The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 30

[Tammi67]

Tammi how was skating?

We had fun. Nicholas is a kamakaze on inline skates and Alyssa is doing much better. By the end of the skate she didn't need to hold my hand. We went to the "Disney Skate." They play all Disney movie music and Hannah Montana type stuff. Then we went and did some shopping and the kids got some new shirts. Nicholas finally got his pumpkin, so we are going to carve them tomorrow.

 

[Tammi67]

When was free dining last year?

I wonder if they will still offer this, beings as though they are changing the dining plan?

 

[tink2020]

We had fun. Nicholas is a kamakaze on inline skates and Alyssa is doing much better. By the end of the skate she didn't need to hold my hand. We went to the "Disney Skate." They play all Disney movie music and Hannah Montana type stuff. Then we went and did some shopping and the kids got some new shirts. Nicholas finally got his pumpkin, so we are going to carve them tomorrow.

That sounds really cool!

 

[Tammi67]

I want to feel amazing. I need to lose 70 pounds. I want to look like a Cheetah Girl while I'm dancing like one!!!

I'm impressed that you know what a Cheetah Girl is!!!

You are a cool Grandma!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I wonder if they will still offer this, beings as though they are changing the dining plan?

Since they already offered it to UK residents and on Bounce Back for 2008 I think it will still be around. UK residents just got the basic plan for free - no appetizers and they have to pay the tips. Bounce Back got to choose between free basic plan or Deluxe plan for $32 per adult per day but they could only book for September.

Glad you had fun skating!
I bought DS a T-shirt at Macy's yesterday because it was marked down to $8 from $29.50. I am kind of a brand snob and it is a Polo shirt. It is probably not going to fit him for awhile since it is a 12-14, but it looks like it runs small. Hopefully he can wear it at Disney next summer.

 

[Tammi67]

I absolutely hate southwest (sorry everyone! ) but I'm flying with them again in December. The real question is, how much of a deal are you getting on the flight? I think that makes the difference for me. I'm willing to pay a bit more for an airline I like... but not if the subpar airline saves me a ton of Disney money!

What is it about SWA that you hate? I think their seats have more room, they are leather, and we have never had a canceled or late flight. Now watch....I'm sure I've just jinxed myself into a problem the next time I fly with them.

 

[Tammi67]

Speaking of AKL, for those of you that have stayed there......did it seem "far out"? As in far away from all the parks, and a long bus ride to get anywhere. I overheard someone complaining about it when we were down there.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I'm impressed that you know what a Cheetah Girl is!!!

You are a cool Grandma!

I am not a fan of the Cheetah Girls because Sister was obsessed with them and it got her into trouble at school. I guess I am not a fan of them for preschoolers. The one on Dancing With the Stars seems to be doing quite well. I thought one requirement was that the "stars" could never have had formal dance training before, though. I am quite certain she works with a choreographer for Cheetah stuff, but maybe that doesn't count as formal training? Well, whatever it is would apply to the Spice Girl as well.

 

[UP Disney]

I flew with them once and, truthfully, Kyle and I still talk about how bad it was. The planes are TINY, the staff was rude, nobody followed rules about carryons etc (so much so that a woman with a 7-week old child was forced to gate check her freaking diaper bag! ) and it was an incredibly frustrating flight.

That being said, my grandmother and aunt fly with them all of the time (hub is in Minneapolis, where they live) and don't hate them. They have their share of complaints with them, but haven't stopped flying them.

I absolutely hate southwest (sorry everyone! ) but I'm flying with them again in December. The real question is, how much of a deal are you getting on the flight? I think that makes the difference for me. I'm willing to pay a bit more for an airline I like... but not if the subpar airline saves me a ton of Disney money!

$200 or more a piece for the tickets (with 4 of us going). I really think I'm going to have to go with them.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

What is it about SWA that you hate? I think their seats have more room, they are leather, and we have never had a canceled or late flight. Now watch....I'm sure I've just jinxed myself into a problem the next time I fly with them.

Well, we'll see what I think of them shortly. I am still upset that I didn't wait for the fares to drop on American.

Speaking of AKL, for those of you that have stayed there......did it seem "far out"? As in far away from all the parks, and a long bus ride to get anywhere. I overheard someone complaining about it when we were down there.

It is far from MK. And if you go to AM EMH and get Freddie the bus driver it is QUITE an experience. I daresay Freddie is an ex-Marine. He steps out of the bus with his hands behind his back, stands straight as a ramrod and tells us "You will fill this bus from back to front filling in ALL available space!" One dad in the line asked him if it was going to be a good day and Freddie said "By the grace of God, sir!" He packed us in that bus like sardines. DS was standing and he ended up falling into a lady's lap because there wasn't anything for him to hold on to. DH and I were standing too, so we couldn't really catch him. It is probably close to 25 minutes to get to MK so don't cut it close if you take the bus over.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

$200 or more a piece for the tickets (with 4 of us going). I really think I'm going to have to go with them.

