November 26, 2005/ 7 day Eastern Magic

[TJGorman]

Thumpery--It was by luck that I found out that the Airtran Flights were open. I was looking at Sam's Club Travel (to compare prices) and they had Airtran dates available on the Sam's Club website. I immediately went to the Airtran website and it was not open there, so I immediately called group reservations. I would call Airtran. The prices are definately on their way up.

dthogue-Welcome Back!

 

[thumpery]

TJGorman - Thanks for the info.! I will try calling AirTran today. Hope you enjoy the few days of spring weather! It's supposed to go back downhill by the weekend.

 

[DiaLady]

AAAUUUGGHHH!! Thumpery & TJGorman you are probably right to get your reservations on AirTran right away. We didn't budget for it this soon. My dh is headed home to Seattle this summer for his high school reunion. When you booked were the rates reasonable?? We got $100 round trips last time. Since we're so late in the season, I wonder when the oil prices drop again if the airline prices won't go on sale. If the price drops, will AirTran give you the difference? Okay, I'm rambling now . .

Thanks folks!

Have a great night!

 

[thumpery]

Hi Dialady - I can't really help with the prices. I am actually trying to use tickets we received for being bumped last year. my situation you have to get them or lose them. When we went last year for the beginning of November, I didn't book my tickets till August and paid $158.00 which is good for here. I have heard, however, that the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is a peak travel day. So, I guess it depends when you are planning on going. I really don't want to book my tickets yet, because we still don't have the kid's school schedule for next year. I wonder if I book if I can change? Ok, Now I'm rambling. Sorry I wasn't too much help.

 

[DiaLady]

Thumpery - You can always change the tickets, but it usually costs $50 - $75 per ticket Thanks for the encouragement about tickets. When I mentioned it to dh tonight, he wasn't interested. But hey, we got the Busch Garden passes tonight so now our trip to Sea World is free (well sorta). I keep telling dh we've now saved $215 on our trip . . .LOL.

Time is passing quickly. Even the kids are counting down . . .

Have a great day!

 

[thumpery]

Well, I booked our airline tickets! After posting my last message on the board, I called Airtran. I was able to use our free tickets on the flights I wanted. It took awhile with many phone calls, but they worked with me and we are so happy! I just didn't want to lose our free tickets! What a savings! Thanks for lettting me share my joy!

DiaLady - You are correct about the change info. For Airtran December rates on the computer are still not up, but when I called they could book them. However, they wanted $266/ticket. I would just keep your eyes open for deals.

 

[dthogue]

TGIF - we are slowly getting back into our normal routine, but I am having WDW withdrawls - keep asking what were we doing this time lasy week

The weather here is nuts. Yesterday my DD had her 1st high school soccer game we nearly droze to death Today they had another game and it was in the mid 60's sunny . Tomorrow they are calling for 3 inches of rain and in the 40's. Sunday they are calling for snow showers. I give up - someone please send me back to Orlando.

I checked Airtran today and they have now opened up flights through December. I found the dates and times I want, but unfortunately I'm not ready to book them (still recovering from last week's vacation . Hopefully the prices won't go up too high before I can book my seats.

 

[DiaLady]

Things suddenly got quiet around here . . .LOL. We're busy with baseball season. Two boys on two different teams in two different age groups . . .Mom scores for both and Dad coaches (when not working) for both. Gotta get my tan going so I won't burn in November . . .LOL.

We've had 80 degrees and better for the past two days! Hurray! Dh broke down and turned on the air conditioning tonight. Too much pollen to open the windows anymore.

Hope eveyone else is having a lovely spring! Can't say I've ever been so excited to get to the fall .. .LOL

Have a great day!

 

[grlzmom]

We have had a taste of spring here this week (which is good after getting six inches of snow last Sunday), of course nice weather just means time to get the spring yard work done.

Our trip to Disney for cheerleading was nice and couldnt comprehend not getting back there til November so we are going back first week of June and doing a split stay between the Nick hotel (then I can avoid it in November) and Disney. Got Southwest r/t nonstop for 98 per person (which helps considering there are nine of us). I hate going in June but with the older dds sports schedules there isn't much of a choice. We havent booked our November airfare yet, waiting to get dds schedules, so we will probably end up not getting a good price by having to wait

Definately getting excited about the cruise (not as much as our three year old who loves her "counselors" and "her club").

