Departure Flight Question

[jenanderson]

Okay, I just found pricing for airfare that we can afford. I am not worried about the flight out since we are going to go to WDW for a few days before the cruise. I am wondering about the option for the departure flight - it leaves MCO at NOON! Would I be stupid to book something that early or if we are organized and have a rental car waiting parked at the port, would we make the flight? Has anyone else ever had a flight this early?

I would love advice quickly so that we can hopefully get this airfare! It would really help our budget for the trip!

Thanks for all the help you guys dish out!
Jen

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

Noon should be fine. The flight we get is usually at 12:30, but in 14 cruises we have always been to the airport in time for a noon flight. We usually take the DCL buses, and the latest we've been through security and to our gate has been around 10:30. I wouldn't dally on the ship once it clears, though. You don't have to be the first ones off, but I wouldn't hang around until they kick you off, either.

 

[rotary2808]

I think noon would be pushing it. I'd go with something a little bit later. You have to go through customs, get your luggage, etc. Go with the later flight, then you can relax and not have to rush. Who wants to rush after such a relaxing vacation.

 

[jenanderson]

I may see what others have to say but it is good to see that others have booked a flight that early.

To us, it would be worth the rush that one morning because it would save us about $400 to book the flight at noon. That is a huge amount of money that can be spent either at Disney or on the cruise. The later flight also puts us home really late and that means that we will be exhausted the next day when we have to go to work.

Thanks for the information!

 

[3mickeys&me]

We flew out at 1PM and we were at the airport by 10:30ish. I think you will have plenty of time

 

[mmouse37]

I would not book anything earlier than noon (DCL officially advises not to book before noon) so you should be fine.

In 13 DCL cruises we have only been delayed once in getting off the ship and that was due to a medical emergency and no one was able to leave the ship until about 10:30-11:00 that day.

 

[LAMPSKIES]

We did late seating an left after breakfast and was sitting at ATAs terminal by 10:40.

 

[aprilgail2]

We didn't rush off the ship, and we were in the airport by 930am! Last time we rushed off and were at the gates of magic kingdom by 9am!

 

[CM_Mom]

Another good reason to think about trip insurance if that's not already part of your plans. I think if you book within DCL's recommendations and the debarkation is delayed then the trip insurance would cover the additional charges.

I remember it has happened at least once once on the Magic because the security dogs alerted to something and they pretty much locked down the terminal and kept the debarking passengers on the ship until it was cleared. Also once they got into port late because of one of the hurricanes.

Nothing to panic over, but worth being aware of.

 

[StuartMI]

We have an 11:45am departure coming home in October. That should be fine for us. We use Tiffany Towncar and had late breakfast seating on the last day. Everything was fine.

 

[jmcdonnell04]

On three previous cruise, we were at the airport before 10 am. Wished we had noon departure but waited three hours for our 1 pm flights.

 

[jenanderson]

Thank you for all the information.

We booked the noon flight out. I figure, we have trip insurance and we are not the sleep in and sit around sort of people.

The good thing is that we saved over $400! More money for WDW and the cruise!

Thanks,
Jen