From WDW to DL With Love - January 06, 2011 part 2

[ChipperMerlin]

It is warming up here in Orlando at last!!! Just into our last 2 weeks of our 6 weeks trip, so it is about time.

Wish it had warmed up a little sooner! I got there Thursday evening - brrrrrrr. Saturday's 5K started at 7 am, and the last bus from the resorts left by 6 am. Standing outside from 5:30 on is NOT fun in 40º weather. The shorts stayed in my suitcase. When the race actually started, there was still frost on the ground as we passed by it. The weather wasn't much better in the morning for the half marathon, but at least it had started to warm up a little by the time we saw them passing the Grand Floridian at 9 am.

I really enjoyed the Flower & Garden Festival (F&GF) - probably 85% of my 280 pix are of the topiaries and the gardens. Sure glad they started it earlier this year, as the race weekend was two weeks before the F&GF opened.

Arrived home around 8:15 last night (Monday) and am getting caught up on things before heading to bed.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

I just responded to you as well on the main page, but thought I would give more info here. If we are not going into Orlando, we prefer to go to Melbourne - its smaller so the security lines are not as bad. They have similar car rental places and last time we even found a shuttle to take us from the ship to the airport. It was pricier than some of the MCO options, but for the convenience it was worth. Now remember I said the airport was small - well we knew that but stil said we would grab something to eat when we got there. Our options were LIMITED!!

Had to book mco, the flights lastminute was offering I think were just to suck me in, tried to book but said then unavaialabe, but still showing when I tried later.


but flights are booked now!!!!!!!!

going with virgin atlantic,

 

[JenKatt]

We bought into DVC on a few cruises ago (SS). Between the onboard discount and the cast member discount, we made out like thieves! Who knows what we'll do in January, we may add on again. We now own at BLT and LOVE IT. While I like SS, for us, BLT is amazing. The rooms (at least the 2 bedrooms) are huge, like OKV. There are 3 bathrooms in the 2 bedroom. The night before we leave on our epic journey we are staying in a Grand Villa at BLT. (MK view to boot!)
If you can add on during the cruise, I highly reccomend it, they make it so easy!

 

[aan1701]

We bought into DVC on a few cruises ago (SS). Between the onboard discount and the cast member discount, we made out like thieves! Who knows what we'll do in January, we may add on again. We now own at BLT and LOVE IT. While I like SS, for us, BLT is amazing. The rooms (at least the 2 bedrooms) are huge, like OKV. There are 3 bathrooms in the 2 bedroom. The night before we leave on our epic journey we are staying in a Grand Villa at BLT. (MK view to boot!)
If you can add on during the cruise, I highly reccomend it, they make it so easy!

I so wish I could do a add on while on board, but right now I have enough and we can't aford more. A add on is in our plans, maybe in 5 years.

 

[glindamood]

We are thinking of buying points to our DVC while on the cruise. Anyone ever done that. Either additional points at KV or points at Hilton Head or WV

We did an add-on at SSR on a cruise but our original points are OKW. I would like to try and add on but until DH is working again (or the last add-on is paid for), it will have to wait.

Had to book mco, the flights lastminute was offering I think were just to suck me in, tried to book but said then unavaialabe, but still showing when I tried later.


but flights are booked now!!!!!!!!

going with virgin atlantic,

WONDERful! Feels good doesn't it? I have been looking but I am so confused about the flights home I have not done it yet. I don't want a red eye and I have no idea what to do during the day if we have to wait for one - I would almost rather make plans to do something and take an early flight on Saturday.

Our weather has been beautiful, for northern Michigan in March anyway. We got up to 50 yesterday and may get that far again today. Makes me wishful for spring to come and stay.

Take care and have a good day!

 

[JenKatt]

We've always done the red eye from LAX to Tampa after leaving DL. We spend the day at the parks, pack up and head to the airport. LAX is such a hole and a pain to get around, we usually get there early anyways. We appreciate having the red eye since we can sleep on the plane and not waste a day flying (5 hour flight plus 3 hour time change).
YMMV

 

[orlandothebeagle]

We did an add-on at SSR on a cruise but our original points are OKW. I would like to try and add on but until DH is working again (or the last add-on is paid for), it will have to wait.



WONDERful! Feels good doesn't it? I have been looking but I am so confused about the flights home I have not done it yet. I don't want a red eye and I have no idea what to do during the day if we have to wait for one - I would almost rather make plans to do something and take an early flight on Saturday.

