6am flight? Am I out of my mind?

[njmom47]

What airport are you flying out of? Who's flying? I would think AC would be not bad and you could probably be there 1 1/2 hrs early and that would be plenty of time. I flew out of Newark in May ( 9:10 am flight) and 2 hours was still plenty of time (but I wasn't flying to MCO). I would totally do it in my situation.

 

[ToddyLu]

DH and I have a 9:05 flight non stop out of New Orleans. We live 2 hours away. We drive 2 hours West to fly 2 hours East. Crazy I know. DH does not like the confinement of the airplane--or car, bus or train for that matter. So we give him chill pills and he relaxes for a 2 hour flight. His chill pills help my sanity being next to him. If it weren't for those he would fret with carry ons through security (check point Charlie, he calls it) fidget the entire time, then groan a little, then look through the SkyMall mag three times, etc.

So we will leave home at by 5:00 a.m.

The last time we drove he woke me up at 3:00 a.m. fully dressed with the door to the hotel wide open--all he could do was grin and tell me "Mickey and Tigger are waiting for me!!!" Yes he survived that beating and now we fly. But you've gotta love a big burly man that can say that over and over and mean it.

 

[dahirsh]

What airport are you flying out of? Who's flying? I would think AC would be not bad and you could probably be there 1 1/2 hrs early and that would be plenty of time. I flew out of Newark in May ( 9:10 am flight) and 2 hours was still plenty of time (but I wasn't flying to MCO). I would totally do it in my situation.

Just me and EWR

 

[bytheblood]

Not at all. Our flight in November leaves at 6:15 AM.

Our philosophy is: the earlier we can get there the better.

 

[ZuZugal]

We always take the early flight to WDW; in July we left at around 6:30 am. We leave from St. Louis. Lambert airport is PACKED very early in the morning. HUGE lines for Southwest (just to check luggage...we should just check it outside instead) and security is a huge line as well.

Funny thing is there is this giant mad rush from 5am - 7:30am and then...all is quiet.

But we still do it every time! We like to start out the trip on high adrenaline though

 

[lizzytizzy]

The earliest flight I can get out is 6:30 AM from Newark. Lucky you that you can book a 6 AM flight! I find that the earlier you fly out, the less chances of the flight being delayed AND you still have plenty of time to enjoy the parks that day!

 

[grahamfam3]

Absolutely you should take that flight. The sooner you fly out, the higher you will be on the list if the flight is delayed or canceled. Also, if you are getting length-of-stay tickets you can check in, store your luggage, and get going to whatever you want to do that first day.

 

[howardlee2]

be prepared not to have slept much the night before. you will not be able to get full value out of any park experience for your arrival day. despite being up from adrenalin and sensory overload you would be better served to just get your group settled and do some swimming and maybe a character meal that first day before retiring early to get an early start for day 2.

 

[bbwhos]

We always take the first flight, usually 6 or 6:30 am, but we are 20 min from BWI which is really convenient. No lines at all at the airport that time of morning here. We always joke with people we'll be at Disney in time for breakfast! We are out of MCO by 9 am, always try to get early check in (off-site), go get groceries and back for a small nap then onto something late afternoon ... It's actually easier for us to find a ride to the airport that time of morning so no one has to miss work to take us. We've even done it when our kids and grandkids go with us. They seem to have a better time with the early hour since they aren't fully awake yet.

PLUS sunrise from the airplane is an awesome sight! Take the adventure!!

 

[Minnesota!]

earliest possible flight...ALWAYS!!! I try and get a flight between 530 and 630. We live about 20 minutes from the airport...so we get up around 3am. Pack the night before, up and shower, throw together toiletry bag, load up the van and head out. Grab breakfast on the way there.

This next vacation. we fly out at 8am...but its non stop so we land at noon! Love it!

We will get up at 4, be out the door at 5, have breakfast at an all night diner near the airport, and then head to the terminal!

Cannot wait!

Coming back, this time, we have a 6pm flight . I have never been able to score one that late! It iwll be great to have a whole day at WDW the day we leave...we are usually up at the crack of dawn to get ready for ME (we usually fly out around 10 am...).

 

[VikingInMouseEars]

this would be the flight to MCO. I also usually take the first flight of the day, but it's never been before 7:30 before.

Then I would say go for it. Before I aquired four-legged family members I always got the first flight out to MCO that I could, start the vacation that much sooner. Now I can't since I have to take the animals to their respective kennels first.

 

[eeyoregon]

We have a 6:00 am flight on Monday. We live a little over 1 hour form the airport + supposed to be at airport 1-2 hours prior to flight = we'll be leaving our house at 3:00 am.

