Oct 30 2010 7 Night Western

[tinkerbelltwins]

Hi Beth,

We usually take Car Service over to the port, as it's cheaper and you don't arrive at the same time as the crowd from the bus. I've used Happy Limo for the last 2 and been very happy. We just take a van, which is the cheapest, we wouldn't fit in a towncar with all of the luggage. Last year we got lucky and on the return they picked us up in a Hummer Limo at the same price!!!

Hi, Thanks for the advice about Happy Limo! How is luggage handled if I use Happy Limo? When the car service pulls into the port do you have to lug the bags to the check in desk or does the driver handle it? Are we supposed to do any cruise type of check in at the Hyatt or at the DCL desk at the airport or do you have to wait and do it all at the port because of using a car service? I'm a bit fuzzy on the logistics with staying at the Hyatt and getting to the port. Happy Limo does sound like a great option, cheaper and you get there on your own timeline!

Beth

 

[Beachbumpirates]

We just used Happy Limo a few weeks back to get us to Universal and they were great. There is a discount available on MouseSavers.com too!

 

[wjcsmd]

Thanks! I'll mark my calendar.

Linda

Me Too!!

Does anyone know when Jetblue will release flights past October 31st? We booked with them going down on 10/29 (like those little tv's in the headrest -- keeps the kids occupied).
Sandra

 

[tjbaggott]

Did ya all see the new sticky message on the main board? Countdown tickers from Magical Kingdom are no longer showing here as the Magical Kingdom Web Site has a number of Malicious Software viruses. The Dis has blocked that site for this reason. Sites like www.*********************** and others seem ok still.

 

[eyes4mickey]

Hi, Thanks for the advice about Happy Limo! How is luggage handled if I use Happy Limo? When the car service pulls into the port do you have to lug the bags to the check in desk or does the driver handle it? Are we supposed to do any cruise type of check in at the Hyatt or at the DCL desk at the airport or do you have to wait and do it all at the port because of using a car service? I'm a bit fuzzy on the logistics with staying at the Hyatt and getting to the port. Happy Limo does sound like a great option, cheaper and you get there on your own timeline!

Beth

I barely handle the luggage. WHen you get off the plane go right up to the hotel, check in and give the bellman your luggage tags. The bellman will go down to the airport luggage carousel and bring all of your luggage up to your room. I think they charge $10 for that. When you check out have the bellman bring your bags down and they will put them in the Happy Limo car.
When you arrive at the port the driver gives the bag to the Disney baggage handler at the curb and they end up in your cabin. You will walk right in to the port security and go up to the desk to give in your paperwork. Not bad right? You don't give your cruise info to the hotel as you wont be taking the Magical Express from Hyatt.

 

[tinkerbelltwins]

I barely handle the luggage. WHen you get off the plane go right up to the hotel, check in and give the bellman your luggage tags. The bellman will go down to the airport luggage carousel and bring all of your luggage up to your room. I think they charge $10 for that. When you check out have the bellman bring your bags down and they will put them in the Happy Limo car.
When you arrive at the port the driver gives the bag to the Disney baggage handler at the curb and they end up in your cabin. You will walk right in to the port security and go up to the desk to give in your paperwork. Not bad right? You don't give your cruise info to the hotel as you wont be taking the Magical Express from Hyatt.

Wow. That sounds amazingly easy -- thanks for the info!

Beth

 

[sssteele]

Joanie, I've emailed you a graphic.

It's absolutely fantastic!! You are sooo talented. I know the group on that cruise will be so happy with such a wonderful reminder of the trip.

Joanie

 

[Grandma4ever]

Did ya all see the new sticky message on the main board? Countdown tickers from Magical Kingdom are no longer showing here as the Magical Kingdom Web Site has a number of Malicious Software viruses. The Dis has blocked that site for this reason. Sites like www.*********************** and others seem ok still.

I just saw it and had to go make me a new one!!

 

[Grandma4ever]

I was wondering if there were any other couples that might like to link dining with Janet and I. We did this last cruise with two other couples and had a blast. We do have the late dining. If anyone is interested send me a PM. Looking forward to cruising this fall. Lois

 

[Fastpaks]

So I went to book our airfare for SW today. Expecting to see $79 pp, saw $109! Grrrr. So now we are thinking about driving. In a way, it could be fun but 16-18hour < than 2 1/2 hour flight. I hope these prices go up and down cause that is just aggravating!

