Questions about flights to WDW...........

[HatboxGhost]

Hi all.........As most of you know, my wife and I just got back from WDW a few days ago. As usual we drove from CT. to FL. which takes us around 20 hours. The problem is that between driving back and forth, we are wasting 2 days that could be spent in Disney. We discussed flying but haven't been on a flight in years and have some questions if you guys don't mind answering.......

What are some of the best companies to fly with?
Can we get a non stop flight and what companies offer that?
Price difference between coach and first class.
If you buy a lot of things in Disney, do you ship it back home or do you take it with you on the plane?

Thanks again.

 

[SilentWindODoom]

Hatbox, you likely don't want to give too much info out, but the general location in Connecticut is helpful.

We've flown three times now, and each time we've flown out of our local airport (less than a ten minute drive from our house), Stewart. It's in Newburgh, less than an hour drive on 84 from Danbury, so if that's a reasonable trip for you, it's a small airport that offers a direct JetBlue flight into Orlando International. I've never had more than four people in front of me at the small security checkpoint, the same four that were in front of us at the baggage check-in. Then it's a trip up the escalator to a small uncrowded terminal that's probably less than fifty yards to the end in either direction. If you hate the hustle and bustle of a big airport, it's a wonderful experience. After having to take a 40-minute trip from the car to the terminal in JFK, the 30' walk out the front of the airport to the parking lot is nice.

The only non-JetBlue flight I've done is Continental to Philly from Stewart, and then to Cancun. JetBlue doesn't have classes, but it has free television for everyone in every seat and some offered additional room seating. I'm not sure what the general offerings are on other companies, but it was a great step up from Continental.

 

[zurgandfriend]

We usually fly Jet Blue also, nonstop from Boston, not sure if there are any non stops out of Hartford. I have shipped home larger or delicate items from Disney, e.g. a set of coffee cups. Hope this helps.

 

[DisneyCane]

Jet blue gives seat assignments. Southwest gives baording zones...and you could get a really bad seat.

You can have a really bad seat with assigned seats as well, it's just that you'll know about it in advance. The plane still has middle seats and seats near the bathroom.

 

[BrianV]

You can have a really bad seat with assigned seats as well, it's just that you'll know about it in advance. The plane still has middle seats and seats near the bathroom.

Agrees. But usually you can book seats before you buy your tickets. If it matters, you could elect not to buy or buy on a different flight.

 

[Minthorne]

On benefit of southwest is no change fees. You can book then watch the price and get cheaper if it goes down.

I'm from Central MA so Boston, Providence, Hartford and Manchester are all options for me. I tend to find the cheapest from Providence.

I was just able to book Jet Blue Yesterday from a small airport in Worcester Ma direct to Orlando in June 2015 for $173.48 Roundtrip - the fares had just been released.

 

[copcarguyp71]

Our favorite is Southwest but at the end of the day air travel is no luxury anymore. If they say a meal is served what they mean is that you can buy overpriced food shaped styrofoam on the flight. Seats are small, passengers are egocentric, nobody listens to or follows directions and at the end of it you are nothing but relieved to be walking back up a jetway towards the terminal.

As for first class...for a three or four hour trip I would not say it is worth it...at least to me. The only way I could see paying those prices would be trans continental or trans atlantic flights. But everyone's financial situation is different.

Other than that it is a great way to get there quickly and I would take it over a 20 hour drive...but The extra day three days of the vacation for transit are ones I could not afford to take so maybe therein lies the compromise.

 

[Disney Shib]

Logan Airport in Boston is a Hub for Jetblue I think so you can always find nonstop flights with no issues. I usually try to fly out on a Wednesday night or early thursday morning and have had wicked good luck finding cheaper flights. If you don't mind driving the extra hour to Manchester NH you can fly direct on Southwest too and they are usually pretty affordable.

 

[Disnee4Me]

There are non-stop flights out of Westchester County Airport, which is just over the line into NY from Connecticut. Great airport, small and convenient.

 

[dreamfinder]

You really need to just check out sites like kayak.com, skyscanner, hipmunk, etc. See what flights are available on what airlines. The remaining legacy airlines are pretty bad for cattle class, reasonable if you shell out big bucks for business/first class. Most of the new lower fair airlines don't have real class differentiation (I believe AirTran has business and JetBlue is looking into First Class). Direct/non direct flights will vary greatly. I usually have like 8-10 Southwest Flights daily to choose from to MCO (Orlando) anywhere from 2-6 will be non stop. We usually fly SW, do carry-on on the way down, and if need to check our luggage for the trip back to hand carry souvenirs.