It's an 8+ hour flight with one stop. It makes for a VERY long and tiring day but luckily my boys are older now (15 and 18) so hopefully they won't be fussy !

 

[focusondisney]

be prepared not to have slept much the night before. you will not be able to get full value out of any park experience for your arrival day. despite being up from adrenalin and sensory overload you would be better served to just get your group settled and do some swimming and maybe a character meal that first day before retiring early to get an early start for day 2.

Agree with the not sleeping the night before. We are in our mid 50's & have been to WDW about 15 times. We still are so excited for our vacation we hardly sleep the night before.

But I disagree about not getting the "full value" of the arrival day park time. We always take an early direct flight (usually about 7AM). We land in Orlando between 9:30 & 10 AM. We check in to YC, have a quick clean up if our room is ready & hit Beaches & Cream for lunch before it gets busy. Then on to Epcot or DS for an afternoon of fun. We feel like even a few hours in a park are a good "value".

OP, I'd go for it! If I could get a 6 AM direct flight, I'd take it. Even if you need a nap on your first day, you'll be in WDW that much sooner. Have fun!!

 

[njmom47]

Just me and EWR

I would totally go for it. Although, when I flew to Fl by myself this past May out of EWR, I didn't take the earliest flight because I didn't think I had to (I was visiting my mom). If I was going to WDW I would have though! I think I took a 9:10 am flight, and even then, security checkpoint was very quick, I had my purse and one carry-on. I got behind some business-looking guys who had it all down pat!

 

[Diegosmom]

We are not morning people...But I booked a 7am flight to Mexico...hubby was there and DS and I were visiting so of course I didnt want to waste a vacation day traveling. Flight was at 7 but internationally so had to be there 5am...airport was 1 hour away so we left at 3:45...I had so much going on before we left that I never went to bed...ending up with an hour delay in first airport then rushed to our next gate only to learn 30 min delay then we sat for an hour on the tarmac...poor DS woke up at about 5 at the airport and never slept...he was only 2 then and by the time we got to mexico he was so happy to be out of the plane I couldnt even keep up with him running.

So for us I know we have to take a later flight...although we are driving to Disney and the plan is to leave the house at 5am (get up at 4am) but DS will be sleeping and we will put him in the car sleeping...

 

[goofy4tink]

My preferred flight departure time is no later than 8am...that way I am up at 4:45, at the airport (Logan in Boston) by 6:15am...plenty of time.
But, I have had that flight changed many times, moved back to 7am. And I have booked the 6am flights as well...not so much fun!! Up at 2am!!

For flights home to Boston, I like flights around 3:30 or so. My dh is usually picking us up, so, he doesn't have to drive through the worst rush hour traffic that way. But, if it's summertime, delays happen more often.

Sometimes, I'll book an 8am flight to MCO, and then a 9am leaving MCO. That way, I can get in a full last day at WDW, get a decent night's sleep, check my bags at 5:15, and head to the DME stop by 5:30 or so.

 

[dizkrazkate]

I prefer early flights actually. I work nights as an RN, so if we are flying out early I drive (2 hours to chicago midway) and DH sleeps in the car. If you are the first flight of the morning, you're not waiting on another plane or flight crew, and you still get almost a full day at Disney! Plus its often much cheaper than other flights, and I'd rather spend the money on Disney itself.

 

[canopynut66]

Thinking of booking a 6am flight, but I haven't talled myself into it yet. An experiences?

We (being my sister BIL and at the time we started this my Mother was still with us) we started out taking the earliest flight out and the latest flight back to get the most from our vacations. we do not sleep much the night before of course as so wired anyhow about going. Love getting to Orlando very early... by the time we get to resort we eat breakfast in food court IF room not available as sometimes they are then we sorta have a laid back day my sister likes to decorate the room and then we unpack or she does I leave mine in the suitcase (only wrinkles once my motto) then head to DTD and have good dinner usually Rain Forest and shop around see what has changed from last year and then head to resort for early to bed. love it and in 27 days be there again...Remember the hardest part is getting to airport two hours before that flight but coffee is on there and is fun

 

[mikehn]

Thinking of booking a 6am flight, but I haven't talled myself into it yet. An experiences?

If you live in Kansas, probably not that bad. But in NJ, you'd have to get up at 2am

 

[Cinderumbrella]

We took a 6am in June but there was VERY little open to eat before 5am at the airport. We are taking the 7am in November.

In general, the earlier flights work much better for us since Chicago is a hub for SW and the later in the day your flight, the better chance you have a delay.