Would you do this?

[Mickey'sApprentice]

So....dh and I have a trip planned for January.

The bottom line is that I don't want to reschedule the trip because we will be with good friends that we rarely see at the end of our use year (yada yada yada), and I had something come up for work. I may be able to get out of the work assignment, but I doubt it. I'm a little miffed at the work issue as I made double sure that I would not have a conflict in January.

Would you drive to WDW with your spouse, and then fly home mid-week for work, fly back and then drive home?

I would take DME at noon one day and would be back by noon the next day. The flight would cost $217 plus about $150 for hotel and rental car. It is cheaper to rent a car than to leave a car at the airport for the week. We had planned to be gone from 12/31 to 1/9. My conflict is on 1/5.

What do you think?

Are there any issues with DME?

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Here are more details:

I would leave MCO at 3:40 and arrive in Birmingham, AL at 4:15 pm. I would have to be at work at 6pm SHARP. (For Birmingham, Ala. people, I'll be on US 280 between Valleydale Road and US119). How do-able is that during Birmingham RUSH hour.

I would then take a 7:30 a.m. flight to MCO and land at 10:00 AM on the next morning.

We are staying at AKL at WDW. If I don't have luggage...could I be picked up or dropped off at resorts close to a themepark?

I haven't figured this all out yet. I'd really like to avoid the rental car. I like the thought of having clothes and toiletries in my own car so that I can manage NOT to have a carry on.

 

[Tozzie]

Here are more details:

I would leave MCO at 3:40 and arrive in Birmingham, AL at 4:15 pm. I would have to be at work at 6pm SHARP. (For Birmingham, Ala. people, I'll be on US 280 between Valleydale Road and US119). How do-able is that during Birmingham RUSH hour.

I would then take a 7:30 a.m. flight to MCO and land at 10:00 AM on the next morning.

We are staying at AKL at WDW. If I don't have luggage...could I be picked up or dropped off at resorts close to a themepark?

I haven't figured this all out yet. I'd really like to avoid the rental car. I like the thought of having clothes and toiletries in my own car so that I can manage NOT to have a carry on.

I would do it however I wouldn't cut the flight to Alabama that close, you are assuming that everything will run smoothly and the flights will be on time but if something happens, try this senario: you are flying in January if the plane that is designated for your flight is comming from the Northeast, the Northeast is backed up due to the winter weather that means your flight will be delayed. In August my flight home was delayed by 2 1/2 hours even though other flights to my destination were on time the problem was the plane we were using was delayed by weather in California as it was comming from Los Angeles. I would take an earlier flight if you can get one.


You can only take the DME bus for the resort that you have a reservation at so you would have to take the AKL bus.

 

[marynvince]

can't you conference call in?

 

[DMKEDM]

I've "sort of" done this...had a speech about 2 1/2 hours from WDW...patched together a week (3 days in front of the speech; 3 days after)--had to bring my DS' nanny (he was 9 at the time) because I was going to be gone for the day...that was my "big expense" in making the trip work...but it was great having her w/us and it took all the stress out of me having to be gone for the day in the middle of the trip...the cost was probably even greater than what you describe for your travel, as I had to pay her air fare, park tix, and food...but it was worth it to me...

I rented a car for the day of my speech from the Car Care Center near MK (you can also rent one near Downtown Disney or at the Dolphin (or maybe it's the Swan, I forget)...

Picked up my rental car the night before; left at 4 a.m. to get to my speech (I was "on" at 8, but my peace of my mind required me to have plenty of "pad" time in case something went wrong); was back at WDW (w/car returned) by dinner time, as I recall...

Some dissimilarities in our stories...mine didn't involve airplanes or an overnight...but "the guts" are the same...I had to plan one day away out of my 7 days at WDW --

It all worked out just fine...and from some perspectives, flying and the overnight is actually less intrusive than my road trip...

It sounds like it won't cost all that much (comparatively speaking)...I like the idea of leaving an overnight bag in your car at home so you can just walk on and off the plane(s)...

