May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!! Part 4

[Ginamarie]

Good morning everyone! So glad that we made it past "hump day"!
Of course, the temperatures dropped 20 degrees overnight.. ouch! We're back in sweaters todya.

 

[disneylover5]

Good morning everyone! So glad that we made it past "hump day"!
Of course, the temperatures dropped 20 degrees overnight.. ouch! We're back in sweaters todya.

You guys really needed that rain and drop of temps last night with those NJ fires.....thise were scary!!

 

[Ginamarie]

You guys really needed that rain and drop of temps last night with those NJ fires.....thise were scary!!

Yes! I have some friends who were experiencing smokey conditions. Luckily, they shoudl be announcing that the fire is under control this afternoon.

 

[birkner]

Well, beginning to think seriously about our flights for this cruise, which are a little complicated so I won't go into everything!!!

One of our options is to take an internal flight from SF back to Orlando and then take our return flight back to the UK. This is a much better option at our end than taking a direct flight from SF as that would take us to London and we are in the north.

We have good baggage allowance for the Atlantic flights and need that for the cruiselmao: ), but what kind of allowances do the internal flights have? We could upgrade. We would give ourselves a day or so in Orlando to make sure we have time for anything to go wrong!!!

Also, do you have a favourite company?


Thanks for any help. I realise this may get lost in everyone's posts so I may repeat the question!!!

We fly United from SFO to Orlando. Since we usually can upgrade to 1st class with miles we can take 3 bags each while normal is 2 bags each. I know Delta also flies out of SFO.

Kids and GK's fly from SJC (San Jose) or OAK (Oakland) on Southwest which has a baggage limit of 3 bags each. If you can get to either Oakland or San Jose, you may be able to get better fares. United books a year in advance and Southwest is only booking through November right now. Weight limit is 50 lbs per bag or you pay extra.

www.united.com
www.delta.com
www.southwest.com

 

[pjpoohbear]

Good morning everyone! So glad that we made it past "hump day"!
Of course, the temperatures dropped 20 degrees overnight.. ouch! We're back in sweaters todya.

Weren't those storm awesome, they hit us too! rain was going sideways. And yes the sweaters are all back out here in TO too.

 

[granmaz]

We fly United from SFO to Orlando. Since we usually can upgrade to 1st class with miles we can take 3 bags each while normal is 2 bags each. I know Delta also flies out of SFO.

Kids and GK's fly from SJC (San Jose) or OAK (Oakland) on Southwest which has a baggage limit of 3 bags each. If you can get to either Oakland or San Jose, you may be able to get better fares. United books a year in advance and Southwest is only booking through November right now. Weight limit is 50 lbs per bag or you pay extra.

www.united.com
www.delta.com
www.southwest.com

Thanks Noel. I have been browsing - pretend dates of course, but I am so surprised on the lack of direct flights at good times. Oh, I think it all is going to be a little stressful!

 

[nskjerven]

Nan, I LOVE Medium....wasn't it great tonight!

It was great! I was almost talking to the tv saying "Listen to Allison...she knows of what she speaks!"

Are you feeling better today?

Nan,

This so totally sounds like us!! I was the same teen and my DD will not be able to get away with anything! DH is already having issues...

Karen

I've wondered how I will deal with her as she gets older. Not sure if I should talk about the choices in the real sense of been there done that, or better to keep it light. Sometimes the hard part is getting DH to believe that infact she will do those things (& be sneaky about them too) My plan is just to be over invovled in everything the kids do. That way I can at least be aware of what's going on (I hope!) Got any pointers send them my way....

 

[birkner]

Thanks Noel. I have been browsing - pretend dates of course, but I am so surprised on the lack of direct flights at good times. Oh, I think it all is going to be a little stressful!

I think only United and Delta fly direct. SWA does not fly direct unless it is a very short hop. SWA claim to fame is cheap, no frills airfare.

Remember, Orlando is 3 hours ahead so flights that leave even at 9 AM, are leaving at 12 PM Orlando time. For example, our United flight that leaves SFO 1:05 PM does not arrive until 9:21 PM. Flight is only 5 hours and 16 minutes but we loose three hours.

GK's usually fly the SWA 7:10 AM flight out of San Jose arriving in Orlando at 5:35 PM which if you can book far enough in advance is $179. The other flight they have flown is the 7:20 AM SWA Oakland flight arriving in Orlando at 6:20 Pm which can run between $129-179 on the internet special.

 

[granmaz]

I have spent hours browsing the websites and mulling over all the options! At the moment we have gone back to our original plan of taking the Virgin flight direct back to London and finding a way home from there. It is complicated this end too!

But there again......the cost of going back to Orlando and flying from there is so much less111

 

[granmaz]

My brain is frying!! Must go to bed and continue tomorrow!!!

 

[nskjerven]

Hey Noel,

When you see the United flights/prices will you drop me a pm. I think we want to join you on that flight. That's the one from SFO to MCO direct correct? We will be buying tickets so perhaps that will be different than with miles, but if you are watching it I'd love to benefit from your research and fast web eyes if you don't mind.

If we miss that flight (for mechnical or something like that) is there another, or is that the last option to Orlando just in case....See I've become a flight worrier since I've been cruising.

Off to get the kids from school, then we are heading over to look at some houses in HMB. Wish us luck...

