Arrival flight, which would you do?

[Chrislovesdisney]

We are flying in from NY (about 2.5 hour flight) for a short wed-sunday stay. Our dds will be 3 and 6 and need fairly early bedtimes. We have to book Southwest because despite me obsessing over the answer to this question, if my husband has a last-minute work assignment, we will need to switch around airline times and they have the most flexible rules. But, assuming plans stay as we book it (most likely scenario) would you:

-take a 6:10 am flight (leaving house at 3:30am) so you have most of the day (first of 2 days at MK)
-take a 12:10pm flight and just pop into an evening for day one of MK for some fast passes
-take a late flight the night before and stay at hotel in airport (can’t forward all the luggage)

We got the 5th day “free” from undercover tourist so I’m not worried making the most of MK money-wise but I would like to use it. We are staying at OKW (possibly changing to AKL or BWV if there’s availability at 7mos out).

 

[verleniahall]

late night the night before - that way u have as much time as possible

 

[Hopefully]

Late night the night before. Sleep until you all wake, head to DME and you are still ahead.

 

[Sydney2977]

Another vote for the night before. Although you'll pay for another night at a hotel, you'll get more sleep and be able to enjoy the time in the parks.

 

[NJ Goofy]

If the cost is not a problem, then another vote for going the night before. You won't be stressed, your DD's will be well rested and you'll have almost a whole day additional to enjoy the parks. We've done that a couple times for the cruise, "just to be safe". The least option I'd consider would be the "out the door" at 3:30 am. While you'll get more time than leaving later, it will mess your body clock up and you'll all end up being exhausted the 1st night.

 

[js]

I would take a flight the night before too. Second choice is the 6:10 am flight, especially with your limited days.

 

[nkereina]

I would take a flight the night before, but I would price out the cost of staying at the Hyatt at the airport versus just booking that night at your Disney resort. Often, the price difference is negligible, so IMO it makes more sense in those cases to just go to your WDW resort on your arrival night so you can wake up and have a full day the next day, with no DME to hassle with.

Otherwise, I'd choose the early flight. I always prefer to maximize time on short trips. I only book the mid-day flights if I'm doing a slower paced and relaxed trip.

 

[siren0119]

You know your kids best - but I know my boys would be absolute junk if they had flown and then spent an afternoon in the parks. We flew in the morning, took time to get settled into the hotel and then did Hoop Dee Doo that evening to still have a little Disney magic without using a park day. They were SO much more refreshed and ready to tackle all the walking and excitement the next day.

 

[ForMyBoys]

I would do the 12:10 day of option. Less stress for all leaving for airport at 9ish instead of 3am. Less stress then flying out the night before and staying at a diff hotel. Less stress=happier vacation.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I would choose either early flight or night before flight.

If the flight is roughly the same price as the early flight the next day and the 1 night at airport hotel isn't a big expense I think that would be the best option since it allows for sleeping for the kids that night but a full day at MK the next day. You can also opt for that first full day to be a bit slower in touring style since you traveled late the night before but also feel like you got the option for a full MK day.

 

[DebbieB]

Night before. Start the next day out fresh.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I've personally decided to only do the night before from now on. I'm done getting up at 3am to catch flights. It's worth the extra night of hotel charges. I will tell you that the airport hotel isn't cheap. We added on a room at POP last time and then transferred over to our next hotel.

We are doing the same thing next fall. We booked a room at All Star Movies before we switch to Wilderness Lodge for a week. Hyatt MCO was $300 for one night. All Stars was half that.

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

I'm doing similar and flying in the evening of the night before, but just staying at our Disney hotel. It wasn't that much of a difference price wise and we can get a good start to our first day.

 

[monorailsilver]

I would do the night before or the mid day flight. We were all exhausted after our 7am flight over the summer. Sure we were in FL by 10 but we just spent it lazily at the pool, my 17 yo took a nap, my dh tried to work and rest. Then we had dinner and went to bed.

I wouldn’t want to start a Disney trip tired, especially with little ones, we all know how they can get...oh boy do I know!

