Flying Sunday After Thanksgiving/ What To Expect?

[danielle782001]

I know it is going to be bad but how bad?

We have a 2:30 flight home out of Orlando the Sunday after Thanksgiving...We are checking luggage...How much time should we allow to check bags at curb and get through security?

Please help...TIA!

 

[a1tinkfans]

at MCO, 2-1/2 hours!
Have a great trip.....sometimes MCO goes rapid but I have been there for HOURS on the lines.........seriously HOURS!

 

[goofy4tink]

You're going to make a lot of new friends!!! That's for sure. Be sure to leave more time than you think you're going to need.
We're flying from Boston to MCO that day...here's hoping it isn't too bad.

 

[Hannathy]

How bad? Very Bad!!! Think Disney on New years Day, or Christmas or if Every school in the country had the same week for Spring break!! Every seat will be full, every seat in every gate will be full, every bathroom will have a line. Lines to check in will be wrapped around or out the doors. then just when you think it can't get worse Mother Nature will throw an ice storm in somewhere in the country and then even the planes will be in lines for taking off or getting a gate.

have fun.........

 

[danielle782001]

then just when you think it can't get worse Mother Nature will throw an ice storm in somewhere in the country and then even the planes will be in lines for taking off or getting a gate.

have fun.........

please no....no storms...I have to get back to work at 6:00 AM on Monday morning

 

[bleeps]

In all seriousness, I would personally would arrive at the airport 4 hours before flight time. You're flying on what I believe is THE busiest day of the year at airports (if it's not #1, then it's #2). Even under normal circumstances, the security lines at MCO are an absolute mess (at least, that has always been our experience).

Better to be there, and have time to grab a bite to eat or whatever, than to be sweating it out in the lines.

 

[danielle782001]

In all seriousness, I would personally would arrive at the airport 4 hours before flight time. You're flying on what I believe is THE busiest day of the year at airports (if it's not #1, then it's #2). Even under normal circumstances, the security lines at MCO are an absolute mess (at least, that has always been our experience).

Better to be there, and have time to grab a bite to eat or whatever, than to be sweating it out in the lines.

wow...thanks for the information...I know it is going to be busy but 4 hours worth of busy...I DO really appreciate the information...

I am upset for a few reasons:
1) I thought we would have some time to do something after breakfast (we have a 9:15 ADR at CM)
2) I thought leaving WDW at 11:30 for a 2:00 flight would be fine
3) The idea of my kids in an airport for that long is very stressful

BUT I also do not want to (cannot) miss my flight...So I guess we leave right after breakfast which will be around 10:30...3 1/2 hours before...That is the best we can do...Hope it is enough!

Oh, the pain in my head and tummy right now

 

[ironz]

I would plan on leaving right after your breakfast. Enjoy it and savor it.
You're only talking about an hour difference from what you had planned.

 

[Hannathy]

keep in mind traffic around the airport will be a zoo also, and if you are returning a car that will be crazy. Make sure you have a bunch of snacks in your carry on for your kids if you get stuck in the terminal or in a delay on the plane.

 

[danielle782001]

keep in mind traffic around the airport will be a zoo also, and if you are returning a car that will be crazy. Make sure you have a bunch of snacks in your carry on for your kids if you get stuck in the terminal or in a delay on the plane.

we are renting a car...thanks for pointing that out...

Out plan is that one of us will take the kids to return the car and the other will do the curb check-in for our bags....

Curb is faster than inside right?

I hope 3 1/2 is enough for all of this

 

[mickeee]

We fly out on Sunday after Thanksgiving too. We actually do this almost every year. However to ease the pain we usually stay at the MCO Hyatt the night before so we don't have to deal with traffic in the morning. Stay calm and be mentally prepared to deal with the crowds and everything will be just fine. Remember that the MCO airport is usually well prepared to handle the rush.

As someone else mentioned only if Mother Nature acts up with the weather that things can start going downhill fast. I would leave 3 to 3 1/2 hours before flight time.

Good luck.

 

[Belle1962]

Since you have a rental car and to alleviate the stress of yet another long line and having to check the luggage and then wait for it at the other airport--which will also be very busy: can you rearrange your packing so you take only carry on with you to the airport (change of clothes, snacks, etc.) and SHIP everything else home via UPS, FedEx or USPS the night before? If you take enough to get you by a few days you can ship the cheapest method possible. I've had to do this several times. I've even just packed a suitcase and placed the whole suitcase into a box at UPS to send home. And what a joy it was to just drop the car, breeze through the airport past ALL of the curbside and inside people waiting to check bags, hit security and go to the gate.

Also--if you can--print your boarding passes at the hotel or a local place like Kinkos so you can drop the rental and head straight to security?


Here are a few very close places (about 2- 4 miles away) to send packages back home. And don't worry-they sell the boxes and stuff you need! Not super cheap but does your sanity have a price??? And if your airline charges to check bags anyway--well.........

FedEx Kinko's is now
FedEx Office Print & Ship Center
12181 S Apopka Vineland Rd
Orlando, FL 32836
(407) 465-0085


THE UPS STORE
7862 W IRLO BRONSON HWY
KISSIMMEE, FL 34747
407-390-1899

U.S. Post Office
8536 PALM PKWY
ORLANDO, FL 32836-6415
(800) ASK-USPS


Or if onsite can you use that luggage check in at the resort? (Not sure how it works)


HTH.

