What Flight Home would you choose?

[amitrat]

A little background. Second trip to Disney - went same time last year and LOVED it. We will be there 8/27 to 9/4

To come home, would you do a 5:20PM flight getting home at 8ish or an 8PM flight getting in after 11PM? We live in NJ and our girls are now 6 and 2.5. We are travelling with grandparents too!

Part of me wants as much time in the parks as possible and part of me knows that 1st grade starts on Tuesday 9/6 for DD so maybe screwing up the bedtime is not the best thing. WWYD?

 

[seashoreCM]

Since school is not the very next day I would take the late flight. And take the chance that DD will get some sleep on the plane or on the ride home from the hometown airport.

I alwasy try for the last flight home.

 

[MrsNick]

I'd come home on the earlier flight. We have similar choices for our possible trip. Although the later flight lengthens the vacation, I don't think it's worth it. Everyone will be exhausted and by the time the flight lands, you collect your bags and get home it's even later. And if there are any delays, fuhgeddaboudit.

ETA: If I were traveling alone or with another adult companion with similar energy level, I'd consider the later flight. But with young children and grandparents, I don't think it's a good idea. If your flight is delayed, it could end up getting cancelled since it's the last flight out and the crew may bump up against rest restrictions. Then, you're stuck at the airport with young children and grandparents. Not a great way to end a vacation.

 

[amitrat]

Thanks - we know all too well about the reset restrictions. Last year our flight leaving Newark to get there was delayed over 5 hours for mechanical issues and they needed a part from another airport. We were eating cold pizza from Unos when we should have been dining at Beirgarten. We made it with minutes to spare before needing to switch crews and took off faster than I have ever taken off all in the wrong seats - we were told to sit ANYWHERE. We got to our resort at 1AM with an 8AM CRT reservation. THAT SUCKED!

Still torn, but thanks for the imput - BTW, grandparents are in their 60s and have as much energy as we do.

One factor that might weigh in (we will not be seeing them much there - I feel it is better for the friendship not to have 4 kids ages 8, 6, 5, and 2 with differing opinions together too much), but our BFFs with kids are going the exact same time- we have the same flight out and they are on the 5PM going home.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Then, you're stuck at the airport with young children and grandparents. Not a great way to end a vacation.

I'm confused what there is about the word 'grandparents' that automatically makes people think feeble or early to bed. I could easily have grandchildren the age of the OP's children - and yet I'm perfectly capable of staying awake and alert past midnight!

 

[amitrat]

I'm confused what there is about the word 'grandparents' that automatically makes people think feeble or early to bed. I could easily have grandchildren the age of the OP's children - and yet I'm perfectly capable of staying awake and alert past midnight!

That is why I said what I said in the above post. My in-laws are FAB and were lifesavers in Disney last year and have just as much energy as we do!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I saw that - after I posted.

A couple of years back, there was a post from someone who was concerned because her parents were 'getting on in years'. Turns out, they were in their forties - and probably as healthy and active as she and her husband !

 

[goofy4tink]

I saw that - after I posted.

A couple of years back, there was a post from someone who was concerned because her parents were 'getting on in years'. Turns out, they were in their forties - and probably as healthy and active as she and her husband !

Yep, I hear ya. Here I am, looking at 62 in a month or so.....yes, my joints are getting a bit stiffer and more painful lately. BUT.....I keep up with all my younger DIS buddies just fine. I dare you to watch me, in the parks, and be able to tell how old I am...go ahead, I dare ya...double dog dare ya!!!

 

[MrsNick]

I'm confused what there is about the word 'grandparents' that automatically makes people think feeble or early to bed. I could easily have grandchildren the age of the OP's children - and yet I'm perfectly capable of staying awake and alert past midnight!

The question the OP asked was which flight she should take. I made my opinion known and gave the reasons why. From where I stand, I would not have my mother take a flight that late if there was another option. I also gave two other compelling reasons as to my opinion: the young age of the children and the risk of a flight cancellation.

I don't see your recommendation as to whether the OP should take the earlier or later flight and your rationale.

 

[sharona]

Take the earlier flight. While I always think I want to spend that last day in the parks, I really don't enjoy it enough to make it worth it. Between unpacking and checking out, worrying about getting to the airport (or back for ME) on time etc., it's just not worth it.

We took a 4-7pm flight home last weekend. Flight got delayed due to bad weather here at home so we didn't get in from the airport until 9pm. DD8 slept the whole flight and went right to bed when we got home but was still totally wiped out all this week - as was I. Now I also stupidly did not leave a day between return and school, not sure what I was thinking! Next time we'll be coming home early in the day on Saturday and getting quickly back to a routine before school/work starts on Monday.

 

[debster812]

I'd take the earlier flight too. We generally fly in the winter (February) and are flying in and out of New England. When there are weather related delays, the later in the day it gets, the worse the delays can get. If you wind up being on one of the last flights of the day, it can get tricky. If you have a late afternoon/early evening flight, there is more wiggle room, if you have to change plans.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yep, I hear ya. Here I am, looking at 62 in a month or so.....yes, my joints are getting a bit stiffer and more painful lately. BUT.....I keep up with all my younger DIS buddies just fine. I dare you to watch me, in the parks, and be able to tell how old I am...go ahead, I dare ya...double dog dare ya!!!

Dont dare me. I've seen you in theme parks and don't believe you're the age you claim!

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

We try to get the latest flight home, so we have more Disney time. You can have your children wear pajamas on the plane, hope they sleep during the flight & get them right to bed when you get home. Also the next day, don't let them sleep in too late. That way they will be tired for bed that night, and able to get up for school the following morning.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The question the OP asked was which flight she should take. I made my opinion known and gave the reasons why. From where I stand, I would not have my mother take a flight that late if there was another option. I also gave two other compelling reasons as to my opinion: the young age of the children and the risk of a flight cancellation.

I don't see your recommendation as to whether the OP should take the earlier or later flight and your rationale.

Great, another challenge right on the heels of goofy4tink's. Okay, I'm up to it.

Without taking the ages of the older couple into consideration (because the OP didn't provide them at first) but presuming they're relatively healthy and active (because she didn't say theyre not): I'd advise taking the later flight to maximize their time at Walt Disney World. Why? Well, because they can. There'll be four adults to wrangle the luggage, and the kids if necessary; they'll have the entire following day to recover from the trip, and the OP and her husband will have time to get their older child ready for school.

 

[antree]

HI, we leave to come back home on the 2nd and right now our only flight straight through is leaving at 2:25 in the afternoon and arriving home at 5pm We always took the last flight out. We have been doing that since the kids were babies, getting in anywhere from 11pm and 12 am. You know your kids best, if they can handle it, I say go for the later flight. My youngest is now 9 and he will still cry when we have to leave Disney to go to the airport at 12pm. I hope the last flight opens up at a good price and we will switch the times.

 

[ToddyLu]

Goodness knows I love and treasure my Disney trips as much as the next person...but with our check out at 11:00 and my mind made up that I have to go home. We get a flight just after check out. DH doesn't feel comfortable leaving the resort for a meal that morning becasue he is afraid we will miss the ride back to the ariport. So I have learned to cut my losses and take an earier flight.

Our last trip we flew in at 12:30 our time, didn't get home til around 4p.m. due to couple of stops and ...had to work the next day. Will not do that again, then work for the next several trips if I can help it.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

I suggest the later flight, especially if you can fit in more time at a theme park on the return date. Have fun on your trip.

 

[amitrat]

We took the 5pm flight - we can c2y with our BFFs about leaving Disney! Thanks for all the weighing in!