bumped from Spring Break flights CA here we come! Help with itinerary!

[disneyderns]

As a result of getting bumped our family ended up with some airline vouchers so we are now taking an unexpected trip - having been to Florida and WDW several times, we thought - let's try something new - no one in my family (DW, DD-9, DS-8) has ever been to California so here we come!

I've been reading and reading and reading and reading (thanks Hydroguy) here is what we have planned so far - would love some feedback...

As this trip was unplanned it was also unbudgeted so we are trying to keep costs down as much as possible.

Our dates are 8/4 - 8/11

8/4 arrive at LAX at 9:30AM. As this is a travel day, we really don't have anything else planned other than hang out and eventually check-in to our hotel. IDEAS WOULD BE APPRECIATED

We don't know where we are staying yet, we are probably going to book through Hotwire in a Disneyland South hotel in an effort to save some $$$.

8/5 and 8/6 - DLR and DCA we plan to spend 2 days here hopping back and forth. Our ride focus will be on the rides that are not in WDW. My kids are whimpy when it comes to big rides, so if I can get my DD onto BTMRR that will be an accomplishment. We want to make sure that we get to see the fireworks, World of Color, and hopefully fantasmic! but we'll have to see how it all shakes out.

8/7 -depart Anaheim for San Diego. Checking in to a hotel in San Diego (again Hotwire - in either the Sea World area or the Gas Lamp district).

8/8, 8/9 - San Diego Zoo, Beaches, etc. we don't really have an itinerary set for here yet - Still doing research.

8/10 depart San Diego heading back to LA to check into a hotel close to LAX for our early morning departure. Will also try to hit whatever we didn't get to when we arrived.

8/11 - fly back to WI


So how does it look? I'm hoping ok - We don't like to overbook ourselves into things, but instead like a menu of activities that we can sort of choose from. Any ideas, especially for families with kids, in LA would be great. Our kids go with the flow pretty easy, but spending a day shopping with them would be my idea of hell.

THANKS!

 

[blackjackdelta]

As a result of getting bumped our family ended up with some airline vouchers so we are now taking an unexpected trip - having been to Florida and WDW several times, we thought - let's try something new - no one in my family (DW, DD-9, DS-8) has ever been to California so here we come!

I've been reading and reading and reading and reading (thanks Hydroguy) here is what we have planned so far - would love some feedback...

As this trip was unplanned it was also unbudgeted so we are trying to keep costs down as much as possible.

Our dates are 8/4 - 8/11

8/4 arrive at LAX at 9:30AM. As this is a travel day, we really don't have anything else planned other than hang out and eventually check-in to our hotel. IDEAS WOULD BE APPRECIATED

We don't know where we are staying yet, we are probably going to book through Hotwire in a Disneyland South hotel in an effort to save some $$$.

8/5 and 8/6 - DLR and DCA we plan to spend 2 days here hopping back and forth. Our ride focus will be on the rides that are not in WDW. My kids are whimpy when it comes to big rides, so if I can get my DD onto BTMRR that will be an accomplishment. We want to make sure that we get to see the fireworks, World of Color, and hopefully fantasmic! but we'll have to see how it all shakes out.

8/7 -depart Anaheim for San Diego. Checking in to a hotel in San Diego (again Hotwire - in either the Sea World area or the Gas Lamp district).

8/8, 8/9 - San Diego Zoo, Beaches, etc. we don't really have an itinerary set for here yet - Still doing research.

8/10 depart San Diego heading back to LA to check into a hotel close to LAX for our early morning departure. Will also try to hit whatever we didn't get to when we arrived.

8/11 - fly back to WI


So how does it look? I'm hoping ok - We don't like to overbook ourselves into things, but instead like a menu of activities that we can sort of choose from. Any ideas, especially for families with kids, in LA would be great. Our kids go with the flow pretty easy, but spending a day shopping with them would be my idea of hell.

THANKS!

How did you get bumped? I have flown alot and that has never happened?

Jack

 

[brenda1966]

So, you only have 2 days in DL/DCA... how much more expensive is a 3 day pass? I'm thinking not much more expensive.

What I would do, and have done, is do one more day at DL on 8/10. I've actually done this where we drove from San Diego, went into DL for a few hours, and then back up to LAX to fly home that night. Since you really have the full day, you have time to go back and end your vacation on a high note: at DL!

When we went to San Diego we toured the USS Midway, which was interesting. I recommend La Jolla for a beach area -- very upscale and beautiful.

8/4 -- the day you arrive you could tour around LA a bit, see the Hollywood sign, drive down Hollywood Blvd, see the Chinese Theater. That evening you could check out Down Town Disney.

 

[tholczer]

Any way you can fly into San Diego and drive to Anaheim? That would give you an extra day at the end. Either that, or end your vacation at DL so you can head straight to the airport in the am.

You are doing a bit much and not giving yourself any down time. So if that's a concern, you might want to give up Seaworld or the beach and just laze around your hotel pool and nap.

Also, you might want to reconsider riding the same rides that are at WDW. They are very different in DL. Basically like different rides with the same theme. It's fun to compare.