I know my dh is very happy to not have to dress up as much on this cruise (being allowed jeans at regular dinners) because he dresses up for work everyday and would rather dress down for vacation. He of course will still happily comply on formal nights for dinner and portraits (gotta get that Christmas card done).

 

[Michelle2]

I heard about that! So am I right to understand that you can wear casual attire (jeans) to all dinners except semiformal and formal nights, and Palo of course? Well I think that makes it easier for alot of people...to either be able to dress up, or not...
Jeanne you are so lucky to be able to go all these times to WDW! THat is great! We are going through withdrawals too, except for us it will be 2 years by the time November comes. We are used to going every year to DL. In some ways the time is going by too quick, and other times, not quick enough...

 

[DiaLady]

Michelle2, I love the picture of your family with Pooh! I have a dear friend here in VA whose girls all have that beautiful red hair, too.

We haven't been to Disney since 6/2003 so I know how you feel! I've been working on my dh to book the cruise. He had some training (for 1 1/2 years) that couldnt be interrupted for vacation so we had to wait.

We went to Busch Gardens and got torrentially rained upon today! Good thing it was fairly warm. I used to think people who went to amusement parks in the rain were crazy. The kids and I had the best time! We were with some friends and the boys played hide and seek and then tag for nearly 2 hours in the rain! Go figure! The park was nearly empty. Now I understand the many posts from folks who went to Disney in the rain .. .LOL.

Have a fabulous weekend!

 

[dthogue]

Glad to see some activity here - it was getting too quiet.

Jeanne - what a neat picture with Pooh - you have a beautiful family.

Grlzmom - sorry to hear about the snow - hopefully it's all melted by now

Our cruise seems so far away, but I know it's just around the corner. Still trying to locate airfare. Can't decide between leaving on Thanksgiving or on Friday. The flight I wanted on Friday on Airtran jumped $50/pp overnight. This has to be the worse thing about going on vacation - once this is done, it should be smooth sailing until departure.

Is anyone planning on staying at the Ron Jon resort prior to the cruise? I emailed for a rate for Friday night and they came back with $247/night. That seems high, did anyone get a better rate?

Have a great weekend - calling for nice weather here - can hardly wait

 

[DiaLady]

dthogue - Wow! $247 . .. gotta be a great place!! We're staying Thursday night and Friday at the Comfort Suites Universal for $107/night. We've been staying at Comfort Suites a lot lately b/c their rooms are so nice. I know it doesn't have a lot of the resort type ammenities, but when we travel as a family it's so much easier to have the room. They're right down the street from Sea World and the outlet malls.

We're still waiting on airfare, too. Airtran just announced another sale this week, but it's only through October. So close! Our return flight is only $89/pp, but the trip to Orlando on Thursday is $192!! That's double! I'm sure it will go down. Most folks aren't thinking that far ahead yet

We're still debating about staying over one day and going to Kennedy Space Center. Dh is beginning to be concerned he will be vacationed out by that time . . .LOL. Every vacation is a new adventure with him. I know the kids and will be good to go, but have no idea how he'll handle being a way for nearly 10 days (and not staying with his family . . .LOL).

Anybody else staying in Orlando before the cruise???

Have a terrific day!

 

[dthogue]

Hi DiaLady - glad to see you checking in - Hey Everyone - where did you go

I couldn't believe the price either for Ron Jon - definitely a budget buster for us. My DH would flip if he had to pay that much for one night.

Last year we stayed over Saturday night after our cruise and it was the perfect wind down. We had a van take us to the All Stars, checked in and spent some time at MK. We returned to the hotel, and lounged by the pool. Our flight home on Sunday left at 2pm, so we had a leisurely breakfast by the pool, packed and meet our van for the return to the airport. Perfect ending to a perfect trip.

Good luck convincing your DH to stay.

 

[thumpery]

Hello again everyone! I think everyone is busy with Spring activities! It's just nice to be outside again without boots and snowcoats.

We also stay after the Saturday night after the cruise. I agree that it is a nice way to wind down. It also makes it a little bit easier (and I mean a tiny bit easier) to get off the ship knowing that your vacation isn't totally over. We will be staying at the WL, but my family does not know it. I love surprising them. We have never stayed there before and have always wanted to.

