5 hours to waste before boarding plane in orlando, have car, any suggestions?

[lisagirl88]

AirTran has changed our reservations again and we decided we did not want to have to hurry to make an 11:19 flight. We now have a 5:05 flight so we have some time to spare before we have to be at the airport. We have a rental car for the day so does anyone have suggestions for where to spend our extra 5 hours. Our travel party includes myself, DH and two DS's ages 5 and 3. Thanks!!!

 

[patsal]

I'd spend a few hours at DTD. Have a nice lunch, a trip to Goofy's to get some snacks for the plane and then to the airport with enough time to get there without feeling rushed, but not so much that you are going stir crazy.

 

[lisagirl88]

I'm a newbie...What is DTD???

 

[lcombs57]

I am a newbie also, but like you our flight doesnt leave until 5:45pm
So we are going to try and spend a couple of hours at Kennedy Space center.
I know we wont see all of it, but my DH will enjoy it.
Lisa

 

[VacationKicks]

I'm a newbie...What is DTD???

DTD= Downtown Disney

 

[Mickeyhugger]

You can always get rid of the rental car and get some rest by getting a day room at the Hyatt

Rob

 

[jiminyC_fan]

We always go to Downtown Disney as well. Have a quick bite to eat at McDonald's, head to the Premium outlet stores and then off to the airport. Seems like tradition for us now.

 

[skibum]

Downtown Disney is a good idea for a few hours, but when we have most of the day, we like to go to one of the water parks - Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon. We usually end up at Beaches & Cream for a meal before our flight.

 

[lisagirl88]

These are all great suggestions!!! I saw that DTD has a Lego shop. DS's are super into Legos so that may have to be a stop for us. Thanks for the great info and if there are any other suggestions keep em coming.............

 

[nokidz]

DTD is the place to go by far....

 

[jodifla]

We like to play a couple of round of minigolf at Fantasia minigolf, then have a leisurely lunch somewhere, and walk around the Boardwalk or DTD.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

We rented a car and went to the Kennedy Space Center for the better part of the day and made it to the airport for a 5:30 PM flight.

 

[jnadelman]

I would think DTD would be a good idea. Just know your times and keep an eye on the clock. DTD is about 30 minutes beyond the airport, so that would be an hour there and back. Don't forget that you need time to return the rental car and get through security at the airport.
Also remember that your luggage might have already been checked in for you, so if you plan on buying a lot at DTD make sure you have a place to put it.

 

[GoofyFD]

DTD is great for the kids also!

 

[lisagirl88]

Bump. Any other suggestions or is DTD the best bet?

 

[hgon76]

Our flight leaves at 2:10 the day we get back. Do you think we would have time to do DTD or should we just head for the airport after we disembark?

 

[arabians207]

^I'd head to the airport myself (our family is SLOW though, lol.) Depending on how early you get off the boat you could have time. On both our cruises we were among the very last ones to get off.

Anyway, after our second cruise, we went to a mall near there before heading to the airport. Can't remember what it was called though. Florida something mall I think?

We were going to go to the Kennedy SC but we felt we didn't have enough time to get our moneys worth. The tickets were really expensive and we only would have an hour or two before we needed to go to the airport. (FYI we are SLOW to get off the ship!! Some of the last ones off, lol. Then we had to wait at least an hour for a bus to come that was going to our car rental place!)

I'd definitely to go DTD though

 

[lyn9856]

Perhaps a bit of a rush...
Need to be at airport for at least 2 hrs before...so 12ish...an hrs drive at least.....might give you a couple of hrs I guess. Depends on how disciplined you are at dragging yourselves away lol and what you want to see/do

We always seem to end up spending hours when we go to DTD!

BTW, you might already know but there is a Disney shop at MCO, as well as a Universal and Sea World shop

 

[DCLover]

The Premium Outlet shops that are close to Downtown Disney are fun for shoppers to walk around. Not too far from the airport. Also, Downtown Disney has Rainforest Cafe that has a jungle theme, which is fun for kids (sometimes a long wait, though). Next to Rainforest Cafe is a great Wolfgang Puck's Express that has great lunch options, including a to-die-for Butternut Squash soup and some great flatbread pizzas.

 

[rolyjp]

You should factor in traffic and driving time...Saturday traffic is usually fine...but we got caught in a bad one in '05 and almost didn't make it to the airport on time.