How much time do I need to

[GreenDog]

allow to get from Animal Kingdom Lodge to Orlando International? I am looking at a flight that leaves at 8:15 AM. Its me, wife DS5 and DD8. We will have a rental car that needs returned and bags to check with Southwest. Its a Saturday morning, just wondering how much time security will take. When do I need to leave the resort? Thanks for any input.

 

[skelooch]

I would leave the resort at 5:30 am, which should leave you plenty of time to stop for gas.
What I have done in the past is to drive to the departure area, check the bags with curb side checkin, then return the rental car, usually by myself and meet up near security. It will eliminate the need to have to drag your bags from the rental garage to the upper level of the terminal. You will already be checked in and have your boarding passes so you can then go straight to security and then the gate.
You should have a little spare time to grab a bite to eat and relax before heading to the gate.

I always use RT 417 to and from the airport and there is never any traffic and it shouldn't take more than 25-30 minutes plus another 10 minutes for the gas stop.

 

[GreenDog]

Great advice, thanks for the information. That really helps. I travel quite a bit and have never thought to check the bags and then return the car. Many times I an traveling by myself for business, but when I'm not I have a new way to do things. Not looking forward to that early wake-up on departure day but it is what it is.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

One other option for you would be to check your luggage at the RAC desk at AKL. If you are on a participating airline.
The RAC desk opens at 5:00 a.m. and as long as you check in at the RAC desk 3 hrs prior to your flight time, you can check in for your flight and give them your luggage. They will then take the luggage to the airport for you. So all you would have to do it return the car and walk over to the security.

So while the wife is getting the kids up and dressed you could go check the family in for your flight and hand off your luggage to the RAC people.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I fill the rental car at Hess the night before. However, I strongly recommend arriving at MCO two hours in advance.

I also don't see the big advantage there of "dropping off the luggage and then returning the car" and if the cops are in a mood to enforce the rules it's not really going to work anyway. they will let you unload, but not LEAVE the car while you run into check luggage or while you stand in line at curbside.

I would give myself about 20 to 30 minutes to get to the airport and plan to arrive around 6:15. I know it's early, but it's MCO! (One of the worst run airports in the US IMHO!)

 

[ccgirl]

One other option for you would be to check your luggage at the RAC desk at AKL. If you are on a participating airline.
The RAC desk opens at 5:00 a.m. and as long as you check in at the RAC desk 3 hrs prior to your flight time, you can check in for your flight and give them your luggage. They will then take the luggage to the airport for you. So all you would have to do it return the car and walk over to the security.

So while the wife is getting the kids up and dressed you could go check the family in for your flight and hand off your luggage to the RAC people.

This is a great trip. Our last flight was the 8:15 am on Sat at MCO as well and we almost missed it. There was a line to return the rental car, there was a LONG line to check in bags and an even LOOONNGGERRR line at security. We had to run to our gate with my DD8 and DS3 in tow. Not fun. Wish I had thought of this.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

What was meant by this was to drop the wife and kids off at the curb with the luggage while he returns the car.

I fill the rental car at Hess the night before. However, I strongly recommend arriving at MCO two hours in advance.

I also don't see the big advantage there of "dropping off the luggage and then returning the car" and if the cops are in a mood to enforce the rules it's not really going to work anyway. they will let you unload, but not LEAVE the car while you run into check luggage or while you stand in line at curbside.

I would give myself about 20 to 30 minutes to get to the airport and plan to arrive around 6:15. I know it's early, but it's MCO! (One of the worst run airports in the US IMHO!)

 

[dester]

If you allow two hours for the airport and car drop you should be fine.