****Official August 2014 Thread****

[seenellie81]

OK so i had to run out to work as i was patiently waiting for SW to open flights, DH had to do the booking which is fine. I cant complain about the prices to much. Except from the time he chose the flight to Orlando put in everyones info and then went to check out the price went up 20 bucks on each ticket!! Come on SW! Really? So we got Buffalo to MCO at $123 for a non stop 8 am flight. I guess they dont run the 6am flight in the middle of the week. Oh well 8 works too. And we got Tampa to Buffalo return at $123 non stop. So we were able to get all 4 of us round trip for under a grand which is what i was hoping for.
Side note we are going to go over to clearwater beach after WDW for 3 days. We have never been to the gulf before. Can anyone give any suggestions for an inexpensive hotel walking distance to pier 60? Thanks so much!

 

[Disneylover99]

Okay, so we didn't book and we are seriously considering driving. Has anyone taken the auto train??? my husband wants to take the train from Orlando to Virginia and then drive the rest of the way back.

 

[digiMom]

In the past, I've purchased packages through Disney that included tickets. This year I rented points so decided what the heck, save a few bucks and buy from Undercover Tourist. I bought 5 day park hoppers with the intention of adding extra days once there and keeping my discount (bridging). Well, now there's a big scare that Disney will no longer allow that. Some are saying it's fine, they just don't upgrade special tickets like you get for conventions; others are saying no upgrade at all; some say you must pay the whole upgrade not just the difference; some are saying you have to pay the difference from what the ticket was purchased from Disney was, meaning you pay the price of the ticket plus the broker's discount. I'm freaking out. On top of all this I have the nagging worry of what happens if I get there and I have no reservation. (OK, probably not, but it is technically possible.)

I'll just sit back and see how this all unfolds. But depending on how this pans out, we may be going to IOA one day for the first time lol. (Just on principal. Geez!)

 

[lovin'fl]

Okay, so we didn't book and we are seriously considering driving. Has anyone taken the auto train??? my husband wants to take the train from Orlando to Virginia and then drive the rest of the way back.

I think I am driving too. We did the autotrain once and hated it but we had 3 little kids and all crammed into one family cabin. And the cost was as much as flying .

 

[alicat8]

Okay, so we didn't book and we are seriously considering driving. Has anyone taken the auto train??? my husband wants to take the train from Orlando to Virginia and then drive the rest of the way back.

My friend did the autotrain with 2 little kids and loved it, but it didn't seen worth it to me. She had to drive way too far to get to it. But they had a lot of fun.

 

[Disneylover99]

In the past, I've purchased packages through Disney that included tickets. This year I rented points so decided what the heck, save a few bucks and buy from Undercover Tourist. I bought 5 day park hoppers with the intention of adding extra days once there and keeping my discount (bridging). Well, now there's a big scare that Disney will no longer allow that. Some are saying it's fine, they just don't upgrade special tickets like you get for conventions; others are saying no upgrade at all; some say you must pay the whole upgrade not just the difference; some are saying you have to pay the difference from what the ticket was purchased from Disney was, meaning you pay the price of the ticket plus the broker's discount. I'm freaking out. On top of all this I have the nagging worry of what happens if I get there and I have no reservation. (OK, probably not, but it is technically possible.)

I'll just sit back and see how this all unfolds. But depending on how this pans out, we may be going to IOA one day for the first time lol. (Just on principal. Geez!)

I've been trying to keep up with that thread as well. That is stressful. I hope all this gets sorts out soon.

 

[Disneylover99]

I think I am driving too. We did the autotrain once and hated it but we had 3 little kids and all crammed into one family cabin. And the cost was as much as flying .

My friend did the autotrain with 2 little kids and loved it, but it didn't seen worth it to me. She had to drive way too far to get to it. But they had a lot of fun.

I'm not sure it's something I really want to do. I'm going to keep watching airfares closely.

