PeepsII-The Hot, Sweaty Asian Strikes Back. Feb 2010. 12/2-Part 2 has begun.

[eandesmom]

Okay, all you binder affecianados (sp?)... Can someone tell me what you DO with the binders?? Do you just kinda let them sit on the resort table in your room? Certainly you don't carry them aroudn with you in the parks, right?? Count me as dense, but frankly I just don't get it. Do you really USE it once it's made?? Why not just a small-ish book listing out your ADRs, room conf. number, and a few other imp. facts? Does any of us here really need to have park maps in a folder??

Help me out friends!! Jordo, what do you put in there??

I'm with you on the smallish books. I do bring a folder with any large docs I need for reference but don't tote that around with me. I use a 4x6 version that is designed to be a photo brag book but has a nice band to slip around it and keep it closed. It holds a LOT and will hold a park map folded in half, quite well! It fits in my purse or park bag so I can have it on me but it isn't heavy. I need a new one.

12:08 PM- just about lunch time. Korean Kim Bap, 3 kinds of salads, Coke, and bread cooked over a dung fire!! MMM.mmmm!

ok yum to everything except the smell of the dung fire.

Chapter 33. Did I really do that?

I am NOT one who likes change. I go to WDW for vacation almost every year. I buy Toyotas. I like Dr Pepper. I order the same thing at restaurants.
It is no different when it comes to booking travel. I almost always fly Delta. I have a few good friends who work for Delta and I have never had issues with them so why change? I was just biding my time until fares decided to come down. I also almost always fly the red-eye.....

That is until Winkers pointed out the Southwest fare of 223.00. Airfares for any major airline are not likely to get below 300.00 total w/o bag fees. So a R/T airfare is probably going to cost me about 330-350 including bag fees. This 223 fare has a plane change in vegas and gets me into MCO at 11:30pm on FRIDAY, not Saturday morning, meaning I'd have to add a night at Pop basically just to sleep. The return flight leaves MCO at 2:35pm on Thursday the 18th. I lose that whole day basically that was originally planned for the parks.....the Delta flight left at 6:50pm which gave me until about 3:00pm in the parks.....Doesn't sound like I went for this great fare does it?

Guess again! It's booked and paid for!!!! I can't believe I did it!!!!!

Here are the reasons why I decided to bite the bullet and do it:

1) The flights leave from Orange County airport. SNA is about 15-20 minutes from my home. It's a much smaller airport and easier to get in and out of. Security lines, etc tend to be much shorter as well.
2) I am saving about 120.00
3) Even though I'm adding a night at Pop, I'm still saving money from the 5/2 deal and...
4) Because I'm losing that last departure day in the parks, I can add a park day back somewhere else. So, I'm probably NOT going to book the Backstage Magic Tour and use that for a park day. As a result, I am saving the 200.00 that I would've spent on the Tour.

So lost is that last day in the parks and an extra night at Pop for a bed to rest my head on for about 100.00.

Gained is about 440.00 saved by making all the changes....

It'll be interesting how this plays out in February.......

So Airfare Roulette is now over for me...now Wendy and gang have to book as well as Kim and Allan.

Jordan's Itinerary

Friday, Feb 5th:
Depart SNA: 2:30pm
Arrive MCO: 11:30pm

Thurs, Feb 18th
Depart MCO: 2:30pm
Arrive SNA: 6:35pm

Accommodations:
Feb 5-14th: Pop
Feb 14-18th: AKV Standard View Studio.

Darn good reasons. Not to mention a nice chunk of change.

And ditto on the Dr Pepper. And Toyotas.

 

[jordanyosh]

Great deal on the airfare! Fuzzy Disney Math at it's best

It is FDM at it's best. I don't think I'm done wheeling and dealing yet..My travel agent just laughs.

Well, Cherie, the blame had to go somewhere.

$440 is a lot of dough! That a lot towards next year's trip OR add-ons for this trip OR?????

But, I can totally see your reasoning here. I would hate to lose park days too. $100 isn't bad to have that head start in the morning.

I think I won't really realize how much time I save by getting there the night before until that Saturday when my cousin and her family are having to get settled and I have that spare time to do something fun....

Good savings! We'll be getting into Pop with just enough time to unpack and get to sleep as well this November, with the added bonus of an extra night of free dining... totally worthy!

I do have to add that extra night of the Quick Service Plan, but I think I have a way to remedy that.

 

[vamassey1]

Yeah for booking your airfare!