Our weather has been beautiful, for northern Michigan in March anyway. We got up to 50 yesterday and may get that far again today. Makes me wishful for spring to come and stay.

Take care and have a good day!

Gail, we could have spent ages going in circles with this, but now its booked, thats it, no messing!
we have no choice but red eye,
wooohoo, this is really happening

 

[orlandothebeagle]

 

[glindamood]

We've always done the red eye from LAX to Tampa after leaving DL. We spend the day at the parks, pack up and head to the airport. LAX is such a hole and a pain to get around, we usually get there early anyways. We appreciate having the red eye since we can sleep on the plane and not waste a day flying (5 hour flight plus 3 hour time change).
YMMV

The only red eye I ever took was home from Hawaii and it wasn't a very good experience - no sleep for me. I have managed to avoid them but may not have a choice. What could I do with my day to fill it?? DH wants no part of renting a car so that makes it most difficult.

Lynne - gorgeous pictures! Sunny skies and snow are really beautiful.

 

[KayR]

Had to book mco, the flights lastminute was offering I think were just to suck me in, tried to book but said then unavaialabe, but still showing when I tried later.


but flights are booked now!!!!!!!!

going with virgin atlantic,

Who did you book through? I am trying to find decent flights back to the UK this summer and its proving expensive.

-Kay

 

[orlandothebeagle]

Who did you book through? I am trying to find decent flights back to the UK this summer and its proving expensive.

-Kay

I booked with virgin atlantic via opodo
but for our transatlantic we booked with air lingus... one way they were the best.

try opodo.

 

[WeLuvDCL]

We are thinking of buying points to our DVC while on the cruise. Anyone ever done that. Either additional points at KV or points at Hilton Head or WV

We bought points on the 2005 PC cruise and added on points on a cruise too. We've referred friends and all of them said the DVC reps on land are pushy, that was not our experience on the cruise. They were not pushy at all so I'm glad we joined on the cruise.

 

[CruznLexi]

We just bought last year a small point contract 100 points at KV not sure if we will add on at KV or HH or WV. These are my 3 favorite resorts! For now we are at KV before the cruise but might swap and go to the WV.

 

[WeLuvDCL]

BEAUTIFUL!! Thanks for sharing! You certainly don't see sites like that in Florida.

It's now Spring in FL finally. Went to lunch with a friend of mine, in her convertible, with the top down. Awesome! Have to enjoy it while it lasts, too soon it will be 95 and humid.

 

[disfaninca]

We've always done the red eye from LAX to Tampa after leaving DL. We spend the day at the parks, pack up and head to the airport. LAX is such a hole and a pain to get around, we usually get there early anyways. We appreciate having the red eye since we can sleep on the plane and not waste a day flying (5 hour flight plus 3 hour time change).
YMMV

I don't think I could ever do the red eye. I can't ever sleep in a car or plane. I would be miserable the whole day.
I don't think LAX is that bad. We have flown out of there lots of times and never had a problem.
There are other options to fly out of.

 

[disfaninca]

Great pictures Lynne!! Very beautiful!!

 

[Shoshie]

I don't think I could ever do the red eye. I can't ever sleep in a car or plane. I would be miserable the whole day.
I don't think LAX is that bad. We have flown out of there lots of times and never had a problem.
There are other options to fly out of.

Not that bad, if you don't mind an airport stuck in the 1960s (speaking as a current Angeleno who grew up in Chicago).
Which is why I think DCL should buy Long Beach Airport and make it a hub.

 

[JenKatt]

not that bad, if you don't mind an airport stuck in the 1960s (speaking as a current angeleno who grew up in chicago).
Which is why i think dcl should buy long beach airport and make it a hub.

lol!!!!

 

[aan1701]

Alright time for the LAX worker to to get in this one. Yes, LAX has it's problems, but I rather fly out of here than Atlanta. Also we are starting upgrades but since it is goverment run it is going to take sometime to get done. As for Long Beach, have they gave a roof to baggage claim? Last time I was there, and it has been a few years, it was out in the open. So, in the long run there are better airports than LAX, but there are worse ones too.

 

[disfaninca]

Not that bad, if you don't mind an airport stuck in the 1960s (speaking as a current Angeleno who grew up in Chicago).
Which is why I think DCL should buy Long Beach Airport and make it a hub.

Like I said...there are other options!
And there are definitely worse airports. Just because it looks like it is stuck in the 60s doesn't make it a "hole"!