Flights from Atlanta

[LGH1946]

I just saw that Air Tran has 1- way from Atlanta to Orlando for $101.00. Should I book now for Dec. 2 or should I wait for maybe a cheaper flight? I only like to book with the Airline because I am afraid of getting ripped off and I can't be flexible on times because I have my days planned.

 

[Mom2Evie]

I'd wait and get a cheaper flight. I've never paid that much for a flight into or out of Atlanta & we fly Airtran all the time. Are you flying 2 days before Christmas or something? You might want to try the website www.kayak.com
It's a great search engine that checks other travel sites and airline sites. You can adjust flights time windows, pick nearby airports, etc. The best part is that you don't book through them. They give you a link to book it on the airline yourself. That way, you have all the protections associated with working directly with the airlines.

 

[LGH1946]

No, we are flying Dec.2 to Orlando & back home to Atlanta on Dec. 7. I always get scared that I won't be able to get the days & times I have to have if I wait too long. Then after I book, I see more specials for less money. Oh well, I think I WILL wait this time, and I will try that web site. Thank you!

 

[minidreamin]

Have you thought about just driving there? From the Atlanta area, it's just an 8 hour drive.

We flew there this past February. I was hoping to cut down on the drive time so I could get to the parks faster, but it didn't work out. The actual flight time is only about 45 minutes, but flying only saved us about 2 hours compared to driving.

All of the little things associated with flying just took longer than really needed:
Waiting at security. Waiting at the gate. Waiting for the plane to actually leave the gate(they did push back, so they technically left on time). Waiting for the Magical Express. Stopping at several resorts before getting to ours. Waiting on the bus to take us to the parks.

After that trip, I vowed only drive to WDW. I also really enjoy having my car there. It gives me the freedom to go where I want, when I want.

Just something to consider.

 

[Conan the Librarian]

Couldn't you drive or rent a car cheaper?

It only cost us $30 in gas (even at todays rates) to drive our Vue down there from Savannah. And we have a vehicle to drive around in. Plus it's only 5 1/2 hours from home, so, we don't even have to leave early (though we do anyway).

I am not being critical, just curious.

 

[minidreamin]

I almost forgot...I'll see you there! We'll be there Dec 1-8. I can't wait!!

 

[ksumn1]

I would wait. Airtran usually has a sale every 4-6 weeks. Sign up for A+ rewards and the A Savers newsletters and you'll get an email a couple of days before the sale. I think the lowest I saw ATL-MCO in December (in the 2 years I worked there) was $49, but I may be mistaken. December 2nd is a Sunday so usually you won't find the lowest advertised fare, but it's usually $10-$20 more on average. Even a Saturday night flight could save you $$.

I agree with the other posters about driving. We live in the West GA area, close to Alabama line and even with stops for breakfast, lunch, potty breaks, snacks and a huge line for the FL Turnpike we covered it in 11 1/2 hours. On our 1st trip down with only 3 or 4 stops we did it in 9 1/2 hours. Keep in mind my DH will only drive 5 mph above the speed limit. I'm the time maker upper.

It's really not a bad drive, especially considering it's probably more roomy than a plane, more drinks, and snacks and no airline potties. Also, factor in the check in restrictions, the security line wait, waiting for ME in Orlando, you won't save alot of time overall.

No matter what you decide...have fun.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

AirTran is iffy, but Spirit will fly out of Atlanta for very cheap (I got roundtrip with fees/taxes for under $180 a few weeks ago).

 

[LGH1946]

I know that flying is VERY time consuming, too. But when we drive I am SO tired and I always fly very early down there and very late going home so I have almost all of both traveling days in the parks. I never get to stay a whole week!

I really hope the crowds willnot be heavy the first week in Dec. But I never go in the summer so I don't have anything to compare crowds.

I have never flown Sprint. Do they fly out of Atlanta? non-stop?. cAN YOU USE MAGICAL EXPRESS? I may just get a cab to save time. Baggage claim is not usually bad at Orlando airport.