When I stayed at Pop in June they were testing with Southwest for the baggage thingy. Meaning I checked my bags before I left and didn't see them again until we landed in New Orleans. Pop was the only place doing this at the time. You might want to check on the resort board to see if they're still doing this or if it's a permanent now. Made it real nice and easy. The morning I was flying out I checked my bags and went to DTD until it was time to catch the ME. I also check in the night before at the desk and still had "A" boarding.

I don't take the binder into the parks, it sits all alone in the room waiting for our return. I put together an schedule for everyday that sits in the binder. When I'm packing my bag for the day I grab the schedule and go.

 

[englishrose47]

I think you did the right thing with airfare! Saving yourself that much money is awesome and you can't beat the no luggage fees. I think I'm going to do that new thing Southwest is offering for the early 36 hour check in they will do for your automatically for the flight home. Just so I don't have to worry about getting one of the last boarding numbers like last trip.

I always Fly SWA !! Free bags , direct flight usually on time !!! Some people hate the open seating though!!! What is this new 36hour check in Ithought it was 24hour !!!

 

[Simba22]

I am NOT one who likes change. I go to WDW for vacation almost every year. I buy Toyotas. I like Dr Pepper. I order the same thing at restaurants.
It is no different when it comes to booking travel. I almost always fly Delta. I have a few good friends who work for Delta and I have never had issues with them so why change? I was just biding my time until fares decided to come down. I also almost always fly the red-eye.....

Wow .... I could have written that! LOL Except the Dr. Pepper part
and the part about the red-eye because I get the heck outta CT ASAFP.

Any my 2001 Echo is about to bite the dust...I'm hoping I can convince Lumar to go with a 4Runner next... I need space after driving the Echo for 8 years

Guess again! It's booked and paid for!!!! I can't believe I did it!!!!!

I did the SAME thing with my airfare! I always always always fly Delta and this year between the fares and the bag fees it just wasn't cutting it. We seriously considered driving until I got almost the same deal from Southwest. We paid $530 total, so if you figure in taxes and security fee's and all that jazz, the tickets alone were probably around $235-$240. And with no bag fees, it's just worth it.

 

[englishrose47]

Yeah for booking your airfare!

When I stayed at Pop in June they were testing with Southwest for the baggage thingy. Meaning I checked my bags before I left and didn't see them again until we landed in New Orleans. Pop was the only place doing this at the time. You might want to check on the resort board to see if they're still doing this or if it's a permanent now. Made it real nice and easy. The morning I was flying out I checked my bags and went to DTD until it was time to catch the ME. I also check in the night before at the desk and still had "A" boarding.

I don't take the binder into the parks, it sits all alone in the room waiting for our return. I put together an schedule for everyday that sits in the binder. When I'm packing my bag for the day I grab the schedule and go.

They were doing it last month and SWA was on the sign for particpating airlines !! My DD found this out and I was arguing with her that SWA wasn't a participant BUT she was right !!!

 

[jordanyosh]

I love southwest!! Cheap...two free bags per person...and they are almost always ontime or ahead of time!! We are flying them in feb also!!

I'm hoping the on time or early statement is true as I only have a 40 minute window for my connecting flight from Vegas to MCO!!!!

I think you did the right thing with airfare! Saving yourself that much money is awesome and you can't beat the no luggage fees. I think I'm going to do that new thing Southwest is offering for the early 36 hour check in they will do for your automatically for the flight home. Just so I don't have to worry about getting one of the last boarding numbers like last trip.

No fees for luggage sealed the deal for me as far as airfares went. I've heard about their online check=in but I hadn't heard about the whole return flight auto check in....that's cool.

Jordan! Loved the pic of your dog. I really want a dacshund, but Jim says we aren't home enough to have a dog. Love the Binder - great memories from the front. And Yay for getting the cheap flights!

I've been trying to find flights to San Antonio over New Years and all I can find out of our town or the town 76 miles away is $643! Each. I may actually go on Allegiant Medford - Phoenix, leaving on Christmas Day - staying in Phoenix with Jim's DBthen to San Antonio on the 26th or 27th on Southwest and doing the same on the way home, staying in Phoenix for a night then, too.
That merry go round would save us $400 on tickets, but the weather can be so bad through the mountains to Medford, we can't be sure we'd get over there.

Since my roommate Jean is not working (mortgage industry, need I say more), the dogs get extra lovin.

I was stressed about airfares and just read an article on MSNBC yesterday that said airfares were stablizing and great deals would be harder and harder to find.

I wish you luck with your own version of airfare roulette! It can get stressful.

