Non-direct flights?

[peachiepie]

I've managed to convince DH into another WDW! I'm currently looking into flights...before I've only flown direct, but this time we were considering flying in-direct this time.

The options I've found are either direct with Virgin, Gatwick to Orlando, or going from our local airport - Norwich to Amsterdam, Amsterdam to Atlanta, Atlanta to Orlando.

The non-direct flight is a bit cheaper, but only about £100 in it. The idea of being able to get a 20 minute taxi to Norwich airport from our house appeals, rather than the 2 hour drive and an overnight hotel/2 weeks parking at Gatwick. However 2 changes does seem like a it could be too much of a hassle.

The last time we flew to Orlando it took us an hour and 45 minutes to queue up and clear immigration (think our plane must have landed at the same time as a couple of others and there was a massive queue). If we took the non-direct flight we would have and hour and a half to change planes at Atlanta for the Orlando flight...I guess we'd have to do immigration at Atlanta so I'm worried about missing the connecting flight.

I'm leaning towards paying the extra and flying direct, but DH seems keen on flying from our local airport.

Has anyone take in-direct flights and can offer some advice?

 

[WiganTony]

Personally I would go for the direct flight - two changes is twice the chance of late flights/missed connections/missing baggage etc. Also, you are flying out the "wrong" way initially, so you end up flying back over your start point several hours later.

When we flew MAN-CDG-MCO last year, we felt a bit "over-travelled" having left Manchester at 09:40 only to pass back over at around 14:45 - 5 hours to get back to where we started from!!! That said, we did save around £1,00 for three of us so at the time felt it was worth it, but next time we would rather fly indirect via a US airport (one stop though!!).

You may have to add on extra for a hotel for the night, and transport to/from Gatwick, but in the big scheme of things it's a small % extra on the total cost.

 

[Disney Burns]

Have you looked at Aer Lingus? We are flying Glasgow - Dublin - Orlando for the second time soon (32 days to be exact!!!!) and can't recommend them highly enough we also found the flights a fair bit cheaper than direct. Not sure where and when you want to fly so can't check but might be worth a look

Jenn x

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

The only way we fly indirect is through either Dublin, Newark or Atlanta, one change and it's a very smooth process. i wouldn't personally do more than one change and certainly not flying in the opposite direction first. if the direct flight is only £100 more as you say, then definitely go direct.

 

[peachiepie]

Thank you all, this does seem to confirm what I was thinking that direct would be a whole lot easier!

I think DH is more keen on taking the in-direct flight as we'd land at Norwich and he wouldn't have to drive home (unlike the 2 hour drive back from Gatwick). But it does seem rather more hassle.