Flying to WDW on Black Friday - good or bad idea?

[Minniekins]

We were planning to go to WDW for a week on the Saturday following Thanksgiving this year. Tonight my DD23 shared her idea to leave a day early for our trip. Which would mean flying out of Chicago(MDW) on black Friday, we're flying SouthWest. Hmmm, well, I have no experience with flying the week of Thanksgiving, so I'm wondering a few things.

So, has anyone flown out of Chicago, (or anywhere I guess), on black Friday? Is this a good or bad day to fly, in regards to crowds at the airports? And, how about fares? How do the airfares tend to run for flights on the afternoon of black Friday? Any thoughts and help with this would be great and very much appreciated!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Black Friday would be a good day to travel. Pretty light travel day all around.

 

[Greysword]

I agree with OCC, plus you'll be up anyway for that 7am flight due due hitting the midnight sales (doors open at 10PM Thanksgiving Day)!

I guess the thing to watch for is weather. Since Chicago is a hub for many airlines, the network could be hectic with other travelers trying to make a connection to other ports. Luckily, you'll likely be flying non-stop, and your home is on one end of the flight.

fares should be relatively reasonable, but I would caution against waiting too long to start your search.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Its not the crowds at the airport that you need to worry about it the crowd at WDW. So if you don't mind being at the park with say 2 million of your closest friends go for it.

 

[Minniekins]

Black Friday would be a good day to travel. Pretty light travel day all around.

Great, I like the sounds of that! This was probably a good change away from flying early Saturday, lol! TY!

I agree with OCC, plus you'll be up anyway for that 7am flight due due hitting the midnight sales (doors open at 10PM Thanksgiving Day)!

Ha, no way, no shopping, no no, lol!

I guess the thing to watch for is weather. Since Chicago is a hub for many airlines, the network could be hectic with other travelers trying to make a connection to other ports. Luckily, you'll likely be flying non-stop, and your home is on one end of the flight.

You're right on the weather, I hope it holds out for us again this year! We'd didn't get hit with the terrible winter weather till after we came home this last trip, lol!

fares should be relatively reasonable, but I would caution against waiting too long to start your search.

I looked a little already, not much and nothing good at this point. But I'll be stalking SW as the date for them to open late Nov, early Dec dates gets closer!

Good luck and have fun!

Thank you, we will, can't wait!

Its not the crowds at the airport that you need to worry about it the crowd at WDW. So if you don't mind being at the park with say 2 million of your closest friends go for it.

Yeah, we're good, got a couple non park things planned for earlier in the weekend, and getting settled and all. Should be somewhat better after the weekend then!