How early should I leave??

[cocowum]

I finally made the decision to take DME to WDW and pick up a rental care at CCC because we have a ton of luggage And I decided to drop the rental car off at the airport because we are flying SW and have to handle our own luggage anyway. So what time should I leave WDW to get to the airport for SW 6:45 p.m. flight?TIA

 

[safetymom]

It takes about 1/2 hr. to get to airport, I would allow another half hour to 45 mins to check in and return the car. Then you start boarding about 6:20.

I would leave no later than 4 PM.

 

[cocowum]

sounds great! Thanks alot.

 

[jenndisney]

It took us 2 hours at MCO to get from the ME bus, thru security, and to our gate. We had 15 minutes to spare before they started to board our flight. That was our experience in June flying Airtran on a 5:30 flight. If you have any wait at all at the rental counter, you could be in trouble.

I would check the car in at the Car Care Center. Let ME load your bags on the bus (they will do that even though you are flying SW) and let them unload them from the bus. Then get a skycap to help you with your luggage, or take it yourself to the counter. That is my opinion.

Have a great trip!!!!!

 

[jjan]

Handling your own luggage is really not as hard as it sounds flying SW and using ME. I say, skip the rental car and just use ME if you are renting a car just for the airport traveling.

Otherwise I would definitely leave WDW at least 3 hours from your departure time. That airport/security is just nuts at certain times.

 

[MEK]

MCO has the best system for returning rental cars from rental car companies in the airport. You jump out of your car, grab your stuff, and go across the street to check in. It really only takes 1/2 hour to get to MCO. Everything is so well marked. I would leave yourself enough time to get to the airport so you have 90 minutes until flight time.

I would definately take the car back to the airport, not the magical express. Sometimes ME is picking up people 4 hours before their flight time. This is ridiculous. Trust me, taking the rental car back will be alot more efficient. I have done this many times since we always rent a car in Orlando. My last trip I left Universal Studios 2 hours before flight time and had plenty of time. The only thing bad about SW is that everyone uses the online check-in so we ended up with C passes, but still sat together.

I was going to do the same thing as you - ME to the resort and rental car return, but decided to go rental car the whole way.

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Max is my favorite cat!

 

[MEK]

There is no rental return counter to check into in the airport. You pull up in line, leave the keys in the car, hand paperwork to the man directing the incoming cars and get your stuff and go. It is the easiest system in the world. There is no wait. You just walk across the street to get into you airline. Alamo & National are geared for quick returns. I almost feel like I'm to slow getting out of the car.

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Max is my favorite cat!

 

[cocowum]

Handling your own luggage is really not as hard as it sounds flying SW and using ME. I say, skip the rental car and just use ME if you are renting a car just for the airport traveling.

I'm going the have the rental car for our week anyway. I don't like to depend on Disney transportation.

MCO has the best system for returning rental cars from rental car companies in the airport. You jump out of your car, grab your stuff, and go across the street to check in. It really only takes 1/2 hour to get to MCO. Everything is so well marked. I would leave yourself enough time to get to the airport so you have 90 minutes until flight time.

I would definitely take the car back to the airport, not the magical express. Sometimes ME is picking up people 4 hours before their flight time. This is ridiculous. Trust me, taking the rental car back will be alot more efficient. I have done this many times since we always rent a car in Orlando. My last trip I left Universal Studios 2 hours before flight time and had plenty of time. The only thing bad about SW is that everyone uses the online check-in so we ended up with C passes, but still sat together.

I was going to do the same thing as you - ME to the resort and rental car return, but decided to go rental car the whole way.

Thanks, sounds great. Well I love the idea of them bringing my bags to the resort for me. And DD wants to check out the DME buses. But I don't love the idea of having to be at the resort 3 hours early and then having to make tons of stops. If I drop the rental car off at the airport I can go to the parks and then leave from the parks. We always rent a car but usually DH is with us and does all the driving.