Will TarzansKat meet Captain Jack? ~A Pirate's Life for 3 Pre-Trippie~ We're back!

[If U Had Wings]

I used to fly Delta all the time when they were the only discount carrier out of CT and never had any problems with them.

Lately I've been hearing more problems about them on the transportation board, but I haven't flown them in awhile. You'd have to deciede if the money saved is enough to offset the downsides. Traveling with a child it may be worth the bit extra to have some piece of mind.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

I'm SO here. Finally.

I love you Tink but I am going to be rude...wasn't "You got it, dude" Michelle's saying and "How Rude!" Stephanie's saying? I will never admit to how often I have watched Full House on reruns or the fact that I own a season of it either.

*EDIT* I feel like a schoolyard bully now.

Totally not the school yard bully.
I don't mind being corrected when I'm wrong.
...
Sshh. Don't tell BF.

Now, I think I NEED a picture of this.

It may or may not look something like this. Only less feline. Obviously.

Of course, I'm speaking for Tink there, so...

An editor. Speaking for Tink. That's ALWAYS a good thing.

When really, we're just all fruit.

Well Jiri OBVIOUSLY gets to be the banana.
Can I be the mango?

Option Two- A Tad More Expensive

Sun 14 700 - 950am
Sun 21 930 am - 1215 pm​

Total Cost - $816
Why it's good - We gain that first day. Potential pitfalls are the worst case scenario of our room not being ready until three. We could go to a park...Magic Kingdom, anyone...but after throwing DS all out of whack, he's really going to need a good nap. Still puts us as not having solid transportation back from the airport that Sunday.

Option Two with this addendum in case you're not feeling park-worthy:
If the rooms not ready, have your swimmin' things in your carry-on and head on down to the pool! Relax? Isn't that what the itinerized non-itinerary is all about? Plus, if DS was tired, maybe he'd nap on a lounge chair.

Nothing gets me all nap-py like traveling, some chlorine and some sun.

Except.

When BF plays with my hair. Puts me right out.

And you're welcome for that piece of personal info you needn't have known about.

I also read/heard that Delta is notorious for changing flight times. Has anyone else heard this?

 

[TarzansKat]

Delta has been changing flights and canceling flights all together. I think an additional $39 for opt #2 is a small price to pay for free luggage and cancelation flight credits.
My worry is if you don't book soon there may not be seats on the flights you decide you want.
I got a good tip from DisMomAmy....if you fly sw....book each flight separately....that way if you have a problem with either it's easier to change just that one flight.

Thanks, Heidi. Good to hear about Delta, I know you all would have some answers for me in that regard. And thanks for the suggestion about booking the flights separately. I believe Tink did this as well, and I never would have thought of it.

I have had bad experiences on Delta. So has my family and friends. Even when they're cheaper, I avoid taking their flights. My family, friends, and I have all experienced long delays. And while my flight times never changed with Delta, I have heard from other people that it does happen.

Thanks, Jen. Good to know. Also, as to flying a different airline, I am spoiled. There, I said it. If I'm going to Orlando, I'm flying nonstop. Anything else I consider to be not worth whatever I'd save in money but lose in time.

I would stick with what you are comfortable with....Southwest.

I haven't flown Delta in ages--so long ago that I wasn't the one who had to pay for my ticket (family trip to somewhere-or-other when I was 14, I think). But I think the downsides are numerous enough that you should stick with Southwest.

Heidi spells it out very logically.

I think so too. I thought about it at work today and it's what we're comfortable with.

I used to fly Delta all the time when they were the only discount carrier out of CT and never had any problems with them.

Lately I've been hearing more problems about them on the transportation board, but I haven't flown them in awhile. You'd have to deciede if the money saved is enough to offset the downsides. Traveling with a child it may be worth the bit extra to have some piece of mind.

That's totally my thing, having DS means I really need the piece of mind, you know? Which really makes me want to book my flights...to which mom just said why not wait until next week and see if they go down...they can't get any higher...

