Is there a reasonable alt. to MCO

[disneymarie]

Just reading the security line thread made me cringe when I recall my flights out, and PRE 911 almost missing a 6:00 am flight with a toddler.

So any realistical options out there? What are the pros and cons?

Also, any one find the flights from Allentown a better alternative then Phila besides distance and parking?

 

[goofy4tink]

Reasonable??? Depends on what you consider reasonable. You could fly into Tampa and then rent a car. I love Tampa International, but it's about 75 mins from TPA to WDW, and there is the cost of a rental car.
Or, you could fly into Sanford International. A nice little airport. BUT..it doesn't service a lot of airlines, so it could be difficult finding an airline that runs between your home airport and Sanford. And, you have to rent a car there as well.

Really...if you plan accordingly, the lines at MCO aren't all that bad. The longest I've had to wait in a security line was about 20 mins. Since I get to the airport via DME for the most part, I had no issues getting to the gate in plenty of time. But, I do use RAC at the resort, so I don't have to check my bags or get boarding passes at the airport..saves waiting in those lines.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Like PP said you do have options at other airports that could save you money but you will have to arrange for your own transportation. Or the other thing would be not to book an early morning flight. Remember a 6 a.m. fly will require you to catch the ME bus at 3:00 a.m which will require you to be at the bus stop no later that 2:45 a.m. which mean you will have to get up even early to get ready.

 

[Lewisc]

I didn't comment in the MCO security thread...IMO the OP was wrong. Disney gets DME passengers to MCO about 2 hours before flight time, at the request of MCO. Many of those passengers have already checked their luggage at the resort. The suggested arrival time at MCO is 1.5 - 2 hours before flight time. The poster planned on getting to MCO 1.5 hours before her flight but hit traffic.

It took 30 minutes to clear security. That's more then enough time if you arrive at MCO 2 hours before your flight. That's enough time if you arrive at MCO 1.5 hours before your flight. It's cutting it close if you arrive at MCO an hour before your flight.

 

[disneymarie]

Sanford too small, I had no idea that Tampa was that far away........Florida looks so narrow, lol.
Thank you,
I think that was a huge reminder that ME would be leaving at 3 Am YIKES I would have to stay awake, no more 6 am flights, even for a bargin.

When ME has the 3 hr P/U it is an hour until there with the other resort stops and the lines need the 2 hrs. I get paniced on the ME to get there thinking of getting the luggage to the check in.

Dealing with airlines that do not have early check in was aggrivating. Last time I did not have the early check in and baggage check.
That was a huge issue, along with being dropped on the wrong side of the building being told, " it isn't that much further" it was that much further. I was frantic even with the fellow wheeling the bags for me. He was not happy at me being on the wrong side.

I need to see what airlines will have this at Disney to look for flights from them and stay away from early morning flights with no sleep.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Dealing with airlines that do not have early check in was aggrivating [sic].

I have never heard of an US airline which does not allow online check-in 24 hours before the flight. Is this what you are talking about?

Waiting in security at MCO (if there is a long line, which is not always the case), will be much faster than flying out of an alternate airport.

 

[disneymarie]

I have never heard of an US airline which does not allow online check-in 24 hours before the flight. Is this what you are talking about?

Waiting in security at MCO (if there is a long line, which is not always the case), will be much faster than flying out of an alternate airport.

The last trip we flew was Oct 07, and we did not have an airline that had early check in for the bags. Where they took the bags for us. We had a family of 6 and 6 bags to check and carry ons.

That was a mad house getting the bags on the scanner and checking them. There was no fee for the first bag at that time. Plus dealing with the stroller, my walker and the carryons...no wonder I only mildly objected to driving down and auto train back this time

 

[Pikezh638]

They only times I have flown it has been DFW to MCO, and the lines have never been a big deal, especially when you consider when you get to WDW you will have to wait an hour for a ride in the heat

 

[goofy4tink]

CHeck out the thread about 'participating airlines' here, on the Transportation board. It is stickied at the top of the threads. You can see which airlines participate in the RAC (remote airline checkin) program. There are quite a few. Then, when booking your return home flight, remember that the RAC desk doesn't open until 5am. You have to be walking away from the RAC desk, completely done with your transaction, no less than 3 hrs before your flight departure time. So, you need to find a flight that departs no earlier than 8:30 am, and then you have to be at the RAC desk at 5am to be sure to get it all done. Flights after 9am are really best for that.

