Allegiant Air has made an impact on the Canadian and Northern USA travel market with its border town getaways. All along the US/Canadian border Allegiant Air has been popping up and establishing themselves at secondary or small market airports. For example, the Grand Forks airport in North Dakota, or the Bellingham Airport in Washington state.
Allegiant has very select routes, but does them well. They have negotiated excellent package rates with hotels at their destinations. I'll use the Phoenix/Mesa Arizona example. Allegiant flies into the Mesa Williams Gateway Airport, rather than the area's major PHX (Phoenix Sky Harbour). It is a super easy airport to navigate and is an ideal jumping off point for a relaxing desert vacation.
Depending on the season, Allegiant will fly between 2 and 4 times a week between Grand Forks, and Phoenix/Mesa. I've seen one way flights as low as $39.99, but they do go up in price to around the $300 mark. It just depends on supply and demand. Remember, around school and traditional calendar holidays, flights will always be more expensive.
One current example (Oct 27th) is for a mini vacation in early December. Two adults can travel from Grand Forks, to Phoenix/Mesa for $775. That's all taxes included, airfare and hotel for 4 nights at the Arizona Resort & Conference Centre. It's not a 4 star hotel, but Allegiant does recommend it and it certainly does have a good location and pool. However, if you would prefer to go high end. The iconic Arizona Biltmore (A Waldorf Astoria Hotel) is just $500 per person or $1037 per couple, all in.
Yup, $500 for a quick trip or sanity saver as I call them.
Allegiant flies to Orlando FL, Phoenix/Mesa AZ and Las Vegas NV pir of Grand Forks. I should note that in Florida they use the secondary airport at Sanford which is over an hour from Disneyworld, but still a substantial savings over flying into MCO (Orlando International) with a bigger airline.
In Las Vegas Allegiant has space on the tarmac at THE Las Vegas airport. (LAS - McCarran International.) So with this destination and Allegiant, you're already a winner because you will save money over the bigger airlines and arrive in exactly the same spot.
As a matter of fact, you could take your sweetheart to Vegas February 11-16th, 2012 for $950 a couple (all in) and stay at the fabulous Monte Carlo. For just a few more dollars you could stay at Paris, Planet Hollywood or TI (Treasure Island).
Allegiant flies modern, first class planes. Depending on the model, they hold between 80 & 120 passengers, so popular dates/flights tend to fill up quick.
Florida is the newest destination for flights originating in Grand Forks. Minot does not yet offer Florida as a destination. However, as Allegiant has so far committed to fly the GF to Sanford/Orlando route from November 17th 2011 to May 15, 2012 with the possibility of becoming a permanent route. This is AMAZING news for area residents who may wish to take the family to Disneyworld. It could save you 20 percent or more over the current cost of a Disney vacation. I will follow up and write a column on this soon.
One quick example. Grand Forks to Sanford/Orlando November 24th to December 1st 2011, for 2 adults $984 all in. That's a whole week in Florida for less than $500 per person, including air, hotel and taxes. That would be to stay at the Wyndham Lake Buena Visa Resort in the Downtown Disney area. This hotel is a Disney partner hotel (but not on-site) and does indeed offer Disney character breakfasts, and shuttles to the park. It is also newly renovated. To stay the aforementioned dates, as a family of 4 with 2 children under 10 would cost $1425 all in. Now, of course park passes, food etc would be an extra charge, but this is an EXCELLENT start to an inexpensive family vacation in sunny Florida.
I personally have flown Allegiant and would do it again. (Allegiant.com) I just wouldn't check any bags. They have big time add on costs at Allegiant for checked bags, priority seating etc. But a savvy traveller can save money with Allegiant and get to the popular destination quicker than originally thought possible.
Showing posts with label Florida. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Florida. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Time of my life
The Black Eyed Peas sang about it. So did Jennifer Warren. But have I had it? "The time of my life?" I hope not. What then, would there be, to look forward to?
My son, 5, asked in essence, the same question of me tonight, "Mom, what was your best day ever?" I told him that it was the day he was born. I thought that was the answer he wanted to hear, and there was a lot of truth to that of course. He and I were alone in the room at the time and I thought it was the best answer given our private moment. His birth was touch-and-go at times, and very frightful. His heart stopped beating and I was beside myself with panic. The only thing I wanted at that moment was a healthy, breathing, living child. A wish I was granted. He's fine of course and thank God for that. Had the outcome been different it surely would have been the worst day of my life. So I will eternally be grateful for the gift of his life.
But, I do believe the song lyric, "time of my life" eludes to something less monumental, and more spontaneously joyful. I haven't won the lotto. And though it would be exciting, I don't think that would be the time of my life. As I understand it, holding the winning ticket can be extremely stressful. The burden of winning, the bombardment of requests, the public notoriety, the change in lifestyle, all truly stressful circumstances.
