August 25 2012

[threeiscrazy]

I also have two (twins) 5th graders. I find it a little ridiculous how our kids are "scared" to miss a day from school. Some of us don't have teacher schedules and just don't get the time off in the summer. Not to bash them but it is quite unfair the pressures they put on kids today. I firmly believe education is super important but family always comes first, no matter what. I know the teacher's have a tough job and with the "No Child Left Behind" law it doesn't make it any easier.

It will be our family vacations that our kids remember and our quality time together. I will continue to take them out when and if I have to.

I agree with you, I've always thought that my children learn more by spending quality time with family. Our cruises have become a mini family reunion of sorts and since we don't live near family I think it becomes all that much more important. I despise the fact that she is so scared to miss school, I'm hoping this fear passes and she comes to realize that it won't be the end of the world to miss a few days of school.

 

[JKSWonder]

I also have two (twins) 5th graders. I find it a little ridiculous how our kids are "scared" to miss a day from school. Some of us don't have teacher schedules and just don't get the time off in the summer. Not to bash them but it is quite unfair the pressures they put on kids today. I firmly believe education is super important but family always comes first, no matter what. I know the teacher's have a tough job and with the "No Child Left Behind" law it doesn't make it any easier.

It will be our family vacations that our kids remember and our quality time together. I will continue to take them out when and if I have to.

Actually, I feel the same. It is often nearly impossible for my husband to get time off in the summer. We try, but it's difficult.

We've taken the kids out during the year and DD's teachers have always been good in the past about giving her make-up work to take with her. It's just that year after year, the amount of work has gotten longer and longer and it sort of sucks the fun out of vacation for her to a certain extent. This year, the work is MUCH longer. I'm told it's because they are preparing them for the rigors of middle school.

I wish DD wasn't so worried about it either. She's a straight A student. She's received a perfect score on all of her State tests in the last two years. I doubt a week off would really de-rail her.

 

[JustTJ]

Made another big payment towards this cruise yesterday. Feels good, I think we can actually swing it and still help out my DD with her expected babies. Thinking that perhaps in 3 1/2 years time, I can help my grandbabies develope a love for DCL too!!

 

[suzannecat]

We just bought our plane tickets yesterday (Jet Blue just opened up flights through Sept 4th). So exciting! Now for a plan for then night before- I"m thinking maybe Downtown Disney and then Boma for dinner...

--Suzanne

 

[JKSWonder]

We just bought our plane tickets yesterday (Jet Blue just opened up flights through Sept 4th). So exciting! Now for a plan for then night before- I"m thinking maybe Downtown Disney and then Boma for dinner...

--Suzanne

Us too! Also with JetBlue. I had a travel credit with them that I had to use soon or lose forever, so it was great news when they opened up through the first week of September.

I guess this means we will actually be taking this cruise (it was up in the air there for awhile, but DH says he can get that week off!)

We are flying in two days prior and will probably stay at Disney World for those two nights, visiting one park.

Anyone have recommendations for a favorite car service from WDW to the port and from the port to MCO? We have DCL ground transfers booked, but I'm considering canceling those in order to try and save a few bucks.

 

[Bytor01]

Wow I just checked the flights from Jet Blue out of JFK NY and they are at the highest price point that I have ever seen flying into MCO. I hope they drop a little.

 

[JKSWonder]

Wow I just checked the flights from Jet Blue out of JFK NY and they are at the highest price point that I have ever seen flying into MCO. I hope they drop a little.

The tickets I booked are about $20 dollars more each way than I am happy paying. I also booked a flight home that returns a little later than I would like. However, I booked now because I did have a $200.00 credit that was going to expire. Also, if they do drop, I will just exchange them (we would use any credit we might get within the year allowed).

I was worried about waiting to book the flight home since the Saturday the cruise ends is Labor Day weekend. I didn't want to take the chance that prices for that particular flight would go up.

I'm sure Southwest will probably be cheaper, but we prefer to fly JetBlue (no jockeying for seats, the t.v.'s keep the kids occupied, etc.)

 

[Disneydonnam]

Flying out of Logan 8/25 and flying home on 9/2 is $269.40. I was going to book but am still unsure if we will do a week in Disney after.

 

[Bytor01]

The tickets I booked are about $20 dollars more each way than I am happy paying. I also booked a flight home that returns a little later than I would like. However, I booked now because I did have a $200.00 credit that was going to expire. Also, if they do drop, I will just exchange them (we would use any credit we might get within the year allowed).

I was worried about waiting to book the flight home since the Saturday the cruise ends is Labor Day weekend. I didn't want to take the chance that prices for that particular flight would go up.

I'm sure Southwest will probably be cheaper, but we prefer to fly JetBlue (no jockeying for seats, the t.v.'s keep the kids occupied, etc.)