 

[disneymarie]

CHeck out the thread about 'participating airlines' here, on the Transportation board. It is stickied at the top of the threads. You can see which airlines participate in the RAC (remote airline checkin) program. There are quite a few. Then, when booking your return home flight, remember that the RAC desk doesn't open until 5am. You have to be walking away from the RAC desk, completely done with your transaction, no less than 3 hrs before your flight departure time. So, you need to find a flight that departs no earlier than 8:30 am, and then you have to be at the RAC desk at 5am to be sure to get it all done. Flights after 9am are really best for that.

I will have to mark that link when I find it so I will have the benefit. No more early flights either. Nice to have a bit more unhurried time at the Mouse too.
Thinking it out and planning will cut down on a lot of the frustration, even if it is a few more $ a person. A half day more spent at Disney and convience will be woth the cost.

 

[NYDisneyKid]

anyone ever fly their own plane into kissimmee airport?.(right off 192) like 10 minutes away from disney (give or take a few)

 

[TaraPA]

I fly ABE to MCO 2-3 times a year. Your only non-stop option right now to MCO is Airtran - and most months they do offer 2 flights per day down & 2 back home at very reasonable prices. I've paid anywhere from $59-$134 one way on AT. Allegiant is the only other non-stop option to Orlando, but they only fly into Sanford. the Allegiant schedule from ABE is much more limited - some months they only fly down 3 days a week. I've paid anywhere from $19 (yes, $19)- $79 one way with them, when they used to fly directly into MCO. But now that they only service Sanford, you have to then get a rental, taxi or car service to WDW which is $$ from there.

The other majar carriers at ABE (United, USAirways, Delta, etc.) all have connections, and are almost always more expensive than AT. I've used them when I had frequent flyer miles to burn, but the non-stop to MCO on AT is just sooooo convenient.

Check AT for your dates, you might be pleasantly surprised. For our November trip they have an 8am and a 4:45pm flight to MCO daily, and coming home a 2:45pm and a 6:45pm flight to ABE. I'm headed down on the 8am flight that gets into MCO at 10:30am (paid $114) and home on the 6:45pm flight that gets into ABE at 9pm (free with AT rewards points - but was $84 at the time I booked.)

 

[TaraPA]

I have never heard of an US airline which does not allow online check-in 24 hours before the flight. Is this what you are talking about?

Waiting in security at MCO (if there is a long line, which is not always the case), will be much faster than flying out of an alternate airport.

I think she means RAC, not online check-in - but I just found something out that I want to pass on - Allegiant does not have online check-in at the 24-hour mark if you haven't pre-paid for seats. The last time we flew Allegiant this was the case, but we were assigned seats upon check-in at the airport. According to this forum & the Allegiant website, they no longer even offer seat assignments at all for people who don't pre-pay to select them. They have "general boarding" after those who pre-paid have boarded, and it's pretty much a free-for-all. Can you say Mass Chaos?

 

[RabbitFood]

I LOATHE MCO's security line. Really, can't they work out a better configuraton or add more screeners? Thank goodness for how early ME gets you to MCO--we've had some longggg waits in that *#%@! line.

To me, the extra hassle of flying into Tampa/renting a car is *almost* worth avoiding MCO. (We have done this several times, especially when flying on miles.)

 

[disneymarie]

I think she means RAC, not online check-in - but I just found something out that I want to pass on - Allegiant does not have online check-in at the 24-hour mark if you haven't pre-paid for seats. The last time we flew Allegiant this was the case, but we were assigned seats upon check-in at the airport. According to this forum & the Allegiant website, they no longer even offer seat assignments at all for people who don't pre-pay to select them. They have "general boarding" after those who pre-paid have boarded, and it's pretty much a free-for-all. Can you say Mass Chaos?

