Airline questions, Advice needed

[welovedisneyx4]

We are hopefully going to Disney this year!! I would like to go in October, as would DH, but he is concerned about DD missing school. In looking at other times to go, I am considering sometime between June 10-18 or June 17-25.

Anyway, my question is how soon to book airfare once we decide on specific dates? (Which will probably be relativly soon) I am thinking about booking the flight from our local airport which runs about $400.00 more than driving 1 1/2-3 hours away to a larger airport. There is a particular flight w/ great departure and arrival times from our local airport and while it would be nice to save $400.00, I am not sure it is worth the trouble to drive and have not so ideal arrival and departure times. (unless the airfares at the other airport decreased a lot more)

We usually drive, but DS is dying to fly--he is 4 and loves planes--(he makes us take him to the "airplane port") and I think DH wouldn't miss the 12 hour drive either. This would be the first time we've flown since 9/11 and I want to make sure we get to the airport in plenty of time. That is another reason I am inclined to pay the extra $ and fly from here.

TIA for your help!!

 

[beccasmom]

I would start actively looking for fares right now, especially if you are thinking seriously about a June trip. We just returned from WDW and we basically planned the trip overnight because the airfare from Philly ($116.00 round trip) was so good. Look for fare specials in your local paper and research them on all the airline websites that fly from your area. Also research Expedia and Travelocity. USAirways is offering very competitive fares right now. They will soon end because Spring Break is approaching, but after the Easter holiday, they may offer them again. Southwest Airlines is also a good one to check (although I don’t know if they are in your area). Jet Blue is also great, although not an option for us (yet!). Also, I would suggest adding your name to the e-mail special fares list for the airlines you are considering. The most we have ever paid to travel to WDW is $200.00, but that is rare. Usually we can lock in at the $158.00 round trip price, which is not bad at all. Good luck!