 

[danielle782001]

Since you have a rental car and to alleviate the stress of yet another long line and having to check the luggage and then wait for it at the other airport--which will also be very busy: can you rearrange your packing so you take only carry on with you to the airport (change of clothes, snacks, etc.) and SHIP everything else home via UPS, FedEx or USPS the night before? If you take enough to get you by a few days you can ship the cheapest method possible. I've had to do this several times. I've even just packed a suitcase and placed the whole suitcase into a box at UPS to send home. And what a joy it was to just drop the car, breeze through the airport past ALL of the curbside and inside people waiting to check bags, hit security and go to the gate.

Also--if you can--print your boarding passes at the hotel or a local place like Kinkos so you can drop the rental and head straight to security?


Here are a few very close places (about 2- 4 miles away) to send packages back home. And don't worry-they sell the boxes and stuff you need! Not super cheap but does your sanity have a price??? And if your airline charges to check bags anyway--well.........

FedEx Kinko's is now
FedEx Office Print & Ship Center
12181 S Apopka Vineland Rd
Orlando, FL 32836
(407) 465-0085


THE UPS STORE
7862 W IRLO BRONSON HWY
KISSIMMEE, FL 34747
407-390-1899

U.S. Post Office
8536 PALM PKWY
ORLANDO, FL 32836-6415
(800) ASK-USPS


Or if onsite can you use that luggage check in at the resort? (Not sure how it works)


HTH.

Thanks for all the info...I wish we could do luddage check in at our resort but our airline (SW) does not participate...Otherwise we would use Magical Express and have them check our luggade

 

[goofy4tink]

Just so everyone knows...there will be NO storms that Sunday!!! I have expressly forbidden it. I fly out of Boston to MCO that afternoon, and I am not going to have to deal with any 'weather' issues. As it is written, so it shall be....period!!!

 

[Missytara]

I am telling you, the way the weather has been in DE lately, I don't think we will be seeing any type of snow around here!

Sunday it was 70 degrees and I had all my windows open.

 

[danielle782001]

Just so everyone knows...there will be NO storms that Sunday!!! I have expressly forbidden it. I fly out of Boston to MCO that afternoon, and I am not going to have to deal with any 'weather' issues. As it is written, so it shall be....period!!!

I am telling you, the way the weather has been in DE lately, I don't think we will be seeing any type of snow around here!

Sunday it was 70 degrees and I had all my windows open.

YESSSSSSSS

 

[Telcogirl]

Just so everyone knows...there will be NO storms that Sunday!!! I have expressly forbidden it. I fly out of Boston to MCO that afternoon, and I am not going to have to deal with any 'weather' issues. As it is written, so it shall be....period!!!

Thank you for doing that for all of us!

 

[danielle782001]

DH will not send the bags home so.....

Do I check them at the curb or inside? Which is easier and faster? I know, I know...Lines are going to be long every where...But what is best?

The first time we used ME we had to go inside to check bags and it was very slow and crowded...Ever since we have rented a car and I always check the luggage at the curb while he returns the car...The last time we were there the curb line was very long and slow but I was told inside was worse that day...

So what is the "general" rule of thumb here

 

[ironz]

DH will not send the bags home so.....

Do I check them at the curb or inside? Which is easier and faster? I know, I know...Lines are going to be long every where...But what is best?

The first time we used ME we had to go inside to check bags and it was very slow and crowded...Ever since we have rented a car and I always check the luggage at the curb while he returns the car...The last time we were there the curb line was very long and slow but I was told inside was worse that day...

So what is the "general" rule of thumb here

Actually, since you are flying SW, it makes sense to just take your bags with you rather than the expense of shipping stuff home (since 2 checked bags each are free).

As for whether I use curbside or the inside for baggage check-in....I try to gauge the length of the lines. Would expect both to be lengthy that day. I usually stay inside because: even with a longer line, there are more kiosks/ticket agents than outside baggage checkin people, so it seems like the line moves relatively faster inside. They often will have an agent who helps direct each person to a kiosk as they reach the front of the line (esp if it's crowded). Line length may also depend on weather.

I would support the idea of one adult (and up to one child) being dropped off to get in the baggage check in line while the other adult goes off to return the rental car. Less kids to have to wrangle and entertain while in line.

Maybe someone can help with this: if she has more than 2 bags to check and is in line alone, will they let her check 2 more bags under the baggage allowance of one of her party that is not present at the time? (might be a reason to keep one ticketed kid with you).

Obviously, the least baggage you have to drag around, the better. Keep that in mind when you're packing to head to FL.

Good luck!

 

[Missytara]

I don't think there is any way of gauging it this far ahead.....but if you are in doubt, I would do the curb-side check-in.

I returned on a Saturday flying Southwest, because one of my traveling companions insisted on it - her sister used to work for them. It was the second week in December and I am glad we did. The line at regular check-in was looking to be at least 1 to 1-1/2 hours long. It wound around the queue around to the windows.

That is why I only fly Airtran; they have non-stop flights to MCO from BWI and I don't have to worry about my luggage. This year, my flight on Airtran was actually cheaper than Southwest, even with the baggage fees.