Book flight home

[micknme]

I'm in the middle of booking our flights for our upcoming cruise on the Dream (two adults) and I'm seeing Air Canada has flights offered for 11:50 a.m. or 6:10 p.m. (geesh, what happened to their 3:00 p.m flight?)

I'm really not wanting to wait until 6:10 p.m. Do you think the 11:50 a.m. flight will be ok? Disney literature says not to book before 11:30 but their CM's say 12:30. Has something changed that I don't know about?

Thanks for any help you can offer!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'm in the middle of booking our flights for our upcoming cruise on the Dream (two adults) and I'm seeing Air Canada has flights offered for 11:50 a.m. or 6:10 p.m. (geesh, what happened to their 3:00 p.m flight?)

I'm really not wanting to wait until 6:10 p.m. Do you think the 11:50 a.m. flight will be ok? Disney literature says not to book before 11:30 but their CM's say 12:30. Has something changed that I don't know about?

Thanks for any help you can offer!

Generally, any flight after 11:30 is OK. But, it too close for my comfort zone (anything after 1:00). I'd go for the 6:10 flight. There's lots to do at the airport, or you could just rent a car and head over to Disney Springs for the day.

 

[dclpluto]

11:50 flight enjoy your long wait at the airport. Yes 11:50 will be ok 99 percent of the time. I would definitely book the 11:50. This is what is going to happen you are going to say we have to get off the ship fast when it opens. You are going to get off the ship head to the airport. You probably won't enjoy the shops at the airport because the security line will look long. You will go straight through the security line in about 20!minutes than you will have a very very long wait T your gate. I panicked myself one time the security line was very long looked like a hour but was only about 20 minutes. Mco security looks longer than it actually is. Enjoy

 

[micknme]

Thank you both for your thoughts on the 11:50 a.m. flight. My comfort zone is also around a 1:00 p.m. flight but I think in this case since neither of you said a definite NO to the earlier flight, I will go with 11:50 and will make sure to get trip insurance. Last month in Vancouver we booked a 1:30 p.m. flight home and got to the airport so early, we were able to switch to the 11:45 a.m. flight. I will be keeping my fingers crossed for the same luck in Orlando!

Thanks so much for your help!!!

 

[apathetic]

Probably among the 5 most asked questions. You should be fine. The main thing that would prevent making a noon flight is luggage. If you can check them on the ship (Onboard Airline Check-in) all the way through, you will have no problem making the flight. If you have to carry the luggage to the airport, it is all about the airline. I've seen the Southwest counter there with LONG lines that make security look like an express lane. Other airlines are quicker. But if you get off the ship right when they start disembarking, you should make a noon flight 99% of the time. Sitting in the airport is not fun no matter how much stuff there is. Also, later in the day you run into the risk of weather that could delay your flight.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Probably among the 5 most asked questions. You should be fine. The main thing that would prevent making a noon flight is luggage. If you can check them on the ship (Onboard Airline Check-in) all the way through, you will have no problem making the flight. If you have to carry the luggage to the airport, it is all about the airline. I've seen the Southwest counter there with LONG lines that make security look like an express lane. Other airlines are quicker. But if you get off the ship right when they start disembarking, you should make a noon flight 99% of the time. Sitting in the airport is not fun no matter how much stuff there is. Also, later in the day you run into the risk of weather that could delay your flight.

Not sure where OP is flying to, but they've indicated it's on a Air Canada flight. The onboard airline checkin is only available for domestic flights.

 

[bumbershoot]

I panicked myself one time the security line was very long looked like a hour but was only about 20 minutes. Mco security looks longer than it actually is.

100% NOT my experience. Mco security can be absolutely atrocious. I've never been through in 20 minutes. Ever. To expect that because it happened is a missed flight waiting to happen.


OP, I would take the last flight, get a rental car, and go have some fun. Or shop.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

100% NOT my experience. Mco security can be absolutely atrocious. I've never been through in 20 minutes. Ever. To expect that because it happened is a missed flight waiting to happen.


OP, I would take the last flight, get a rental car, and go have some fun. Or shop.

Not my experience, either. Even when we got there and there was only about 10 people in line - there was only one line open. And I don't understand why people don't realize after all this time, that yes, you must remove your belt. And your shoes, and any metallic objects from your pockets. Yes, that means your watch, also. Yes, the lap top must be removed from it's case/holder. Even with that "short" a line, it took us over 20 minutes to get through the line.

 

[Dug720]

Not my experience, either. Even when we got there and there was only about 10 people in line - there was only one line open. And I don't understand why people don't realize after all this time, that yes, you must remove your belt. And your shoes, and any metallic objects from your pockets. Yes, that means your watch, also. Yes, the lap top must be removed from it's case/holder. Even with that "short" a line, it took us over 20 minutes to get through the line.

So much this!! I always wonder how these people got to Orlando - because if they flew they had to do all of that on their way down!! I always half joke that apparently their cars all broke down while in Orlando and their only way home was to fly since clearly they have no idea what they are supposed to do.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I'm in the middle of booking our flights for our upcoming cruise on the Dream (two adults) and I'm seeing Air Canada has flights offered for 11:50 a.m. or 6:10 p.m. (geesh, what happened to their 3:00 p.m flight?)

