Do you always take a non-stop flight to WDW?

[Kimmielee]

I've been watching Southwest... but there are no direct flights out of Detroit. So.... how many of you have taken flights that required a plane change and (my biggest fear)... did your luggage make it with you?

Going for 11 nights including the 7 day cruise... not an option to pack light and bypass checking luggage...

Thoughts?

 

[GEM]

I've never taken a direct flight anywhere! We always have to change planes. There just aren't any direct flights from Little Rock, Fort Smith, or Tulsa - which are the three airports we usually use. I've never had a problem with luggage, though. Changing planes doesn't bother us, since we're used to having to do it any time we fly anywhere. It's really no problem.

 

[C.Ann]

I'm too chicken to try that yet (I travel alone), but if some of my travels that I have planned for the future come to fruition, at one point or another I'm going to HAVE to change flights..

 

[yellowfish78]

I think you still have quite a few options available for this.
I've flown both non stop and connecting from the two airports in my area (Cleveland and Akron). Only once out of all my flights was my luggage "lost", and that was on my way home from Orlando with a connection time of 34 minutes at my layover (and thats why it was "lost").
Depending on when you're traveling, I'd tell you to check with Northwest, who still does non stop into Orlando. If you're booking flights outside of three months, make sure you pay with a credit card in case of bankrupcy, or book with a travel agent that can offer insurance to cover this reason.
If Northwest's prices are high, or your afraid of them not flying, check into Airtran for a connecting flight. They have their layovers in Atlanta (I know, I can hear everyone complaining about Atlanta now, but I love this airport!) but Airtran only has about 16 gates there and they are all in one area. I would say if you had to walk from the two gates farthest apart it's about a 7 minute walk.
If you're looking at other airlines than these, just make sure your luggage is mixed up, so everyone has at least one outfit in anothers suitcase, and make sure your layover is around one hour long, or even longer to make sure they make their transfer.
My other suggestion would depend on your route of travel. If your staying onsite before your cruise, maybe consider shipping via UPS some of your clothes down to Disney. May cost you some money, but it's trackable.
I hope this helps some!

 

[Kimmielee]

Thanks C.Ann, GEM and yllowfish78 - I appreciate your input!

Northwest out of Metro is our best bet... but Southwest has those "dings" that you can't beat if you catch them! Right now NW is about $800 for the two of us to fly out during Easter next year. I think I just have to bite the bullet and realize that holidays are more expensive no matter what!

Spirit is outrageous!! They are double or more with their prices than NW is... are they pricing themselves out of business?

 

[Laurajean1014]

I used to take NS all the time. Last year we tried Airtran out of NYC and it had a layover in Atlanta. On the return flight, they asked us to be bumped to the next flight and we received 3 free flight vouchers. We are using them for our December trip.

We have not yet lost our luggage on a layover trip. However, SWA has left our luggage at the departing city on a NS flight!

 

[Pinnie]

I fly DTW - MCO about 5 - 6 times a year. I have flown SWA, NWA and SPIRIT. SWA does involve stops or changing planes at MDW, BNA or STL. There is a flight out that leaves DTW and stops at BNA but you don't have to get off.

SWA is NOT always the cheapest out of DTW. so keep that in mind. There have been a few times that NWA comes in cheaper. Changing planes is quite easy and painless, truthfully and I have yet to lose a piece of luggage in all the many, many years I have been flying.

SPIRIT runs about the same as NWA.

Unless you can get a really GOOD price on SWA, I suggest taking the non stop on NWA.

Airtran will be flying out of DTW's SMITH terminal (from the old Delta gates) beginning in November, so there is another option.

One of the reasons flying into and out of DTW is that the airlines have to pay a hefty landing fee to DTW.

pinnie

 

[dozeman]

I've been watching Southwest... but there are no direct flights out of Detroit. So.... how many of you have taken flights that required a plane change and (my biggest fear)... did your luggage make it with you?

Going for 11 nights including the 7 day cruise... not an option to pack light and bypass checking luggage...

Thoughts?

I see from your profile you live in Lake Orion. Might I suggest trying Bishop airport in Flint? Both Airtran and NWA have daily NS to MCO. Airport is much easier to navigate than DTW. Good Luck

 

[Lives4Disney]

If your Detroit SWA flight stops in Chicago at Midway, it is a breeze to switch planes there. Midway is a small airport and all the SWA gates are near eachother. Not confusing at all.

Good luck whatever you decide! My sister used to take that SWA flight out of Detroit, we would meet up at Midway and take the continuing flight to MCO together.

I haven't taken anything but direct flights to MCO, but had connections for other destinations and no troubles with the luggage, ever.

Happy planning!

Lives4Disney

 

[TDC Nala]

I take direct flights exclusively, but I'm in DC. There are lots of them available from here, and it's the difference between a 2 hour flight and a 5 hour flight.

 

[Kimmielee]

I see from your profile you live in Lake Orion. Might I suggest trying Bishop airport in Flint? Both Airtran and NWA have daily NS to MCO. Airport is much easier to navigate than DTW. Good Luck

Dozeman, thanks! I am watching both... even if Flint is a little more, you are right, much more convenient!

