How early do you get to MCO b4 your flight?

[chanty]

Hi all,

Just wondering how early you get to MCO before a flight?
2 hours? 3 hours?

Thanks!

 

[KTSMOM]

I would say about 2 1/2 hrs early. The nice thing about MCO is that there are lots of shops to look through if you have a long wait.

 

[wfloyd]

The amount of time it takes depends on the airline you are flying if you have to check luggage, the time of day, and the number of people in the security line. I have had it take as little as 20 minutes to get checked in and to the gate and as long as ~2 hours. I would say that 2.5 hours would be a safe amount of time on average.

We usually plan on 2-3 hours before the flight leaves and even add time for traffic delays so we generally get there way too early. But we have never missed our flight either.

 

[safetymom]

At least 2 hours at the airport. When you consider you start boarding 1/2 hr. before departure that will give you ample time unless you are flying near a holiday.

There is a great food court you can spend some time in if you get through check in quickly and the security line doesn't look long.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

We always strive for 2 1/2 hours at least. There've been times we sailed through check-in and security and other times we've gotten bogged down in the security lines. I wouldn't cut yourself too close to departure time because as others said you never know what the security lines will be like.

 

[cranbiz]

I always allow a minimum of 2 hours at MCO, I usually shoot for 2 1/2 hours. You just never know how long that it will take to get thru security.

If you have bags to check then you should definately allow 2 1/2 hours.

 

[aengus]

I have to say I found it funny this past trip that before going through the security checkpoint they had a queue. I thought I was standing in line for soarin again! We also give ourselves 2 1/2 hours before the flight. You just never know how busy that place is going to be, it can be a zoo at times.

 

[CarolA]

OK I am the queen of "arrive" late.

I leave Disney 90 minutes before the plane. And to date... I have never missed a flight. HOWEVER, Lots of times I have NO luggage to check and I am traveling alone which makes everything faster.

Not to mention I travel a lot so I have the "strip" for security down to an art... LOL!

 

[donmil723]

We leave Disney 2 to 2 1/4 hours prior to our flight. Allowing for 30 minutes to drive to the airport, we are there 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours before our flight as SWA recommends arriving 1 1/2 hours beforehand. Once during spring break we encountered a long line at security but still had plenty of time before boarding.

Now, on the other hand, when we drive to St. Louis or Kansas City from our home in mid-Missouri we leave 4 hours before our scheduled flight. Even though it's usually only a 2 1/4 or 2 1/2 hour drive and SWA recommends that you should be there 1 hour prior to your flight, we want to allow for breakdowns, traffic jams, wrecks, etc. as we sure wouldn't want to miss our flight to Florida!!!!!!

Donna

 

[All Aboard]

I'm with CarolA. On Monday, I left the Polynesian at 5:05pm for a 6:27pm flight (no checked bags). Dropped off the rental car and was at the gate at 6:05pm. Generally, I leave about 100 minutes or so before the scheduled departure, but pushed it just a bit last weekend.

 

[#1 TITANS FAN]

I got to MCO 1 hr. before my May flight on a Sat. night and ended up missing my flight due to huge lines at both curbside and counter check in (SWA) and at security checkpoint. I told the people at the SWA counter I was running late and they helped speed me through, I tried to do the same at security where they direct you to individual lines and they just shrugged their shoulders and sent me to the end of a long line. I'm not blaming them, I'm sure they're just doing their jobs as directed to; my fault for cutting it too close. Just want to warn people that 1 hr. may not be enough.

 

[DeeDeeDis]

We've flown out of MCO just about every day of the week (usually between the hours of 11am and 4:30pm) (no weekend days to date) and there is always a crowd and a line at check-in and security. Always try to arrive between 1 1/2 and 2 hours before our flights

 

[OKW Lover]

I travel frequently and am through MCO 4-5 times a year. I've never found it necessary to be there 2-3 hours ahead of time. For me, one hour is fine. 90 minutes if you're really worried.

 

[CarolA]

Here is a trick....

On the SW side if the line is LONG, walk around the Hyatt elevators to the Delta side. If the lines aren't long there. Get in line.... They will let you go through on either side. Then just go the right "train" to your gate. I have seen lines halfway across the terminal on the SW side and very short lines on the DL side (and vice versa) The folks that check IDs aren't going to wave you over. They don't care, but you should.

The one time I got to MCO and it was a disaster I did this and I was thur secruity in 15 minutes. Someone later told me they stood in the SW line for over half an hour. They didn't know they could have walked through on Delta.

 

[soccer mom]

We leave Disney 2 hours before flight time, but this year we are returning on December 23 and have been told to get picked up at least 3 hours early. I hate wasting Disney time at the airport! Also, beware of the Disney store if you have children! The first time we flew out of MCO we got to the airport early and sat in front of the Disney store. After many wanderings in and out my wallet was another $100 lighter!!! You've been warned!!!!

 

[AllyBri]

Arrived last night (MCO) at 7:30pm.....the flight was at 8:30pm.I always play it very close, never had a problem. I would not suggest that anyone else take that chance.
Now I were flying out of mco on a friday night, I think I would give much more time, can't believe the lines going through security on friday evenings. Lots of business travelers going home.

 

[mickey58729]

I do have a question for everyone. We are taking a late flight back for the first time (leaves MCO at 8:45pm) on 12/10. What time to you think we should leave the parks? Right now we are planning to leave at about 6pm. Do you think we should leave earlier? (We have 7 people in our group, all checking luggage and have to return the rental car at the airport). We are flying USAir.

Thanks

 

[safetymom]

No that is not enough time. Plane will begin boarding at 8:15, I would allow at least 2 hours at the airport. You also have to return the car. I would think about leaving the parks no later than 5:30. Will the luggage be already in the car or do you have to load and then leave? If so I would leave even earlier.

 

[Lewisc]

OK I am the queen of "arrive" late.

I leave Disney 90 minutes before the plane. And to date... I have never missed a flight. HOWEVER, Lots of times I have NO luggage to check and I am traveling alone which makes everything faster.

Not to mention I travel a lot so I have the "strip" for security down to an art... LOL!

A frequent flyer once posted something like if you've never missed a flight then you've wasted too much time in airports.

Allow plenty of time if you're taking an international flight, the last flight of the day or are flying at a time when all flights are booked and overbooked. It's one thing to have to wait for the next Jet Blue flight to JFK and another to wait days for a flight.

 

[*CiNDeReLla222*]

I like to get there atleast 3 hours early, I hate rushing and since it's our last day and I am so depressed I just want to get home ASAP!