People often say their wedding was the best day of their lives. Really? I say they're lying or weirdos. Weddings are uber-stressful. Something always goes wrong. The caterer messes up, your brother gets slobbery drunk, you rip your dress, a ghost tries to shove you out a window on your wedding night... you know, wedding stuff. The outcome is great. I got lucky, married a great guy, got a few good pictures and no one was scarred for life by the events of the day. Time of my life? Nah.
Vacations are good. Bargains are good. But no Columbia jacket at half price could ever be "the time of my life."
Winning the Superbowl? Well that will never happen. An Olympic gold medal... not until "jumping to conclusions" becomes a sanctioned event.
Was there ever a moment in my life that was perfect? Probably not. Oh, but I've had some great times! I think the best times and the best memories are made in the spontaneity. Running through the rain, with my husband, on a secret get-away trip and dashing into a jewellery store to get out of a downpour... and then him buying a string of pearls for me. That is a precious memory. We were soaked to the skin, laughing and shaking our heads that we were in that predicament and loving every second of it. The pearls, are merely a physical momento... a tangible something that I have to remind me of that special spontaneous event we shared.
Then there was the moment when I was with my kids, and we saw THE CASTLE. Disney's castle at the Magic Kingdom. It was the first time for each of us. It was awe inspiring to see it. I was taken a back by the fact that the TV beginning to all the Sunday night dinner movies of my childhood was there in living colour. The line drawing of a castle at the beginning to all Disney motion pictures was there and REAL. That was a "moment" for me. And to see my kids' faces completely light up with joy, rounded out the experience. Cliche, yes, but genuinely a dream come true to be able to see Walt Disney World and to be able to take my kids to it.
The time of my life? It's yet to come. And that's totally the reason to get up every day and try new things, and try to hope for the best. You just never know if the next best thing is just around the corner.
My son, 5, asked in essence, the same question of me tonight, "Mom, what was your best day ever?" I told him that it was the day he was born. I thought that was the answer he wanted to hear, and there was a lot of truth to that of course. He and I were alone in the room at the time and I thought it was the best answer given our private moment. His birth was touch-and-go at times, and very frightful. His heart stopped beating and I was beside myself with panic. The only thing I wanted at that moment was a healthy, breathing, living child. A wish I was granted. He's fine of course and thank God for that. Had the outcome been different it surely would have been the worst day of my life. So I will eternally be grateful for the gift of his life.
But, I do believe the song lyric, "time of my life" eludes to something less monumental, and more spontaneously joyful. I haven't won the lotto. And though it would be exciting, I don't think that would be the time of my life. As I understand it, holding the winning ticket can be extremely stressful. The burden of winning, the bombardment of requests, the public notoriety, the change in lifestyle, all truly stressful circumstances.
People often say their wedding was the best day of their lives. Really? I say they're lying or weirdos. Weddings are uber-stressful. Something always goes wrong. The caterer messes up, your brother gets slobbery drunk, you rip your dress, a ghost tries to shove you out a window on your wedding night... you know, wedding stuff. The outcome is great. I got lucky, married a great guy, got a few good pictures and no one was scarred for life by the events of the day. Time of my life? Nah.
Vacations are good. Bargains are good. But no Columbia jacket at half price could ever be "the time of my life."
Winning the Superbowl? Well that will never happen. An Olympic gold medal... not until "jumping to conclusions" becomes a sanctioned event.
Was there ever a moment in my life that was perfect? Probably not. Oh, but I've had some great times! I think the best times and the best memories are made in the spontaneity. Running through the rain, with my husband, on a secret get-away trip and dashing into a jewellery store to get out of a downpour... and then him buying a string of pearls for me. That is a precious memory. We were soaked to the skin, laughing and shaking our heads that we were in that predicament and loving every second of it. The pearls, are merely a physical momento... a tangible something that I have to remind me of that special spontaneous event we shared.
Then there was the moment when I was with my kids, and we saw THE CASTLE. Disney's castle at the Magic Kingdom. It was the first time for each of us. It was awe inspiring to see it. I was taken a back by the fact that the TV beginning to all the Sunday night dinner movies of my childhood was there in living colour. The line drawing of a castle at the beginning to all Disney motion pictures was there and REAL. That was a "moment" for me. And to see my kids' faces completely light up with joy, rounded out the experience. Cliche, yes, but genuinely a dream come true to be able to see Walt Disney World and to be able to take my kids to it.
The time of my life? It's yet to come. And that's totally the reason to get up every day and try new things, and try to hope for the best. You just never know if the next best thing is just around the corner.
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