Never Flown Before MANY Questions

[tinkerbell615]

I guess you can tell from the title of my thread that I have NEVER been on an airplane before, so everything that goes with flying is a mystery to me.

MY daughter is going with the band in February to march at DW . They are traveling by bus and because of this goofy vertigo that I have traveling by bus is not going to work for me. So...my mom and myself are going to fly to Orlando for a couple of days so I can see her march through Disney (A dream come true by the way!) .

Here are my questions I am hoping some you experts can help.
1. What is the best way to get from the airport to your hotel?
2. We will be staying offsite and I don't believe there is transportation
to the parks, so if we get to the hotel hours before check-in what do
you usually do?
3. I am wondering if we should rent a car for the two days. Do you think
that would be best? We can use the transportation the kids are
using for going back and forth to the parks while we are there but
maybe it would be best for us to have a car.
4. Should I try to book a flight now and get the best rate or should I
wait to see what SW comes out with hopefully in the next week or
two?


I apologize if these questions seem silly, but my family always drives and I am a big "dummy" when it comes to all of the flying suff.

 

[Tara]

1. What is the best way to get from the airport to your hotel?

Best is pretty relative. If you are staying offsite, then you'll want to rent a car, in my opinion. The best way to get to your hotel will depend on where it is. If you post the location, someone here might be able to give you some time-saving and traffic-avoiding tips.

2. We will be staying offsite and I don't believe there is transportation
to the parks, so if we get to the hotel hours before check-in what do
you usually do?

You should be able to check in to your hotel and have your luggage held for you even if it's too early to be assigned a room. Just remember to have whatever you need for the parks that day packed in a separate bag you can take with you, or know where it is in your luggage so you can get it out before checking your bags.

3. I am wondering if we should rent a car for the two days. Do you think
that would be best? We can use the transportation the kids are
using for going back and forth to the parks while we are there but
maybe it would be best for us to have a car.

See above. Yes, I highly recommend a car!

4. Should I try to book a flight now and get the best rate or should I
wait to see what SW comes out with hopefully in the next week or
two?

Waiting a bit won't hurt, especially if there is a history of SW Ding! fares from your location. I'd wait it out a bit if I were you.

Good luck! (And there are a lot of good threads here if you search for "first time on plane" or "first plane trip" etc. that will help you know what to expect in terms of security and the logistics of flying.)


I apologize if these questions seem silly, but my family always drives and I am a big "dummy" when it comes to all of the flying suff.[/QUOTE]

 

[tinkerbell615]

Thank you. I appreciate your thoughts and help.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I agree with renting a car. It may (or may not) seem pricy at first, but figure it this way: it'll cost you about $30 each round trip on the Mears Shuttle between the airport and your hotel ($60). Then you'd either need a cab to and from the parks, or possibly your hotel's bus one way and a cab back because those buses, where offered, only run maybe a couple of times in the morning and a couple at night. An economy car, even with gas, will be your best option.

 

[mommy*RN]

1. What is the best way to get from the airport to your hotel?

I agree with the pp who stated that renting a car will be a good idea. When staying offsite and needing to travel to and from the parks a rental car will save you money in the long run. Check out prices now if possible...you can reserve them for free and always rebook if the price is cheaper later on. There should be no fee towards reserving a car. Check www.mousesavers.com for coupon codes and contract ID numbers to help decrease the cost of your rental.

2. We will be staying offsite and I don't believe there is transportation
to the parks, so if we get to the hotel hours before check-in what do you usually do?

Once again I agree with the pp - check in and leave your luggage if possible. They should give you an estimated time that your room will be ready. You may want to check-out Downtown Disney or the Boardwalk at Disney. Both are free and fun to do. There is shopping and places to eat at each place. You can probably find out more about them at www.allearsnet.com. Another thing you can do if you don't want to leave the hotel is lounge around by the pool. Check and see if your hotel will allow this...

3. I am wondering if we should rent a car for the two days. Do you think that would be best? We can use the transportation the kids are using for going back and forth to the parks while we are there but maybe it would be best for us to have a car.

I do think a car would be helpful to you and your mom. That way you are not resricted in what YOU do. There are a few good airport rentals such as National, Alamo, Hertz, Budget, Thrifty (just to name a few).

