Flight for 2014 xmas - HELP PLEASE

[wdwgoofydaddy]

Hello all,

We are planning to be at WDW from Dec 24-28 this coming year and have decided to fly opposed to our usual 24 hour drive. With that in mind, return flights from Toronto, Canada are currently posted at about $700-$1000 per person for direct flights with the times we need. Dec 24 early morning and Dec 28 late evening return.

This being a short trip for us, we do not want to deal with connections so we know we will have pay a bit more.

We looked into flying out of Buffalo, which is about a 1.5 hour drive from our house and found direct flights from BUF - MCO for $507 all in per person. This is a significant saving from what we are seeing and I really don't mind the drive to BUF.

Having never traveled out of BUF before, can anyone tell us if $507 is a good deal? The flight are with Southwest.
Does anyone have any tips for a Canadian flying our of BUF?
Should we park at the airport or just leave the car at the hotel?
Is there a long wait for the hotel shuttle when we return?
If parking at the hotel, should we pay for covered parking?

Sorry for all the questions but we just need help with this. Any guidance you can give would be of great value.

Thanks all in advance

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

First, please note that a direct flight is not the same thing as a non-stop flight. A direct flight does have one or more stops. I assume you are talking about a non-stop flight.

I would drive 1 1/2 hours to save half the ticket price. There is no difference between a US citizen or a Canadian citizen flying from BUF.

I don't know what a good fare BUF-MCO is. I would park wherever is cheaper. Who knows how long the hotel shuttle will take? Depends on traffic and schedule.

 

[harrowgirl]

Try posting to the Canadian board. I live in windsor, but we routinely fly out of Detroit, and would expect it to be similar. I presume everyone has passports.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Try posting to the Canadian board. I live in windsor, but we routinely fly out of Detroit, and would expect it to be similar. I presume everyone has passports.

If you are driving over the border, not flying, minors don't need passports.

 

[harrowgirl]

If you are driving over the border, not flying, minors don't need passports.

Agreed. But do you need photo Id for the minors to fly? Maybe you don't. It isn't an issue for us as we all have passports

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Agreed. But do you need photo Id for the minors to fly? Maybe you don't. It isn't an issue for us as we all have passports

Not needed for under age 18 for domestic flights. Not an issue whether you have a passport for a minor or not.

 

[harrowgirl]

Not needed for under age 18 for domestic flights. Not an issue whether you have a passport for a minor or not.

Good to know! Thanks!

 

[mjkacmom]

If you are driving over the border, not flying, minors don't need passports.

Minors under the age of 16 do not need passports:

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/canada.html

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Minors under the age of 16 do not need passports:

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/canada.html

.

Isn't that was what has already been posted? They do need passports if they fly from or to the US from Canada.

 

[SFailla]

We are from just outside of Toronto & this dec will be our 2nd time flying southwest out of Buffalo. We had a much better experience leaving out of Buffalo then Pearson. We are paying $1970 in December for 5 ppl. I find it is exactly 1/2 of what it costs to leave out of Pearson. If you have any questions, let me know!

 

[mjkacmom]

.

Isn't that was what has already been posted? They do need passports if they fly from or to the US from Canada.

Minors are under the age of 18, so 16 and 17 year olds do need passports.

 

[wdwgoofydaddy]

We are from just outside of Toronto & this dec will be our 2nd time flying southwest out of Buffalo. We had a much better experience leaving out of Buffalo then Pearson. We are paying $1970 in December for 5 ppl. I find it is exactly 1/2 of what it costs to leave out of Pearson. If you have any questions, let me know!

WOW! 1970 is really cheap. How far in advance did you book to get that rate? We just booked yesterday on Southwest at $507 each all in for non-stop flights.

Do you tend to park at the airport? if, yes, do you use the preferred lot or the covered lot?
We will be spending the night at a nearby hotel because our flight is at 6am. I don't like the idea of leaving my car at the hotel and having to take the shuttle to and from the airport.
What has been your experience?

 

[SFailla]

We stayed at the days inn hotel & left the car there for 2 weeks. We had no problems at all. They shuttled us there & picked us up when we got back.
We booked our flights last week. We are going the 18th-27th. If they do run a promo & the flights drop in price, they will credit your acc't the difference & you have a whole year to use it.