"Dreaming" of Mexico in March 11th 2012

[carmie3377]

If anyone sees any deals for airfare from Texas to LAX please post it. I was hoping to get it under $300pp.

Not under $300 but it looks to be better than what you have been getting. I have never flown on Jet Blue or into Long Beach. But if we could fly back on Monday, I would consider this.

Jet Blue from Austin to Long Beach (15 miles from the port per google maps)
Sat 3/10 - Mon 3/19
$1317 (taxes included) for 4, includes 1 checked bag each
Both nonstop

 

[UmmGooD]

Not under $300 but it looks to be better than what you have been getting. I have never flown on Jet Blue or into Long Beach. But if we could fly back on Monday, I would consider this.

Jet Blue from Austin to Long Beach (15 miles from the port per google maps)
Sat 3/10 - Mon 3/19
$1317 (taxes included) for 4, includes 1 checked bag each
Both nonstop

Wow thanks I didn't even think to check Jet Blue. I have never flown them and they are fairly new to Austin.

 

[mkmommy]

I dream of flights under $400. Flights in Canada are so expensive. Usually fly from Buffalo at spring break , but would have to take the Monday off to do that and that is not an option.


I was happy getting under $650 per person, but the cruise is so cheap I am still less expensive then last year.

 

[carmie3377]

Wow thanks I didn't even think to check Jet Blue. I have never flown them and they are fairly new to Austin.

Jet Blue flies out of Hobby but not to the LA or Orlando area I would definitely be willing to give them a try though if the did.

I just keep checking SWA daily hoping something good will pop up! Really want to get to fly out of Hobby as it's only 20 mins from my house. Intercontinental is a good 1:15 at least PLUS having to deal with the huge airport. I really love Hobby.

 

[UmmGooD]

I dream of flights under $400. Flights in Canada are so expensive. Usually fly from Buffalo at spring break , but would have to take the Monday off to do that and that is not an option.


I was happy getting under $650 per person, but the cruise is so cheap I am still less expensive then last year.

Wow that is so pricey. I couldn't imagine that. I have flown to Hawaii way cheaper than that.

 

[UmmGooD]

Jet Blue flies out of Hobby but not to the LA or Orlando area I would definitely be willing to give them a try though if the did.

I just keep checking SWA daily hoping something good will pop up! Really want to get to fly out of Hobby as it's only 20 mins from my house. Intercontinental is a good 1:15 at least PLUS having to deal with the huge airport. I really love Hobby.

That is a bummer!

I really think the absolute best you can do with SW is to get their sale fares and lately to LAX from Austin it is $125 is the cheapest one/way price I have seen. So the Jet Blue price to fly Thursday and back on Monday is not that bad really. Definitely in the Southwest sale category. Now my wife and I just have to decide what we are going to do. We would have to pull my daughter out for 2 days and I am not sure that is a good idea.

What do my fellow Texans with kids think? She is in 2nd grade.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Hi everyone!

We just booked this cruise last week while we were on the Wonder.

We are:

Kristi
DH - Gerald
DD (16)
DD (11, but will be turning 12 on the ship 3/17)
DS (9)

This will be our 8th DCL cruise. I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone!

Kristi

Oh great another girl my daughter's age! We should hook them up on facebook ahead of time!

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

So where are you guys staying Saturday night? There are 3 of us, and I think we might be interested in sharing a limo. I've been trying to figure out how to get us from the hotel to the port Sunday.

Haven't booked anything yet - probably Hojos. Might go for one of the dirt cheap motels too that are clean -we won't be there at all - plan to do rope drop to closing- all we need is a bed and a shower and for it to be clean!

