FEBRUARY 14, 2009 (very early roll-call!)

[marybrat]

How many DISsers are going on this cruise? Is there a count?

 

[Snow What]

How many DISsers are going on this cruise? Is there a count?

Check out the list on post #296
grizbuzz has a link to it on her previous post! That lists those that have signed up for the gift exchange....so you can figure out the DISsers from there.

Glad to have ya!!

 

[grizbuzz]

Check out the list on post #296
grizbuzz has a link to it on her previous post! That lists those that have signed up for the gift exchange....so you can figure out the DISsers from there.

Glad to have ya!!

I could go ahead and add a list of everyone going to this post 296, as I think there are probably some out there who may be on the cruise, but not doing the gift exchange.

 

[Snow What]

Door decorations and fish extenders are optional. I've never had a fish extender myself, so I can't say much about them, other than they are called fish extenders because they hang on that little fish hook at the cabin door (I think). Basically just a string of pouches to put items in (like little gifts). Maybe someone can say more here?
-Jen

My 2 cents....small gift bags or party favor bags with ribbon tied around them can be used to tie your gift to the door handle on staterooms where fish extenders are not used. Duct tape works well also...

From the gift exchange list we will probably be able to figure out who the gifts are from, but do we leave these annonymously or with a little gift tag?

 

[Jodi]

SnowWhat - Mine will be anonymous, as I don't want anyone to know what a dope I am!

SWA flights should be released next Thurs!!

 

[rubbergypsy]

YIPPEE!!! finally got our return flight today, airtran nonstop $203 2/21. I figured if it comes down any I will call and get the credit. So flying up nonstop ours was 107, so 310 roundtrip per person was okay. Last year I paid 264 per person roundtrip. Not too bad. Now I can stop constantly checking airfare 3x a day. Good luck to all who are waiting for southwest or jet blue. We do not have southwest out of rochester, only buffalo.

 

[Snow What]

Rubbergypsy YIPPEE!!!
What a huge relief it is to have your airfare all set! And non-stop, BONUS!! It felt like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders when I finally booked my airfare (average 308 pp). It is totally exhausting to check fares every day, 3 and 4 times a day... should I buy now or wait? will the fare drop or increase? the days of $200 or less airfares are gone. The good airfares are now $250-300. So sad
Now the only thing left to do with the flights is to check your itinerary every once in a while to see if there are schedule changes!! I am waiting for that on Delta....I have a feeling it is coming....
And YES, Good Luck to everyone else still waiting to book!!

 

[Snow What]

I am trying to recruit my husband's cousin's family into the gift exchange. I will keep you guys posted....

 

[marybrat]

YIPPEE!!! finally got our return flight today, airtran nonstop $203 2/21. I figured if it comes down any I will call and get the credit. So flying up nonstop ours was 107, so 310 roundtrip per person was okay. Last year I paid 264 per person roundtrip. Not too bad. Now I can stop constantly checking airfare 3x a day. Good luck to all who are waiting for southwest or jet blue. We do not have southwest out of rochester, only buffalo.

Yay!! I can't wait until I can say that I have our airfare!!

It looks like we're near by neighbors. I'm just outside of Buffalo. Praying for no snow in February!

 

[Jodi]

SWA flights should be out today or tomorrow!!!

 

[disnutt]

I keep checking for the SWA fares. Nothing yet.

 

[marybrat]

We are booked on the Magic in February 2009. First cruise ever. So today, my friend calls and asks what we're doing in February, do we want to go to WDW with them? We would stay at her in-laws condo free of charge. Just pay for WDW tickets, food, rental car. Both DHs would golf for part of the day while she and I take the kids to the World. So, my dilemma is this... first ever DCL cruise (my dream) or staying with friends and doing WDW (another dream). DH is no help because he says either is ok with him. I asked if he could guarantee we would do DCL within 2 years and he said yes. Ugh! I don't know what to do!

