Direct Air from Niagara Falls, NY to Lakeland, FL

[snowangel72]

I want to book these too good to be true $89 flights but DH says no way.

He is worried about there not being a car rental there at all because of delays in construction, always.

He is also worried about the 7am flight return with almost an hours drive from WDW to get there, not pretty.

Plus if we have to rent a car off airport site, that would def. be a ligistical nightmare at 4am with 2 kids and 3 grandparents.

blech.

Any suggestions or words of wisdom?

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

Don't do it!

 

[toesmom]

I want to book these too good to be true $89 flights but DH says no way.

He is worried about there not being a car rental there at all because of delays in construction, always.

He is also worried about the 7am flight return with almost an hours drive from WDW to get there, not pretty.

Plus if we have to rent a car off airport site, that would def. be a ligistical nightmare at 4am with 2 kids and 3 grandparents.

blech.

Any suggestions or words of wisdom?

I would book it only if your dh agrees, you don't want to hear the "I can't believe you booked us on this". try hotel close to lakeland night before leaving to help out for time.

 

[snowangel72]

Yeah not worth the hassles esp the 7am departure, if it weren't for that I would have booked it.

I think we are going to fly in and out of Tampa for $24 more each person. Worth it for sanity. Plus I LOVE the Tampa airport. It's so nice and quiet and not crazy like MCO.

 

[fitmom3]

We just booked this for $79 March break 2012. I called the airport in Orlando. There is a hotel across the street from terminal and several within 2 miles. They have HERTZ located in terminal and will be getting other rental companies in a couple of weeks. I cannot get over $79 for march break. I hate to pay this early but we could not pass up this deal. The parking at Niagara Falls airport is only $25 per week........oh my and the dollar is still looking good.

Lori

 

[proud_canadian]

I'm interested in this as well. However, I'm concerned about the rental car issue as well. I looked up Hertz and they do have one listed there but the hours are only listed as 9-1 on Saturdays when we would fly and it also says that PLEASE NOTE: There is not a vehicle rental office at this location. This vehicle may need to be coordinated for pick-up and/or drop-off. I'm not sure what that means. Also not sure if I like the idea of only one rental car option. Not sure they would be very competitive that way.

I have also heard a lot of bad things about direct air, so I'm wary due to that as well. For now we haven't booked. Will see how things develop and watch for sales if the lakeland situation improves with regards to more rental car options!

 

[snowangel72]

I am in the exact same position.I just can't hit the submit button because of the rental car issue. I think by March they will be set up but for this summer it's really uncertain. And that's a loooong way from Disney.

I am SO torn!

 

[Eveningsong]

I always use Hertz and they pick you up free.

I get great rates with CAA and if you need a child seat no extra charges using the CAA discount.

 

[snowangel72]

We booked Southwest instead. It was basically the same price as DirectAir. They have some great deals this summer!

 

[WDWisTheBest]

We booked Southwest instead. It was basically the same price as DirectAir. They have some great deals this summer!

That is a good decision. Better not to worry about all the details of an early departure.

 

[fitmom3]

snowangel72- that's great that you found such a good deal. I don't think I would feel safe booking with Direct for the summer. not until the car rental companies are in place etc..I also am not looking forward to the early flight home! but for march break I don't think I will find such a cheap deal from an airport so close to home.

 

[KerriMc]

I too have just looked at the prices as a co-worker called to let me know about the $79 airfare from Niagara Falls, NY to Orlando on the March break. There are flights down on the 10th (Sat. of March break) but there aren't any return flights. Even if there were I am hesitant as I know little about this airline and my fear would be something happening between now and then. We flew to MCO with Jet Blue this year from Buffalo and LOVED, LOVED, LOVED them!!! I want to fly again with them ... we were $1500 for five people return ... gladly do that again

 

[fitmom3]

We booked the Friday to Friday and it is sold out on the way down. I am a little weary. I have been doing some research on the company and they look fairly stable. My friend flew out of Detroit a couple of years ago on march break when Jetsco (sp?) went out of business. She said they paid with credit card and got the money back. My friend flew down this past Saturday from Niagara Falls NY to Punta Gorda and is going to let me details.

Kerri - we also love jetblue.

 

[formill]

I doubt it is really sold out this far ahead. Went through that with them when we flew with them Niagara to Myrtle Beach- it was the last day to book half price flights and the calendar showed dark blue no flights on the Saturday we wanted- so I booked the Friday instead- I even called and asked them why the Saturday was all dark blue- he said it must be sold out but did say they were having computer issues- I did not want to miss out on the half price flights.....only to watch for months after that they DID have flights that Saturday......I called they would not let me change unless I wanted to pay the fees and the price difference- would not give me the half price deal even though I told them I had called when I was booking to confirm no Sat flights. In the end I could have waited to book anyway- they seem to have half price sales a lot (and the full price seems to jump a bit when the half price sales happen)......so much that I can't imagine anyone pays full price. I was disappointed as we lost a vacation day but their policy on web site was clear with the cancellation and change fees. I won't chance them in December for our Florida trip-weather can be too crazy that area then. The paying for luggage and seat selection brings the price in line with Southwest and Jet Blue anyway and I am guessing maybe you can't get a good rental car rate-not enough competition.

 

[snowangel72]

My IL's flew with direct air from Niagara Falls in Dec. 2010 and it was lovely! They were very very happy. They didn't go to Lakeland though. Can't remember where...

 

[cricket429]

I was also on the fence about booking Direct Air with their family ties sale. Decided not to do it and will wait to see what comes out.
We cant really look into anything else right now since we dont need airfare until April 2012 and direct air is the only one with rates that far out right now.

Will just have to be paitent but it is very hard since booking the airfare is the first thing I want to do before we book our stay at POP and our extra days at the beach.

I am not a patient person lol