How Much Time to Allow?

[DisneyFan0304]

Hi, Everyone --

If someone is booked on a flight that leaves MCO at 5:22 PM on a Monday in late September, what time should they plan to get to the airport? About how long is the cab ride from the Wilderness Lodge to MCO?

Thanks!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I'd plan on being at the airport 2 hours early at a minimum which means leaving your resort 2 and 1/2 hours prior minimum. So I'd just use DME and save money.

I'm not sure on the length of cab ride, I guess if the buses take 30 minutes, that's how long the cab ride would be.

If you are taking DME they pick you up 3 hours early. Which is actually my preferred time. I like to shop a bit, grab a bite to eat and relax at MCO before my flights.

Twice now I've gotten stuck in 45 minute security lines at MCO. Once in early December, and my last trip in late February. Both times my flights left at 5:40pm.

 

[goofy4tink]

You 'might' be able to make do with arriving at MCO 60-90 mins before flight departure, but I wouldn't try it. If you run into traffic, or rental car return issues, or a hold up at security, you are going to be fretting about getting to the gate on time.
I would plan on leaving WL by 3:00, which should get you to MCO by 3:30ish.

 

[DisneyFan0304]

Thanks for the help. We won't be using DME, so we'll be using cabs to get to and from the airport.

 

[ccgirl]

I'd plan on being at the airport 2 hours early at a minimum which means leaving your resort 2 and 1/2 hours prior minimum. So I'd just use DME and save money.

I'm not sure on the length of cab ride, I guess if the buses take 30 minutes, that's how long the cab ride would be.

If you are taking DME they pick you up 3 hours early. Which is actually my preferred time. I like to shop a bit, grab a bite to eat and relax at MCO before my flights.

Twice now I've gotten stuck in 45 minute security lines at MCO. Once in early December, and my last trip in late February. Both times my flights left at 5:40pm.

This. It frequently takes my family 45 minutes to go thru security then we have to get the tram to the gate.

OP...if you don't mind me asking; why are you taking cabs instead of ME?

 

[dancin Disney style]

Personally, I would leave the WL 3 hours before the flight. The security lines seem to be longer these days. I was just at MCO 2 weeks ago and the line was very long and it took about 25 minutes to get through. This was for a 12:50pm departure. With many people trying to stretch out their vacay time they like to book the later flights so as the day goes on the lines get longer.

I really hate feeling stressed about time at the airport so I much prefer to be there early, get a coffee and sit and people watch.

The drive is 25 minutes without any traffic.

 

[DisneyFan0304]

We're using cabs because I had originally booked this trip as a solo trip. Then my niece decided she wanted to come down for the first 4 days and my sisters decided to come for the last 4 days. I just figured it would be too confusing to try to split the reservation to add everyone's names. I didn't want to take a chance on messing anything up or losing my discount (40% off).