I live just north of Sunny, beautiful and hot Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. And this sunday on the front page of the Sun Sentinel (our local newspaper) there was a story on all of the fees that have been surfacing lately. Here is a few of them.

Airtran: First Checked Bag: none, Second Checked Bag: $10, Curbside Check in: None, Domestic Ticket Changes: $75, Assigned Seating: $6/ $20 (for an exit row seat)

American Airlines: First Checked Bag: $15, Second Checked Bag: $25, Curbside Check in: $2, Domestic Ticket Changes: $150, Assigned Seating: none.

Continental: First Checked Bag: none, Second Checked Bag: $25, Curbside Check in: none, Domestic Ticket Changes: $150, Assigned Seating: none.

Delta: First Checked Bag: none, Second Checked Bag: $25, Curbside Check in: $3, Domestic Ticket Changes: $100, Assigned Seating: none.

JetBlue: First Checked Bag: none, Second Checked Bag: $20, Curbside Check in: $2, Domestic Ticket Changes: $100, Assigned Seating: none.

Southwest: First Checked Bag: none, Second Checked Bag: none, Curbside Check in: none, Domestic Ticket Changes: none, Assigned Seating: none.

Spirit: First Checked Bag: $20, Second Checked Bag: $20, Curbside Check in: $2, Domestic Ticket Changes: $60-70, Assigned Seating: none.

US Airways: First Checked Bag: none, Second Checked Bag: $25, Curbside Check in: $2, Domestic Ticket Changes: $150, Assigned Seating: $5.

So as you can see, the only airlines that is not charging fees is Southwest. We all have the Saudi Oil Barons to thank for this. As fuel goes up the board of directors at these airlines need to keep things in the black. And I have heard that they do not want to raise ticket prices because people would jump ship and go for the lower priced airlines.

Maybe it is time the Airlines look into a few things to cut costs internally. Like I am sure that the CEO's of these companies have salaries of $2 million + with annual bonuses topping their yearly salaries. We could trim that a bit couldn't we? What about better more efficient jet engines? Come on we can put a remote controlled car on Mars and we still use jet engines? We do not have any other means of propulsion on the drawing table? Security. Hire private firms, with competive bids. And have FBI and CIA inspect these firms at all times. Have them try and get stuff through security check points.

But beyond all of that how do we fly cheaper? Here are a few things I have come up with.
1) Look closer at those fees above. Some airlines like American waive the fees for flyers that hold certain credit cards. Before you book your flights see if you are e member of any frequent flyer program and if being a member waives the fees for you.

2) Frequent Flyer miles. Last time I checked it was only 25,000 miles to purchase a domestic ticket through American Airlines. And most of the time you can get free 25,000 miles just for signing up for the card. You could also put everything in you life on the frequent flyr credit card to earn miles. Gas, groceries, bills, Christmas Presents. It all adds up, adds up to a free plane ticket.

3) Sorry ladies. Pack less. Go to an airlines website and see what their baggage size limits are and go get a bag that meets those requirements to the "T". And take only one bag. A seven day trip means, only seven changes of clothes plus some for nighttime wear. Take only three pairs of shoes. Or ask your self if it is worth the extra fee to take that eleventh pair of shoes Carrie Bradshaw.

Have fun Traveling.

Go to www.BonBonTravel.com for all of your travel needs.

I have heard it increasingly in the past few weeks. "I cannot possible consider going on a $500 cruise now."

But think about what happens if your do not get away and recharge those batteries once in a while. I will tell you from experience. We get tired and sloppy. We hate getting up in the morning and going to work. And eventually every little thing we do gets tiresome.

So what can we do with the little funds we have available?

How can we travel when things are so bad?

But really are they that bad? Take a step back and read a few finance articles on the internet. Go to www.HowStuffWorks.com and search for Recession. You will be surprised, that we are in fact not in a recession. And most top dogs in the world of finance say that we are over the hump and that we will not go into a recession. That things will get better. Now we all knew that eventually gas prices were going to go up. With the Middle East and the fact that we have not embraced a new energy source in 50 years. Oil is not in an infinite supply.

So ask yourself. Is your job secure? Do you need to get away?

I know we do not want to go rushing out and spend $3,000 on a 14-day European getaway. But could we spend $350-$400 a person on a 5-day cruise? East Coasters could get to one of the Big Three Ports (Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, or Cape Canaveral) in a matter of hours and set sail. West Coasters, just the same Port of Los Angeles has amazing 3, 4 and 5 day cruises all year long. Also Hawaii and Alaska. Listen Alaska might seem out of reach, but if you look at the prices you will see that it is in fact a great deal.

Heck, you might just want to hop on over to www.BonBonTravel.com rent a car, get a few nights at that little hotel you love so much, and just relax. Forget about Primary's and the Economy, and Iraq. Just Chill.

Well then those economic stimulus checks should be gracing your mailbox anytime now. Drop it into your bank account then head on over to www.BonBonTravel.com or email me at bonbontravel@bellsouth.net and lets get you out there.

