How late can I leave for the airport from Pop...

[labattblue]

We have a 630PM flight out on a Wednesday. If we chose to take a Taxi or Mears sedan, could we get away with leaving Pop at 430(versus 330 if we go DME)? Just trying to maximize our time since we are only going to be at WDW for 4 days.

Alternatively, could we get on a 430 DME and still have enough time?

Thanks.

 

[DebbieB]

We have a 630PM flight out on a Wednesday. If we chose to take a Taxi or Mears sedan, could we get away with leaving Pop at 430(versus 330 if we go DME)? Just trying to maximize our time since we are only going to be at WDW for 4 days.

Alternatively, could we get on a 430 DME and still have enough time?

Thanks.

I would definitely not get on the 430 DME. Many times they stop at 2 or 3 other resorts before getting on the road to the airport.

It's iffy with a taxi or sedan. Are you checking luggage? Sometimes the check-in lines are long, then you have to deal with security lines. I'd say 4:00 if you are checking luggage.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

It definitely depends on whether you are checked in and need to check luggage. When we got to the SW counter last year, the line was seriously at least an hour long. If we hadn't gotten a luggage guy in the parking garage who checked us through with a friend, we never would have made our flights. If you are checked, I would do 4:30 with a cab or Mears. It takes about half an hour to get to the airport - still leaving you plenty of time.

 

[Alesia]

You definitely can't take ME at 4:30. You are only allowed to get on the bus that you're assigned to.

There are people who take a taxi or town car 2 hours before their plane is scheduled to take off, but I wouldn't be comfortable with it. What if you run into traffic? What if the line at security is long? It would be too nerve-racking for me.

Also it the hour you will gain really worth the $70 that a taxi is going to cost you?

 

[free2div]

Also the traffice that time of day in Orlando is horrific. I would play it safe and just get on the DME bus at your allotted time at 3:30.

 

[crashbb]

If you are flying to Canada, DME will actually pick you up at 2:30pm.

The only way to not take the assigned DME is to lie about your flight (choose a later flight and just say that you are on it). Not that I recommend this approach - I'd be way too nervous about missing the flight.

 

[Elmo007]

In my experience the lines at MCO security grow exponentially through the day. the later the flight, the more time I would leave to pass through

 

[goofy4tink]

MCO recommends that you arrive there 2 hrs before your flight. Security can take quite awhile. If you have to check bags, that can also add time. If you arrive at that 2 hr mark, you could have less than an hour at the gate, and with most flights starting boarding at 30 mins before departure, that could be cutting it pretty close.
At that time of day, traffic is going to be heavier, the airport is going to be more crowded.
When I have taken a car service, they tell me they will pick me up 2 hrs before my flight...I tell them to pick me up 30 mins earlier than that...I want to be at the airport close to that 2 hr window!!!

It's just not worth an addlt hour in the parks to me. I have a 6:05pm flight home, and I plan on being back at my resort at least 4 hrs before my flight departure time....which will be right around 2pm.

 

[dburg30]

Sure, you can do what you asked. I mean worst thing that will happen is you miss your flight.

 

[labattblue]

I probably wont chance it, but like I said in my first post, I'm just looking to maximize park time.

 

[Friendly Frog]

I understand your desire, and on our trip last year the couple who were traveling with us decided to do just that.....and they came very close to missing the flight!