Thoughts on itinerary please :)

[FireflyFi]

Your itinerary sounds great!

Because we are saving $$ getting the express passes for free, we are splurging on a Despicable me Kids Suite (at Loews Portofino) for 5 nights before our cruise. Just have to share a pic of the room because we just booked it and are ssssoooooo excited!! lol

I noticed those rooms when I went to book Universal a month or so ago - I had no idea they had themed rooms available! If I wasn't travelling solo, I'd totally book one of those just so I can sleep in one of the bombs

And maybe it's just not pictured, but those rooms should be supplied with a bowl full of bananas hahahaha

Ba-na-na!

 

[LivingforDisney]

ok ty, So when is the best time to search for flights to Orlando for Dec/Jan, , just want to be prepared for next year , thanks

 

[Brisbanemum]

ok ty, So when is the best time to search for flights to Orlando for Dec/Jan, , just want to be prepared for next year , thanks

About the 1st week on February was when ours became available.

 

[LivingforDisney]

Brisbanemum, another question, did u book your cruise direct with Disney on line. Wondering how you get the paperwork, do they mail it to you?

 

[LisaAJ]

We are going from 23 Dec - 20 Jan and we booked last night. The flights fluctuated greatly before our dates were released but thankfully our travel agent juggled things and got them right down. I checked all of those websites (eg Expedia, ITA On the Fly, Skiyscanner and the airlines direct and they were thousands more than what she got us.

We also booked our Disney Cruise through her as it was exactly the same price as on DCLs website and she has already sorted a few problems for me. I like not having to worry about it!

I went with Magical Mouse Holidays if you are interested in checking them out
www.*************************.au

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Congrats on booking and getting a flight you were happy with. It's rare to hear of stories of good TAs, so I'm pleased you've found one who's prepared to hunt out the bargains.

 

[LisaAJ]

Congrats on booking and getting a flight you were happy with. It's rare to hear of stories of good TAs, so I'm pleased you've found one who's prepared to hunt out the bargains.

Thanks, I feel more relaxed already! I think we could have gotten a bit cheaper if we had waited until a couple of months out but I may well have died from the stress!!

Of course I do create more stress for myself! Trying to decide now if it's worth upgrading to Economy Comfort for the SYD-LAX leg but for $800 we might leave it. I'll be highly uncomfortable regardless I think!

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Thanks, I feel more relaxed already! I think we could have gotten a bit cheaper if we had waited until a couple of months out but I may well have died from the stress!!

Of course I do create more stress for myself! Trying to decide now if it's worth upgrading to Economy Comfort for the SYD-LAX leg but for $800 we might leave it. I'll be highly uncomfortable regardless I think!

If it's an option, I would consider upgrading in the opposite direction instead.

On the way there you will be so excited your seat doesn't really matter. On the way back, the post holiday blues will be setting in and some nice seats will make the trip home more enjoyable. It'll also make you less exhausted when you get home.

In saying that, $800 is a lot of shopping. Is that per person?

 

[LisaAJ]

If it's an option, I would consider upgrading in the opposite direction instead.

On the way there you will be so excited your seat doesn't really matter. On the way back, the post holiday blues will be setting in and some nice seats will make the trip home more enjoyable. It'll also make you less exhausted when you get home.

In saying that, $800 is a lot of shopping. Is that per person?

I wish we could upgrade on the way home but it is a Virgin operated flight so that option isn't available

The upgrade is $199 per person so almost $800 all up.

I think we will leave it or see if it is still available closer to the date. I still have another huge chunk of money to save and not spending that $800 will make that job easier

 

[WanderlustNZ]

I wish we could upgrade on the way home but it is a Virgin operated flight so that option isn't available The upgrade is $199 per person so almost $800 all up. I think we will leave it or see if it is still available closer to the date. I still have another huge chunk of money to save and not spending that $800 will make that job easier

Hhmm, tough decision. I can definitely sympathise.
Just yesterday I discovered that Hawaiian Airlines is introducing an economy comfort option from August this year. When I checked our booking, the option is available to upgrade if we want to.

It's $100 for the Auckland - Hawaii leg, and $60 for the Hawaii - LAX leg. It includes access to the personal entertainment system, which we would otherwise have to pay $14+ per leg. Given that we always intended to pay this $14, I figure the upgrade cost is actually more like $86 and $46.

Hubby has suggested we pay for both of the AKL - Hawaii legs since they're longer. We're tall people and he likes the extra legroom.

I think though I will do like you, sit on it for a while, and decide closer to the time. Not that I have much choice in the matter. My holiday budget is looking pretty pitiful at present. What little I have left is being saved for possible DVC points rental at the end of the week.

 

[LisaAJ]

I think if we were talking $100pp I would jump on it. Especially if you had to pay for entertainment. From what I can tell, our entertainment is included (I better check on that!) so the value just isn't there.

I may change my mind though!

 

[WanderlustNZ]

I think if we were talking $100pp I would jump on it. Especially if you had to pay for entertainment. From what I can tell, our entertainment is included (I better check on that!) so the value just isn't there. I may change my mind though!

I'm sure you probably do get entertainment included - the majority of trans-pacific airlines do.

I was a bit surprised that Hawaiian Airlines charge for entertainment, yet they don't charge for food, and they have one of the most generous baggage policies of any Pacific airline.

At the end of the day, the airfare was fairly cheap, so I was happy accepting the extra charge for TV and movies. But I do think it would make better business sense if they just tagged that charge onto the airfare. Customers don't like feeling nickel and dined.