Just Back

[wee-haggis]

8 days in Orlando.
Great weather throughout.
First time using SWA from Buf to MCO and it was OK ....but the A.B.C line up thing is still a cattle call (the numbers using pre-boarding is ridiculous with large families pre-boarding because they have one young kid in their group).
We printed off our A boarding passes.... were at the front of the line and we still ended up over the wing. The flights themselves were fine and the advantage of not going through customs is great (crossing the border at Peace Bridge is a breeze).On both flights they oversold (it still amazes me that they do this continually) .On the flight down they were up at $500 plus cost of flight in vouchers to give up a seat and $300 plus flight for homecoming flight. They got volunteers both ways.
The Alamo price was great ($185 US for mini van). the problem was that when we arrived ,there were no vans left. Luckily they had several in the National lanes that they allowed us to use.The van was a Chevy Uplander which was loaded with a DVD player almost brand new.I managed the whole trip on a tank of gas.
We booked a Villa in Kissimmee in the gated community of Chatham Park. Everything was terrific from the location to the amenities.
The parks were quite busy (particularly earlier in the week)with MK being the busiest. Having the annual passes gave us great flexibility in being able to use the various parks for the early part of the day,back to the villa for a swim in the afternoon then out for dinner at night (we always find that most parks get busy about 10-30am or so).
Epcot still is the favourite with all 4 of us although the novelty of the newer rides (like Everest) made AK a favourite with DW and DS). We were standing next to Jennifer Valentine of CITY TV on Friday where she was broadcasting live back to Toronto.
This was the first time we have went at March Break and all in all we enjoyed it but it was a bit busy (Ontario licence plates in abundance). The drivers in and around Orlando and Kissimmee are still horrific (whether it is unfamiliar tourists or idiotic locals?...i don't know) . When will the road works finish on 192 !...it seems to be never ending and I'm really surprised they are taking so long.
The flights on SWA took about 2hrs 15mins and the jury is still out as to whether it is preferrable to flying out of YYZ for the extra cost or not.
We stayed overnight at the Millenium Hotel in Buffalo on the way down,and found the stay to be very pleasant (free parking and shuttle for the duaration plus free use of Internet to print off boarding passes).
All in all ,another great stay .
Next one is in August (end of the Annual Passes .. )

 

[Rubbertops]

Thanks for the report. We are thinking of booking with SWA from BUF also. Did you save a lot of money rather than flying from Pearson?

 

[wee-haggis]

For this time of year...we paid about 1/3 of what it would have cost out of YYZ. If it wasn't March break, maybe 1/2

 

[Joann]

I am just wondering about the over booking on the flights on SWA, If I pre print my tickets and we get there and they have over booked can they tell you sorry out of luck you can't fly on this flight because we over sold for it, even tho I payed for my ticket mnths in advanced? Or what happens in a case like that do they just ask ppl to give up thier seats or are you safe because you pre booked your boarding pass?

 

[cslittle999]

You are never safe when it comes to airlines. Having a ticket does mean that they will get you to where you are going but it doesn't really ensure that you can get on that plane. I've been on a small plane actually sitting in my seat and had a gate agent come on and say that the plane was over weight and they needed a volunteer and we can't leave until we get one.

From a practical stand point the airlines offer incentives to get people to volunteer to switch flights. Much simpler on crowd control.

I think that the deep discount airlines tend to over sell more because with the low price people are more willing to skip the flight. I've always found it amazing how many people book a flight and don't show up. I couldn't afford it.

 

[iluvwesties]

Welcome Back Wee-Haggis

Thanks for the report

I was very interested in the SWA info as I will be using them for the first time in May

My flight is scheduled for 5:10pm arriving at 7:40pm, so I hope that it isn't oversold, otherwise it could be a LONG night

I noticed that the 192 was very busy on my last trip (Feb 2006) and at one point it took 1 hour to get from AsMo to the Super Wal-Mart

It really makes me want to just stay on the WDW property and forget about going anywhere else as it is such a traffic hassle

Anyway, Thanks again, glad the weather was good for you

p.s. I noticed your signature has the Scottish emblem and am assuming there is a link?

(I was in Scotland last summer and LOVED it
I want to go back SOOOO bad )

iluvwesties (aka Carol)

 

[wee-haggis]

I am told thet SWA overbook most if not all of their flights.
The only way you can avoid getting into a "difficult situation" is to print off your "A" Boarding passes (we did this easily from the Buffalo hotel on the way down and at our resort for the flight home).
If you have a "B" pass you will also be OK...but id you have a "C" pass (and you are last to check in) you may very well be in a bit of a predicament.

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

Welcome home - sounds like you had a great trip!

We are flying with Southwest for the first time this October so it's interesting to read about that. Is it 24hrs ahead that you can print out the boarding passes??

 

[DutchsMommy]

Yes, you can print your boarding passes up to 24hrs ahead now. Regarding SWA overbooking. We have not had that experience, so it might be more common in the busier times. We have flown SWA in Feb '05, Sept '05 and Feb '06. The Febs we had pre-board with DS, but still didn't hear about anyone not having a seat - in fact there were a few extra seats. In Sept it was just DH and I. For the way down we got a B and there were plenty of open spots - we each got a 'row' of 3 seats. For the way back we got a C (is that the lowest one?? Anyway - I forgot and we ended up printing one at the airport which is why we ended up being almost last on the plane). Even with that one we got a spot - and got to watch a US Marshall tear into some woman arriving in MCO on the plane we were about to board - apparently she wouldn't shut off her cellphone and was rude to a stewardess - which I can totally believe because she wouldn't shut up to the cop and finally he had to yell at her really loud. Her husband was standing beside her looking like he wished the floor would open and swallow him up! LOL So....bit off topic...sorry!! Just wanted to point out that weehaggis' experience was not mine. I suppose the safest way to go is to get your 'A' pass and then you would be fine.

 

[sammi]

We have flown twice with SW and actually flew with them to WDW lat month and yes I always make sure I get an "A" boarding pass and always get a seat together with DH. I got a great rate this past Xmas day from DING for $113.00 CND return each for DH (Buffalo to MCO) and so we absolutely couldn't refuse a last minute trip. We've always enjoyed the staff at SW and so far so good for us!

BitsnBearsMom ......yes it's now 24 hours before that you can print your boarding pass off.

wee-haggis...welcome home!

 

[dsneygirl]

Welcome home - sounds like you had a great trip!

We are flying with Southwest for the first time this October so it's interesting to read about that. Is it 24hrs ahead that you can print out the boarding passes??

I agree with DutchsMommy, the OP was flying at probably one of the busiest times of year and one of the most popular destinations. I have flown SW at least a dozen times and never have heard them ask for volunteers on my flight let alone bump people. You should have no problems in Oct.