Due to the current travel environment...

[puffkin]

We are going on our honeymoon next year from June 27-July 10 to Disney. We generally fly USAir out of Philadelphia. I don't want to spend more than $200 per ticket. However, we have to be very picky with our outbound flight because we are doing the Disney Wonder Cruise that departs on the 27th, and I want to give ourselves plenty of time to get to the port. Once rates are released in the next few weeks for that time period, would you book if they are right around $200. Normally, I would wait, but since we have to be pretty picky about our flight times, I wasn't sure. Thanks in advance.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

After reading your trip reports, it is obvious that you know what to do and how to do it. Having said that, plane fares now from PHL to MCO are right around $200 pp as you know. One of the questions you need to answer first is what is the latest time on June 27,2004 you plan to going to Port Canaveral? Knowing that, you can then work backwards to your flight plans.

Are you locked into flying on June 27, or is the 26th possible? Obviously, if you can fly on the 26th, it gives more flexibility if problems do occur with the flight, but I assume you can't fly then.

If you are limited to the 27th, then a morning arrival in MCO is more important. Currently, there are arrivals in MCO from PHL by around 9 am with US Air and United. Also, Delta arrives by around 11 am, but that has a connection in CVG, which you might not want to chance due to sailing on the Wonder that afternoon.

So, assuming that the current schedule of arrivals does not change (and that is not a good assumption to make), and that you sail later on the 27th after arrival the same morning, you have two flights to choose from.

The question would probably boil down to whether you think that either US Airways or United would lower current prices from between now and some future date. Looking at the importance of being onboard before the cruise leaves, it may not be a good idea to wait too long before trying to get the flight booked.

By the way, your trip reports were really great. Have a good time on your next trip to WDW, and good luck on whatever decision you make on booking the June, 2004 flight.

P.S. Is flying from Allentown to Sanford on Southeast Airlines totally impossible to consider. They have the Club $59, and you may want to check if it could work for you. It is $59 pp one way, and if you can confirm future 2004 dates, it could work for you. If you are flying down to WDW in December, you might consider checking if they still have any seats left. Their website is www.flyseal.com

 

[sln88]

You really need to try to do this unless the cruise is booking your airfare. If the flight time changes(there is a whole thread of people that this happened to), or there are delays, the ship will leave without you!

If you can fly in the day before, you will also give yourself time to relax and can start your cruise refreshed. Also, even tho the cruise leaves at 5pm, you can usually board at around 12, have lunch, explore the ship, unpack, ect.

You will have to pay extra for a night in a hotel, but you could probably find something really reasonable in Orlando, or spend the day at the beach.

I would be too stressed if I flew in the same day. You have a 95% that everything will be fine, but why risk that 5% that something goes wrong?

Have a great time on your honeymoon cruise!

 

[safetymom]

I would recommend flying in the day before. That way you have plenty of leeway in case of problems. I would book as soon as you see the flights you want at the price you want. They can always issue a voucher if the prices fall but you will have your flights.

 

[puffkin]

Thanks for the replies. I am going to try and book as soon as the flight times are announced if they are close to $200. My fiance is dead set against it, but I will just have to show him these posts and try and convince him. Unfortunately, we can't fly in on Saturday because that is the day of our wedding. I know we are cutting it close, but I wanted to do the 4 day cruise (leaves on Sundays) over the 3 day cruise (leaves on Thursdays). Thanks for the advice, hopefully the rates come out in the next week or so.

 

[dcfromva]

puffkin,

You will be making your purchase decision on a flight schedule that is bound to change. My experience with USAir is that they are always tweaking their flights. If you purchased your tickets now for next July, I would be very surprised if the DIDN'T change your flight! Just in the last two months, they have already made 3 changes to our itinerary for our trip in Nov. It is hard to predict if UAL will be any better with the flight changes. My experience has been that UAL makes fewer schedule changes--but, I don't know if that will hold true for your flight next year.



I do think you are right in setting a target fare price which you think is reasonable and going with that. -DC