Southwest & DVC....the perfect combination

[twotoohappy]

I'm so excited! Just saw that Southwest has flights for 45- , with tax round trip Providence to Orlando 115! Can't pass that up with a free place to stay and there were studios at BWV and VWL open. We chose VWL (my original home). We're going 8/29 - 9/2 . Do you think they'll let us do an UPH for 3 days two nights, dropping arrival and departure days? As a DVC member do my guests also get the discount? Any ideas on how crowded it'll be? Any tips/suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

[Coach Rick]

yeah, I noticed, and I'm bummed. I have had ressies since April for our August trip, and SW won't do anything for me. In our case we are talking $300, and I am not looking for a refund, just a credit to use at another time. Oh well, I guess it pays to wait.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Coach Rick
yeah, I noticed, and I'm bummed. I have had ressies since April for our August trip, and SW won't do anything for me. In our case we are talking $300, and I am not looking for a refund, just a credit to use at another time. Oh well, I guess it pays to wait.

They credited my credit card for the difference. I called the Refunds Department. I did not change my times, everything remained the same, except for the fare, which is 45.58 each way, plus taxes and fees. ( I wonder why they list it as 49.00 on the net).

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by twotoohappy
I'm so excited! Just saw that Southwest has flights for 45- , with tax round trip Providence to Orlando 115! Can't pass that up with a free place to stay and there were studios at BWV and VWL open. We chose VWL (my original home). We're going 8/29 - 9/2 . Do you think they'll let us do an UPH for 3 days two nights, dropping arrival and departure days? As a DVC member do my guests also get the discount? Any ideas on how crowded it'll be? Any tips/suggestions are greatly appreciated!

they have, in the past, dropped the first and last for our guests. Just ask. Yes, your guests will receive the discount. I expect it will be reasonably crowded, it ususally calms down after Labor day. The Tom Joyner family reunion starts the Friday before Labor Day and that always brings a lot of people. It was quite busy last Labor Day.

 

[Pinnie]

2 trips to my DVC "home" this summer via SWA. Can't beat the deal at all!!!

Coach Rick.....going to a DCI show on Friday and Saturday at the Citrus Bowl!!! DVC and DCI what a combo!!!!

pinnie

 

[lts862]

We are taking advantage of this sale, too. Although the plan is to go to visit the in-laws, we are sneaking up to disney for 3 days in September !!! It is only 2 hours north and since we are travelling all that way...

 

[bz8bls]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
The Tom Joyner family reunion starts the Friday before Labor Day and that always brings a lot of people. It was quite busy last Labor Day.

Speaking of The Tom Joyner Family Reunion, we went last year and the parks were a little more crowded that I expected for September. We bought DVC as a result of being there for TJFR. I'm trying to get info for the event at MGM that will take place on Saturday. Last year, the event was opened up to Floridia residents thru Ticketmaster. If anyone hears that will happen again this year, please let me know. We would love to attend that event again as we will be residing at OKW from 9-4 thru 9-10

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Okay, I have to ask...who is Tom Joyner?

 

[jarestel]

Originally posted by calypso*a*go-go
Okay, I have to ask...who is Tom Joyner?

And why does anyone care about his family reunion?

 

[bz8bls]

Originally posted by calypso*a*go-go
Okay, I have to ask...who is Tom Joyner?

Tom Joyner is an African-American syndicated D.J. He raises money for college scholarships by hosting several events throughout the year. Southwest Airlines is the official airline that supports his travel events. Last year was the first year that TJ hosted an event at WDW (hence Tom Joyner's Family Reunion). Last year he rented PI for three hours and comedian Cedric the Entertainer performed. The second evening , he rented MGM Studios and various African-American entertainers performed on three different stages throuhout the evening. Some of the rides were open as well (RR, Star Tours, , etc). The hotel venues are the Coronado Springs and the Yacht Club. Families are given a two-day park hopper with the package they purchase; I believe he was the Grand Marshall in the MK and AK parades.

Because we are DVC members and don't need to purchase the entire package, I wanted to know would the MGM event be 'ala carte' as it was last year to Floridia residents thru TicketMaster.
Some of the entertaiinment this year are: Anita Baker (jazz/rb singer) and Alicia Keys (vocalist/writer, pianist).

I've never been to the 'Nights of Joy' events, but it sounds like the TJFR is similar.

I hope I answered the questions of 'who' is TJ and 'why' anyone would want to go to his family reunion

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by jarestel
And why does anyone care about his family reunion?

If you are African American or a fan of his radio show
, you would care, maybe.

Here is a link: http://www.blackamericaweb.com/family/

or this one: http://www.blackamericaweb.com/family/events.html

 

[Coach Rick]

Originally posted by Pinnie
2 trips to my DVC "home" this summer via SWA. Can't beat the deal at all!!!

Coach Rick.....going to a DCI show on Friday and Saturday at the Citrus Bowl!!! DVC and DCI what a combo!!!!

pinnie

I am envious Pinnie!!! Enjoy that show...

BTW, I just called SW, and I simply had to go online, and switch my flight to the new lower fare. Cool, now I have a $300 credit with SW, so I can go again...Yipppppieeeeeee... heck, $300 is enough for my wife and I to take a trip by ourselves.

 

[Lexxiefern]

Liz, Congratulations on your extra trip!! They are always fun. We just decided 2 days ago to squeeze in a weekend trip in Feb after my sister has her baby We are getting our airfare for free because of the credits I've gotten from Jetblue on our upcoming trips (they dropped to $49 for Sept and $59 for Dec).

I called MS and was able to snag a BW view studio for february!

Gail, I love your new picture of the castle!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Lexxiefern
Liz, Congratulations on your extra trip!! They are always fun. We just decided 2 days ago to squeeze in a weekend trip in Feb after my sister has her baby We are getting our airfare for free because of the credits I've gotten from Jetblue on our upcoming trips (they dropped to $49 for Sept and $59 for Dec).

I called MS and was able to snag a BW view studio for february!

Gail, I love your new picture of the castle!

Thanks, Lexi!!!

 

[av8tor]

We just booked flight for our first trim home in Sept on SWA, roundtrip from STL for $136.70 including taxes and fees.

 

[twotoohappy]

Thanks for all the great replies!
I'm so excited ! I'll have to check jet blue to see if they dropped the price on my Oct/Nov trip. I'll be flying jet blue more if there proposal to fly small planes out of Hyannis works out (that's on Cape Cod)

 

[jarestel]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
If you are African American or a fan of his radio show
, you would care, maybe.

Here is a link: http://www.blackamericaweb.com/family/

or this one: http://www.blackamericaweb.com/family/events.html

I was just expanding on the "who is Tom Joyner question", since I didn't know who he was, I didn't know what the reunion was all about. Sorry if this came across the wrong way. Thanks for the links.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by jarestel
I was just expanding on the "who is Tom Joyner question", since I didn't know who he was, I didn't know what the reunion was all about. Sorry if this came across the wrong way. Thanks for the links.

No problem and you are welcome.

 

[Cris]

last year they had Destiny's Child!!

 

[Lexxiefern]

Originally posted by twotoohappy
Thanks for all the great replies!
I'm so excited ! I'll have to check jet blue to see if they dropped the price on my Oct/Nov trip. I'll be flying jet blue more if there proposal to fly small planes out of Hyannis works out (that's on Cape Cod)

I have not heard this! Where are they thinking of flying to? From Hyannis to MCO? That would be cool!