 

[jordanyosh]

A picture just came in to my head of a bag, with the key cards crocheted together to make the body of the bag - I'm sure I've seen something like that at a craft bazaar!

That's what I always picture, too! Great minds!

Waiting to see the completed craft project. Who I send my old cards to?

 

[jordanyosh]

i think you made a wise choice jordan, now just make sure you get online at exactly the 24 hour window to get boarding group A so you can be the first to get on the plan and get seat well after the wheelchairs and small children boarding.

I've heard about the online check in from my roommates. Thanks for the advice. Thank God for people like you in the know.

Good to hear from you Dan! Miss you around these parts, but understand!

I have 2 mini dacshunds.....1 I'm willing to part with. I'll even deliver her for free.

She's really cute and so clueless you can't help but love her......oh, and she seems to have chronic diarehea.....but that's just a minor detail.

I hope my roommate doesn't read this. She's a sucker for hard luck dogs.

Jordan,

I'm so glad you got that settled! This way is better, I think. Hit the sack early and get up and out to your first park the next morning.


Kathy

I know. I feel better about the decision now that I've had a chance to sleep on it. I will be able to get to the Magic Kingdom, do a few attractions that the kids can't do and then meet up with Wendy and the rest of the gang.

 

[jordanyosh]

Du-ude! Saving a good chunk of money AND being able to hit the parks bright and early in the morning = A GREAT DECISION! Good call, Winkers

PS: The puppy is soooooooooo adorable!

Buddy is overall a good dog...he does enjoy chewing on various things in our house...

I think getting in the night before everyone else is a good thing for sure.

Darn good reasons. Not to mention a nice chunk of change.

And ditto on the Dr Pepper. And Toyotas.

I might be giving some of that "saved" money back to the Mouse...

I wish I could give up soda pop. It's just so bad for you...Dr Pepper is my weakness.

I've had 4 Toyotas since 1980. They last forever.

Yeah for booking your airfare!

When I stayed at Pop in June they were testing with Southwest for the baggage thingy. Meaning I checked my bags before I left and didn't see them again until we landed in New Orleans. Pop was the only place doing this at the time. You might want to check on the resort board to see if they're still doing this or if it's a permanent now. Made it real nice and easy. The morning I was flying out I checked my bags and went to DTD until it was time to catch the ME. I also check in the night before at the desk and still had "A" boarding.

I don't take the binder into the parks, it sits all alone in the room waiting for our return. I put together an schedule for everyday that sits in the binder. When I'm packing my bag for the day I grab the schedule and go.

I hope that the test for Southwest makes it to the other resorts. That would save some time for sure.

On my arrival, it won't make a difference as I have to pick up my bags at baggage claim anyway since my flight arrives after 11pm.

I just have a small card that my cousin makes for each day that I carry around.

 

[jordanyosh]

I always Fly SWA !! Free bags , direct flight usually on time !!! Some people hate the open seating though!!! What is this new 36hour check in Ithought it was 24hour !!!

I usually flew SWA for work as it was the cheapest, but Delta for pleasure. I won't mind it I'm sure. Hopefully the flight out won't be full.....

I don't mind the open seating as long as I get a good seat.

Wow .... I could have written that! LOL Except the Dr. Pepper part
and the part about the red-eye because I get the heck outta CT ASAFP.

Any my 2001 Echo is about to bite the dust...I'm hoping I can convince Lumar to go with a 4Runner next... I need space after driving the Echo for 8 years

No need for red eyes on the East Coast.

I LOVE my 4Runner.

I did the SAME thing with my airfare! I always always always fly Delta and this year between the fares and the bag fees it just wasn't cutting it. We seriously considered driving until I got almost the same deal from Southwest. We paid $530 total, so if you figure in taxes and security fee's and all that jazz, the tickets alone were probably around $235-$240. And with no bag fees, it's just worth it.

I still can't believe that airfares from the West Coast aren't that much different than flying from the East Coast to WDW...

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Just went back and read all the "Tween" pages and I think I am fully current on the wonder that is a Peeps report.

As to hockey, I think it's a sport I would like if I knew the rules of the game. Tracy's dad used to go the Minnesota Wild games all the time. Before he was laid off, the compnay he worked for had a private suite. I actually think I have a regulation jersey in my closet for them. Until I have time to sit down with a true fan and actually learn the game though, I guess I'll stick to my beloved football.

As to SWA, we flew them for our trip in June. We were at the Pop as well and did the back checkin there. Everything arrived in Houston as planned. There was some drama concerning the return flight, but that wasn't the airline's fault. I'll be getting to that story eventually...

