Advice for MIA-MCO

[Neil]

When we go to Florida at the end of October (fly in to MIA 29th) we need to head straight up to Orlando as we are doing Halloween Horror Nights on the 30th, but I'm not sure what the best thing to do is.

The VS5 doesn't land until 18:30 (if on time) and then there is immigration to contend with, so at best we are probably looking at being done by 19:30, at which time I'm not so sure I fancy the 3hr+ drive to MCO. My original plan was to just stay at the hotel in the airport, get up early, get the car and then drive up, being in Orlando for late morning, but with an early start will we be fully awake later on for HHN.

Looking yesterday I found some AA flights for $60 each, leaving MIA at 20:45 arriving MCO at 21:35, which would mean a late arrival at our villa, and a very long day, but then at least we are in MCO for the next morning and probably more prepared for a late night at Universal.

What would you do if you were us? Any info, tips, advice would be very much appreciated.

Cheers
Neil

Personally I'd fly if there is enough time to make the AA onward flight(for $60 it'll just about cover the cost of your tolls and fuel).You then can have a nice lie in when you arrive at the villa and be bright eyed and bushy tailed for HHN. All FL car hire renters won't charge for a one way rental (if you want to drive back to Miami on your return). Having said that it's an easy drive.
DL

[Scrooge]

I would be more inclined to grab a hotel room for the night and catch an early flight up to MCO, the day is going to be long enough as it is, get a room, grab some rest and relax, then a fresh start in the morning.

And there you go, completely contrasting preferences! I am in the camp of, long day of travel, put all the pain aside in one go and take the fight. If you check in for the AA flight before leaving London, print your BP then there's an AA bag drop immediately out of customs to deposit luggage and take the walk to the AA gates - which if memory serves me are in pier E or D, so not to far. MIA is no place to spend to much time in however!

[Neil]

Thanks for the replies, I must admit I am leaning towards catching the connecting flight straight away, just slightly worried that any delay could cause a problem and mean we miss the connection, which is the last flight of the day up to MCO. Decisions, decisions.

[HighFlyer]

I'd also fly after the flight. You're in Upper to MIA, I think you'll have enough energy to catch the last flight up to MCO then you can go to bed knowing all you need to is have a leisurely morning and HHN ahead. If you did miss the flight (unlikely given you have ample time) you'll be there in MIA to catch the morning one. I have found AA quite good at switching flights around.

Thanks,
Sarah

Curiously, I was faced with a similar choice when planning my trip in a few days time. I have to say, glancing over the comments above, and having spent many an unhappy hour sitting on plastic chairs at MIA waiting for American Eagle connections to RSW, I would suggest bitting the bullet and driving up after your flight.

I know it's not a popular option, and I admit the prospect of doing I-95 for a few hours doesn't fill me with joy, but once your on the move, it'll go reasonably quickly. This, coupled with the fact that you won't be too shattered having been in upper for the journey, is why I'd go for this option.

Get some tasteless American munch from a gas station, switch the radio on and hit the road.

[honey lamb]

I'm also in the onward flight camp. I've transited from VS flights onto US domestic flights without any problems apart from a tight connection in IAD. I was however re-booked on a later flight without any problems and I find that generally US carriers are good about that - and also booking you on to earlier fights if you get to the airport well ahead of time.

In this instance you will be able to relax once you get to Orlando without worrying about getting from Miami

[Scrooge]

Let me rethink my position....


Are you spending the night before at LHR ?

Also, remember if you end up wanting to drive up there. MIA car rentals are all at remote lots AND it is a complete cluster F to get to right now, tack on another hour to get the car and be on the road. However, unless you rent a bottom of the line thing it should come with sat radio which will make the drive a little better.

quote:Originally posted by Neil
Thanks for the replies, I must admit I am leaning towards catching the connecting flight straight away, just slightly worried that any delay could cause a problem and mean we miss the connection, which is the last flight of the day up to MCO. Decisions, decisions.


Neil, it's more likely that the AA flight will be delayed than the VS one - if in worry, book through VS then you're on one itinerary?

