Flights to Florida

[Sandiebean]

Where does everyone get their flights from? The best rates, and least trouble? I just read the posts on Air Canada... so that's probably not a good option, I take it. :)
Any special flight rates in April?
Sandie

[Olivia]

Yes, I would be interested in some good deals on flights also. When I called my Travel Agent 2 weeks ago she said there was really nothing for Florida and rates were about $700 then!
There has to be some better deals somewhere!


Olivia


2000 - All Star Music

[SandraC]

Well, last year we flew in April via Air Transat and paid $380.00 per seat that included the pre-selected seat rate of $10.00 per seat per leg.

This year we are flying Air Canada and paying $440.00 per seat, that included free pre-selected seats. At the time of booking, Air Transat was the same price, but had terrible flight times (YYZ-MCO 6:30am and MCO-YYZ 10pm). We prefer the Air Canada flight time (YYZ-MCO 10:15am, MCO-YYZ 2:15pm). dh wants to go to work the next day and getting in at 1am wouldn't do. dh was the swing decission on picking which airline. We haven't flown AC in years. I read good and bad about every airline.

Other opinions are Southwest from Buffalo and the American airlines, but I went to all their web sites, either they were too expensive or too expensive AND had stop overs.

I remember my first Florida flight was $250.00 taxes and SC included!

[SandraC]

I just went to www.airtransat.ca to check flights and costs, now the Air Transat price is $538 per seat for my April dates! So Air Canada is $100 per seat less, that's savings of $400. Keep your eyes open and check the Sunday Sun Travel section for deals.

[Sandiebean]

I've been checking with Air Canada, and the price they're quoting me is $598.16. That's insane!!! I can't believe it. It hardly seems fair. This is what happens when you have a semi-monopoly, I guess.

Sandie

[SandraC]

We really only have two airlines to pick from. Air Canada and Air Transat. With Air Canada jacking up prices, Air Transat can do it too. When I first called TA about April flights, it was Jan 2002. The first day I called, Air Canada was $385! EXCELLENT RATE! I held the seats, but let them go to check out other options. I called TA again about 2 - 3 later, the price went to $440! I jumped on it! As I just wrote in this thread, Air Transat wants $538.00 now! Happy I got Air Canada at $440 now! I think we will drive in 2005. Oh I like that DRIVE IN 2005, rhymes! Sandra

[DSNY FN]

Southwest air out of buffalo was 175US per person return from Buffalo to Orlando this was for May I figure even with the exchange it is less than paying 400 plus out of Canada check them out on southwest.com you can even get their toll free number from the site and call them. The flight was also straight through no stop overs
Darren

[SandraC]

I would definately consider Southwest when my kids are older. Even thou we live about 2 hours drive from Buffalo, I would get a hotel (at least in Niagara Falls) both there are back, so I'll need to add $100 (at least) each way ~ so that's $175 USF (taxes?????) x 1.59 exch = $278 x 4 in family = $1112 = $200 for hotels = $1312, we are paying $1700 now, so it is a saving (provide the $175 is tax included). S

[DSNY FN]

That price was tax and any other fees included for the fares so in my opinion it is quite a good deal and you can get a park and fly hotel for approx 70 dollars US and you can leave your car in their patrolled secured lot and they shuttle you to and from the airport.
Darren

[Sandiebean]

I've decided for the first time.. to drive and not fly to Orlando. I've just booked it with Dreams Unlimited.. and I'm gonna do the cruise/land dealy. I'll save lots of money not flying at those prices. :)

Sandie

[SandraC]

When we get back from April's trip, which we are flying, I will start planning the 2004 or 2005 trip ~ it will be a driving trip next time. I have been needing a new car for a couple years so the money I'll save with not going to Disney 2003 and 2004 will be the car money. I spent around $15,000 on this trip and last years trip combined, so skipping two years will get me a nice car (hoping for a camper van) to drive down in 2005.

[emmalgin]

I just booked Southwest out of Buffalo. Non-stop trip $740 US for April (Sunday-Sunday). I am happy. Would have liked an extra day. I was going to rent a minivan and drive, but cost differential is minimal.

Flew out of Buffalo in June and it was easy as anything. Remember that there is no customs hassles upon arrival in Orlando. Am arriving at 10:30 am......

Go to Southwest.com to book.

Otherwise I was looking at driving leaving Saturday 5:00 am and arriving Sunday Afternoon.

Rental for minivan is $600 + $400 gas and hotel each way and it is cheaper to fly.

[emmalgin]

I just booked Southwest out of Buffalo. Non-stop trip $740 US for April (Sunday-Sunday). I am happy. Would have liked an extra day. I was going to rent a minivan and drive, but cost differential is minimal.