 

[tjbaggott]

So I went to book our airfare for SW today. Expecting to see $79 pp, saw $109! Grrrr. So now we are thinking about driving. In a way, it could be fun but 16-18hour < than 2 1/2 hour flight. I hope these prices go up and down cause that is just aggravating!

We're doing a 24 hour drive Actually I find the drive quite relaxing and Almost a vacation within a vacation. We can't get flights out of Ottawa for less than $400 or $500 per person. We could drive to SYR and fly out of there, but still we figure we can drive for less. U.S. gas is a little cheaper than our gas. Put it all together and we save a bit to a lot, over flying. I'm sure one day if I do a trip alone with my boys, I'll fly but will NEVER fly out of Ottawa (unless I won a free trip).

 

[Fastpaks]

Do you break that up over 2/3 days? I remember as a kid going to and from Florida and Missouri and having fun, my wife, yeah right. She can't stand longer than a few hours. I love the drive around Tennessee but when you hit Georgia...*yawn.*

 

[tjbaggott]

Do you break that up over 2/3 days? I remember as a kid going to and from Florida and Missouri and having fun, my wife, yeah right. She can't stand longer than a few hours. I love the drive around Tennessee but when you hit Georgia...*yawn.*

On the way down last fall, we split it over 3 days. After the cruise we went to spend the day at animal kingdom (did the other parks before the cruise), so that eveninng drove as far as Jacksonville (sp?) and stopped for the night (we were all exhausted before hitting the road in the first place). The next morning, we headed North for home. As darkness fell, DH came up with the bright idea of driving straight through. That worked fine till about 1am, DH was overly tired, and I couldn't focus my eyes right I was beyond tired, so we pulled into one of those welcome centres, parked and we both slept for a few hours. Awoke and started on again and were pulling into our driveway at 8AM. I don't think I'd do it that way again, unless one of us actually slept during the day.
We're still deciding on how to do the trip down this time as we have to stop off in New Jersey to drop my mom off at her sister's.
We may leave at 1 in the afternoon the day before we had planned on leaving, and go as far as NJ (8 hours away), spend the night at my Aunts, and then that leaves 16 hours to do over the next two days. Or we leave at midnight the start of the day we had planned on going, stop in NJ but don't stay, continue on till dusk of that day, which just might put us inside the FL border or close to it. Not sure. DH's normal working hours are from 1:30 AM to 10:30 AM, (and he drives from Ottawa to Montreal and back in that time frame), so the leaving at midnight just might work well for driving over two days vs 2 1/2 or 3. But leaving at 1pm the day before would fit better with my revealing the surprise to our kids, and leave immediately after the reveal.
I really dont' know how to decide at this point, but we've got lots of time yet to do just that.
If you do make the drive yourself, I found roomsaver coupons GREAT for hotels on the way down! Each of the welcome centers have the coupon books. Most, you just show up at the hotel. At that time of year I'm sure most will have space available.

By the way, when exactly is Jersey Week? And what does it mean?

 

[Fastpaks]

By the way, when exactly is Jersey Week? And what does it mean?

Jersey Week is when the kids are out of school in the state of New Jersey. I heard it was the the week we are on the cruise if I'm not mistaken.

As far as going, my wife has been fairly adamant about not driving. I think if I did I would break it up with Chatanooga or outside of ATL. Either way, I can't leave any earlier than that Tuesday prior to the cruise. We were planning a couple days in Orlando. Mnsshp that Thurs and MK that Fri. Hopefully, all this transportation stuff can be finished before June. Tbh, I just want to be on vacation too much and its starting to drive me crazy. At this point, I just want to forget about it till the time is right.

 

[tjbaggott]

Tbh, I just want to be on vacation too much and its starting to drive me crazy. At this point, I just want to forget about it till the time is right.

I agree, me too! Today I will be at work on my weekend job (nursing) and will be handing in my resignation letter (printer won't work for me this AM so I'll hand write it up.) I'm SOOOOOooooooo tired all the time, I work full time Monday to Friday at my home based business, then weekends at the retirement home. It's been fun, and lately frustrating, but I have no life beyond that it seems. Little to no family time on the weekends, no church in over a year. SO.. I've decided to get somewhat of a vacation started sooner rather than later. Having my weekends entirely back to me and my family Will do just that! I figure I'll give them till the end of April and then I'm gone,,,,,, SUMMER, Here I come!