Um, I think they can. But I hate the opposing view point! I feel all confuzzled again!

I'm SO here. Finally.

It may or may not look something like this. Only less feline. Obviously.

DED!

Well Jiri OBVIOUSLY gets to be the banana.
Can I be the mango?

I just had an SNL flashback.

You cannot havea de mango!

Option Two with this addendum in case you're not feeling park-worthy:
If the rooms not ready, have your swimmin' things in your carry-on and head on down to the pool! Relax? Isn't that what the itinerized non-itinerary is all about? Plus, if DS was tired, maybe he'd nap on a lounge chair.

You know...it is totally possible that I could rock DS to sleep in front of that big ole comfy fireplace after a good swim in the pool. Thanks for the suggestion.

Nothing gets me all nap-py like traveling, some chlorine and some sun.

Except.

When BF plays with my hair. Puts me right out.

And you're welcome for that piece of personal info you needn't have known about.

Hee hee.

 

[MRYPPNS]

You know...it is totally possible that I could rock DS to sleep in front of that big ole comfy fireplace after a good swim in the pool. Thanks for the suggestion.

Good plan...I shall steal it from you...but my rockin' will be in a hammock...sweet!

 

[TarzansKat]

Good plan...I shall steal it from you...but my rockin' will be in a hammock...sweet!

Awww....that sounds so nice!

 

[Native NYer]

Did you buy your airline tickets today?

 

[TarzansKat]

Discussions with the husband can be fruitful, savvy?

Like the sweet proliferous bouqet that is Tortuga...

because if every port of call were like Walt Disney World, with a little Captain Jack Sparrow thrown in, TK would be a very, very happy woman.

I have three words for you folks.

Paid.

In.

Full.

Well, sort of.

Yup, you read that right. But not without some changes.

But not the ones you think.

I'm wondering just how long I can draw out the suspense here before you all want to kill me.

...

...

Okay, okay, I'll give.

Here's what's paid in full. Our Wilderness Lodge Package, and our flight for September 14th.

Since I received the wonderful recommendation of booking my flights separately for ease of possible changes later (thanks, Heidi!), I decided hey, I already know for sure that I want the 700am flight on Sep 14. My desire to sleep ten hours a night cringes at this prospect, but who can sleep well the night before vacation anyway? Not with the prospect of meeting Captain Jack on the horizon!

So in order to make myself feel better about the potential total cost of our airfare and trip, because I'd like to point out to you, booking this one leg of our journey cost just slightly under what our total airfare did last year, I made a little change to our Wilderness Lodge Package.

Oh yes. After all the spreadsheets and thinking about resort changes and trying to figure out a better way, there really isn't one.

I would like to stay at the Wilderness Lodge. I will not splurge like this every year. Cannot afford to, will not happen. That doesn't mean that we can't enjoy ourselves this year. However, our enjoyment did not necessarily hinge upon this one changeable package option.

And that, my friends, is park hopping.

Tonight I made a happy little phone call to the WDW Travel Company and said, please sir, give me a basic ticket.

And that saved me roughly $145.

Which is nothing to sneeze at. Given the current state of airfare affairs.

Now that's not to say that one night whilst down in the World DH and I won't look at each other and say, you know what, let's go to ___fill in park of your choice that you're not currently in here___, in which case we can certainly add on the park hopping option. If we have the funds, and want to spend it on that. If we're feeling more strapped, and not apt to spend so freely, we're not hopping folks.

And that's okay.

Let me tell you why.