4. Should I try to book a flight now and get the best rate or should I wait to see what SW comes out with hopefully in the next week or two?

I agree again with the pp - you still have time. Just check fares frequently and book when you see one you think is the best.

I don't think your questions are silly at all! Stick around the DIS and don't feel silly asking any questions. I've asked a few doozies in my time here and everyone has been great about helping me! Since this is your first trip to Disney and on a plane planning will help make the the most magical it can be!

Good luck!

 

[tinkerbell615]

Okay so I have decided to rent a car when I arrive. I have checked several of the car rental places and have found that both Avis and Hertz are just about the same in rates. Any opinions on which one would be better to use?

Also, I am going to wait for the Southwest February rates for IND or CMH to MCO. I want to leave as late as possible in the evening for my return flight home on Sunday. Does anyone know what is the lastest time that Southwest usually departs MCO? I want to stay at one of the parks as late as possible with my daughter that day. Her bus is not leaving to come home until Monday and I wanted to make sure if they march in the park that day that I get to see it. It looks like AirTran has a flight that leaves a little after 7:00 pm but I would like to wait and see what Southwest has to offer. However, if they will fly out much earlier than that... I might have to go with AirTran which I think is going to be a bit more expensive.

Thanks again for all of you help.

 

[Donald is #1]

Okay so I have decided to rent a car when I arrive. I have checked several of the car rental places and have found that both Avis and Hertz are just about the same in rates. Any opinions on which one would be better to use?

Also, I am going to wait for the Southwest February rates for IND or CMH to MCO. I want to leave as late as possible in the evening for my return flight home on Sunday. Does anyone know what is the lastest time that Southwest usually departs MCO? I want to stay at one of the parks as late as possible with my daughter that day. Her bus is not leaving to come home until Monday and I wanted to make sure if they march in the park that day that I get to see it. It looks like AirTran has a flight that leaves a little after 7:00 pm but I would like to wait and see what Southwest has to offer. However, if they will fly out much earlier than that... I might have to go with AirTran which I think is going to be a bit more expensive.

Thanks again for all of you help.

First of all, have a great time!

Now for your questions... On Hertz versus Avis, I have used both of them at other airports and never had a problem with either one. So my recommendation is to go with whichever one is cheapest. As for the latest Southwest flight out of Orlando, go to the SW website and pick a date that corresponds to the same day of the week that you will be flying back but is within their current window. You should be able to see a list of the flights available for that day. Most likely, they will have the same flights on the day you are actually flying.

 

[mommy*RN]

In regards to the pp, I agree to choose whichever is cheapest. I will be using Avis for the first time in October for a 1 day rental from our home airport. I've heard really good things about them so I am excited. I didn't choose them, they accepted a price from me on priceline.com.

I can't help you with flights as we've never flown Southwest, but I've heard good things about them too. I'm also impressed with their customer service people as I've seen the TV show Airline...wow!

Good luck!

 

[tinkerbell615]

First of all, have a great time!

Now for your questions... On Hertz versus Avis, I have used both of them at other airports and never had a problem with either one. So my recommendation is to go with whichever one is cheapest. As for the latest Southwest flight out of Orlando, go to the SW website and pick a date that corresponds to the same day of the week that you will be flying back but is within their current window. You should be able to see a list of the flights available for that day. Most likely, they will have the same flights on the day you are actually flying.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Now I have another question. It looks like the latest return time to IND from MCO on Southwest on every Sunday I checked leaves at 3:20. Maybe Southwest is not the way to go for me. Has anyone ever flewn AirTran? Do they ever have sales on their flights? I have read that if you book a flight and then they reduce the price, you can not get the cheaper rate. It costs $50.00 to make a change. Is that per ticket or total for the order? Also, does anyone know if you book a flight for someone and they can't go can you change the name on the ticket for someone else to go?

I know I am asking lots of questions... but what better place to ask. You guys just keep coming up with the answers and I appreciate it very much.

