Just to present the contrary side here... we have small kids (1,3,4) and to take a late flight is stressful.... have to get up and out and packed and then feel like "killing time". We don't feel like we have a home base. We don't want to do a park day since we go early to parks and like to bail after lunch and go relax ... no where to do that with no room. We feel packed into our car with the p&p, luggage, etc.
We find if we walk around DTD, we just get suckered into buying things (not by kids, but convince each other !) which gives us more to carry home. Especially on a Sat/Sun, there are lots of people around DTD 'killing time', lines get long for lunch, purchases, etc.
Flying home early (we left at 7am last time) also gives us a day to decompress at home, my dh a chance to get caught up on work email/meetings/run into work for a few hours/dinner meeting -- all good stress mgmt things for "us" (if flying on a work day). It also is easier just to send kids to bed in Fla. and I pack everything without having to leave out 'fla clothes' vs. 'traveling clothes' (we live in a cold climate). Gives me a chance to get to grocery store without feeling pressured about getting kids to bed once home.
Another bonus: earlier flights are typically less crowded! (important when you are schlepping gear and kids and want a bonus middle seat). And flight delays (inevitable) aren't quite as stressful when you are thinking "what time will I get home?"
So... while next time I don't think I'll take the 7am (leaving for the airport at 5am wasn't fun), I will always pay the extra night hotel, have a 'full' day before we fly home is definitely worth it for us.
We find if we walk around DTD, we just get suckered into buying things (not by kids, but convince each other !) which gives us more to carry home. Especially on a Sat/Sun, there are lots of people around DTD 'killing time', lines get long for lunch, purchases, etc.
Flying home early (we left at 7am last time) also gives us a day to decompress at home, my dh a chance to get caught up on work email/meetings/run into work for a few hours/dinner meeting -- all good stress mgmt things for "us" (if flying on a work day). It also is easier just to send kids to bed in Fla. and I pack everything without having to leave out 'fla clothes' vs. 'traveling clothes' (we live in a cold climate). Gives me a chance to get to grocery store without feeling pressured about getting kids to bed once home.
Another bonus: earlier flights are typically less crowded! (important when you are schlepping gear and kids and want a bonus middle seat). And flight delays (inevitable) aren't quite as stressful when you are thinking "what time will I get home?"
So... while next time I don't think I'll take the 7am (leaving for the airport at 5am wasn't fun), I will always pay the extra night hotel, have a 'full' day before we fly home is definitely worth it for us.