Look...it's a bird, it's a plane, it's Express Jet

Originally Posted By MOLLYSMOM

Have any of you flown Express Jet from Washington? I live in Spokane, and I can fly Express from here to Ontario at a pretty good rate. The best part is...NO layover in Seattle or Portland. They don't fly into SNA (my airport of choice), but Ontario is do-able, right? The non-stop deal really has me excited.

I can also fly non-stop to San Diego. Our next Disney jaunt has us flying to Anaheim (perhaps Ontario now) for 4 days, then driving to San Diego for another 4, and flying home from there.

 

Originally Posted By seanyoda

If you're renting a car, Ontario is an excellent airport for getting to Disneyland. Take I-10 or CA-60 west to CA-57 south, and then exit at either Ball Rd. or Katella. Just be aware that for a portion, CA-60 and CA-57 merge.

As for Express Jet, I cannot comment as I've never flown them. I know that they fly smaller (37 ERJ-135 and 50 seat ERJ-145) aircraft (which is their business model -- connect cities that don't have enough O&D traffic to justify non-stop flights on a larger jet)

 

Originally Posted By MOLLYSMOM

Thanks seanyoda...that's just the info I was looking for.

 

Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains

Another trip MOLLYSMOM - maybe a holiday trip???

 

Originally Posted By fkurucz

Keep in mind that ERJ's are loud and cramped (but they are jets).

Then again, non-stop is non-stop, and that is worth someting in my book!

 

Originally Posted By MOLLYSMOM

Hey, villains! Ya...POSSIBLY a holiday trip. It won't take much prodding for DH to say yes.

DD turns 13 next month, and she thinks it's a pretty big deal...which it is. She also has been climbing up my backside to spend Christmas at DL someday. It could be a pretty awesome birthday present...depending on cost.

fkurucz...non-stop would be terrific. Right now, the SHORTEST flight I can get from here is 5 hours...including the lay-over in Seattle or Portland. I can fly from here to Ontario on Express in 2 1/2 hours. Half the time...pretty appealing.

 

Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains

13 is a huge deal - welcome to the teenage era of her life... She sounds like such a nice girl and she was so good about the last trip -
I vote she earned a trip without the half-wits...If you can get in on it the candlelight processional is the first weekend in Dec...

 

Originally Posted By MOLLYSMOM

Ya...she is one terrific kid, that's for sure. And yes...a trip without the half-wits would be great. The half-wits actually called me "chronic" when I told them what I was thinking about doing for DD's big b-day. We wouldn't be able to make it for the Candlelight, darn it. Our vacation is from December 22 to January 2.

Well, we may be "chronic freaks" to the half-wits, but we sure have a heck of a good time.

 

Originally Posted By DLTheo

I hope you get to go! You might want to know, though (or you may already know) that that is the busiest week of the year, with crowds up to 70,000 a day I'm told. You'll still have a blast though!

 

Originally Posted By Tinkerbell819

MollysMom, I STILL have not read your last installment of your trip report! (I've been "saving" it...) Now, I'd better get over there to read it b/c you may have a new report to write soon!
I'm with Villains, I want you to go the 1st weekend of Dec. B/c that is when I will be there! C'Mon....change your vaca...it's cheaper and less crowded...

 

Originally Posted By MOLLYSMOM

tink...where the heck you been????

DLTheo... I know that it will be the busiest time to go, but we really enjoy the crowds...makes it more fun. We were there for the 50th, and it was crazy...but in a good way. For us, the large crowds are one of the things that make Disneyland special.

tink...I can't change my vacation, unfortunately. There would be a logistical nightmare here if I did. I can't take DD out of school because she is in the orchestra and they have their holiday concert, and with DH being the assistant manager here, he does coverage for those on vacation, and there are people off EVERY week in December.

I'm still seeing if this extra trip is even possible. DH said that if I can plan a trip down there (we're looking at possibly 3-4 days) for UNDER $2000 we can go. It's not as simple as it sounds...but I'm gonna give it a shot.

