Changed Flight Time Feb. 2017

[SaLeone]

Hey everybody,

So i was reviewing all the specifics of my upcoming trip in February and i noticed that the time of my flight changed. I was supposed to depart from NY at 6:30am but it has been changed to a brutal 5:23am. I was just wondering if this has ever happened to anybody else? I booked my package with Disney so i assume that Disney should have notified me about this change. Any insight would be great...im not sure if i should call and complain. Thanks.

 

[Schneewittchen]

That stinks. Never happened to me before.

But there is a bright side. You could be walking down Main Street by 10 am.

 

[Me 'Earties]

This happened to us during our last trip, but we booked flights directly through UA. We booked our flights far in advance but their flight slots/flight time routes had changed when we got closer to our trip, so both the departure and arrival flights changed for us. Anyhow, we were notified via email from UA directly. However, when you book through a third party (like Disney booking your flights), you may not receive a communication from the airliner. You would think Disney would have made the notification but it doesn't seem like they've relayed the info to you. I do think there may be some compensation if there was a cancellation close to the departure date (I think if it's like 14 days for some airlines)-but probably a different story when it comes to a time change. I wouldn't expect anything from the airliners though because of an hour difference in the departure-you can complain and they may throw in an upgrade to economy plus/business class but it's doubtful. Remember that they have T&Cs that will most likely indicate that flight changes are a possibility and not to expect any sort of compensation. But that's what I've read based on booking through the airlines directly-check the T&Cs of your Disney booking. I wouldn't be surprised if there is some verbiage about it.

 

[carriebeth]

We had our direct flights cancelled a pretty short time before one of our trips. There were no direct flights available either. The flights with connections were horrible. We ended up switching to another airport which was quite a distance further to drive and more expensive too but had direct flights. I am so paranoid about our flights now before our Disney trips. I never plan a dinner reservation for our arrival day because I am too afriad things will change a couple weeks before and we wont be able to keep it

 

[tractor tipper]

Flight times can change, usually the airline will notify you (at least Delta did for us, two times on same flight). It does pay to check yourself in case they don't notify.

 

[MinnieM123]

Happened to me a few times over the course of 20 years or so. Now, I always check my flights a couple of times before my date of departure to make certain that the time has not changed (minor time changes are o.k.).

I find it odd that many airlines have change fees for the customer--if you book a flight and then you want to change it--after you've already booked/paid for the reservation. Yet, when an airline wants to change the time of your flight (or worse--put you on a connecting flight when you originally reserved a direct one), they can just go ahead and do so, pretty much without consequences.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I have had my flights changed a few times. I had my upcoming March flight changed recently, and when I got the email I was expecting the flight to be pushed to later in the day, but like your change it will be an hour earlier. Even thought that means getting up earlier, that is one more hour at Disney! I did like the way Spirit informed me about the change, I was sent an email and then I had to go to their website and click on something that said I acknowledged the change. Delta has been hit and miss about sending me notifications though. I also fly a regional carried called Sun Country and I don't think they have ever changed flight times on me.

 

[LowesChevy]

Yes, some of the airlines like to play around with departure times and that is certainly a pain to deal with, especially early in the morning. It is always good to download the airlines app or a 3rd party app and punch in your times and make sure you receive push notifications to get updates.

 

[MickeyMomV]

We have had this happen a few times. If it still works out then Great!! If not we have have found other flights with the airline and if you call they will usually switch you for free because it was not the time you originally agreed to. We even had one time it worked out to fly out the night before. Room was only an extra $90 at a value and we were able to hit the parks right at open!!

 

[Weather_Lady]

Check the airline's policy if the flight change is a problem for you -- some (e.g., JetBlue, which we fly frequently) will allow you to make a one-time change to your itinerary (a free rebooking) if the airline makes a schedule change that doesn't work for you. Also, as others said, check back frequently for schedule changes, and check in online before your flight to save time and confirm the departure.

If the schedule change is not that big of a deal, just enjoy the extra hour you'll have at WDW, and get to bed early the night before. I didn't sleep a wink before our last WDW trip (when we, too, hopped a plane at 5:30am), but my adrenaline rush carried me through the whole day.

 

[BigRedDad]

5:23AM is far better than 5:23PM. You'd lose the whole day. Disney does not control the flight times. That is controlled by the airlines. Personally, I would never purchase flights as part of a package. I want to be in control of my flights.