Getting to MCO question

[feistyblue]

I woke up on New Years Day with the most evil bout of flu which is still very much here with added complications and between that and the excitement of Christmas missed my chance to a single digit dance - pah! So we're now just a few days away from d-day. Dreading flight on Monday due to feeling so ill but very excited about the 3 week vacation in general and being at the first ever Princess and Pirate Party (I will try and do a live post from my laptop the next day!)

Anyway, to get to the point! The first time we went to WDW we did DTD check-in and got to MCO far too early and were really bored especially as we also had a slight delay.

We'll be doing DTD check-in again this time and are on the later of the two Virgin flights (departs at 19:55) so I'm after some opinions of when we should leave for MCO. We'll be somewhere on Disney property most likely, either at BB or one of the hotels, parks or possibly DTD.

Thanks

Claire (praying hard her ear infection clears up so she can swim with the dolphins)

 

[sandshal]

Have a great holiday, I sincerely hope you all soon feel better.

Can't help you with the MCO query we're always at the airport way too early but would be interested to hear others opinions.

 

[Netty]

Hope your feeling better.
we got to mco an hour before for our flight.

 

[Netty]

just read your question again...!
I would say leave around 6.15pm as you never know if you will get caught up in traffic.

 

[Miffy2003]

just read your question again...!
I would say leave around 6.15pm as you never know if you will get caught up in traffic.

I agree with Netty on this one - best to be a little early then have the stress of worrying about missing your flight By the time you've got there, returned the car (though that's very quick) and gone through security (which may or may not be quick ) and walked to the gate it's going to be at least 7 I would have thought.

ETA -I meant to say, I hope you recover quickly and get to swim with the dolphins

 

[UKDEB]

We often get this flight and it can be difficult to strike a balance between making the most of your last day and not arriving too late. If you leave it until the very last minute possible, you won't enjoy the last hour or so at WDW because you'll be worrying.

The lines at security are usually fairly light around that time of night, but you can't guarantee it. I would want to be leaving WDW (i.e. actually in the car) by 5.30 at the latest. If you're at a park, remember to allow yourselves sufficient time to get to your car (particularly if you're at MK). Arriving at the airport around 1.5 hours before the flight suits us as we always stop by the lobby of the Hyatt (directly above the security gates) for a pre-flight drink and we use their restrooms to change for the flight. It's a quiet haven away from the hubbub of the airport.

If you have any interest in some last minute duty free shopping, bear in mind that it closes at around 7pm. We never bother going airside until the last minute, so it's usually closed by the time we get there.

Have a great trip.

 

[jtlover]

No recommendations on MCO - but I note you have flu - make sure that you drink lots of orange juice over the weekend and go and buy some ear plugs as I flew with flu and my ears really hurt (I can not tell you how painful). I would recommend trying to get rid of your flu with paracetamol before you fly.

Hope you have a nice holiday

 

[Soprano]

We left EPCOT at 6pm on our last day for the 19.55 flight back and arrived at MCO with plenty of time spare.

Virgin having a late flight and DTD check-in, is what makes me choose them over others, as you really have enough time to do someting on the last day without rushing around.

I did note some of their Feb 2008 only have one areoplane, but expect (hope) they will add another later.

 

[feistyblue]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. Seems 5.30/6.00pm ish is about right. I think we'll veer more towards leaving WDW at 6pm as we are flying back on a Monday so it should be quieter than say the weekend.

Jtlover thanks for the recommendation for the ear planes - I'm going to get some at Gatwick tomorrow ready for Monday. I've had a perforated ear drum before when we used to live in Cyprus and had to fly home early for a funeral. I had tonsilitus at the time and my ear drum went on the plane and the pain made me want to curl up and die! I've also been chucking more medicine, anti-biotics and homepathic remedies down my throat all week, than most pharmacies hold in stock!

UKDeb - thanks for the tip about the Hyatt, we hopefully try this as it sounds nice and relaxing.

Claire