How Early for a flight?

[evamelissa]

Have a great deal available to me on airline tickets...but the return flight is 10:10 AM on the day we return to Orlando...does anyone think it is possible to get to the airport that early after disembarking?????
thanks..

Melissa

 

[Lisa L from MI]

Just my opinion, but, I think that may be pushing it a bit.....especially not knowing how the security check line will be.....but others may have a different opinion. We returned Sat. and got off the ship at about 8:30am...we had to wait til the bus was full to leave and got to the airport around 9:45 or 10.....Our flight didn't leave til 1:45 but it gave us time to get something to eat and the security check line was only about 20 minutes at the time.

 

[evamelissa]

I probably won't take these...seems too early to me too. I just couldn't remember what time we arrived back at the airport last year, but I do remember thinking that I could've booked my flight a lot earlier than I did...I believe my flight was 2 pm...I just wanted a bargain!!! Were you with the first round of people that left the ship? Thanks for getting back to me......

Melissa

 

[Lisa L from MI]

Hi there......No, actually, we were one of the last.....but people were still piling out while we waited on the bus. I am just concerned for you if the security check line is super long. But, actually, when we got in line at 11 (cause someone told us it was an 1-1/2 hour wait)......there was an attendant calling out to ask who had an 11:30am or earlier flight and then she would take them to the front. So, "maybe" it would be ok.....if you make sure you are first off the ship. I would find out what time the busses start going...I don't remember since I didn't plan on rushing off the ship....Good luck!!!

 

[liza]

We were on the 3/16 Magic...had an 11:10 a.m. flight and made it with no problems at all. We had early seating for breakfast, but children ate later at Topsiders...got off the ship around 8:30 without rushing, found our luggage easily, got on a bus that was about to depart so we didn't have to wait. At the airport they made us wait 10 to 15 min. on the bus while they unloaded luggage, then we got off and got in line. We got "tagged" to be one of the families searched, but they let us off (said something about my young child having been the one "tagged" and they don't search if that's the case). In any event, I felt we would have had plenty of time to be searched and still make our flight.

We could have made a 10:10 a.m. flight, but mostly because we didn't have to wait to find luggage or for bus to depart, there was no traffic to speak of and no delays en route, and we did not have to have our luggage searched. A snag in any of those factors might have made us late for a 10:10 a.m. flight.

Good luck!

 

[slindamood]

Your flight time would have worked for us also, but I would not have been comfortable about it.

We had early breakfast and walked out of Lumieres at 7:30 just as the doors to disembark opened. We were through the formalities in no time and were into the parking lot waiting for our limo by 7:45. The driver arrived at 8 (as scheduled) and we were in the terminal by 9. 10 minutes to check in, 15 minutes for security, and we were on our way to our gate. Our flights were at 11:15, so we were in plenty of time.

I have heard of much longer security waits, but have flown out of Orlando several times since Sept. and 15 minutes is our longest wait.

If you book the early flight, have a limo to take you to the airport. We used Yourride and were very happy. They will pick you up as early as you request.

 

[castawayfan]

We are in the same boat you are in - no pun intended! - we have a 10:00 AM flight out of MCO. I am a little nervous about it, but we have a rental car and in January, we were off the ship and standing in line at the airport to check in at 9:00 AM. We are going to do eticket check in and if we don't have too much luggage we will do electronic check in to save time. When are you going? We are going April 6th so I can tell you how it went if you are cruising after us.

 

[evamelissa]

Well, I agonized all night about purchasing those tickets...I cruised last year on the magic, and we were also back to the airport 9ish. I am worried about all the security, but I do have to say that I flew to San Diego last week, and we were through security and check-in in about 15 mins. My instincts say to be safe...but my wallet wants those tickets bad....lol....do let me know how you make out...I would really appreciate it!! We are cruising 6/29......

Melissa

 

[castawayfan]

Hi EvaMelissa

Just wanted to let you know that we just got back and made it to the airport for our 10 am flight with PLENTY of time to spare. We even had time to stop at the disney store in the airport. We were checked in and through security by 8:45 AM. So, hope you bought those tickets cause I'm sure you can make it. If any ship was going to be late it was this cruise - we were late to St. Maarten, late to Castaway Cay, but on time at Port Canaveral and we got off the ship at 7:30. Good luck!!

 

[Divaofdisney]

I was in that exact situation w/my flight - originally booked flight out for about 10am was told by DCL that it had to be changed and that due to the increased security at airports there was no way I would make the flight- only thing else they had that day was for flight out at 6:50pm- we will be spending the day at the airport what fun w/3 kids- but nothing else I could do. Talked to Delta a few days ago and they suggested I try to fly standby during the day- may get lucky and get flight home earlier- else it will be a very long return day for us! Good luck!

 

[jlima]

We sailed on the 7/7 cruise last year. Due to a medical emergency the Magic did not depart CC until approx. 10pm & the ship was quite late arriving on Sat morning. People didn't leave the ship until after 10am. Our bus pulled out at 11:15 & we were at the airport by Noon for our 1:10 flight. Anyone on that cruise who had early flights were SOL.

 

[lespaul55]

Don't spend the day at the airport hoping for an earlier flight. We had 7pm flight for our return flight. We checked our luggage at the port, took the shuttle to the airport and then took a cab to Downtown Disney. We shopped, ate lunch at Planet Hollywood and saw a movie. It was way better than waiting at the airport. The cab was expensive, we needed a van, there was 8 of us, 3 adults and 5 kids, 15,15, 12,9 and 7. The same van taxi returned to pick us up when we were done. The kids were all girls who loved the shopping. It was more like another day of vacation than waiting at the airport.

Leslie