January 2009. . . Calling all Snowbirds ~ Part III !!!

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Are you flying out of Bush? We are too- and we only do Continental. Southwest has a crazy route and it costs more. What's up with that? Oh well, that's who our reward point are with anyway-I think we are at 3 free (well not really free,! rewarded) tickets right now. So, we will only have to buy 2---unless we get enough between now and then-we usually don't have to but any!!!!

That's weird. We have 3 direct flights out of Pittsburgh to Orlando a day with SW. And they just dropped to $64!!

We personally didn't care for SW when we flew with them in May for the first time. They broke a piece of our luggage and we didn't report it in time so they wouldn't pay for it. I was pretty mad and told them that we would never fly with them again! But then I really didn't have a choice when AirTran messed with our flights. And now I am so glad they did!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Thank you!!

It's Southwest.

I knew it wouldn't be Northwest - they don't give you any breaks. Basically whatever you book you're stuck with unless you find a lower price on line THE SAME DAY! Then it has to be a certain amount lower, and you get a voucher. Big whoop. I bet they never have that happen. (no, I'm not bitter about my flight getting cheaper after I booked...)

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I have never eaten here.... anyone have any comments on the place...

We ate there in May. We liked it. It's nothing spectacular or anything. But it was good. DH and I both had the Grilled Chicken Sandwich. Very good. The kids had the Chicken Nuggets. They liked them. The place is big and bright. We sat upstairs by the window and had a great view of Future World while we ate. We will probably end up there again in January for lunch on our Epcot day!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I will be at dance with the girls at 5 p.m. Eastern!! I'll have to get DH on it. He'll be home. Hopefully he can figure out how to get the real code, not just rumors!! I'd offer to PM snkymom, but he won't know how to do that!

I have set my DVR for Survivor, if anyone misses it, I'll let you know what happens!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Shelly, what they usually offer us is a flight to DFW and then to Orlando, or Houston to Miami, then back to Orlando. Kinda odd----but, I don't want to spend the day flying all over Tx and FL-- we gotta get to Mickey!!! The only diversion I would make, would be flying from our local airport to Houston-just to avoid that traffic!!! But, it's an extra $108 per ticket==Xs 5 of us. Not justifiable!!

 

[Monny2AE]

Hi, Peeps! Looks like today is the day! You know at 5pm your time, I'm fast asleep! But I just might have to wake myself up to see what the deal is! I can't wait!

Now, my TA just contacted me to ask if I would be willing to move to a different resort if the deal does not cover our selected resort! So, I'm guessing that means I should think about some of the moderates. Problem is that I never even read about them because it was out of our price range. But, in the end, depending on the deal, it could be cheaper to stay there than to stay at POP at regular rate! So...can you help me?

Which mods do you all enjoy and why? I'm looking on the DisneyWorld site, but would love to hear your personal opinions on this one. Remember, I'm traveling with my family (Scot, 4 kids under 9) and my mom. We need 2 rooms.

I am wondering the same thing. We would like to stay with ASMo in a preferred room (Toy Story)- for the theming and savings- but I'm wondering if my room will be included? Oh and did I mention I need 3 rooms since we are a Grand Gathering! If it works out, we may upgrade to CBR- we've stayed there twice with no complaints and loved it! Or we are thinking of trying something different since we've already been to CBR twice. Perhaps PORiverside? 5:00 is along way away and I really wish I knew some things to prep for the call.

Unfortunately we may have booked with the Disney insurance that may be non-refundable, so I don't know what will happen.

Yup- wondering about this one too! We are all booked with packages- myself my sister and my parents.

OH MY GOSH!!! I just saved another $160 on my airfare!!! My flights started out at $109 each way, then went to $84 each way, and now are at $64 each way!!!!! My official grand total round trip for the 4 of us is now $596!!! I saved $360 from the original price!!!

Okay maybe today's my lucky day and we are going to get an awesome Disney deal too!!!

My parents are booked with Southwest. Their rates have gone down too.Can you just call them to apply the difference?

 

[peach3es]

Congrats on the awesome airfare, Shelly!

Anyone else have an opinion about the mods? From what I can see, I like the Coranado Springs one best so far...but none of them really stand out to me. I like Pop better! What are the chances that choosing a Mod on a discount over staying in Pop without a discount will work out better financially?

I feel like all the planning I did is flying down the tubes. I read everything there is to read about the value resorts. Nothing about any of the other resorts. I have to discuss with Scot and give my TA an answer since he'll be working his magic while I'm alseep!

 

[PEANUT1]

for counter service in Epcot we prefer Sunshine Seasons in the Land. They have so many choices and if you are on the dining plan it is good bc the prices are a little higher (bc they have better choices) and so you get more bang for your buck. They have chicken legs for the kids which my kids love. They also have tons of desserts to choose from. The strawberry shortcake was yummo!!

as for getting your flight for less...you can go on their website to change it...The difference is put on travel vouchers that you have to use within a year. They don't give you money back. We have used the vouchers before and we have also sold them on ebay when we couldn't use them.

 

[BellaSoleil]

I have never eaten here.... anyone have any comments on the place...

I LOVE cheeseburgers! Sadly, I have never found a quick service CB at Disney that I thought was wonderful. They are okay... but just not fabulous. Anyone know where to get a good QS Burger?

 

[Monny2AE]

I feel like all the planning I did is flying down the tubes.

I know what you mean.

