Help me with air tickets please

[Tigger1]

I have not purchased airline tickets except twice in my life. Someone helped me out with those. Three of my children (ages 25, 21, 16) and I are planning a flight in late July/August. We will fly from Dallas (dfw) of OKlahoma city (OKC). How soon should we purchase tickets? Southwest is only selling up to May currently. I thought about priceline and making an offer but then our flight times would be up to them and the flight might take all day. If I got a really good price that would be ok though. My daughter found some for $222 from Dallas nonstop. This was a 830 am flight so how soon do we need to arrive at the airport?
Dallas is a 200 mile drive so we would need to get a hotel for the night before and pay parking. OKC is 110 miles but my son that is 25 would be 30 miles from it, there ticket was about $50 more per ticket. The flights from OKC also take about 3 to 4 more hours and are not non stop.

We usually drive which almost seems easier than arriving to airport early, flying, picing up lugggage, ect. It is about 1350 mile drive though.

Any suggestains? If we fly should we take mickey transportation to Disney or rent a car?

Someone please help us out.

 

[havencruiser]

I fly to WDW several times each year and would do everything I could to try to fly SOuthwest. Recent fares from Dallas to MCO were $64 each way in May and if you sign up for their DING fares, it can even be cheaper.

Regardless of how you fly to MCO, take Disney Magical Express to the resort. You won't have to touch your luggage once you check it in at your home airport and you and your luggage will arrive hassle-free at your Disney resort.

 

[Earstou]

If you do get a hotel for the night before, try to find one where you can park your car for free while you are gone. Sometimes they call it the Park and Fly program. This at least saves on parking costs at the airport.