Have fun!

Tracy

 

[Mister Toad]

Any way you can fly into San Diego and drive to Anaheim? That would give you an extra day at the end. Either that, or end your vacation at DL so you can head straight to the airport in the am.

You are doing a bit much and not giving yourself any down time. So if that's a concern, you might want to give up Seaworld or the beach and just laze around your hotel pool and nap.

Also, you might want to reconsider riding the same rides that are at WDW. They are very different in DL. Basically like different rides with the same theme. It's fun to compare.

Have fun!

Tracy

I agree, don't discount "repeat" rides. For example, POTC is very different at DL than at MK.

On that day one, I would say check out anything in LA that you want to see, there is a lot around there. Then in the evening I would say check out Downtown Disney, since you probably don't want to spend your time there when you could be in the parks the next day. Another thing, I am from Chicago and EVERY time I go to California, I make the required stop by In N Out Burger. Awesome fast food burgers!

I would very much recommend bumping up your trip from 2 days at DLR to 3. With kids you are probably going to be taking your time and 2 days is on the shorter end. If you did 3 days you would be able to catch everything you wanted to, and still do repeats, all while taking your time.

I have spent quite a bit of time in San Diego, and I think you are giving a lot of time there that you don't necessarily need. With two young kids, I would say try to do 3 days at the parks. You can leave Anaheim for SD in the AM on the 8th and still get into SD and do a lot of the beaches and stuff and reserve the next day for the Zoo. I would say you can even spend almost the entire day of the 10th in SD and just head out after evening traffic dies down, and the hotel can hold your bags after checkout so you won't have to worry about those.

I think this is a good split of the time, unless your kids really want to go to the beach and all that, but I am personally partial to DL.

Good luck

 

[nana50]

It is only an hour from Anaheim to Legoland in Carlsbad. With young kids it's a great theme park. I would stay around Sea World area. There is a lot to do close by. The beach of course, seaworld, mission bay, the zoo is close, so is Balboa Park. Check out or send for a brochure from San Diego tourism. Instead of wasting a whole day on your arrival day, maybe do Disneyland or CA. you can get a lot done in a short time.

 

[Disney Dreams]

How did you get bumped? I have flown alot and that has never happened?

Jack

Obviously I don't know the OP's story, but we have been bumped a handful of times. I thought I would share my experience.

When an airline overbooks a flight, they will sometimes try to see if anyone is willing to take a later flight in order to free-up the needed seats on the current flight.

They usually offer something for the inconvenience. Generally they start with something small like meal vouchers for somewhere at the restaurant (to waste time until the next flight). If the next flight is the next day, they will often offer hotel accommodations and food money for the night.

Depending upon how badly they need the seats (and if no one takes the above offers) they will sometime offer a free ticket (voucher) in exchange for you taking the next (sometimes next day) flight.

On various occasions over the years, we have received every combination of the above for volunteering to give up our seats. Sometimes... it's beneficial to fly on full flights (or not fly as the end case may be ).

Will be interested to hear the OP scenario.

- Dreams

 

[blackjackdelta]

Obviously I don't know the OP's story, but we have been bumped a handful of times. I thought I would share my experience.

When an airline overbooks a flight, they will sometimes try to see if anyone is willing to take a later flight in order to free-up the needed seats on the current flight.

They usually offer something for the inconvenience. Generally they start with something small like meal vouchers for somewhere at the restaurant (to waste time until the next flight). If the next flight is the next day, they will often offer hotel accommodations and food money for the night.

Depending upon how badly they need the seats (and if no one takes the above offers) they will sometime offer a free ticket (voucher) in exchange for you taking the next (sometimes next day) flight.

On various occasions over the years, we have received every combination of the above for volunteering to give up our seats. Sometimes... it's beneficial to fly on full flights (or not fly as the end case may be ).

Will be interested to hear the OP scenario.

- Dreams

Thanks. It is voluntary!! Never been on a plane where it has been offered.

Jack

 

[blabbermouth]

Hi, I think your itinerary sounds great!

I love using hotwire, I don't know if you know about it or not, but check out betterbidding.com to find out which hotel you are likely to get.

Probably for what you're doing in San Diego, the sea world area is better, although you'd probably get a fancier hotel in gas lamp. You will probably find that you'll have more time on your "travel days" than you think. On your travel day between disneyland and san diego you could probably either do the parks for a few hours in the morning or go to some beaches in san diego when you arrive.

We spent about 4 hours at the zoo and that was enough for us, and spent the rest of the day in Balboa Park, lots of museums (a few are free) including some for kids I think and other neat things to see, also good for the kids to run around. We didn't like sea world as much as the zoo, but that's probably just a matter of opinion. We live on the ocean, so we see sea life all the time!

Have a great time!

 

[disneyderns]

Here is our story about the bumps (yes plural) that we had. On our flight down to Tampa (booked through a 3rd party website) we were schedule to fly Frontier. When I called in the morning to check flight, the Customer Service rep said she couldn't find my flight number. Eventually she found it, but said that it was acutually a Midwest flight - everything is fine...

cut to an hour later at the airport Midwest counter with their people saying they can't find us in their systems!!! Apparently with the whole Midwest-Frontier - merging thing, their computers were talking to each other yet and our reservation was in the Frontier system!!! AUGH.

