airports other than orlando - airfare woes

[kendall]

I'm patiently watching airfare from Michigan to Orlando, and so far no great deals to Orlando for the first part of April. So, how long would it take us to drive from the following airports to the port?

Daytona Beach
West Palm Beach
Tampa
Melbourne

Could it be that $280 (det-mco) is really the best I am going to be able to do at this point? I'm wondering how long to wait at this point since our final payment is early Feb. Usually airfare deals for 130-200 can be found, but I am seeing nothing since before Christmas! And I am watching Detroit, Flint, Lansing and Grand Rapids. Of course, going to one of these airports means rental car, which may offset any savings on the airfare. Even hotwire is coming in around 250 right now....

Sigh....

[cherylp3]

Oops didn't see the port part.

Out of the airports you mention, West Palm is probably closest to port

Here are the other Airports distance from Orlando.
Tampa - 1 hr ( maybe 2)

Also there is an Airport in Sanford FL. which is an 1hr away.

[vcasey]

I'd say Tampa would actually be about 2 hours. Its at least an hour from Disney and isn't the port another hour from Disney?? (Both are on opposite sides of FL)

[Michelle]

Tampa would be a HAUL, it's a two-hour drive from there to the port.

I wouldn't give up on airfares to MCO yet; typically the deals aren't released until 2-3 months in advance. Personally I would wait and watch CAREFULLY for deals as they may be released for very short booking windows. If in February you still aren't seeing better pricing then you should look at your options. :)

[kendall]

I notice some of the current deals expire 2/6/03, so I would expect another round of specials to arrive around that time. Patience certainly is a virtue...

[ReadyForDisney2003]

Melbourne is very close to port -- actually closer than MCO (I think). But, the airport is very small. I'm not sure how many airlines fly out of it, but I know Delta does. I live in Atlanta and have been watching airfares to both Orlando and MLB. Certainly you can connect via Atl on Delta from Detroit.

In fact, 2 years ago, Disney booked us into Orlando and out of Melbourne. (I had booked air and transfers through Disney directly). This year, I am going to try and book into Melbourne and out of MCO (so I can have an extra day at WDW on the return trip.)

I looked into DLB (Daytona), but it would be over 2 hours drive.

[MagicMouseketeers]

We managed to get a rate of $180 from Milwaukee to Orlando for a July departure on American through Orbitz. We booked in November. We just kept watching, prior to November they were in the $250 range.

[outahere]

Many times (this year included) we've found it considerably cheaper to fly into one airport and out of another -- I believe the airlines call that an "open jaw" ticket. We've saved hundreds of dollars over the past few years doing this. If you're only going down for the cruise, you might want to check the combination of Orlando and Melbourne. Tampa is at least 2 hours (probably more depending on Orlando traffic on I-4) away from the port.

Good Luck.....

[mshinrockford]

kendall > We're also watching the airfares from Grand Rapids, MI to Orlando. (We're doing the 4-Day wonder trip in May). I agree with you that, so far, there does not seem to be any great deals. We recently received some coupons from Northwest Airlines (in with our Worldperk statements) that offer "zone" discount fares. With these coupons, you can fly from anywhere in Zone A (including Michingan) to anywhere in Zone B (including Florida) for $248. It may not be a great deal, but it's not bad either. I think these coupons were also distributed in a recent Direct Mail campaign. If you didn't receive one, you may want to check with friends/neighbors. Good luck.

[Dave_from_Marietta]

According to Yahoo! Maps...

<table border=0 cellpadding=5><tr><td>MLB</td><td>0:47</td></tr><tr><td>MCO</td><td>1:01</td></tr><tr><td>DAB</td><td>1:18</td></tr><tr><td>SFB</td><td>1:19</td></tr><tr><td>TPA</td><td>2:27</td></tr><tr><td>PBI</td><td>2:36</td></tr><tr><td>JAX</td><td>2:55</td></tr><tr><td>FLL</td><td>3:11</td></tr><tr><td>MIA</td><td>3:37</td></tr></table>

I have heard from folks who have gotten <b><i>much</i></b> cheaper rates flying in to JAX (thanks to Southwest). They saved enough money to make it worthwhile to drive two extra hours in each direction.

[BarbOKW]

Easter is late this year so I bet your running into Spring Break traffic. I bet the rates will only go higher.

[castawayfan]

Kendall,

I think $250 is great. We have been watching leaving on March 29 from DTW and can only get $550 (yikes). Lansing (where we live) is about the same and so is GR. I just checked April 3 and we can get $315 which looks pretty good compared to $500. So, if you can get $250 at that time of year (spring break weeks) I would jump on it.

[kendall]

Tonight I was able to book airfare on Delta, Detroit-Orlando for $161.50 round trip! Doing the happy dance tonight! Thanks everyone for your ideas and support! I found the fares on travelocity, and also on Delta's website. I chose to book directly on Delta's website as I was able to pick seating assignments immediately. Whoo hoo!!!

What a deal!:bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc

[Michelle]

GREAT, Kendall! :)

[BethC]

THANK YOU KENDALL!!

I, too, had been watching for the first week of April out of Detroit and had been disapointed with the high fares. I had almost resigned myself to driving (YUK!), but I was just able to get the $161.50 fare! Woo-hoo!! There were very few seats left and I wasn't able to get all of our seats together on all of the legs, but we'll deal with that at check-in. At least we're flying. :)

Thanks again!

[kendall]

You are quite welcome! I knew I had to come and post my good fortune here on the boards for my fellow Michiganians!

I'm glad you were able to get seats! The airlines often release only 70% of the seats for pre-booking, so perhaps if you arrive early enough you will be able to switch seats around so your family may sit together. If not, perhaps you will find some congenial travellers on board - just have your kids have big boo-boo eyes....

Are you on the 4/5 magic by chance?