Flight Changed on Me - Advice

[clkelley]

On my December trip, my return flight has been bumped earlier by about 2 hours. So instead of Mears picking me up at 6:00 for a 9:30 pm flight, Mears wants to pick me up at 3:30 for a 7:10 pm flight.

Normally, I wouldn't complain about 3 hours, but I'm tent camping at Ft. Wilderness and it takes me most of the morning to break down the camp and pack everything up, so if I stick with the 7:10 flight, my last day is basically shot.

I do have an option of taking a 5:30 am flight the next morning.

I would still check out the day before sleeping as late as possible, and then have my stuff stored and then spend the day at the parks and the night at PI, then Mears would probably pick me up about 2:30 am.

Then I would fly home, then straight to work at 9am.

What do ya'll think? Should I do this, or be sensibile and come on home the night before?

FYI, this is my annual solo trip without the family.

 

[CarolMN]

I would still check out the day before sleeping as late as possible, and then have my stuff stored and then spend the day at the parks and the night at PI, then Mears would probably pick me up about 2:30 am.

How's your stamina and energy level? If it were me, I'd be absolutely worthless at work (and probably for most of the following day) if I tried to do what you are suggesting. That said, I know there are people out there who could do it without missing a thing! You must be one of them.

FWIW, I think getting picked up at 3:30 pm for a 7:10 pm flight is outrageous! In your situation, I'd cancel MEARS and spend the $$ for a private towncar. That way, you can get picked up sometime between 5 and 5:15 pm for the return trip to the airport.

Sorry your flight schedule was altered. Enjoy your trip!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Carol's advice is excellant!!!! That time allowance is plain silly.
There are many towncar services out there that would cater to your timeframe rather than theirs.

 

[jwill]

I am in a very similar situation, I will be tent camping at FW in Dec solo and my US air return flight has been changed once already. The flight change was only bumped up one hour from 7 to 6, there is no major problem yet. My thoughts are that if Us air changes my return flight to an early morning flight I will ask to change my return flight to the next day. I would also see if I could stay at FW that extra night.

I can see why Mears picks you up three hours before takeoff because it's anybody's guess how many stops it makes before heading for the airport.

Is there any other economical transfer options out there for 1 person?

Has anyone taken a taxi back to the airport? I am interested in what that would cost and is it dependable?

3-87 Offsite
7-87 Offsite
7-00 DL
7-01 Poly
7-02 WL
Dec Fw

 

[rcomputer]

Carol,

I always drive - on longer trips to travel outside WDW but for shorter trips it is nearly cheaper for two than Mears. Other conveniences are somewhere to keep the bags on the last day and late departure from the parks. For a 710pm flight we would leave a park's parking lot at 5:15pm.

On the other hand when I lived in the UK I always flew back overnight and went straight to work when I got there - so I know that can work too.

What might fit your needs would be a one-way car rental with Avis. I priced a compact from the Dolphin to Orlando International on Friday 13th (I chose a date at random as I have no idea when radp7 is this year - the first I will miss since radp I in 1996) at $38.71 all inclusive. Some $25 more than Mears but the convenience may be worth it to you.