MIA or MCO

OK... It's holiday booking time again and I need some help.
After out great UC experience to MCO this year, we have decided to spend the kids inheritance and fly UC again next year.
This is where I need some help. We are thinking of doing the Florida Keys in April. We may even do the Keys then spend a third week in Washington or New York on the way home.
UC is coming back at £1275 for MCO and £2275 for MIA (£1800 if you do the AMS bit) £2275 is too much, but I'm comfortable with £1800 providing I get the UCS.
Here are the questions:-
1.Which aircraft is flying to MIA in April and will it be UCS?
2.How far is it to drive down to Key West?
3.Are there any direct flights from MCO to Key West?
4.Any recommendations on flying from Miami or Orlando to Washington or New York?

Thanks,
Tim

[Nottingham Nick]

Hi, Tim.

Hope your kids don't read V-Flyer!!;)[8D]

I will give my take on your questions, but this could be back to the good old 'value of UCS debate'.

As far as I can see, you would be VERY unlucky if you didn't get suites to MIA, you SHOULD get V-Port as well, if this is a consideration. Note... neither are EVER certain, there is always a possibility of last minute changes, but as the fleet is nearly all switched over now, the chances of a non-suite a/c are getting fewer and fewer.

For Miami, you will of course have the advantage of the new CH at LHR, not sure how that works if you are going via AMS though.

MIA to the Keys is a very easy drive. Miami to Key West is 164 miles, but to the top of the Keys (Key Largo)it is less than 50. The 1 down to the Keys often gets busy, especially at weekends, and is never a quick drive, but it is doable in a day without a problem. It is a long time since we drove all the way to the end. We prefer Islamorada, which is only about half way down.

There are lots of options for your internal flights. Expedia.com will give you an idea of availability and price.

If you are going to leave your car at Key West.. watch out for drop off charges from your hire company. Normally it is okay to drop off in the same state, but make sure before you commit yourself.

Nick

[buns]

Hi Tim

To add to what Nick has already said:

1. You are likely to find flights already full in April (especially MCO) as this is easter holiday season.

2. I stand to be corrected, but this can be a busy time down at the keys as "Spring breakers" make a bee line for the resort.

Originally posted by Tim
Any recommendations on flying from Miami or Orlando to Washington or New York?

Thanks,
Tim

Check out jetBlue at http://www.jetblue.com

Just priced my february flights from Orlando to Boston at $49 and Boston to New York for $40.

Great airline - Used them last year, and had a great trip.

Note their low fares seem to be on a Tues, Weds, Thurs.

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by buns4vs
Hi Tim

To add to what Nick has already said:

1. You are likely to find flights already full in April (especially MCO) as this is easter holiday season.

2. I stand to be corrected, but this can be a busy time down at the keys as "Spring breakers" make a bee line for the resort.

Yep it's spring break time..so be careful where you book.

for the life of me I can't remember the name of the place we stay at,but if you do a search for the florida keys on here you'll find a reference to it..if I get time later i'll put a link in.


Of course 2 mins later I remember..here you go LINK

also the reviews on Trip Advisor

Tim,
Totally agree with above comments, I was out there Easter 2004. I got from my house in Christchurch, Dorset to Hertz Car hire at Miami Airport in half an hour less time than it took to get out of Miami drive the 164 miles to Key West and find somewhere to Park!

Just a suggestion - We are going to fly to MCO in September and then we have a flight from MCO to Key West - having been there before I dont think you woudl want to stay there for more than a couple of days so we are then hiring a car at Key West and then driving back up the Gulf coast stopping at a couple of places along the way before then spending 10 nights in Orlando. This way we get to see more of Florida and get the benefit of the UCS price with VH to/from MCO. Our internal flight added £150 to the bill and VH use Dollar car rental and they are at Key West airport so we have no drop off charges for the car either!!

Alternatively you could drive up the East Coast and go to Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Cocoa beach, Kennedy etc!!!

Just some thoughts!!!

[ChuckC]

Originally posted by MarkJ
... We are going to fly to MCO in September and then we have a flight from MCO to Key West ...

Mark,
Not to ruin your vacation plans, but September will put you squarely in the hurricane season in southern Florida. The Keys are a tough place to escape in a hurry as there is only one road out. Judging by this year's calamities in the region many folks did not understand the meaning of the words "evacuate now".

Regards,
Chuck-

Can someone please explain what the "Amsterdam Bit" refers to?

Thanks.

Thanks for the advice Chuck - however this is our 9th time to Florida and of those 9 times we have been mostly in September/October and "touch wood" have never had any hurricane weather. I know its a possibility there will be a hurricane but it could also rain all week when I go to the Caribbean in march - its a chance we take I guess!!!