Gatwick or Manchester?

[joolz1910]

I'm getting dangerously close to booking Virgin flights for our first ever trip to WDW. The title says it all, really. Where would you fly from and why? We live in the Midlands, so we are equidistant from both. The price is the same for both and the flights will be on a Monday.

 

[wayneg]

We have used Gatwick once, it was a Xmas morning so don't know if that affected the check in or not but it was the worst check in we have ever had. There was only 1 line which covered every flight, it snaked round and round, took almost 2 hours to check in. Maybe it was beacuse it was Xmas day or maybe its better if you do online checkin(or twighlight) but I will not be rushing back to Gatwick if I can help it.
Virgin at Heathrow were great, missed our flight, they changed us to the next 3 hours later all very easy and no lines.
Manchester used to have long lines(nothing like Gatwick, maybe 15-20 mins) but since using online checkin never had more than 1 or 2 people infront at bagdrop.

Also look at parking costs we always pay less from Manchester but depends on what deals are around.

 

[joolz1910]

Thanks Wayne. Will also look at overnight accommodation in case we need to stay the night before.

 

[Elise79]

We use Gatwick but always stay the night before at the airport so use twilight check in. That is really quick usually no queue at all.

I would choose the one which has the easiest drive home after the holiday.

 

[Disneymadhouse]

I would have a look and see if there are any roadworks planned on either of your routes as that could drastically alter your travel times.

Have a good trip

Claire

 

[Eliza32]

Manchester every time for me. Less hassle, shorter queues, better facilities, cheaper parking, cheaper hotels....I could go on!!!

 

[wayneg]

I would have a look and see if there are any roadworks planned on either of your routes as that could drastically alter your travel times.

You are right, thats what caused us to miss the flight from Heathrow, roadworks on the M1, bad weather and accidents. Went down night before last time, far better.

 

[Pootle]

After 18 years of living in the South East and many, many Virgin flights from Gatwick, for our recent holiday we flew from Manchester (as we have now returned to live in the North West) - and what a difference! It seemed so pleasant in comparison to Gatwick (which we knew very well as DH was a frequent flyer and for a time used it weekly, with me as chauffeur on occasion). I was speaking to two members of the cabin crew in the PE bubble who were Liverpudlians but who had spent 6 months working out of Gatwick and they commented about how Manchester was a nicer airport to fly from.

We could have been lucky that everything went so smoothly but it made such a difference to the holiday. I know that traffic can be horrendous on many of our motorways if you get the timing wrong, but not needing to use the M25 would also get a big tick for Manchester from me

 

[WrenNCuckoos]

For us, Manchester.

Avoiding the M25 is my second biggest reason. My first is that my in-laws live close enough to the airport to take a quick train journey in. We'll drive up, stay with them and leave our car parked for free at their house. Then on the way back we can crash for a bit before driving home. I'm assuming you don't have that reason though, so really I'd go with whichever is likely to be fastest to get home.

 

[Old Swan]

Another vote for Manchester. Cleaner, easier to get to from the Midlands, cheaper parking, cheaper hotels.

Driving back home when you land is bad enough, but battling the M25 clockwise in what will be rush hour is no fun at all.

Happy booking!

 

[joolz1910]

Another vote for Manchester. Cleaner, easier to get to from the Midlands, cheaper parking, cheaper hotels.

Driving back home when you land is bad enough, but battling the M25 clockwise in what will be rush hour is no fun at all.

Happy booking!

Yes, the M25 on a Tuesday morning would be hell. I see you are in my neck of the woods.

 

[Old Swan]

Yes, the M25 on a Tuesday morning would be hell. I see you are in my neck of the woods.

The memory of weaving across the M25 after a flight back from Texas a few years ago still haunts me. Bad flight, no sleep, massive traffic, heavy rain, driving along with arm out of window to keep awake. Ridiculous. No services (at that time) until Thame. Utter stupidity. Never again!

Coming back from Manchester is just so much easier. Depending on whereabouts you are - then its also worth using the toll road to avoid the morning M6 south 10 - 8 bottleneck. If the price is the same then Manchester everytime from the Midlands for me!

Have you priced up indirect via NY from Birmingham?

 

[ben1993]

Flew from gatwick last year, and flying from there this year. We're in the midlands too, but I'm only going from LGW because I got a brilliant deal. if i had to choose I would go from MAN. Cheaper and easier to get to from the Midlands

 

[joolz1910]

Have you priced up indirect via NY from Birmingham?

I want to go direct for our first trip as I have 3 kids. I would definitely consider indirect for a future trip. Have you done that route?

 

[Old Swan]

I want to go direct for our first trip as I have 3 kids. I would definitely consider indirect for a future trip. Have you done that route?

I did in 2001 but that was travelling without children. I've now got a family of 3 children so its direct for us as well - although if there was a big big saving I would do it.

If its an early morning flight I can leave my house and be sat at the gate at Birmingham in under 30 minutes.

 

[joolz1910]

I did in 2001 but that was travelling without children. I've now got a family of 3 children so its direct for us as well - although if there was a big big saving I would do it.

If its an early morning flight I can leave my house and be sat at the gate at Birmingham in under 30 minutes.

I'm just down the road from you in Warwick, so I see the lure of B'ham. With 3 kids, it would have to be a substantial saving to make me opt for indirect. The price difference I was quoted was a couple of hundred pounds.

 

[crabbie1]

As a fellow midlander I would def say manchester.Its a lovely airport,easy to get to and there is a great little premier in 5 mins away tht cost us £19 for the night. They do better offers as well think its £9 a night. Just think when you arrive home as well that 3 and a half hour trip from gatwick or the 80 mins from manchester. Unless there was a significant price difference taking fuel overnight accom etc into consideration as well

 

[dixonsontour]

Don't discount indirect - especially if you can go from a local airport. You will be glad of a 30 min journey home when you land on a cold rainy tuesday morning absolutely knackered!

How old are your kids?

Indirect usually is alot cheaper than direct esp during school hols.

 

[joolz1910]

Don't discount indirect - especially if you can go from a local airport. You will be glad of a 30 min journey home when you land on a cold rainy tuesday morning absolutely knackered!

How old are your kids?

Indirect usually is alot cheaper than direct esp during school hols.

My kids will be 12, 8 and 5. I think for the first trip I will go direct but subsequent trips will probably be indirect.

 

[gemmybear83]

Another one here who much prefers Manchester, I used to to prefer Gatwick before terminal 2 was refubished but not Manchester is much cleaner etc.

We also find it less manic and the people far friendlier

As others have said airport hotels, car parking etc are much cheaper also.