Flying to Orlando

So the MTB and I attended a wedding in Florida last weekend, and chose to fly into Orlando because its significantly cheaper than options closer to our destination.  Through this, we discovered the joy of flying into Orlando.

Kids suck on airplanes.  There, I said it.  Sure, you have the well-behaved ones who don't cry the entire time or kick the back of your seat.  But even the best kids down the security lines, don't know and abide by those common courtesy rules we all know on the plane (when to talk to your neighbor, what is appropriate personal space, volume, etc), and they tend to have to get up to pee a lot.  And then you have the kid "stuff."  The strollers, the diaper bags, the car seats.  It's a lot.

I thought for a 7am flight we may avoid the kid rush.  WRONG.  All those bleary eyed adults who shuffle silently on the plane are replaced by little people who are excited to be awake at that hour, PLUS the excitement of going to Disney World.  Its easy to recall the scene in Kindergarten Cop when Ahnuld walks in and screams SHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT UUUUUUUUUUUUUPPP! (and i don't even hate children)

So tip 1: fly first class.  Easier said than done, I know.  But if you have an upgrade coupon, use it here.  If they offer an upgrade for a fee, its worth the money.

Tip 2: be patient with the boarding process.  Because even the first class boarding doesn't go in front of pre-boarding, or "Those with small children and/or strollers."  In other words, "pre-boarding" will mean 70% of the flight is on board before premiere boarding steps onto the jet bridge

Tip 3: Orlando's airport bar-to-passenger ratio is pathetic.  For SIXTY gates (gates 60-120), there is ONE bar after security.  And its a bar at the outback steakhouse.  After standing behind 50 parents with strollers in the self-policed "Expert Travelers" lane when going through security, you're going to want to visit.