First time flying!! Need advice on layover!

[KearneyFam02]

I have been stalking flights for weeks now and was getting pretty paranoid about not finding the one that fit our needs the best. If the flight left when we needed, the layover was super short or super long.

I think I've found the one! It was added overnight and perfect for us.... except there is a 51 minute layover at RDU. A friend of mine said that since both flights are Delta that we should be fine but I just need to hear it from multiple people before I book it. I'm so afraid we will miss our connection!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

That's plenty of time as long as your originating flight is on time.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

Book it - RDU is not a huge airport

 

[KearneyFam02]

Yay!!! I was hoping she was right!

 

[KearneyFam02]

One more question...

Our flight coming home will leave Orlando at 6:30pm. Checkout from the resort is at 11am. Will we still qualify for the transportation from the resort to the airport even though we've checked out 7 hours earlier?

 

[cedricandsophie]

I would need a little more cushion than 51 min but that's me. It will be fine unless your first flight is delayed. So I would have a back up plan i.e. When is next flight if you miss your connection? I fly a lot and will do anything to avoid a connection but if I can't I always have a backup in mind. Crap happens and is unavoidable.

If you are staying onsite and your airline qualifies for baggage check you can check your bags in whenever you want to leave your room. Then magical express will pick you up at resort three hours before flight time. If your airline doesn't qualify for baggage check in you can just leave bags with bell desk and get them when you come back to get bus. Be sure to be back at resort about 15 or 20 min before bus is scheduled.

 

[KearneyFam02]

If checkout is at 11, are we allowed to still hangout at the resort (not in the room) until we would take the bus to the airport, around 2 or 3pm? If we've already checked out, could we go to Downtown Disney to waste some time and then be able to take the shuttle back to the resort even though we've checked out already?

 

[brockash]

I have been stalking flights for weeks now and was getting pretty paranoid about not finding the one that fit our needs the best. If the flight left when we needed, the layover was super short or super long.

I think I've found the one! It was added overnight and perfect for us.... except there is a 51 minute layover at RDU. A friend of mine said that since both flights are Delta that we should be fine but I just need to hear it from multiple people before I book it. I'm so afraid we will miss our connection!

You'll be fine. I've done shorter layovers in much bigger airports with young kids. 51 mins. in Raleigh is plenty of time.

 

[brockash]

If checkout is at 11, are we allowed to still hangout at the resort (not in the room) until we would take the bus to the airport, around 2 or 3pm? If we've already checked out, could we go to Downtown Disney to waste some time and then be able to take the shuttle back to the resort even though we've checked out already?

Yes, you can do whatever you want, including swimming at your resort pool (up until midnight of day of check-out). Just make sure you're back at the resort on time for the Magical Express (Disney will give you a time - it'll be about 3 hours before your departure time, so around 3:30 in your case- for the magical express with you check out paperwork. If going to DTD, I'd make sure you were waiting for a bus 1.5 hrs. before your magical express time just to be sure you have enough time to get back, get your bags from bell service etc.

You can also ask for a late checkout (1:00) if you'd rather just stay in our room longer - no guarantee of course.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

The worst time to have a short layover, IMO, is in the winter. I live in the northeast in a rural area and I avoid having a layover in a cold city in the winter. If my home is cold, there is more time needed for de-icing and possible delays which can make it hard to connect within a short window of time. Are you traveling in the winter in the north? Take that into consideration and allow for a 1.5 hour layover if you can.

I have also had delays in summer when all seems perfect for travel. No worries there either - if you are flying to a major hub (likely), your airline company usually does whatever they can to get you on the next flight out. I always book an early morning flight so if I have connection problems, there is likely another flight I can get on later that day. Don't fret - you'll get there.

The biggest possibility with a short layover is the luggage not making it from plane A to plane B. Just pack a carryon with some essentials (shorts, swimsuits, extra pair of undies, whatever) so you're not waiting for clothes to start your vacation. The luggage will be delivered to your resort later if it doesn't make it on your plane.

If you have an earlier checkout, your resort will hold your luggage until your scheduled bus to the airport (usually 3-4 hours prior to your flight). I have checked out early and gone to theme parks on my last day. No worries there either.

