What would you do?

[Mckys#1Fan]

Okay... Here is the deal....

I have 4 tickets flying out of Nashville at 3:50 p.m. arriving at MCO at 6:40 p.m. I have a $71.00 credit with the airline(due to them lowering fares).
We would really like to arrive earlier in the day. There is a flight available leaving Nashville at 8:50 a.m. with higher fares. Using the $71.00 credit - I would still have to pay an additional $61.00. We have never flown before and I don't know if we will fly after this trip so I might not ever use the credit.
Is it worth(in my case) arriving earlier in the day and possibly getting a better room assignment and just checking out the hotel for the first day for an additional $61.00??
__________________

 

[TarzansKat]

Is the $61 a stretch for you?

Will it give you more peace of mind to arrive earlier?

Such a personal decision, but if you don't think you'll be doing it all the time, I say go for it! More time at Disney is always better in my book.

 

[Mckys#1Fan]

The amount isn't really a factor... Counting the credit that we may never use it will be $132.00 total(only $61.00 more out of pocket).... We are staying at CBR for the first time at I would really like to check out the resort).
I have read that you get a better room assignment if you check in earlier in the day

 

[katied]

I would take the earlier flight. Once you land, it will probably be about 90 min before you're at the resort, which puts you there around 8 pm at the earliest. Getting in earlier is much easier - you'll have time to see the resort, maybe swim, get settled in, and hopefully get a decent night's sleep.

The only trade off is how early do you have to be up and at the airport to take the earlier flight? If you're not getting up at 3 am to do this, they I'd say it's worth it.

You do generally get a better room assignment if you're there earlier - but not if you expect to check in very early - if you're there before check-in, and you really want a room, you may only get what's available.

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

Go earlier if you can. With the original time you won't get to you room and get settled until quite a bit later. If you can swing the $, I would definitely do it. Have a great time!!!

 

[thegrimdwarf]

My general rule for air travel is 'the earlier, the better'. Our flight was moved from a morning flight to an afternoon flight, which would have had us arriving at the resort at about 7 PM. That was a big no-can-do for us, lol. I moved the entire trip up one day (no cost, since the airline rescheduled) so we could have a direct morning flight. We'll end up out of pocket a few hundred more for accommodations, food, and an extra day of car rental - but it's all worth it to not be landing at dinner time with 2 young kids.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[DISNEYFOS]

I would go with the earlier flight if you can swing it. We typically do an 8AM flight arriving at 11:00. I always try to find that same schedule. We seem to have more energy to handle the hassles of travel in the AM rather then PM cranky time.

 

[daisyduck123]

My family would definitely spend the extra $ & arrive earlier.

Hope you have a great trip!!

 

[nyyankeegirl]

I'd definately go for the earlier flight. Extra hours at Disney is always worth it -- even if you do have to get up & out the door way too early in the morning. I just hate arriving places later in the day- I always feel like I'm losing 1 vacation day. Go for it!

 

[macaronigal]

There's a reason why flights earlier in the day are generally more costly....they are preferred by most people.
As an airline employee my thought goes to the fact that earlier in the day there is less chance of flight delays - as the day goes on flights can get backed up at different airports around the country.
Just something else to consider.