Need advice... Planes and resort stay

[JadeTiger]

Hi,

I am new here and need some advice. I have never been to Disney World as an adult so, here it goes.

I planned to go to Disney World (flying in) January 23, and flying back January 29.

I found a plane that was to arrive in Orlando at 11am on January 23. This sounded great.... now the plane that I had intended on taking, I can't even find on travelocity, or expedia or American Airlines. I therefore assume that the plane must be full.

Now I found another plane that will arrive at 1pm on January 23. This plane is $150 cheaper for my family, but I am worried about getting in late. I had read that the parks close early in January(around 5 or 6).

I don't know what to do, should I book a flight for January 22 instead, and pay another night at the Disney resort? That would eat up the savings of the airline tickets.

Will I have enough time at Disney? We have never taken a real vacation, so maybe we wil be ready to get back.

Please help me decide. If I were to take the plane and get in at 1pm, what should we do with that short day?

Thank you, I appreciate any advice since I am feeling overwhelmed.

 

[wee-haggis]

I don't think it really makes a big difference because arriving on the 11am plane still means that by the time you get through baggage pickup and find transportation to your hotel (I'm assuming you are going to a hotel first after picking up a car?),
then it will probably be about 2pm.
Is it your intent to check in ,dump your cases then rush out to a park?(probably close to 3pm) then your not leaving much time.
Is there no way to get a flight the night before (probably cheaper because I believe the 23rd is a Friday)and the money you save for the flight could go toward an extra hotel night perhaps?(it does'nt have to be the more expensive Disney Hotel).
Where are you flying from?
What hotel are you staying at?
Are you renting a car?

 

[JadeTiger]

Wee-Haggis, thanks for the reply..

Here are the answers to your questions

We will be flying out of Cedar Rapids, IA

We plan to stay at the Coronado Springs, unless I can get a great deal at the Wilderness Lodge.

I am planning on taking a town car from the airport, and then relying on Disney transportation.

I did price the Thursday flights and they were only $2 cheaper. I am not even sure the price I am looking at today is a good deal. The price is $150 (total for the three of us) less than a few weeks ago.

 

[Cmbar]

Your oK! This can be overwhelming especially when you have airline tickets involved. I suggest nailing those down first and then working the rest out. First off an extra day eating up savings only you can say is worth it for your family. But I can assure you that there will be plenty to do if you arrive early -whether a day or even just a 1/2 day. I will say that if I am reading you right the difference in the plane time is only two hours so I would definitely go with the cheaper fare. If you arrive at 11 am in Orlando the earliest you can be to the hotel, checked in and to a park is probably 12:30. I don't think you would want to buy a whole extra day for essentially a half a day at the parks. It sounds like you will be there for at least six days. That is a great amount of time to enjoy the parks so you might want to just go with the cheaper flight that arrives at 1pm.

Depending on where you are staying you could go to the Boardwalk and walk around and get ice cream at Beaches and Cream. You could go to downtown Disney and see the LEgo display and see all the action. There is ESPN zone down there somewhere (or at least there was this spring). I'm sure you will get responses from many people about extra things to do.

Where are you flying in from? Does Southwest or Trans Air fly from there? Southwest hasn't even opened up those dates yet so you have a real good chance of getting a good fare if they fly from your city. What resort do you want to stay at? This will determine what kinds of things you might be able to do arriving in the afternoon. If you are staying at the POR (Port Orleans) you can take a boatride to Downtown Disney.

Do you want a Value, Moderate or Deluxe resort or are you a teacher, Nurse or Gov/military worker and have the opportunity to stay at the Dolphin or Swan? If so, I hear it is great. January the parks will close earlier but you will also have low crowds so you will get to do anything and everything in the parks.

There is lots of inforamation to sort through here. But the main thing is to nail down your dates and hotel and then you can work on tickets and itinerary.

If you can swing an extra day go for it otherwise I think you will have plenty of time. The only thing I would strongly suggest is not wasting a park hopper day if you aren't arriving at the park before noon,especially if it is closing early and you have lots of other days there!

Good luck, We are all here to help you through! Watch out - after you start planning you will be addicted!!

PIXIE DUST TO YOU!

 

[wee-haggis]

The best I can see if $218 with Delta leaving on the 22nd.
http://www.cheap-flight.ws

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by JadeTiger
Please help me decide. If I were to take the plane and get in at 1pm, what should we do with that short day?

Thank you, I appreciate any advice since I am feeling overwhelmed.

For the first day, I'd recommend just RELAXING... don't worry about the parks until later. There is so much more to Disney than the theme parks! Besides, after a day of travelling, one needs some relaxation. It's the whole point of a vacation, after all.

If you want to do something, just as someone mentioned, you can check out the Boardwalk area, or Downtown Disney. LOTS of things to do at DTD. Or just relax, and enjoy the pool and surroundings of Coronado Springs (or WL) You could also play Mini-Golf at one of the courses. So many choices!

 

[seashoreCM]

If your plane gets into Orlado in the evening, consider staying in a hotel near the airport that first night. Probably save ou some money and also lets you get a good nights sleep.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[JadeTiger]

Thank you all for your kind words and advice.

I went ahead and booked plane tickets for the 23rd

Thanks again for your help