Check in here if you won a OMDD trip! UPDATE: We HAVE 16 (+1) Winners!!

[camsmama]

I was wondering the same thing. I wonder if they put on our reservation that we're winners and to upgrade us if they can or something. I guess I might be the DL guinea pig since I think we're going first. I'm not expecting anything extra but I can secretly hope, right.

Yes, I think we are all secretly wondering. Glad you are the DL guinea pig; I'm right behind you so you'll have to report back and let us know what happens!

 

[suevr]

Did you all mostly get direct flights to/from Disney or did they book you flights with stops or layovers? It all sounds like lots of fun.

We got a direct flight from Atlanta to LAX and back on Delta. We're going to stay in California for an extra week so they scheduled our flight back on the day that I asked. I didn't request specific flights originally, but after they sent us our itinerary we decided to change the dates, so I asked for specific flights. I haven't heard back yet, so we'll see.

 

[Toystoryfan32]

I have a Canon Digital SLR; they are a little bigger than a regular digital camera, but the pictures that it takes are phenomenal! I paid $600 for it but it was worth every penny because the pictures come out so amazing! If you want to go smaller and chepaer, I can also recommend the Canon A330; I paid $120 for mine. It's a small digital point and shoot but it's 16MP so it takes good, clear pictures as well. And it has a video setting which is great because now I won't have to carry my video camera on the trip.

Thank you! That is exactly what I am looking for. I want something that does both video and takes good pics. We have a Canon Powershot A560 right now but it is several years old. It takes great daytime pics but it stinks for parade pics and fireworks shots. Thanks for the advice I will take a look at the Canon A330.

 

[suevr]

A friend of mine went to Egypt 2 years ago and she absolutely loved it! She said that she would go back in an instant if she ever got the opportunity again!

I would absolutely love to go to Egypt, but it's really not the safest country at the moment. I'll have to wait until DH is actually there to see if I'll even be allowed to visit. We were stationed in Germany about 10 years ago and we were supposed to go, then a large group of tourists were kidnapped so the military said we couldn't visit. It actually happened again to two Americans earlier this month. I'm really expecting that I won't be able to go so there are lots of other places I'd love to visit. It will all depend on the cost though. I know DH will just want to come home for a few weeks for his R&R so it might just be another WDW trip, which works for me too!

 

[camsmama]

We got a direct flight from Atlanta to LAX and back on Delta. We're going to stay in California for an extra week so they scheduled our flight back on the day that I asked. I didn't request specific flights originally, but after they sent us our itinerary we decided to change the dates, so I asked for specific flights. I haven't heard back yet, so we'll see.

You haven't gotten your final itinerary back yet? I got mine on Thursday with my e tickets for the flights and then I was able to go to the airline website and select our seats with our airline confirmation number. When I sent my planning paperwork in, I sent a sheet that listed the flights that we would like if it was possible and they booked us on our first choice. I actually live very close to Tampa airport, but we wanted to fly out of Orlando because it's a lot better airport, and they had no problem accomodating us. So we are able to go non stop both ways into LAX, which is also what we wanted.

 

[camsmama]

Thank you! That is exactly what I am looking for. I want something that does both video and takes good pics. We have a Canon Powershot A560 right now but it is several years old. It takes great daytime pics but it stinks for parade pics and fireworks shots. Thanks for the advice I will take a look at the Canon A330.

You can't go wrong with Canon cameras; they make the best digital cameras in my opinion.

 

[suevr]

Yes, I think we are all secretly wondering. Glad you are the DL guinea pig; I'm right behind you so you'll have to report back and let us know what happens!

Oh, don't worry. I'm sure I'll get right on here after we check in to let everyone know the whole process. Gotta love Smartphones!

Of course, it's always possible that we have more DIS winners who will go before me in July.

 

[camsmama]

Oh, don't worry. I'm sure I'll get right on here after we check in to let everyone know the whole process. Gotta love Smartphones!

Of course, it's always possible that we have more DIS winners who will go before me in July.

I am positive that you will be on here as soon as you arrive; I think that we all expect you to be! I would be lost without my smartphone and laptop!

 

[suevr]

You haven't gotten your final itinerary back yet? I got mine on Thursday with my e tickets for the flights and then I was able to go to the airline website and select our seats with our airline confirmation number. When I sent my planning paperwork in, I sent a sheet that listed the flights that we would like if it was possible and they booked us on our first choice. I actually live very close to Tampa airport, but we wanted to fly out of Orlando because it's a lot better airport, and they had no problem accomodating us. So we are able to go non stop both ways into LAX, which is also what we wanted.

We got the first itinerary back on Thursday afternoon and the flights were perfect, but then DH decided he wanted to leave a day earlier on a different flight. I sent them an e-mail first thing yesterday morning before they opened requesting the change but didn't hear anything back. We live 2 hours away from Atlanta so I was hoping we could fly from our local airport but they said no. I hate that we have to pay for almost two weeks of parking, but oh well. Free Disney trip!

That's awesome that you've already done your seat assignment and everything.

Has everyone else gotten their e-tickets as well?

 

[suevr]

I am positive that you will be on here as soon as you arrive; I think that we all expect you to be! I would be lost without my smartphone and laptop!

