Any Western Canadians doing the long haul to WDW?

[jedijuhl]

Love reading all my fellow Canadians posts here. Learning a lot of hints and tricks. I've noticed though that most are from Eastern Canada. Of course that makes sense because of the distance. Usually we have gone to DL. However our last 2 trips have been to WDW. I was just wondering how many of us from say BC, AB and SASK are making the longer haul trip to WDW? Where are you staying? Any tips or advise? anyone doing the drive instead of flying? We're from Vancouver and will be flying out of Seattle in November (direct flight to MCO). Can't wait!!!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Maddysdaddy]

We're from Calgary and have done it twice. Two years ago we went on a Dis Cruise and last March, we went for 2 weeks (last minute trip decision, so couldn't use our DVC points to get into the Grand Californian). Going on another cruise in February.

'IF' we can get a direct flight, it's not too bad (Westjet flies direct from YYC to MCO a couple of times a week).

If we have to have a layover like we did in March, we won't go again - from the time we left the house to go to the airport to catch our flight from YYC to Hamilton (same length of layover as flying into YYZ), to when we finally arrived at Animal Kingdom, was about 16 hours.

Plus, DL, DCA and Southern California in general are about a gazillion times better than WDW and Florida, so a hundred times out of a hundred, if we have a choice, we'll stick with the west coast.

 

[dis_guy]

We're about 2 hours east and a bit north of Edmonton. We always fly though I'd like to do the drive sometime in the future when we have tons of time to do it. Maybe when we're both retired.

By far the best priced flights are with United out of YEG. The last few times we have connected in Houston, though we have connected in Denver too. Will not fly through Chicago in the winter, just too much chance of weather problems. Usual travel times are around 8 hours YEG to MCO. Direct flights are convenient, sure, but at my age I don't mind a couple of shorter hops and a chance to walk around a bit before flying off again.

Lots of people bash United, but really I can't see any difference between their service and that of Air Canada or Westjet. In fact, Lufthansa is the best one I've been on in years. Shame they don't fly YEG-MCO.

 

[saskdw]

We're from Sask and this Dec will be our 5th Dec trip to WDW in 6 years. We love it there. Not just the theme parks, but everything the 46 sq miles of WDW has to offer. I'm not going to list my tips that would take too long, but can most likely answer any questions you have.

 

[Fivers]

I'm from Alberta, and I did WDW for the first time last year. I guess it was cheating because I was in Toronto at the time for school, so my Mom did the midnight flight from Calgary to Toronto, then we flew down together from there. Went again with a friend in April this year flying from Calgary, West Jet's direct flight.

I really do love both parks. I love the compactness of DLR, it's so nice to be able to walk everywhere, and never have to wait for buses, or worry about needing a car. But I also loved how many things there are to do at WDW, so many new things to see and enjoy! DLR is my home park and will probably always remain my favourite at heart, but I really loved WDW as well! I hate flying so WDW is not a trip I will do as often, but there are so many things to enjoy there too! I hope you have a blast!!

 

[jessielf]

We are heading to WDW in October from BC (pretty much as far west as possible). To be fair, we are going to a wedding in Edmonton the day before. It's our honeymoon! (we got married in June) I've been to WDW once as a kid and my husband has never been but we've both done DL a few times.

Very excited (aside from all the flight transfers!)

 

[Aladora]

Not yet, but we are thinking of taking DS there for his 10th birthday in 2015. We're in Victoria, so there's not much further away from WDW than us!

We're making do with a surprise DL trip in 3 weeks though!

 

[yxe dad]

Hi from Saskatoon, here are a few of my tips for saving money on the long haul trips to WDW.

We tend to go for longer trips(10 days+) due to airfare being one of, if not the most expensive part of our trips to WDW. Delta tends to have the cheapest flights with the best connections, but we will also use Aeroplan to books flights with Air Canada and United.

We also bought into DVC a few years back to help with our desire to stay at Disney's deluxe resorts. We have used Ken at Vacation Upgrades a couple times to stay ay Wyndham Bonnet Creek and are using David's DVC Rentals for an upcoming trip in Sept(used all of our DVC points).

Our first few trips we relied on Disney transportation but now we always rent a car. The cost is relatively low and the ability to go to the store for food, booze, and cases of water pretty much pays for the car rental. If I can't get a good rate through Costco, I'll use priceline and bid on a car. Best rate I ever got was $89 all taxes and fee's in for a full size for a week, but average about $135/wk. I don't think I'll ever drive from Western Canada to WDW but will probably drive to Disneyland in the near future.

 

[dadofnicholas]

Vancouver here as well. WDW is on my list but so far we've only done Disneyland. I have become so familiar with DL and enjoy it a lot as well. Since I have not been to WDW, I am intimidated by its size and just the unknown. However, that will not stop me from taking the kids in the future. I also use my point programs for all our flight needs.

 

[Carolejm]

We are in Vancouver - first time going to WDW. We got an amazing deal out of Vancouver. While not a direct flight I was so happy to not have to drive to and from Seattle on either side of the trip. We transfer in Chicago. Flights are not too bad either way. Maybe 1 hour lay over. Will let you know after how it went. We leave around Thanksgiving (Canadian).

