Advice needed over flying times

[higgy66]

Hi

Last year we flew from Manchester to Orlando with VA departing at 10.25. When we left Orlando it was around 6.30pm (I think)

Anyway, so far Virgin have only released flights for next October for the later flights leaving Manchester at 13.30 and then returning leaving orlando at 21.55


Has anyone every used these times before?

I've had a think today and to be honest i think they could actually be better.

The flight out means we'll arrive later and to be honest we struggled (& failed) to stay awake last time and so were up at the crack of dawn the following day. It appeals to me that we would arrive at 7pm local time so by the time we got to the hotel it would be around 9pm so not unreasonable to go to bed.

The return means setting off later but it would also mean the girls would probably go to sleep quicker as last time they were hours before they fell to sleep and so only managed a couple of hours.

Has anyone tried both and found one set of times to be better??

Thanks in advance

 

[2Tiggies]

That would depend on your routine. I prefer the earlier one and have always managed to get it as I have no probs sleeping a bit on the plane and staying awake until 10 or 11 pm on arrival night. If you are not typically late night people or find the flight exhausting (do you have small children - that is very tiring) then the later flight may be better for you as you won't feel compelled to try and do something with the last part of the day.

If it helps from a nocturnal persons perspective, this year we leave from GLasgow at 2 pm so and land at 5.55 pm and I wish it was earlier as I know we will want to go out no matter how tired we are, but it means we will be back very very late - maybe just a bit too late. It's more about your coping without sleep/late nights etc. Some people do well, others struggle. From what you described I would dare to say that the later one may actually be better for you. It also gives you almost a full park day on departure day if you want it.

 

[crabbie1]

Not done those VA times.Did a 14.10 I think in 2007 and to be honest I was more tired doing that one. The adrenalin was high that morning and I was still awake all night so to me and having a younger child I prefer the earlier flight but as tiggs said if your not late night people then perhaps the flow of arriving a bit later and going straight to your hotel ,unpack and bed then do the later one.If you are staying onsite and using magical express though I would def carry your bags through onto the coach.We waited till 22.30 for our bags from arriving at 14.20 in orlando. Sine then have taken our bags with us.

 

[Kath2003]

We pay little attention to flight times: we will arrive tired, cranky, sick of travelling, hungry and wanting a shower. To us, it doesn't matter what time we arrive in that condition, only that we do indeed arrive

 

[2Tiggies]

To us, it doesn't matter what time we arrive in that condition, only that we do indeed arrive

... and get home again!

Crabbie1 made a good point about the ME luggage. If you are wanting anything from your hold luggage within the first 6 hours, i.e. you want to shower/swim/unpack/get your PJs, then get your own bags. They only take about 20 to 30 minutes to arrive at the terminal as opposed to being woken at midnight (in other words 5 am ) so that you can clean your teeth.

 

[torsie24]

In October we arrived at AKL at about 7.30/8pm.

This worked great for us as it was just enough time to check in, get a quick snack, have a bath, unapck and fall into bed.

Jack had a bad headache from the travel and being so tired, so were it all shifted 4 hours earlier it could have been quite a miserable afternoon.

Our upcoming trip I think we will be arriving early afternoon, so I am already wondering what the best thing will be to do...