Nan

 

[birkner]

Hey Noel,

When you see the United flights/prices will you drop me a pm. I think we want to join you on that flight. That's the one from SFO to MCO direct correct? We will be buying tickets so perhaps that will be different than with miles, but if you are watching it I'd love to benefit from your research and fast web eyes if you don't mind.

If we miss that flight (for mechnical or something like that) is there another, or is that the last option to Orlando just in case....See I've become a flight worrier since I've been cruising.

Off to get the kids from school, then we are heading over to look at some houses in HMB. Wish us luck...

Nan

Yes, that is the direct flight which we have taken several times. I don't see any back up flights on United at this point though the schedule only goes through April 2008.

I will watch for the flights to open up which I expect will be next month.

Best of luck at looking at houses in HMB. I can imagine traffic is not that great at this time of day going over the hill.

My cousin is in from Oregon for a weekend wedding in HMB. We are having dinner with them this evening at Buck's in Woodside.

 

[birkner]

Anybody have any particular plans for Sunday before the meet?

I am debating if I should stay over on Monday and Tuesday but curious if anyone else will be still there?

 

[ibouncetoo]

Cheri, Peg and I will be there till Tuesday. We plan on hitting the parks on Sunday (especially CA for the last of the Food & Wine) and Monday. We'll probably do the traditional departure breakfast at Storytellers Tuesday morning before starting the drive home.

I just made a reservation for Sat night dinner at Luigi's D'Italia...family owned restaurant that got good reviews for pasta and sea food. Can't wait to check out someplace new.

I was wondering if we should have a 'rallying point' for Sunday, prior to 5PM, so we can do all our hugging and greeting before actually meeting at the restaurant (or at least some of us). There is the 5th floor 'patio' overlooking the swimming pool at the Grand Californian that might be a good spot for that (we wouldn't be disrupting too many people meeting there). Wadda ya think?

 

[Tahoe]

I was wondering if we should have a 'rallying point' for Sunday, prior to 5PM, so we can do all our hugging and greeting before actually meeting at the restaurant (or at least some of us). There is the 5th floor 'patio' overlooking the swimming pool at the Grand Californian that might be a good spot for that (we wouldn't be disrupting too many people meeting there). Wadda ya think?

I would like to meet you and others on the patio. What time? We're coming up just for the dinner--don't want to buy annual passes yet. But I'm going to leave a little early that afternoon just in case there's the usual Sunday traffic leaving San Diego. If we get there too early, we'll just hang out at Downtown Disney.

 

[birkner]

Cheri, Peg and I will be there till Tuesday. We plan on hitting the parks on Sunday (especially CA for the last of the Food & Wine) and Monday. We'll probably do the traditional departure breakfast at Storytellers Tuesday morning before starting the drive home.

I just made a reservation for Sat night dinner at Luigi's D'Italia...family owned restaurant that got good reviews for pasta and sea food. Can't wait to check out someplace new.

I was wondering if we should have a 'rallying point' for Sunday, prior to 5PM, so we can do all our hugging and greeting before actually meeting at the restaurant (or at least some of us). There is the 5th floor 'patio' overlooking the swimming pool at the Grand Californian that might be a good spot for that (we wouldn't be disrupting too many people meeting there). Wadda ya think?

Sounds like a great plan!! I am debating about staying at the Grand Californian as it so darn expensive. If we are going to be there for one night, the cost is exorbitant. Where are you guys staying? I have two other ressies, one at the Hyatt and one at the Marriott Fairfield Inn. Both are for the same amount for three nights as one night at the Grand Californian. Any recommendations on either one? Need to make a decision before 8 PM tonight.

 

[calmom]

Hey Noel,

When you see the United flights/prices will you drop me a pm. I think we want to join you on that flight. That's the one from SFO to MCO direct correct? We will be buying tickets so perhaps that will be different than with miles, but if you are watching it I'd love to benefit from your research and fast web eyes if you don't mind.

If we miss that flight (for mechnical or something like that) is there another, or is that the last option to Orlando just in case....See I've become a flight worrier since I've been cruising.

Off to get the kids from school, then we are heading over to look at some houses in HMB. Wish us luck...

Nan

HMB? Half Moon Bay? Are you thinking about moving or vacation home?? Sounds fun!
Lisa

 

[Tahoe]

Sounds like a great plan!! I am debating about staying at the Grand Californian as it so darn expensive. If we are going to be there for one night, the cost is exorbitant. Where are you guys staying? I have two other ressies, one at the Hyatt and one at the Marriott Fairfield Inn. Both are for the same amount for three nights as one night at the Grand Californian. Any recommendations on either one? Need to make a decision before 8 PM tonight.

I believe that the Fairfield Inn is closer--across from the shuttle entrance, behind the McDonalds. Unfortunately we're driving home that night after the dinner. My all-time favorite place to stay when I can't stay at a Disney resort is the Candy Cane Inn. It's within walking distance too, but they also have their own shuttle.
http://candycaneinn.net/

 

[calmom]

My cousin is in from Oregon for a weekend wedding in HMB. We are having dinner with them this evening at Buck's in Woodside.

We were going to go to Buck's before Open House at Woodside Elementary! It is such a small world. I got home too late from work so getting a quick bite before heading to the school. I love their artichoke appetizer!
Lisa

 

[birkner]

​

We were going to go to Buck's before Open House at Woodside Elementary! It is such a small world. I got home too late from work so getting a quick bite before heading to the school. I love their artichoke appetizer!
Lisa

are you going tonight? We have ressies at 7 PM.