We are now racing through the airport - kids and carseats and carry-ons and all to our gate. We get there and the gate agent says that they've overbooked the flight by 6 seats - and because we were the last ones checked in we are being denied board!

Were were able to get on a later flight and they gave us vouchers toward another plane ticket.


Then on the way back....yup...oversold again...this time by 4. They again were offering vouchers for a later flight and so we said sure - this time was voluntary and we were semi-prepared for it.

When we were finally getting read to board our flight home, we heard the gate agent announce that THIS flight was also overbooked by 8! So they were looking for volunteers...We decided against it (and besides, this was a Friday and they wouldn't be able to get the people on a flight until MONDAY!)

Thanks for everyone's input...always willing to here more suggestions...I'm going to try to talk the DW into another day at Disney, but not sure if that will work or not.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Here is our story about the bumps (yes plural) that we had. On our flight down to Tampa (booked through a 3rd party website) we were schedule to fly Frontier. When I called in the morning to check flight, the Customer Service rep said she couldn't find my flight number. Eventually she found it, but said that it was acutually a Midwest flight - everything is fine...

cut to an hour later at the airport Midwest counter with their people saying they can't find us in their systems!!! Apparently with the whole Midwest-Frontier - merging thing, their computers were talking to each other yet and our reservation was in the Frontier system!!! AUGH.

We are now racing through the airport - kids and carseats and carry-ons and all to our gate. We get there and the gate agent says that they've overbooked the flight by 6 seats - and because we were the last ones checked in we are being denied board!

Were were able to get on a later flight and they gave us vouchers toward another plane ticket.


Then on the way back....yup...oversold again...this time by 4. They again were offering vouchers for a later flight and so we said sure - this time was voluntary and we were semi-prepared for it.

When we were finally getting read to board our flight home, we heard the gate agent announce that THIS flight was also overbooked by 8! So they were looking for volunteers...We decided against it (and besides, this was a Friday and they wouldn't be able to get the people on a flight until MONDAY!)

Thanks for everyone's input...always willing to here more suggestions...I'm going to try to talk the DW into another day at Disney, but not sure if that will work or not.

What an interesting experience. Getting round trip vouchers for taking a bump.

I had the same experience last month during a busy spring break where my family got 2 bumps and got 2 vouchers each for flying round trip on United. The first was at LAX and I remember a group of people of 6 needed to get to Orlando to make it for a photo shoot that day. We only not got RT tickets, but also first class upgrade and a very nice hotel room to rest up.

It was interesting, we had to wait a half a day to go to Chicago at midnight and we got to use our time to go to Disneyland that day for about a few hours. It was unexpected for us, but it was fun to go to DLR and got to go to the WDW the next day. You can read my unexpected trip to DL and WDW on my trip report and it was insane.

Then when we got to Chicago on Saturday morning and was about to head to Orlando, our flight was overbooked by 4 and we gave up our tickets for that flight. But we got another flight to Orlando which was one hour later and we got another set of vouchers.

I had a lot of bumps in my life by flying, but I got most of them when I go during spring break. But during that time, there were limited flights to Orlando during that day from LAX, and few flights from Chicago on Saturday. Most of the people when I was at both airports needed a flight to Orlando and were desperately needed to get to there immediately.

Hope you get to come to DL and it was nice to read about the flight bump on the forum.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Here is our story about the bumps (yes plural) that we had. On our flight down to Tampa (booked through a 3rd party website) we were schedule to fly Frontier. When I called in the morning to check flight, the Customer Service rep said she couldn't find my flight number. Eventually she found it, but said that it was acutually a Midwest flight - everything is fine...

cut to an hour later at the airport Midwest counter with their people saying they can't find us in their systems!!! Apparently with the whole Midwest-Frontier - merging thing, their computers were talking to each other yet and our reservation was in the Frontier system!!! AUGH.

We are now racing through the airport - kids and carseats and carry-ons and all to our gate. We get there and the gate agent says that they've overbooked the flight by 6 seats - and because we were the last ones checked in we are being denied board!

Were were able to get on a later flight and they gave us vouchers toward another plane ticket.


Then on the way back....yup...oversold again...this time by 4. They again were offering vouchers for a later flight and so we said sure - this time was voluntary and we were semi-prepared for it.

When we were finally getting read to board our flight home, we heard the gate agent announce that THIS flight was also overbooked by 8! So they were looking for volunteers...We decided against it (and besides, this was a Friday and they wouldn't be able to get the people on a flight until MONDAY!)

Thanks for everyone's input...always willing to here more suggestions...I'm going to try to talk the DW into another day at Disney, but not sure if that will work or not.

Thanks. I will probably do 100K in planes this year but had not heard this was going(they didi it in the 60"s alot.) I would add one more day or you may just wind up kicking yourself. Have a great trip.

Jack