245 DAYS

That's how long until we cruise!!! WOOHOO

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Anyone else driving? We are driving. Airfare is just too much for a family of 5 now.

Funny thing, we always take the 4 day cruise. A few years ago, I did not do my homework I guess.. I just blindly followed advice from people on the DIS about booking a night at the Radisson, and then get free parking for the 4 nights. Well, the room cost over $100 for the night. The A/C did not work, so we were DYING all night with being too warm. Then we had to suffer through waiting for the shuttle. I know it is a quick shuttle, but I like to be there "yesterday".

Well, we drove in 2008, and paid to park at the port, $15/day. It cost us $60 to park at the port for the 4 nights. We'll be parking at the port again.

So, who's driving and how long of a drive will you have? We drive from MA and it takes us anywhere from 21-24 hours depending on how traffic is. We drive straight through. (again people, yesterday, LOL). We like to be at the port when it opens at 10am.

 

[disneycruisegal]

We will be flying down, most likely Jetblue (my DH is tall and the extra leg room is worth the cost difference). When we do drive it takes us about 21 hours straight thru.

Lots of folks from good ol Massachusetts

 

[alenushka]

Anyone else driving? We are driving. Airfare is just too much for a family of 5 now.

Funny thing, we always take the 4 day cruise. A few years ago, I did not do my homework I guess.. I just blindly followed advice from people on the DIS about booking a night at the Radisson, and then get free parking for the 4 nights. Well, the room cost over $100 for the night. The A/C did not work, so we were DYING all night with being too warm. Then we had to suffer through waiting for the shuttle. I know it is a quick shuttle, but I like to be there "yesterday".

Well, we drove in 2008, and paid to park at the port, $15/day. It cost us $60 to park at the port for the 4 nights. We'll be parking at the port again.

So, who's driving and how long of a drive will you have? We drive from MA and it takes us anywhere from 21-24 hours depending on how traffic is. We drive straight through. (again people, yesterday, LOL). We like to be at the port when it opens at 10am.

Most likely, we will drive. We stayed at Radisson last time and our stay was nice. And, since we are doing b2b, 7 days of parking will be $105. Also, we like to get to FL a day before the cruise, otherwise it is too stressful on the road However, I agree with you - i want to be there "yesterday" and it is annoying to deal with a shuttle, no matter how organized they are
If we drive straight it is too hard, especially if our DS is not going with us (extra driver). If we leave NY area around 7 am, and have blessed road conditions , we approach Georgia around 8-9pm. It is still about 5-6 more hours to Port Canaveral. We usually stay for a night in Georgia and resume our drive to FL. early am. Last time we visited Kennedy Space Center prior to checking in to Radisson.
Marie-
I wonder, do you leave at night or during the day? When do you get to FL? Do you stop to sleep?

 

[Z'sDisneyMom]

Hi Everyone,

Hope everyone is enjoying these last few weeks of summer.

We thought about driving, ok I thought about driving, DH and DD would prefer to fly so that's what we're gonna do.

I am glad to see that the JetBlue schedule is opening up early for planners like us!

I am also in the wanna be there yesterday category! In the past we have stayed close to the parks before the cruise and done a one way rental to get to the port. It has always worked out for us.

 

[Deb T.]

Another "wanna be there yesterday" person here, too!

We'll fly. It's just DH and me, so Southwest usually ends up fairly cheap for the two of us. We used to drive a lot when the kids were still home, particularly for our Christmas trips to WDW when we'd lug all the presents and decorations. Ahhhh, I miss those days.

We will definitely arrive the day before and stay overnight at WDW. We like to board the ship as early as possible to get the most out of our cruise vacation, and this time we'll get to be in the first group since we just turned Platinum!

 

[bdink921]

and this time we'll get to be in the first group since we just turned Platinum!

Lucky girl!!!