 

[jenjolt]

Okay so I have sat here and done the math... lets assume (that might be stupid) that the new deal is purchase 4 nights and a 4 day ticket get 3 nights and 3 day ticket free ... Currently I have a standard room with the AP discount, so with the cost of renewing my annual pass, the cost of purchasing tickets for the rest of my party, the room and dining the cost is $2958

if I price out this new deal... standard room, 4 nights, 4 day ticket, plus dining.....getting the three free etc...the price is $2723 PLus we would get the $200 gift card...

if I upgrade to a preferred room, 4 nights, 4 day ticket, plus dining the price is $2835 plus we would get the gift card....

does that sound like ti makes sense??????????? I was hoping they would just do the one day ticket then we could apply that towards another ticket... that would have really saved us money... but I can see why they won't...

This would be a great deal I think for those who have multiple people going and haven't already purchased their tickets. I'm neither If I did my math correctly then this is how this rumored deal works out for me...

For me I have already bought my AP so I would have to add $250.00 either way. So if I were to have to buy a 4day ticket also it is not a savings for me, even with the $200 gift card... (if was a room only rate my savings would be $91.00 not sure worth the hassle of canceling a package LOL) so at this time I'm here to help others out and help you guys pass time. I officially paid my package off yesterday with my gift cards and I'm very excited that my trip is in stone and now I'm going to hope that all you get the greatest deal ever because it was expensive for me to go I can't imagine what it must be for a family!!! SO here's to all the great deals my snowbirds can imagine!!

In total for package ( with DDP) cost me a whopping $670 dollars. So my trip including rental car and estimates on gas will cost me less than $900. With a budget that began about $1300 I saved myself over $400...and my hubby couldn't be happier!!

I must say thank you to all the Snowbirds who gave such helpful advice...you guys surely have made this experience so much better for a novice Disney planner as myself so THANK YOU!!

 

[backinoz]

Well I stayed up late to see what codes would be announced and of course there's nothing more than I knew this morning. So now it's Midnight here in the land of Oz BUT I have crunched all the numbers into my spreadsheet and.....

Reservation as it is - buying AP for me, DDE Card, 10 day MYW Hopper tickets for DDs & DH, and AP RO rate for available dates - total for entire holiday (22 Dec & then 30 Dec-14 Jan) including food is $4677.

If we can take advantage of the pay4free3 offer without DDP - total is $4970, but we get the $200 gift certificate, but still $93 more than current AP rates. If dining happens to be part of the pay4free3 promo, total goes up to $5090, $213 more than AP RO total, but we would have 2 extra table service meals.

I guess the biggest reason for it not working for us is we're arriving on 30 Dec and want to spend NYE in Epcot, so would need to buy 1 day passes for that. Then we'd also have to change our Universal/IOA days to 2&3 Jan, and would probably end up buying express passes as I imagine it'd still be pretty busy on those days.

So, unless there's a room discount along with this promo, we'll be skipping and leaving things as is. For us the 40% RO AP discount makes more sense (and gives us 20% off our 'adult beveredges).

Have a good day Snowbirds - I'll catch you (later) on our Friday, after you've all recovered from your 5pm excitement (or maybe I'll be awake early enough to observe your excitement here on the DIS).

b.t.w. summer is truly here in QLD - it's 25C (77F) overnight and up to 35C tomorrow (95F). Warm enough for a swim in our pool before school in the mornings now!

Cheers

 

[MAGGIED]

I just got an email that Disney on Ice was coming to Syracuse and the offer was for presale tickets for opening night for only $9 each.... nine dollars... wow ... that is so cheap....

 

[PEANUT1]

I LOVE cheeseburgers! Sadly, I have never found a quick service CB at Disney that I thought was wonderful. They are okay... but just not fabulous. Anyone know where to get a good QS Burger?

I think that all of the burgers in disney are pretty much the same....that being said I do remember a good one at MK....I think it was near Pirates of the Caribbean. My kids like the fixins bar bc they like the mushrooms.

 

[MAGGIED]

I think that all of the burgers in disney are pretty much the same....that being said I do remember a good one at MK....I think it was near Pirates of the Caribbean. My kids like the fixins bar bc they like the mushrooms.

sounds like maybe it was Peco Bills

 

[mana_liz]

Congrats on your savings, Shelly.

I am flying Northwest...no savings here. But that's ok we got a good deal and non-stop flights.

If the deal is buy 4 days and get 3 days free...we are their for 10 days...we would have to pay for seven days and then get the 3 days free. If we have to switch to a moderate I would go to POR. I'm still hoping for free dining.

 

[PEANUT1]

sounds like maybe it was Peco Bills

yep...that sounds right.
I like the taco salads there too.

 

[snykymom]

I just checked my flights on JetBlue for discounts - it turns out that I would be paying $154 more today than when I booked. Well, at least I saved a bit somewhere!

(Oh, and I got a promise for a PM at 5 - thanks, all!)

 

[pamouselover]

OH MY GOSH!!! I just saved another $160 on my airfare!!! My flights started out at $109 each way, then went to $84 each way, and now are at $64 each way!!!!! My official grand total round trip for the 4 of us is now $596!!! I saved $360 from the original price!!!

Okay maybe today's my lucky day and we are going to get an awesome Disney deal too!!!

Congrats. You are lucky.

I am going to have to do some serious searching for good air deals so I can not take the train

Train is high, I check it out. You are better flying.

Good day all. I really need to do work at work now. No more disneyfor now....

 

[distherapy]

I knew it wouldn't be Northwest - they don't give you any breaks. Basically whatever you book you're stuck with unless you find a lower price on line THE SAME DAY! Then it has to be a certain amount lower, and you get a voucher. Big whoop. I bet they never have that happen. (no, I'm not bitter about my flight getting cheaper after I booked...)

Ugh- the same thing happened to me. It's cheaper now, but not so cheap that the $50 pp change fee is worth it. Thanks NW!