Sep 14 - Arrival Day - Big Whole Huge Day to Enjoy
Possible Swimming at the Pool, Possible Jaunt to the Magic Kingdom

Sep 15 - Coral Reef Ressie - That Means We're Going to Epcot

Sep 16 - Chef Mickey's BF - MNSSHP - no plans to do a park today, we have the party tickets, so it'll be some nice big ole breakfast, relaxing at our resort, a nap, and then Boo to You and Boo to You and Boo to You and Boo Happy Halloween

Sep 17 - Grand Floridian Cafe Lunch - since this is dining at a resort, we can pick the park of our choice, perhaps back to Epcot

Sep 18 - Boma Breakfast - would make sense to go to Animal Kingdom this day, but, again, it doesn't have to be, it could easily fit into the day before

Sep 19 - Brown Derby Lunch - obviously MGM day

Sep 20 - Crystal Palace Lunch, Lapu Lapu Fest Poly, Hoping to catch Spectromagic, so obviously this is a Magic Kingdom day as well

Sep 21 - Flight is up in the air, not sure what I'm doing

So as you can see, park hopping is not really a necessity. Like I said, if we're able to save enough before then, and we want to, we can always add it on later.

But for now, that's the decision DH and I made.

The Code of the Order of the Brethren, if you will.

Of how we plan to enjoy our vacation, and dare to do something different.

I mean don't pirates thrive on different anyway?

 

[Charleston Princess]

I am so excited for you, TK!

You know, I dropped the PH option on our tickets, and I can't say that we ever really missed it. Maybe once or twice, but it was a fleeting thought.

I think you are still going to have a fabulous time!!! Heck, you are going to the Wilderness Lodge and WDW!!! How can you not have a great time???

Now I have to throw some pixiedust because I am so excited for you!!!

 

[Native NYer]

That's a great alternative. You still get to stay at the Wilderness Lodge and you got your early flight to Orlando. And your itinerary doesn't necessarily call for hopping. It's perfect.

How are the fares for your return trip looking? Remember, you can even book a different airline if the price is right

 

[TarzansKat]

I am so excited for you, TK!

You know, I dropped the PH option on our tickets, and I can't say that we ever really missed it. Maybe once or twice, but it was a fleeting thought.

I think you are still going to have a fabulous time!!! Heck, you are going to the Wilderness Lodge and WDW!!! How can you not have a great time???

Now I have to throw some pixiedust because I am so excited for you!!!

Boy you're quick!

Thank you! I'm excited for me too, and you're right, I'm going to the Wilderness Lodge and WDW!!!! Everything else is just gravy, and park hopping is one of those things. I think this may also force us to slow down a bit, and really relax, which will be awesome.

Can I ask you a question?

When you went to a park in the morning, and wanted to go back to the hotel, have a little swim, and then go back to the same park later, how does that work? Do they hand stamp anymore? It's been a loooooong time since I haven't hopped, obviously.

 

[Lady Lallie]

Snaps for TK!! I am so excited that you are all settled and HAPPY.

I thought of you a little bit ago when I read this the book I am reading, "The Sleeping Beauty Proposal" by Sarah Strohmeyer. This book is amazing by the way and I hear your voice and Tink's voice while I am reading it. Very funny.

Here is the excerpt for TK.....and me for that fact.

"In fact, a case could be made that worrying about a problem actually prevents you from resolving it, because it deceives your mind into thinking that you're doing something when really you're not. Not only that, but worrying is super bad for your skin. Yes, I refuse to worry from here on out."

 

[Charleston Princess]

Nope, no more hand stamps -- you just put your ticket through the reader like normal when you come back to the park. Easy as pie.

 

[TarzansKat]

That's a great alternative. You still get to stay at the Wilderness Lodge and you got your early flight to Orlando. And your itinerary doesn't necessarily call for hopping. It's perfect.

Thanks.

How are the fares for your return trip looking? Remember, you can even book a different airline if the price is right

Well, they're not so great. But I'm still up in the air on whether or not I want to book the 930 out, or splurge, stay, and catch the 300ish one later. If I do the later one, I can do a quick jaunt to MK on my last day, which is so awesome for getting that last hot dog from Casey's, and bringing home yummy cinnamon rolls from the bakery....mmmmmm....

So, I'm on the fence.

 

[TarzansKat]

Snaps for TK!! I am so excited that you are all settled and HAPPY.