Happy Travels,
Angelo LoPresti

Disney's Hollywood Studios, it is still weird to say it. I still catch myself saying MGM. So 6 short months after the name change and a new ride is set to open.

I have not ridden it yet, but from all of the buzz, all of the reviews and all of the you tube videos about the ride, I just had to write something on the subject. After reading this blog, go over and read Kevin Yee's review at Miceage (A great Disney site BTW). Kevin basically said that this is almost an "E" ticket ride.

So here is the story. Andy, the boy from the Toy Story movies, got a new Midway type Carnival game. So now that he is out of his room, the toys have set up a little Carnival for everyone to enjoy. So us, the visitors, all become toys, shrink down to their size and go have some fun.

The que for the ride is some Disney Magic at its best. I hear it is like walking through a toy box. And you cannot miss the interactive Mr Potato Head Carnival Barker. Interactive I said, it talks to you. It will make jokes, you know the ones about bad shirts and other mild humor, and yes that is the voice of the one and only Don Rickles. WDI says that this is Animatronics at its best. Mr. Potato Head can remove his ear and put it back, he has realistic mouth movements, the whole 9 yards.

The ride vehicles are two, 2 person seats back to back. Each seat has a pull string cannon on it to use in the games. After you don your 3-d goggles, your first station is an introductions and how to work the cannons. You then move through the different games scoring points for hitting targets. Throwing pies, or rings or baseballs. Its 3-D so you see the shots leave your cannon and hit the targets. Some hits will have 4-D effects like water or air. I hear it is real fun. An onboard screen tally's your score. And at the end you might even win a virtual prize.

All of the rievews I have read said it is a real great ride full of fun things for everyone to do. There is a single riders line and fast pass, but someone said that these lines skip most of the que theming. So if you want a total experience, you might want to just stand in line. The ride is still in soft opening (only open certain times of the day) but should open all day come June 1.

And take a look around you before approaching Midway Mania. Now look at these photos. Yes The Pixar section of Disney's Hollywood Studios looks just like Pixar Studios in California. Awesome job WDI.

So go check it out. BTW, TSMM, is the first ever dual coast ride. Meaning WDI is building the ride In Cali and Fla at the same time. So if your reading this west coast time, take a trip to the place that started it all and have a look see.

Thanks for reading.

Angelo

For all of your Travel Needs. www.bonbontravel.com

Hola, Bienvenidos

Disney's Coronado Springs resort is Themed after the excitement and the culture of Mexico, throw in some of the American Southwest, and your adventure awaits.

This is one large resort. The Coronado has 13 guest buildings, a convention center, a Pyramid Themed pool, and several restaurants. It is sure to have something for everyone.

This is one of Disney's Moderate Resorts. This means that it has those amenities and little touches that Pop Century and the All Stars do not. And it is truly a site to see. It is like you have stepped back in time to a Mexican Seaside resort. The architecture, the landscapes. Heck while your in line checking in check out the amazing mural behind the check in desk. And what about the Cathedral ceiling.

CSR's has several dining options, The Pepper Market, is the Disney standard Food Court, like you see at other resorts. Several stations where you can get breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Maya Grill is a table service restaurant serving Breakfast from 7-11 a.m. and Dinner from 5-10 p.m.. Please call for reservations as all of Disney's table service restaurants fill up quickly. Or if you just need a quick bite, Cafe Ric is open 6:30 a.m. till Midnight.

If your taking a break from the parks, there is lots to do a CSR. An arcade, Bike rentals, A gym, The Explorers playground and kiddie pool, A real sand volleyball court, and watercraft rentals.

CSR, has bus service to all of the parks. With 4 pick-up locations throughout the property.

Need tickets, a concierge in the lobby can help with that and other fun stuff, like La Nouba tickets or dining reservations.

All in all The Coronado Springs resort is a unique way to spend a Magical Vacation in Walt Disney world.

Safe Travels.

Need reservations, wanna take a relaxing cruise. Got to fly to your sister's wedding? Try www.bonbontravel.com.

This is important. After days or hours of driving you want to relax. You want a nice warm bed, a cold shower and some hot food. But don't you need a little more?

Hotels and Resorts come in all shapes and sizes these days. From the Mega 1,100 room resorts with multiple pools, restaurants and other attractions; to that cozy little B&B. My advice...go with what you know, go with your favorites, do not take chances.

My wife and I love the big chain hotels, DoubleTree is our favorite. So we tend to choose a DoubleTree over other hotels. But sometimes you need to be near the action. Near that attraction you have driven so far to get to, or near the beach. Then take a chance but an educated one.


Go to my website www.BonBonTravel.com. There you can search a city for hotel deals. Then you can show the results on a city map. Or check off several hotels and compare them side by side.

I mean your already on the internet, reading this and watching that. Why not use the internet to not only save you a few dollars, but also make your vacation that much better.

Click, Save.

Now Get Out There and Travel.

www.BonBonTravel.com