Back from Disney

[BahamaAngie]

Hi All!!!

Got back early evening last night. Thank God we did not have any bad weather. Only on Saturday it was a washout. Not bad right? Hope V and Gummy and anyone else had good weather. Good trip. Kids loved it. Very hot! Glad to be home actually. It is still really nice weather here and you know I missed the water!!! As soon as we got off the plane in Atlantic City, I realized how much I missed being by the water. The resorts we stayed out were great for the kids. So we did good!:)

[vharrison]

So glad you had fun, looking forward to seeing some pictures!

[Patti Puzo]

Glad you're all back and had a good time Angie. We missed you!

[BahamaAngie]

Thanks Patti, you are so sweet! V, I am still working on the Hawaii pictures....ha...ha! Might take forever for the Disney. How was your trip?

[BahamaAngie]

Patti, how was your trip?

[vharrison]

We had a good time! Shot some lobster, speared a grouper and had a picnic lunch on a deserted island. Very fun!

[Jerry S]

[quote=BahamaAngie;35066]Patti, how was your trip?[/quote

Patti was wise enough to postphone her trip because of Gustav.

[Patti Puzo]

Yes, I did end up canceling after some wisdom from Sammie and Dr. Ralph. What sealed the decision was when my son said he would be under lockdown for the duration of the storm, which, thankfully, didn't turn out as bad as expected. Thanks for asking Angie.
Mark is heading down October 4th, so at least he can visit with him.

[BahamaAngie]

See, my head is still not on straight (8 days with the kids....duh?) I forgot to make the connection with Louisiana and Gustav, Patti. Smart move. Will you be able to still use your ticket?

We had the some really bad experiences with Spirit Airlines. Our flights were good (smooth and safe which is MOST important) but when we got to the airport they charged us $25 per piece of luggage....none were free except carry on and so we did 2 pcs carry on. And then we requested seats and they charged individually for that also. I hope I can find a better alternative for the upcoming Abaco trip. BTW when I mentioned this mishap on AMB that I was so angry. They told me to calm down and not be so grouchy!!!! Grouchy you should have heard me on the phone to Spirit. They were suppose to waive the xtra charges as I had booked prior to the new regulations.

[JJ]

Angie, I thought about you all last week and how the weather was working in your favor, although very hot and humid. On my side of town we did have some late afternoon thunderstorms and hopefully you weren't caught in any of those. And, yes, Sat. was pretty miserable with rain all day, but not so bad for you to just have one rainy day.

I remember you saying that Spirit was going to waive the bag fee. Maybe you could call customer service and get Spirit to reimburse you for since they told you they weren't going to charge you.

[BahamaAngie]

I thought of you too JJ especially when we went to rent a boat on the lake and they said it was broke down due to all the rain and they did NOT get as nearly as much as you did. Saturday we were changing hotels and we had planned to spend most of the day at Orange Lake in the lazy river. We had lunch and the sky got dark so we got into our rental and the heavens opened up. We had to kill a couple hours to get into Liki Tiki for our room to be ready. Orange Lake was a wonderful resort but it had ONE elevator on the complete opposite side where we were otherwise it was a great place. Liki Tiki was a real nice unit. The pool was very kid oriented and boy was it kid inhabited!!!! But they were all having a blast. Every time we call Spirit we were calling India and getting nowhere fast. When we went to Atlantic City my daughter was so irate she got the name and number of a general manager who I hope she still has so that I can blast off!!!! Really makes me nervous as is this going to be the friendly skies of the future????? Otherwise, it was great, airport was easy to get in and out of....flights were good, on time, attendants were friendly, Orlando was easy...easier than FLL it was just all the booking and luggage that were frustrating and extra $$$$ we did NOT plan on. $100 for luggage each way not for overweight for just having them!

[gummy67]

We had good weather in MHH just alot of wind. I don't know how you could spend 8 days in Disney,one is good for us.Maybe once Cece gets older she will want to go more.The worst part about Disney in no BEER,only Epcot.I prefer Universal,Sea World or Busch Gardens where they have beer stands everywhere.

[BahamaAngie]

No, no, no Gummy....one day in Disney...couple days hanging out in really neat pools and then last day before we left in Universal. They went one other day to SeaWorld and a water park....not hubby and myself....we had our share of swimming and G and T's. I raised my gang....I was just there to oversee and relax!