Did you ask on the Transportation board? I am sure there are people there who are familiar with the airline.

 

[UP Disney]

Did you ask on the Transportation board? I am sure there are people there who are familiar with the airline.

I wanted to ask those that I know & trust first. I was thinking I'd venture over to the transportation board if no one hear could help.

 

[tink2020]

What is it about SWA that you hate? I think their seats have more room, they are leather, and we have never had a canceled or late flight. Now watch....I'm sure I've just jinxed myself into a problem the next time I fly with them.

First, let me say that they have done nothing to deserve such an opinion from me. When it comes down to it, I think I'm just an airline snob.

I definitely agree about the leg room and nice seats. I really, REALLY hate the cattle call boarding (enough to make me despise the airline even if that were the only reason!). I understand that has changed, so I'm looking forward to seeing if that makes me feel a little better about it. I still think you should have your seat printed on your boarding pass before getting to the airport, without having to worry about how early you get to the gate -- even if the new number system helps out a bit.

I really dislike the "humor" (?) of the airline, flight attendants, etc. I'm not sure... Unless it's on a TV commercial, I just sort of find it obnoxious. Definitely just a personal preference, because I know a lot of people particularly enjoy that about SWA.

I miss the perks of the other airlines we like to fly such as XM radio, better snack service, etc. Stupid stuff, but it annoys me when I'm flying with them and they don't have any frills whatsoever.

I don't like any of the schedules offered from any city near me. Most of their flights I find have stops, or leave/arrive at very peculiar times of day for a vacation. I don't like that they aren't offered out of many, many large airports.

In general, I love to fly -- but I like to feel like it's not a big hassle to do so. If I have my way, the flight is PART of the vacation, not just a way to get somewhere.

Of course, this is the biggest truth that I have to admit -- I completely understand why it's not as ... cushy? comfortable? pampering? (I have no idea what word I'm trying to describe). It's because I can sometimes fly to WDW for $90 round trip, which is ridiculous in this economy. I'd fly in the Wright Brothers plane if it got me to Disney World for that cheap!

 

[tink2020]

Speaking of AKL, for those of you that have stayed there......did it seem "far out"? As in far away from all the parks, and a long bus ride to get anywhere. I overheard someone complaining about it when we were down there.

I have heard the same thing, but I didn't feel that way at all. To us, though, we feel like anywhere on Disney property isn't "far", even from one end to the opposite end.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Jennifer - OK, no more griping allowed from you! If you can go to WDW ROUND TRIP for less than it costs us (me, Lindsay & Marci) to go ONE WAY then you have officially been stripped of your right to gripe!

 

[tink2020]

I am not a fan of the Cheetah Girls because Sister was obsessed with them and it got her into trouble at school. I guess I am not a fan of them for preschoolers. The one on Dancing With the Stars seems to be doing quite well. I thought one requirement was that the "stars" could never have had formal dance training before, though. I am quite certain she works with a choreographer for Cheetah stuff, but maybe that doesn't count as formal training? Well, whatever it is would apply to the Spice Girl as well.

I don't know the "rules" (I'm watching this season for the first time, actually) but I can't imagine that's true. Or at least that's it's highly enforced. The only reason I think this is because you'd be extremely hard-pressed to find an actor, model, etc that didn't have ANY dance training. Especially actors!

 

[tink2020]

$200 or more a piece for the tickets (with 4 of us going). I really think I'm going to have to go with them.

Yeah, that's huge. I would certainly take those tickets and give them a shot!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I have heard the same thing, but I didn't feel that way at all. To us, though, we feel like anywhere on Disney property isn't "far", even from one end to the opposite end.

Try going from WL to DTD on Disney transport. It felt like we could have driven all the way HOME in the time it took to make that trip!

 

[tink2020]

Jennifer - OK, no more griping allowed from you! If you can go to WDW ROUND TRIP for less than it costs us (me, Lindsay & Marci) to go ONE WAY then you have officially been stripped of your right to gripe!

That only happened once with some anniversary ding fare! Keep in mind, my home airport is one of the most expensive in the country. Hence, the quick forgiveness for particular airlines if they're willing to let me afford a Disney trip! And I also have to drive 2+ hours to get that rate. Certainly something to factor in...

 

[tink2020]

Try going from WL to DTD on Disney transport. It felt like we could have driven all the way HOME in the time it took to make that trip!

Oooh, good point. I really needed to clarify that I meant by car. I don't take Disney transportation so Tammi, my answer is probably worthless if you aren't renting a car. I'm so impatient, I feel like it takes years to get ANYWHERE on Disney transportation!

ETA: December is going to test my patience, since I can't rent a car without an "adult"