Q's about flying to WDW..costs & options..

[Avery&Todd]

Im not an experienced flyer by any means - I travel a little for work, but since its for work, I dont worry about paying for the flights myself..nor do I even notice them..

that being said, DH and I were talking about our next trip to WDW and how perhaps we'll fly - we live in NC and its "about" 10 hrs to get there -we normally drive 8 hrs the first day, stop over night on the far side of Jacksonville, and then get to WDW mid-morning the next day.

I checked flights the other day as if we were traveling this June for a family of 4, 2 adults 2 kids, 11 & 9 and it was $1,200!!!

HOLY COW!!

are flights really that expensive?

I was checking through travelocity and it showed numerous airlines.

I need some tips/tricks/secrets on how and when or where I can find cheapers tickets...or we might just be driving again!!

also, how much are your airline tickets - and is $1,200 really that bad - oh, and to top it off - $25/$35 per checked bag per person...good gracious!!



THANKS!!

 

[WDWisTheBest]

What is your preferred airport?

 

[Avery&Todd]

What is your preferred airport?

RDU - Raleigh-Durham

thanks!

 

[glennbo123]

It's been a year now, but last summer it cost us a little more than that to fly Southwest from Baltimore to Orlando for 5 of us. With gas prices going up, I'm not surprised at the fares you're seeing. I don't know of any way around it, other than the option of driving.

 

[englishrose47]

Our airfares are sky high this year !!We prefer SWA but am flying down airtran as it was sooo much cheaper !! I am seriously thinking of looking into the trains next year !!

 

[Poolrat]

If Southwest is showing you no love out of Raliegh then try Airtran.

Before all the gas and oil nonsense I was able to get $64- $89 Flights from airtran from charlotte. Keep watching and try Tuesday and Wed nights as rates go down then. Try cheaptickets or Kayak for flights other than SW. Be obsessive about it and sign up for sw emails and dings.

 

[osprey6]

Don't forget alternate airports. If you're not dead set on using ME, look at Sanford, Melbourne, Daytona, Tampa and St. Petersburg.

Yes, flights are bad and with oil situation may get even worse. You might also consider driving. I'm guessing its about 8-9 hrs from RDU.

 

[*Seanaci*]

Yeah...airfare is steep. I dread when we fly next year. >_<

Good luck and hope you find some good fares.

 

[Singledad]

some general tips: I find best prices by doing more legwork. in other words I go to each airline's sites and check them directly. I check multiple airports. I live in upper wisconsin but have family down in the chicagoland area. I always check 5 airports because of this. two near where I live, and 3 down there, milwaukee, midway and ohare. I also learned which airports were 'hubs' for lowcost airlines like SW... and check those airports first.

Also, pay attention to time of day, and which day of the week you are flying.

sometimes, it is actually cheaper to take an internet only deal from an airline's website, than to seek a 'childs' fare.

and lastly, check back weekly. The fares change all the time. I once was finding only 1000+ totals, then a month later it was half that. and the gas prices where going up then, not down.

good luck and have fun!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

When the 4 of us go, we just drive. We leave the house around 8am and are usually in Orlando by 7pm.

It's an 8 hour drive without stops and we usually stop a few times between eating, gas and just needing a break.

Then we don't have to worry about fitting souveniers in luggage (a huge sombero will not fit in luggage) or what kind of souveniers (IE: no snowglobes on the plane!) and we can bring as much stuff as we think we need.

I'd go to kayak.com and sign up so they can keep you posted on airfares. It looks like you aren't going for awhile so they will probably go down.

I just booked a quick Mother's Day weekend trip for me only and it was 89.00 flying from ATL to MCO on Thursday and then on Sunday it's 109.00 coming home. Luggage fee of 20.00 each way.

Not too bad.

I'd find out what airlines fly out of RDU to MCO and check them every tuesday. I'd also sign up for any email alerts for specials. Good luck!