How long do you need at Orlando International

[Bexx]

I'm flying with Virgin. If I do either DTD check-in or online check-in, how early before our flight leaves do you recommend I get to Orlando Airport? In other words how long can I expect to spend doing all the security checks?

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

I'm not too sure about the time for all the new security checks, just wanted to remind you if you have a car that you will need to get it back to your rental company within a certain timeframe from when you collected it

But at the last the good thing about Orlando International are all the shops, restaurants and the nice seating areas to sit in if you are there for any long period of time

 

[marlouwrig]

We did DTD check in earlier this month.

It took us exactly 12 minutes to clear security (yes DH is very sad and was timing it!)

 

[firsttime04]

we flew with virgin last week,didnt have a car so didnt so didnt use the down town check in.from getting dropped of to going thro all of the security checks it took about 40 minutes...all of the good shops are before you go thro the last security checks...after that theres not that much there

 

[T16GEM]

we got to the airport on friday at 3.20 pm, the flight was taking off at 4.20!!! We were through security and at the gate to board by 4pm. Luckily we were not the last ones on the plane!

The main reason that we were late was that the 528 highway north doesn't sign post the airport after you join the highway, so we went about 9 miles out of our way, by then the petrol guage had moved off full and we had to go and top up the car again, to say that I was fretting about missing the flight would be an understatement! Clearing security at the airport was a beeze so you don't need to get there hours before IMHO.
Gems

 

[disneyholic family]

i would NOT recommend cutting it close the way some of the other posters have....
you should be there the recommended time in advance (virgin will tell you what it is)...

 

[Bexx]

Thanks for your replies everyone.

Beth - If I do either the DTD or online check-in, I'm planning to get to the airport two hours before the flight. I would hate to cut it too fine, but on the other hand we have two young DDs and I don't want to be hanging around for too long. It's a difficult one to call!

 

[disneyholic family]

two hours should be plenty of time if you've already done the check-in.
As another poster said, Orlando airport is quite nice. There's even a disney store there....and i think a universal one as well (or a warner brothers one)..

just in case you didn't buy enough stuffed animals while visiting the parks...

i see you're staying at Old Key West....you're going to love it there...
it really feels like going home...

if you rent a car, when you drive though the security gate, the guard waves and says "welcome home" every time you drive through....call me corny, but i just love that...

and the people working in the little souvenir shop in the main building are as nice as can be....as are CMs who check you in....

and the room.....we stayed in a 2 bedroom villa when we were there...wow....absolutely HUGE.....

the only drawback is the pool...not very nice...but i hear they're building a new one, but i don't know when it will be done....

 

[Bexx]

Thanks Beth. I'm SO looking forward to seeing OKW - it's been a long three year wait!!! I wanted to be able to stay in a "home" rather than a hotel room, as I'm used to that when we holiday in this country. And having all the facilities makes life so much easier with young children.

I vaguely remember Olando Airport - our last and only trip there was eight years ago! Then we checked in all our luggage, went through security, took the little shuttle out to the satellite. As we sat down to wait to board we were summoned to the Virgin desk and told there was a problem with our luggage. So we had to RIGHT back to the check in desk to sort it out!!! And then waited to go through the security check again, back on the shuttle, by which time the lounge was deserted as everyone else had got on the plane. That is NOT an experience I want to repeat, espescially with small children in tow!!!