 

[momrek06]

OP, I did the exact same thing as you...my DS was performing with his Jazz Band at Cosmic Rays (MK) on one day and at EPCOT with his Show Choir the next day. Another mom and I made the decision to go AFTER the BUS was FULL with all the other parent volunteers and all the students...(my gf had just had a baby and thought she would have trouble leaving her babe but her DH had it all handled)(yup she had a high schooler and a new baby) ANYWAY, we opted to stay at ALL STAR MUSIC while everyone else stayed off site. We flew in before them and got right to our hotel and had their schedule with us and followed them EVERYWHERE. We flew out of Boston directly to MCO and then used MEARS Shuttle to get back and forth to the airport. It was called Disney's MAGICAL MUSIC DAYS. They gave us free t-shirts and pins. We took their bus back and forth to their hotel and the parks. We followed them everywhere. We got the Disney schedule before we bought our plane tickets so we knew when they were performing.

OP, IT WAS THE MOST THRILLING EXPERIENCE TO SEE YOUR CHILD PERFORM IN DISNEYWORLD. Cosmic Rays was FABULOUS because the way the stage is the students (JAZZ BAND) CAME UP FROM THE BOTTOM and started playing "IN THE MOOD" as they were coming up and it was amazing....the students were screaming and soooo many family and friends came all the way from Boston to see their kids perform.

MAKE SURE YOU GET PLENTY OF PARK BROCHURES BECAUSE THE HIGH SCHOOL NAME IS IN THE BROCHURE STATING THE TIME THEY ARE PERFORMING. It is so AMAZING to see your child's high school in the Disney Park Brochure.

Also, bring plenty of FILM!!!

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Thought Id pipe in on the rental car. Ive never had a problem with either Hertz or Avis, although Hertz is often very very customer orriented. Unless you are #1 Club Gold, I would stick with Avis at MCO because they are onsite (in the parking garage across the street from the main terminal building) and will be faster as Hertz requires a shuttle bus ride to the lot.

 

[tinkerbell615]

OP, I did the exact same thing as you...my DS was performing with his Jazz Band at Cosmic Rays (MK) on one day and at EPCOT with his Show Choir the next day. Another mom and I made the decision to go AFTER the BUS was FULL with all the other parent volunteers and all the students...(my gf had just had a baby and thought she would have trouble leaving her babe but her DH had it all handled)(yup she had a high schooler and a new baby) ANYWAY, we opted to stay at ALL STAR MUSIC while everyone else stayed off site. We flew in before them and got right to our hotel and had their schedule with us and followed them EVERYWHERE. We flew out of Boston directly to MCO and then used MEARS Shuttle to get back and forth to the airport. It was called Disney's MAGICAL MUSIC DAYS. They gave us free t-shirts and pins. We took their bus back and forth to their hotel and the parks. We followed them everywhere. We got the Disney schedule before we bought our plane tickets so we knew when they were performing.

OP, IT WAS THE MOST THRILLING EXPERIENCE TO SEE YOUR CHILD PERFORM IN DISNEYWORLD. Cosmic Rays was FABULOUS because the way the stage is the students (JAZZ BAND) CAME UP FROM THE BOTTOM and started playing "IN THE MOOD" as they were coming up and it was amazing....the students were screaming and soooo many family and friends came all the way from Boston to see their kids perform.

MAKE SURE YOU GET PLENTY OF PARK BROCHURES BECAUSE THE HIGH SCHOOL NAME IS IN THE BROCHURE STATING THE TIME THEY ARE PERFORMING. It is so AMAZING to see your child's high school in the Disney Park Brochure.

Also, bring plenty of FILM!!!

Thank you so much for sharing about your experience with your DS performing at Disney. I have been so excited since I found out that her high school band was performing there in February. She is in the color guard and I just can't wait to see exactly what they do while they are there. What is so ironic is that I never imagined her being part of the marching band or color guard a few years back. We were visiting MK about 6 years ago and we saw a HS band march down Main Street before one of the parades. I turned and looked at my DH and said... "Wouldn't it be awesome to be a parent and see your child marching through the MK." Now I get to see my DD do it and I am just so excited. I am waiting to see the itinerary so I know exactly what days and parks they will be in but there is no way that I am not going to be there! I just need to get all of my questions answered by all of you wonderful experts out there first. I did not realize that their HS name would be in the brochures. How cool is that!!!!

Thanks again for adding to my excitement!! I can't wait!!