Friday, April 30, 2010

Last Minute May Trip? Consider the Fly In/Drive Out Option!

SO- Here it is, late Spring, and some of us want a last-chance Disney fix before the Summer rush. Maybe you are considering a weekend visit for Star Wars Weekends at the Studios. OH WAIT- You may be tempted to join in the May 22-23 Meet Up with Lou Mongello as he goes live for the 24 hour show to benefit the Make a Wish Foundation (free plug for Lou, because he's the man!)

Thinking you may have a challenge affording the airfare there and back? Well- I am going to share a secret with you. If you live within, say a day's drive of Florida, here is how I do my Spring and Fall trips: Ready? The Fly in/Drive out or Drive in/Fly out. Let me tell ya how that works...

Many of the rental car companies move vehicles TO Florida during the Wintertime to meet the demand of their reservations. Then, in the Spring, these cars need to be moved back to the cities where they came from (or simply, outside of Florida). They use amazingly cheap rates (and we, the renters) to do this. For example, National Car Rental is currently offering a rate of $10-12/day (depending on size) to pick up at many FL airport locations and drop at airports outside of Florida now through the end of May. BONUS- You can pick up the car at the WDW-Dolphin hotel as well! If you have a family, imagine the savings of money and time by only driving one way! Again- just my secret to share with everyone.

Another thought: I shop at Character Premiere and Character Warehouse on EVERY trip. If you don't know what these are, they are the Disney owned/operated outlet stores where "odd-lot" merchandise from the parks is sold to the public at rock-bottom prices. I love loading up the rental car and driving back with my Spring stash. I avoid the excess bag fees this way. (I wish cheap was sexy).

Always check with each of the rental car company's specials page (or ask you favorite travel agent) to research the dates/cities/rates that apply, as they change each season. In fact, below I have assembled the listing (as of April 30th) to assist you with your transportation planning.

Let me know what you think of the idea? I am frugal, I love Disney, I love being frugal for Disney :)

WDWStevieB


FL One-Way Car Discounts:

National: https://www.nationalcar.com/ (see specials to go section)
$10 - $12 per day (priced by car size)
Pick Up: Participating FL Airports including MCO and the WDW-Dolphin Location (not Sanford)
Drop Off: "Participating Locations outside FL" This is a bit vague on the site, so check your local airport.
through 5/31

Alamo: https://www.alamo.com/ (see Alamo rental car specials section)
$10 - $12 per day (priced by car size)
Pick Up: Participating FL Airports including MCO and the WDW-Dolphin Location (not Sanford)
Drop Off: "Participating Locations outside FL" This is a bit vague on the site, so check your local airport.
through 5/31

Budget: http://www.budget.com/budgetWeb/html/en/deals/weekday/oneway_savings_daily10.html?&ICID=homepage_right&IID=onewayflorida_2010
$9.95 - $29.95 per day (priced by car size)
Pick up: MCO (or other FL airports, not Sanford)
Drop Off: (Check for specific city/airports): Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
through 6/25 (if available)


Avis: http://www.avis.com/car-rental/content/display.ac?contentId=one-way-florida-US_en-012036&ICID=dl_floneway_0110
$9.95 - $26.95 per day (priced by car size)
Pick up: MCO (or other FL airports, not Sanford)
Drop Off (Check for specific city/airports): Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
through 6/25 (if available)

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Who am I? My first official blog post :)

Welcome, curious reader. This is my first "official" stab at blogging. I have grand plans to write about trips, experiences, thoughts, TV, the cats, and other miscellaneous things. You may detect the spin and future majority of the content of the blog from this introduction. We'll see how I do. But, before I expect anyone to read anything I take the time to write, I thought I should introduce myself. This way you can choose to enter into the relationship that we will have (too soon? moving on...). Everybody neat and pretty? Then, on with the show.

I was born and raised in eastern Pennsylvania (shout out to Hellertown). I moved to Florida in the 1990s, where I had my first exposure to the dream jobs (part time) in radio. I worked in promotions and on-air (Saturdays Midnight to 7 AM, don't worry - only 17 people listened I think). But, a move to Orlando gave me the dream chance to be part of the Magic!

I was a part time Cast Member from 1998-2000. I worked at the Studios park as an Attractions Host and Disney Trainer. My primary role was tour guide at the Magic of Disney Animation (when it had a full tour and animators); Making of... (now Walt, One Man's Dream); and Backstage Pass. I was also a Trainer at those attractions and Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Bear in the Big Blue House (now Playhouse Disney). I loved the experience both personally and professionally. Being a part of people's memories or at least contributing to a positive experience a la Walt Disney can truly motivate you if you allow it to. In my opinion, as a cast member, you have to do it with this perspective. Days are long and hot in the summer and crowds of humans can get overwhelming. BUT- you always have to remember, no matter how insignificant to you, you are part of something greater than yourself. Most people only get to experience the parks and the Disney magic as a guest, and that is an experience all its own. Being a cast member, for me, gave me an appreciation for what Walt Disney and the Imagineers meant when they created the experiences that started with Disneyland.

Professionally I am a training consultant for a software company. So much of how I present myself (word choice, expression, sincerity) came from my exposure to the Disney Traditions. It is also a great thing to have on your resume throughout your professional lifespan. If the opportunity presents itself (advice from a Disney fan to other Disney fans), the experience is life changing (if you allow it to be).

Before this section sounds like a personal ad, I will use bullets to make it seem more rigid :)
  • I am a former travel professional, and I travel quite a bit with my job.
  • I am a TV/DVR addict.
  • I am dependent on being connected to the world and my iPhone, and RSS tend to keep me occupied.
  • OH, and I have embraced Twitter (and Facebook, kind of) as a great tool of communication. So nerds, unite.
Now before I ramble on and on... We'll see how I do. Thanks for reading and I will post again soon :)

WDWStevieB