Flew out of Buffalo in June and it was easy as anything. Remember that there is no customs hassles upon arrival in Orlando. Am arriving at 10:30 am......

Go to Southwest.com to book.

Otherwise I was looking at driving leaving Saturday 5:00 am and arriving Sunday Afternoon.

Rental for minivan is $600 + $400 gas and hotel each way and it is cheaper to fly.

[disneyvacationmom]

We always fly out of Buffalo-usually US air. We've never had any trouble and the airport is a dream. We have stayed in a hotel overnight and left our car and we have also left the car in long term parking. We have never payed more than 1100 Canadian for 4 of us. I guess it depends on when you go.

[DSNY FN]

What van where you renting a full size or a mini van we drove down in my moms Montana minivan and it cost us a total of 250 dollars for gas there and back not each way and that was canadian. We stopped and filled up approx every 500K and that only used half a tank of gas and to fill it was only about 15 dollars US each time at the most expensive place. Our hotel we stopped at was a fairfield inn in Valdosta Georgia and we paid 49 dollars for the night with a coupon we printed off the net. So I somehow think you are calculating a bit high at 400 each way for gas and hotel I just wanted to let you know of our costs and we drove from London Ontario not exactly sure where you will be driving from but even if it is Toronto area it will only add about 20 dollars each way to the fuel cost
Darren

250 + 80 = 330 Canadian total trip with hotel stop on way down for stop on way back add 80 dollars CAN
Grand total = 410 Canadian round trip fuel and hotel
Grand total for flight at rate of exchange today 1200.00 CAN total to drive 1010.00 CAN

[emmalgin]

Rental is for 10 days as I would pick up Friday night at closing and return the following Monday. With taxes it is $600. Drove to East Coast last summer and the trip wasn't bad (kids are really good travellers), however the minivan helps with extra seatings, a tv/vcr.... Maybe the $400 gas is on the high side, but the airfare is quite reasonable.

It was a spur of the minute as I found the flight on the net and it is non-stop.....

Now I'm looking at flight + rental car. If I owned a minivan we'd drive, was looking forward to the adventure.

Also get back to work for Monday (yippee)....

[ad836]

DSNY FN,

Which fly and park hotel in BUF did you stay at? I am interested in that USD$175 Southwest airfare to MCO. I checked it out and it is also $175 for our April trip. Wow, huge savings for us.

[SandraC]

emmalgin, what car rental co did you use? We are thinking about renting a van for a PEI trip. Did the van come with a tv/vcr? THX S

[Olivia]

Well I guess we've made our decision. We're driving to Florida! I checked again with my Travel Agent and with Air Transat from Halifax - Orlando (return) with taxes $699.00 each!
for 4 people x 4 - well I think I can save a lot driving!

This is very frustrating. I hear Air Canada is about the same...............

No wonder people are driving!


Olivia

[Sandiebean]

EXACTLY, Olivia! With the money we save on driving.. we'll buy ourselves a t.v./vcr for the van.. and will be able to enjoy that for a long time. We'll also remain when we get off of the boat, and visit NASA... so.. all in all.. we're happy with our decision.

:) Sandie

[sammi]

Boy am I getting discouraged by the prices of flights!:mad:

We've been very lucky in that every time we've gone to Florida the fare has been about $199.00 to $230.00! But since Sept. 11 and the sad demise of C-3000 they really do have us by the neck!

We're also thinking of driving down (we're planning for 3-4 weeks NEXT March/April). My question is....what is the traffic like going down and returning? I'm not a very relaxed passenger (I don't drive so DH will be doing it all) and is it anything like the beloved 401 going up north here in Ontario?:(

We're also thinking of flying out of Buffalo but it's got to be a really good price. Also I've noticed the car rentals have shot up too! We paid $600.00 CND for a 3 week rental from National (intermediate car) for last trip (Dec 2000) but wow that's also up! Ughhhh is there no help for us "poor" Canucks in trying to get a little more for our poor old looney? LOL;)

[DSNY FN]

I will have to check it out I forget which one it was So I will get the info for you and post it here sorry about the delay and I will get that for you ASAP
Darren & Lisa

[disneyvacationmom]

to ad836- we stayed in a hotel directly across from the airport-I think a Quality Inn and it included park and fly with a shuttle to the airport. It worked out fine. Check the airport website-they have a listing of hotels in the area. Bufflo flights have always worked well for us.

[emmalgin]

Have to be careful as to company you use and their restrictions. Cost adds up unfortunately based on any extra days over 7.

We bought a 9" TV/VCR with adapter 3-4 years ago and it fits in most larger cars with armrests or SUV's. Cost is maybe $350 cdn. Kids loved it and travel well with the distraction.

Can easily do 4 hours at a stretch, when kids are busy and there is a third row.