We also fly Jet Blue exclusively. Those TVs are a must have with kids and not to say...for myself also I also saw that the flight time home stinks on that Saturday. There is nothing around noon. So, if they don't add a flight we might have to think of flying out maybe on Sunday. We'll just have to shack up at WDW for a day. Boy, that would stink

 

[JKSWonder]

We also fly Jet Blue exclusively. Those TVs are a must have with kids and not to say...for myself also I also saw that the flight time home stinks on that Saturday. There is nothing around noon. So, if they don't add a flight we might have to think of flying out maybe on Sunday. We'll just have to shack up at WDW for a day. Boy, that would stink

Yes, the times are terrible. The best I could do was something after 4:00 p.m. which means we are going to have a ton of time on our hands.

Last year, we booked a day room at the MCO Hyatt and that worked out pretty well. We may do that again.

We are doing WDW two days prior to the cruise. Although I definitely wouldn't mind going back for another day after!

 

[JKSWonder]

Deleting duplicate post

 

[Trinity524]

My brother and just cancelled. 7174, we are still going, just a little sad

 

[suzannecat]

We're going RT from White Plains, around 5pm. The prices seemed high there too, but we also had a use it or lose it credit- of about $750. If the prices drop and you book directly with Jet Blue you can call them and get credit- that's why we had that credit. And now, with the MCO trip, if it drops we'll hopefully get credit again...

--Suzanne

The tickets I booked are about $20 dollars more each way than I am happy paying. I also booked a flight home that returns a little later than I would like. However, I booked now because I did have a $200.00 credit that was going to expire. Also, if they do drop, I will just exchange them (we would use any credit we might get within the year allowed).

I was worried about waiting to book the flight home since the Saturday the cruise ends is Labor Day weekend. I didn't want to take the chance that prices for that particular flight would go up.

I'm sure Southwest will probably be cheaper, but we prefer to fly JetBlue (no jockeying for seats, the t.v.'s keep the kids occupied, etc.)

 

[Bytor01]

Almost on every trip we book our flights early with Jet Blue. Then weeks or months later the prices drop. I call up, point it out and get the credit no questions asked. It's just another reason why Jet Blue rocks.

 

[Kaizen]

Dang! Wish JetBlue flew out of Detroit! I haven't even begun to look for flights. We have a timeshare in Orlando and are torn between a few days before the cruise or after. Trying to coordinate with another family doesn't make it a neat package either.

 

[Bytor01]

Dang! Wish JetBlue flew out of Detroit! I haven't even begun to look for flights. We have a timeshare in Orlando and are torn between a few days before the cruise or after. Trying to coordinate with another family doesn't make it a neat package either.

It's a tough decision but someone has to do it, right?

I had never gone down and had a pre WDW stay before our DCL cruise before last January. We headed down for four days before our four day cruise. I think it made the cruise that more relaxing to us to have done the WDW thing first and did a lot of walking and then to just sit and lounge around on the cruise.

We are DVC members so we don't even spend whole days in the parks anymore. We are not the Commandoes, so to speak.

My vote is to go to WDW first and then cruise. But, I guess you can't go wrong either way.

 

[JKSWonder]

It's a tough decision but someone has to do it, right?

I had never gone down and had a pre WDW stay before our DCL cruise before last January. We headed down for four days before our four day cruise. I think it made the cruise that more relaxing to us to have done the WDW thing first and did a lot of walking and then to just sit and lounge around on the cruise.

We are DVC members so we don't even spend whole days in the parks anymore. We are not the Commandoes, so to speak.

My vote is to go to WDW first and then cruise. But, I guess you can't go wrong either way.

Agreed. Personally, I loved doing the WDW thing before rather than after. I definitely felt doing the cruise after was nice and relaxing after the rush-rush of the parks.

That being said, I do admit to being wildly envious of the people who at the end of the cruise were headed to WDW rather than the airport. Our vacation was over, but theirs was only half done.

 

[Kaizen]

I didn't realize until I looked at the calendar that we are coming back on Labor Day weekend. My daughter starts school the day after Labor Day so I guess that made the decision that much easier!! I am just afraid that I will spend the whole time itching to be on the boat!

 

[Bytor01]

I didn't realize until I looked at the calendar that we are coming back on Labor Day weekend. My daughter starts school the day after Labor Day so I guess that made the decision that much easier!! I am just afraid that I will spend the whole time itching to be on the boat!

Nah, just think of it like fine dining. And you are hanging a really great appetizer. It makes you appreciate the deliciousness of the meal when you have it.

 

[Pudo]

Agreed. Personally, I loved doing the WDW thing before rather than after. I definitely felt doing the cruise after was nice and relaxing after the rush-rush of the parks.

That being said, I do admit to being wildly envious of the people who at the end of the cruise were headed to WDW rather than the airport. Our vacation was over, but theirs was only half done.

We find it is the best way to get over the sadness of leaving the ship.