Welcome to the Cheap Seat...or how I decided to go to Disney in a day for a day.

[MagiKitty]

This is going to be a short trip report. It was a short trip. I decided to go to Disney on a whim. I decided Monday morning to go to Disney on Tuesday and come back on Wednesday. This week.

And, no, I don't live in Florida.

 

[MagiKitty]

There are three players in this mini-report: me, my wallet, and the Iinternet.

My wallet and the Internet are at odds with each other.

Me? I love math. I love fractions, especially those that mean a certain precentage off a price tag. I love sales and saving money. My favorite word in the English language is clearance. I coupon, I price match, I do rebates. I follow money saving websites. I even have a UPromise savings account for a yet-to-be conceived child that will one day head to college. I can stretch a dollar so thin it begs for mercy.

I'm economically creative.

Oh heck, I'm just cheap.

So, rewind two days ago. A gloomy Monday morning and I'm checking my money saving forum for Hot Deals. And there it is...."JetBlue sale $10 seats".

No way, its a cheap marketing scam. Such deals don't exist. $10 plane ticket? It costs $8.50 just to go to the movies....$5 to rent from Blockbuster.

Click....click....click....

Yes, there is such a sale. $10 one way tickets. If you leave tomorrow and return the following day.

Now, before you give into that snarky feelings, I work from home. I make my own hours and really its $10 plane tickets!

So, I'm looking to fly from Upstate NY to Orlando for $36.90 all in.

As in, I'm in trouble now. The wallet is scared.

 

[PolynesianLily]

Wow!!!
That is an AMAZING deal on airplane tickets. I mean considering that one way from Toronto to Orlando costs like $305.00 sometimes. You are so lucky haha!

 

[pepperw23]

I'm excited!!! Ready to read your mini trip report!!!!

 

[MagiKitty]

But the Internet has secret weapons, one called high speed broadband. JetBlue website is tempting, alluring. Its siren song: get the heck out of chilly, rainy New York, even for a few hours. Give me you money. I'll show you a good time.

But where will I sleep? How will I get around?

Ah, Disney, you had me at hello.

I could fly in, take Magical Express, find a place to leave my overnight bag and get to the parks all for one amazing price! And then there it was: the most deadly digits in the known world: 1-407-WDISNEY.

I decided to leave it to fate. If I called and there was no availability, no go. Simple as that.

Dial....dial...dial....lovely Disney theme music. I press all the necessary prompts to get me to the next available CM.

Me: I'd like to check a room rate, please.

Mr CM: For what dates are you interested in?

Me: for tomorow.

Mr. CM: for how long?

Me: one night. (secretly hoping there's nothing available)

Mr. CM: how many adults?

Me: (its now or never...admit it, you're going) One.

Mr. CM: where would you like to stay (uh-oh)

Me: the cheapest room possible

And so it begins...the dance. The growing bubble of Disney happiness begins to take over my brain. There's rooms available. Pop Century or All Star Movies?

$118.

But wait! Is there some sort of AAA discount?

$106, baby. $12 saved.

Score: Internet 2, wallet 1.

 

[MagiKitty]

ooh, visitors already! Thanks guys!

Lily, you missed all this craziness. Even now, I can't believe I had the Kahunas to actually do it.

But I have pictures to prove it.

 

[pepperw23]

MK I am loving the report and it is totally keeping me company while I am on travel and missing my family...Thank goodness for my TK family.

 

[MagiKitty]

In a last ditch effort to remain a responsible adult, I call my boyfriend. I tell him in a hurry that I've found an amazing deal on airplane tickets. In a smaller voice, I add that the ticket is for tomorrow.

I know full well he can't go.

He knows full well that he can't stop me.

Next obstacle: Magical Express.

I call Magical Express and ask them how to make a reservation. No problem, just pick up my travel voucher at the airport. Any checked bags? Nope. Just me, my camera, toothbrush, and a change of clothes.

I'm all set. Flight, transport to hotel, room.

Now I have to decide which park I will spend my lone day, my mere eight hours of glorious Florida weather in.

 

[MagiKitty]

Thanks Pepper, I'm waiting for my pics to load into Photobucket so I can throw some visual entertainment too.

 

[MagiKitty]

AHA! The wallet cries! You forgot to account for a one day park ticket. $79at last price quote, not including tax. That will ruin the fabulousity of the airline deal surely!

Oh, wallet, do not underestimate. Deeply hidden in the desk drawer, waiting for its moment of glory...is a ONE DAY PARK PASS! Leftover from last September's trip, when I was an AP holder and had to purchase a one day ticket to qualify for a free dining package.

