Driving vs Flying

[katyjeka]

This was our 3rd cruise w/NCL, and probably our last for awhile. We are going to try different lines, as we were not pleased with the food, and lack of activies during the day. We did not go w/Casa in Samana, though I think we should have, as we waited 1 1/2 hours to board the tender to Cayo Levantado. We loved St. Lucia, Barbados(our 2nd time here)and would love to spend some time at these islands. We are planning a early Dec. trip to WDW, our last trip was Dec. of 07. I was thinking of a trip w/Disney cruise, but we are planning on one more baby, and if it happens as quickly as it did the other 3 times, we will have a very little one with us(couple months)and I don't want to cruise w/a baby that young. We will keep our fingers crossed, and hope for the best, but if it doesnt go as planned, we may do the cruise as well. I would love to be a DVC owner, as we've rented points on previous stays and loved OKW, and BW. You are so lucky. Janice

 

[coastiewifern]

SWA is great to fly with. We used them to Orlando in November. They really don't have any fees. You can take your bags for free. You don't get to pick your seat assignment but if you log on 24 hours before the flight and get into the first group you'll be set. We usually like to sit 2 an d2 anyway to break up the kids. Anytime I've been on a SWA flight and the family was having a hard time sitting together, the flight attendants we successful in getting people to move seats.

 

[mickeymom24]

Sitting away from my 3 year old DD would be awesome, but I know that is not going to happen! Not being mean, but when she is with me she is very needy. Wishful thinking though. Thanks for that idea, my DS 7 can sit with DS 17 and my DD 8 can sit with daddy, unless I can trick my DD 3 to sit with him but then I don't think daddy will be very forgiving to me.

 

[Tammysue5]

Tammysue5 where did you stay? I am assuming you had 2 rooms?

We stayed at the ASFMu Suites... we loved it! There was enough room for everyone and the girls and the boys did not have to share a bathroom....

 

[Tammysue5]

Sitting away from my 3 year old DD would be awesome, but I know that is not going to happen! Not being mean, but when she is with me she is very needy. Wishful thinking though. Thanks for that idea, my DS 7 can sit with DS 17 and my DD 8 can sit with daddy, unless I can trick my DD 3 to sit with him but then I don't think daddy will be very forgiving to me.

I can relate to this.... We often find it works better (in most situations if DD7 sits w/DS17 or DS19... and DD9 sits by us...or vice versa)

 

[mickeymom24]

We stayed at the ASFMu Suites... we loved it! There was enough room for everyone and the girls and the boys did not have to share a bathroom....

I didn't even think of staying at the ASFMu Suites. I was thinking about staying at a cabin in FW. Maybe ASFMu might be a better option. How where the beds as far as comfortableness?

 

[Tammysue5]

We also were leanign towards the cabins.. our good friends had just stayed there and LOVED them. We really looked at all the aspects of both and decided for this trip the ASFMu worked best.

Some factors: (and please we are new so we were only going on what we knew about)
The arcade...Better at ASMu

Pool... kids (DSs and DDs) really like the theming of the ASFMu,,, the poolside games.

2 Bathrooms at Music

We thought about the added cost of (i think $47 a day) for the golf cart at Cabins. (although I should mention our friends loved this and felt it made their stay fun as well)

The food court was great,,, the buses... we had no issues w/buses.

We had stayed at the POR the previous year and DH and I really liked it... the kids felt they liked the ASFMu better... they said it felt more like Disney... there were more kids their ages.... So, you could say our experience was a good one.

 

[Tammysue5]

I didn't even think of staying at the ASFMu Suites. I was thinking about staying at a cabin in FW. Maybe ASFMu might be a better option. How where the beds as far as comfortableness?

Our kids felt the beds were comfortable... (and they used the couch,,, ottoman and chair. All four siad it was neat to have the beds this way...and they would put them back into 'furniture' in the morning as they liked having the living room area.

 

[chrisw127]

I have not flown for over 10 years plus the last time being to DW. It seems like it will be a lot of work to fly. If we do fly it will be thru Southwest Airlines since that is the least expensive right now. Any experiences with SWA? Also I don't really understand how the Magical Express works if I fly through Southwest. Everytime I try to research my 3 yo starts throwing an " I only want attention from mommy!" fit.
I am starting to think it might be easier to drive instead of flying but I definetly can see myself wanting to be institutionalized after a few days of being locked up in a car with my kids!

We fly Southwest to Disney all the time, in part because it's one of the few really cheap, non-stop flights from Raleigh to Orlando. One thing I like about them is that there is very little penalty for changing flights (if any) or even the name of the passenger.

We used ME in May. They pick up your luggage, but you have to check it yourself on your return flight. It's a small inconvenience.

I generally prefer to drive, but that's only because it's a 10-12 hour drive, tops. On the other hand, with little kids, it's pretty stressful. Have you thought about how much you'll want a car at Disney? I know some people don't need one, but I find with the kids, it's nice to be able to run to the store to get something if they need it.

Have fun planning!

 

[summermac]

I was just on southwest and I can't even stomach their prices for the four of us ($1400). Ahhhh!!!!