It's funny. I wasn't planning on taking my laptop because we'll have so much stuff...4 suitcases, 3 carry-ons, 1 stroller, 2 booster seats. I never thought about the fact that I'd have to keep you guys updated. I'll want to upload my photos as well, so I guess I'll take it.

 

[camsmama]

You can't go wrong with Canon cameras; they make the best digital cameras in my opinion.

.

 

[camsmama]

That's cool. What kind of camera do you have? I don't want to spend a fortune but I would like to get a good one that would take better pics at night for the parades etc. Any particular one that you would recommend?

I just PM'd you a link to some of the pictures that I have taken with my Canon cameras. Feel free to look around the albums if you'd like; those are just a very small amount of what I have done.

 

[camsmama]

We got the first itinerary back on Thursday afternoon and the flights were perfect, but then DH decided he wanted to leave a day earlier on a different flight. I sent them an e-mail first thing yesterday morning before they opened requesting the change but didn't hear anything back. We live 2 hours away from Atlanta so I was hoping we could fly from our local airport but they said no. I hate that we have to pay for almost two weeks of parking, but oh well. Free Disney trip!

That's awesome that you've already done your seat assignment and everything.

Has everyone else gotten their e-tickets as well?

Because we are extending our time in California, I did not want to pay for 10 days of parking at $20 per day so what we are doing is this:

We are renting a car in Tampa, where we live, driving it to Orlando airport, where we are flying out of, and returning it there. Then, when we get back, we'll rent a car in Orlando and drive it back to Tampa and return it. It's going to cost me $55 to rent the car, as opposed to $200 to park for 10 days.

Something you may want to consider?

 

[suevr]

Because we are extending our time in California, I did not want to pay for 10 days of parking at $20 per day so what we are doing is this:

We are renting a car in Tampa, where we live, driving it to Orlando airport, where we are flying out of, and returning it there. Then, when we get back, we'll rent a car in Orlando and drive it back to Tampa and return it. It's going to cost me $55 to rent the car, as opposed to $200 to park for 10 days.

Something you may want to consider?

Hmmm, that's something I hadn't thought about. I'll look into it..thanks. We have a local shuttle service here that's efficient, but for the 4 of us will cost $190 so that's too much. Long-term parking at the airport would cost $100.

My mom also gave me this website: https://secure.stay123.com/. It lists hotels near airports that offer free parking if you stay one night. For about $80 we could do that. That was my plan when we were flying out first thing in the morning, but now DH wants to fly out the night before so we won't need to stay overnight. Still, I bet we could check in to the hotel and then just head over to the airport. I doubt they'd know the difference, as long as we pay.

I'll definitely go and look at rental car rates now. Thanks for the idea.

 

[Toystoryfan32]

I just PM'd you a link to some of the pictures that I have taken with my Canon cameras. Feel free to look around the albums if you'd like; those are just a very small amount of what I have done.

Thank you! Your pics are great! The Christmas Story lamp made me laugh. I have always wanted one of those.

 

[camsmama]

Thank you! Your pics are great! The Christmas Story lamp made me laugh. I have always wanted one of those.

Thank You!

The lamp was a gift to my dad from my brother a few years ago because they both absolutely LOVE that movie! It was given to my dad kind of as a joke, but then it became the centerpiece for the dinner table every year for Christmas. When it's not being used as a centerpiece, my dad has it on his desk at work and all of his co workers absolutely love it!

 

[camsmama]

Hmmm, that's something I hadn't thought about. I'll look into it..thanks. We have a local shuttle service here that's efficient, but for the 4 of us will cost $190 so that's too much. Long-term parking at the airport would cost $100.

My mom also gave me this website: https://secure.stay123.com/. It lists hotels near airports that offer free parking if you stay one night. For about $80 we could do that. That was my plan when we were flying out first thing in the morning, but now DH wants to fly out the night before so we won't need to stay overnight. Still, I bet we could check in to the hotel and then just head over to the airport. I doubt they'd know the difference, as long as we pay.

I'll definitely go and look at rental car rates now. Thanks for the idea.

There are a lot of companies that have off site parking for half the price. You park your car in their lot close to the airport and then they have a shuttle that takes you to and from the airport for free. We have done that before and it was a lot cheaper than paying to park at the airport.

 

[camsmama]

It's funny. I wasn't planning on taking my laptop because we'll have so much stuff...4 suitcases, 3 carry-ons, 1 stroller, 2 booster seats. I never thought about the fact that I'd have to keep you guys updated. I'll want to upload my photos as well, so I guess I'll take it.

Free wireless internet at the hotels... might as well!!

 

[eeyorepixie]

It is costly to park at airports and we always go 10+ days so the cost is obnoxious. We usually get the earliest flight up and latest back. So we never want to rely on family. We always get a limo, if you shop around you usually can get a good deal. We usually pay 200 including tip (we always ask for the tip to be included in the estimate for cost)

You start the trip off in style, but believe it or not it is the best feeling in the world to get off the plane and have some one who will take care of you, no worries. Love it!

I pay for the trip, DH pays for the flights and Limo. Works for our family

congrats to the winners, I am playing every day. I just thought I won a contest this week and all I got when I opened the e-mail was 8oz sanitizer bummer!

 

[J.J.]

Wow. I haven't been on in days. I can't keep up. about 25 pages to go through.