Return Flight Question

[goofytwo]

Is a 10:55 am return flight to early? We have early dinner seating. We can get good prices on airfare throught Southwest but this is the only return flight available.

 

[mommasita]

That is a tough one..Officially reccomended by Disney is nothing before 12 or 12:30 even...

Personally, I think it is doable, I would use a car pick ;up service though, and be the first one off the boat.. Pray for a smooth debarkation, and no surprises....

We made two 11:30 flights, with no problem..But not saying to do it, but I would..

 

[tvguy]

Disney says nothing before 12:30, probably because on average that is a safe time to depart.
Have others made earlier flights? Yes.
In our case, we BARELY made a 12:35 flight. Not Disney's fault, they had us at the airport by 10:15, it was the 90 minute wait to clear security at the airport that almost sunk us.

 

[kcashner]

That is exactly the problem....security checks. MCO is a very busy airport, and Southwest is not an airline where you can check in your bags at the port. I was surprised in June when it took us almost all of 2 hours to stand in line to check in luggage, stand in line to clear security, etc. It was a long process.

That said, we made a 9:30 flight after one cruise. We were booked on a 12:30 but got there early and they rebooked us on the spot for the 9:30. For our next return, DCL has us booked on an 11:45. In fact, I even questioned them at the time, since it violated their own guidelines. The DCL guy said, "No problem, we'll have you there on time." The good news is that we are on Delta this time, so will check in our luggage at Port Canaveral.

 

[Jillpie]

Kcashner, on the flight where they switched you to the earlier one on the spot...did this cost you anything? Was this Song airlines btw? I have this same dilemma (already posted about it) and I think I'm going with the safe bet and booking the 3:00 flight. I don't like taking risks when it comes to a family of five. So if we show up at the airport at 9:00 am, and there are seats on the 11:30 flight, they'll just switch you, just like that? I guess my only concern is cost.

 

[brack]

I am always in a hurry to get to MCO for a cruise but I will never book tight to get back home. Can you say "DISASTER"?

 

[tvguy]

Don't know why you couldn't switch if there are seat available, but that may be a BIG if.
We flew to Disneyland in June, and almost got bumped from our return flight, overbooked, even though we had CONFIRMED reservations. Not only were we on the last flight out of the night (LAX to Sacramento), but agent said every flight on every airline from LAX to Sacramento was sold out and overbooked for the next 8 days. There are 19 flights a day from LAX to SMF, all sold out!!!

 

[Jillpie]

Okay, I booked out flights. I chickened out and booked the 3:00 pm flight back home. I just couldn't risk it. So our round trip is booked now for next June. I can't wait.!

 

[goofyforlife]

Okay, I booked out flights. I chickened out and booked the 3:00 pm flight back home. I just couldn't risk it. So our round trip is booked now for next June. I can't wait.!

Good idea.....our experience with flying SWA home to BWI was that if your bags aren't at the airport at least two hours early there's a good chance they may not make your flight..... So even though you could easily get to the gates on time...your luggage may be on the following flight anyway...

but this way you'll have time to go to KSC or DTD or a small attraction.