Fly in Night before or Day Off???

[cyndip84]

We are planning on flying in the night before, but my husband just heard from someone who was in Orlando Airport last Sat. that there was a Disney bus and he feels it would be easier to fly in the day of instead of paying for a car rental and hotel. I knew about the bus but wanted to make it easier on us not to feel rushed and fly the night before. I would love to hear feedback from everyone on the pros and cons. How much is the bus per person?

 

[TootyJane]

I think it's a matter of preference. I see you are from New Jersey in which case I think flying in the "day of" would be okay. We, however, are in California and flying in the "day before" is a better option for us.

 

[Señor Ferrari]

Like Tooty Jane, we fly in the night before. From the west coast, it's either that, or the red-eye. When we fly in, we stay at the Hyatt at MCO and then take the DCL buses in the morning. The buses are $46/per person.

As I recall, having grown up in Philadelphia, the flight down there
isn't too long, maybe two hours or so? I think you could take an early flight in and be in Orlando in plenty of time to take the bus and be to the port without having to rush very much. Also, if you take the bus, DCL will claim your luggage and transport it to the ship, so you won't have to bother with it when you arrive in Orlando.

 

[Irishmom23]

We flew in from Boston the day of our 3 day Wonder this past June. We took the 7am flight which meant we were up at 4am! We took DCL transportation from the airport to Port Canaveral and arrived by 11am. The only problem was that we were all exhausted from getting up so early! The children quickly got a second wind, once on the ship, but being the MOM and staying up to do last minute things, I was still tired. For our 7 day cruise next September 3003, my DH and I are booked for the Hyatt at the airport the night before, and will take either the DCL bus or a town car to the port the next day. Another option is the Radisson near the port, but we do not wish to rent a car, and would prefer to do only one leg of transportation each way (airport to port and vice verse)

 

[jeleann]

We found it cheaper to fly in the day before. We're a family of 4 and the bus was going to run us around $200. We are staying at the Radisson, found a coupon at roomsaver.com for $69 (normally $139). Rented a one way both ways from Avis. (Radisson is also drop off for car) For both one ways was about $70. So we saved about $60.

 

[4nana]

You need to do what you feel is best for your family. Our grp decided to fly in the day before, as we don't want to be rushed. Plus we're are flying in Dec and need to consider the weather. The Dis bus transpo was too expensive for us. We ck'd on renting vans, then decide it was much less expensive to leave the driving to 'Yourride' for about $20pp R/T. We have the $59 rooms at the Radisson w/includes free shuttle to the port in the morn. Best of luck.

 

[prymsu]

I personally like to go the day before. For one thing, we live in Iowa and winter weather is very unpredictable, so that gives us a cushion if there is a snow storm.

Also, I can always plan on what time we get to the ship, and not have to worry or stress out about flight delays...

 

[Willowwind]

Oh 4nana! I hadn't even considered what the Chicago weather would be in December!

We had been planning on flying in a day ahead though. I just don't trust the airlines to get me anywhre on time any more. delays at O'hare were even bad *before* 9/11.

Anyhow, yesterday I figured out that if we drove instead we could add a day at the Space Center and a day at EPCOT onto each end of our trip for less than it would cost us to fly. So-- we're driving.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

We're flying to Orlando Fri morn the day before at 7am, plane due to land at 10am. We are leaving for the airport the day before we fly - Thanksgiving Day - and spending that night at an airport hotel. Yup, extended 2 days to our cruise vacation. But heck it's Thanksgiving weekend so we already have the time off

 

[outahere]

I vote for flying in the day or night before. That way you are rested and relaxed when you get to the ship and can enjoy it, without nearly falling asleep at dinner the first night. There are quite a few hotels near the Orlando airport, if you don't want to stay at the Hyatt. I'm sure they all have shuttle service to the airport.

Of the 4 cruises I've taken, I've flown in the day before every time but the first. After getting up very early, almost getting snowed in and arriving on the ship with only an hour to spare before sailing, it was WAY to stressfull.