Flight times wwyd?

[maxiesmom]

I'm trying to book flights for an Orlando trip for me and my 23 year old nephew for this December. And for some reason, I cannot make up my mind which flight home to book! I'm usually very decisive, so this is making me a bit crazy. So I thought I would ask you all for your opinions.

Keep in mind this is only a short trip, Dec 12-16. We wouldn't arrive until 5pm Thursday. It is the return home Monday that is making me a bit batty. There are so many choices!

First off, Southwest has a non stop flight that leaves at 2:25 pm. Which means Magical Express would get us at 11:25. So that wouldn't leave any time to hit a park. But non stop is always good!

Delta has a lot of flights to pick from that would give us park time on departure day. And they are only $10 more than Southwest. One leaves MCO at 5 pm with an hour layover in Cincinnati. One leaves MCO at 5:30 and has a 90 minute layover in Atlanta. And the last option leaves at 6:20, which means we could spend more time in the parks! However, that one only has a 45 minute connection in Detroit.

Thoughts?

 

[sam_gordon]

I'm trying to book flights for an Orlando trip for me and my 23 year old nephew for this December. And for some reason, I cannot make up my mind which flight home to book! I'm usually very decisive, so this is making me a bit crazy. So I thought I would ask you all for your opinions.

Keep in mind this is only a short trip, Dec 12-16. We wouldn't arrive until 5pm Thursday. It is the return home Monday that is making me a bit batty. There are so many choices!

First off, Southwest has a non stop flight that leaves at 2:25 pm. Which means Magical Express would get us at 11:25. So that wouldn't leave any time to hit a park. But non stop is always good!

Delta has a lot of flights to pick from that would give us park time on departure day. And they are only $10 more than Southwest. One leaves MCO at 5 pm with an hour layover in Cincinnati. One leaves MCO at 5:30 and has a 90 minute layover in Atlanta. And the last option leaves at 6:20, which means we could spend more time in the parks! However, that one only has a 45 minute connection in Detroit.

Thoughts?

I would do one of the delta flights but we get free luggage since DW has their AmEx.

Part 2 is weighing what time the flights would get me home and what's on the schedule for Tuesday. If I have Tues to rest the time doesnt matter. BUT I wouldn't intentionally fly through Detroit in December unless there were other benefits.

 

[maxiesmom]

I think I'm leaning towards the Atlanta flight, so I don't have to worry about snow delaying the connecting flight out. That would be a real worry in Detroit, and in Cincinnati too.

 

[ain0004]

I think I'm leaning towards the Atlanta flight, so I don't have to worry about snow delaying the connecting flight out. That would be a real worry in Detroit, and in Cincinnati too.

I am wondering why you are looking at delta non stops to Orlando. There are several to choose from. If you are willing to rent a car, flying into Tampa may save you money

 

[LadyBeBop]

I live right by the Cincinnati airport. The airport has downsized drastically in the last few years. Delta is situated in one terminal. A 60 minute layover at CVG is very doable. Plus you'll get an opportunity to try some of our famous chili (I'm pretty sure Gold Star Chili is in the Delta terminal). And we don't get that much snow in December.

90 minute layover in Atlanta is also doable too; although that airport is spread out. You may have to change terminals there. You wouldn't at CVG.

Never been to Detroit's airport, so I cannot comment on it.

 

[Muhlenberg]

I'd go by what time you want to get home Monday night (adding in luggage retrieval, etc), in combination with layover time, and what airport might have the least amount of delays.

Sometimes too many choices makes things more complicated. Good luck figuring it out!

 

[Disneylover99]

Because your trip is so short, I would book the latest flight home possible so you can go to a park and enjoy yourself on the last day. Plus you aren't traveling with children. That makes stopovers or plane changes so much easier.

 

[CarolMN]

I would take a non-stop no matter what the times would be - unless actually getting home on Monday isn't all that important.

Weather in December can mess up the best plans (even in Atlanta). I'd rather not have to worry about storms delays or getting stuck in an airport. If you do, you are on your own. The airlines are under no obligation to help you in any way if the cause of the delay is weather. Since planes are flying pretty much at capacity, it could take a while to get back if a problem happens.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Because your trip is so short, I would book the latest flight home possible so you can go to a park and enjoy yourself on the last day. Plus you aren't traveling with children. That makes stopovers or plane changes so much easier.

I agree with this! I'd book a later flight too, extra time in the parks! I personally dont mind stopovers at all if it means A) the price is right and B) I leave later in the evening. Mind you my stopovers are always under an hour wait between flights for me.

 

[mikehn]

Im always in favor of nonstops. Unless it is a much later flight, I would not really enjoy myself going to a park on the last day knowing I have to keep watching the clock and wondering whether I have enough time to do this, that and the other. Why dont you try to pick a flight on arrival day that arrives early so you have a full day at the parks.

 

[maxiesmom]

Im always in favor of nonstops. Unless it is a much later flight, I would not really enjoy myself going to a park on the last day knowing I have to keep watching the clock and wondering whether I have enough time to do this, that and the other. Why dont you try to pick a flight on arrival day that arrives early so you have a full day at the parks.

I can't. I have to work that morning.

 

[maxiesmom]

Ugh. I went to book a flight, and the Atlanta one had already almost doubled in price. So I booked the one that goes thru Cincinnati. I'm too chicken to risk a 45 minute layover in Detroit in December. At least I am all set now. Just have to wait and see if Free Dining comes out! But I'm going even if it doesn't!!!

 

[LadyBeBop]

Ugh. I went to book a flight, and the Atlanta one had already almost doubled in price. So I booked the one that goes thru Cincinnati. I'm too chicken to risk a 45 minute layover in Detroit in December. At least I am all set now. Just have to wait and see if Free Dining comes out! But I'm going even if it doesn't!!!

You'll like CVG. Remember the Gold Star Cheese Coneys.

 

[ChristmasElf]

I'm trying to book flights for an Orlando trip for me and my 23 year old nephew for this December. And for some reason, I cannot make up my mind which flight home to book! I'm usually very decisive, so this is making me a bit crazy. So I thought I would ask you all for your opinions.

Keep in mind this is only a short trip, Dec 12-16. We wouldn't arrive until 5pm Thursday. It is the return home Monday that is making me a bit batty. There are so many choices!

First off, Southwest has a non stop flight that leaves at 2:25 pm. Which means Magical Express would get us at 11:25. So that wouldn't leave any time to hit a park. But non stop is always good!

Delta has a lot of flights to pick from that would give us park time on departure day. And they are only $10 more than Southwest. One leaves MCO at 5 pm with an hour layover in Cincinnati. One leaves MCO at 5:30 and has a 90 minute layover in Atlanta. And the last option leaves at 6:20, which means we could spend more time in the parks! However, that one only has a 45 minute connection in Detroit.

Thoughts?

Do the one with the Cinncinnati layover at 5 o'clock. The Atlanta airport sucks and is always crowded. Holidays are the worst at this airport as well.

 

[QueenQueso]

I see that you've already booked now, but I was going to suggest the Cincy layover too. As airports go, we have a pretty good one, even though they have done a lot of downsizing AND the Delta flights will be in the same terminal so it won't be hard to find your next gate.

I have been through the Atlanta airport several times and I don't like it at all. It's massive, with a billion people and sometimes you do have to leave one terminal for another, which can take forever, and I always extra-worry about checked luggage getting to it's destination when it has to go far from plane to plane. I almost got stuck over-night in ATL once and it was a scary fifteen minutes. Lol.

And like a previous post said, try a Gold Star cheese coney!! (I have always liked Gold Star better than Skyline. )