Flying in direct

[Bambisflower]

Hi all - I've just joined the DIS after 12 months of lurking in the background getting great advice from you all - Thanks everybody you do a great job!!!

We are going back to Florida in August for a full 7 weeks (Can't wait!!). We are me, DH, DD (7) DS (2). Due to the cost of flying direct we (after reading what you had all advised) are flying indirect from Manchester - Philly - Tampa. Is it really as easy as you make it sound?

Are there staff helping and pointing us in the right direction for connecting flights? Do we collect our luggage, well obviously, then take it with us to the next check in desk?

I'm sure I will have other questions to ask, I'm in a bit of a panic about flying indirect!!!

Look forward to any help or reassurance any of you can give!!

 

[wayneg]

Welcome to DISboards, participating is far better than lurking

I did this route 3 weeks ago.
When you land in Philly just follow the crowd to Immigration, everyone has to go thru it. Once thru there you collect your luggage and hand in the customs form. Just around the corner you then drop your bags again, staff are there asking which flight you are on and advise you where to drop. You then find a board which tells you which gate your flight to Tampa will be departing from, we just had time to get a quick meal and to the gate, you already have boarding cards printed in Manchester so just get to the gate at least 30 mins to departure, some gates are quite a walk so don't leave it til last minute.
1000's of people do it every day, it has to be easy or the airports would be in chaos, don't worry about it.

Ask anything you need to know.

 

[Bambisflower]

Hi Wayneeg

Thanks for this, after reading your reports (which I absolutely love!!) I said to DH that you were doing the same route as us.

How long did you have for your connecting flights? Once we get to Tampa am I right in thinking that we will not have to do immigration again?

 

[wayneg]

Hi Wayneeg

Thanks for this, after reading your reports (which I absolutely love!!) I said to DH that you were doing the same route as us.

How long did you have for your connecting flights? Once we get to Tampa am I right in thinking that we will not have to do immigration again?

Outbound we should have had 1hr 50 mins but we landed early so just over 2 hours. Coming back should have been 1 hr 55mins but delayed over 1 hour due to change of planes so it was just over 3 hours.

Immigration is only done at the 1st airport into the US so when you get to Tampa you just collect you bags and go

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

Hi, hope you dont mind me asking but how much did you pay for the flights, and are you taking the same route back? Thanks.

 

[dixonsontour]

welcome to the DIS

7 weeks wow, I am so jealous!

 

[Bambisflower]

Hi thanks for making me feel so welcome

We are flying with US airways and yes we are taking the same route home, (not even thinking about that bit!!!!) the cost of the flight for the 4 of us was £2786.

I know 7 weeks, can't wait. Doing 1st night in Tampa *** I don't fancy driving straight away after the flight, 1 week in Hyatt Regency Clearwater, then Coco Keys International Drive, 3 weeks at Saratoga Springs, 1 week at Daytona then back to Clearwater/St Petes. A lot of moving and driving but don't care!!!!

 

[wayneg]

If you have been lurking 12 months I am sure you know but we are having a couple of DISmeets in August, you are more than welcome to join us at either(or both) if you have time. Thread here if you are interested.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2621880

 

[Bambisflower]

Hi Wayneg

Thanks for the invite I think we might try and make the 10th August one, the 2nd meet we will be in Daytona. We are in Disney from the 2nd - 23rd.

When we stayed at OKW in 2009 you were staying there the same time as us, thats when I heard about the Disboards from another Disser who was also staying there. I didn't check out the boards until we were planning last years holiday and boy am I glad I did, everyone is so helpful and tips are amazing!!

 

[wayneg]

Hi Wayneg

Thanks for the invite I think we might try and make the 10th August one, the 2nd meet we will be in Daytona. We are in Disney from the 2nd - 23rd.

When we stayed at OKW in 2009 you were staying there the same time as us, thats when I heard about the Disboards from another Disser who was also staying there. I didn't check out the boards until we were planning last years holiday and boy am I glad I did, everyone is so helpful and tips are amazing!!

If you think you might make it post in the thread and I will add you to the list, if I get time I hope to make name tags again so we know who we are talking to. No rush if you are not sure, or I can add and remove if you change your mind.