4 hours early to MCO for return flight on Delta?

[jenelise]

My parents were just told that they need to get to MCO 4 HOURS early for their 10:45AM return flight on Delta. Anyone else heard this? Anyone else just back?

 

[Eeyore2U]

Here's a link to the MCO website. It says two hours for domestic and 3 hours for international flights.

http://www.orlandoairports.net:/goaa/main.htm

 

[Puffy2]

We flew a few weeks ago (right after the attacks) and got to the airport about 3 hours early. We had PLENTY of time. We ate a leasurely lunch at the Hilton restaurant (expensive)- or is that a Hyatt? (it's inside the airport).
I'd say get there 2 1/2 - 3 hours early and that is plenty.

 

[kecall]

I'm with PUffy2!! We flew outa' there a couple of weeks ago and cut it wayyy too close! We were there just shy of 2 hours early, and we BARELY made it to our flight! (*imagine 2 out-of-shape middle-agers running through the airport....now stop laughing!!!*) I would definitely follow the 2 1/2 - 3 hour guideline. I'd rather check in and be able to relax, grab a bite or something...then the tremendous pressure we felt, worrying if we were going to miss our flight!

 

[Eeyore2U]

On 10/6, we mixed up our times. Got there just under and hour early and had no problems. We checked our bags at curbside, those checking in at the counter had a longer wait.

 

[kecall]

Eeyore2U reminded me of something that I should mention regarding our trip....there was NO curbside checkin at all at the time we flew! Soooo....everyone had to wait in line....Curbside checkin would definitely help to speed things up!! -- Still, I would allow plenty of time so you can relax.....

 

[bootc3]

We had a 7:45am flight on 9/29 and arrived a little after 6:00 am. Returned our rental car and were checked-in by 6:40. I think 2 hours would be plenty.

 

[atigeg]

I am so paranoid about flying now that hubby and I are going to stay at a hotel near O'Hare in order to be sure of catching our early morning flight to MCO (last time, our ride never showed up and we barely made the flight...thank goodness it was before all the turmoil or we never would have made it). On the Orlando end, we originally had a 6:40 a.m. flight coming home (I could just see us dragging our bleary-eyed selves into MCO at 3:40 a.m.). But the flight was cancelled and we are now on one that is leaving two hours later, which is probably a good thing. We are taking Happy Limo, and last time I checked with them, they said to allow at least two hours. I will be double-checking again right before we leave...I'm not as worried about coming home as going out, but I do have to go to work on the day we return, so I have to at least get to Chicago by late morning/early afternoon.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.disneycruiser.com

 

[jenelise]

Thanks everyone! We leave tomorrow at 2 pm. Will be getting to BWI by 11:00 and will check out MCO when we arrive. But I'm glad that I can put my parent's at ease - dad was ready to cancel when he heard four hours!

 

[seashoreCM]

On a normal day, stepping into the MCO airport main lobby three hours before flight departure should be plenty, you will have to leave Disney before that to return your rental car.

If you travel light, no children's souvenirs, no checked baggage, you don't need as much time since you can skip the lobby check in and go right to security and then on to the gate counter to get your boarding pass.

An unknown -- when to arrive at MCO to return home Sunday after Thanksgiving.

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[Klaa2]

The lines are tremendous. I'd say that two hours is the minimum amount of time that you need. To check the luggage at delta you have to wait in a line with about two hundred other people. Then you must wait in another line with double that amount to go through the metal detector and have any carr on's checked out. After you accomplish this, you can freely take the shuttle to the gates where, you guessed it, you'll be asked for your ID again befroe boarding the airplane.

Don't get me wrong here, I appreciate the security. The lines do move so it isn't that bad, but you must get there early.

One small thing that I found interesting. We, and a lot of other people returning from Walt Disney World, had no problem getting on the airplane with a lot of trading pins. Not that anyone is going to be successful hijacking a plane with a trading pin, but I thought that you couldnt bring anything sharp through security?

 

[jstmee]

arrived almost 4 hours early with little time to spare
We flew home from MCO 10/3/2001, arrived almost 4 hours early and we had 6 people total. We had 9 bags to be checked and the flights were changed ahead of time over the phone but they still had to be reprinted. We barely had enough time to get to the plane. We didn't have to run, however, it was unnerving. Thank goodness I listened to my DH for once and we left the hotel early than I wanted to.

 

[julfre]

jstmee,
What time was it when you checked in? 4 hours seems so long. Was it the ticket counter or security line that held you up? I just called the airline(continental) and they said 2-2 1/2 hours early was fine. I'm just wondering if you flew at a really busy time?

I hadn't heard it was that bad at any airports except NY ones. I've been at Cleveland airport and although 2 hours early is smart, from what I saw one hour would be enough.

Julie

 

[2TxAgs]

We flew out of MCO this AM - a 6:40 flight. Got to the airport and returned the rental car by 4:30 AM - when we went upstairs to the Delta counter, we were SHOCKED. The line was very long - I counted 10 gate agents checking bags, and it still took us 45 minutes to reach the front of the line. Once we got the bag checked, the line past security was practically non-existant. We had time for breakfast and 1/2 hr at the gate waiting to board. IDs were checked at the security point, and again upon entering the plane.

Our flights to and from Orlando were full, and we thought the parks were fairly crowded on Friday (MGM) and Sat (Epcot). We've only been once before (in December), so I can't compare to summer or typical fall crowds, but we thought there were a good number of people.

TxAg

 

[CarolA]

So does Delta or SW in Orlando have curbside check in yet? Of course with my record on the random searches I am sure I will get sent inside to have my luggage inspected! So far I am batting a 100 on the searches!

 

[Eeyore2U]

Delta had curbside check in on 10/6!

 

[Coll0610]

Our flight was at 6:25pm on Sunday (10/14). The line to check in wasn't too long and neither was the line at security - but the other security line, going to different gates, was really long. They were searching a lot of bags. DH had his keys in his carryon. They opened the carry on, removed the keys and then re-xrayed the bag.

If you are traveling with kids - they asked for DS's birth certificate. AirTran had told me I didn't need any ID for him (he's only 6) but they asked at the security gate in Orlando. I asked what they would do if I didn't have it and she said that we would have to be searched. So - if you are traveling with kids, bring a copy of their birth certificates!