[SamFamAustin]

Hey Angie, glad you had a great time. Sounds like you got in between most the bad weather "boomers and zoomers." Perhaps we are biased but Lori and I like to fly Southwest if we can, since they have the best consumer opinion ratings ... and don't charge for luggage for the normal stuff. No hidden charges, really. Orlando - if that is where you were - is a nice airport. I got testy there one day there because of weather delays and my screaming kids and security "profiled" me as a terrorist to do the Goose Walk with those magic wands in front of EVERYBODY. Thank goodness I didn't have to take off the Pink Tutu... :eek:

Da Goose Walk. Hey, you Californians over thar, you start a trend err somethang? :D
-sammie

[Patti Puzo]

Angie/Sammie, Southwest was who I was supposed to fly into New Orleans on. Angie, they are not going to penalize me for rescheduling to another destination!!!

[BahamaAngie]

Sammie you are so funny. Patty, good that all worked out well for you. Now I guess we all need to survive Ike....have to check out the latest.

[DaGoose]

Angie, have you reconsidered your position on carry ons?:D Joking aside, that sucks that Spirit charged you but just keep pestering them (nicely tho'!) and I'm sure you'll get a refund.

Sounds like you had a great time!

Sammie, nope no goose stepping here, just cleaning more tuna:p

Tina

[BahamaAngie]

Hi Tina!

Wondering where you have been hiding. Yeah, I will bug them. The gang is all still here so on Monday I will try. I was being assertive with them, I thought my daughter was going to go for their juggler. She was so frustrated from the night before dealing with their India reps on the phone! I could NOT make out what they were saying so I had to hand the phone to her.

[vharrison]

I don't know how you could spend 8 days in Disney,one is good for us.

:eek: Who could afford 8 days at Disney? :p

[BahamaAngie]

V, I am a VERY economical traveler. Let me rephrase "8 days in Florida" only one in Disney, one in Universal and they did SeaWorld and Typhoon Park also. I did hotel and g & t's!!!!!! I don't know how people with a gang of kids can do many parks. They are very expensive but I am sure their overhead is high as some of the rides are just breathtaking.

[DaGoose]

Hi Tina!

Wondering where you have been hiding. Yeah, I will bug them. The gang is all still here so on Monday I will try. I was being assertive with them, I thought my daughter was going to go for their juggler. She was so frustrated from the night before dealing with their India reps on the phone! I could NOT make out what they were saying so I had to hand the phone to her.

Hi Angie! That can be SO frustrating that's why I let Rick do all the negotiating. He is really good at it, having been a Director of Customer Service for years. Me, I just get frazzled.

I also don't know how families can afford to do those theme parks too often. Just getting my 10 year old niece and 7 year old nephew into Disneyland a few years back was $120.00.

Good luck on your refund!

Tina

[SamFamAustin]

Not to belabor the issue, but a large beer and a brat-sized hotdog set me alone back over 20 bucks at a theme park. Neither was any good. :(

Me, I'm happy with a peanut butter sammich and a beer from the store on any beach ... the Abaco in 2009 sounds good. I've also become a Grand Master at making small fires on the beach, and I think you can get six or 8 good brats for cheap, best on a long stainless steel stick - coat hangers just don't work, folks! :rolleyes:

People ask how I do it, but I bring a shovel, a five gallon bucket, and a grill table (or a grill on rocks) to set over the fire. We let the fire burn out and put it off with the bucket of water, and throw any mess in the bucket, including the wet cinders and beer cans (please no glass on da beach!).

Priceless moments of extremely dirty jokes, songs we thought we forgot but know every word, and silly games like a Conga line but you have to walk on all fours with your tummy in the air, the Crab Walk. OK, m-a-y-b-e not the Crab Walk. :eek:
-sammie

[BahamaAngie]

We did NOT eat at the park. Had some drinks and pretzels, ate a huge breaksfast before and dinner after. Worked out well. It was soooo hot that all you wanted was to drink anyway!

