How long from TL to MCO?

[GEM]

We will be leaving from Typhoon Lagoon to pick up a friend flying into MCO on a Saturday evening in June. We need to be at the airport by 6pm. What time do you think we need to leave TL to make sure we get there on time? Thanks!

 

[sam_gordon]

We will be leaving from Typhoon Lagoon to pick up a friend flying into MCO on a Saturday evening in June. We need to be at the airport by 6pm. What time do you think we need to leave TL to make sure we get there on time? Thanks!

I'd say no later than 5pm. Google maps shows it as ~25 minutes, but by leaving an hour, that gives you some extra time in case you hit traffic.

 

[LadyBeBop]

Is 6 pm the time the plane arrives at the gate? If so, your friend will have to disembark from the plane, walk through the terminal to get their bags (possibly stopping at the rest room) and wait for the bags. That will probably take close to a half hour. And you don't want to be waiting in the cell phone parking lot for an hour, do you?

If the plane arrives at the gate at 6 pm, I think you can leave TL by 5:30 easily. I actually thought about 6, but that's pushing it. Worst case scenerio; your friend is waiting at the terminal for a few minutes. It isn't like they're going to miss a plane.

 

[OKW Lover]

Via 417, its about a 30 minute drive to the airport. That route has minimal traffic issues so I'd suggest 5:30-ish is appropriate.

If you're earlier than that, there is a free cell phone lot you can wait in.

 

[GEM]

Thanks everyone! That's very helpful!

 

[Lewisc]

You can't time it so you'll be pulling up to the terminal seconds after your friend gets his luggage. Either the driver or passenger will be waiting a few minute.

Picking up your wife. Leave earlier. Hang out at the cell phone lot. Have her call you when she gets her luggage.

Doing a friend a favor. Assume it's OK if he has to wait 10 minutes or so for you.

Use something like http://www.flightview.com/ to track the flight. Assume it will take 15- 30 minutes after landing for the plane to get to the terminal and the passenger get his luggage. Assume 10-15 minutes if your friend isn't checking luggage. Leave 20-30 minutes before the estimated landing time if you're doing a friend a favor. You might even cut it down to 15 minutes if your friend isn't checking luggage. I'd go with 30 minutes, maybe 40, if I was picking up my wife.