Late flight arrival or wait until next afternoon with toddler?

[Mainemama]

I am planning my family's first Christmas trip. Please help me by weighing in on this decision...
My DH and 2 big kids will be arriving on 12/21. (Cheaper flights) I have a different vacation schedule, and can't fly down until either 12/22, arriving at midnight, or 12/23, arriving at 3:00 p.m. Both flights are direct, and leave from an airport 2.5 hours drive. The kicker is I will be with my 3 year old. I can't decide if the super late arrival at the hotel (2:00 a.m.?) is worth it to get the extra portion of 12/22 in the world. More details.... This is our 6th trip since 2012, I have flown alone with the toddler before. If we arrive 12/22, we will be joining my DH at a moderate. If we arrive 12/23, we will go right to our 7 night deluxe hotel.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I would fly on the 22nd. The airport won't be quite as crowded as it will be on 23 December.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I go with the Dec 22 flight in hopes that it is a little less crowded. would not want to be at airport on the 23 as more people will be leaving as they finish work early on 23

 

[ktate82]

I would agree with other posters about flying out late on the 22. If it was not the Christmas season, I would say fly in the next day, but the airport will be busy and add to the level of stress.

 

[MommyMK]

How are you getting to your hotel? Being in a car within a few mins of landing vs waiting for magical express would make a difference for me.

 

[dis_guy]

Keep in mind that with an early arrival, your room likely won't be ready for awhile, especially with full resorts over the holidays.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

Keep in mind that with an early arrival, your room likely won't be ready for awhile, especially with full resorts over the holidays.

OP stated that the rest of her family will already be there.

 

[Mainemama]

How are you getting to your hotel? Being in a car within a few mins of landing vs waiting for magical express would make a difference for me.

ME for us. We never rent a car. It is all I am use to, but boarding ME at midnight seems a bit much. Are buses as frequent late?

Keep in mind that with an early arrival, your room likely won't be ready for awhile, especially with full resorts over the holidays.

My DH would have already checked in. I suppose maybe our room would not be ready by 5:30 p.m. ("Earlier" arrival time), I did have a room unavailable at 9:00 p.m. Check in once! I would not mind just going to dinner and waiting.

I am now considering a compromise between the 2... Flying from a closer airport (45 minute drive), 1 stop, arriving in the morning on 12/23.

I had not considered crowded airports. The closer airport is very small, crowds aren't ever an issue. I can park and walk right to the terminal, rather than take a shuttle. Flying out of BOS on either day could be a mess. Weather is possibly a factor. Do I risk having to drive in bad weather (BOS) or miss the connecting plane? (Local airport) Of course, I can also take a bus to BOS. Decisions, decisions!

Thanks for weighing in!

 

[kaytieeldr]

What's the smaller closer airport?