Tell me about changing planes in Newark.

[The Eighth Dwarf]

Looking to go back to disney in October , but there are no direct flights going from Belfast this year, have thought about Dublin or gatwick but Newark sounds the easiest .
Anyone changed planes here before ?
I prefer the idea of splitting the flight nearly in half.
Also has anyone flown with continental before, what are they like. Have flown with both virgin and Thomas cook before and we found them both very good.

Anyone else in Belfast, what are you guys doing for this year .

 

[Hilary]

We flew with Continental via Newark (from Bristol) last year, have booked to go with them again this year and are currently looking into booking next trip with them too - so I guess that means we think they are ok!

The flight itself was fine - overall no better or worse than Virgin / BA, just a bit different. I would say the Continental crew we had were a bit more casual, but very friendly and helpful. Food was on a par with others, entertainment more limited from what I remember. Seats and legroom were a little better, I think.

The changeover in Newark on the way out was very straightforward and we had plenty of time (a bit too much, really) to have something to eat and drink before the next leg.

Coming back was a bit of a nightmare because our outbound flight from Orlando was late and we thought we were going to miss the connection - in the end we got it ok (it was also late leaving Newark), but our luggage didn't! (it was delivered to the house the following evening) Apparently this is quite common with that particular connection but, now that I know, in future I will just pack accordingly and make sure I have duplicates at home of any toiletries, etc . that I particularly want.

That experience hasn't put us off booking the same route/connections again because we feel it is absolutely worth it to be able to fly from Bristol and avoid the dreaded Gatwick run

Have a look at these two previous threads for a bit more information
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2075228
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2084192

 

[mikki.young]

We went through Newark once but never again if we can avoid it! It was a nightmare from start to finish and Virgin were so bad it put me off flying with them for several years. I'm sure we were unlucky but it did put us off. Not as bad as the recent events there though - that must have been horrific!

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

We are doing BFS Newark MCO as well for our first time indirect in August. The reports I have heard are very positive. I hate not having the option of direct flights though.

 

[scottishgirl87]

We are doing BFS Newark MCO as well for our first time indirect in August. The reports I have heard are very positive. I hate not having the option of direct flights though.

Same here! I'm booked Glasgow-Newark-MCO and everything I've read has been pretty much positive!

I have flown with Continental before, to New York itself, and had no problems whatsoever. If anything, I think I'm starting to prefer the American airlines rather than our own!

 

[tinks_1989]

We also went from Bristol and stopped at Newark found it so easy our nag was the first to come out and there were a family of 6 that were also on a connection to Orlando their bag come off after ours (I dont know if this was just luck or done for connections) we took our bags (we didnt go to the usual desk we went to customer services to change flight as we werent due for our connection for another 4 hours we were put on the next flight in 40 mins. If we were to take to the usual check in it was literaly just as you walked out from where you collected your bag) then back through security and we literally got straight on the flight and that was it we were on the way to the magic on the way home was even easier no collecting of bags just walked out of the gate across the coridor gave the man at the desk your ticket and passport and got straight on the next flight

all very simple we are doing it again in September

 

[stkf]

Booked to go with them this year from Glasgow. I have always been impressed with them and have never had any problems with the connection in Newark. You just pick up your luggage after immigration, go through customs and then hand your luggage over to go onto the next flight. We normally just have time for a quick bite to eat and then it is time to catch the flight to MCO.

 

[Kidani Kid]

We have just returned on Continental via Newark and had no problems at all, however it does not split your flight in half. The flight time to Newark is quoted as 8 hours and the second leg to Orlando is 3 hours. It did take less than that but it's still a lot longer than direct and that's without taking the lay over into consideration. You have to allow plenty of time for immigration going into Newark from the UK, but you then do not have to go through immigration in Orlando. On your return you do the security nightmare at Orlando but just go straight to your gate at Newark so need less time.

We have always flown Virgin, but due to their high prices and falling standards have started to check out the opposition and fly with whoever is the cheapest.

Air Canada had average legroom, food and crew but very poor entertainment (No seatback TV's)

Aer Lingus had more legroom, good food but no seatback TV's. The cabin crew were very friendly but allowed lots of kids to run around in circles screaming the whole journey even when the seatbelt signs were on.

Continental had average legroom, pathetic food, great entertainment (video on demand) and ok cabin crew, although I was constantly bumped into by the crew, but never by any other passenger.

Overall if Aer Lingus ever manage to install the promised seatback TV's on their Orlando planes, I would choose them. Until then I will go with Continental, price permitting of course.

 

[The Eighth Dwarf]

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply,
good to see most of the feedback is positive, cause i think this is probably the way we will go.

Right stupid question time then, is there any way to book these flights without having to stump up all the cash in one go?

We were looking at booking our hotel tickets and dining plan through disney and the flight separately but we can only pay so much every month and laying out £2000 for flights in one lump would mean having to save for 4 months by which time the flights may be gone up or worse still not be available.

