Word of caution

[aa4mom]

If you are flying the day of your cruise, be sure to check your flight often.

We were scheduled to fly Delta Express, which has since changed to Song Air. Along with the name change came two flight changes, within the course of two weeks time. They no longer have flights from Boston to MCO early on Sat. (at least in the time frame I am flying, late August).

I am hoping that we will now get to fly on Friday with no surcharge. So to all you 8/23 Eastern Cruises I hope to see you at the pool

 

[Verandah Man]

Originally posted by aa4mom
If you are flying the day of your cruise, be sure to check your flight often.

We were scheduled to fly Delta Express, which has since changed to Song Air. Along with the name change came two flight changes, within the course of two weeks time. They no longer have flights from Boston to MCO early on Sat. (at least in the time frame I am flying, late August).

I am hoping that we will now get to fly on Friday with no surcharge. So to all you 8/23 Eastern Cruises I hope to see you at the pool

That would be great, we'd love to have you join us. We changed our flight a few weeks ago from Saturday to Friday, since the war was still going on, Spirit did not charge us the $75.00 per ticket fee for changed flights.

I just thought getting in Friday afternoon would make for a more relaxed Saturday. I didn't like the thought of having to be at the airport at 4am Saturday morning. It would have made for a very L-O-N-G first day, besides my DW, DD, and Dniece, are NOT morning people at all.

Andy

 

[mmouse37]

Thanks for the heads up....we were also originally booked on Delta Express and found out we are now booked on song. Flight # changed but the times (so far) have stayed the same...I check every few days just in case.

I am nervous because Song starts its JFK-MCO flights on 5/10 and we are flying/cruising 5/17.....hope they work out all their kinks in that first week!!! Right now we fly at 7:30 am and arrive at 10:08 am...hope all goes well.

Can't beat the price though....$135 R/T!!!

MJ

 

[alexturner74]

I wouldn't worry about the JFK-MCO flights. Delta is already operating those flights between JFK and MCO with 757's. On May 10th, the flights will be switched to Song 757's, which are really just reconfigured and repainted Delta aircraft.

In addition, barring any weather or aircraft mechanical issues, the schedule will be maintained. It would be very damaging to any company to offer a schedule and not be able to deliver on it, so everything is worked out and planned for in advance.

 

[LAMPSKIES]

We always book a couple of pre cruise land days at WDW. Flying out of Chicago in Nov. and Feb when we go is taking a gamble.
Although.......they cancelled my whole cruise last time(Nov 2002 Magic) shows how smart I was. LOL (Look I can almost laugh now!!!!)

 

[vcasey]

I also had the same issue with Delta, I had my flight home cancelled and changed to earlier than I could ever get there from the cruise. I am also a travel agent so I asked a lot of questions. Delta's official policy is if a flight get changed by them that is more than an hour and a half from your original flight time you are actually even entitled to a refund (if you wish) even on a non-refundable ticket. That's the route I took because they just didn't have the flight time that worked anymore. So if they won't switch you to Friday you may just want to get the refund and then re-book yourself. I'm pretty sure they'd switch you though.

Also, I whole-heartedly agree that others should keep checking their flight times even if they aren't on Song because Delta is re-working their schedule in general.

 

[aa4mom]

I just called Delta/Song. The never suggested that I fly on Friday, they just offered the refund. I booked on Southwest for Friday and saved myself $100. Which will now have to go towards the hotel. Question one- I know poeple stay at the Radisson. Do they use the Cruise package or just book a room? I don't want pay for more than I need, but I dont want to get stuck either. I just realized, though, now I have to rearrange transportation . Second question- we were going to use DCL bus. I need to find a different way to get to the Port. How are others doing it? There will be four of us going, which is the most cost effective manner?

I am glad I kept checking the plane reservation. I would hate to be doing this closer to the cruise date.

 

[disneygal58]

aa4mom,
If you're arriving late Friday, look into an airport hotel with complimentary transportation from MCO, then return the next morning and use the DCL transfers. If you will be arriving before dinner time, rent a car (much cheaper than the DCL transfers), drive the hour to the Radisson and enjoy the pool. If you decide upon the Radisson option - book the least expensive rate. Right now, I believe it is the Visit FL rate. Either way you can't go wrong. The DCL transfers are expensive, but it is really fun to board the bus, watch the video and interact with the driver/hostess on the ride down. The Radisson is also a nice property with a great pool area, inexpensive food options and a short drive to Ron Jon's.

Enjoy,
Dawn Hope

 

[aa4mom]

I know the info is here on the boards somewhere !! , but I'll be darned if I know where to look.