[JJ]

I am writing this from the Orlando Airport. I am on my way to Dallas for business (I return Wed., so no threat from Ike). I am flying American Airlines and, Angie, I just wanted to say that I feel your pain. I was charged $15 to check a bag. I was not made aware there would be any extra charge prior to my trip. I am on a business trip and must take my computer, a purse, then my bag, so I am stuck with checking a bag since you cannot carry on more than two including a purse. I do have a bag that serves as a computer case and has room for enough necessities for a one night stay but this trip I have to dress business casual, business formal, casual-casual for various events over the three days, so my small bag wasn't going to cut it. Just venting and trying to figure out how I can get rid of one bag for my return trip (most likely my purse).

[BahamaAngie]

Yeah, I know. It cost us $100 each way. $25 is one thing but $100 each plus the price of seats $8 to $10 I believe each (there were six of us). Was very appalling to me!!! I know it was not the Sprit reps working at the airport fault but I need to contact Spirit and let off some Italian steam!!! have a good trip JJ. You sound like you have a very impressive job...good for you!

[DrRalph]

In April I flew Delta from Orlando to Minneapolis. I had two suitcases, one large, one small, "no fee for two checked bags." Bag #2 weighed 54 lbs, they charged me $80 to check the bag. EIGHTY EFFING DOLLARS for being 4 lbs over 50.:mad:

[BahamaAngie]

That happened to us when our last Abaco trip but it was $25 for being 4 or 7 lbs over and we only had one suitcase for the 2 of us and 2 small for bringing things (we were allowed 2 each) but it did NOT matter as one was over the 50 lbs. and I could not take stuff out as the other ones were stuffed. Oh well, I always disliked the traveling part of the trips so now it will be just more difficult and more thinking. Actually, always overpack anyway so we have decided to take a lot less next trip!

[JJ]

Well, here I am in Dallas. Probably gonna have to suck up $15 on my return flight for my checked bag. I was hoping to consolidate then realized I have probably about $30 of liquids in over 3 oz containers (hair care products, contact lense solution, etc) I would have to throw out if I carry on my bag. Since I was planning on checking my bag I went ahead and brought my large bottles of everything. Lesson learned.:mad:

[BahamaAngie]

But you would need to check it if there are liquids....you can't carry on them or they will make you throw it out!

[BahamaAngie]

Hey, I actually got some GOOD news yesterday. I spoke with Spirit Airlines and they said they are crediting my credit card for the suitcases charge and seating charges and gave me a $200 voucher (over the phone)! How cool is that? Now I need to check my monthly statement to make sure they did! I am glad because I figured it would be easier to fly from Atlantic City to Nassau and then Nassau into Abaco. Now B.A. only flies to TC on Sun. and Fridays any other suggestions? Their price is good.

[Patti Puzo]

Hey, I actually got some GOOD news yesterday. I spoke with Spirit Airlines and they said they are crediting my credit card for the suitcases charge and seating charges and gave me a $200 voucher (over the phone)! How cool is that? Now I need to check my monthly statement to make sure they did! I am glad because I figured it would be easier to fly from Atlantic City to Nassau and then Nassau into Abaco. Now B.A. only flies to TC on Sun. and Fridays any other suggestions? Their price is good.

It's always nice to hear good news for a change, when it comes to the airline industry. Way to persevere Angie!

[BahamaAngie]

Thanks Patti. Leaving out of A.C. was so easy compared to Newark or any big airport. So, I had to try!

[Tingum]

I guess I'm too cheap and grouchy to put up with airlines and theme parks! I'll drive to Lauderdale and take Twin Air any day before I put up with having the recently unemployed root through my underware and then be charged per bag! The sooner they all go under the better!

[Watercolours]

We are in Fl. and going to Disney this weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JJ]

We are in Fl. and going to Disney this weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome to Central Florida and I hope you have a great visit. The parks are not supposed to be as crowded in late Sept. and Oct. Have fun!

[Hank g]

Hold his hand, Patti, so he doesn't get lost.

[BahamaAngie]

You should be able to sail right through. We went one time this time of year and besides it being HOTTTTT went right through (no lines). It was actually more crowded than I thought it would be and it was the day after Labor Day, there were 45 min. waits and it was too hot to wait. Of course, we could have gotten in easier but my daughter can't stand heat so she was losing her cool! heh! heh! Have a great time!

[BahamaAngie]

Tingum, you're funny! At least you say it like it is. I like that!