what time do you fly out?

[2minny]

What time works best for your family to fly out of Orlando? We usually leave mid-day, but it seems we don't ever really have enough time to do anything big, so it seems wasted...we may as well go home early. I'm thinking next trip we may catch a late flight and spend another full day exploring. What works for you?

 

[Mom of 6]

We just got back yesterday late morning. We left Orlando at 8:20Am. The kids slept in their clothes, and we woke them at about 6AM. The drive to the airport was easy, not during the busiest time of day.

This worked great for us. We extended our stay, opting for a full " last day," and left early on the travel day home. We also saved money, as it was cheaper to fly out on a monday.

I agree with you. It seems like a waste of a day to hassle with luggage, and getting ready to go--only to have a few useless hours in Orlando. It was good too, because the kids felt satisfied at the end of our last day--having time to do several things.

 

[disneymama73]

When we fly, we take a late flight home. That way we can enjoy our last day.

Even if you don't choose to go into the parks, you can swim, shop, etc....

 

[BrerMama]

We're taking the latest flight possible, which for us is 2:50 PM. We plan to hit the EMH park that morning, tour until 11:30. Return to the hotel by noon and meet our towncar by 12:30 to head to the airport. Once we get to the airport, we'll check in and eat lunch before beginning the journey home. Our package includes ultimate hoppers so this way I feel I'm getting full use of them. And hopefully the kids will be worn out and sleep all the way home.

 

[GEM]

For our trip in May, we got the latest flight out we could - 8p.m. We figure the towncar will pick us up about 6p.m. so that gives us another full day of fun! We should be getting home right about midnight, which is fine as nobody has to work the next day.

 

[ahutton]

The last non-stop flight we can get leaves at 2:30. I love it, I send DH into the EMH park with the kids while I pack, and then when they get back we go and check in at the airport, have lunch and board. We get home in time for dinner and have some wind down time to get everyone to bed. We actually do this on Saturday usually - then we have all of Sunday to get back into the swing of life before they head back to school!

 

[2minny]

I love this board...these are great suggestions! I like the idea of taking the last flight out so you can enjoy one more day without paying another hotel night!

 

[HappyLawyer]

we fly home on an 11 0 clock flight we store our luggage at the hotel and make the most of another day

 

[kashkdz]

Early arrival, and late departure... when in Disney that's my philosophy. On our last two trips, I believe we left PA at around 7:00am (earliest flight) and had a return flight of around 8:30pm (latest flight). When you're staying for 8 days, we make the most of our arrival and departure days. When we arrive we simply leave the bags at the hotel baggage check-in (only if our room is not ready, of course), and head to the parks. On the departure day, we also check our bags and head to the parks to say our farewell (until next time, that is!).

 

[2minny]

That sounds like a GREAT plan!

 

[frannn]

DH likes it that way. I am not so sure. I can say the one time we went on a 7 am flight to WDW with the kids, we were all too tired when we got there to do a lot. DH likes to get an early flight out, so we compromised on our last trip, and left on a Monday. I think its because he wants to check out of the resort and go straight to the airport, with no dilldallying in the parks. I usually go to work the day after we get back, DH usually has an extra week's vacation afterwards (to relax from the vacation). The flight we will probably take this Sept leaves NY 8 am Friday, and leaves FL 4:15 pm Monday. I chose those times with DH's approval. I won't be able to sleep much the night before anyway, and then we have time to pick up the rental car, go to the resort, relax, and have lunch. Then, we can hopefully go to MK for the parade and a few rides and go to Baskerville's for dinner (wishing really hard!). Once again, I will drop a thought that I wish I could follow myself....less luggage and "stuff" means having to spend less time to pack going home (and more park time!)