 

Originally Posted By Tinkerbell819

I booked my our flights last night...to avoid future drama...lol...the rates were climbing up on every airline except for SWA, so I booked with them. (I had wanted to wait until my next billing period on the credit card, but I was getting really nervous, so now I'm just nervous about the next bill!) To give you an idea of prices, I got 3 RT tix for PHL/SNA for $718, Hojos is about $400, and the rental car is going for about $180 now. Since I upgraded to APs we don't need any tix, so my total is around $1300 for 6 nights, coming from PA. I don't think you had APs, though, did you? Oh, and the time you are going will be more expensive, also. I love the CP and although I haven't seen any formal announcements, I sincerely hope they are going to have it the 1st weekend of Dec. since I bought the plane tix and all! Your daughter would most likely love the CP, also, if she's in the orchestra. But, I understand...you can't change everything around just for me!

 

Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains

Well I will be there that weekend too...I am so excited about the CP too, maybe I will see you. But guess what I will be there Jan 1-4 too ...

 

Originally Posted By Tinkerbell819

Oh my goodness! Will you just miss mollysmom? You are going this month, too, right? Like in a week or so????

 

Originally Posted By MOLLYSMOM

No, I don't have an AP...I really hadn't even considered another trip this year, so there was no point...in retrospect I wish I had.

Here's where I'm at $$$$$$ wise so far.
Flying out 12/23 and returning 12/26.

Airfare Spokane to LAX (hate flying to LAX, but it is the cheapest) $1169.37

3 nights Candy Cane Inn $449.65

3-day park hoppers $474

So, I'm at $2093.02 for 3 days. Close to the budget, but I have yet to figure in the car rental, or taxi, or shuttle, or whatever.

So, I tell DH where I'm at, and he says I did good, considering when I first started this morning, I was at $2789.44. Then, he throws a monkey wrench into the whole bit by saying that we could spend 3 days at DL for christmas, but 6 days for the same cost next summer.

Hmmmmmmmmmm. While the idea of christmas in DL is so awesome, I COULD spend twice the time there in the summer for about the same cost. Our trip there this summer was $2485 for airfare, 6 nights at the BWPPI, 6-day park hoppers, and a Mustang as our rental. If I were smart...I'd bag this christmas deal and head back next summer.

I have this weekend to ponder my options.

One thing I need to consider is winter flying. I'm not talking about my former fear of flying...I'll fly anywhere now. In Spokane in the winter we get the most unholy fog. There have been folks at the airport stuck for DAYS. Flying in the winter is risky at best.

tink...I send to you a standing ovation for getting your airfare. I don't think I could have handled another airline crisis like we had this summer.

 

Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains

Yep I will be there in 13 days....AND I am flying in from the SF bay area...So that takes me there sept - oct - nov/dec(I like when I get there in one month and leave in another makes the trip seem longer...) - Jan...
Me Spoiled - YEP...

MOLLYSMOM - talk to the DD and see which she prefers - if you have never done Christmas you should as it is just amazing - have you checked other hotels in the area - The anaheim Islander is $293.22 for the same three nights - I will be staying there in Nov the tripadvisor has it as a very nice place in it's recent reviews!!

 

Originally Posted By Tinkerbell819

Let's see...I am seeing Spokane to LGB at $1008, total, Hojo's $422, and 3 days hoppers $465. (Every little bit helps!) 12/23-12/26, that is.
Christmas is such a beautiful time to see the parks. By next summer you can convince DH to go back to DL again. C'mon! Go both times! (This is coming from someone who makes many sacrifices to feed her DL fix twice a year!)
Villains, you are so lucky! How wonderful! I'd love to see DL at Halloween! (and Thanksgiving!~and every other month come to think of it! lol) As a matter of fact. I am filling out postcards trying to win a Halloween trip there!

 

Originally Posted By MOLLYSMOM

Well...we had the family pow-wow over the weekend to discuss all this.

We now have another option. I'm thinking that this is probably the smartest thing to do. Not the most fun, but the smartest.

If we buy PAP's, we can go to DL next summer, and NEXT christmas, plus maybe splurge and stay at one of the resort hotels during the christmas trip. Makes more sense from a financial standpoint. I have a feeling that that's the best way to go.

 

Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains

SO would that be buying the PAP this christmas and going all three times...

 

Originally Posted By MOLLYSMOM

Shut up.................

I normally reserve that comment for mickeynewe, but I feel close enough to you now that I have no reservations about tossing it your way as well.

Some of us can't go EVERY OTHER month!!!!!!!! Normally, we can only go EVERY OTHER year. Stinker......