Flying during spring break is just more expensive.... no matter what. I did like the suggestion that the SW layover at BNA means no plane change... but it does add to the length of time as another poster reminded me.

Being a single mom, traveling alone with a 6 year old... non-stop is best!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I've changed planes by choice, when the fare has been too good (low) to resist.
I've only had my luggage "misdirected" once, on Braniff's last incarnation. We had to change planes in Newark. After a lonnnnnnnng wait which Braniff blamed on a non-existent snowstorm in our Boston destination @@, we boarded the plane to find that the overhead bins were mere shelves. All carryons that could not fit under the seats, except non-hazardous items such as coats, had to be gate-checked. We were PROMISED all such luggage would make it onto the plane and be waiting for us in Boston.

I've noticed flights being referred to in various ways:

Non-stop: Flight departs from one airport, lands only at destination airport
Direct: Flight departs from one airport, stops at one or more other airports, MAY require plane change even if flight number for entire flight does not change.
Connecting flight: Itinerary requires changing planes one or more times to reach final destination

 

[the kabuki]

When travelling to WDW with kids', non-stop is the only way to go for us!
Always flown out of DTW, but would consider Flint also if the rates were decent.

 

[Houston_Disney_Fan]

We fly NS whenever possible. Vacation time is too precious to waste sitting in airports! Also, Delta lost our luggage in Altanta 6 years ago, and it was NEVER FOUND. It was a huge hassle to go to the local discount store and buy enough clothes to last through our vacation. Definately worth extra $ for the peace of mind, to us.

 

[Tiffany]

I've been watching Southwest... but there are no direct flights out of Detroit. So.... how many of you have taken flights that required a plane change and (my biggest fear)... did your luggage make it with you?

Going for 11 nights including the 7 day cruise... not an option to pack light and bypass checking luggage...

Thoughts?

Yes. We fly out of Logan and use either Song or Jet Blue depending on who is offering the better price at the time I am looking to book airfare. Both are outstanding. I cannot stand lay overs or having to change planes to get anywhere. I will pay more to fly non-stop anytime a non-stop is avaiable. Unfortunetly I have a client in San Antonio, TX and I cannot believe that you cannot fly direct from Boston to San Antonio. It gets under my skin. I am done ranting now.

 

[Martha7]

I've been watching fares out of DTW also, and haven't found anything good yet. Everything I'm finding for Dec 16-23 so far, ranges from $1400 on Airtran, to $1580 on SWA for four of us. I think I may have to skip this December trip. I've looked at fares for Spring Break, and they're almost as bad! Too bad it's so far to drive from Michigan! (I also hate the very early departure times from MCO to DTW that I'm seeing. I obviously waited too long to book this trip and the good flights and fares are gone already.)

 

[antmaril]

We have taken the SW flight to Orlando from Detroit that stops in BNA with no plane change. The stop takes about an hour. I never book a flight with a plane change.

We are going again in January and taking Spirit Airlines (non-stop). I got a fare of $211 per person and decided to go with it.

 

[Kimmielee]

I've been watching fares out of DTW also, and haven't found anything good yet. Everything I'm finding for Dec 16-23 so far, ranges from $1400 on Airtran, to $1580 on SWA for four of us. I think I may have to skip this December trip. I've looked at fares for Spring Break, and they're almost as bad! Too bad it's so far to drive from Michigan! (I also hate the very early departure times from MCO to DTW that I'm seeing. I obviously waited too long to book this trip and the good flights and fares are gone already.)

Martha, I just got a travelocity alert regarding DTW and MCO.... check it out! Latest travel is some cases is jan. 2006... still too early for me, but might help you!

 

[Kimmielee]

I've been watching fares out of DTW also, and haven't found anything good yet. Everything I'm finding for Dec 16-23 so far, ranges from $1400 on Airtran, to $1580 on SWA for four of us. I think I may have to skip this December trip. I've looked at fares for Spring Break, and they're almost as bad! Too bad it's so far to drive from Michigan! (I also hate the very early departure times from MCO to DTW that I'm seeing. I obviously waited too long to book this trip and the good flights and fares are gone already.)

Another thought for you as well... I always take the 6:40 a.m. flight... but go down to the airport the night before and stay at the Hilton Garden Inn... $99 stay, park & fly package (or something along those lines...) then I don't have to pay for parking my car at the airport. They have a great shuttle service and then we get our Disney stay started before 11:00 a.m.!!!

 

[DVC-Don]

We try to book non-stop flights but once and a while we can not. Once we had to change flights in Baltimore and had a luggage mix up. We were on our way home and were all lined at the front of the B group to board when they changed our gate to one 2 gates away 15 minute before the flight. Well, we wound up at the rear of the B line at our new gate, but still had no problem finding 4 seats together, but our lugguage did not show up in Albany with us. SW checked and one luggage cart did not make it in time at the switch. We live in a rural area and our luggage was on our front porch when I went out for our paper at 6:30 AM.