Thanks. I feel just like this smiley.

"In fact, a case could be made that worrying about a problem actually prevents you from resolving it, because it deceives your mind into thinking that you're doing something when really you're not. Not only that, but worrying is super bad for your skin. Yes, I refuse to worry from here on out."

I LOVE IT! I must get this book!!!! Is it a good read?

Nope, no more hand stamps -- you just put your ticket through the reader like normal when you come back to the park. Easy as pie.

Very cool. I like easy. Easy is good.

You know we've never been the type of people to go back to the resort and relax in the middle of the day, but I could see this really working to our benefit.

 

[Lady Lallie]

I LOVE IT! I must get this book!!!! Is it a good read?

It's awesome. I read another one of her book's "The Cinderella Pact" on the cruise from the ship's library. I would laugh out loud at the book, DH kept looking at me funny but it was awesome. I am only a few chapters in on this one and I love it. Her writing style is hilarious.

 

[Native NYer]

Thanks.



Well, they're not so great. But I'm still up in the air on whether or not I want to book the 930 out, or splurge, stay, and catch the 300ish one later. If I do the later one, I can do a quick jaunt to MK on my last day, which is so awesome for getting that last hot dog from Casey's, and bringing home yummy cinnamon rolls from the bakery....mmmmmm....

So, I'm on the fence.

Is it a huge price difference?

 

[Charleston Princess]

If I do the later one, I can do a quick jaunt to MK on my last day, which is so awesome for getting that last hot dog from Casey's, and bringing home yummy cinnamon rolls from the bakery....mmmmmm....

OMG! This sentence made me wish I was at MK right now!!!

 

[TarzansKat]

It's awesome. I read another one of her book's "The Cinderella Pact" on the cruise from the ship's library. I would laugh out loud at the book, DH kept looking at me funny but it was awesome. I am only a few chapters in on this one and I love it. Her writing style is hilarious.

I think I'm going to have to look her up. I have some B & N gift cards that are burning a hole in my pocket...I'm waiting for the newest Amelia Peabody!

Is it a huge price difference?

For me, it is. It's over $150. Do I have it? Yes. Am I wrestling with spending it? Yes.

OMG! This sentence made me wish I was at MK right now!!!

Okay, here's what we used to do back when flight times were liveable and you could always make it to the MK on your last day.

Arrive at the park early, maybe shop, one last ride. Hit Casey's as soon as it opens, usually 1130. Have the last hot dog and yummy fries with cheese sauce. Hop on over to the bakery and get one...or two...or however many you fancy of those big ole cinnamon rolls to bring home. Carry them on board the plane, thusly torturing everyone who can smell their cinnamony goodness, including ourselves.

Because we save them for that night. When we're home, and it's me and DH, and as we watch TV and readjust to the real world, we have one little piece of the Magic Kingdom still with us.

And then we devour it!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I forgot to tell you that the main character talks about being Zen too. I think it is a TK worthy book.

 

[Lady Lallie]

I think I'm going to have to look her up. I have some B & N gift cards that are burning a hole in my pocket...I'm waiting for the newest Amelia Peabody!

I started the 2nd one before I left but didn't want to bring a library book on the cruise. I need to finish it! I really like Amelia.

Okay, here's what we used to do back when flight times were liveable and you could always make it to the MK on your last day.

Arrive at the park early, maybe shop, one last ride. Hit Casey's as soon as it opens, usually 1130. Have the last hot dog and yummy fries with cheese sauce. Hop on over to the bakery and get one...or two...or however many you fancy of those big ole cinnamon rolls to bring home. Carry them on board the plane, thusly torturing everyone who can smell their cinnamony goodness, including ourselves.

Because we save them for that night. When we're home, and it's me and DH, and as we watch TV and readjust to the real world, we have one little piece of the Magic Kingdom still with us.

And then we devour it!

That sounds heavenly. I think I am going to take a page out of TK's book and bring a piece back from the MK.