Fly down and back the same day...Who's done it?

[KSR0330]

I'm thinking of doing a day trip! Flying down from NY so I can get early and late non-stop flights. Has anyone here done it? Would you do it again? Any planning tips for me? Thanks!

 

[Chili327]

I would not. lol

 

[delsol]

Me!

Found some cheap tickets with early arrival and late departure so only $100 in airfare.

It was a fantastic day, running on adrenaline, but so much fun.

I debated taking a bus, using ride service, or car rental to get the parks and ended up with the car rental option.

I found a decent price on a rental car and am familiar with the non-tolled back roads to get to the park from MCO so that worked best to me.

The car also gave me a resting spot both for my carryon (with extra shirt/socks - useful for summer) and a place to take a midday break away from the crowds.

I was there by park open and left in time to get back to MCO for my flight home.

If you use the bus/rideshare consider using a locker at the front of the park to store your extra travel stuff.

Unless you have specific reasons for the trip (like riding a particular ride at each park) I would stick to just one park so you have time to enjoy it instead of wasting commuting time between parks.

Also plan nothing for the next day. You will likely be exhausted.

 

[KSR0330]

Me!

Found some cheap tickets with early arrival and late departure so only $100 in airfare.

It was a fantastic day, running on adrenaline, but so much fun.

I debated taking a bus, using ride service, or car rental to get the parks and ended up with the car rental option.

I found a decent price on a rental car and am familiar with the non-tolled back roads to get to the park from MCO so that worked best to me.

The car also gave me a resting spot both for my carryon (with extra shirt/socks - useful for summer) and a place to take a midday break away from the crowds.

I was there by park open and left in time to get back to MCO for my flight home.

If you use the bus/rideshare consider using a locker at the front of the park to store your extra travel stuff.

Unless you have specific reasons for the trip (like riding a particular ride at each park) I would stick to just one park so you have time to enjoy it instead of wasting commuting time between parks.

Also plan nothing for the next day. You will likely be exhausted.

Wow, that's a great price for airfare! Thanks for the information! Great idea having a rental to keep things in and have a place for a break if needed.

 

[jtopp]

We did it. Found cheap airfare from PHL, early morning flight. Lyft to EPCOT, spent all day in the park, lyft back to MCO in time for our flight home. Total cost was $250 for 2 round trip airfare, and $70 for both trips with lyft. Snacks in my backpack, quick serve and kiosk snacks for 2 meals, and got the whole trip soup to nuts for under $500. The only con to the whole trip is you are going full tilt from early morning till midnight. Fun but exhausting. Will I do it again? Even though we go 4-5 times a year with short trips, ABSOLUTLY YES.