Halifax to Orlando

[3monkeymomma]

Couple questions...

Has anyone flown AirCanada from Halifax to Montreal and then to Orlando? The flight we are looking at has a 1.5 hour layover. Is that enough time to get through security and customs and get to our connecting flight?

Has anyone driven from Halifax to WDW? How many days did it take? Any tips?

 

[Leafsgirl36]

We flew Air Canada Halifax to Montreal and then to Orlando a few years ago. As long as your flight leaves on time from Halifax you should be ok, just don't stop in the Montreal airport to go to the washroom or look at any shops until you get through customs and security.

 

[3mama3]

Couple questions...

Has anyone flown AirCanada from Halifax to Montreal and then to Orlando? The flight we are looking at has a 1.5 hour layover. Is that enough time to get through security and customs and get to our connecting flight?

Has anyone driven from Halifax to WDW? How many days did it take? Any tips?

We drove last May, from New Glasgow to Orlando, with 3 kids. Best trip we ever took! Three and a half days of driving. We did spend a half day in Charleston, South Carolina, touring and old plantation. That was amazing! Highly recommend driving. I was really hesitant at first, but sooooo glad we went ahead and did it. Let me know if you have any questions, I'd be happy to share what I can

 

[3monkeymomma]

Thanks for the info. 3Mamma3, I would love more info. We have 3 kids as well and I am hesitant, but flights seem to just keep going up in price. Did it work out cheaper in the long run? Would love to know where you stayed on your way down and back.

 

[ginny_lynn]

Couple questions...

Has anyone flown AirCanada from Halifax to Montreal and then to Orlando? The flight we are looking at has a 1.5 hour layover. Is that enough time to get through security and customs and get to our connecting flight?

Has anyone driven from Halifax to WDW? How many days did it take? Any tips?

We have driven from Stellarton NS 3 times. The first time with 4 kids, and stopped for 2 nights on the way down and back. The other 2 times it was only 1 kid, and we drove straight through, leaving bright and early one morning and arriving in Orlando around midnight the nest night. If we drove again we would drive through straight on the way down and spend a night at the beach to relax after, then on the way home stay one night due to the exhaustion of the trip.

Gas was much cheaper then flights for us. It was around $350-400 round trip (Nissan Versa Sedan) Can not recall how much it was in the van, but that was 2012. Since we didn't stay overnight the last 2 times no hotel costs just food from there, which was not much at all.

 

[gilsan]

Couple questions...

Has anyone flown AirCanada from Halifax to Montreal and then to Orlando? The flight we are looking at has a 1.5 hour layover. Is that enough time to get through security and customs and get to our connecting flight?

Has anyone driven from Halifax to WDW? How many days did it take? Any tips?

We have flown through Montreal a number of times with under an hour layover. The plane from Halifax has often been late, but always have made our connection. They hold the plane for Halifax passengers, we have never been the only ones rushing to make the connecting flight.

There is a separate security line for connecting flights so you can get through quickly. It is however a bit of a hike from the domestic to USA gates.

 

[mshanson3121]

Couple questions...

Has anyone flown AirCanada from Halifax to Montreal and then to Orlando? The flight we are looking at has a 1.5 hour layover. Is that enough time to get through security and customs and get to our connecting flight?

Has anyone driven from Halifax to WDW? How many days did it take? Any tips?

Myself, I'd drive. It's definitely going to be cheaper if you have 3 kids. Use hotelcoupons.com to book your hotel rooms. We used that site and never paid more than $65 a night and they were clean, easy access off the highway, had nice pools and came with free, full hot breakfasts We drove from New Brunswick, it was about 28 hours driving, which we split over 3 days, and our total cost was only $850 US, vs. the cost of parking at airport, flights, rental car etc... which were going to run us almost twice as much. We pushed it the first couple of days, and drove to PA the first day (12 hours driving), SC (around 10.5 hours driving) the next day and then had an easy, 5.5 hour drive into Florida the next day. You could definitely do it in 3 days, if you do 11-12 hours of driving each day. One piece of advice: you will be tired after driving so far, so plan on your first full day in Florida to be a "rest" day.

Another way we saved money: we have an SUV with a plug in the trunk, so we borrow an electric cooler, and stocked up at Costco with snacks, bottled water etc... for the trip down. We had free breakfasts with our hotel, and then just packed fruit, juice boxes, bread, PB, jam etc... and made all our own lunches. We just stopped at the rest stops along the highway (they have some really nice ones down south) and ate there. Was much cheaper. Also, we took a soccer ball and football with us, and whenever we stopped for lunch, bathroom etc... we'd get out and run/kick/throw the ball around for a bit. Even 10 minutes really helped stretch our legs and give us a little pick me up. This way, the only food we bought on the drive down/back was supper, and we just did quick/cheap fast food, which was only about $20 a night for our family of 4.

 

[mort1331]

You have to judge your own family. Us we would never stop overnight unless it was weather related. We have 2 kids and drive strait. I would rather do that and then relax in Disney at the resort. But you have to know your family. Mine has no issues with driving long distance. We drive from Toronto to Windsor,NS straight as well, little shorter but still.
Every 5 hours get out stretch the legs, extended meals and runnning around each stop, except thru the night. If driving straight it really doesnt matter if you start in the am or pm, you have to drive and sleep thru the night.
We switch out drivers every 5-8 hours so rest each other.