 

[SagamoreBeach]

I always loved the drive down to Disney but now realize the short time on the plane leaves for more play time in Florida. I've been flying with Jet Blue out of Logan Airport in Boston, MA and always a direct flight - I always buy an extra seat for the comfort and not having to deal with another person... I'm a good judge of people...that's why I don't like any of them. - just kidding. But seriously, the roominess is just not there for me. So I like the luxury of the extra seat and being able to stretch out. If they had first class I would be right on it. First class to Europe is like flying in a huge recliner! Once in Orlando I rent a car because I'm not a fan of Disney transportation and I usually drive down to Naples and then take a flight back from Fort Meyers when I'm ready to come home.
Fly down once and you'll be hooked and loving the extra time not traveling.
-T

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Hi all.........As most of you know, my wife and I just got back from WDW a few days ago. As usual we drove from CT. to FL. which takes us around 20 hours. The problem is that between driving back and forth, we are wasting 2 days that could be spent in Disney. We discussed flying but haven't been on a flight in years and have some questions if you guys don't mind answering.......

What are some of the best companies to fly with?
Can we get a non stop flight and what companies offer that?
Price difference between coach and first class.
If you buy a lot of things in Disney, do you ship it back home or do you take it with you on the plane?

Thanks again.

1. Southwest usually has the best rates from BWI to MCO (Orlando). A quick search on Southwest.com showed decent rates from Hartford to MCO as well. Benefit of Southwest is that you get two free checked bags. Usually they are pretty friendly as well. We also have rarely had problems with lost bags, and should you decide to change your flight, there's no change fee
2. Yes. It looks like you may run a little higher for nonstop and there are fewer flights from Hartford that are nonstop (that is assuming that is your home airport)
3. Southwest does not offer first class. It is open seating unless you are on an Airtran operated flight. You can pay $30 per person extra and get in the A boarding group.
4. It depends on the item. We get a lot of art and pieces to put around the house, so we get that shipped out. That also saves sales tax. For smaller items, we take an empty carry on (you are allowed two carry ons, one that goes in the overhead bin and a smaller personal item such as a purse, laptop case, or backpack) and fill it up by the end of the trip

Another tip: keep an eye on the fares. These airfares should run you no more than $150 each way, and you can probably get them for even cheaper than that. Airtran operated flights booked from Southwest.com have two free checked bags, but you can choose your seat 24 hours in advance; otherwise it's $10 a person to choose your seat early. I had a good experience flying Airtran both ways last January.

 

[NeedMoreMickey]

One year we missed our flight out of Baltimore and the next flight only had one seat. My parents and brothers family made the first flight and we put my husband on the last seat of the next one. My sister her husband, two kids and me fly a prop plane to CT from there non stop to MCO. All on Southwest.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

Hi all.........As most of you know, my wife and I just got back from WDW a few days ago. As usual we drove from CT. to FL. which takes us around 20 hours. The problem is that between driving back and forth, we are wasting 2 days that could be spent in Disney. We discussed flying but haven't been on a flight in years and have some questions if you guys don't mind answering.......

What are some of the best companies to fly with?
Can we get a non stop flight and what companies offer that?
Price difference between coach and first class.
If you buy a lot of things in Disney, do you ship it back home or do you take it with you on the plane?

Thanks again.

Save your money if you are flying and stay in coach. Connecticut to Orlando is about a two hour flight.

I like flying Southwest. They treat you well.

I will never fly United again. On our last Disney trip we were in Los Angeles on our way home. At the airport I was told my flight was overbooked. I had the tickets in my hand, I bought them one month earlier. We were flying from L.A. to Chicago and to Buffalo. I had to work the next day, they were going to give me a flight about three hours later, but that would have meant coming home at 3am eastern time. We were panicking. So I asked to speak to a manager and demand getting on that flight. They "worked" it out even though my wife and I weren't sitting together (no big deal but my wife really hates take off and landings). Just like that I was 60 minutes away from not getting a flight that I had personally booked. So I'll never forget United.

Now, maybe people have had a good experience with it and wouldn't fly with anyone else, but that's my experience. I have never had that with Southwest.

