Orlando via Chicago

[caz]

We have flown to Orlando a few times with connecting flights, but never had very long in the connecting airport. When we go in December we have about 6 or so hours in Chicago. We've never flown via Chicago before and would welcome any advice on whether it is possible / feasible to leave the airport, or is it better to sit around and wait. We will have 4 children age 10 - 13 with us.

Thanks

[floridadreamvilla.co.uk]

O'Hare is quite a way out of Chicago itself and by the time you have cleared immigration I doubt you will have chance to venture outside the airport as there is not much to see or do local to O'Hare airport.

There are some great restaurants in the airport - we usually while away our time in these when travelling via Chicago.

[gromit]

You will be best to wait at the airport and you won't have as much time as it sounds. We connected through Chicago in September and it was fine, plenty of restaurants and shops. AS already said, not near downtown Chicago so no point in going outside really!

[pepsi]

The last 2 times we went to Orlando we flew through Chicago and had about a 5 hour wait. We spent our time looking around the airport, having a meal etc. We thought the time would drag and were not looking forward to the wait at all, but in fact the time went really quickly and it wasn't too bad. I wouldn't recommend trying to go away from the airport. It will be really cold outside and you will spend your time clock watching.

[DaveL]

Don't leave the airport in December.

When you get on the shuttle train to change terminal look at the few people that are outside getting in cars.

Chicago is not called the Windy City for no reason, with wind chill factors it is very cold. If you are stopping over on your way to a skiing holiday you might have the right clothes, but Orlando - No Way.

Regards Dave

[bellaepovera]

I would also agree about the leaving the airport as you will probably be very tiried and not much into doing anything. Not sure which airlines you are taking to Orlando but you can try and see if an earlier flight is available as I always do that and usually works out fine for me. It is a known fact that 20% of the flyers to no show so worth a try seeing you have all those hours to wait.
Last summer I had a flight with South West flying into midway airport at 7:30pm. Did not have anything to do so arrived at 3 and asked if there was room on the earlier flight at 4:30 and sure enough saw about 20 seats empty.

[gromit]

Yes it is worth asking if there is any room on an earlier flight but make sure your bags get on the earlier flight too! This happened to us once and we had to wait in Orlando for our bags to arrive on the flight we were originally booked onto!!!! Still at least it meant we could get the car etc sorted and have something to eat, so that when our bags did arrive we could go straight away and we still got to our villa earlier than if we had used the original later flight!!!

[Robert5988]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Yes it is worth asking if there is any room on an earlier flight but make sure your bags get on the earlier flight too! This happened to us once and we had to wait in Orlando for our bags to arrive on the flight we were originally booked onto!!!! [/quote]

Presumably that was some while ago?

They will now not normally allow unaccompanied baggage on a plane - even though it has been searched.

Last year I arrived at Chicago early and the earlier flight to Orlando was delayed. I went to the gate and asked if we could be loaded onto that plane - we only had carry-on luggage i.e. no checked bags. The AA clerk could not do so as it was against company policy even though she admitted there were spare seats on that flight and the flight we were booked onto was full with a waiting list.

[Snapper]

Hi Caz,

I used to work in Chicago. In December it's likely to be freezing (literally) or just a degree or two above. If there is any wind the windchill can make it feel very sub-zero. -10 to -20 Centigrade is not uncommon with a bit of windchill.

Just like Dave says, unless you have some arctic gear in you carry on luggage I'd stay in the airport where it's nice and warm.