FLL or MCO

[zoo2tycoon]

I have a question and I don't know where else to post, but if it should be somewhere else please move it.

We are going on a cruise (not Disney or RCCL) that leaves from Port Everglades in January. We are flying into MCO the day before and driving down as there was a significant savings doing so. I have found that staying further outside Ft. Lauderdale is much cheaper also as we need hotel January 1st. I was looking at Port St. Lucie.

My question is the return trip home. I currently have a SW flight booked that leaves at 1245PM and gets into IND at 545 or so with a stop in ATL. The thing that scares me is the layover is 45 minutes in ATL and we have a plane change. I did purchase EBCI and bought tickets day released.

I had looked and saw we could fly out of MCO at 310 and do a nonstop and get back to IND about the same time. That would involve the 3 hour return drive to Orlando. We could rent a car at Port Everglades and drive back. We dock on a Monday, which I wouldn't think would be as busy as the weekend.

Is 45 minutes enough time for a SW plane change in ATL. We are all adults so getting to the gate fast wouldn't be an issue.

THANKS

 

[SteveMouse]

I grew up 5 minutes from Port Everglades.

I do NOT recommend driving to MCO. You would want to be in terminal by 1:10p. That means being at the car return @12:55 to allow for any queue. Backing out 3:25 for drive time (accounting for light traffic), 9:30 in the car and ready to go. Backing out 30 minutes to get the car: 9a. 45 minutes to clear customs: 8:15 off the ship.

The FLL departure: leave Port Everglades by taxi @ 10:30, arrive FLL at 10:45. Get off the ship at 9:30-9:45 to clear customs (not to mention you can probably pre-check your luggage so you don't even have to pick it up).

 

[sam_gordon]

45 minutes is enough time at ATL assuming you're able bodied and there's no serious delays. What I would do however is look and see if there's another flight just in case you miss the scheduled connection. If not, have a 'Plan B' in mind which might require SW putting you up in a hotel (and you won't have access to your checked bags).

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Thanks sam_gordon and SteveMouse. There are is a later connection in ATL if we do miss the one, I booked the option with the layover on SW site so I assume they think its enough time. We will just each have one small carryon and can run to the next gate fast. I was worried about trying to get to MCO that day.

I appreciate both your help.

 

[sam_gordon]

I just looked at Atlanta's gate assignments for Southwest for today. With the exception of a couple international arrivals, every other Southwest flight was on concourse C. So in theory, you wouldn't even have to change concourses. 45 minutes should be PLENTY of time. BUT, make sure you have a change of clothes, toiletries, and medicines in your carry ons "just in case".