 

[DisMom1981]

With a huge hope for great discounts on rentals DH says we will service our own if we don't find a good deal yet I would prefer to keep the miles off our personal vehicles. Happy Dance for all those getting their flights scheduled

I know! Not ideal in that sense but I LOVED having my car with us- and it's only a year old. Not sure how Id feel if it were older.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[esmom]

Okay, so we didn't book and we are seriously considering driving. Has anyone taken the auto train??? my husband wants to take the train from Orlando to Virginia and then drive the rest of the way back.

We are taking the Autotrain back from Fl. It's our 1st time so I'm sorry but I can't answer many questions. There is an autotrain thread. There are many there who could help.
We booked 2 roometts because I have 2 girls who won't sleep in an open area. I'm very excited about it-so are the girls. It will save us wear and tear on the car and many hours driving. (Not to mention traffic!) The girls can walk around, watch movies, eat, stretch or use the bathroom whenever they need to. I think it will be the best choice for us. Not cheap, but worth it to avoid being in a car together for 2 days when we are all sad, mad, upset about leaving Disney.

 

[Disneylover99]

We are taking the Autotrain back from Fl. It's our 1st time so I'm sorry but I can't answer many questions. There is an autotrain thread. There are many there who could help.
We booked 2 roometts because I have 2 girls who won't sleep in an open area. I'm very excited about it-so are the girls. It will save us wear and tear on the car and many hours driving. (Not to mention traffic!) The girls can walk around, watch movies, eat, stretch or use the bathroom whenever they need to. I think it will be the best choice for us. Not cheap, but worth it to avoid being in a car together for 2 days when we are all sad, mad, upset about leaving Disney.

Thank you. My kids are going mad with excitement at the thought of the Autotrain. I'm just going mad! because I don't know what to do. I did check out the Autotrain thread too.

 

[lovin'fl]

I'll tell you all more about our autotrain experience. Our kids were younger (8, 8 and 10) and we were on that sucker for like 20 hours...stuck on it...nowhere to let the kids get out any energy or to stretch legs..etc. There was NO cable/satellite so NO TV...my DH, who always has ESPN on, was quite anxious. We were in a family cabin and the beds barely fit us and we heard and FELT every bump...was very loud and rough. It was really painful...really!!!!! We booked last minute and paid about $1K, in 2007, for just one way....could have and should have flown for that.

 

[Disneylover99]

I'll tell you all more about our autotrain experience. Our kids were younger (8, 8 and 10) and we were on that sucker for like 20 hours...stuck on it...nowhere to let the kids get out any energy or to stretch legs..etc. There was NO cable/satellite so NO TV...my DH, who always has ESPN on, was quite anxious. We were in a family cabin and the beds barely fit us and we heard and FELT every bump...was very loud and rough. It was really painful...really!!!!! We booked last minute and paid about $1K, in 2007, for just one way....could have and should have flown for that.

I'm going to make my husband read your post.
He thinks our kids (7 and 10) are going to sleep well in coach.
I think I would rather drive and spend the night in a half decent hotel for a fraction of the price.

Thank you for sharing. Sorry your experience was so miserable.

 

[aloha517]

I'm not sure it's something I really want to do. I'm going to keep watching airfares closely.

I'm with you..

 

[Sheaboys]

WE are booked: POR Sunday August 17th through Tuesday, August 26th. Today I booked our flights Southwest, Non Stop Hartford/BDL Ct to MCO, for $108 one way. Only catch, I booked them for Saturday the 16th, so I guess I will add a day at Disney. On Sunday, I did not see Flights I liked, not out of Hartford or Providence, or Boston. I had points, so I got 6 one way tickets free. Purchased 1 ticket. Then on the way back they were $108 also, so I purchased 2 more, then got 5 with purchasing additional points with the points I had on each child. So for $580 I got 7 round trip tickets! Not too bad.

We are a family of 7, Me, DH, Ds1 (16), Ds2 (14), Ds3 (12), Ds4 (7) and Ds5 who is 5.

I don't have dining nailed down yet. I am really hoping for Free dining, but not holding my breath. If not, we may move to All Star Movies, again not sure just yet.

Can't wait!!!!

 

[jebpompano]

Yay!!! I'm joining in! Can't wait!