If money is not (all that much of) a factor, if I were you I'd consider cabs to & from MCO...they will add $100 or so to your trip, but will save you at least 3 hours and maybe more...you can have the return-trip cab drop you at whatever park your family/friends are at and you won't have to leave for MCO as early as you would if you were taking ME (w/no carry-on luggage, I'd say getting to MCO an hour ahead of your flight should be fine)...you also wouldn't have to wait on ME for your return to WDW...

Can't comment on how much time you need between the airport in AL and your business meeting, as I've never been to AL ...

Finally, I'd say DO IT...it'll be a pain for 24 hours, but then again, your job is what lets you go to WDW at all, so giving up one day of 7, while the pits, is still better than giving up the whole trip!

Good luck to you--

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Hmmm....only an hour at MCO.

I wonder how big of a pain is it to park at MCO.

I really would like to sweet talk dh into taking me to the airport, especially since I'm a little squeemish about that 3:40 flight.

I really don't want to miss that entire Tuesday.

Eating lunch in WDW would give me a lot of psychic income.

 

[Crystal_27]

What do you think?

I don't know - - if it were me, I'd probably just try and fit in everything I absolutely wanted to do in the 5 or so days that before the deadline, and then just head home and took care of stuff on the homefront until DH got back.

However, maybe if you try and get your job to pay for your travel expenses, they'll realize that they don't need you quite as much as they thought and let someone else handle it while you enjoyed your full vacation.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I don't know - - if it were me, I'd probably just try and fit in everything I absolutely wanted to do in the 5 or so days that before the deadline, and then just head home and took care of stuff on the homefront until DH got back.

However, maybe if you try and get your job to pay for your travel expenses, they'll realize that they don't need you quite as much as they thought and let someone else handle it while you enjoyed your full vacation.

Well we are spending the week with MY dear friends that live in Alaska. We only get to visit each other when they visit relatives in Florida, or when and if I ever get to go to Alaska.

The work thing is a real bummer. I teach 5 week classes, so you really can't miss. I had asked and made sure that I didn't have a class, and was assured that I wasn't scheduled. When I got my schedule for February and March I thought I was home free...and then I got asked to start a class in mid-December. The kicker is that the class will only pay a little more than all of my expenses...but I really can't say no.

The whole thing burns my grits!

 

[maburke]

The work thing is a real bummer. I teach 5 week classes, so you really can't miss. I had asked and made sure that I didn't have a class, and was assured that I wasn't scheduled. When I got my schedule for February and March I thought I was home free...and then I got asked to start a class in mid-December. The kicker is that the class will only pay a little more than all of my expenses...but I really can't say no.

The whole thing burns my grits!

Is there no one who could cover for you? I don't know what you teach, but I would work hard to find another way rather than all that travel. Can you do something online? Do you give tests? Give a test that night and get someone else to proctor it for you! That's what I'm doing right now -- proctoring for a friend. I asked her to proctor for me in a couple of weeks, and I think she was so grateful to have someone to exchange favors with -- otherwise she never would have "imposed" on me. Start the conversation!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Is there no one who could cover for you? I don't know what you teach, but I would work hard to find another way rather than all that travel. Can you do something online? Do you give tests? Give a test that night and get someone else to proctor it for you! That's what I'm doing right now -- proctoring for a friend. I asked her to proctor for me in a couple of weeks, and I think she was so grateful to have someone to exchange favors with -- otherwise she never would have "imposed" on me. Start the conversation!

I have given proctored exams and library days when teaching under different circumstances.

 

[Kdisney]

I would re-schedule the trip if you can.I would end up being very irritated by all that in the end. Plus, you can't account for possible flight delays, weather issues, etc. I think you would have a much better vacation if you were able to stay the whole time there without leaving and going back.

 

[Halle]

My DF's husband always travels during vacation for work. I don't see it as a big deal. aside from the money factor but hey you have a job and so many don't.

 

[Figment2]

I had to do this last year. We got there on the 28th, I left on 10/31 and flew home and then flew back to FL on the evening of the 3rd. What was great was having no luggage to deal with. I left it in FL. Took ME to and from the airport.

Cyn