 

[cari12]

We are in Vancouver - first time going to WDW. We got an amazing deal out of Vancouver. While not a direct flight I was so happy to not have to drive to and from Seattle on either side of the trip. We transfer in Chicago. Flights are not too bad either way. Maybe 1 hour lay over. Will let you know after how it went. We leave around Thanksgiving (Canadian).

Which airline and how did you find the deal?

 

[I Run Long]

We're from just outside of Victoria on Vancouver Island. Have been done 3 times to WDW (never DL - don't know why). The first time we flew out of Victoria (too freaking expensive!) and the last 2 out of Seattle - definitely the way to go. We'll be heading down next year also leaving from Seattle. You can't beat the airfare from there - we usually save over $1600 for the 4 of us by flying out of Seattle. Just flying off the island is crazy expensive. We like to go down for at least 14 days to make the distance worth while and hey, it's Disney, so why not? Next year it will be my family plus DH's daughter and her family - so eight in total. We're planning 5 nights at POR and then switching over to OKW for the extra space. After 5 nights we're usually ready to do laundry so we check into a villa, throw the laundry in and head back to the parks. Love it!

 

[Bellestreak]

We are from Calgary and we alternate WDW and DL. It depends on the amount of time we have. We do take flights with stopovers as they are cheaper, and they give the kiddo a bit of a break, but we try to always choose flights that stop on the way. We won't stop in, say Toronto, or even Houston. The best, time wise, is Minneapolis, although Denver isn't bad.
When we can get a good price, we will take a direct flight from WestJet, but that rarely happens. Sometimes we can work it out budget wise to take 1 direct flight and will usually do it coming home.
We have a pipe dream of someday driving down, but we would need 3 weeks to a month to do it right

 

[lisalonglash]

Love reading all my fellow Canadians posts here. Learning a lot of hints and tricks. I've noticed though that most are from Eastern Canada. Of course that makes sense because of the distance. Usually we have gone to DL. However our last 2 trips have been to WDW. I was just wondering how many of us from say BC, AB and SASK are making the longer haul trip to WDW? Where are you staying? Any tips or advise? anyone doing the drive instead of flying? We're from Vancouver and will be flying out of Seattle in November (direct flight to MCO). Can't wait!!!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Hello from very near the WA State border crossings! We fly out of Seatac (always dramatically cheaper than flying out of YVR). We definitely prefer direct flights and we also prefer redeyes (our thinking is that if we have to "waste" vacation time getting there, it might as well be while we sleep lol).

Have an awesome time in November!

 

[KittyKat1978]

Hi! I'm from Vancouver and have been to WDW 4 times (my 5th coming up in Nov).

The first time I went, my friend booked the whole thing and we flew out of Seattle - direct with Alaska. I thought the 3 hour drive was too much of a hassle.

The second time I flew out of Vancouver with United and we had a stopover in Chicago.

The third time I flew with American through Dallas. Seamless.

The fourth time, I flew out of Bellingham. On the way there it was Bellingham-Seattle-Orlando on Alaska on a red eye. I will never do that again. On the way home it was Orlando-Dallas-Seattle-Bellingham first two flights on American and then Alaska to Bellingham. It took me 13 hours to get to Bellingham. Yes I saved money but it as I said, I won't do a red-eye again. I wasted a lot of time waiting for connections on the way home.

This time I am flying out of Vancouver with Air Canada (booked with Air miles). On the way there it's through Toronto and on the way home through Montreal.

I will always budget enough money to fly out of Vancouver because I find it so much easier. Especially since I get usually get a family member to take me to the airport

 

[jeepwreck]

we are from vancovuer and we usually fly out of seattle

the last two trip we took south west. with one lay over. our last trip we found a deal for 76$ each for one way you can not beat that.. plus we like flying out of the states because you dont have to wait in line for customs only have to wait at the boarder driving over but then again we have nexus so it not that bad.

we alway stay the night before at one of the hotel near the airport, most of then have free parking., well at least the ones we stay at.

 

[katt789]

I'm from Calgary and I'm down in WDW a lot, and had an AP last year!! It's worth it for me! I personally will always get a flight through an American carrier, it's much cheaper! With a layover for me the journey totals about seven hours from airport to airport! not that bad!

 

[jedijuhl]

Great to hear responses from everyone! For a while there I thought I might be the only westerner to make the journey It's interesting to hear everyone's opinion as to direct flight or not or whether to fly out of Canada or the USA. Thanks everyone for your wealth of knowledge. I hope to continue to glean nuggets from all of you! 67 days and counting !!!!!!!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[sasamong]

Never been to WDW but have my trip booked up from Oct.26-Nov.3 (can you tell i'm happy.. HAHA)

After much reading, i decided to take an extra day off work and will be driving to seattle and staying there for a night (with free parking at the place i'm staying at) and then fly out from seattle to orlando with one layover on SouthWest.

I don't know if it's worth the hassle but i was saving a good couple hundred dollars flying out of seattle than YVR (oh yah.. forgot to say i'm from Vancouver.. DERP!)

I'm planning to make a trip report (or attempt to) so definitely let you guys know if it's worth that drive down in the near future

 

[DbleTheFun]

We are from Calgary as well and have gone to WDW 10 times in 6 years. (with twins starting when they were 11 months old) Flight isnt nearly as bad as you would think.... And once you're there, it SO worth it!