October 16, 2008 3 night

[brucechase]

Wow, I'm glad I don't have to fly. I was shocked at seeing the sub$200 price for a plane ticket. When I fly (for my work -which is rarely), the tickets are usually $800-$1200. I always connect in ATL so don't worry too much. I've had connecting flights of less then 40 minutes and still made it across the concourses. If you do this and it is close, make sure the attendants on your plane know this and they will let you off first. And always allow for the missing luggage this with a couple of items in the carryon. I'd rather wear shorts and tshirts to dinner than miss a Disney cruise.

For reference, just the drive from GA to the port (and back) will cost me around $250 in gas.

I hope all works out with your flight, especially since this is your anniversary. Keep us informed.

 

[Smiley22]

I dont mind layovers and the earlier to leave the better. I just have never run into any problems before with airlines except Northwest.They cancelled a flight with no advance warning. I guess I will spend the rest of the day investigating flights. I have nonstop flights right now and that sounds like the ones that will be cancelled first. What to do What to do.
If anyone has any more advise please let me know.

 

[zulaya]

Before you totally not consider NWA, I think you may need to consider the reason for the cancelled flight. If there was a mechanical issue, did you really want them to continue with the flight? Or if there were only 10 people on the flight, would it really be profitable for them to fly it?

The reality is if they did that all the time, they wouldn't be flying at all at any airport.

I still think that Delta would be your best backup plan.

Please be clear; I'm not saying that Airtran WILL mess up your plans. But if you do have to make alternate plans, here's one itinerary that I saw from Delta:

October 16
FNT-ATL Delta 4829
(49 min. layover)
ATL-MCO Delta 959
545am-1012am

(I made an assumption that you were going home after the cruise; I know that may not be the case, so this return flight may not be what you are looking for.)

October 19
MCO-ATL Delta 964
(2hr 2 min layover)
ATL-FNT Delta 4601
1115am-440pm

 

[Smiley22]

We are staying 3 days after the cruise at WDW. I have looked at different airlines and have a couple back up plans if something starts to go wrong. I just hope that I have enough warning. Positive thinking

 

[zulaya]

Glad you have a back up.

Here's my worry...and I know it may not come to fruition...I've been reading Weather Underground and it seems that the tropics are definitely heating up where hurricanes and tropical storms are concerned.

Right now the long range model is suggesting that we may have 4 named storms this time next week in the Atlantic.

I'm not worried about being on ship...I know the captain will steer around and away from anything dangerous.

I'm not really even concerned about getting aboard. I figure if the ship can't dock and I can't get to Port Everglades or Fort Lauderdale or whatever, then, okay.

My concern is with docking at the end of the cruise.

Playing "let's suppose" for a minute...Suppose we have to dock in Port Everglades or Fort Lauderdale?

My plan is 3 day cruise, then 4 days at WDW at BCV. Right now, I have a great rental car code from National that let's me rent for the week for $94 (and that includes taxes.) Right now, that's the best rate I could find, including looking at 2 one-way rentals.

I need a car; It's a control thing for me.

Anyway, my plan was to just rent the car, leave it at the Radisson, get off the boat, go back to the Radisson, get the car, head to WDW.

Well if we dock somewhere else, then that smurfs my whole plan. It would be a heck of a lot easier if, for example, we dock at Port Everglades, for me to just rent a car there and drive directly to WDW than ride a bus to Port Canaveral, then ride in the car some more to get to WDW.

So I'm thinking I need to to look at one way rentals, but then my total out of pocket will be higher. I know; I'm cheap. I also like my National Executive membership...something about picking out your own car just does it for me. That and not having to hit the counter.

So, I'm sure you all think I'm paranoid, but now I'm thinking I need to at least look at what my options are out of both those terminals.

I suppose I deserve that for traveling during hurricane season.

 

[brucechase]

We have booked Palo on the first night and are going to book the CS for Atlantis.

Did you book the CS for Atlantis? I did and was wondering about the rate you got. The cost was $158 for me but I think I am going to rebook under the little league or LPGA rate and save another $10-$15. If you (or others) are going, we should meet and all get in one cab. I understand that they take 10-12 people and they will wait until the cab is full before they head out.

 

[livinthedisneydream]

Did you book the CS for Atlantis? I did and was wondering about the rate you got. The cost was $158 for me but I think I am going to rebook under the little league or LPGA rate and save another $10-$15. If you (or others) are going, we should meet and all get in one cab. I understand that they take 10-12 people and they will wait until the cab is full before they head out.

Yes, I went ahead and booked the CS. We figured we'd be ok on our own since we did Atlantis for a few days after our Disneymoon 11 years ago. Of course, Atlantis has about doubled since we were last there, but I still think we'll be better off on our own.

Sure, we'd love to share a cab. It'd be nice to "know" the people we're sharing with and maybe we'll get there a little quicker!

I must say though that I need to get on here a little more so I'm better prepared. Our main thing has been making sure the babysitting of the kids is covered while we're away. I do have Saratoga booked the day before on our DVC points and then we had a bounceback offer at BWI after the cruise for a couple nights.

Now I just need a ding fare from Southwest for the flights!

Oh, and I did get the rental car taken care of so I guess I'm not sooooo bad. And since we won't have the kids, this is more of a "make sure we enjoy cruising" kind of cruise. We told them we are "checking it out" for them!