We are going to try and stay at the Radisson (haven;t yet made a reservation- hoping there are still vacancies.) Is there a rental car drop off near/at the hotel? If so, which agency. We get into Orlando around noon and it would be great to have a car for the day. Can you rent a car for just one day? I priced Dollar and it was expensive to rent for 7 days. Especially if it is just going to sit at the hotel!

 

[vcasey]

There is an Avis in the Radisson and a Budget that offers a shuttle to the pier also not to far away from the Radisson. I haven't heard of Dollar being anywhere near the pier.

You don't need to rent the car 7 days just the 1 day and then take the shuttle. Then you can either take the bus back or get another 1 day rental for the last day. Much cheaper since you won't have the rental cost or parking cost.

 

[jrabbit]

National is also somewhere near the port

 

[swclark]

We have always used avis. They are right at the radisson so easy drop off after you check in. The shuttles takes you to the boat and will pick you up after the cruise and drop you off at hotel where you can get another rental for the drive back to the airport (or whereever you are going). We had an evening flight last time so went to cape canaveral for the day!

 

[Verandah Man]

aa4mom,

This is what we are doing. We rented a car from Budget(I checked around I got the best price from them using my BJ's Membership discount).

We arrive Friday evening around 5:30. We will be driving over to the Radisson and keeping the car overnight. I will take the car back to Budget in the morning. Then take the Budget shuttle back to the port.

We got a King Suite room at the Radisson because there will be 5 of us in our room. We get two king beds and a pull out in the living room. We paid $125.00 for our King Suite with my government discount. We went through www.radisson.com

We got our Budget car for less than $47.00

We have a late flight after the cruise, we got another Budget car so we can drive up to Dixie Crossroads for lunch, than after lunch we can head over to MCO.

Hope this helps!!!

Be looking forward to meeting you around the pool Friday night!!!

If you have any other questions feel free to send me an e-mail at apwalters55@comcast.net

Andy

 

[vcasey]

Dave's DCL Tribute has a great overview on rental cars by the port here's the link http://www.dcltribute.com/carhire/

 

[Verandah Man]

Originally posted by vcasey
Dave's DCL Tribute has a great overview on rental cars by the port here's the link http://www.dcltribute.com/carhire/

I checked Dave's site first, that's another reason I went with Budget. I liked what Dave had to say about Budget!!!

Andy

 

[aa4mom]

Thanks for all the help. I have reworked all the reservations, get an extra day of vacation and managed to save money . We will be flying down early Friday on Southwest. Even with the drive to Manchester, NH and having to pay for parking we save time, money and aggravation of flying Delta/Song out of Logan. We will rent a car from Avis at MCO on Friday. We save money not having to pay for DCL transfers. We have leftover passes for magic kingdom, which we may or maynot visit on Friday. I got a room at the Radisson for Friday using the Visit Florida promo. So we will see you at the pool Friday night . We are undecided still for the return trip. We leave MCO at 2pm, so we may just keep the return DCL transfers.

Again, thanks for all the help

 

[4nana]

aa4Mom~

We had our first flight w/So. West in Dec. I was anxious about seating as we had a group and the seats are not assigned but on first come, first serve basis ~ A,B,C. It worked out fine as we arrived early, were near front and could sit together.

We loved our rooms at the Radisson and their pool!!.....Enjoy

 

[aa4mom]

We have flown Southwest out of Manchester to Orlando once before. I, too, was anxious about their seating arrangements, but it worked out fine. Manchester is much more low key than Logan, which makes it easier with kids. I originally went with Delta because Southwest was accepting reservations for August at the time.

 

["Ginger"]

Andy just a suggestion, before you take your rental back take your family and luggage to the port. You can get the shuttle back to the port with the Radisson, Budget or Avis.

For those who have never been there: If you like Greek food try the diner next to the Radisson on the left as you exit the Radisson by the front entrance. Great Pizza and It. food to the right, Mc.D's straight ahead. We got our lunch to go and ate by the pool. We met some other Dis'ers who were also staying at the Radisson for dinner. We loaded everyone who wanted to go in our Excursion and headed to one of the restaurants by the port. Sorry, I can't remember which one at the moment. Check on Dave's site for more info. on the port. I can say a great time was had by all.
I reserved a King Suite at the Radisson for our Oct 25. cruise for $119. using AAA.
Dave's Site

 

[Verandah Man]

I went back to www.Radisson.com this morning and changed my reservation to the "VISIT FLORIDA STE" and got our room for $109.00 down from the $125.00 rate I was given earlier, again these boards have saved me some more $$.

Andy