Travel Advice Needed

[lostcarpark]

We're looking at Florida for a honeymoon destination. Probably should have booked it months ago, but you know how it goes. I know there are some frequent flyers here, so I'd appreciate any suggestions. Oh, and if you know someone who has a lot of travel experience, please ask them to have a look.

There aren't any direct flights between Dublin and Orlando, so we're going to have to change somewhere.

I've done some searching on various sites, and depending when we travel the price is generally working out around €650-€800 per person. However, if I book a direct flight to JFK with Aer Lingus, I can get it for under €300 per person. A Delta flight from JFK to Orlando comes in at around $140, so it would add up to a fairly substantial saving when you multiply it by three.

When I look up the price on Expedia, it offers me hotel and car packages and tells me I save loads by booking them together. It works out around $100 per night for a 3.5 star hotel close to Disney, and about $20 per day for the car.

So some questions:

1. Is it a good idea to book the flights separately?
2. Is JFK a good airport to connect in?
3. How long should I leave between flights for baggage collection and check-in?
4. Will travel insurance cover it if one flight is delayed and we miss the other?
5. Is it worthwhile booking flight, hotel and car together?
6. Is there somewhere else I could get a cheaper deal?
7. Any general advice on traveling to the US these days?

Eagerly awaiting suggestions!

Comments

[wag-9393.livejournal.com]

BA fly direct, but aren't cheap at all. Orlando is very much a Charter destination.

An other option you could take is to fly to Miami, I would SERIOUSLY recommend spending a night there if you do this I've flown direct to Miami twice and driven immediately after - not fun.

You could even consider 2 days in Miami if you aren't doing a package. This would let you dirve down to the Keys for a visit. the drive from Miami to orlando takes about 4-6 hours depending on route (Turnpike quickest, but boring).

Boston a smaller airport, but you are more likely to find flights that change in Chicago or Atlanta.

If you go with a package you get the advantage of a direct flight, in a charter airline admitedly - but the overall convenience can offset that minor inconvenience.

I just hate having to change flights, a right old pain in the bum. It just extends the travel time duration, you fret as soon as the inevitable delays start.

You probably want to avoid Downtown Orlando its a bit out of the way of interesting stuff. Stick with International Dive or the kissimee area in general

Check whether Visa waiver still in place, they are going to remove it. If you have a visa and need to use it they will fingerprint you and all that guff.

RENTING A CAR IS ESSENTIAL, yes there are shuttle busses but they are point to point and specific times. Orlando is a vast sprawling place, you can't do anything without a car. if you want to do cinema in the evenings (Universal studios has a 17 screen cinema out side its 2 resorts)

[lostcarpark.livejournal.com]

Most of the connections offered seem to at Philadelphia, Charlotte, Newark, Washington and JFK. Any advice on which are preferable, and which to avoid like the plague.

Will also check if we can go direct on a charter flight. Might have to alter our departure dates to do that. Our current plan is getting married on the Thursday, spending Saturday and Sunday at Octocon, and flying out on Monday.

Will check exactly what Visa is required. I was planning to check that anyway, since there might be extra requirements when bringing a child.

I was assuming a car would be a good idea, but thanks for confirming.

[wag-9393.livejournal.com]

I'd seriously consider checking prices to Miami if you can't find a package charter to Orlando. If you ensure an evening flight back, the drive back from Orlando to Miami is fairly stress free.

Just my insane preference for not changing flights, i'd rather have a 4-6 hour drive than faff around in an airport doing changes.

Remember you will be changing from an international to a domestic flight. Depending on the airport this may mean changing terminals, which may mean collecting baggage and re-checking it. Very much depends on the airline.