Flight time changed...what would you do?

[Kanga1]

Just found out that our morning flight for our trip in June no longer exists and the next flight out (and earliest one of the day) does not put us at MCO until 2 hours later. (noon) I know this is only a 2 hour difference but I now feel like it is eating into my whole day.

Bear with me...this is long...

Our original plan was to spend the night before our flight in Pittsburgh at a Hampton Inn and park our car there for the duration of the trip. (Free) Use the hotel airport shuttle. This is also Father's Day so that morning we would go to church with my parent's and take my dad out to eat. Then make the 2 and a half hour drive to Pittsburgh and check in.

Now I'm considering forgoing the Hampton Inn stay and take an evening flight to Orlando and check in at POFQ a day early. (Would be about the same $$ as we would have spent at the Hampton Inn anyway.) I'm concerned that arriving at POFQ so late would seriously decrease any chance of getting our room requests...but also willing to move the next morning if needed.

Here's what I'm thinking of...

Scenerio #1
Go to church and celebrate Father's Day but not have enough time to take my dad out to eat. (His health is failing...this "could" be his last Father's Day.)
Leave car in airport parking ($$$)
Get to POFQ a day early but very late (10:00pm?)...probably not getting any requests.
How late does DME run?

Scenerio #2
Back up the entire trip by one day thus missing Father's Day altogether and spending $$ on both the Hampton Inn and an extra day at POFQ...but having an entire "extra" day and an extra day's worth of dining credits (which we need...we don't have enough.)

Scenerio#3
Leave things the way they are. 2 hours will not make that much difference and getting there at noon will be fine. Plus, I need to be spending it with my dad.

Thanks for making it to the end of this!!! Can you tell I'm over obsessing?

 

[Tiggerfan14]

My honest opinion, is keep it the way it is.Its only 2hours. or push it a day later .If you say this may be your dads last fathers day, enjoy it with him, and let him enjoy it with you and your family. Take it from someone who's father passed away when i was 20. I wish I could have another fathers day with him, both my parents are gone and i am only 47. So please disney can wait. You will be regret not taking the time to spend with your dad. Treasure it!!!

 

[seashoreCM]

The airline should book you at your request onto an earlier flight even if it is the previous day. Be prepared to ask for a supervisor since the first person you talk to may only have a few degrees of freedom to choose from to give you and avoid disciplinary action, or might not comprehend your detailed explanation of the circumstances in English.

Some homework: Research the earlier flights to see what is not sold out.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Luv2Travel]

I don't think you'll regret spending the time with your father. WDW will always be there. Two hours later is not too bad. I will also say that if you decide to take the late flight option that it won't necessarily mess up your requests. We stayed at POR last Oct, arrived at 11 pm, and still got exactly what I had requested (and the resort was packed that week). I'm not sure how late DME runs, but I'm pretty sure it runs at least until midnight. I'm sure whatever you decide you'll still have a great time!

 

[robinb]

The airline should book you at your request onto an earlier flight even if it is the previous day. Be prepared to ask for a supervisor since the first person you talk to may only have a few degrees of freedom to choose from to give you and avoid disciplinary action, or might not comprehend your detailed explanation of the circumstances in English.

Hmmm ... her new flight gets her in 2 hours later. I'm not sure if she is entitled to a flight on the day before without a change fee. I guess it's worth a try if she really wants to. Personally, I would leave it the way it is. Noon is a good time to arrive in Orlando and the OP will be in a park in plenty of time to enjoy the day.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I go with Scenario 3. As somebody else posted - Walt Disney World will always be there. Spend the time with your dad.

 

[LSchrow]

ABSOLUTELY #3 ~
i love WDW, but 2 more hours with my dad is waaaaaay more important than 2 extra hours at disney

& you might actually like getting to WDW at noon......less time waiting for a room to be ready!

 

[Kanga1]

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. My choice will DEFINITELY be #3!! After reading my post, I suddenly wondered, "WHAT was I THINKING?!?" I guess I was just all caught up in that 'Disney' moment...of COURSE my dad is more important than 2 extra hours with the mouse.

I really can't believe that 8:45am is the earliest direct flight out of Pittsburgh!! But, I talked with a USAirways representative today and that is correct information. I also talked to her about getting our seats off the wing and she told me there were only 3 more available seats on that flight. If it fills up (which likely it will...still 4 months out) do you think it's likely they'll add an earlier flight? We don't fly all that much so I'm not sure how all this flight scheduling works.

Anyway...thanks for your advice...we'll have a GREAT time!!

 

[wdwfan1]

I agree. Go with #3. You have one dad.

 

[antmaril]

Leave it the way it is.