Arrive Earlier or Nonstop Flight?

[firkat]

Hello. I posted this question on the transportation board too, but I wanted the 'Family Board' perspective!

Would you take a nonstop 4:15 pm flight that had you arriving at Orlando at 5:30 pm OR would you take a 9 am flight with one brief stop in Atlanta that would arrive at Orlando at 12:30 pm.

It will be me, DH, DD15, DS9 and DS18months. We are staying for 9 nights. Thanks!

 

[scorpad99]

I would definetly recommend the later flight, you will have 9 days there, and risk more chances of plane delays and luggage lost. IMO I would go later, and check out downtown disney on your first nite, use the pool, or just have dinner and chill. Its not good for the kids to go up and down twice, if you can help it
have a great trip!

 

[Lisa_Belle]

I also had this decision to make. I took the earlier flight. I don't mind changing planes and would much rather get to a park for a few hours.

 

[antmaril]

If you are stopping without a plane change, I would take the earlier flight.

However, if you have to change planes, I would take the later non-stop flight. Less chance of flight delays, lost luggage, etc.

 

[momto2inKC]

I would take the non stop flight, especially when travelling with kids.

 

[PollyannaMom]

If you are stopping without a plane change, I would take the earlier flight.

However, if you have to change planes, I would take the later non-stop flight. Less chance of flight delays, lost luggage, etc.

I think this poster had a good point! Also to consider, will your kids just be anxious all day waiting for the later flight?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I would chose the non-stop. Landings and take offs are the most dangerous times of the flight. Why have more than you need?

 

[okeydokey]

With children, absolutely the non-stop. Get there rested.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

I would take the non stop flight, especially when travelling with kids.

ditto!

 

[homemaker]

We are taking a earlier, 1 stop flight to orlando and a nonstop on the way home. I figure we(DH & I) can handle moving planes with our 4DS (ages 9,8,4,& 20mths) on the way there before we are burned out from our vacation. The way home - nonstop is a must. I think I will be too tired to deal with all the boys and changing planes

 

[welovedis]

Another vote for nonstop, we always take the NS whenever we can, even if we give up a couple of hours in WDW. Your trip is long enough that a day of resting, relaxing won't be a bad thing. And with the later flight you can take your time packing up that morning and after lunch before heading out to the airport.

HTH!

 

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

How "brief" is your stop in Atlanta. If you have to change planes in Atlanta with several children and you have less than one hour I would go non-stop. One hour is sometimes difficult without children in the Atlanta airport.

If you aren't changing planes I might consider the earlier flight but sitting on a plane with children might not be fun.

 

[liznboys]

Based on the info you give, I'd choose the earlier flight.

 

[firkat]

Based on the info you give, I'd choose the earlier flight.

Thanks for the reply, but could you share with me your reasoning.

 

[liznboys]

Thanks for the reply, but could you share with me your reasoning.

Sure! Based on your kids ages it seems like it wouldn't be too hard to switch planes if that's what it would entail. I think I'd be ok with that even with my 4 little ones as long as dh was there. lol And to get there a few hours earlier would be worth it I think.

 

[firkat]

Thanks for that! The layover in Atlanta is 45 minutes . . . and I have been through Atlanta and know it is CRAZY. However, unless my memory is really bad, it seems like all the Delta flight (domestic) seem to leave out of the same concourse. So, hopefully, we wouldn't be terribly far from the connecting flight.

 

[badblackpug]

I would take the non-stop (I wish I could have found a non-stop at a decent price! ) Have a character dinner at one of the resorts, to start the "magic" a nice swim in the pool and be well rested to start a full day in the morning.

 

[Plantlady]

We dealt with that exact problem, and went with a connecting flight that arrived in the morning. We only had a 25 minute layover, were running 10-15 minutes late, and had to run to our connecting plane.

I was dealing with three boys (9, 7, 4) that had never flown before.

But, I would do it again! We had about 9 hours in the Magic Kingdom that my boys will never forget!

 

[Lora]

We rarely get non-stop flights anywhere. We've learned to deal with them. I would rather arrive earlier and reduce the risk of traffic at the hour you're arriving. Then again, you may have a morning traffic situation getting to your home airport. Also - I like to check in earlier than later since sometimes it may mean a better room location (that could just be my imagination on that point).

I was very happy to find a non-stop this year through Delta and at a great price!

 

[mlacreta]

Hi there. I noticed your kids seem to be similar in age to my four. I would really recommend the NS. We are also headed down in just a few short weeks and we chose a midday ns flight. No matter how well packed you are there is bound to be some last minute chaos don't ya think? atleast you would have a couple extra hours in the morning to make sure you are all set to go. we will get there around 4:00 and plan to have a late dinner at chef mickey's in the conttemporory. it's our first trip with the kiddos so we figure by doing the dinner there they will get a trip on the monorail and a peak at the disney magic but still get a good nights rest and be ready to start early. not sure if this is your first trip but you might want to consider do you plan on spending whole days in the park? if you are you might not want to waste a partial day on arrival anyway. this is the first time my kids will be flying and they are just as excited about that! plus all my kids do get exhausted by later day (even if they don't show it) so i think the first day at disney is better started bright and early as the park opens so they can get really excited BEFORE the lines start rather than start halfway thru the day when the lines are already lenghty. hope this helps a little! Have fun!!!