 

[disnutt]

We are booked on the Magic in February 2009. First cruise ever. So today, my friend calls and asks what we're doing in February, do we want to go to WDW with them? We would stay at her in-laws condo free of charge. Just pay for WDW tickets, food, rental car. Both DHs would golf for part of the day while she and I take the kids to the World. So, my dilemma is this... first ever DCL cruise (my dream) or staying with friends and doing WDW (another dream). DH is no help because he says either is ok with him. I asked if he could guarantee we would do DCL within 2 years and he said yes. Ugh! I don't know what to do!

Marybrat-That's a good problem to have! Two Disney options!

Which do you REALLY want to do now? You can plan for something in two years but if you have the money/time/desire to do it now do the one you and your family want to do because things can change drastically in two years. Do your first choice now if it is possible.

Confession- after this cruise I will limit my Disney related trips to my immediate family and my running buddies for the Disney races. We've taken other family and friends and no one else 'gets' it. They may have a good time but they don't really BELIEVE that it is as wonderful as my family and I do. Their faint praise of my favorite place on Earth makes me like them less. "What's wrong with them?" , I'm thinking. "Why do I want to be their friend?" I can't keep losing friends that way!

Good luck making your decision!

 

[disnutt]

SWA fares out but they are too rich for our blood. Ended up w/ Air Tran-(pray for us) for $294 each. Good luck to everyone!

 

[Jodi]

Kiena - Is that $294 OW or RT for Airtran?? SW is brutal...I couldn't use my credits (used them for the marathon weekend) and had to bite the bullet for 5 OW tickets @ $285 EACH!! Looks like we'll be renting a car & driving down

MaryBrat - Not sure about that one....but $ situations can change in 2 years...

 

[Snow What]

$294 pp is not that bad---these days. I would never consider driving...I would call that torture. Yup, anything over 5 hours..torture!


Marybrat What a dilema to be in!!???! that is also torture. I might consider WDW because you don't know what you are missing on the cruise being your first one....BUT...I am so psyched to go on the cruise, this opportunity may not come around again.

decisions, decisions.....

 

[grizbuzz]

Southwest flights don't look like a good option for us from SFO/Oakland.

When do jetblue fares open up?

My dream is a discounted non-stop United flight from SFO to Orlando. Any chances for that?

 

[disnutt]

That $294 was RT. The SWA was $50 more expensive and I would have had to buy 5 tix. I've been used to $175 from SWA or lower. That's quite a jump.

What I ended up doing is buying my DH, MIL and FIL tickets. My 3 kids and I are going to drive to Charlotte on Thursday (maybe rent a car?) We will stay at my mother's Thursday night and leave w/ her for Cocoa Beach Friday morning.

DH, FIL, MIL will fly to FL and meet us there. I have even thought about dropping the kids/mom off at the hotel and driving back to MCO to pick up the others.

The cost of the rental/gas will be about the cost of 2.5 tix. This would help my mother because her income is limited and if she splits the cost of the car/gas it saves her a bunch. Win/win I guess. My DH even gets to avoid missing a day's work. If we were going down together w/ the kids I would want to leave on the earliest flight.

I must really want this cruise to get this creative w/ our arrangements! I'm glad to be one step closer!

 

[Jodijo]

JodiJo - Has DH safely returned home yet??

:

Yes, my husband got home safely. Thank you for asking. His group did have to run to safety when the fire flashed over them. Everyone was unharmed thank goodness.

Sorry for not posting sooner but I am getting my Masters degree in Instructional technology and I teach 3rd grade (Which started on Monday). I have been very busy.

Last night, however, we booked our flight I am starting to get very excited!!!!!

 

[Snow What]

Orginally posted by Jodijo

Last night, however, we booked our flight I am starting to get very excited!!!!!

GREAT NEWS!!


Orginally posted by Jodijo

Yes, my husband got home safely. Thank you for asking. His group did have to run to safety when the fire flashed over them. Everyone was unharmed thank goodness

.
EVEN BETTER NEWS!!!