Flights out of Indy....

[KATIESMOMMY]

ANyone have an idea of what to expect to pay for flights from Indy to MCO? This is our first trip to WDW and also on an airplane. I have this sinking feeling that I may have Boo-Booed and waited too long. We are from South Bend area and flight from here were around $230-90 miles from ORD and those were going for $180 r/t-- and Indy non stop with was going for $166 for NWA. Now they have gone up around $60-70 . Should I book for around $220 now or do you think they will go back down? ? TIA-Lucinda

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

I paid $136. R/T non-stop on NWA (IND-MCO). I booked in late January, for our April trip. I haven't seen it that low since though. Sorry

We are driving from Dayton, Oh to get that rate. We've done the same thing for 3 trips now. Used to be cheap on ATA, but those days are also over.

 

[Laz]

Last week I booked NWA non stop out of INDY for 136 dollars. This is for June travel

 

[NancyIL]

You can get fares as low as $137 on Southwest, and there's one non-stop each direction daily.

 

[GoldiBabi]

I got $136 r/t out of Indy for July travel. I booked the seats last week. I'd say just keep checking airlines every day. The NWA price had been $156, but one day it had went down to $136. The next day it was up $20! And, if you have a certain airline you'd rather fly with, go ahead and book tickets with them and keep checking prices daily. If they go down at all, you can call and request a credit.

Good luck!

 

[SB in KY]

I would wait it out....fares bounce around daily....usually you can find fares for about $130 to 140 all in from Indy...occasionally less. Don't panic because they have gone up....you didn't say when your trip was....but if it is fall the prices will almost surely come down after SW opens up their booking window....if it is before fall just keep watching and buy whenever the price hits $140 or less all in.

 

[racheleich]

I'm from Bremen (just south of SB), and we decided it was just worth the convenience to fly out of SB rather than driving to Indy or Chicago to fly from any of those airports. In the past I have chosen to drive to Indy (leaving at 4am for our flight) or Chicago - but I wanted to be rested for our first day at WDW. When we flew from Indy, we were fortunate to be able to park at a friend's house who then dropped us at the airport (so we didn't have to pay for the week of parking). So, some considerations when choosing where to fly from include your time and hassle, gas prices, and parking. We decided the extra $ per person was well spent - but that's just a decision you'll have to make. (Our flight from SB was $217 on United.)

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

I'm from Bremen (just south of SB), and we decided it was just worth the convenience to fly out of SB rather than driving to Indy or Chicago to fly from any of those airports. In the past I have chosen to drive to Indy (leaving at 4am for our flight) or Chicago - but I wanted to be rested for our first day at WDW. When we flew from Indy, we were fortunate to be able to park at a friend's house who then dropped us at the airport (so we didn't have to pay for the week of parking). So, some considerations when choosing where to fly from include your time and hassle, gas prices, and parking. We decided the extra $ per person was well spent - but that's just a decision you'll have to make. (Our flight from SB was $217 on United.)

Well hi neighbor!
We have never flown and to be honest I am terrified! That being said I found the fares out of Indy were cheaper plus there were non-stops - no plane changing so I thought maybe that would be easier on me and also on my DD as she will only be 20 months then. I dunno- am torn as what to do about the whole SBN or IND situation-- I just know NO amount of money can make me go thru Chicago.

SB in KY-- we are going Dec 17-26, 2005. Hopefully they will drop again!

Thanks for all the great advice!

 

[racheleich]

If it's your first time flying, you would likely prefer the larger planes leaving Indy (although I'm strange and actually prefer the small planes from SB - but you won't get a non-stop). My first time flying was Indy to Houston (non-stop) and I found the Indy airport easy to navigate (and we did the long-term parking for that week which really wasn't bad - but I don't remember the cost).

With a non-stop, you won't have to worry about entertaining your daughter during the layover. My only concern would be driving to Indy (we may have snow during Dec) - but 31 is usually kept pretty clear - and if the weather looks bad, you could always drive down the night before (although that defeats the purpose of saving money on the flight).

You'll have a great (and warm) Christmas in WDW no matter which way you decide.

