Dilemma - go back in September? - Updated (going back!!!)

[disneydreamgirl]

I'm considering booking flights through Southwest for myself, DH and DS (10) to return to Disney in September for free dining. Great savings obviously and the flights are bound to increase soon due to rising fuel costs. In fact, had I booked earlier today the flights would have been $647 and now same flights are $717 for three round trip Buffalo to Orlando.

My dilemma is this would be a reasonable trip, but we were just there in Feb/March this year. Am I being frivolous???

My son is 10 and my thinking is with free dining and flights going up, we may not be able to manage another trip in the next few years.

What would you do?

 

[mkmommy]

I am having the same thoughts, and thinking about going in August, I keep thinking next year cheap airfares will be a thing of the past.

I would really like to travel in Ontario this summer, but I keep looking at places here and it is so expensive, like $150 a night for motels that do not have a nice pool.

 

[TraceyDisney2008]

Have you checked west jet vacations, we booked a package through them and it was much cheaper than what Disney offered when I had to purchase my flight seperatley, I paid $2700 for three with Free Dining and park hopper plus water park tickets and now we are flying out of Toronto instead of Buffalo.

 

[mom22belles]

The way I see it if you have the money why not? I wouldn't go if you didn't have the money ie: no credit card debit. The dining plan savings would be not worth to me if I was just going to have the savings eaten up by intrest costs.

We went this past Nov. and we are going again this Aug. When we went in Nov. 5 out of 6 of us came done with a flu/stomach bug and didn't enjoy the trip as much as we could have.

We looked into vacationing in Ontario or elsewhere in the states but cost wise Disney was more affordable to us.

If you have the money and time why the heck? Family time is never frivolous.

Nancy

 

[SherylWrites]

But you know what? Life is so very short and if you don't enjoy it now, you don't get a second chance.
Take the trip at this reduced rate and be happy with your savings! Soak up the sun and the memories!

 

[trivial]

For 3 people, I would personally hold out for a Ding... I'm quite certain that even if you have to wait for a few months, you'll end up paying less than ~$700 if you book a Ding.

 

[tmli]

As someone who uses SWA 4-5 times a year....I wouldn't take the chance of holding out. The prices just haven't been as low as they used to be and Dings have been few and far between. If something lower does come out then you will at least get a credit for future travel.

Frivolous? Depends on your perspective....I was just there 2 weeks ago...I am booked again for September and was there this past January....so for me its a necessity!!

 

[yosh12]

hi,

where are you located.....we are flying out of syracuse ny and with jetblue. we got tickets for 74 each way for september. It may be worth checking into....it is a three hour drive for us from Cobourg. Maybe jetblue is an option. The tickets right now out of syracuse are 94.00 each and you get to pick your seat before hand.

Just a thought.

 

[GrannyEv]

I say go for it if you can afford it. I am sooooo looking forward to my trip in September. I had to cancel last year cause I got laid off from my job.
Major withdrawal.

Hugs
GrannyEv

 

[michelle1]

My Dh and I are taking our kids to DL this summer and we are taking advantage of the free dining for an adult only trip in Sept for 4 nights. We got flights with Airtran for $74 each way and I looked the other day and the flight we are on is still at that price. We figure we might as well enjoy ourselves as long as we're not putting ourselves into major debt because you never know what tomorrow brings. If you're going to do it I would do it soon because we didn't book that long ago and many resorts weren't available as well as limited dining options.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

Well, we're going back in September and dining at Kona, Garden Grill, Cap'n Jacks, Maya Grill, Boatwrights and are hoping for either Wave (new at Contemporary) or Tutto Italia. In Feb/Mar we dined at Mama Melrose, Le Cellier, Raglan Road, Chefs De France, Coral Reef and Boma. Le Cellier was our favourite, with Chefs de France a close second. We thought we'd try a few resort restaurants to see where we might stay on another return trip.

Thanks for everyone's advice - it is really appreciated! I'm sure I'll be seeking more advice between now and then!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone!

 

[Debbie]

Have a wonderful time!

 

[pxlbarrel]

Methinks you're asking the wrong people if you should be going.

We breathe Disney... that's why we're on this board. I'd love to go back multiple times in one year. I think most of us would.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

That's so funny that you say that, because I could hardly contain my laughter (well I didn't, I'll admit it) when I told th DH that I asked for advice on here. I had been running the same searches on Southwest, Jetblue, etc... and the Disney site for 7-8 days and was getting sleep deprived from spending time here as well. It was a moment of desperation and I knew I could count on you guys!!!
He thinks the boards a strange way to pass time, even though he spends a lot of time on the "606" a British soccer site, talking/debating with soccer pals he's never set eyes on!

 

[mkmommy]

You guys convinced me to go too, $300 for 3 Detroit to Orlando also made it a much easier choice.

We are heading Aug 17-23, had to miss free dining but that is ok.

 

[nflder]

OK - here is the scerio. We are going to WDW April 15-25, 2009. Air Canada came out with a seat sale - we can go to Disney for a week in Sept 08 (It will only cost us $1,147 for two tickets - yes, I'm jealous of all those in ON who can book out of the states for $74 on SW!). We'd be able to take in the free dining. Do you think its a bit much to go in September when we'll be there in April? Our last trip was April of 07. Also - what's the weather like in September, really humid?

Any input appreciated! TIA