 

[suzybear6]

Right stupid question time then, is there any way to book these flights without having to stump up all the cash in one go?

We were looking at booking our hotel tickets and dining plan through disney and the flight separately but we can only pay so much every month and laying out £2000 for flights in one lump would mean having to save for 4 months by which time the flights may be gone up or worse still not be available.

You could get an independant travel agent like http://www.chartertravel.co.uk/ to book the flights for you and you might not have to pay it all up front now. When I enquired with them recently they were offering a £50pp deposit with the rest payable later (not sure how much later) for booking Virgin flights and then accomodation with Disney.co.uk for me (not a package deal like Virgin holidays offer, just the travel agent booking things seperately for me rather than me doing it myself iyswim).

hth
Luv Suzy

 

[tinks_1989]

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply,
good to see most of the feedback is positive, cause i think this is probably the way we will go.

Right stupid question time then, is there any way to book these flights without having to stump up all the cash in one go?

We were looking at booking our hotel tickets and dining plan through disney and the flight separately but we can only pay so much every month and laying out £2000 for flights in one lump would mean having to save for 4 months by which time the flights may be gone up or worse still not be available.

you can book these flights through Thomas cook and first choice Im no sure if they will allow you to just pay and deposit but no harm in asking

 

[2Tiggies]

I booked flights through Thomas Cook last year and they asked for a deposit and gave me a date by which it had to be paid. I think it was around 8 weeks before departure, but not 100% sure. Actually, forgot we are now in 2010, so it was late in 2008 - they may not have the same policy now, but it won't hurt to ask.

 

[disneyholic family]

we've gone through newark many times - not too difficult..

one time we were caught there for many hours, due to bad weather - i think we were inbound on our way to orlando....
anyway, it was summer and the air conditioning was so strong, my kids nearly froze to death....i ended up buying them each a sweatshirt and sweatpants in one of the airport stores....
there was another family with little kids, who ended up doing the same thing...
ever since that trip, i have made sure to have warm clothes in the carry on bag, even in the hottest months of the summer...

 

[The Eighth Dwarf]

You could get an independant travel agent like http://www.chartertravel.co.uk/ to book the flights for you and you might not have to pay it all up front now. When I enquired with them recently they were offering a £50pp deposit with the rest payable later (not sure how much later) for booking Virgin flights and then accomodation with Disney.co.uk for me (not a package deal like Virgin holidays offer, just the travel agent booking things seperately for me rather than me doing it myself iyswim).

hth
Luv Suzy

Thank you Suzy you star, phoned charter travel and they have offered me a very competitive price, and better still its only £100 per person deposit, so looks like we`ll be going with them.

 

[suzybear6]

Thank you Suzy you star, phoned charter travel and they have offered me a very competitive price, and better still its only £100 per person deposit, so looks like we`ll be going with them.

Glad to help I haven't booked with them myself (too used to DIYing holidays and too much of a control freak I think!), but have spoken to them on the phone a couple of times to get quotes and they have been very pleasant and not pushy, so seem a nice company to deal with

Have fun booking and planning

Luv Suzy

 

[The Eighth Dwarf]

Quick everyone check out my new shiny ticker


Couple more questions for those of you that have done this, do we collect our luggage once we get to Newark?

With Mickeys Magical Express do we need to collect our luggage at the MCO?

Can we check in at the resort if we`re flying with Continental?

 

[janiebubble]

I've changed twice at Newark and had no problems ... and at least you clear immigration then so when you get off at Orlando its a breeze. Newark was in my opinion better than JFK. I would say though that each time the return flight from Orlando was touch and go, they over book on Continental and rely on people stepping off. we were worried we'd not make our connection last time but the airport had the buggies waiting to get us to the gate. The downside was no time to grab a meal/go to the loo etc which I'd been banking on!

 

[suzybear6]

Quick everyone check out my new shiny ticker

Looks like we'll be there at the same time

Happy Planning

Luv Suzy

 

[henryk67]

We are also changing at Newark, Edinburgh-Newark-Orlando with Continental on 14th Oct. 1hr 30min between flights at Newark going (hope it's enough time), 4hr 30min return (too much time).

 

[Lisa_C]

Quick everyone check out my new shiny ticker


Couple more questions for those of you that have done this, do we collect our luggage once we get to Newark?

With Mickeys Magical Express do we need to collect our luggage at the MCO?

Can we check in at the resort if we`re flying with Continental?

Yes you do, but it's simple rechecking them. You pass through immigration/customs (as it's the first time you set foot on U.S soil), collect your bags and recheck them straight through (they will already have the MCO tag on them and they guys behind the box will take them and sort them out for you) then on to your gate. It must have been ok as I did it with an 11 year old and a 3 year old in a pushchair on my own and I managed it. My flight back was through Texas and I didn't have to recheck them

You DO NOT exit past security otherwise you will have to go through this again.