I'm really not wanting to wait until 6:10 p.m. Do you think the 11:50 a.m. flight will be ok? Disney literature says not to book before 11:30 but their CM's say 12:30. Has something changed that I don't know about?

Thanks for any help you can offer!

We've done 11:45 flights and have had plenty of time. If all else fails and you miss it, they'll probably be able to get you on the later flight. Just my $.02

 

[Dug720]

One thing to consider is the timing for an international flight vs. a domestic flight. International flights usually require more time for airport arrival than domestic ones... Even international ones "just" to Canada.

 

[FigmentSpark]

What day are you booking your flights for? That is, how far in advance? You know Air Canada is notorious for changing their flight times. If you book the 11:50, keep watching your reservation, or at least every few weeks check that those flights are still at the same time.

We had a 7pm booked a year in advance. Two months later (still 10 months out), the 7pm disappeared and we were now on the 5:30pm instead. It works for us, but it's also possible that 4 months out they'll change again. This has happened to me so many times that I just know to check and call if they mess up my plans. They're usually pretty good about getting you on the flight you need, but their email notifications of changes don't always make it to my inbox, so keep checking.

 

[micknme]

What day are you booking your flights for? That is, how far in advance? You know Air Canada is notorious for changing their flight times. If you book the 11:50, keep watching your reservation, or at least every few weeks check that those flights are still at the same time.

We had a 7pm booked a year in advance. Two months later (still 10 months out), the 7pm disappeared and we were now on the 5:30pm instead. It works for us, but it's also possible that 4 months out they'll change again. This has happened to me so many times that I just know to check and call if they mess up my plans. They're usually pretty good about getting you on the flight you need, but their email notifications of changes don't always make it to my inbox, so keep checking.

I think its Monday, May 8th (I dont have my paperwork with me right now) I hate how the airlines keep changing times. Last cruise, flying out of Orlando, West Jet completely cancelled our 2 pm flight and moved us to their late night flight. Didn't get to Toronto until almost midnight. Was not impressed!!!!!!

 

[monarchsfan16]

If you book the early flight, do express walk off.

We were on the norovirus cruise in April. We had a 1:20 flight, so we went to breakfast (late seating) and then got off the ship. It took us over an hour to clear customs. Rumor was that people got sick in the line ahead of us and it had to be cleaned up, which would certainly explain why the line completely stopped moving. We got off the ship about 9:15. By the time we cleared customs, got to our rental car, rearranged luggage (i.e., putting the Bahamian rum into luggage that would be checked at the airport) drove the half hour to the airport (and remember...MCO is closer to an HOUR from the port), filled the rental car with gas, and turned it in, it was 11:30 as we approached the check in counter. Fortunately, we breezed through security (I think most of the cruise crowds from the other half dozen ships between FLL and MIA had already dispersed), and so we had plenty of time, but if my flight had been ANY earlier, I'd have been freaking out a bit.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I think its Monday, May 8th (I dont have my paperwork with me right now) I hate how the airlines keep changing times. Last cruise, flying out of Orlando, West Jet completely cancelled our 2 pm flight and moved us to their late night flight. Didn't get to Toronto until almost midnight. Was not impressed!!!!!!

Just be aware. Being moved to a later flight would be frustrating, but if you book that 11:50 and it moves to a 10:30, you'll be pushing it to make that flight.

 

[Sam&Fam]

We have a noon flight after debarking so I'm hoping for no viruses are traffic pile ups.

 

[micknme]

For sure we will be keeping our luggage with us so we can be first off the ship. Also we will book a car service to get us to the airport instead of the DCL bus. Hopefully these plans will help us make our flight. In the next few months, if Air Canada moves our flight to an earlier time, we will tell them that this is not going to work and we will have them move us to the later flight.

Going to Vancouver this summer, AC moved us to a much later flight for some reason which we told them it was unacceptable. We told them we wanted an earlier flight instead so they moved us without a problem. The great thing about this was, they moved us to pod seats on the new flight. For a 5 hour flight, we were so excited when we walked on to the plane to see where we were sitting. If the 11:50 flight gets changed, I'm sure there won't be a problem going for the 6:10 flight....fingers crossed.

 

[FigmentSpark]

They are pretty good about it, but you have to be watching. They may even open up a 3pm flight between now and then, although I don't think you can move to it unless there are changes to the flight you are on. They start charging you change fees for that, heh.

 

[micknme]

They are pretty good about it, but you have to be watching. They may even open up a 3pm flight between now and then, although I don't think you can move to it unless there are changes to the flight you are on. They start charging you change fees for that, heh.

Haha one of MANY of their fees they add on.

 

[DisneyinNJ]

Depends how quickly you get off the boat. We generally take an 1130a flight (domestic) or so and have never had a problem. We have always tried to hit one of the first shuttles back to MCO. We got off the Fantasy this Saturday and probably could have easily made the 1045a flight.