 

[alicat8]

WE are booked: POR Sunday August 17th through Tuesday, August 26th. Today I booked our flights Southwest, Non Stop Hartford/BDL Ct to MCO, for $108 one way. Only catch, I booked them for Saturday the 16th, so I guess I will add a day at Disney. On Sunday, I did not see Flights I liked, not out of Hartford or Providence, or Boston. I had points, so I got 6 one way tickets free. Purchased 1 ticket. Then on the way back they were $108 also, so I purchased 2 more, then got 5 with purchasing additional points with the points I had on each child. So for $580 I got 7 round trip tickets! Not too bad.

We are a family of 7, Me, DH, Ds1 (16), Ds2 (14), Ds3 (12), Ds4 (7) and Ds5 who is 5.

I don't have dining nailed down yet. I am really hoping for Free dining, but not holding my breath. If not, we may move to All Star Movies, again not sure just yet.

Can't wait!!!!

I'll be flying out of bdl too! A few days earlier than you both ways. they've already changed the flights I wanted twice. Im pretty annoyed with JetBlue. I haven't booked yet, but they're messing with my head with the schedule changes.

 

[alicat8]

WE are booked: POR Sunday August 17th through Tuesday, August 26th. Today I booked our flights Southwest, Non Stop Hartford/BDL Ct to MCO, for $108 one way. Only catch, I booked them for Saturday the 16th, so I guess I will add a day at Disney. On Sunday, I did not see Flights I liked, not out of Hartford or Providence, or Boston. I had points, so I got 6 one way tickets free. Purchased 1 ticket. Then on the way back they were $108 also, so I purchased 2 more, then got 5 with purchasing additional points with the points I had on each child. So for $580 I got 7 round trip tickets! Not too bad.

We are a family of 7, Me, DH, Ds1 (16), Ds2 (14), Ds3 (12), Ds4 (7) and Ds5 who is 5.

I don't have dining nailed down yet. I am really hoping for Free dining, but not holding my breath. If not, we may move to All Star Movies, again not sure just yet.

Can't wait!!!!

I'll be flying out of bdl too! A few days earlier than you both ways. they've already changed the flights I wanted twice. Im pretty annoyed with JetBlue. I haven't booked yet, but they're messing with my head with the schedule changes.

 

[Dwheels]

Booked our flights today SW was crazy selling out quick it seemed! We r flying out of Philly Saturday 23-Sunday 31 paid $330 round trip the most I ever paid!! The prices kept going up though! Had to book 2 separate reservations to get cheaper flights if I put in 4 people the price went up so booked for 2 and 2 and saved $100 this is the most I ever paid to fly to MCO!! Why r prices so high this year? We fly the same time every year never paid this much!!

 

[Heidi K]

OK so i had to run out to work as i was patiently waiting for SW to open flights, DH had to do the booking which is fine. I cant complain about the prices to much. Except from the time he chose the flight to Orlando put in everyones info and then went to check out the price went up 20 bucks on each ticket!! Come on SW! Really? So we got Buffalo to MCO at $123 for a non stop 8 am flight. I guess they dont run the 6am flight in the middle of the week. Oh well 8 works too. And we got Tampa to Buffalo return at $123 non stop. So we were able to get all 4 of us round trip for under a grand which is what i was hoping for.

We're flying from Buffalo, too--we seriously considered the 8 am nonstop but I was afraid my little ones would be shot for the rest of the day after getting to the airport before 7, so we went for the mid-afternoon flight. I did wish there were more times available, but after seeing people's experiences with prices going up, I'm just glad we came in at budget.

I haven't been on this thread for a while and wish I'd seen people's suggestions about booking two one-way flights for greater flexibility, as there's a slight chance we'll have to change the return flight. Oh, well. I'm just glad to be going! Haven't been to Disney since 2008.

 

[huggiebear23]

Okay, so we didn't book and we are seriously considering driving. Has anyone taken the auto train??? my husband wants to take the train from Orlando to Virginia and then drive the rest of the way back.

I am taking the auto train with my 2 girls there and we will be driving home. We normally only fly but I'm an overpacker and driving and the train makes sense this trip. Also the airfare is just way to high.