Tara my girl. thanks again for the PA insite and sorting out the flights.Yes I meant the RAC, could not think of what it was called.
I just have so much in my mine lately to remember my searches and cost. AVP will have Delta to Charlotte in Sept. but I did not see them on the site yet, or the ones I saw were $200 avg, which without a deal would make it up in not driving. BUT I would rather drive the 2 hs then have 6 hrs in airports and connecting flight.

The AirTran sound the best. same times sound good. It is more of a drive back home taking the later flight, getting in at 9pm means we still have over a 2 hr drive home. We will be picked up, but grandson would have school the next day. Unless they let him do work over the Thanksgiving week to get ahead. He is just starting Kindergarten. DD cyberschools and can work ahead before we leave.

Do you just use the link in the email they send or go to the site for the bargin flights. I am looking for Dec quick trip to see the Christmas for perhaps the only time.

 

[seashoreCM]

Just be aware that, if you are not planning to rent a car, then ground transportation can eat up all of your airfare saving when you go to a different airport from MCO.

 

[pooch]

we take DME to the airport (use RAC for our bag) & bring lunch. Sit at the lovely little courtyard just outside of Security & eat. From there, we can watch the sec line and get in when its low. DME drops off in plenty of time to do this & we like not rushing at the airport.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

YIKES if you are thinking of going in Dec and have not booked yet you may have a tough time finding a room. Dec is a popular month and books up quickly.

Tara my girl. thanks again for the PA insite and sorting out the flights.Yes I meant the RAC, could not think of what it was called.
I just have so much in my mine lately to remember my searches and cost. AVP will have Delta to Charlotte in Sept. but I did not see them on the site yet, or the ones I saw were $200 avg, which without a deal would make it up in not driving. BUT I would rather drive the 2 hs then have 6 hrs in airports and connecting flight.

The AirTran sound the best. same times sound good. It is more of a drive back home taking the later flight, getting in at 9pm means we still have over a 2 hr drive home. We will be picked up, but grandson would have school the next day. Unless they let him do work over the Thanksgiving week to get ahead. He is just starting Kindergarten. DD cyberschools and can work ahead before we leave.

Do you just use the link in the email they send or go to the site for the bargin flights. I am looking for Dec quick trip to see the Christmas for perhaps the only time.

 

[TaraPA]

AT also flies out of Harrisburg if that's closer for you.

I just go to www.airtran.com & plug my dates in. If there are any deals or sales for your dates they will come up then.

 

[Alexander]

I didn't comment in the MCO security thread...IMO the OP was wrong. Disney gets DME passengers to MCO about 2 hours before flight time, at the request of MCO. Many of those passengers have already checked their luggage at the resort. The suggested arrival time at MCO is 1.5 - 2 hours before flight time. The poster planned on getting to MCO 1.5 hours before her flight but hit traffic.

It took 30 minutes to clear security. That's more then enough time if you arrive at MCO 2 hours before your flight. That's enough time if you arrive at MCO 1.5 hours before your flight. It's cutting it close if you arrive at MCO an hour before your flight.

This is not always the case! We took DME exactly once and after arriving with only 20 minutes to clear security and board our plane, we will never use them again!

We were picked up at the Boardwalk with plenty of time. However, we then stopped at Caribbean Beach Resort, and then back tracked to Cornoado Springs Resort where they had to load a wheelchair. There were at least 3 dozen people waiting to board our bus which was already full, so the driver then had to call another bus and let those people waiting know a bus was coming.

I can't remember which side we dropped off at first (A or B) but it wasn't ours. The driver got off the bus, unloaded all of the luggage for that side and then let the people off. He did the same when we finally got to our side (he would not let anyone off until he unloaded the luggage even though we didn't have any).

We were so late getting to the gate. I was absolutely furious. DH will NEVER not rent a car again. Any confidence we had in DME went completely out the window that day.