Flight out the day we disembark

[Brhalsey]

What is the earliest flight you would take out of Orlando the day you disembark? Trying to book flights and we want to avoid waiting around too long with a 3 1/2 year old and almost 2year old. But don't want to cut it too close and risk missing the flight...not sure how long it takes to get off the ship or what time we can.or how long it takes to get from the port to the airport. We wanted to use a private car transfer. Would 10:50am be too early?any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[aaklang]

We got in line to disembark the ship at 9:00 a.m. It probably took us about 45 minutes or so until we were on our bus to head to the airport. We got to the airport around 10:30, maybe a few minutes after. Obviously, we could have gotten off the ship earlier, but chose not to rush. Our flight was at 2:30. It was a looooong wait at the airport with two little kids. I think a flight around noon would be ideal. No need to rush off the ship at the crack of dawn, but not a huge wait at the airport either, and no stress about possibly being late.

Unless you were having Disney handle the travel arrangements, I would not book a 10:50 flight. It seems a bit too early and would make the morning super rushed, in my opinion.

 

[jkrislc]

While you probably could make it, I wouldn't recommend booking that flight especially with young children. If it were only adults traveling with you, then the inconvenience of missing your flight and rebooking would be less of an issue. However, if you miss your flight, you'll have many more hours at the airport than any time you might have saved with an early departure.

This is coming from someone who made it to the airport shortly after 9 a.m. for an 11:50 a.m. flight, but I like to have time on my side. I have an 11:30 a.m. flight this time around, and even that is a bit risky. We're flying first class, though, so that will help and we're flying a DCL affiliated airline which means we can check our luggage onboard. However, if neither of these were the case, I would have book a noon or later flight.

 

[DisneyOHFan]

We usually catch an 11:00 and are at the airport in plenty of time.

 

[Brhalsey]

Thanks! There is an 11:55am. Sounds like that one should work!

 

[DisneyOHFan]

Just to add. If we have an 11:00 flight, we do the express walk off where we take our own luggage. We also do not use Disney transportation. We either rent a car or use a car service. But we are at the airport by 9:30. We have also been fortunate that the ship has never had any delays clearing it through customs.

 

[kcashner]

DCL says to not book before noon, but then THEY book people on 11:30 flights.

My personal experience--I wouldn't book anything before 11... 11:30 is just about right. Of course the airlines don't always have schedules that will allow that.

 

[kshark1958]

Speaking of flights I read somewhere that if your are sailing in February and flying in from a northern city that it may be a good idea to get a flight the day before the cruise because of the chance of bad wether delays. This is a first cruise for me and wife so looking for advice on this subject don't want to take chance of being late and missing the boat.

 

[kcashner]

Speaking of flights I read somewhere that if your are sailing in February and flying in from a northern city that it may be a good idea to get a flight the day before the cruise because of the chance of bad wether delays. This is a first cruise for me and wife so looking for advice on this subject don't want to take chance of being late and missing the boat.

It is ALWAYS a good idea to get to Orlando the day before. Sure, weather delays occur, but so do mechanical issues, air traffic control tower issues, etc. We can get a decent Priceline hotel for under $50 per night--WELL worth the comfort of being in Orlando the evening before.

Besides, if you fly in the day of your cruise, you are up before the crack of dawn for an early flight. You get to Orlando exhausted and by the time you board the ship you are about ready to (fill in the blank--scream, sleep, kill someone, etc). Even when we arrive in Orlando late on Friday night, we can get a good night of sleep, enjoy breakfast, get to the terminal in a leisurely manner, and be ready to enjoy our vacation. Worst case, if something happens with our evening flight, at least we have options!

 

[wendyoconnor]

The 11:55 flight gives you a cushion if the ship is late clearing customs. This is rare but we have had it happen once. This time also gives you a cushion going through security in MCO. It's taken us close to an hour to get through on a Saturday, less on a weekday.

MCO is huge and you will be surprised how quickly time goes in the airport with potty stops, getting to your gate, and going through security.

 

[Patrickprincess]

While you probably could make it, I wouldn't recommend booking that flight especially with young children. If it were only adults traveling with you, then the inconvenience of missing your flight and rebooking would be less of an issue. However, if you miss your flight, you'll have many more hours at the airport than any time you might have saved with an early departure.

This is coming from someone who made it to the airport shortly after 9 a.m. for an 11:50 a.m. flight, but I like to have time on my side. I have an 11:30 a.m. flight this time around, and even that is a bit risky. We're flying first class, though, so that will help and we're flying a DCL affiliated airline which means we can check our luggage onboard. However, if neither of these were the case, I would have book a noon or later flight.

I don't know if this would help you but i chose a 6:30 pm flight but i got a day room at the hyatt for $103.00 i know it sounds spendy but the room a signal bed was great, I got to get cleaned up and i took a nap before my five hour flight home. Also you can use the pool and get lunch and do last minute shopping. Also had signed up for onboard check in. My luggage was already checked in and i didn' have to worry about getting it to the airport. also if you get the day room the kids can get a nap before fying home.

 

[tvguy]

It is ALWAYS a good idea to get to Orlando the day before. Sure, weather delays occur, but so do mechanical issues, air traffic control tower issues, etc. We can get a decent Priceline hotel for under $50 per night--WELL worth the comfort of being in Orlando the evening before.

When we first started cruising, in the 1980's, (before Disney) cruise lines required you to fly in the night before, and including a hotel room in the fare.