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Flying tips for your Disney World trip – PREP039

Flying tips for your Disney World trip – PREP039
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Our family flies a lot and we’ve picked up a lot of tips over the years. Today, I have info on booking your flights, things to pack at home before you head to the airport, how things work at the airport, in-flight tips and some info on navigating the Orlando International Airport.

I also have a quick tip to help make it easier for you to find things as you travel.

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These are notes from this episode. There’s much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

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Booking your flight

  • Try to avoid connections (allow about 90 minutes between flights if layovers are required)
  • Pay for assigned seats
  • Consider booking an aisle and window seat
  • Factor in all costs when comparing prices (luggage, assigned seats)
  • Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday are often the cheapest days to fly
  • Use Hopper or bing.com/travel to research best times to buy and what price to expect to pay

Before you leave for the airport

  • You will be allowed a carry on and personal bag (purse, backpack)
  • Spread things evenly between checked bags
  • Make sure checked bags are marked so they can be found easily
  • Verify that checked bags fall within the weight limit and that you know the charges per bag
  • For any liquids that you want to carry on, make sure they are
    3 ounces or smaller and fit into a quart-sized Ziploc bag
  • Check in online and print boarding passes
  • Dress in layers, avoid jewelry and belts if possible, wear slip-on shoes
  • Pack things in a carry-on bag for kids to do – new toys, electronics
  • Consider packing medicine in your carry-on bag such as Sudafed and children’s Dramamine
  • Can pack food and drinks in checked bags – use Ziplocs in case there’s a leak
  • Pack ear buds or headphones and external battery charger

At the airport

  • Allow plenty of time
  • If checking bags, go to airline desk to check them (will need ID and boarding pass)
  • If finished checking bags or only have carry ons, proceed to the security checkpoint with boarding passes and ID
  • Go through security – take shoes off, place laptops in their own bin, take off all jewelry and take quart-sized bag of liquids out and proceed through security (explain to kids how this will work)
  • Gather belongings, head to a nearby bench to reassemble items, can put ID away
  • Proceed to gate
  • You can buy drinks, snacks and even food from restaurants to take on the plane
  • Most flights start boarding about 30 minutes before departure. Early boarding is available for families; if you need the extra time, board early. Otherwise, I recommend waiting to board to allow kids to move around as much as possible

In flight

  • Your personal bags will go under the seat in front of you, carry ons go in overhead compartments usually
  • Trays stay up on take off and landing, electronics can now be used during the whole flight in airplane mode
  • Take off and landing are when ears will hurt so have little ones suck on a bottle, chew gum, etc.
  • Many flights now have wifi but often don’t allow streaming of things like Netflix or Hulu because it takes too much bandwidth
  • Temps often get cold in flight so having a jacket or sweater for everyone to wear will come in handy
  • Keep your seat belt on at all times and only remove it when the seat belt sign is turned off and you need to get up
  • Drinks and snacks are usually served in flight at no extra cost and international flights often include alcohol
  • Surprises are hard to keep on Orlando flights

After landing

  • Plane will pull up to a gate and everybody will get their carry on bags and exit toward the baggage claim area
  • Flying into Orlando: will fly into a satellite, take the tram to the main terminal. if you’re using Magical Express and allowing them to get your bags, go directly to Magical Express on level B1 and use your MagicBand to check in
  • If getting your own bags, go to baggage claim and then proceed to Magical Express on level B1 or to your form of transportation (rental car, private car, etc.)

Flying home

  • On departure day, take checked bags to airline check-in desk at your Disney resort (this works for anybody flying a participating airline – not just those using magical express)
  • Participating airlines include AirTran Airways, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, Northwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Air Lines, and US Airways
  • Take carry ons to luggage services at resort
  • Magical Express buses will pick you up 3 hours before your flight time (more for international flights) – don’t be late
  • Orlando airport security lines are often very long
  • There are food court and sitting areas after security

Quick tip of the day

Take pics of things like your parking spot, luggage or your child each day of your trip to make them easier to find later.

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Any other flying tips you’d add? Or questions about any of the tips I had? Feel free to leave them in the comments.

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Shannon Albert

Tingyiy

Monday 3rd of July 2017

I heard that you can bring your own liquids (i.e. Water, Gatorade, juice, etc.) onto the plane if they are frozen.

