Airline changed my flight...

[tony609]

Airline Changed my flight time by over 2hrs. We were leaving at 6:15am (7:15 Florida time) arriving MCO around 9:30 now its 8:40 departure arriving at Mco 12:15. I know it's not huge but that was our Epcot day. I had to cancel our 1:30 lunch.. We have a 7:40 1900 park. Not sure what to do now. If we go to Epcot it's only for about 4 hours. My other days are pretty locked due to breakfast adrs in parks or MNSSHP at night. We don't have hoppers. I know it's not a big deal but just a bump in the road. Needed to vent to people who might get it. Do I need to notify ME pickup at Mco or will it change on its own. This has never happened to me before.

 

[SirDuff]

First, you do not have to notify DME - you aren't on a specific bus on your way from MCO to WDW (unlike the other way).

Second, you don't have to accept the change (for most airlines - some of the super economy ones like Spirit might be different). Is there another flight that works better for you? Possibly even the night before (though that does mean getting a hotel room). If so, get the details of said flight and call the airline. Tell them that the flight change doesn't work and that you'd like to be put on the flight that you found. For most airlines, a two hour change is big enough to qualify for this move to a new flight without incurring change fees or paying for a higher airfare (if the new flight is more expensive).

 

[tony609]

Never thought of that. We are on AA and booked first class. I think I could change anyway. I'll see about the changes. Thanks.

 

[subtchr]

I agree about checking if there is a more convenient flight. But if not, I would say give up the 1900 ADR that first night, and just spend it in Epot. Even if you don't get a TS ADR, there are some wonderful options for CS meals there. It would mean a much more relaxing evening.

 

[Gracie09]

Absolutely call and see if there is another flight they can get you on. Actually look at the flights going out that morning, pick one that still has seats and request to be on that one

 

[CAS239]

Yea I would look into getting an earlier flight, even if it means the day before. Saying you don't have park hoppers means you aren't AP's, so you have daily tickets. Id hate to essentially "waste" a ticket by only using it for 4 hours.

If you could..I'd get an earlier one even if it's a day early..I'd find it better to add an extra hotel night (even if it's a cheap offsite hotel), than not fully use one of your day tickets

 

[AThrillingChase]

I agree to try and change it because more time is always > less! But with multiple day tickets it is only about $10/day to add on. So even a 4 hour day is worth it IMO.

 

[tony609]

We have 6 day tickets I can probably take 1 day off of it if we're not using it. Although it isn't that much after 4. I just remembered We can't fly out the day before unless it would be a 10pm flight I have to work until 5pm that day. I'm trying to work with what's been dealt. We may just monorail over to MK for lunch and ride a few things before our 7:40 adr. We're staying at the GF so we might We may just skip Epcot this trip. 4 hours isn't really enough to enjoy it. Which I can get use too. I noticed the whole 6:15 am flight is gone now. If I can get another 1900 PF adr on Thursday we will go to Epcot. So I'm not giving up yet.

 

[PetePanMan]

I hate it when airlines to do this. At least you are still getting in early. We have had them change from non-stop to connecting as well which I hate during winter given possibilities for weather hiccups

 

[CynBeth]

That happened to us our last trip to Disney in Dec 2013 where a month before the trip we had a flight change so instead of arriving at MCO at 9 something in the morning we would not arrive until 11 something. We planned to be in DHS and thank goodness did not make a lunch ADR. By the time we landed and got our luggage and rental car and got to the hotel and had lunch we did not get to that park until 2 and we had an early dinner ressie at 4 something so we did not get to do much of anything. Luckily we had time later that week where we could go back and see what we wanted there.

 

[soniam]

This is the reason that I try not to plan too much on our arrival day. The airlines are just so unpredictable lately. It sounds like you tried to find something better but couldn't. However, if something does come up, I would definitely try to get a better flight. I think flying first class should get you some extra accommodation. Good luck.

 

[tony609]

It's ok we will deal with what we were dealt. We have a few options. This is our first big flight change in over 12 years do we have a pretty good record.

 

[supersnoop]

With a two hour flight change, you should be allowed to pick a different flight of your choice, or receive a full refund.

 

[tony609]

We are still in the earliest flight that day. Just the 6:15 was evidentially cancelled and were on the 8:40.

 

[HiHoWeGo]

I agree about checking if there is a more convenient flight. But if not, I would say give up the 1900 ADR that first night, and just spend it in Epot.

This. Seems like pretty good advice when you'll only have a few hours in the park.

 

[smidgy]

united changed our departure flight from MCo to chicago by a few hours. because of this I was able to change the flight. they also changed our arrival to MCO flight by mere minutes. hubby hates not being able to tinker with our trip (we have "addonitis"!) since I was able to change the one flight for free, since it was the airline that changed the time, I tried the same with the arrival flight.
because THEY are the ones that changed the time, I was able to change the flight to the day before for free!!! so we just added a day to our room! a room only reservation. and if you put in a ntoe that it is a continuing reservation, they do everything in their power to keep you in the same room.
OP, if I were in your shoes, and work schedule allowed, I would switch it to a flight the day before. if GF can't accomodate you, get a room anywhere on property maybe you can rent points for a beach club or boardwalk room and walk to epcot arrival night. then switch to GF bright and early in the morning.

 

[vicb]

I agree about checking if there is a more convenient flight. But if not, I would say give up the 1900 ADR that first night, and just spend it in Epcot. Even if you don't get a TS ADR, there are some wonderful options for CS meals there. It would mean a much more relaxing evening.

Totally agree with the above post. You can check and see what is available in Epcot that night for dinner. If you just stay at Epcot and give up 1900 Park you get a good chunk of time at Epcot. Dinner and Illuminations will make it feel more complete. You might need to adjust your FP+ selections. Personally for my family no trip to Disney would be complete without Epcot but maybe not true for yours.

Are you staying at a monorail resort?? If so you would enjoy the monorail ride on arrival day over to Epcot, very Disney.

I do feel for you. Our flights were tweaked on our vacation to AZ this year but nothing reeks havoc like messing with our Disney planning! Our last trip to Disney a year ago our flight was delayed several hours. We had ambitiously planned to hit AK for a couple of rides and dinner at Yak and Yeti then head to HS for eve. emh. I had not booked an ADR "just in case" (good thing so we didn't get stuck with the cancel fee). I had booked 3 FP+ at HS to hit some rides before emh started. We missed our Star Tours FP but just made RnRC time and TSM. Then rode ToT twice during emh plus a ton of other stuff. So you just got to roll with it and make the best out of it.

Hope you have a wonderful trip.

 

[tony609]

I have to work the day before. Changing arrival day is not an option. I'll keep checking for Epcot adrs. If I get a Via Napoli I'll cancel 1900.

 

[smidgy]

Op, since leaving a day early is not an option, I agree with vicb. you can almost always get a TS at Morrocco. which I love or biergarten. or china. (and I mean walk ups)