Weather Concerns for this week...HELP please

[Devin36]

Hey friends!
So, as some of you in the north east might know, they are calling for snow wednesday......my flight leaves in the AM for orlando on wednesday & i'm thinking about adding a day & leaving tuesday morning, as it seems like its going to be clear. I'm trying not to bug myself out about it yet:lookaroun....I'm watching accuweather & weather channel closely. But I'm thinking by tomorrow night I should figure out what I wanna do. I already checked with the airline & it would cost a nice chunk more to switch it to a day sooner.

Also I booked my room at a discount rate in august, would disney give me another night at that rate? Or is that just silly talk & wishful thinking? I'm thinking it might be worth it to spend the extra $$ if it means an extra day & no complications/delays/cancellations....

I've only flown about 5 times in my life, so I also don't know what conditions planes can take off in safely...

Advice? Info? Help? Please? Thank you:veryconfu:brick:

 

[Tinkerbell397]

Although there is never any guarantee about forecasts, I would plan to leave a day early if you can. Do you live in New England? Looks like this storm, if it arrives, will be coming up the coast so you want to be ahead of it.
Now that being said.... the forecast could be off and we could get nothing. If it were me, I would fly out on Tuesday. I live In RI and the airports seem to cancel fights in anticipation of storms.
Enjoy your trip and I am very jealous!:wave:

 

[DizneePhan14]

where in the northeast? b/c its suppose to be like 20in in nj

 

[Zummi Gummi]

If the weather is that bad, won't the airline let you leave earlier without a fee, if there are seats on the earlier flight? I would think they'd want to get as many passengers out AHEAD of the storm as possible, no?

If not, can't you just show up and try to get on standby?

 

[Victoria]

What airline are you flying? I know Jet Blue (along with many others) will start waiving fees for changing flights about 48 hours ahead of a storm they believe will disrupt flights. They want to get people out as soon as possible. It's that many less people they have to deal with once the storm hits. As for Disney, the best thing you can do is call and ask if they will let you add on a day. You may have to check into a different hotel for that first night, but it will probably still be worth it to avoid any delays or cancellations.

 

[minniemickeyfan]

I would try to leave early, better than being delayed or cancelled. And you have such a wonderful trip planned with your mom! If I were you and was able to change my flight, I would then call Disney and try to arrive one night earlier with the discount you have. If you can't, you can always book 1 night at the same resort or any other Disney resort. Disney will help transport your bags after the first night to your resort now if needed.
Good luck and have a wonderful trip!:wave:

 

[Devin36]

Thanks guys! I'm still watching the weather & figure I'll make my decision tonight. leaning towards leaving tuesday morning instead. I'm about an hour north of manhattan. Flying jetblue. Called jetblue yesterday to check what it would cost to switch a day sooner & I have to pay the different which is about $350 for both of us, which sucks but I'll totally do it. Definately looks like tuesday into wednesday for the storm as of now.....

another question......should i be concerned about the storm being between me & florida delaying anything? I know anything is possible.......but If it's sunny here hopefully that means I'm good

 

[Disney05]

It's been my experience, being in the aviation industry, to not pay too much attention to weather forecasts until you're 24hr out. Even that it can be iffy. The trouble with weather forecasting is that it's right too often for us to ignore it and wrong too often for us to rely on it.

 

[Devin36]

LOL true story!!! I think I'm just gonna call disney this evening & add a day, even if they can't get me in a night early at the poly, I'll stay anywhere they can squeeze us as long as I'm there...probably just relax that first day anyway...Hoping for the best

 

[marcriss]

If you don't mind the cost I would go tuesday morning. There are 2 tracks for this storm, one is just as bad as the other (one ice and wind, the other snow & wind). Maybe if you hold off until just after midnight they'll do something for you with the fees? Although, the longer you wait the more difficult it may be to get a seat too. What if you just bought new tickets? Maybe you'd be able to change your current tickets to something less expensive for a future flight. Sometimes changing tickets is more expensive than just buying them when you factor in the fees.

 

[Devin36]

Well, I just spent the last hour or so on the phone & I changed our flight to tuesday morning. Then I called disney & got a GREAT cast member who was super nice & helpful!! She was able to get me a 1 night room only reservation at the poly a day early!! I didn't do park tickets or dining for this night, as I unfortunately had to pay the normal rate but It's worth it to be down there early & not get delayed from this storm. I figure if we are gonna spend a day at a resort, what better place than the poly!:sohappy:
I dealt with magical express & changed the info. The cast member told me to fix the date with a pen on the luggage tags, since they say the 26th & now im arriving the 25th.... I'm debating if I should just get my luggage at bag claim.....will they hold our bags if our room isn't ready & we want to explore the resort? Thanks so much for the input guys!!

