Maho beach question

Amazonparrot

Mouseketeer

Joined

Jul 22, 2014

• Mar 30, 2015

• #1

so I looked up to determine if there are any big planes coming in the day we are there, and there are no 747's coming in, but there is a 747 due to depart at noon. So the question, do the departing planes head out in the opposite direction of the ones that come in over the ocean, in which case I would think you couldn't see it very well. Can you get a good picture of a departing plane, or only an incoming one.

 

J

Joel0917

DIS Veteran

Joined

Sep 5, 2008

• Mar 30, 2015

• #2

No u can't see the take off
You can feel them
But how is one not coming in when u are there?

 

ImDMous

DIS Veteran

Joined

Dec 1, 2011

• Mar 30, 2015

• #3

The runway only goes one way, so departing planes will be going away from the beach. However, they are pretty much backed up against the fence for Maho so you will definitely hear, see and feel them leaving. There are plenty of smaller planes that come and go that are still impressive to watch fly in. Supposedly, because the engines are more spread out, the 747 is not as thrilling as some of the smaller planes for the "fence riders" during take-off.

 

jetskigrl

No mumbojumbo here

Joined

Mar 7, 2007

• Mar 30, 2015

• #4

We had one plane (not a 747 though) that was so close to the fence that even the taxi drivers that see them every day were running over to watch. I don't know how it made the turn without the wing touching the fence. It is cool to see the pilots waving to the people on the beach as they make the turn at the end of the runway. Then the people along the road hold on to the fence for dear life when the plane takes off (it is quite crazy and there are signs posted everyone asking people not to do that).

You can see them take off but they are going away from you. It is kind of cool though because they take off towards the hills and have to clear them. I'm sure they are not as close as they appear when you are watching from a distance
Just head over to youtube and you can find a ton of videos.

 

Amazonparrot

Mouseketeer

Joined

Jul 22, 2014

• Mar 30, 2015

• #5

Joel0917 said:

No u can't see the take off
You can feel them
But how is one not coming in when u are there?

Hi Joel! Well I couldn't determine by the SXM site what's coming in on May 12, they don't show you ahead of time, so I checked American Airlines and KLM sites who do let you check this far in advance, thinking they would be the most likely airlines to have a 747, and none were scheduled to arrive that day. There should be some 757's and 737's which I guess are just as nice to see. I just assumed the 747 would be the most impressive.

Click to expand...

 

KashasMom

DIS Veteran

Joined

Apr 28, 2012

• Mar 30, 2015

• #6

United came in (from Newark, I believe) while we were there. Think it was a 737.

 

D

DISNEY FANTASY

DIS Veteran

Joined

May 7, 2010

• Mar 31, 2015

• #7

Agree only seen them arrive the big ones come in early afternoon around 3 pm

 

A

Alohadan

Earning My Ears

Joined

Apr 22, 2010

• Mar 31, 2015

• #8

My wife and I were at Maho this past December. While sitting at the Sunset Bar, someone announced an unusual departure. The plane took off from the runway towards the beach. I do not know how often this occurs but we were glad we got a chance to see it. However, the traditional take off towards the mountains is more exciting, especially holding onto the fence. However, do not stand in the sand on the beach directly behind the takeoff. I made this mistake taking pictures of my wife up at the fence (on the other side of the small two lane road). It was fun when the plane was getting ready for takeoff, but when the pilot really hit the throttle, the sand storm it created at the beach was blinding. The arrivals were listed at the Sunset Bar, but looking at my photos, I see nothing there listing the departures. The whole experience was fun and memorable.

 

Amazonparrot

Mouseketeer

Joined

Jul 22, 2014

• Mar 31, 2015

• #9

Thanks for your input. I'm looking forward to it!

 

jetskigrl

No mumbojumbo here

Joined

Mar 7, 2007

• Mar 31, 2015

• #10

If you have the time, the food at the Sunset Bar was pretty good too. While we were there, a rainstorm came in but we were under the cover so we just kept eating and enjoyed the quick downpour. When it was over, everyone when back out to the beach Funny, I didn't realize when I was posting yesterday but my DS was wearing his Sunset Bar and Grill t-shirt yesterday

 

SteelersLover

Mouseketeer

Joined

Mar 1, 2011

• Mar 31, 2015

• #11

..and after you get tired of being blown away by wind and sand take a cab over to Mullett Bay beach which is not far from Maho. Its secluded, beautiful and peaceful.