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

If it's your first time flying, you would likely prefer the larger planes leaving Indy (although I'm strange and actually prefer the small planes from SB - but you won't get a non-stop). My first time flying was Indy to Houston (non-stop) and I found the Indy airport easy to navigate (and we did the long-term parking for that week which really wasn't bad - but I don't remember the cost).

With a non-stop, you won't have to worry about entertaining your daughter during the layover. My only concern would be driving to Indy (we may have snow during Dec) - but 31 is usually kept pretty clear - and if the weather looks bad, you could always drive down the night before (although that defeats the purpose of saving money on the flight).

You'll have a great (and warm) Christmas in WDW no matter which way you decide.

The little planes scare me even worse--I was on 31 a couple of months ago and saw that little plane land a block away from me right onto the highway! Talk about seeing weird things.

DH is a truck driver and I am an ex truck driver so the weather really won't effect us- have 4 wd will travel ( or at least 10 if it really snows lol).
Plus I have a SIL that lives in Indy so we can always go down early. We lived in Indy for a few years and I am comfortable driving around there and the parking is $7 a day for the Tiger lot.

Warm is good for Christmas-- I am sure not going to miss this cold weather!

 

[Poohlovr]

I recommend that you download the Ding program from Southwest. We got Indy to Orlando, non-stop for 90.00 RT. I got it last week, but, noticed it was dinged again yesterday.

Also, play around with the different flight times when it comes up. When I booked, the first one I looked at was a total of 467.00 for the four of us, but, when I tried a flight leaving MCO just a few minutes earlier, it was only 360.00 for all of us.

Good luck!

 

[DJT]

Poohlovr, for what dates did you get the $90 RT out of Indy?

Donna

 

[powellrj]

there are several hotel around the Indy airport that you can get on priceline for very cheap, if you want to spend the night before your trip. We have stayed at the Radisson and the Baymont and both were really cheap and it was nice to already be there!

 

[bonzarella]

hello to a few neighbors, we are in North Judson. Our r/t price from Indy to MCO was 136.00 nonstop SW in July. Booked about a month ago. We can't get DING. I'd jump on a 90.00 tix. Good luck

 

[Poohlovr]

Poohlovr, for what dates did you get the $90 RT out of Indy?

Donna

I got them for June. The fares on yesterday's ding were for travel through mid-August

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

I got them for June. The fares on yesterday's ding were for travel through mid-August

I wish I could get Ding---I have been trying to install it for the last 2 weeks- keeps telling me it is not a valid win32 application ( ihave xp) I have tried about 8 times to download and install- so am "dingless".

 

[simzac]

SW rates for your travel period probably won't be out for several months. Just keep watching. I am watching too because we fly SW out of Indy also, have paid $546 for 4 RT tickets twice in the past 3 years. Our trip is just after yours, so we probably will be able to purchase our tickets around the same time. I hope prices aren't too high by then due to the cost of jet fuel climbing along with our gas prices. We love SW. Nonstop both ways from Indy to Orlando, great service, and always on time.

 

[firetaz]

We have flown to Orlando 5 times, 4 times out of Indy. The other time was out of Midway - Chicago (I'll never do that again!). We flew ATA in Dec 04 for $768 for 5 people ($153.60 per person). In Jan 05 we flew down for our 15th anniversary for $128 per person via ATA. We are looking to fly in Nov 05 and rates are around $171 (the cheapest I have found are $141 and that promotion is over). I generally don't purchase until I'm 3 to 4 months from flying, as I seem to get the best prices. With current fuel prices, I am comptemplating going ahead and purchasing as prices in Aug and Sept are approaching $200. ATA in bankruptcy has hurt the indy market (too bad as we are frequent flier members), but with Airtran now offering flights it should keep prices lower. Airtran is a good airline. I have several friends that fly Airtran regularly. I am want to lock in our price, but will have to wait another month or so. We will probably fly Airtran. I would like to SWA but the seat assignment thing leaves something to be desired, but at $90r/t I might be willimg to overlook it.

Also, the Days INN airport offers a stay and fly program that allows you to stay and leave your car in their lot, saves on parking. The rate we recieved in Jan 05 was around $90, and included a weeks parking.

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

thanks for all the great info!