Requesting input on redeye flights, arrival accommodations etc.

[jdm]

Hi all,

We are flying in from the Seattle for the 3/12 Magic. I'm not sure how to proceed as far as flights and accomodations. I'm interested in what others have done.

I wanted to leave on Friday morning on award tickets through Alaska airlines. That would put us in Orlando in the evening and we could drive to the port. Alaska offers nonstop flights and great service. They are the airline of choice for us. And, I have enough miles for 4 free tickets. Of course, I'm having trouble getting award tickets for a Fri.

They have a 10:30 pm flight available on Thursday evening getting into Orlando at 6:37am Fri morning (3:37am for us). This is great, but we'll arrive tired and there is no guarantee of an early checkin unless I book the night before. I thought about Pricelining 2 nights in the airport area, but then it leaves us stuck in that area. I thought about the day rate at the Hyatt (and then we could nap and drive to PC later that afternoon) but I read in someones post that they don't let you checkin until 10am. That leaves us a few hours to kill after arrival. Wouldn't work.

We did this last time when we went on our first Wonder cruise. We arrived at about 9am. We drove to the Raddison and asked for early checkin and they couldn't give it to us unless we downgraded our room, which we did. We were so exhausted and the kids were toast. I don't want to make that mistake again. Too long a drive for going with no sleep and no gaurantee that our room will be ready.

Sorry so long, I'm obsessing. Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks
Jenn

 

[cristit14]

Personally, I hate flying all night esp. with kids. I don't know about your kids, but mine do very little sleeping on the plane. When we came home from Alaska the flight left there at something like midnight and then we had a layover in Seattle and home to Denver around 7 or 8 am I think. We were all really tired and cranky for the next couple of days. I wouldn't want to start my vacation that way. IMO

 

[jdm]

I don't really mind flying all night if we have a place to catch a few hours sleep as soon as we arrive. The kids are 12 & 7 so it's easier than if they were really young. A couple of gameboys and we are good to go. We live an hour and a half away from the airport. We avoid all the Seattle / Tacoma traffic and the evolution at the airport is quick and easy with no crowds. Those are the pros for the night flights.

I guess the real issue here for me is I can get 4 free round trip tickets if I take this red-eye versus paying for 4 tickets to leave on Fri. morning. Just need suggestions on hotels etc.

Thanks
Jenn

 

[scrapperjill]

We did the flight from Seattle to Orlando this past Sept. I think we were on the 9am flight and arrived in Orlando around 5pm. We of course took a Friday flight...and stayed over at a hotel near the airport. With having to do the late Thrusday flight arriving EARLY Friday in Orlando... I'd maybe call around to some of the hotels in the area to see who if anyone would do early check in. We stayed at the Embassy Suites near the Orlando airport...they worked out great for us because they have an airport shuttle...so we didn't have to worry about taking a taxi or getting a rental car. The next morning we had a car service pick us up and drive us to the port.

Good luck.

 

[coleland]

Interesting, we are doing the exact same thing in April - flying from Seattle on the redeye at 1030pm and on 4 Alaska award tickets

I'm looking for information about early check in too, so if either you or I come up with something how about we share it with the other? I think your Priceline idea for the night before and next works out the best. I have my hotel reservation for that next night (we are actually flying on a Wednesday night because I couldn't even get award tickets for a Thursday) and I'm going to call and see if I can just pay an exta night there beforehand to avoid changing hotels - I'll let you know.

 

[jdm]

I'll let you know what I figure out. I've been checking the Alaska web site a few times a day for weeks and it wasn't until today that the Thurs pm departure came up. I'm really on the fence about holding off to see if the Fri comes up closer to departure. That happens frequently with Alaska. I can't tell you the times that I've booked a less than desirable flight to have the one I wanted come up the week before we leave. If I take that gamble, I'll have to be willing to pay $$$ if it doesn't happen.

The priceline idea does seem to be the best but I really don't want to spend 2 nights in the MCO area. I'd like to head to the port the next day. With the priceline rates though, I might just take the hit and book the 2 nights but leave that afternoon anyway. I don't know..... so much planning!!!

Maybe I'll call the Hyatt and see how early we could check in on a day rate. That would be perfect, then we could check out that afternoon and spend Fri night at the port.

Does anyone know if there is much to do in the airport area for a day or 2? That's an area I haven't read much about on the boards.