Amy

Sunday 25th of May 2014

Shannon, Any thoughts on why all of the airlines don't offer airline check-in at the resorts? Never thought to take a picture of our parking spot! Last time we texted our spot number to each other. A picture would probably be better!

Maria B

Wednesday 21st of May 2014

This might be off topic - sort of:

I am wondering if you knew when the Magic Bands are shipped??

We are flying into Clearwater/St. Petersburg International Airport about three days before were are going to Disney. We will be staying with my in-laws in the Sarasota area for a few days and then renting a car and driving to Orlando from there. Basically, we are leaving on a Friday and should be in WDW by that Sunday.

I am hoping the Magic Bands arrive before we leave.

Peggy

Tuesday 20th of May 2014

In the before you leave section you say that you can bring food and drinks in your carryon, that was not the case with me. I had an unopened 20oz bottle of Gatorade and they took it as well as an unused/unopened gel deodorant that was over the 3oz limit.

Abigail

Saturday 2nd of April 2016

Any liquid you bring on prior to security needs to need the 3 ounce rule. You can bring solid foods provided that they are in the original packaging or there are no gel-like condiments on it.

Shannon Albert

Tuesday 20th of May 2014

In the podcast, I talked about buying food and drinks after the security checkpoint so you can take those on the plane.

Sara D.

Sunday 18th of May 2014

I am always interested to know what frequent travelers/flyers use for their rolling carry on as well as the backpack/tote they stash under the seat. What do you use? What have you tried and not liked? I'd like to update some/all our luggage before our next trip...(at least mine!). Ideally I'd like something my 10 year old can handle herself so we can skip checking a bag & fly carryon only. Thanks for everything!

Mariam Catapano

Thursday 22nd of May 2014

Sara D., maybe you will find this helpful..... I LOVE my zippered tote from Anne McAlpin that holds my purse, iPad, chargers, snacks, cosmetics, jewelry, and essentials for long plane trips. It will even hold a change of clothes (packed in a gallon size zip lock bag with the air squeezed out) in case I check my suitcase. It has a sleeve that slides over the extended suitcase handle. I will slide the tote over the suitcase handle and wear a crossbody purse. That way I will have one hand free~~a plus when carrying food/drink or traveling with children. Rick Steves also has a zippered tote with the sleeve that is more masculine than the McAlpin one. Although I no longer use it, I have a rolling tote by Travelpro that will fit under the seat. It holds a lot but I have used it only a few times because I think it's too cumbersome to roll both it and a suitcase, especially running thru an airport to catch a connection. We take a carry on and use a 21" Eagle Creek suitcase each. That size we can either check or carry it on. (Usually carry it on.) It fits in the overhead bin and only weighs about 7#. We always use a 21", whether for 2 weeks in Europe or a weekend in NYC. I find Rick Steves' packing cubes and hanging toiletry kit a must!! Small cubes for shirts, undergarments, bathing suit and the larger size for pants/skirts. They fit in the Eagle Creek easily. Remove from suitcase and place directly in dresser drawers upon arrival. I use the spaces in the suitcase bottom around the handle rails for shoes, hair dryer, small folding pop-up hamper, umbrella, rain jacket (in a qt. ziplock freezer bag) and place 4 packing cubes on top. The toiletry kit fits on top also. The large cube fits in the outer front pocket of the Eagle Creek. There is also a pocket with easy access for the 3-1-1 bag. Use the interior compression straps to secure the cubes from shifting and to squeeze them down. Don't overpack!! Remember you can wash tops, socks, and underwear in your hotel sink if necessary. Sara, since you are thinking about updating your luggage, I tried to give you as many brand names as I could for you to reference. I have had my tote and packing cubes for over 5 years with no issues whatsoever. Eagle Creek is pricey but they have a 'no matter what' guarantee. Happy Travels and always pack a smile!

Cyndy Walsh

Tuesday 20th of May 2014

Hi, Sara. I can't answer your question about a carry-on bag because we always check our bags (we are over-packers for sure!) But, as far as rolling backpacks for under the seats in front of us, we just purchased J World New York Sundance (laptop sized) bags from eBags. They are on the bigger/heavier side for backpacks but I was going for durability and these were very well reviewed. The girls have been using them around the house to get used to them. They are big enough for activities for the plane plus a change of clothes/shoes and a sweater or jacket. (We arrive early in the morning and want to be able to easily change for the parks if we can't get right into our room.) Hope this helps some.