SaintsManiac
Wait for it.
- Joined
- Dec 9, 2014
SciFi is a very tough ADR to get. Highly recommend the Touring Plans ADR finder.
When Southwest released their November airfare in May, the prices were much higher than we had hoped (although not all that surprising given their MAX 8 situation). The more we crunched air travel numbers -- airfare, TSA precheck for at least one of us adults, long term airport parking, a rental car (a must in DH's book when visiting WDW with our kids and also much pricier than prior visits) -- the more we leaned towards our transportation of choice from last November's WDW visit. We eventually decided to get something on the books and once again opted to reserve spots on Amtrak's Auto Train. We had wonderful experiences both ways on the AT last year, so we're psyched to ride it again...particularly since we've upgraded this year from coach class to sleeping accommodations (still fairly tight, but it should feel great to fully recline and to have less ambient light while doing so).
The cost of airfare took my breath away, it's the same price as our entire park stay. All four of us flew last summer for the price of 1 this time. Unfortunately driving is our only other option, and that's not really an option as it would be a two day trip minimum each way. Two SW sales have come and gone since we booked with no change in prices so I'm assuming we're stuck. It's really making me reconsider if we'll travel at this time of year again. We'll see how the trip itself goes and if we can be swayed.
The cost of airfare took my breath away, it's the same price as our entire park stay. All four of us flew last summer for the price of 1 this time. Unfortunately driving is our only other option, and that's not really an option as it would be a two day trip minimum each way. Two SW sales have come and gone since we booked with no change in prices so I'm assuming we're stuck. It's really making me reconsider if we'll travel at this time of year again. We'll see how the trip itself goes and if we can be swayed.
We managed to get a $400 credit from Southwest on our flight home. I was ecstatic! Keep checking!
For our 11/2016 and 11/2017 flights to MCO, I stalked SW's fares over the months leading up to the trips and successfully rebooked several times for incrementally better prices. Then again, the fare we originally booked was much less than the opening fare this year. That's great that you've already found a better fare with SW, @SaintsManiac! I checked my notes from 2016 and 2017 and it looks like I was still finding price drops through the beginning to middle of October. But I'm sure it's a whole different ballgame this year with the reduced fleet.
Yeah, I was logged onto SW's site when they [finally] released the fares and immediately knew I wouldn't be booking yet -- wayyy higher than anticipated! To boot, car rentals for the fall have also been much higher than usual. We know quite a few people in our area who do the drive to/from WDW -- I'd love to have that as a viable option for us, but DH and I just no longer up for that sort of roadtrip. It's about a 14-17 hour drive from where we live. We do 9-hour and 6-hour (one way) drives at least once a year with our kids and we're at our limits with those drives.
For our 11/2016 and 11/2017 flights to MCO, I stalked SW's fares over the months leading up to the trips and successfully rebooked several times for incrementally better prices. Then again, the fare we originally booked was much less than the opening fare this year. That's great that you've already found a better fare with SW, @SaintsManiac! I checked my notes from 2016 and 2017 and it looks like I was still finding price drops through the beginning to middle of October. But I'm sure it's a whole different ballgame this year with the reduced fleet.
We were also impatiently waiting for flights to be released... I was checking every day. Then once they were released, I couldn't believe how expense SW flights were! We found much cheaper flights through Allegiant. We don't prefer to fly Allegiant, but for $140 roundtrip, I'll take the chance!
Last year we were there the 4th to 8th, and Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios had their decorations up. By the 4th MKs decorations were up, the Dreamlights were lit on the Castle (my favorite part of the holiday decor!), and Jungle Cruise was already Jingle Cruise. Our HS day wasn't until the 7th, but by then they had fake snow falling at night, decorations up, and holiday projections on ToT. The characters in Toy Story Land had a few holiday touches, like a candy cane in Woody's holster and a Santa hat on Buzz. I think this is the first year AK is offering special holiday decorations and entertainment. They announced a start date that I think was during that week. IMO that's the best fall week to go, since it's the week between the Halloween and Christmas parties and MK doesn't close early every day. Resorts didn't have their decorations up yet and I don't remember hearing any Christmas music.
We were also impatiently waiting for flights to be released... I was checking every day. Then once they were released, I couldn't believe how expense SW flights were! We found much cheaper flights through Allegiant. We don't prefer to fly Allegiant, but for $140 roundtrip, I'll take the chance!
SciFi is a very tough ADR to get. Highly recommend the Touring Plans ADR finder.
Jumping in!
After changing dates (and even location) we've finally settled on a booking! November 16-22. One night at the Polynesian Villas, and the rest in a normal room. Doing the split stay to get the free dining offer.
This will be me, hubby, and our two daughters - 14 and 6. This will be the first time for all of us to stay at a WDW resort! Hubby took our youngest to MK for a day in 2016. Our older daughter and I have only been to Disneyland. So excited! Especially since November in Nebraska almost always sucks weather wise.
Nice to see some DAH dates offered. I could do AK and MK during my week but I think it's too late for my DS. If the MK one was 9-12 I would be tempted to do it instead of the Christmas party for sure.
Now I'm hoping EMM will be added on the Tuesday!