 

[HatboxGhost]

1. Southwest usually has the best rates from BWI to MCO (Orlando). A quick search on Southwest.com showed decent rates from Hartford to MCO as well. Benefit of Southwest is that you get two free checked bags. Usually they are pretty friendly as well. We also have rarely had problems with lost bags, and should you decide to change your flight, there's no change fee
2. Yes. It looks like you may run a little higher for nonstop and there are fewer flights from Hartford that are nonstop (that is assuming that is your home airport)
3. Southwest does not offer first class. It is open seating unless you are on an Airtran operated flight. You can pay $30 per person extra and get in the A boarding group.
4. It depends on the item. We get a lot of art and pieces to put around the house, so we get that shipped out. That also saves sales tax. For smaller items, we take an empty carry on (you are allowed two carry ons, one that goes in the overhead bin and a smaller personal item such as a purse, laptop case, or backpack) and fill it up by the end of the trip

Another tip: keep an eye on the fares. These airfares should run you no more than $150 each way, and you can probably get them for even cheaper than that. Airtran operated flights booked from Southwest.com have two free checked bags, but you can choose your seat 24 hours in advance; otherwise it's $10 a person to choose your seat early. I had a good experience flying Airtran both ways last January.

Thank you for the helpful info.

 

[HatboxGhost]

Save your money if you are flying and stay in coach. Connecticut to Orlando is about a two hour flight.

I like flying Southwest. They treat you well.

I will never fly United again. On our last Disney trip we were in Los Angeles on our way home. At the airport I was told my flight was overbooked. I had the tickets in my hand, I bought them one month earlier. We were flying from L.A. to Chicago and to Buffalo. I had to work the next day, they were going to give me a flight about three hours later, but that would have meant coming home at 3am eastern time. We were panicking. So I asked to speak to a manager and demand getting on that flight. They "worked" it out even though my wife and I weren't sitting together (no big deal but my wife really hates take off and landings). Just like that I was 60 minutes away from not getting a flight that I had personally booked. So I'll never forget United.

Now, maybe people have had a good experience with it and wouldn't fly with anyone else, but that's my experience. I have never had that with Southwest.

Thanks. I will pass on United.

 

[HatboxGhost]

I always loved the drive down to Disney but now realize the short time on the plane leaves for more play time in Florida.

My wife and I love it too but realized that an extra 2 nights in Disney really makes a big difference.

 

[copcarguyp71]

For what it is worth airline sales typically are posted on Wednesdays so if you are price checking frequently then that is the best day to do it. Also...if you see a really good airfare and think to yourself "I think I'll wait to see if it gets cheaper"...you will probably be disappointed. I tried playing this game our airfare roulette a couple of times and lost out each time. If you see a good fare by comparison to others you have seen then book it!

Also...if you purchase travel insurance through DIsney and then book airfare on your own you can still have it added to the insurance. We did this last time and our travel agent we booked our WDW trip through was able to add on the flights to our insurance easy peasy.

 

[Weather_Lady]

JetBlue gets my vote every time. Fares are low (particularly if you buy the moment the schedule is extended -- the prices typically only go up from there), the seatback TVs provide great entertainment, they never overbook, you get 1 free checked bag (if you're into that sort of thing), and the service is excellent. I have a JetBlue AmEx card that racks up enough points for at least 1 free roundtrip flight to Orlando per year (and enough for 2 roundtrip flights the first year, due to the sign-up points "bonus" -- which means, since we've gone to WDW every 2-3 years, we accrue enough points that we're paying less to fly there than if we'd driven.) It generally runs $300 or less p/p for a direct flight from Syracuse, NY to Orlando on JetBlue.

We've flown Southwest as well (similar price point) and were pleased with the service. The main differences are: on the positive side, 2 free checked bags (a non-issue for me since I travel carryon only anyway), and on the negative side, the absence of seatback TVs or other in-flight entertainment, and a boarding system that has the potential to split up the family if you don't fork out extra cash for priority boarding... which may or may not allow you to sit together, depending on how many people purchased priority boarding (or are otherwise entitled to it due to elite status, disability, or having small children) before you did.

 

[dreamfinder]

We've flown Southwest as well (similar price point) and were pleased with the service. The main differences are: on the positive side, 2 free checked bags (a non-issue for me since I travel carryon only anyway), and on the negative side, the absence of seatback TVs or other in-flight entertainment, and a boarding system that has the potential to split up the family if you don't fork out extra cash for priority boarding... which may or may not allow you to sit together, depending on how many people purchased priority boarding (or are otherwise entitled to it due to elite status, disability, or having small children) before you did.

Not sure how long it will continue, but Southwest has been doing free live tv on their planes that have WiFi on your own device. Like 15 channels and a bunch of canned on-demand type shows as well if I recall correctly.

 

[Weather_Lady]

Not sure how long it will continue, but Southwest has been doing free live tv on their planes that have WiFi on your own device. Like 15 channels and a bunch of canned on-demand type shows as well if I recall correctly.

This was off my radar - probably because I don't have a Smartphone, tablet, or other web-connected device upon which I could make use of WiFi. Thanks for mentioning it.