Lisa

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

Did you book the CS for Atlantis? I did and was wondering about the rate you got. The cost was $158 for me but I think I am going to rebook under the little league or LPGA rate and save another $10-$15. If you (or others) are going, we should meet and all get in one cab. I understand that they take 10-12 people and they will wait until the cab is full before they head out.

Hi guys,

My family is on the October 16th cruise as well. We really want to book CS for Atlantis, the best rate I have come across is $175.00 which is still much better than Disney. Can you guys tell me who you booked your room through? I'd love to save every little bit I can, as this trips costs are adding up to a small fortune for us

 

[livinthedisneydream]

I went thru the comfort suites website. Our rate including fees is $176.40. Haven't found a way to get it any cheaper. Good luck!

 

[brucechase]

I'll post a link to the thread that talks about using an LPGA discount. It brings it way down and the nice thing is if you want to join the LPGA to use it (although it is not necessary) it is free to join. They don't expect you to carry your card on the ship and to the hotel.

I'll post soon, just rebook and then cancel your original res.

 

[livinthedisneydream]

I just googled the code and it came up with the page. It will take $10 off the room on our night. Thanks!

 

[brucechase]

Glad to help. But when I did it, the rate was $148 which should have be about $30 off. Is that the rate you got? I should check again, it might have gone up.

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

I found the discount code, but the CS site was down. I'll try it in a bit........hoping to save some $$$

 

[livinthedisneydream]

My original rate was $158 w/o tax. I think it was AAA maybe. Anyway, I'm always happy to get a bigger discount! Thanks!

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

The code saves me just over $30.00 thank you so much for the info! I need to wait a week to book the room, hopefully I will be able to get the same rate then!

 

[brucechase]

The code saves me just over $30.00 thank you so much for the info! I need to wait a week to book the room, hopefully I will be able to get the same rate then!

Don't wait too long. I've read that a 2 night minimum comes and goes at that place. Also rates change all the time (but usually go down). I check every week or so jsut to make sure. I can always use an extra few dollars.

By the way, from what I understand on other parts of the board the taxis usually wait until they are full before they leave. If we all get together, we'll have close to a full car - no waiting. If you are interested, let us know and we'll develop a meet time for getting off the ship. We will probably be pretty early just because the kids will be excited (and maybe me too).

Anyone else interesting in doing the fish extender thing? My wife if getting ready to make one and I see there is 2 others (ndepaola & zulaya) who are daring enough to try.

 

[zulaya]

Anyone else interesting in doing the fish extender thing? My wife if getting ready to make one and I see there is 2 others (ndepaola & zulaya) who are daring enough to try.

Mine is done. I did a no-sew version. Hot glue gun! I hope more people participate because it could be great fun leaving goodies and not getting caught!

I'll see if I can upload the pic.

 

[zulaya]

 

[Butterx3]

Hi there,
I haven't been on in awhile. The summer just flew by didn't it.

Anyways Atlantis sounds fun but my oldest son will want to do the Pirate Museum for sure. I still haven't told my kids about the trip, I will be surprising them the second week of Septemeber.

Does anyone have directions on how to make the Fish Extenders without being able to sew? Or does someone sell them on Ebay? That may be essier for an uncrafty person like myself.

I have an issue. I booked a flight for Oct 14th, but we will be arriving in Orlando @11:00pm. I know bad flight time, but I didn't want my oldest to miss anymore school than he has to, especially his Algebra class, so I booked a later flight. But does anyone have any suggestions as to where we should stay, I am thinking by the time we get our luggage and bearings it will be almost midnight. Should I just stay at the Hilton Airport?

I don't remember who said it either, but whoever got the car rental for a week for $94, how did you score that? I keep looking on Expedia, and the lowest I find is @ $150.00 for a week. Which drives me nuts since the cruise days the car will sit idle. But I like having a car and being able to go where ever, whenever.

Anyways, my kids start school next week, I was going to tell them about the trip next week, but my parents are on vacation, and I am sending my kids on a little scavenger hunt with clues, and my parents have the perfect garden and back yard to do the hunt, (and then they can also be there for it), but I have to wait until they get home from Vagas now. We went out to dinner with the neighbor and she asked me "So when do you leave for your cruise"... Luckily we were at Space Aliens, a very loud restaurant with all the video games and stuff and the kids were so preoccupied with one another and their surroundings that they missed it. So my surprise was almost foiled!

 

[zulaya]

I have $94 for the week with a code from National that's questionable. The code has been pulled for new reservations, but apparently people who kept the reservations have had them honored.

I have a back up ressie at National with the EA contract ID and a $35 coupon that's on the National site (I'd have to look up the number), that's for $134. Which I think is pretty good! I have it from Oct 15-Oct 22.

If you look on the main Cruise Line Forum, there is a giant thread about Fish Extenders. On page 1 or 2, there is someone who described how they made their Fish Extenders sans sewing.

I used a hot glue gun for ALL of it.

So if you just get dimensions for the fabric, you should be fine.

Some people just used bags, as well, but I thought it would be more fun to make one. I sat on that fabric for months before I finally just did it. Took me an hour or so...I didn't time it, but I did it on the floor while I was watching a movie.