WanderLuster
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2011
- Messages
- 45
So...I realized yesterday that I didnt really have anywhere to stay this weekend. Having recently given up my apartment in Chicago because I never actually got the chance to see it, Im currently living out of hotels full time.
I also get over other Friday off, which is pretty much the sweetist deal ever. Anyway, Ive been busy planning some other trips (Vegas, Disney for Food and Wine!!!!) and just figured Id go visit family or something for my long weekend. Then, suddenly, it was Wednesday and I realized I had one more night in the hotel for work and then zero plans until Monday morning (when my boss actually does require that I show up).
Cue some frantic searching of flight availability while watching Chopped on the hotel TV. Cant get a reasonably priced ticket home or to visit family in various cities. Find a cheap flight to NYC, but actually going there next weekend, so no. Vegas is ludicrously expensive ---- not even counting my eventual gambling loses (Im a sucker for a Blackjack table). I decide Ive been working hard and deserve a break - so I start looking at potential fun/beach vacations: FLL (all my love to the Westin Diplomat) - No; MIA - No; SJU - No; MSY - Potential, but drinking on Bourbon alone just seems sad, even to me; TPA - No. At this point, Ive pretty much given up hope. But on a whim I check MCO .and holy grail!!!! there is a low level award flight on Delta - out Friday morning, back Sunday afternoon. I check my important paper file and I do indeed still have my 2013 military salute park hopper ticket with two days left. But I hesitate. Hesitation is death. By the time I decide to actually go on and book the ticket is gone. I am sad. I put alerts out on expertflyer for award tickets on American Airlines and swear that next time when I see it, Im going to book it no hesitation.
My phone beeps this morning while Im half-heartedly drying my hair. Side Note: Hotels with those puny little hair dryers stuck to the wall do not give me a happy. Award space opened on the Friday morning direct flight to MCO. I dither. Theres no space available (yet) for a flight back. But, I did promise myself Id book it if it became available. I finally decide that for 7,500 BA miles and $2.50 in taxes to pull the trigger and figure the rest of it out later. I book it, get a confirmation, and head into work with a smile.
As the morning wears on, I begin to have buyers remorse. I have no flight home. They often open things up 48 hours before a flight, but am I willing to risk having to buy a last minute ticket home if it doesnt? I'm not sure. During lunch, I decided to do some searching and a find a flight back on Sunday. Its not ideal, leaving early with a stopover in Dallas, but it works and its only 12,500 AA miles plus $5. I book. Im lucky enough to be an executive platinum with no fees for changing or cancelling an award ticket, so if something better comes along, Ill switch! Life is good and Im going to Disney!!!
Tonight, while enjoying happy hour at my hotels bar, I looked into hotel options. Pop hotels available for $130ish/night; DTD Hilton for $80ish (+$20 resort fee -- HATE resort fees!!!! add it to the price!!!!); Dolphin for $129 (they also have a resort fee - BOO!, but waive it for SPG platinums - YAY!) So Dolphin it is -- its always good to be within stumbling home distance from Jelly Rolls .not that I would know anything about that! Grabbed a cheap hotel near the airport for Thursday night and my weekend is set.
Im still hoping for a later direct flight home on Sunday to open up, but Im not holding my breath. Flights seem relatively full. I also dont have a hotel for Saturday night...EEK. If I can get a later flight, Ill probably grab another night at Dolphin/Swan. If not, Ill priceline or HotelTonight an airport hotel.
I have no other plans as of yet. Still need to figure out taxi v. car service v. shuttle for transportation. Where to eat/drink/party. What parks to hit. Where to watch my alma mater crush their opponent on Saturday. Too many questions to contemplate tonight. So I guess it's time for bed. Also, I'm out of wine. I guess Ill figure everything else out tomorrow.
....more to come...
I also get over other Friday off, which is pretty much the sweetist deal ever. Anyway, Ive been busy planning some other trips (Vegas, Disney for Food and Wine!!!!) and just figured Id go visit family or something for my long weekend. Then, suddenly, it was Wednesday and I realized I had one more night in the hotel for work and then zero plans until Monday morning (when my boss actually does require that I show up).
Cue some frantic searching of flight availability while watching Chopped on the hotel TV. Cant get a reasonably priced ticket home or to visit family in various cities. Find a cheap flight to NYC, but actually going there next weekend, so no. Vegas is ludicrously expensive ---- not even counting my eventual gambling loses (Im a sucker for a Blackjack table). I decide Ive been working hard and deserve a break - so I start looking at potential fun/beach vacations: FLL (all my love to the Westin Diplomat) - No; MIA - No; SJU - No; MSY - Potential, but drinking on Bourbon alone just seems sad, even to me; TPA - No. At this point, Ive pretty much given up hope. But on a whim I check MCO .and holy grail!!!! there is a low level award flight on Delta - out Friday morning, back Sunday afternoon. I check my important paper file and I do indeed still have my 2013 military salute park hopper ticket with two days left. But I hesitate. Hesitation is death. By the time I decide to actually go on and book the ticket is gone. I am sad. I put alerts out on expertflyer for award tickets on American Airlines and swear that next time when I see it, Im going to book it no hesitation.
My phone beeps this morning while Im half-heartedly drying my hair. Side Note: Hotels with those puny little hair dryers stuck to the wall do not give me a happy. Award space opened on the Friday morning direct flight to MCO. I dither. Theres no space available (yet) for a flight back. But, I did promise myself Id book it if it became available. I finally decide that for 7,500 BA miles and $2.50 in taxes to pull the trigger and figure the rest of it out later. I book it, get a confirmation, and head into work with a smile.
As the morning wears on, I begin to have buyers remorse. I have no flight home. They often open things up 48 hours before a flight, but am I willing to risk having to buy a last minute ticket home if it doesnt? I'm not sure. During lunch, I decided to do some searching and a find a flight back on Sunday. Its not ideal, leaving early with a stopover in Dallas, but it works and its only 12,500 AA miles plus $5. I book. Im lucky enough to be an executive platinum with no fees for changing or cancelling an award ticket, so if something better comes along, Ill switch! Life is good and Im going to Disney!!!
Tonight, while enjoying happy hour at my hotels bar, I looked into hotel options. Pop hotels available for $130ish/night; DTD Hilton for $80ish (+$20 resort fee -- HATE resort fees!!!! add it to the price!!!!); Dolphin for $129 (they also have a resort fee - BOO!, but waive it for SPG platinums - YAY!) So Dolphin it is -- its always good to be within stumbling home distance from Jelly Rolls .not that I would know anything about that! Grabbed a cheap hotel near the airport for Thursday night and my weekend is set.
Im still hoping for a later direct flight home on Sunday to open up, but Im not holding my breath. Flights seem relatively full. I also dont have a hotel for Saturday night...EEK. If I can get a later flight, Ill probably grab another night at Dolphin/Swan. If not, Ill priceline or HotelTonight an airport hotel.
I have no other plans as of yet. Still need to figure out taxi v. car service v. shuttle for transportation. Where to eat/drink/party. What parks to hit. Where to watch my alma mater crush their opponent on Saturday. Too many questions to contemplate tonight. So I guess it's time for bed. Also, I'm out of wine. I guess Ill figure everything else out tomorrow.
....more to come...
