AAARGH!! American changes my flight times!

[CowboyCO]

We are a little frustrated with American Airlines. We booked our flights back in April from Denver to MCO and got a great deal. The only drawback was that there was a layover each way through DFW, but each time the connector was only about 35 minutes. We saved $600 over direct flight.


Well, I logged in today to confirm the reservations and they had pushed departure flight up 25 minutes and pushed our connector flight back over an hour, making it a 2 hour layover! Plus, we we supposed to get into MCO at 2:05 and now it's 3:40pm. We have dinner ressies at Coral Reef at 6:10. I don't know if we can get there in time now!

We'll have to get in (assuming flight is on time), catch ME to ASMU, check-in, change clothes, catch the shuttle to Epcot, get in the park and over to Living seas in 2 hours and 20 minutes! I called Disney Dining, but with Free dining, they are booked and couldn't move it back.

I also called American to see if there were any better flight times, but we are stuck.

I'd eliminate the changing clothes step, but we fly out of Denver at 7:00 am and it will be 39-40 degrees in Denver that early and 90 degrees in Orlando.

Should we just bag the ressie and eat CS that nightand hope to get a ressie for TS for lunch another day during the week? Or if we show up late and plead late flight will they still seat us? Anybody know?? we leave in 48 hours so, I'm getting panicked!!

 

[DebbieB]

I would keep it and take your chances.

 

[bab31]

I think you will have less stress if you try to change it to lunch. If you really want to eat there and cant work it in elsewhere during your trip then I would go with the plane change thing, but in the long run it will probably just make your first day tough. ( I would skip it not worth having stress and possible arguments etc trying to get there on time)

 

[MermaidsMom]

If you really want to eat there, I would go late and plead your case. We have always been able to get in whenever we have been late, even hours late! For less stress though, I would eat at the resort and plan a lunch for another day. Have fun!!!

 

[DizziDezi2]

I wouldnt stress. Its probably for the best that they pushed the layover to be longer. It gives them more time to get your bags where they need to go and gives you some time to breath. DFW is a really good airport IMO- and you should not have to change terminals. You should be able to get your family a bite to eat and not have to worry about your bags making it to Disney! I read somewhere that AA is the worst airline when it comes to losing baggage. I have personally found that they lose my bag more when I have to change planes with little time between flights. Im taking everything in a single carry on this time. I would rather miss an ADR then not have clothes for my family. I would cancel if I were you, I wouldnt want to use a days theme park ticket if I wont even be seated. But that just my opinion. Good luck! Hope it all works out for the best!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

The only drawback was that there was a layover each way through DFW, but each time the connector was only about 35 minutes.

Keep in mind that with the original 35-minute connections, you were cutting it awfully close. A 35-minute connection at DFW is tight if your first flight segment is on time — but the reality is that many flights are delayed. Many flights are only delayed 20-30 minutes, which is no problem if you have 90-minute connection, but with a 35-minute connection, you're then at the airline's mercy to put you on a later flight — which could be late at night or even the next day.

I think American Airlines did you a favor.

If you're leaving in two days, I assume you're on the following flights:

AMERICAN AIRLINES 1356
DEN Denver
09/29/2006 07:15 AM
DFW Dallas/ Fort Worth
09/29/2006 10:05 AM

AMERICAN AIRLINES 1638
DFW Dallas/ Fort Worth
09/29/2006 11:50 AM
MCO Orlando
09/29/2006 03:25 PM

That's a 1-hr-45-min connection. Personally, I would be much happier with a 1 hr 45 min connection than with a 35-min connection through DFW.

With a scheduled arrival at MCO at 3:25 p.m. and an ADR at Coral Reef at 6:10 p.m.. you have 2 hours and 45 minutes. I would say go for it! Unless your DFW-MCO segment is substantially delayed, you can make it to Coral Reef before 6:10 p.m. (You'll probably arrive at your resort on DME between 4:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.)

Be sure to use the yellow DME tags so that you can bypass baggage claim. That could get you on a DME motorcoach a half hour sooner than if you claim your own bags. Be sure to pack a carry-on with some Florida clothes and other essentials. Your luggage will probably be delivered to your room while you are at dinner. (You don't have to be in your room because Disney pays the inbound luggage gratuity.)

Have a great trip.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I wouldnt stress. Its probably for the best that they pushed the layover to be longer. It gives them more time to get your bags where they need to go and gives you some time to breath.

Good point about the bags!

DFW is a really good airport IMO- and you should not have to change terminals.

Actually, the OP will most likely need to change terminals at DFW. American and American Eagle use Terminals A, B, C, and D at DFW.

Flights from Denver tend to arrive in Terminal D. Flights to Orlando tend to depart from Terminal C.

DFW Airport provides Skylink, a train service between the terminals. The good news is that you stay within the secure area, so you don't have to pass through TSA security.

For more info about DFW, see http://www.dfwairport.com/index.html

 

[NancyIL]

I also think the longer layover between flights at DFW is better than 35 minutes. I don't think that's enough time anywhere for your luggage to make it, even if you do!

 

[CowboyCO]

Thanks for the suggestions and yes, those are the flights we're on.

We're just gonna wing it and see what happens. We'll try to make the ressie and if not, --hey we're on vacation! Only two more sleeps!

 

[Castillo Mom]

Just a small suggestion - if when you get to your hotel you find that you're running a little behind to make it to your ADR, take a taxi. In a pinch they're faster than taking a bus. We had to do that a couple times last trip and it worked out great. Either way, have a wonderful time!