Cheaper to fly late Nov or Late Feb?

[stefanospops]

I posted this in the Transportation board but thought my fellow Canadians may have a specific opinion too. I have two trips planned for WDW soon. The first is Nov 28-Dec11 and the second is Feb 25 to Mar5. I have enough miles to fly for free on one of these trips (Buffalo-Orlando or Toronto-Orlando) and am wondering if people know which of these dates is likely to have less expensive flights so I can book the miles for the more expensive period.

I am thinking there may be more likelihood of getting a charter out of Toronto which would be my preference with three young kids. Any suggestions?

 

[dvc deernut]

i posted this in the transportation board but thought my fellow canadians may have a specific opinion too. I have two trips planned for wdw soon. The first is nov 28-dec11 and the second is feb 25 to mar5. I have enough miles to fly for free on one of these trips (buffalo-orlando or toronto-orlando) and am wondering if people know which of these dates is likely to have less expensive flights so i can book the miles for the more expensive period.

I am thinking there may be more likelihood of getting a charter out of toronto which would be my preference with three young kids. Any suggestions?

well if you are using a free flight and your close to pearson id use the freebee on it. That would save you driving down to buffalo. We allways fly out of buffalo 45 minutes from our house in notl and im parked at the airport. We either use jet blue or southwest. It depends on which one has the cheaper best direct flight at the time or stop over in nyc. I just booked our flights for sept to mco and they were $230 both ways on jet blue. A week earlier same seat was $69 dollars and about $150 both ways. Im just trying to say the prices change and depends on which day of week and time direct is cheaper. We usually go the first 2 weeks of dec because its usually slower at wdw and the flights go way up in cost around third week in dec. Last dec we paid $109 one way on the wed the very next day that same flight was $259 dollars oneway. Jet blue also has tv screens at every seat southwest doesnt, that might be good for kids.

 

[GrtWtNorth]

The first is Nov 28-Dec11 and the second is Feb 25 to Mar5... and am wondering if people know which of these dates is likely to have less expensive flights so I can book the miles for the more expensive period.

Without a doubt, Feb 25 to Mar 5 is more expensive. It's warmer weather and it overlaps with the beginning of March break. I would book this as soon as possible, before the points seats are gone.

Nov 28 to Dec 11 is relatively quiet. Of course, there's a lot of Christmas stuff going on, but the parks will be open very short hours, which is a good indication of expected crowd level / flight prices. Flights will likely be cheaper during this time.

 

[allstar]

Have you checked out flights with Jetblue, Southwest and Air Tran. They have some direct flights from Buffalo. Good rates all year around.
What disney cruise are you going on? We did the Disney Magic to the Westren Carribean in February. Loved it!!!!!

 

[stefanospops]

I usually fly Jetblue when I go from Buffalo. For Nov 29 to Dec 11 it will be almost $300 per person. Southwest hasn't extended their schedule that far yet. Neither have the charter companies.

We're going on the Eastern Caribbean Disney Cruise on Dec. 4. I think I am going to use my points for this trip because I forgot we have 1 extra person (MIL) coming on our Feb trip and I don't have enough points for everyone. Also, my DD turns 2 in January and I only have enough points for 4 seats, so if I do use them on the earlier trip then we will just hold her, as much as I prefer to pay for a seat for her. SO much easier to put her in her car seat on the plane and let her sleep. I'm hoping there is an extra seat on the plane and they will let me put her in it with her car seat.

 

[stefanospops]

Quick update. I decided I won't use my points for flights only because once I factor in the $630 in airport taxes it is not worth it for me. For an extra $600US I can get 5 seats on Jetblue and likely less on Southwest when they release their schedule. I can get several car rentals for the same miles and not pay additional costs. My car rental for a week when I went during march break for a minivan would have cost me $550 I think, but with my miles it cost me about 65,000 miles. SO car rentals is my most economical use of miles. Thanks all!

 

[allstar]

Enjoy your cruise! We had the best service, the food was excellent and awesome entertainment.
If you are looking for a hotel to stay at the night before the cruise I highly recommend Country Inn and Suites. The hotel is fairly new, good price, offer a free breakfast, and provide free shuttle service to the port.