And park pass has a roommate...the little green gift card from the Food and Wine festival. Could it be? Might you have some secret goodies lying within your digits?

Dial...dial....dial....

"Your available gift card balance is $25.32"

YYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[dellasgirl]

Amazing simply Amazing
why can't i find deals like that
can't wait to hear the rest of the story

 

[MagiKitty]

thanks for stopping by! Really, it was just too good to pass up. I would've regretted it if I hadn't tried. Congrats on baby Saylor!

 

[TokyoDina]

Okay you hooked me! I can't believe you got a deal like that! Where the heck do I get a deal like that! Geez I need to look into JetBlue!

 

[t_kelley]

Oh wow! You actually did it!!

 

[MagiKitty]

Hi TokyoDina and t kelley! Thanks for sneakng a peek at my trip report.

Have a great time on your delayed anniversary trip!

I'm a failed trip reporter. I tried to write one years ago, but never followed through.

I will finish this one though!

 

[AimKo]

Too good to pass up....I'm in upstate NY too. Where did you fly out of and how did you get such a great deal?

Can't wait to hear more of your adventure!!

 

[MagiKitty]

So here is where I left off last night...

Monday 11am: I am on my second cup of coffee and really cannot believe what I'm doing. I'm expecting guilt to set in at any moment. This is really irresponsible. I can't just run off to Disney on a whim...

Ding! I have new emails to check. Why, its my JetBlue reservations confirmation. Print that up. Look, really look, that yes, my round-trip costs $36.90 total. No funny business there. Next email: from Disney LLC with my room reservation. I'm not homeless! I will be staying on Disney property by this time tomorrow. Tomorrow!

Ok, time to buckle down. I have to find my appropriate park bag (because you all know we have one) and my carry-on bag. I am a chronic just-in-case packer...because I like to be prepared, and I usually travel with a boyfriend who "forgets" everything. I really think he's lazy and would rather have me pack for him. My revenge is that I pack floral body wash and shampoo that he has to use....at least he smells nice.

I check the weather forecast for the Orlando area. Its expected to be 85*! Sounds heavenly, considering that its barely reached 45* here in upstate NY. But where are my shorts? I packed those away last November. Oh, and I guess this means I'm going to have to shave.

Sunblock! Teensy-sized toiletries! I guess I should pack something to sleep in. Comb, toothbrush, gum.

Lured back by the Internet. Where will I spend my day? Check the calendar to see park hours. Definitely not Animal Kingdom, that closes at 5pm. Magic Kingdom is not something I want to do by myself, too many rides. That leaves Hollywood Studios versus EPCOT.

Now, I'm a Hollywood Studios fan. I can watch Beauty and the Beast three times in a row and get teary-eyed every time. I enjoy the Muppets a little too much...is it wrong to idolize Miss Piggy? And I'm a Star Wars fan. I just enjoy the gift shop. I've never seen the American Idol experience. I love to sing with Ariel. And the characters at the Animation tour. Not to mention Toy Story!

Very compelling arguments...and there's a carrot cake cookie sandwich at Starring Rolls that I have been fantasizing about for six months.

But EPCOT brought out the Closer...The Flower and Garden Festival. I had attended last year with my nieces and it was just so gorgeous and so amazing, there was no need to plan further. I was going to EPCOT.

Now, it was time to gloat to my friends.

 

[MagiKitty]

Hi AimKo! Thanks for visiting....

Well, if you're from here, you know that Upstate NY is a very, very broad term...basically anything north of Woodbury Commons!

I live in the Catskills, and I fly out of Stewart/Newburgh when possible. Its about 40 minutes from me.

JetBlue flies out of Newburgh, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo I believe. It was one of their "fly right now" sales. Apparently they did the same thing in March. You can sign up for their email notices on their website. But I will admit, I read about the sale online before I got the email from JetBlue themselves.

Now, I don't work for Jetblue, but just being able to fly directly from here is amazing. And they don't charge for your first checked bag. There's DirecTv in every seat and snacks are free! The only thing that they charge for was headphones, but their jacks are standard, so I could use my own earphones for that. Really, they're a great airline.

Stay tuned to find out what made them even BETTER in my opinion....

 

[DL55]

Hi TokyoDina and t kelley! Thanks for sneakng a peek at my trip report.

Have a great time on your delayed anniversary trip!

I'm a failed trip reporter. I tried to write one years ago, but never followed through.

I will finish this one though!

You better, it's only one day.
I'm still jealous.

 

[MagiKitty]

I know, right? If I can't finish this trip report, I have some bigger issues!

hey girl, thanks for stopping by!