We'll be flying--I have 2 SW credits so we only have to pay for one. We're not sure if we're flying in on Thursday or Friday, really whichever flight is cheaper. We plan on hitting Universal for 2 days. I can't imagine driving to Florida with my family. DH was sick of driving just going to and from MD--we did hit traffic both ways though--and DS was such a pain in the tushie on the way to MD I thought DH was going to ditch him at the nearest rest stop I would much rather drive than fly though, I hate flying but will do it to get my Disney Fix .

 

[outahere]

WOW!!!!!

I really have to re-think our travel plans for this cruise. Jetblue's April schedule came out today and it would cost us at least $1000 each ($3000 total) to fly with them to MCO. That week is kind of a double whammy for us..... it is school vacation week in Mass. and the Sunday after the cruise is Easter, so the airlines know they can rip us off during that timeframe!

Edited to add: Even though I'm not a big fan of Delta, I just checked their prices and we can book with them for less than half of what it would cost on jetblue! It is definitely going to pay to shop around this time.

 

[pershing]

Holy Moly! That's really scary!

I swore I'd never fly delta again though when the last we flew the flight attendants were more worried about keeping the first class curtain closed than actually helping anyone in coach.

I wasn't the only one close to ripping that curtain down, I tell you.

WOW!!!!!

I really have to re-think our travel plans for this cruise. Jetblue's April schedule came out today and it would cost us at least $1000 each ($3000 total) to fly with them to MCO. That week is kind of a double whammy for us..... it is school vacation week in Mass. and the Sunday after the cruise is Easter, so the airlines know they can rip us off during that timeframe!

Edited to add: Even though I'm not a big fan of Delta, I just checked their prices and we can book with them for less than half of what it would cost on jetblue! It is definitely going to pay to shop around this time.

 

[bdink921]

I was expecting the airfare to be sky high due to the holiday---I'm glad we have 2 credits to use, it makes the one high fare not so bad. I also think we may end up going out the last flight on Thursday and getting a priceline hotel near MCO for that one night. For SW anyways, Thursday is usually much less expensive than Friday.

 

[outahere]

I was expecting the airfare to be sky high due to the holiday---I'm glad we have 2 credits to use, it makes the one high fare not so bad. I also think we may end up going out the last flight on Thursday and getting a priceline hotel near MCO for that one night. For SW anyways, Thursday is usually much less expensive than Friday.

I was expecting the prices to be high too, but NOT that high! This past April we ended up waiting until a couple of months prior to the cruise (same school vacation week) and the price was half of what they want for next year!

Their prices for Friday are just as bad, and we can't leave on Thursday because DS is a high school sophomore and they almost ALWAYS have something major (big test, project due, etc.) on the Fridays before school vacation week - I think it's a conspiracy to keep parents from pulling their kids out a day early.

 

[Deb T.]

For all you Southwest fliers, be sure to download DING and keep track of any new, lower fares. One of the reasons why we love SWA is because we can re-book at the lower fare and get the balance in credit for future travel.

I've been a busy travel planner this morning! First, I booked SSR for the night before this cruise. Then, we also decided on another mid-December weekend trip to WDW! Booked air on SWA and have a studio at SSR (but waitlisted for BCV). For the second year in a row, that will be our Christmas gift to each other! DH loves it because he won't have to try to figure out what to shop for!

 

[bdink921]

I was expecting the prices to be high too, but NOT that high! This past April we ended up waiting until a couple of months prior to the cruise (same school vacation week) and the price was half of what they want for next year!

Their prices for Friday are just as bad, and we can't leave on Thursday because DS is a high school sophomore and they almost ALWAYS have something major (big test, project due, etc.) on the Fridays before school vacation week - I think it's a conspiracy to keep parents from pulling their kids out a day early.

$3000 is ridiculous for airfare to Florida no matter what time of year and it is sooo tough to work around school schedules, especially in the upper grades. We were on the 3 night Dream cruise on 4/14 but DS was upset about missing 3 days of school so we switched to this week--happy about the 4 nights instead of 3 but I know finding reasonable airfare is going to be an issue. If worse comes to worse, we'll travel and fly out of Long Island, Providence, or New York if we have to. Long Island always has the least expensive air to FL. Stinks having to drive hours to and airport when we have a local one but . Good luck with your search

 

[JasonDVC]

I was just thinking about airfare for that week when I decided to check out this page to see what was new and now you are all talking about the same thing.

