Which Flight Would You Take?

[Terk-1]

Am heading down to WDW in early October and my trip is scheduled to start on a Friday and end on the following Sunday. I want to get the most out of my trip. Here's my question.

Option 1: Take a 10:25am flight on Friday that arrives in MCO @ 1:30pm and get a ride to the airport from a family member that works 20 minutes from the airport. No OOP expenses (no additional hotel room or a car service).

Option 2: Flight leaves @ 6:30am on Friday, which would mean either taking a car service at 3:30am to the airport or staying at the airport on Thursday night.

Option 3: Work a full day on Thursday, then get a ride to the airport from a family member after work and take a 8:20pm flight the night before (Thursday) and arrive MCO @ 11:20pm. Would have to pay for a room only for one night @ Disney.

Option 4: Work a 1/2 day on Thursday, then get a ride to the airport from a family member and take a 2:55pm flight that would get me into MCO @ 6:05pm. Would have to pay for a room only for one night @ Disney.

Which option would you choose? Almost forgot, this would be an adult travel w/no kids.

 

[NancyIL]

I would choose option 3 - fly to Orlando after work Thursday night. I would stay at an airport hotel that night (try Priceline). The next day, take the hotel's shuttle back to the airport and take ME to your WDW resort.

 

[jimmiej]

If it was me? I'd choose #4. More time at WDW. If I had the time off & the $$$ for the extra night.

 

[CarolA]

In this order
4. (Spend Friday at Epcot, Weekends are very crowded there in October!)
3
1
2 (2 just blows the whole day after you get up a the crack of dawn. I do it for business travel sometimes and by 5 pm you are BEAT LOL!)

 

[Blondiex46]

I would do one cause it is the most cost effective and you don't have to put out any additional monies. I would want to be there ASAP but staying at a hotel isn't exactly the beginning of the vacation.

 

[DisneyConvert]

Anywhere between the airport and Disney Village after flying down during the PM.
Then, check in to your Disney Resort at 8am the next day (that's what we do!). The room probably won't be ready, but you can go right to the parks and get a full day of touring without paying for a (wasted) nite at WDW.
.
Maybe a bit of a hassle changing rooms, but we have loads of Marriott points so a nite at a Fairfield Inn or Courtyard is practically free.
.
Obviously, we try to limit what gets unpacked the 1st nite and even try to use that first 1/2 day evening to pick up "supplies" at a Wal-Mart or Publix.
.
have fun!

 

[Bichon Barb]

Option 1.

You don't have to get up so early. You don't have to pay for a ride to the airport. You don't have to pay for a hotel. And you don't have to take off any extra time from work.

 

[Terk-1]

Option 1.

You don't have to get up so early. You don't have to pay for a ride to the airport. You don't have to pay for a hotel. And you don't have to take off any extra time from work.

I was thinking alot about that too. The getting up early part does not bother me that much, but it would be another $85 for the car service and another $100+ for a hotel for one night.

 

[Terk-1]

Thank you everyone for your comments & votes. As much as I'd love to go a day earlier, it would end up costing me almost $200 more. I've now narrowed it down to either option 1 or 2.

With option 1, there is no additional costs and I should be at my resort around 2:30pm. Plenty of time to check-in and head for a park. There is a connecting flight that would get me there 40 minutes earlier, but that's if the connecting flights are on time.

With option 2, it would be an additional $83 (plus tip) and I should be at my resort by around 10:30am. The downsides with this option is getting up at 3am for a 3:30am car service pick-up and knowing I'll be pretty tired before evening rolls around.

Thanks again everyone!!

 

[newholidayx2]

so the price for all the flights is the same?
im thinking of taking a thurs night flight in nov IF the flight will be cheaper even with staying at Pop that night

i was going to say either 1 or 2 - can the family member take you at 330am?

I have a flight in april and same flight in aug and DH will be driving me/us at 430 am for 730 flights.

 

[Terk-1]

so the price for all the flights is the same?

Southwest has not open up flights yet for October, so that I'm not sure of.

i was going to say either 1 or 2 - can the family member take you at 330am?

For option 1, I can get a ride with the family member around 7am. For option 2, I would need to take a car service for that flight.