[Neil]

quote:Originally posted by Scrooge
Are you spending the night before at LHR ?


Yes, we are, so no early start, probably 9:30 at the airport.

quote:Neil, it's more likely that the AA flight will be delayed than the VS one - if in worry, book through VS then you're on one itinerary?

Good idea, will give VS a call, although I know in the past they have been quite a bit more expensive for US internal flights, but still worth pricing it up.

We have decided, however we book the flights, that we are going to fly up straight after we land in MIA, for 40 each it just seems silly not too, and should put us in a more comfortable state to enjoy HHN the next day.

Thanks for all the advice guys[y]
Neil

I'm a bit late here but we're doing this in reverse order to you in December. Flying into MCO then need to get to MIA. We've already decided to fly onwards the same night. It means we don't get to MIA until around 21.00 but it also means we can up bright and early and enjoy our first day in Miami with no messing about. We're flying in with Lufthansa in first so we'll just enjoy ourselves in the lounge/terminal (we have a long enough layover to get inthe FCT if we want) before the flight to make up for the lost evening

[Scrooge]

Well if your at LHR the night before, then yeah no reason not to catch the flight up there.

[Neil]

quote:Originally posted by Neil
quote:Neil, it's more likely that the AA flight will be delayed than the VS one - if in worry, book through VS then you're on one itinerary?

Good idea, will give VS a call, although I know in the past they have been quite a bit more expensive for US internal flights, but still worth pricing it up.


Spoke to VS last night, as my flights with them were booked a while ago, they cannot add an internal flight to my ticket, and thus gaining the extra protection if the flight is late etc, so there is no point booking through them, and we will therefore book direct with AA today.

Cheers
Neil

Personally I'm in the get a hire car and drive camp as we will be doing in August. We have done this many times and though the turnpike can be a bit boring its an easy drive and most the service halts have starbucks [:0]

Its an easy 3:30 drive up the turnpike and most of the hire cars allow you to drive straight through the SunPass tolls without stopping and the toll will be charged to your credit card.

But its a personal choice.

quote:Originally posted by Neil
quote:Originally posted by Neil
quote:Neil, it's more likely that the AA flight will be delayed than the VS one - if in worry, book through VS then you're on one itinerary?

Good idea, will give VS a call, although I know in the past they have been quite a bit more expensive for US internal flights, but still worth pricing it up.


Spoke to VS last night, as my flights with them were booked a while ago, they cannot add an internal flight to my ticket, and thus gaining the extra protection if the flight is late etc, so there is no point booking through them, and we will therefore book direct with AA today.

Cheers
Neil


If you miss your AA flight I wouldn't worry too much, I've always found US airlines to be far more accomdating than British ones, they'll sort you out as best they can I'm sure of it.

I am doing roughly the same thing as you next month.

We are overnighting in MIA and then heading up to MCO the next morning. Reasoning for this was:

1. At $90 a night at the InterContinental by the airport it seemed silly not to.

2. We always wake up at ridiculous o'clock the first day in the States, the roads are quieter at that time so could make it up to MCO by mid morning.

3. If we had flown we would be tired the by the time we got to MCO (I once did LGW-TPA and then drove to Haines City, all in all I was awake for some 29 hours), head off to bed then wake up at ridiculous o'clock and be tired for the whole day!

Allows us to be a lot more refreshed IMHO.

I have often done a quick domestic on the end of a long haul, especially when I lived in NZ it always seems like a great idea until your actually experiencing! I once did MCO-MAN-SOU, seemed like a great idea at the time but trust me after the flight the hanging around for the SOU flight, which was delayed, made me just about want to kill myself!

[Neil]

Well I booked the internal last night, so too late now, it was a tough decision what to do but decided a leisurely morning at the villa, rather than a 4hr drive, was the better option for us to enjoy Halloween Horror Nights more.

We won't get to LHR until gone 9am, relaxing time in the CH, flight in UC and then about 2hours to wait for our connection should, which will result in us being up about 22 or so hours, which isn't too bad really, here's hoping anyway.