 

[eandesmom]

I might be giving some of that "saved" money back to the Mouse...

I wish I could give up soda pop. It's just so bad for you...Dr Pepper is my weakness.

I've had 4 Toyotas since 1980. They last forever.

well well well, what are you up to?

I only allow myself pop on the weekends, at lunch. Which usually means it's only on Sat.

I'm driving my Sienna till it dies. Which is hopefully a LONG ways away!

 

[Native NYer]

Congrats on the great airfare. I'm sure it'll all work out perfectly.
You're going to have such a great time at Pop and AKV.

I hope to have the same airfare luck. I've been looking at rates for August/September 2010 b/c I am THAT OCD and anal. I figured since the trip is booked, it's time to start looking at airfare

Is Southwest really that great? Don't mind the whole no assigned seats thing? I don't know if I could handle that.

 

[jordanyosh]

Just went back and read all the "Tween" pages and I think I am fully current on the wonder that is a Peeps report.

As to hockey, I think it's a sport I would like if I knew the rules of the game. Tracy's dad used to go the Minnesota Wild games all the time. Before he was laid off, the compnay he worked for had a private suite. I actually think I have a regulation jersey in my closet for them. Until I have time to sit down with a true fan and actually learn the game though, I guess I'll stick to my beloved football.

As to SWA, we flew them for our trip in June. We were at the Pop as well and did the back checkin there. Everything arrived in Houston as planned. There was some drama concerning the return flight, but that wasn't the airline's fault. I'll be getting to that story eventually...

I was NOT a hockey fan at all. You need to come to a game with me during the playoffs or near the end of the season if your team is in the hunt. It's insane and it hooks you for life. Dallas is probably the closest team to you and they're not looking like they're gonna be that good this season.

I don't think I've flown SWA cross country so we'll see how this all works out......The Airline Check In for SWA for return flights only works at Pop right now. Hopefully, it works good and every resort offers it...

well well well, what are you up to?

I only allow myself pop on the weekends, at lunch. Which usually means it's only on Sat.

I'm driving my Sienna till it dies. Which is hopefully a LONG ways away!

I drove my Corolla for 16 years...228k miles...it was a good car.

Congrats on the great airfare. I'm sure it'll all work out perfectly.
You're going to have such a great time at Pop and AKV.

I hope to have the same airfare luck. I've been looking at rates for August/September 2010 b/c I am THAT OCD and anal. I figured since the trip is booked, it's time to start looking at airfare

Is Southwest really that great? Don't mind the whole no assigned seats thing? I don't know if I could handle that.

I'm happy I got that airfare!

Southwest isn't that bad. Nowadays it isn't much different than "regular" airlines. No bag fees!

 

[englishrose47]

I am a Big SWA fan!!I am gonna check the 36hour check in I read about cuz it would explain the B passe s we got when we were calling like 23 hours ahead !!!But even with a B on the way back we got 2 sets of seats close together for the 6 of us !!I till have SWA credits that I have to use by 4/21 !! andif I go in May that ain't gonna happen !! I heard you can extend them has anyone any details !!

 

[jordanyosh]

I am a Big SWA fan!!I am gonna check the 36hour check in I read about cuz it would explain the B passe s we got when we were calling like 23 hours ahead !!!But even with a B on the way back we got 2 sets of seats close together for the 6 of us !!I till have SWA credits that I have to use by 4/21 !! andif I go in May that ain't gonna happen !! I heard you can extend them has anyone any details !!

One word...February.

 

[maroo]

Ok...

I am so in!

Followed over from All7ofUs, of course...


I love Southwest! I like that they always use the bigger planes. And that you get to pay $10 to get a better seat...even if you don't fly every single week like many of the people in the A group!

I have not read it all yet! But I have the general idea and this certainly looks like a pretrippie that I don't want to miss!

 

[jordanyosh]

Ok...

I am so in!

Followed over from All7ofUs, of course...


I love Southwest! I like that they always use the bigger planes. And that you get to pay $10 to get a better seat...even if you don't fly every single week like many of the people in the A group!

I have not read it all yet! But I have the general idea and this certainly looks like a pretrippie that I don't want to miss!

10 dollars for a better seat? Where do i sign up?

No worries about reading the whole PTR. It's pretty long.....but there's links....

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Waiting to see the completed craft project. Who I send my old cards to?

Oh, I think CP is the crafty one! I'll bet if we actually made them, we could sell them on EBay!