Christmas airfare

[Tinkim]

Hello DISers. Just curious if you would share the price of your Christmas airfare. I am thinking about a Christmas trip to WDW from New England and I am trying to get an idea what it would cost to travel perhaps 1-3 days after Christmas from MHT to MCO. I know you can't tell me what it is going to cost for my trip but if airfare is exorbitantly high historically then I would probably rethink going during the holidays. However, if there are decent deals to be had I know my family would love to see WDW during Christmas! Thanks for any insight you can give me.

 

[brendalee59]

We have a land/sea pkg and will be flying out on Dec 20th from OKC. At present we have Disney Air locked in at 580.00 per person. I want to look at booking our own air as I'm afraid we will get connecting flights out of a northern airport. Last thing we want at that time of year is to have our flight delayed, or worse cancelled . Dec prices should be out by the end of the month. I have priced the same time frame in Nov with the Thanksgiving holiday. I was wondering if the Christmas prices would be similer, or will they be higher? I had thought to purchase refundable tickets for our DD and her family as they are so on again off again with family problems. I'd hate to get stuck losing their airfare as we are paying for this entire vacation for 9 of us. It was a short lived thought. Prices for refundable tickets are insane! Now I'm beginning to think we would be better off taking our chances with Disney Air. Any insight from you more seasoned flyers? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[dvc guy]

It is possible to go over Christmas at a reasonable fare if you are flexible.
Fares will be higher over the holiday periods. We have flown fron NY to Fl for the past 10 years.
1. Book early conventional wisdom is that fares will drop. This is not the case over Christmas. The airline is going to sell every seat domestic capacity is dropping.
2. Decided what you feel you can afford and what is a reasonable rate. I would say 149 one way is a good price.
3. When you see the price you want book it, it will be gone the next day.
4. Be fleaxable leave a day or two early and do the same on the back end. It is possible to get decent fares. If you are looking for 79 fares if will not happen.

WDW is the best place to be for the holidays.

 

[Tinkim]

It is possible to go over Christmas at a reasonable fare if you are flexible.
Fares will be higher over the holiday periods. We have flown fron NY to Fl for the past 10 years.
1. Book early conventional wisdom is that fares will drop. This is not the case over Christmas. The airline is going to sell every seat domestic capacity is dropping.
2. Decided what you feel you can afford and what is a reasonable rate. I would say 149 one way is a good price.
3. When you see the price you want book it, it will be gone the next day.
4. Be fleaxable leave a day or two early and do the same on the back end. It is possible to get decent fares. If you are looking for 79 fares if will not happen.

WDW is the best place to be for the holidays.

Thanks dvcguy! That is just the kind of advice I was looking for. We usually go on winter break in February which can be very expensive but I usually manage to find airfare for around $200 RT so for Christmas I was thinking maybe $300 RT.

One more question. In your experience have you found the prices to be any different if you fly during or after Christmas? I am either looking at leaving a couple of days before Christmas or a couple of days after Christmas. Just wondering if it would probably be about the same. Do you start looking with legacy carriers when they put up their December schedule? We also have SWA in NH but I'm usually not patient enough to wait for them and I imagine they sell out super quick when they release the holiday schedule. I know Christmas at WDW will probably be busier than anything we have experienced in Jan or Feb (although I guess the last week in Feb is pretty busy) but we really want to experience Christmas at WDW at least once! I'm sure it will be amazing! Thanks again.

 

[dvc guy]

I book around the holiday based on the airfare and when Christmas and NY falls. This year NY day is on a Thursday so my guess is most schools are closed Friday, leaving a 3 day return window.

I always book legacy carrier as soon as they open up based on price. I know the flight will change some what, but my price is set. I have yet to see a discount carrier with bargain fares over Christmas. The legacy carriers always seem to be cheaper