So we belong to DVC (Disney Vacation Club). And last year we booked a Hawaiian vacation at Aulani for September 2020. Well, we all know what happened in 2020. Everything shut down. Aulani closed down. Hawaiian Airlines stopped their flights to Hawaii.....so of course that vacation (along with all the camping adventures we planned) was canceled.
We got our points returned to us, and the airlines gave us credit. But our points were points that we had banked and that we had to use by June 1, 2021. And. Nothing. Was. Open.
Even if it was, did we feel safe?
By this year we started feeling more safe about things, and things were opening up. Plus we both got our vaccines and we completely immunized. So we decided to book a vacation at WDW. Unfortunately Hawaiian Airlines does not fly there, so we did have to spend $$ for air fare.
And yes, I was still ambivalent about all this. All the way up to when we arrived in WDW. But what we were reading from their sites, but also from others who had visited WDW we felt this was probably one of the safest places to travel to at this time.
We flew out of SFO on April 24. Normally we would drive up the night before, stay at a hotel where we could also park our car for the duration, and use their shuttle to get to the airport. Guess what? They dont offer shuttle service during a Pandemic. And yet the cost for hotel stay + parking is exactly the same as for hotel stay + parking + shuttle.
So since our flight wasnt until 10:15 AM we decided to drive up that morning. After all, it is a Saturday....but I am married to a man who worries about "what ifs"....what if there was traffic? What if there was an accident? So unlike his mother, we have to arrive early.....in this case very early.
Up at 0345 and on our way by 0430. No traffic. None really. We got to the parking garage, on the shuttle, and arrived at SFO at 0600. For a 1015 flight.....
The most exciting thing? THERE ARE BOOKSTORES AT SFO!!!!!
I didnt need to buy abook - and I didnt - but just being able to browse.....heaven!
The flight attendents were nice and one was funny - he introduced the Flight Deck as Capt Crunch and Chocula. And the flight crew as Chandler, Ross, Monica, Rachel!
My pre flight entertainment was watching one of the people who load the luggage - being unable to fold a stroller down
And then getting help from 3 more people:
And none of them could do it either. So they loaded the stroller not folded up....
No more inflight magazines. They keep pushing about FREE movies to watch. But what they fail to tell you is that you have to PAY for the wifi! Prior to the flight they were begging people to turn in their carry ons for free check in because it was a full flight yada yada yada. Yet at the time of take off - there was at least one overhead compartment next to us that was completely empty!
I was extremely happy, on this non stop flight and the two flights home, that we paid the extra $$ for extra leg room. And at the time for both going to FL and coming home, Alaska was still not filling the middle seat. And that was SO LOVELY. Extra leg room and extra elbow room!
We wiped everything down that we thought we would be touching (but we have been doing that for years since we saw how some people sprawl out on planes and put their feet on everything). And keeping our masks on the whole flight wasnt as horrible as I expected.
Flight went well. Got to the airport and had to get the tram and go completely across the airport to get out luggage, and then turn around and go back the other way to get to the Magic Express. They use to take care of the luggage for you which was a blessing. I think we did about a mile and a half walking just for this.....so glad I took a little nap on the plane!
This is also the last year for the Magic Express. Not sure all the politics or finances involved but I think it is pretty dumb. They are building a light rail system that will go from airport to Disney Springs but that isnt even started yet. And Mears apparently has transportation you can pay for. But as far as I am concerned - the whole idea behind Disney is that they want you to be a captive audience so that you spend all your time, and all your money at WDW. And if we have to rent a car from now on - we will be spending money, on food and entertainment, at places other than Disney! But guess I am in the minority....
Got our first sight of the Skyliners! Cant wait to ride one!
Also groaned in jealousy seeing the gas prices - from $2.59 - $2.89/gallon!
Got to our room. Wiped everything down with our sanitizer wipes. The bell service delivered the grocery order that we had placed with a company called www.dizzydolphindelivery.com and they even included a little thank you gift which I thought was nice!
And then we took a walk around the lake where Boardwalk Villas is
Stopped at Abracadabar for a drink and then to bed......hard to sleep! The room got too cold and everything hurt and ached, probably from being so tired and the luggage....
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