We fly out of Providence and I have to say that I am dreading seeing the airfare on SW when they are released. I have credits and plan to use them for DW and I but SW is picky even with the credits i.e. only certain flights, only so many seats per flight.


ugh!

 

[scootch]

We definitely will be flying. Since we are doing our B2B cruises, and head home on Thursday, expecting our flight down to not be too bad pricewise, just the flight back. Really prefer to go with Southwest due to no fee on baggage! My other option is USAirways. What I don't like about them is they change flight times too often.

Had a great weekend in Columbus. The girls loved the concert, my neice said when Justin Bieber came out on stage my oldest(10) just started crying she was so excited. They got some cute pics. Trying to get her to post on the tween board, we will see. She is just so different than her social bunny sister.

 

[pershing]

We definitely will be flying. Since we are doing our B2B cruises, and head home on Thursday, expecting our flight down to not be too bad pricewise, just the flight back. Really prefer to go with Southwest due to no fee on baggage! My other option is USAirways. What I don't like about them is they change flight times too often.

Glad the concert went great! Those are special memories for a young girl....I remember having a seat front and center at a Journey concert looking up at Steve Perry with tears in my eyes. Yeah, I'm old!

Scootch, I saw your post on the hotwire MCO Hyatt thread. I'm also looking for the same night, and checking hotwire every couple of days for it. We've never stayed there and it would be nice to get off the late flight and get a hotel room.

 

[svcutler]

Glad the concert went great! Those are special memories for a young girl....I remember having a seat front and center at a Journey concert looking up at Steve Perry with tears in my eyes. Yeah, I'm old!

Scootch, I saw your post on the hotwire MCO Hyatt thread. I'm also looking for the same night, and checking hotwire every couple of days for it. We've never stayed there and it would be nice to get off the late flight and get a hotel room.

OK, fill the newbie in please what is an MCO Hyatt thread? I'm assuming it's a thread pertaining to the hyatt near the airport in Orlando, but why is there a thread on it? We're planning on flying (if we can afford the $18,000 it'll probably cost us to get there based on what I've read so far) on Saturday night and staying over near the airport. Is there some amazing rate I should know about?

Also planning on taking the FL Tours limo to the port on Sunday morning. Then when we return from the cruise, we were thinking about renting a car in Port Canaveral and driving to WDW and use the car while there (staying at Bonnet Creek) until Sunday.

My question is: Is this the best idea or do you experienced ones have some other suggestions?

 

[Mom2BCCC]

WOW!!!!!

I really have to re-think our travel plans for this cruise. Jetblue's April schedule came out today and it would cost us at least $1000 each ($3000 total) to fly with them to MCO. That week is kind of a double whammy for us..... it is school vacation week in Mass. and the Sunday after the cruise is Easter, so the airlines know they can rip us off during that timeframe!

Edited to add: Even though I'm not a big fan of Delta, I just checked their prices and we can book with them for less than half of what it would cost on jetblue! It is definitely going to pay to shop around this time.

Ugh. We have the same problem. And, we are a family of SIX. I'm hoping SW is better.

 

[Z'sDisneyMom]

Scootch: Thanks for posting the pic from the concert. You made my DD's night. We are going to see him in 2 weeks here in NJ.

Count me among the in desperate need of reasonable airfare for this cruise

Haven't booked the pre-cruise hotel since I'm not sure when we will arrive. Hopefully this will all come together soon!

 

[allaboutdisney1967]

Add another group with their fingers crossed for Southwest out of PVD and Hyatt Regency Airport MCO to be reasonable for Saturday night arrival.

I figure the Disney Cruise Line bus will leave out of MCO earlier than one of the WDW Villas. Last cruise we stayed at BCV (our favorite) and we didnt get to Port until after 1PM

Praying for some

It worked when I booked BLT for Thursday and Friday after cruise.
I was on waitlist and got a Studio for the three of us.

Donna