Minneapolis & St. Paul School Breaks & Airfare

[CarolMN]

My sister wants to go to WDW for a week during the first two weeks of April, 2014. Her kids are preschool, so no worries taking them out.

Since the School Districts have a week's break scheduled 3/31 - 4/4, I'm wondering if we could still get good airfare if we waited to leave until Tuesday or Wednesday. I know the airfares are generally higher when the schools have a vacation period.


Those of you who fly MSP - MCO, what do you think?

TIA

 

[tink_lover]

Carol, we live outside the Metro, but fly out of MSP for vacation. Have done Disney over the past 7 or so years and always managed good price. For us, that means tickets around $300/person. Last year, I snagged $200/person, but we were headed to Disneyland. I have been a bit surprised that prices around Oct break have been so consistently high. Luckily, this year, it's just me + 1 kid - but still, I'm cringing thinking about paying $1000 in airfare for this trip.

 

[CarolMN]

Carol, we live outside the Metro, but fly out of MSP for vacation. Have done Disney over the past 7 or so years and always managed good price. For us, that means tickets around $300/person. Last year, I snagged $200/person, but we were headed to Disneyland. I have been a bit surprised that prices around Oct break have been so consistently high. Luckily, this year, it's just me + 1 kid - but still, I'm cringing thinking about paying $1000 in airfare for this trip.

Yikes! That's expensive!

I agree that anything $300 or less is pretty good for non-stop, especially if it includes bags. I'm just going to hope that most who fly somewhere for spring break will travel on Fridays - Mondays. That should mean the Tuesdays will be less expensive. Sister's kids aren't in school yet and mine is grown.

 

[jroban]

The past 3 years we have gone to DW the week following Thanksgiving and have paid between $250-300 non stop MSP to MCO. We usually leave on Wednesday or Thursday and always return on a Saturday. I read somewhere that flying out of MCO on Saturday is most usually the cheapest. We have found that to be true.

 

[brownhaired_girl]

You might want to check Allegiant from St Cloud. They have some flights going out for $64 at that time. What I have found is, if the price out is low the price coming back is high. I just get one way, and the other way usually comes down some time before my trip. I just need to check frequently.

 

[popp17]

The past three trips we've taken (August 2011, August 2012, April 2013) and our trip in a week, we've never paid over $300 for direct with at least one checked back. I've found that Delta has surprisingly been the cheapest for us. I always expect that Sun Country or possibly Spirit or Southwest might offer something better with a connecting flight, but Delta has always come out ahead. Two of the trips were actually at $240 including taxes.

Our April trip was taken early in the month and I *think* we left on a Friday and flew back the following Saturday, so I think you'll be fine either way. My only word of advice about flying out during weekdays is that somethings the price can be more costly because this is often when business flights are booked for and because these flights are expected and relatively price inelastic, they charge a bit more (this is why leaving and returning on weekends often ends up being cheaper). Good luck with purchasing tickets!

 

[brownhaired_girl]

Lots of $99 flights from MSP-MCO March and April. Check ITA software.

 

[taitai]

Just recognize that school districts all around the Metro have breaks at different times. Anywhere from early March thru April will see one District or another having a break. MEA is different. Every district has that week off which leads to the higher prices then.

 

[Minnesota!]

Well, my kids are out March 7th - 17th. And a lot of others around me are, too. I was able to just scored SW tix for $200/rt - leaving on a Tuesday, coming back on a Tuesday. I am BEYOND giddy!!! Up till today it was about $250/each way.

I get palm trees for my BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!