Just did something I have never done!!

[luulu1999]

I just did something I have never done before!!! I bought out plane tickets!!!!! We have NEVER flown so I am excited and nervous!! We got non stop flights from STL to SNA and non stop flights back so I am pretty excited about that and we are flying Southwest so we get free checked bags, I am so excited to fly for our first time!!

 

[Indiana Scott]

Wow, that's great!
When are you going?

 

[luulu1999]

June 18th thru the June 25th....we were going to stay til the 26th but could get a lot better fare on the 25th so we decided to go ahead and come back a little earlier

 

[Indiana Scott]

Wonderful, have a great time.

 

[my*gracie*girl]

Flying is SOOOO great! You arrive so much more rested and there is just something exciting about airline travel...the pulse of the airport and speed of arrival. We are driving in March and July and I am already anxious for our February flight trip! HA!

 

[barbaraann]

I always fly non stop from Chicago's Ohare airport to the John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, and I highly recommend it. Disneyland is closer to that airport, than LAX is. Once you are finished with all your necessary needs after your flight, a short walk outside, and you can share a ride with other passengers to Disneyland hotels for about $11. At least that is what I paid in October.

 

[monorailrabbit]

Southwest is so great! We always try to fly with them! Have a great time!

 

[Nonsuch]

...we are flying Southwest so we get free checked bags, I am so excited to fly for our first time!!

Southwest does not have assigned seats, and boarding order is based on check-in time.
Check-in online exactly 24-hours in advance (set an alarm).

 

[ADLFAN]

Just checked in for our Southwest flight tomorrow! I wasn't quite 24 hours, more like 29, but we got boarding group B, slots 16 and 17. Still pretty good, I think! Can't wait!!

Flying is so awesome! I grin like a crazy person every take-off! And getting there so quick is awesome! It's so easy to leave home and enjoy Disneyland on the same day!

 

[luulu1999]

Southwest does not have assigned seats, and boarding order is based on check-in time.
Check-in online exactly 24-hours in advance (set an alarm).

I actually went ahead and paid for the early bird because we have kids age 7&8 so I want to make sure that we will at least be able to have one adult and one kid together....I am freaking a little because i have never even been in an airport so we really have no idea what we are suppose to do or what we need to do so I am afraid I am going to mess something up!!

 

[luulu1999]

Just checked in for our Southwest flight tomorrow! I wasn't quite 24 hours, more like 29, but we got boarding group B, slots 16 and 17. Still pretty good, I think! Can't wait!!

Flying is so awesome! I grin like a crazy person every take-off! And getting there so quick is awesome! It's so easy to leave home and enjoy Disneyland on the same day!

Ok when you say slots 16 & 17 does that mean you are the 16th and 17th persons in group B to get on? I have no idea what that means lol

 

[luulu1999]

I always fly non stop from Chicago's Ohare airport to the John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, and I highly recommend it. Disneyland is closer to that airport, than LAX is. Once you are finished with all your necessary needs after your flight, a short walk outside, and you can share a ride with other passengers to Disneyland hotels for about $11. At least that is what I paid in October.

What service did you use for this?

 

[ADLFAN]

Ok when you say slots 16 & 17 does that mean you are the 16th and 17th persons in group B to get on? I have no idea what that means lol

Haha, I have no idea either, but that's what I assumed!

I can see the benefit of checking in ASAP if you're traveling with a group, so you could easily snag seats together before the plane started filling up.

 

[ADLFAN]

What service did you use for this?

Super Shuttle is about 11.00 from SSA with the discount code from the Anaheim Tourism Bureau or something. We always use them, too. I think they offer a discount from LAX, too, but the fare is higher. Uber might be the best deal for a group, or a taxi because you aren't paying per person.

 

[barbaraann]

I fly alone most of the time, so when I get outside, I look for the small vans. There is usually a gentleman there, asking where you are going. He then quotes a price. It used to be $10, but last time it was $11. When they fill up the van, they leave. That never takes long at all. It might very well be, Super Shuttle, I never noticed a name on the Van, the first few times I did this. Last time, I noticed, a Super Shuttle smallish structure. Usually when the driver drops you off at your destination, he will ask you if you want a return pickup. I have never done that. I always treat myself to a taxi going back.

The Disneyland XPress Bus is also at the John Wayne Airport. I did that once, but it's not always sitting there waiting when my flights are later in the day, like they have been the last few times I flew into John Wayne.

 

[PoohsFan1]

Love flying into John Wayne Airport and we will be doing it again in June. We also have a new found love with Southwest Airlines, we used to fly United all of the time, but we now have the Southwest Visa card so we have been racking up the reward miles. When we went on our first trip in 2013 and again for this trip in June, we took a taxi from the airport to our hotel and it was a flat rate fee anywhere from $40-$50 for 4 people (I believe that was including tip but don't quote me on that). I know there are cheaper options out there but we really liked the fact that they picked you up outside and take you right to your destination (we stayed on Disney property and will be doing again this time around too) without picking up anyone else. I highly suggest it. Have a great flight, even though we fly all of the time, I still get nervous at take off, but once I'm up in the air, I sit back, relax, and love it because I know we will be there in a few hours .

 

[nolenbelledavis]

SNA is a GREAT airport to fly to/from. It's so small, so everything is easy and the people are so nice. We flew from OKC to SNA last May and it was so nice and low key. We did LAX this October and it's such a time drain. Everything is major, it's an ordeal to get where you need to be, to get your rental, etc. We're going next month and we're flying SW to SNA. It was more expensive than LAX and other airlines, but it's just such a better experience, in my opinion.

 

[Bobsmom]

The St Louis airport is about as user-friendly as they come, especially for southwest because it has its own terminal. You'll go to the ticket counter to the right when you walk in to print your boarding passes (if you haven't already done so) and check your bags. You'll need to have a credit card and drivers license handy, the cc is to swipe in the machine to pull up your itinerary but no charge unless you exceed bag limits. They will take your checked bags and then security is immediately to the left, the line is always short. Once you get through security there are lots of food and drink options around the gates. There is a starbucks but it is before you go through security so if thats your pick youll need to allow time to finish your coffee before you go through the security line. We were there last time at 6am and had a bagel place or burger king as our options. The gates are all in a straight row and easy to find, as the whole terminal is open and airy. There is free WiFi and the seats all have outlets built into them, so if you're like me and would rather be on the early side, the kids can use their devices.

 

[SA-TX]

Haha, I have no idea either, but that's what I assumed!

I can see the benefit of checking in ASAP if you're traveling with a group, so you could easily snag seats together before the plane started filling up.

First off, awesome news luulu. Have fun! Second, I fly Southwest all the time. Some people are put off by the "cattle call" but after years of flying, I feel the benefits of flying SW far outweigh that one negative (best customer service, not only for an airline but for any business). You don't get assigned seating, you get a number according to the time you checked in. B17 basically means you'll be the 77th person to board the flight and find a seat, after they'be loaded A1-A60. A1-A15 is for people who've bought the early bird. I'm not sure if this is still accurate, but I believe families with small children are let onto the plane right after the early birds, specifically so they aren't separated. Yes, it's crucial to call exactly 24 hours ahead on the dot, and even doing that doesn't guarantee you a good seat. For some reason, my wife is a pro at it and can always get us in the area of A1-A30.

 

[Laz]

I love flying Southwest. I feel that their boarding process is quicker and more efficient than assigned seats. BTW, Early Bird check in does not assure you an "A" line position. Sometimes I ended up with a low "B" number. However, my wife and I still had plenty of seats to choose from.