How Bad are Flights from Toronto to MCO

[Frozen2014]

I know this varies a lot, but looking at March break flying from Toronto to Orlando. If I check now, the flight costs are super high. Does anyone have a ballpark range of flight cost if you book on opening day? Looking at booking a cruise. We like the cruise out of Port Canaveral, but there are other cruise options out of Fort Lauderdale and wondering if cost-wise, that's a better choice. (Or we have no issue flying to Tampa and driving but when I look now, the prices are similar).

 

[starvenger]

I haven’t booked for MCO in a while but I usually aim to get under $400pp, looking specifically at the $250-300 range.

There are probably deals that run better than that but that’s the level I’m comfortable with.

I don’t know if Sunwing and Transat fly during March break but that’s worth checking out as well. If you have a Westjet MC this is the time to break it out and see if that companion pass gives you a price break of sorts.

 

[mkmommy]

My daughter is in grade 12 and we have gone to Florida pretty much every March break for the last 12 years, always book soon as flights open and see them soar in price.

This year got $500 per person and is pretty much the lowest I have seen.

Used to go to Buffalo or Detroit, but last couple of years the price is the same, or pretty close.

Weekend flights will always be more expensive

 

[Frozen2014]

Thanks....kept hearing of booking on opening day, so we did that for our upcoming March break. Flights were booked separately (and different airlines there vs back), but managed to get total of $2600 to Miami. Sounds like if we do the same, it should come to about the same (adding in all the other costs)? My only issue with Air Transat is we need to catch a cruise and they have very few flights (like 1 a day on weekends) so would find that a bit stressful if any issues.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I checked the booking for March break 2019 and I don't remember it being something I wanted to pay. The best rates seem to be from the Wed to the Mon after break, but then you're paying for hotels and entertainment, which probably comes to the cost difference to book Fri to Sun.

 

[Jrb1979]

Try Frontier out of Buffalo. I just booked a flight for the last week of January .It only cost me 170 return. I have never paid more then 250 return for MCO.

 

[Frozen2014]

I checked the booking for March break 2019 and I don't remember it being something I wanted to pay. The best rates seem to be from the Wed to the Mon after break, but then you're paying for hotels and entertainment, which probably comes to the cost difference to book Fri to Sun.

We're looking at a Sun-Sun cruise (and don't want our kids to miss school - only Fri if required), so we're limited with our dates. Of course, airlines know this and jack up the prices accordingly.

 

[Frozen2014]

Try Frontier out of Buffalo. I just booked a flight for the last week of January .It only cost me 170 return. I have never paid more then 250 return for MCO.

Is this at school holiday time? That's a really good price!

 

[starvenger]

Looking at the Buffalo school calendar it’s actually not a break for them - they have one in Feb and one in April - so there may not be the same markup we get at Pearson and Bishop.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thanks. That's good to know.
I see Frontier direct from Buffalo to Orlando pretty good price...but not sure about that airline.
Jet Blue is very pricey at $1000 per person (and that's an evening flight, which is risky as we could hit bad weather in March). Yikes. :-(

 

[Jrb1979]

Thanks. That's good to know.
I see Frontier direct from Buffalo to Orlando pretty good price...but not sure about that airline.
Jet Blue is very pricey at $1000 per person (and that's an evening flight, which is risky as we could hit bad weather in March). Yikes. :-(

I flew Frontier last year and doing it again this year. I had no issues with them. The only thing is there is no entertainment on the flight but its a lot better then paying $1000 per person .

 

[Frozen2014]

I flew Frontier last year and doing it again this year. I had no issues with them. The only thing is there is no entertainment on the flight but its a lot better then paying $1000 per person .

We flew Air Canada Rouge last two trips and also no inflight entertainment (or maybe through app on your phone). For a 3hr flight it's no big deal as we just load up with our own movies (and video games for our kids)

 

[FigmentSpark]

We're looking at a Sun-Sun cruise (and don't want our kids to miss school - only Fri if required), so we're limited with our dates. Of course, airlines know this and jack up the prices accordingly.

Hmm. Check out a Sat to Mon. If they have to miss a day, sometimes the Sat is cheaper than the Fri. And Mon will be cheaper than Sun. It's an extra hotel night, though.

 

[Frozen2014]

Hmm. Check out a Sat to Mon. If they have to miss a day, sometimes the Sat is cheaper than the Fri. And Mon will be cheaper than Sun. It's an extra hotel night, though.

Yeah...if we have to do an extra night on either end then we will. This upcoming March break, we have a cruise Sat-Sat....so they'll be missing school on the Friday. But flights don't seem to lower much on these days either as they know most will travel on these days as well.

 

[bookbabe626]

Try Wednesday or Thursday before the break, and similarly a day or two after. Sadly, unless you can book before the school holidays schedule is released, the prices for flights will be double (at least) compared to what they are on non-holiday weeks. And the demand lets them get away with it...

 

[Frozen2014]

Try Wednesday or Thursday before the break, and similarly a day or two after. Sadly, unless you can book before the school holidays schedule is released, the prices for flights will be double (at least) compared to what they are on non-holiday weeks. And the demand lets them get away with it...

Yeah...airlines know this. Our son is a really good student but has commented he doesn't want to miss school. He did volunteer earlier this year and he had so much work to catch up on...and that was just for one day. And for this cruise (in the future), he'll be in grade 10...so school missed for him will need to be minimal (sick days...or 1 day at most at holiday time)

 

[hardis5]

Traveled a few times March Break and recent years the week prior to (or last weeks of February) and see prices consistently higher and staying higher each year for the best flight times/days around March Break (i.e. weekend to weekend). Sub-$400 flight seen jump at and even sub-$500 flight at ideal times/day I'd take. Everyone always talk of cheap flights in waiting and there will always seem to be a few cheaper flights than the rest that have late night departures or layovers (some lengthy) but having specific days you want to travel, set a few price watches and be ready to jump if prices go up beyond what your willing to pay. We've waited only having a drive down as fallback and have ended up flying out of a US origin to make flying a feasible option during this period.

We've flown Toronto, Detroit, Buffalo and Cleveland and returned via Orlando, Tampa or an indirect via Ft. Lauderdale or Miami to save. March Break can be extremely expensive if wanting the same Friday/Saturday/Sunday flight down with the next weekend return all want to avoid extra school/vacations days taken.

 

[Frozen2014]

Do you book on opening day for flights? Or book at another time ?

Also...does anyone know if Tor to Orlando is similar pricing to Tor to FLL/MIA? We did "ok" booking Miami flights for upcoming march break by booking right when flights opened.

 

[starvenger]

I can’t say I’ve ever booked when first available. Airfare is consistently inconsistent so I tend to sit and wait.

I’ve no proof, but FLL/MIA seem like they’re cheaper on average. I suppose that’s the Mouse effect.

 

[Frozen2014]

I can’t say I’ve ever booked when first available. Airfare is consistently inconsistent so I tend to sit and wait.

I’ve no proof, but FLL/MIA seem like they’re cheaper on average. I suppose that’s the Mouse effect.

This is my worry. DH wants to keep our Harmony booking out of Port Canaveral as he likes the itinerary (and ship looks great)...and take the chance on flights. Just hope we don't end up flying to FLL and driving to save money (vs just booking a cruise out of FLL or Miami)