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

You guys don't even want to know the deal I got on airfare - it was 'meant to be' lucky for us.
I was never 100% sure about this cruise, as I would rather go out of port canaveral, but there is a smaller airport that is about 45 mins from my house - the type you drive up to, park in the parking lot, walk in 60 mins before your flight and get on a plane - its usually a bit more to fly from there, but we do it for convience.
I managed to get flights for $69 each way - stop for an hour in Seattle on the way down. So its bellingham to Seattle, seattle to SNA on the way down, and using LGB on the way home. So it was $140 each roundtrip before taxes - I JUMPED on it. Now I notice it is up to $149-179 each way!! Its almost like i caught a mistake!!!!

 

[mkmommy]

You guys don't even want to know the deal I got on airfare - it was 'meant to be' lucky for us.
I was never 100% sure about this cruise, as I would rather go out of port canaveral, but there is a smaller airport that is about 45 mins from my house - the type you drive up to, park in the parking lot, walk in 60 mins before your flight and get on a plane - its usually a bit more to fly from there, but we do it for convience.
I managed to get flights for $69 each way - stop for an hour in Seattle on the way down. So its bellingham to Seattle, seattle to SNA on the way down, and using LGB on the way home. So it was $140 each roundtrip before taxes - I JUMPED on it. Now I notice it is up to $149-179 each way!! Its almost like i caught a mistake!!!!

Great deal on airfare.

Is this week in March spring break in BC? Thinking about asking my sister to join us,she works in a school in the Okanagan and her spring break is usually not the same as Ontario.

 

[carmie3377]

That is a bummer!

I really think the absolute best you can do with SW is to get their sale fares and lately to LAX from Austin it is $125 is the cheapest one/way price I have seen. So the Jet Blue price to fly Thursday and back on Monday is not that bad really. Definitely in the Southwest sale category. Now my wife and I just have to decide what we are going to do. We would have to pull my daughter out for 2 days and I am not sure that is a good idea.

What do my fellow Texans with kids think? She is in 2nd grade.

We pulled DD out for a week in 4th grade. Even though her school had a strict attendance policy (I think ALL Texas schools do) we just told the asst. principal that we were going to WDW. She said "Oh, she'll just be sick." and then she smiled. I refused to lie to the school on a note so I just put "As we discussed, Haley missed...." I figured she could do the lying if she wanted to.

Anyway, I know that there is state testing the week before the cruise, but I don't think they test in 2nd grade do they? I would do it if I were you. I'm pulling both mine out (7th and K) 1 1/2 days before Christmas break to go to WDW UNLESS DD has midterm exams. I don't really think they will have them on those days and if they don't, we're just going to tell them what we going to do. It really irks me that schools are so strict when it comes to stuff like this. Travel should be allowed, unless it's in excess (like over a week at a time). But again, that's several threads in it's own. A very heated debate goes on

You guys don't even want to know the deal I got on airfare - it was 'meant to be' lucky for us.
I was never 100% sure about this cruise, as I would rather go out of port canaveral, but there is a smaller airport that is about 45 mins from my house - the type you drive up to, park in the parking lot, walk in 60 mins before your flight and get on a plane - its usually a bit more to fly from there, but we do it for convience.
I managed to get flights for $69 each way - stop for an hour in Seattle on the way down. So its bellingham to Seattle, seattle to SNA on the way down, and using LGB on the way home. So it was $140 each roundtrip before taxes - I JUMPED on it. Now I notice it is up to $149-179 each way!! Its almost like i caught a mistake!!!!

That's AWESOME! When we went on the PC cruise in Jan, I got $60 to MCO and $90 from LAX. When I told some fellow passengers on the cruise, some said "My luggage cost me more than that to fly!" Yes, it was a great deal, especially considering that that included 2 FREE bags each. And for a cruise that long, we took complete advantage of the 2 free bags each.

 

[mkmommy]

Currently the plan is to stay at the Hyatt in Long Beach, I have a choice certificate that I can use, so the price is right (free)

We have been to Disneyland a few times and I find when it is crowded there it feels much more crowded then Orlando, so I think we will miss the park this trip.