 

[KearneyFam02]

Yes, you can do whatever you want, including swimming at your resort pool (up until midnight of day of check-out). Just make sure you're back at the resort on time for the Magical Express (Disney will give you a time - it'll be about 3 hours before your departure time, so around 3:30 in your case- for the magical express with you check out paperwork. If going to DTD, I'd make sure you were waiting for a bus 1.5 hrs. before your magical express time just to be sure you have enough time to get back, get your bags from bell service etc.

You can also ask for a late checkout (1:00) if you'd rather just stay in our room longer - no guarantee of course.

Awesome! Thank you so much!

 

[KearneyFam02]

The worst time to have a short layover, IMO, is in the winter. I live in the northeast in a rural area and I avoid having a layover in a cold city in the winter. If my home is cold, there is more time needed for de-icing and possible delays which can make it hard to connect within a short window of time. Are you traveling in the winter in the north? Take that into consideration and allow for a 1.5 hour layover if you can.

I have also had delays in summer when all seems perfect for travel. No worries there either - if you are flying to a major hub (likely), your airline company usually does whatever they can to get you on the next flight out. I always book an early morning flight so if I have connection problems, there is likely another flight I can get on later that day. Don't fret - you'll get there.

The biggest possibility with a short layover is the luggage not making it from plane A to plane B. Just pack a carryon with some essentials (shorts, swimsuits, extra pair of undies, whatever) so you're not waiting for clothes to start your vacation. The luggage will be delivered to your resort later if it doesn't make it on your plane.

If you have an earlier checkout, your resort will hold your luggage until your scheduled bus to the airport (usually 3-4 hours prior to your flight). I have checked out early and gone to theme parks on my last day. No worries there either.

We will be traveling from Columbus, Ohio, with a layover in Raleigh, NC. It typically doesn't get extremely cold and snowy here until January/February.

 

[Hopefully]

I never have a layover of less than an hour and I prefer an hour and a half. I have lots for work and delays are common in my experience. I hope it works out for you

 

[Minnesota!]

51 minutes is totally doable, but I would be nervous, too. I like a 90 - 120 minute cushion....been too many missed/frantic running for the next gate adventures when we have shorter layovers.

 

[Dis703]

I'd be nervous about an under hour layover in case of delays. My husband just went through this yesterday with a business trip. He had a one hour layover and the first leg of his flight was delayed taking off by one hour so he had to find another flight for the second leg of his trip. I've had enough delays I'd try to avoid that if possible.

 

[KearneyFam02]

I'm nervous as far as a delay is concerned but the airport isn't big and the gates are close together and the same airline. So unless there is a delay, we should be fine. At least that is what I'm telling myself.

 

[dreiwhit]

FWIW, I always try to give myself a 2 hour minimum layover. I've had flights delayed on the ramp or delayed for crew rest before, and if I wouldn't have had a two hour layover, I would have missed my connecting flight.

Depending on the time of the layover, I use my layover to grab a meal or just rest and relax at the airport quiet areas (like DFW.) I will also window shop if the airport has a good enough selection of shops.

 

[sam_gordon]

I'm nervous as far as a delay is concerned but the airport isn't big and the gates are close together and the same airline. So unless there is a delay, we should be fine. At least that is what I'm telling myself.

My "ideal" layover is ~90 minutes, but I've accepted shorter layovers. I'd rather have a 51 minute layover than a 3 hour (or more) one. Delta has been good at automatically rebooking me if they know I'm not going to make the connection. I'm notified through the Delta app. I suggest downloading it on your phone.

 

[Starshine]

I flew back and forth to Seattle a few weeks ago, with a 50 min layover at Chicago Midway each way, and had no problems making the connection. This was Southwest, and even allowing for their boarding 30 minutes before the flight time I was ok. I don't know if all airlines do this, but it seems like Southwest had added some extra time in the flight times for "padding". My outbound flight was delayed by 20 minutes but we still got there on time.

 

[North of Mouse]

We will be traveling from Columbus, Ohio, with a layover in Raleigh, NC. It typically doesn't get extremely cold and snowy here until January/February.

As others have said, getting around quickly at RDU is not an issue. Your layover time is more than enough to go from one end to the other - if needed!