What time in the day is best for...

[ALittleDisneyFan]

Flying to Florida?

Last October my husband and I flew down on the noon flight and we were packed. We left on a morning return flight, and we had some room..

How is a morning flight vs. evening (after 4pm) flight?

Thanks!

 

[DonnaL]

I really think it is hit or miss.......we always try to get a late morning/noonish flight from PHL since we have a 2 hour drive to the airport and prefer not to stay over at an airport hotel the night before. We've had some flights really crowded and others with some seats open. I think a lot depends on whether the flight has originated elsewhere and already has passengers on board. I usually try to do some detective work and book a flight that originates in PHL and the same for the return flight. We try to get a late afternoon (after 4 p.m. or early evening flight back). A lot depends on the day of the week you're traveling also. Going to MCO most Saturday flights are pretty full and returning either Saturday or Sunday seem to get full also.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

If you are flying out of PHL, the later in the day you travel the more your odds of being delayed increase.

I think the crowd levels vary & are affected not only by time of day but by the day of the week.

 

[donkthemagicllama]

Well, aside from crowds, here's something else to consider. If you're arriving in MCO when Orlando's famous afternoon thunderstorms hit, there's a good chance you'll be delayed. The baggage handlers do not work when there is lightning in the area. We had to wait 2 hours for a storm to pass during an August trip in 2004 before they'd offload the luggage.

 

[ALittleDisneyFan]

Thanks. If you can't get into your hotel room until 3:00 PM what do you do until then (that is, if you get there early morning?)

 

[donkthemagicllama]

In my experience, unless the hotel is very busy you can check-in well ahead of 3pm (the earliest I've done is 11am).

I believe (this is now going on second hand info and not experience), if your room is not available, the hotel will hold your bags in a secure room (that only staff has access to?) while you visit the parks or whatever. I'm guessing they won't be held liable for losses etc. etc., but it's probably no worse than leaving it in your hotel room.

 

[ChrisH127]

If you arrive prior to the 3pm check - in and your room is not yet ready, you can leave luggage at desk they will hold for you and you can go off to the parks.. IF you have a MYW package. The front desk gives you your park tickets, and will adivse you to stop back when you get back. That is what we did -

 

[goofy4tink]

During the hot/humid months in Florida, we like to take the first/earlies flight out of Boston, so that we land in MCO around noon or so. When we fly home, we like the late morning, early afternoon flights so as to avoid summer storms in either locale.
IF it's cooler weather, it isn't a huge deal, but we still try to avoid the last flights of the day on either end. Way too much chance of something going wrong.
If you get to your resort before the 'official' checkin time, you can leave your bags with Bell Services. I have found that unless I am traveling at a really busy time of year, I have been able to get into my room early. Only twice have I had to wait, and one of those times was my choice....I wanted to change the room they gave me. DVC was the other time...it's rare that you can check into your villa too much before 2 or 3, since the official time for checkin is 4.

 

[CleveRocks]

If you arrive prior to the 3pm check - in and your room is not yet ready, you can leave luggage at desk they will hold for you and you can go off to the parks.. IF you have a MYW package. The front desk gives you your park tickets, and will adivse you to stop back when you get back. That is what we did -

If you use Disney's Magical Express, Bell Services will only need to store your carry-ons, since your checked luggage will be automatically delivered to the inside of your resort room.

With DME, no worries about thunderstorms delaying you at the airport -- no need to wait for the lightning to stop to get your luggage.