Will you fly direct or indirect?

Deciding whether to fly direct or take a connecting flight is one of the biggest choices you'll make when booking your Orlando holiday. Both options have distinct pros and cons that can impact your budget and your "Day 1" energy levels.

Flying Direct
The Benefits: The most obvious perk is speed. A direct flight from the UK takes approximately 9 hours, getting you into Florida by late afternoon. It’s significantly less stressful for families with toddlers or infants, as you only have to navigate security and boarding once.
The Disadvantages: Direct flights usually come with a premium price tag, especially during school holidays. You will also have to clear US Immigration upon arrival in Orlando (MCO), which—depending on how many other international flights land at the same time—can take anywhere from 45 minutes to over 2 hours.

Flying Indirect (Connecting)
The Benefits: The biggest benefit is the cost saving, which can often be £200–£300 per person. For a family of four, that is over £1,000 back in your pocket. It also allows you to fly from smaller regional UK airports (like Birmingham, Bristol, or Newcastle) and connect at a larger hub.
The Disadvantages: Your total travel time will increase to roughly 12–15 hours. There is also the minor risk of luggage delays during the transfer or the stress of a "tight" connection if your first flight is delayed.

Typical indirect flights will use these airports:
Ireland - Dublin (DUB) - Includes US Pre-Clearance, meaning you clear US Customs in Ireland and land in Orlando as a domestic passenger (no queues!)
USA (East Cost) - Newark (EWR), New York (JFK), Philadelphia (PHL), Atlanta (ATL) - You clear customs at your first point of entry, which can often be much faster than the busy Orlando international terminal.
USA (South) - Charlotte (CLT), Washington Dulles (IAD), Miami (MIA) - Great for breaking up the long-haul leg into two shorter flights (approx. 7 hours then 2 hours).
Europe - Amsterdam (AMS), Reykjavik (KEF) - Icelandair (via Reykjavik) often offers some of the lowest prices for UK departures.

UK Orlando Expert Tip: If you are flying indirect, we highly recommend looking at Aer Lingus via Dublin. Being able to clear US Immigration while you wait for your connection in Ireland is a total "cheat code"—it means when you land in Orlando, you can walk straight to the baggage carousel and be in your hire car within minutes! Maybe even check to see if book the flights seperate (UK to Dublin and then Dublin to Orlando) to see if this makes it even cheaper!