7pm flight, noon checkout, what to do on last day?

[GreatDane]

We will be in Orlando for 7 days with 7yo DS. On the last day our flight doesn’t leave until 7pm. I figure we need to be on the road to the airport by about 4-4:30 and we must check out by noon. Any suggestion on last day activities?

 

[NotUrsula]

We go to a water park. Take your going-home clothes with you and change there: bring a large ziploc for your wet suits. It's a wonderfully relaxing way to end a trip.

 

[stacy6552]

we always head over to DD for our goodies and things we might have missed.

 

[Justin the Hook]

We have always made it a do your 1 favorite thing again day. Last trip was crazy. We actually checked out and put our luggage in storage for ME at 7 am. Then it was off to AK for my DD10 to ride EE, then from there to HS for DD6 to ride TSM, then finally to MK for DD2 to ride Alladins Magic Carpet one last time. Left MK about 2:30 pm to head back to the POR sat down and had one last nice dinner before we left on the bus to OIA at 5 pm. I know it sounds crazy but I have always done this in some way, shape or form.

 

[arjones31]

I concur with Stacey... DD is the way to go! We usually save one TS credit to eat our "final meal"; a great way to try the resort restaurants and ride the monorail one more time. Then, head to DD to shop for your goodies (they are usually cheaper here than in the parks AND they have better incentives). There is also a water fountain play area where you can cool down. Have fun!

 

[MickeyMom2Boys]

We just did this on Saturday. We had an 11AM checkout and a 6:25pm flight. We went to breakfast at 10AM at Chef Mickeys to let the kids see the characters one more time, then to Downtown Disney for some last minute shopping.

A couple of things I learned (being new to flying). We were staying at Animal Kingdom, Kidani Village. Magical Express was scheduled to pick us up at 3:30pm. We headed for a bus to the resort at 1PM, hoping to go to Jambo house and get the kids something quick to eat before heading to the airport (since we'd be flying through dinner time). The bus took forever to come! Then it stopped at Typhoon Lagoon before going to AKL. We didn't get to AKL until about 2:45. Just enough time to get our stored bags, some drinks for the bus ride, then be on the curb waiting for the bus at 3:15. Bus didn't come until 4pm, then had a problem with one of the families (not sure what), then went to pick up at Jambo house. We got to the airport at 5pm. Stood in line to go through security for over 30 minutes. 10 minutes after we got to our terminal, the plane started boarding.

Lesson learned: fly early morning or allow plenty of time for Disney transportation and airport security!

 

[Connerzmom]

We went to downtown disney last year. We just walked around and did some last minute shopping (and eating).

 

[disneyjunkie]

We always check out early, store our luggage then hop on a bus to MK, Epcot or DS.

We stay in the park until about 2:00. Grab one last lunch in the food court then head to out to the front of the resort to catch the bus to MCO

 

[islandtimect]

We like to play mini-golf and have a big table service lunch at one of the resorts. Especially since the airlines don't feed us, and the security check has been long at the airport.

 

[Mommy2JulietJocelyn]

We have started a tradition of eating breakfast at Chef Mickey's the day we leave. We went to epcot and strolled around the World letting the kids do the KidCot stations while DH and I browsed. We find it very relaxing

But allow plenty of time for buses like PP mentioned.

 

[dizct]

We go with the flow. We've gone back to a park and gone on rides some more. We've also just checked out and continued to use the pool, that's always been fine at the hotels we've stayed in. One suggestion I'd make if you want to maximize time and have a little extra $, DON'T USE THE DISNEY MAGICAL EXPRESS, as a PP noted, it can waste a lot of time. The round trip cost of using a town car service is $100 before tip (we tip $20). So for $60 extra each way, you can relax and leave for the airport much later than required when using the Disney Express.

 

[islandtimect]

Just wondering if anyone has ever been able to stay in their room an extra hr or two without being charged.

 

[mjkacmom]

We go with the flow. We've gone back to a park and gone on rides some more. We've also just checked out and continued to use the pool, that's always been fine at the hotels we've stayed in. One suggestion I'd make if you want to maximize time and have a little extra $, DON'T USE THE DISNEY MAGICAL EXPRESS, as a PP noted, it can waste a lot of time. The round trip cost of using a town car service is $100 before tip (we tip $20). So for $60 extra each way, you can relax and leave for the airport much later than required when using the Disney Express.

Actually, you can use ME for one leg, towncar for another, and get the best of both worlds. I loved ME taking us to the resort, but I wouldn't want to take it back to the airport.

 

[MickeyMouse'sBFF]

That sounds like a Downtown Disney Day if I ever heard one. I wouldnt pay for the cost to go into a park just to go for a few hours. Thats just not me. I would make one of them last meal reservations there in DD, and shop for all the items you want to take home....then take em home! Oh, and dont forget to get some kind of goodie to eat on the plane ride home. The rice crispy mickey mouse heads travel quite nicely for that!

 

[Aliceacc]

Add a day to your ticket-- it costs practically nothing-- and do a 'greatest hits" day at the Magic Kingdom.

 

[bear_mom]

On our last day we got up, packed our stuff and left our bags with the Resort Airline Check-in (checked luggage) and luggage services (carry ons) and went to Epcot for a few last rides then headed for DD for some last minute shopping. We left DD about 1 1/2 hours before our ME bus time.

Emily

 

[las3888]

We encountered this "problem" last month for the first time...we almost always fly home early in the morning. At any rate, we opted for an AM at the MK. It was really kind of depressing and disappointing. DS is 4 and he (and I) were really bummed that we were leaving so everything we did at the MK just seemed depressing and in stark contrast to our initial days at the MK when we just got there and everything was fresh and new and exciting (since we were at the beginning of our trip). If I had to do it over, I would have opted for at day at DTD myself instead to buy a few more souvenirs but still soak up those last few hours of Disney magic.

Just beware if you do go to the parks, it might be a bummer unless you can change your frame of mind!!!!

Good luck and have fun!!!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We go to a water park. Take your going-home clothes with you and change there: bring a large ziploc for your wet suits. It's a wonderfully relaxing way to end a trip.

This sounds like us!! After all the hustle and bustle of parks and crowds we love to unwind at TL.

 

[deejohn]

We always take the last flight out of Orlando. On that day we check out at 11am, and leave our bags with the hotel. We then will either go to Downtown. Last year we did the pool, then put the clothes in the dryer while we got dinner, then left for the airport. That was a good move, because they were too tired to act up on the plane!!! Might do that again this year.

 

[micheleq]

We had an 8pm flight out in December. DH, our two DDs, myself and my brother all went to the MK for the morning, then to DTD for lunch at Earl of Sandwich and some last minute shopping before heading back to SSR for our ME bus. I wish I had more time at DTD because I found myself panicking and wanting to get a bunch of things (it was right before Christmas)!

I tried to cram in a bit too much on that last day -- I would have done a half day at a park, or DTD. Both was alot for us, but since we were staying at SSR I didn't consider that.

Next time I might also consider taking a car to the airport when we depart. ME was great getting there, but we were at the airport soooo early for our flight. It would have been easier to have had a nice early dinner at the resort, and not sitting in the Orlando airport eating McD's and having my kids get fidgety waiting for two hours before our flight.