For some reason I thought an 11:00 AM departure time was ok from MCO/Orlando once we return on the Wish to Port Canaveral. And then I saw that Disney suggests a LATER departure time.
We have a private car transfer from the port to MCO at 8:15- but have to stop at our hotel close by to pick up additional luggage. I thought it would be easier to just take hand luggage on the cruise. We plan to do walk off disembarkation.
How worried should I be about catching the flight? We need to be at airport no later than 9:30 to check in and drop luggage.
What time do you think we can walk off in the morning?
Look at the timeline.
IF the car service is there on time and you have been able to get off the ship (it can be very crowded during debarkation) you will be in the car for 8:15. Again, that's all a big '
if', everything has to go as planned and the car service does not get stuck in traffic or a long line at the port.
Hotel for luggage pick up may be close but you still have to drive there and get someone at the hotel to retrieve your luggage. Probably 20 minutes at least. So about 8:35.
Drive from PC to MCO is about an hour assuming traffic is going well. Last time we drove this there was a backup of traffic near the airport which we could never explain. No accidents, no reason for it, but it was still a backup and we had to sit for 5 minutes. So, you arrive at airport about 9:30.
You need to check your luggage so now you have to find your airline counter and do that, about 15 minutes from walking in the airport door to dropping off luggage. So now you're at 9:45.
Then the real fun begins. You need to get through security and time wise, that is anyone's guess. Could be 20 minutes, could be an hour. Let's go with a good estimate and say 30 minutes. Now you are at 10:15.
You need to find your gate and get ready because boarding starts 30-45 minutes before the flight actually is due to leave. The gate closes about 15 minutes before your flight leaves, so you don't have much room for error. So, if you manage to get to the gate by 10:30 you will be okay. You can't get there at 10:55 and think you are getting on because the flight leaves at 11. That's not how it all works.
To my eyes, you're cutting it close if you have a car pick up at 8:15 and a flight at 11. I would either change my flight to a later time or have the car service pick me up at least by 7:45 and even then, I would be worried. If even one of my scenarios above are off by a few minutes, you could be looking for new flights at the airport.
You do what you feel is best but look at your options closely.
This is all JMO, please take with a grain of salt.