As for you driving or flying, has your wife ever been on that drive before? Till last fall I hadn't. When we booked our 2009 vacation in the fall of 2008, I was totally bent on flying, while DH suggested "why don't we drive?" No WAy wE ARE FLYING! But right after we booked, the markets crashed, the economy was in trouble, although not so much here in Canada, but our Canadian Dollar did Sink pretty low. It was at that point that flying became VERY UNAFFORDABLE for us. So I started to consider the driving, talked with other disers on the transportation board and the Canadian travellers board and decided it wouldn't be so bad after all, but truthfully, one never knows till they experience it.
My only issues with the driving in the dark during early evening hours, on the way donwn, were two close accident calls. One with a deer that jumped right out in front of us just after dark, and then just 20 minutes later two dogs, one chasing the other ran onto the highway RIGHT in Front of us. Our hearts were in our throats both times, they were SUCH near misses, and thankfully DH had the sense, time and opportunity to swerve around them each time as there were NO other cars within view of us at those times. The deer, we missed a mere few inches! But other than that it really was fun and relaxing. We had movies and games and travel bingo games and the license plate game (I think I had more fun with that one than the kids!) No matter how you decided to get to FL though, the main point is YOU'LL GET THERE! Thats all that really matters.

 

[Pudo]

By the way, when exactly is Jersey Week? And what does it mean?

Normally the first Thursday and Friday of November is when NJ has their Teacher's convention in Atlantic City.

Many school districts close the whole week, other's do not, only Thursday and Friday, but either way parents find the first week of November a good time to go on vacation. "Jersey week" was coined a little while back since there are a high percentage of folks from Jersey on vacation.

 

[Grandma4ever]

For those that have decided to Drive to the port I will see you on the road. We have about 22 hours of drive time that we plan to do in two days. We will make the first day a long one so we can hopefully get to the port in time to see the Wonder pull out on that Thursday. May be our only chance to do this. I just can't deal with flying when the airlines treat me like they are doing me a favor. I hate the fact that they feel it is their right ti change flights and times without consideration or notification. And if fact driving will not save me any money when you consider the food and the additional time away. Getting down off my soap box.

If you fly keep an eye on your ressie. Most airlines will change your flight many times. We began with direct flights and ended upo with connecting. There seems that there is nothing we as consumers can do. Getting back down

 

[Grandma4ever]

By the way, when exactly is Jersey Week? And what does it mean?

It seems that Jersey Week is Nov 4,5, & 6 in 2010. I have no idea if there is anything special.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

For those that have decided to Drive to the port I will see you on the road. We have about 22 hours of drive time that we plan to do in two days. We will make the first day a long one so we can hopefully get to the port in time to see the Wonder pull out on that Thursday. May be our only chance to do this. I just can't deal with flying when the airlines treat me like they are doing me a favor. I hate the fact that they feel it is their right ti change flights and times without consideration or notification. And if fact driving will not save me any money when you consider the food and the additional time away. Getting down off my soap box.

If you fly keep an eye on your ressie. Most airlines will change your flight many times. We began with direct flights and ended upo with connecting. There seems that there is nothing we as consumers can do. Getting back down

We're driving down too but spending the week before the cruise at WDW. We'll stay near the port the night before (still haven't decided where - looking for a hotel that sleeps 3 in an accessible room) and then board the ship as early as possible Saturday morning.

I had debated on extending our Polynesian stay so we check out Saturday morning and then drive to port but then it ends up costing a lot more since the Poly is more expensive and then we would have to pay to park at the port. I'm not thrilled with switching hotels for 1 night but it does make sense.

 

[sssteele]

For those that have decided to Drive to the port I will see you on the road. We have about 22 hours of drive time that we plan to do in two days. We will make the first day a long one so we can hopefully get to the port in time to see the Wonder pull out on that Thursday. May be our only chance to do this. I just can't deal with flying when the airlines treat me like they are doing me a favor. I hate the fact that they feel it is their right ti change flights and times without consideration or notification. And if fact driving will not save me any money when you consider the food and the additional time away. Getting down off my soap box.

If you fly keep an eye on your ressie. Most airlines will change your flight many times. We began with direct flights and ended upo with connecting. There seems that there is nothing we as consumers can do. Getting back down

We love to have dinner and a drink at one of the restaurants (ie FishLips) and watch the other ships (especially disney ships) pull out in the evening. Gets us sooo ready for our departure the next day.

Have met up with some wonderful people at meet and greet on the night before we sail.

Joanie