 

[TFC_UNTIL_I_DIE]

What time of year are you going? Driving has its pros but NB to Penn can be bad in Jan-March. Its likely you will get at least some stretch of bad weather in there - even Mt Thom if all you Pictou County (Sobeys?) people here. But its a good drive and a few tablets keep the kids entertained. I drove from Ottawa in Dec-Jan and it was fine and we had lots of fun with a 3 year old. But I did this as a kid from Cole Harbour in the 80s and not so much fun for dear old dad I seem to remember! Its that trip through NB and Maine that just takes for every - have your considered the Seasonal ferry out of Digby to get closer to Boston? (does that thing still run?)

In terms of flying into Montreal - generally if they schedule the transfer its assuming you have enough time to make it and likely half your flight from Halifax is doing the same thing so they will sometimes even hold a flight. Montreal is not a big airport and I've never had problems. And again, winter can always throw a curveball into Canadian travel

 

[mshanson3121]

What time of year are you going? Driving has its pros but NB to Penn can be bad in Jan-March. Its likely you will get at least some stretch of bad weather in there - even Mt Thom if all you Pictou County (Sobeys?) people here. But its a good drive and a few tablets keep the kids entertained. I drove from Ottawa in Dec-Jan and it was fine and we had lots of fun with a 3 year old. But I did this as a kid from Cole Harbour in the 80s and not so much fun for dear old dad I seem to remember! Its that trip through NB and Maine that just takes for every - have your considered the Seasonal ferry out of Digby to get closer to Boston? (does that thing still run?)

In terms of flying into Montreal - generally if they schedule the transfer its assuming you have enough time to make it and likely half your flight from Halifax is doing the same thing so they will sometimes even hold a flight. Montreal is not a big airport and I've never had problems. And again, winter can always throw a curveball into Canadian travel

Looks like they're traveling in August (if her ticker is right). The ferry dropped that run, but is actually bringing it back starting this summer (Digby to Portland, ME). But, the ferry is really expensive. They haven't released the fares yet (April 11th), but for example, just from Digby to Saint John is $446 round trip for a family of 4. It's crazy expensive. I can't see Digby to Portland being any cheaper.

 

[TFC_UNTIL_I_DIE]

Yeah saint John is not far enough for that price

Summer trip will be no problem just avoid DC and enjoy the scenery

 

[disneyshan]

We drove last summer with two kids (aged 3 and 5). We took our time and did it over 4 days. We LOVED every second of it. It was like having three vacations in one. (one the way down, one at Disney and one on the way home). We are planning on doing it again August 2017 before our youngest starts school, but this time, spend an extra day on the road on the way there and spend more time visiting places along the way.

 

[DeniseinNS]

Last August we drove from Halifax to Hartford Connecticut and flew from there for $1300 roundtrip (5 ppl) It was great

 

[weswife]

We are flying from Halifax in Nov! This will be our 1st time flying West Jet and changing in Canada. On the way down its in Montreal and the way home Ottawa. So this will be a new experience for us! We have about a 2 hour layover. After reading the posts, I am feeling a bit nervous as my daughter uses a wheelchair. It takes us a little extra time to get off the plane ..... I hope we will make the connection!

 

[magical_dreamer]

1.5 hrs should be plenty of time in Montreal, as it's not a huge airport. They're also usually pretty accommodating, as I remember flying Halifax - Montreal- Orlando and being bumped to the front of the line to get through security.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

1.5 hours should be fine as long as you get out of Hfx on time, which is always hit and miss. You will do customs and security (again) in Montreal so definitely plan to be efficient with your time when you land. If you miss your connection in Montreal, they will typically rebook you on the next available flight.

 

[Tinkershelly]

Also consider the Westjet direct flights from Halifax to Orlando every Sunday. 3.5 hours of flying and you are already in Orlando. Prices for that flight are usually cheaper than connecting flights for the same day.

 

[vincent00]

Also consider the Westjet direct flights from Halifax to Orlando every Sunday. 3.5 hours of flying and you are already in Orlando. Prices for that flight are usually cheaper than connecting flights for the same day.

I wholeheartedly second this! Additionally, flying direct means you pre-clear customs in Halifax. Last YHZ-MCO flight I took, my wife and I printed our boarding passes, went through security and cleared US customs in about 30 minutes. By far the least stressful US entry procedure I've ever had!

On occasions where a direct flight isn't available, our regular pick is one of WestJet's early morning flights from Halifax to Toronto then on to Orlando. The layover in Toronto is approx 2-2.5 hours. Plenty of time to go through US pre-clearance, grab a bite to eat and stretch your legs before the Orlando-bound connection. Flight gets into Orlando around 1:30pm. An hour on the Magical Express, then resort check-in... In your room mid-afternoon.

 

[peimikes]

Delta is usually about half as much out of Halifax as Air Canada or Westjet. That's who we've been booking with the last few years. Halifax with Delta has been cheaper than Maine the last 2 years for us. I paid $315 round trip each for November.

 

[Scar1199]

Delta is usually about half as much out of Halifax as Air Canada or Westjet. That's who we've been booking with the last few years. Halifax with Delta has been cheaper than Maine the last 2 years for us. I paid $315 round trip each for November.

How far in advance did you book? We are looking at going in March 2017 so I've been looking at prices. Right now Delta is super expensive compared to Westjet. We've usually flown out of Maine and Boston with Jetblue but they haven't listed their prices yet. I like Westjet's ealry Halifax departure and late return, plus its direct. Right now for our dates they are posted at $600 each. Would like to see $450-$500.