I was in Disneyland Paris a couple of weeks ago and it was beautiful but I decided I need a break from the parks.


I updated my countdown ticker last night and I was shocked that this trip is less then 6 months away, for some reason I though it was over 7 months. I am sure the time will go fast.

 

[JoanieCricket]

We booked our trip last week and I've been obsessively checking out the disboards. Bear with me on silly questions (although I FINALLY figured out what FE means!). This is our second cruise although first cruise with kids. We did the DCL out of Florida to the Bahamas pre-kids with family and loved it but didn't really "get" all the Disney stuff. Funny how having kids changes your perspective!

Actually funny thing is we did the same cruise ship - the Wonder. We were cruising with celebrities because around that time was the Norwalk incidents on the cruise lines (remember that?). Well Florida Governor Jeb Bush and his family, including former President George Bush and Barbara and the Bush twin girls were on the boat with us. Not the then sitting president, but his family was. It was quite funny running into them (they were on our dining rotation) and running into secret service trying to blend in dressed in carribbean shirts with walkie talkies and ear buds!

Anyway, we are from PHX, so this cruise is relatively affordable as we don't have to fly to CA. It'll be me (35), my DH (39), my DS (6) and my DD (4 at cruise time). Can't wait to cruise with you guys!

 

[TexasGirl]

Hello everyone! And welcome to the new ones joining in! We were on the MR sailing in March 2011 and had such a great time we rebooked for the same time next year...March 2012. It was one of our best cruises ever.

Hate to say, it is looking doubtful we'll be keeping the reservation. Our income has taken a dip and It really wouldn't be fiscally responsible to go on it at this time. I'm delaying making a final decision though as we still have time for things to turn back up.

I'm going to decide shortly before the PIF date. Would love, love, love to go. We may yet. My heart wants to go badly. My head is battling it though and currently winning.

We did have a great trip last year. Really enjoyed whale watching in Cabo on one stop, horse back riding in Cabo, shopping in Cabo on 2nd stop. PV was a resort day at an all inclusive and also great. The ship experience was also great. Wonderful passengers and Crew.

We ARE sailing in 2012 anyway for Thanksgiving so I can't feel too sorry for myself. Two trips in 2012 WOULD be a little spoiled. I just LOVE my Disney Crusing.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Anyone interested in doing Palo brunch with me? I did it with 2 nice ladies on my last cruise and craving that food ever since!
Or we could get a group together and book the private room?

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Noticed we didn't have a group logo for our signatures- made this - if anyone can do something nicer, please go for it - was just playing around and having fun!

Here is the link you can use: http://img6.sellersourcebook.com/users/21275/marchmexicosmaller.jpg

 

[UmmGooD]

You guys don't even want to know the deal I got on airfare - it was 'meant to be' lucky for us.
I was never 100% sure about this cruise, as I would rather go out of port canaveral, but there is a smaller airport that is about 45 mins from my house - the type you drive up to, park in the parking lot, walk in 60 mins before your flight and get on a plane - its usually a bit more to fly from there, but we do it for convience.
I managed to get flights for $69 each way - stop for an hour in Seattle on the way down. So its bellingham to Seattle, seattle to SNA on the way down, and using LGB on the way home. So it was $140 each roundtrip before taxes - I JUMPED on it. Now I notice it is up to $149-179 each way!! Its almost like i caught a mistake!!!!

Wow that is a great rate!

We pulled DD out for a week in 4th grade. Even though her school had a strict attendance policy (I think ALL Texas schools do) we just told the asst. principal that we were going to WDW. She said "Oh, she'll just be sick." and then she smiled. I refused to lie to the school on a note so I just put "As we discussed, Haley missed...." I figured she could do the lying if she wanted to.

