WWYD? Need feedback on flight options

[meriface11]

we are definitely flying jetblue down to MCO.

for our return flight we have the option of an 8am jetblue flight or a 1030am airtran. i'd rather leave at 1030, and both are the same price. BUT DH has been unemployed for almost a year now, and if he gets a job between now and our trip that won't allow him the week off and we have to postpone, it would be more cost effective to be flying one carrier so we just have to pay one change fee. if we have to change for both airlines, we'll basically just be eating the cost of the flights as rebooking will be about the same price as 2 change fees.

do you think getting up for an 8am flight (we are both morning people) is worth the potential loss if we have to postpone?

and no need for flames about going on vacation while DH is out of work...fortunately for us, we can manage on my salary alone and are paying the trip in full. i hate to be preemptively defensive, but it's common comment on a lot of these budget board posts.

 

[leebee]

Are you staying onsite and using DME? THey will pick you up three hours before flight time, so if your flight is at 8AM, DME will pick you up at 5AM This would settle it for me!

Don't blame you for preemptive comment; lately some people have been a tad too judgmental!

 

[Aggiegrl]

Honestly, I would book the early flight if its just the two of you and no children. 2.5 hours in the morning doesn't make any difference to me. The 10:30 flight is still to early to do anything in the morning...doubtful you could even catch a sit down breakfast.

You might not get much sleep that night, but who cares? You can sleep on the plane and take a nap when you get home.

 

[meriface11]

it's just the two of us and we're taking a car service, not using DME, so we can probably get away with leaving around 615ish and getting to the airport by 7am.

 

[Lisa_M]

We're in a similar situation OP and we're driving down. That way, if plans need to be changed there are no change fees. If driving isn't something to consider for you, I would book the earlier flight, especially if you don't have kids. It's not hard to get 2 adults moving if you get everything ready the night before.

 

[bas71873]

it's just the two of us and we're taking a car service, not using DME, so we can probably get away with leaving around 615ish and getting to the airport by 7am.

Getting to the MCO airport by 7 AM for an 8 AM flight might be pushing it. Especially if you have to get luggaged checked first. MCO is a very busy airport and while I have always found that their security lines run very smoothly and efficiently, I wouldn't risk only giving myself an hour to get checked in and too my gate. Consider morning business travelers too.

I've done an early AM flight w/DD when she was young and we got picked up by ME at WL around 6 AM and it was no problem. I was packed the night before (we actually went to MNSSHP) and then got up early, showered and left. Grabbed breakfast at the airport and then we both slept all the way home and most of the day. She's a trooper and it was fun.

If it was me, I'd take the early flight just to stay with the same airline and I'd use ME to get me there and save the $$ on the car service. ME is a great perk IMO that WDW offers.

 

[safetymom]

it's just the two of us and we're taking a car service, not using DME, so we can probably get away with leaving around 615ish and getting to the airport by 7am.

I would plan on more time than an hour before departure at MCO. They start boarding half an hour before departure. MCO can be quite busy in the morning. Do you really want to end your vacation worrying if you are going to miss your flight?

 

[Squidgyness]

I think you can manage it.

Get up at 5:30, get to the airport by 6:00, get through security, and then either get a coffee or hot chocolate, depending on sleep or wakefulness.

Feel sorry for us over the pond.

Our flight in 09 was at ~ 6am. We had to get up at ~3:30, get brekky (you dont want to talk to me before brekky) and get to the airport (45 mins away at least, and plenty of security before then.)

If we can manage that, you can do 5:30, I'm sure.

 

[MarilIncredible]

I would do the earlier flight. It is not like you will have time to do anything anyway if you book the one for 10:30.

 

[meriface11]

thanks for the advice. i was leaning towards the 8am, but wanted some seconds opinions to make sure i wasn't crazy!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

We just returned Tuesday on an 8:50 flight and I had 3 kids with me, all older but we did it. The ME bus picked us up at 5:55 and we could turn our luggage over at 5am. All I wanted to do when we got home was sleep! But we made it without even being cranky with each other. While I hated getting up and moving at that hour it was nice to have what felt like a whole day at home.