We were at MK in 2004 when thry were filming the Christmas parade. We saw Wynonna sing OH Holy Night at the Castle. It was neat but it took her SO LONG to get it right, I feel like we wasted 2 hours. And we didn't even see ourselves on TV on Christmas Day!!!! Does anyone know what day they will be filming this year?

I am using Tour Guide Mike's suggestions for which days for which parks. My plan is Epcot on Sunday probably only 1/2 Day. MGM-Mon. MK-Tues. Epcot-Wed. AK-Thurs. & MGM again on Fri. and then we will have to leave by about 6:00 to get to the Airport. I always have to go to MGM on my first & last day. Because of the TOT, I LOVE IT

We are going to see the tree lighting at Epcot on Sunday. I have never done that. Also, we are going to have dinner at CG at the CR, I hope to see the fireworks at MK. We will go to Epcot again on Wed.,( Candlelight Proc. & dinner at Japan (Package.) I got the dining plan this year for the first time ever.

Also, I am not getting hoppers for the first time ever.

But since I have arthritis in my knees, I thought I could avoid the extra walking that hopping would require. I will just stay & enjoy EVERYTHING at the "park of the day"

Well, it is 98 days from today, I can hardly wait.

I hope that everyone enjoys their time at WDW whenever it is.

I may try to do a trip report when I get back!

Thank you!!!

 

[darlak]

We're from B'ham, Al and we have made the drive down in about 10 hours. However, like the OP, I much prefer flying. It feels like we extend our trip by 2 days. We get the earliest flight out of B'ham and the latest possible flight coming home. We're usually checked in at our resort and at the park between noon and 1pm. We're always ready to hit the parks for a full day after our short flight down.

On checkout day, we get our boarding passes at the resort and check our luggage, then hit the parks again until we have to be back at the resort for ME back to the airport, usually around 5 or 6 that evening.

I always see airfare much lower out of ATL than I can get from B'ham, but I don't want to drive 3 hours before the flight. Airfare for our Sept. trip is the cheapest I've ever gotten it from B'ham to MCO, $146 including taxes and all fees. That's with Delta. It still adds up fast for 6 people, but it seems worth it to us.

 

[LGH1946]

hey darlark,

how do you get your boarding passes at the resort?

When did you book your flights for Sept.?

thanks

 

[LGH1946]

sorry, darlak

 

[Epcot82Guy]

Spirit does at least two flights a day from ATL, nonstop. You absolutely can use ME. I just did that in August when I went down. I will never drive again. I made the drive once, and I agree that it totally drains you. I take shorter trips to WDW, so I have a breakneck speed down there. Therefore, I need my energy. ha ha.

As for Spirit, their service is not the best, but it is cheap. I would look for them and Airtran. I have had good luck with the latter, even if it costs a bit more. I've also had impeccable luck with ME. Never waited more than 10 minutes in line and 5 minutes at the bus wait queue.

Really enjoy yourself. I wish I could go with you!

 

[darlak]

hey darlark,

how do you get your boarding passes at the resort?

Delta, as well as many other major airlines (I'm sure someone else can tell you which ones) actually come to the resorts in the mornings. You check your bags and get your boarding passes there. Then you can go to the park and return to your resort at the time they've given you based on your departure flight time. Take ME back to MCO and go through security and then directly to your gate.

When did you book your flights for Sept.? June

thanks

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Chuck65]

Check Allegiantair out of GSP (Greenville-Spartanburg). They can get you to Orlando/Sanford Airport for $80 round trip.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

We live in Montgomery, Alabama and will be flying out of Atlanta on Airtran in January. They want the big bucks to fly out of Montgomery.

Since we are going on a short trip, DH talked me into it. We will only miss 2 days of work!

 

[Epcot82Guy]

We live in Montgomery, Alabama and will be flying out of Atlanta on Airtran in January. They want the big bucks to fly out of Montgomery.

Since we are going on a short trip, DH talked me into it. We will only miss 2 days of work!

Those are the best kind. The 3-4 day trip has become my version of WDW b/c of school/work. Enjoy it (and Hartsfield-Jackson )!