 

[minniemickeyfan]

Well, I just spent the last hour or so on the phone & I changed our flight to tuesday morning. Then I called disney & got a GREAT cast member who was super nice & helpful!! She was able to get me a 1 night room only reservation at the poly a day early!! I didn't do park tickets or dining for this night, as I unfortunately had to pay the normal rate but It's worth it to be down there early & not get delayed from this storm. I figure if we are gonna spend a day at a resort, what better place than the poly!:sohappy:
I dealt with magical express & changed the info. The cast member told me to fix the date with a pen on the luggage tags, since they say the 26th & now im arriving the 25th.... I'm debating if I should just get my luggage at bag claim.....will they hold our bags if our room isn't ready & we want to explore the resort? Thanks so much for the input guys!!

I always get my luggage myself at bag claim and don't put the yellow tags on them, this way I know my luggage arrived and I won't have any issues later. It's no problem to put it on the bus. And the resort will hold your bags if your room isn't ready. As far as your tickets, you can get your tickets the morning after your first added night when you check back in and then add an extra ticket day if needed for your original arrival day.

 

[tecowdw]

Well, I just spent the last hour or so on the phone & I changed our flight to Tuesday morning. Then I called Disney & got a GREAT cast member who was super nice & helpful!! She was able to get me a 1 night room only reservation at the poly a day early!! I didn't do park tickets or dining for this night, as I unfortunately had to pay the normal rate but It's worth it to be down there early & not get delayed from this storm. I figure if we are gonna spend a day at a resort, what better place than the poly!:sohappy:
I dealt with magical express & changed the info. The cast member told me to fix the date with a pen on the luggage tags, since they say the 26th & now im arriving the 25th.... I'm debating if I should just get my luggage at bag claim.....will they hold our bags if our room isn't ready & we want to explore the resort? Thanks so much for the input guys!!

CONGRATS!
I was in this same scenario last month. Weather was looking real bad for a snow storm on my scheduled departure date so I changed it to leave two days sooner to beat the snowstorm. Cost a hefty amount but I felt it was worth it - plus got an extra full day at Disney!

BTW, ended up the original flight did in fact end up taking off as scheduled. The forecast was worse than the actual event!

 

[Devin36]

So here is my current concern....do I get my baggage @ baggage claim or do I let DME do it....here is why I ask....being I am coming 24 hours early than originally planned my tags still say the 26th when I'm coming in on the 25th now....I have a room only reservation for one night & the DME cast member said to change the 26 to a 25 with a pen & write my new reservation # in a blank space on all the DME tags, on both side.....I did this but I'm wondering if maybe I should just get my bags......I read a couple things that said baggage claim @ MCO in Orlando is a pain in the butt......what do you guys think? I know I may not get my bags for hours & i'm fine with that.....is baggage claim in MCo really a hassle? Thanks guys!

 

[mickeysshoes]

If you are at all concered about changing the dates in Pen and it being a issue I would say dont use them and get your bags yourself. Dealing with baggage clain is better then worring if you will get your luggage today or tomorrow. I would not want to be without it all night! Its not a problem placing your bags on the ME bus...Drive will take care of it for you...I would make sure to have a cople of dollars for a tip if you get your bags!!! Good luck and have a great time with MOM!!!!

 

[Devin36]

Thanks!!! I'm thinking because I'm still going to the same resort it might be fine....still thinking about it.....How bad is baggage claim? I have never claimed my bags in MCO so I don't know where to go etc...

 

[ddbowdoin]

Thanks!!! I'm thinking because I'm still going to the same resort it might be fine....still thinking about it.....How bad is baggage claim? I have never claimed my bags in MCO so I don't know where to go etc...

modern day airports, especially those in larger cities, are a peice of cake to navigate.... you really can't get lost with the clear signs that are posted throughout.

 

[mickeysshoes]

I think....please dont shot me if I am wrong, i think there is a map with your ME paperwork that shows the baggage claim...if not just follow the people and watch for signs. Have a great trip!!

 

[Victoria]

I've never had an issue with baggage claim at MCO. My bag is super easy to find since it is hot pink plaid. I refuse to let DME handle my bags. I don't want to take the chance of having to wait hours for it to arrive, it being sent to the wrong room, or it not getting picked up in the first place. The DME drivers have no problem just tossing your bags under the bud for you. I just slip them a few bucks when I get off the bus. If you decide to pick up your own bags I suggest finding the most obnoxiously colored ribbon possible and tying it to the handle of your bag.