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Original poster

Florida for the weekend - stupid idea?

165 replies

clpsmum · 13/09/2023 17:12

There is an event in Florida two of my children really want to go to. The only way we could do it would be to fly out on Friday and back on Monday. I've not been long haul for many many years. Is it a stupid idea or is it doable? I'm in the UK

OP posts:
Original poster
clpsmum · 13/09/2023 17:35

JustforAlice · 13/09/2023 17:32

Yes you can but no you shouldn't. Have you not noticed the world is burning? And flights like that contribute to the cause.

We've not been abroad in twelve years so I won't beat myself up too much

OP posts:
VeridicalVagabond · 13/09/2023 17:36

I couldn't but I'm a dreadful traveller, I get motion sick so have to take medication which turns me into a zombie for 24 hours.

My husband does flights like this for work sometimes and seems to cope fine. If it's a once in a lifetime sort of thing and they're decent travellers I'd just go for it.

Soontobe60 · 13/09/2023 17:36

clpsmum · 13/09/2023 17:35

We've not been abroad in twelve years so I won't beat myself up too much

Show quote history

That’s OK then.

KohlaParasaurus · 13/09/2023 17:37

Totally, totally crazy. Bonkers. And also, a lifelong memory for all of you if it comes off successfully. I wouldn't, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't.

tara66 · 13/09/2023 17:37

If you can go business class you can sleep on plane. I think Miami is 9 hour flight.

BirdiePlantaganet · 13/09/2023 17:37

Do it! You only live once and it’s not that long a flight.

BackToOklahoma · 13/09/2023 17:38

It’s possible, we’ve done it for a emergency. You’d have to really, really want to go to an event to do it though. It sounds like you’d kids would love it though so I reckon just got for it.

gogomoto · 13/09/2023 17:38

If it was something really important I'd do it, I'm fortunate that I don't get jet lagged for some reason.

DP regularly travels longhaul for work, been to Australia for a meeting, but he doesn't describe that as a pleasurable trip!

3WildOnes · 13/09/2023 17:39

Is there no way you can extend the holiday so that you can get a bit more out of the trip? Take the children out of school? It seems a long way and a lot of money to travel for such a short time.

BackToOklahoma · 13/09/2023 17:39

*go for it.

TinaYouFatLard · 13/09/2023 17:40

It’s perfectly doable. My DH and his friends regularly do very short trips to play golf when the weather is shocking here. I’m dying to know what the event is.

My only consideration would not be jet lag coming back as you’ll stay in U.K. time for that short a period, but the time difference itself. If you’re taking about a concert or something which goes on until late you’ll all be exhausted.

Overall I think you only live once and if it’s something your DC will treasure forever then you should go for it.

Qilin · 13/09/2023 17:40

I've done New York for a short time, but Florida is that little bit further - you're looking at around 9 hours in the way out, and 7,5 hours on the way home. The home flight will normally be overnight - so would you be landing Tuesday morning, rather than Monday morning.

You would need to try and stick to UK times as much as possible whilst there to try and combat some of the jet lag - it'll be much worse coming home than when there in my experience, when going west on holiday.

RichardMarxisinnocent · 13/09/2023 17:41

CyberCritical · 13/09/2023 17:23

People do that kind of trip for work all the time so it's definitely doable just costly. As a general rule when the flights are that long and expensive most will stretch it to be as long a holiday as possible to make the most of it.

Aren't lots of the people doing it for work travelling business class so get to sleep on the plane in a flat bed which surely must help with not feeling totally exhausted especially on the return to the UK?

Oochiewalla · 13/09/2023 17:41

Do it…You only live once!

Isthiscorrect · 13/09/2023 17:41

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 13/09/2023 17:22

I know someone who flew to Hong Kong for the day for an interview. Bonkers, but not impossible.

would definitely be an adventure you all remember!

Did they get the job?

Original poster
clpsmum · 13/09/2023 17:41

TinaYouFatLard · 13/09/2023 17:40

It’s perfectly doable. My DH and his friends regularly do very short trips to play golf when the weather is shocking here. I’m dying to know what the event is.

My only consideration would not be jet lag coming back as you’ll stay in U.K. time for that short a period, but the time difference itself. If you’re taking about a concert or something which goes on until late you’ll all be exhausted.

Overall I think you only live once and if it’s something your DC will treasure forever then you should go for it.

Sorry didn't mean to keep it a secret lol. It's wwe royal rumble. They've wanted to go since they were tiny but this is the first year that it could be possible but only for a few days. Shame we couldn't stay longer and make it a holiday but family circumstances make it impossible.

OP posts:
Isthiscorrect · 13/09/2023 17:42

Do it. It's a once in a lifetime experience. They can sleep on the flight. What a memory and yea definitely Christmas present.

Original poster
clpsmum · 13/09/2023 17:43

Thanks everyone you've made my mind up, it's bonkers but you only live once and they will live it. I'm going to do it! Thank you all so much xx

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Qilin · 13/09/2023 17:43

It's 5 hour time difference, so that aspect isn't actually too bad, especially when there. We don't really ever have much issues when going there. Only when we get home, but only for a day or two usually. But if have work the day after landing, we just get in with it.

What are the event timings?

13y and 17y would probably be fine whilst there. Would they need to be doing something on the Tuesday when home or would they be able to have a couple of hours nap, get up and push through til bedtime?

TinaYouFatLard · 13/09/2023 17:44

Yaaay!!! I’m stupidly pleased for you and your DC! Have a wonderful time.

Qilin · 13/09/2023 17:44

Hope you, and they, have fun!

It's doable - just allow for some tiredness when they get home for a day or two.

PickledPurplePickle · 13/09/2023 17:45

Amazing have a fabulous time

MiniBossFromAus · 13/09/2023 17:47

No. Seriously it would be awful.

Imagine you are delayed and miss the event.

afrikat · 13/09/2023 17:48

My brother recently went to WWE in Fla (he lives out there). Said it was AMAZING. Royale Rumble will be epic I'm sure. Enjoy!

Original poster
clpsmum · 13/09/2023 17:49

TinaYouFatLard · 13/09/2023 17:44

Yaaay!!! I’m stupidly pleased for you and your DC! Have a wonderful time.

Thank you so much x

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