Is 11:00 a.m. Too Early for a Departing Flight?

[Christine]

I'm about to book my tickets. AirTran FINALLY has an acceptable airfare for a July travel time. The only catch is the flight on disembarkation day. It leaves at 11:00 a.m. Not really a problem since I am an early bird--just wanted to no if I'm taking any risks. The next flight out is at almost 6:00 p.m. Then it takes me 2 hours to get home from the airport. So, I'd REALLY like to take the 11:00 am flight. What do you think?

 

[PRaffen]

I've not cruised yet myself but have read many posts from people saying they've been back to the airport as early as 9:30.

As long as there is no delay with immigration, and you get off the ship first thing, I would think you'd be fine especially if you have your own transportation and don't have to wait for disney transfers.

Having said that, our flight leaves MCO at Noon, and the ticket agent advised us against such an early flight. Said the earliest they would book would be 1.

 

[Christine]

Yes, I forgot to add that we will most likely be purchasing a car service for transportation.

 

[Jestocost]

If all goes well and you breeze right off of the ship, you should be able to get to the airport by 9:30 a.m. and have enough time to make an 11:00 a.m. flight. If anything doesn't go right—at the port, on the road from the port, or at the airport—it's going to be hairy.

I wouldn't do it personally, but YMMV.

 

[JenLynn]

We had an 11:30 flight after our recent cruise and the timing was comfortable. We had enough time to get to the airport, check-in, grab a fast food lunch and then board the plane. You should be able to make an 11am flight if there are no delays. Be sure you are among the first off the ship to give yourself a bit more time.

 

[OJulie67]

we just got back and had a 12:50 flight. We were off the ship by 8:00 am but with standing in line with customs, and waiting to check our bags etc...then the hour drive to MCO airport, we didn't get there until around 10:30am...I would be stressing an 11:30 am flight. Maybe you could take the later flight and spend the day at one of the parks...

 

[colormouse]

I wouldn't do it again. After our first cruise a few years ago, we not knowing any better, took an 11:45 flight back to PHL. We were off the ship early enough, but if you decide to have breakfast or if you have children that may take a while or a husband that takes an hour to get ready, then you are taking a gamble and you will be freaking out that morning instead of enjoying your last morning on the ship. (We like to take one last walk up on deck to kinda say goodbye) We used the DCL bus but if you have a town car service, you could easily arrange for a certain time, pray for no traffic or construction or accidents or anything else that could affect your commute. We got to the airport about 11:00 and had to wait in a very long line. We got to the terminal in just enough time but we were wishing we hadn't had this hassle and then to be stuck on a plane. This is just me, but now we always get the later flight. A 2:00 is ideal but the rate is always higher. Last year we stayed at the Hyatt at the airport and went to Epcot for the day and flew home the next morning and still got a great rate for airfare. The Hyatt is more money but an extra day at WDW was definitely worth it more us.