Thanks
Jenn

 

[MImom]

Another option might be to fly into a nearby airport.
Not sure if you can fly into Tampa or Jacksonville.
We were only able to use frequent flyer miles when flying into Tampa.
Good luck

 

[JennsBabySky]

Or since you are saving money by flying in a day earlier, you could just reserve the room for a day earlier. I like flying in on the red eye, but you probably will want a room to rest in right away. Personally, I hate the packing/unpacking thing. I'd doubt anyone would guarantee that early of check in, because then the hotel would be unable to reserve that room the night before. It would be too early to guarantee that someone in that category room had already checked out and that the room was cleaned.

Good luck,
Jennifer

 

[coleland]

Neither the OP or I can fly into another airport because we are using frequent flyer miles for free tickets, and Alaska only flies into Orlando. And, we're not saving any money by flying in a day earlier - it's kind of confusing - we can only GET seats the day before because there aren't free award seats on the Friday night flight. It would be perfect if we could get those, because then you avoid hotels completely and could just drive directly to the ship and board when allowed.

We are making the best of what we could get and are going to do Epcot on Friday before the cruise. I think since we get in at 6:22am on Thursday morning we'll take a nap and hang out by the hotel pool most of the day, and look for something to do in the evening. Then Epcot on Friday, then head to the port on Saturday morning. That's our plan anyway.

 

[scrapperjill]

You'll want to remember though that if any thing comes up with the Friday red-eye flight...and for some reason it dosn't go as planned...you may be taking a risk by not making it to the ship on time. If I'm understanding you correctly...Your flight as of now is Thursday PM...arriving in Orlando Friday AM...so you'll have all day friday to keep busie then off to the ship Saturday. But what your looking for is a Friday red-eye to arrive in Orlando Early Saturday....and board the ship Saturday afternoon. To me it would make a little more sence to book a room an extra night...do the red-eye Thursday...arrive Friday am...get some GOOD rest that day relaxing at the hotel pool and napping...then off to the ship Saturday nice, relaxed, and refreshed from your flight.

I don't think I would want to take the risk of the Friday-Saturday red-eye...just in case there were some sort of delays....not to mention how exhausted you'll be the day you fly in.

There's not as much to do around the MCO....but you could always do Downtown Disney or some of the Disney outlet stores....and there closer that way (MCO) than to the port. Your going to be so busy on the ship...it may be best to not plan alot the day you arrive and just take it easy.

 

[MImom]

Bummer about only being able to fly into MCO. But, free airfare is always good. Sounds like you have a good plan about what to do with your time before the cruise. I also am planning to do a park or water park before the cruise if we have time and the weather cooperates.
Have fun.

 

[jdm]

I guess I should have been more specific. Alaska has 2 nonstop flights a day into Orlando. One at 8:30 am and one at 10:30 pm. The flight I was really hoping to get was the Fri 8:30 am flight so we could drive to the Port and spend the night and board the ship Sat. afternoon. I would never do the Fri redeye for all the reasons you've mentioned.

I think that if we go with the redeye (Thurs) we will priceline a room for Thurs and Fri and just hang out in that area. I'm still going to call the Hyatt and see if they'll give us a day rate and let us check in that early.

Coleland, do you know where you are staying yet?

Jenn

 

[coleland]

Yes, we are staying at the Country Inn & Suites Calypso I belive it's called. It got great reviews and apparently has a great pool area, I think I'm paying $79 a night.

 

[jdm]

So, Lisa, are you paying for the night before (or morning of) the day you fly in... that would be Wed.or Thurs am right? And, is that in the airport area? I'm curious if you guys are renting a car?

Thanks,
Jenn

 

[scrapperjill]

jdm...that makes more sence....We did the 8:30 am (actually I was thinking it was closer to 9:00....maybe 8:50)..either way...we did the early flight from Seattle and arrived around 5:30pm to MCO....what ever it worked out great...

Good luck on either getting your rate for the room early...or being able to book your tickets on Friday.

BTW...do you know how early Alaska puts their flight schedule out? We rebooked for later this year...and want to start price shopping for airfair ASAP....I'm thinking it's somewhere like 5-6 months ahead...but I'm not sure.

 

[jdm]

You can book you flights with Alaska up to 330 days in advance. We use them for short flights to Vegas etc. but this is the first time we are using them across country. We usually fly Delta because they are the cheapest. It doesn't get any cheaper than 4 free tickets though, so are going with Alaska. I'm happy- as they are my favorite airline, service and comfort wise.

I did end up booking the Thurs redeye today as I was afraid if I waited any longer, I'd be out of luck totally on the award flights. Guess we'll have to spend our pre-cruise time in the MCO area-- Yuck! I really didn't want to do that. Much preferred to go to the Port and spend that Fri night but I guess you can't have everything.

As a sidenote, you are correct. The day flight is 8:50. I was looking at and booked the 8:30 return so I guess I had that on the brain.

Thanks to everyone for their input.

Jenn