I have a question for those going down early. We will be in Orlando on Thanksgiving. We do have a condo, but I don't plan on cooking a full course meal. We use it for breakfast and small meals. Anyways, does anyone have any ideas for Thanksgiving dinner?

Enjoy the sun!

 

[DsnysGr8t]

We too will be staying the Saturday night we get off the cruise! Though at an Embassy Suites by the airport (our flight out on Sunday leaves at 7am).

We have been tossing around ideas for what to do on Thanksgiving, right now we're thinking O'Hanas at the Poly, though we might break down and get one of those "Complete Thanksgiving Dinners" from Marie Calendars.

If you think of any other places in the area that might be fun, let me know!

Lisa

 

[dthogue]

Sorry, I don't have any suggestions for a good Thanksgiving day meal, but O'hanas sounds like fun. We have always wanted to eat there, but never get around to it.

We spent Thanksgiving at WDW several years ago and boy it was weird to us. We are used to it being cold for Thanksgiving and here we were, 80 degrees, wearing shorts and listening to Christmas music on the radio - gotta love it.

Hopefully we'll be traveling to Orlando on Thanksgiving, still looking for a decent flight. So I guess our dinner will be at some airport - hope something good will be open.

Happy Spring everyone - hope the weather is great where you are

 

[cmaelltt1]

This is so great. We booked our cruise last December and are so very excited. Almost immediately after booking, I started working on potty training for my just turned 3 yo son. We've made great progress, so hopefully he can get into the kids programs. I've just been sitting here reading the back posts and getting to know everyone. Yes, I'm supposed to be cooking dinner before my dh gets back with dd from Martial Arts. Hopefully, I can throw something together quickly.

We live in Virginia, DiaLady, it sounds like we are in the same hometown area. We are also homeschoolers so I'm wondering if we know each other. We also have Busch Gardens passes and love to go before the crowds come for summer.

This is our first cruise. We've done Disney World twice. But my oldest dd was and only child both times. We've added 2 kids since then and decided it was time to take them on their first Disney trip. We were planning to do Disney World again but after seeing the Travel Channel cruise show, we decided on this instead.

My kids are dd 12, dd 5, and ds 3. We are booked in room 2607 and 2609 connected. They are inside rooms but I'm happy we got connecting rooms. I really wanted 2 bathrooms and this was cheaper than a cat 3 or 4 room.

My dh doesn't like to fly, so we will be leaving here on Thanksgiving morning and driving to his mother's house in NC. We'll spend the day with her and leave our dog with her. Then we plan on leaving early Friday to go to Jacksonville. We stayed there on our DW trips too. Then we will rise early on Saturday and drive to the ship. I'm hoping this works out well. We will probably drive the whole way back to NC after we debark on Saturday.

We are still discussing excursions and what things we want to do. We have a jar for all extra money and change and are up to $200 in just 2 months. This will be our wild money.

I hope to get to know some of you and can't wait to see you in person.

Carrie

 

[thumpery]

Welcome cmaelltt1! We've been rather quiet here since Spring has arrived! I think you'll love the cruise. This is our 3rd. Obviously, we're hooked!

My in-laws live in N.C. also. We're flying to Florida so I guess we'll just wave to them.

We've been saving our loose change too since we booked the cruise. It really adds up and teaches the kids how to save $.

Take Care!

 

[dthogue]

Hi Carrie,

Welcome to the DIS and to our cruise thread. As thumpery mentioned, its been quite here lately, but hopefully everyone is still checking in.

Sounds like you are off to a good start with your plans. This is the place to get all the information you need for a great vacation.

I have a DD who just turned 13 - if your DD is interested in emailing her and getting to know each other before the cruise just let me know.

Anyone else waiting patiently or not so patiently for Southwest to open up flights for the cruise? It seems like our airfare is the last piece of my puzzle. I booked 2 nights at the Comfort Inn and Suites at Cocoa Beach for Thanksgiving and Friday nights. The hotel looks nice, and its just across the street from the ocean. Will anyone else be in the Cocoa Beach area Friday night - maybe we can set up a mini-meet.

Take care!