You know your kids best - but I know my boys would be absolute junk if they had flown and then spent an afternoon in the parks. We flew in the morning, took time to get settled into the hotel and then did Hoop Dee Doo that evening to still have a little Disney magic without using a park day. They were SO much more refreshed and ready to tackle all the walking and excitement the next day.

Agree!

 

[keishashadow]

We are flying in from NY (about 2.5 hour flight) for a short wed-sunday stay. Our dds will be 3 and 6 and need fairly early bedtimes. We have to book Southwest because despite me obsessing over the answer to this question, if my husband has a last-minute work assignment, we will need to switch around airline times and they have the most flexible rules. But, assuming plans stay as we book it (most likely scenario) would you:

-take a 6:10 am flight (leaving house at 3:30am) so you have most of the day (first of 2 days at MK)
-take a 12:10pm flight and just pop into an evening for day one of MK for some fast passes
-take a late flight the night before and stay at hotel in airport (can’t forward all the luggage)

We got the 5th day “free” from undercover tourist so I’m not worried making the most of MK money-wise but I would like to use it. We are staying at OKW (possibly changing to AKL or BWV if there’s availability at 7mos out).

If you are comfortable flying with the kids yourself, DH could always come down on a later flight if necessary. Likely far cheaper to switch things around for one person last minute.

I’ve never gotten a good rate at the Hyatt MCO, many of the offsite airport hotels offer quick/reliable shuttles to airport along with free breakfast

I’ve found when kids are along for the ride, they expect to do ‘something’ even if you arrive mid day. A spin around the monorail and character meal a good way to keep them happy and check that dining off the to-do list.

Flying from NY the weather might be an issue in the winter. I tend to book the earliest flight available in the winter (usually the plane is already at the gate out). Things can ‘snowball’ quickly, you may have a better chance of switching to later flight. If storm is forecast, check with SWA, they usually will let you change your flight to earlier or later departure depending on availability.

Good luck.

 

[js]

I'm doing similar and flying in the evening of the night before, but just staying at our Disney hotel. It wasn't that much of a difference price wise and we can get a good start to our first day.

We are doing this too. We are landing at 11:45 pm and own DVC so just added a night on the front of our vacation. We can sleep in and not have to move.

 

[Lmans77]

I would do the night before. If not that, the early morning, but I'm a glutton for punishment when it comes to Disney. Do your kids nap midday?

 

[Chrislovesdisney]

Thank you for all the feedback. My kids don’t nap, and we will be traveling in summer (but booking airfare soon). Hopefully no thunderstorms cancelling flights but not worried about snow!

 

[Chrislovesdisney]

We are doing this too. We are landing at 11:45 pm and own DVC so just added a night on the front of our vacation. We can sleep in and not have to move.

So, I can’t add a dvc night (parents are saving points for subsequent trip); how does it work if I were to book a night in AoA or pop century? Does Disney transfer the luggage for us? I wouldn’t want to head out early the next day only to have to schlep everything via Disney transportation over to another hotel after we arrive back....

 

[Chrislovesdisney]

If you are comfortable flying with the kids yourself, DH could always come down on a later flight if necessary. Likely far cheaper to switch things around for one person last minute.

I’ve never gotten a good rate at the Hyatt MCO, many of the offsite airport hotels offer quick/reliable shuttles to airport along with free breakfast

I’ve found when kids are along for the ride, they expect to do ‘something’ even if you arrive mid day. A spin around the monorail and character meal a good way to keep them happy and check that dining off the to-do list.

Flying from NY the weather might be an issue in the winter. I tend to book the earliest flight available in the winter (usually the plane is already at the gate out). Things can ‘snowball’ quickly, you may have a better chance of switching to later flight. If storm is forecast, check with SWA, they usually will let you change your flight to earlier or later departure depending on availability.

Good luck.

Thanks for all the ideas. DH would absolutely want to be there to capture the girls’ excitement so him coming separate isn’t an option. We are traveling in summer. My thought of staying at the hotel in the airport is that I’d rather pay extra $ and not have the hassle of moving around multiple suitcases to multiple locations along with 2 young kids. I’m willing to pay for convenience unless Disney will transfer suitcases for us if we stay at a budget Disney hotel the first night.