Anyway, I know that there is state testing the week before the cruise, but I don't think they test in 2nd grade do they? I would do it if I were you. I'm pulling both mine out (7th and K) 1 1/2 days before Christmas break to go to WDW UNLESS DD has midterm exams. I don't really think they will have them on those days and if they don't, we're just going to tell them what we going to do. It really irks me that schools are so strict when it comes to stuff like this. Travel should be allowed, unless it's in excess (like over a week at a time). But again, that's several threads in it's own. A very heated debate goes on

Yeah I am thinking now we are going to drive. I know it seems crazy but I really got to thinking about this. I probably would have flown if we didn't just get back last month from FL driving. We decided to drive and we had plenty of time so we figured we would take our time and play it by ear with our 2yo. Well turns out she was GREAT in the car. We had NO issues with long driving days. We left FL around 9 and drove until about to Biloxi. The girls got to swim and we went to bed. The next morning we got up early and hit the road and were home by around 7. It was a easy trip and the girls really liked stopping for Beignets in LA. (Princess and the Frog brought up this desire).

So knowing we could pull it off I started just considering the cost. I would have to fly in on Saturday before the cruise but fly home on Tuesday to get the best rate on Jet blue. Here is what I came up with price wise. We are 2 adults and 3 kids. The infant can ride in a lap so we would have to buy 4 tickets. Thankfully car seats fly free on Jet Blue so we could check those and 4 bags.

Here is my breakdown. I do know that I could probably get some of the costs down using priceline but I am just being safe with the estimates.

Flying (Daughter misses 2 days of school Friday and Monday): With flying we would want a car so we can do things while we are in L.A. Not sure what we would do but we cannot just be confined to the hotel. We would drop the car off at the airport before the cruise and take a shuttle to the port.
Flight: $1150
Rental Car (Thurs to Sun): ~$350 (We need an SUV or van for our family)
Friday Hotel: ~$100
Saturday Hotel: ~$100
Shuttle from Airport: ~$100
Shuttle from Airport: ~$100
Sunday Car: ~$100
Sunday Room: ~$100
Total: $2100

Driving (Leave Friday after school, Daughter misses school Monday):
Gas: $525 (2800 miles 20mpg $3.75/gallon/average)
Friday Hotel (El Paso): ~$100
Saturday Hotel: ~$100
Parking: ~$100
Sunday Hotel (Arizona/NM somewhere?): ~$100
Total: $925

$1200 difference and less school days missed.

 

[mousefan5]

Lollipop's mom-I love the signature. Job well done. Thanks.

 

[mousefan5]

Lollipop-I game for a dis luncheon with the ladies. Who else would like to join us???

 

[mousefan5]

sftnskly DW (Rebecca), DH (Earl),
DD15 (Jennah), DD13 (Macy), DS11 (Kasey), DS11 (Kaleb) 7608, 7610

Ohmimiley

TexasGirl DW
DD12, DS 7

Mkmommy DW, DH,
DD 11, DD 9

UmmGooD DH, DW,
DD8, DD3, DS0
DMom

Kirkaliciasmom DH, DW (Diana) BD (Sean)
DD10 (Sierra), BF DS5 (Levi), BF DD4 (Emily)
2079, 2081

Mousefan5 DW (Mickey), DH (Dan)
DS15 (Alex), DS13 (Andy), DD9 (Abby)
Fish extender
NMDisneyMom

JDBlair DW, DH
DD8, DS18

Lollipop’s Mom DW, DD15

Drecam DW, DH, DD (4) and DS (7).

Tracylynn DD (15)
Fish extender

NMDisneyMom DM, DD(7), DF
Fish extender

MelissaLG DH(46), me-DW(44), DS(17), and DS(14)

Carmie 3377Me (Carmen),DH (Jarrod), DD12/13 (Haley), DS 5/6 (Cameron)
Fish extender

Alexandmaddie Kristi, DH (Gerald), DD (16), DD (11/12), DS (9)

Here is an updated list of those in our group and the ages of kids (big ones and little ones). A few people have indicated that they were interested in participating in a fish extender group. Let me know if there are others or any changes to this list.