Is this possible?

[areno79]

We're taking ME from MCO to POFQ on our arrival day which I think will work out great. However, reading more about departing on ME, looks like we'll have to check our luggage at the resort at 6:30 in the morning, even though our flight doesn't leave until 10:30. My question is, is it possible to use ME for arrival, but NOT for departure? I'm thinking about hiring a car to pick us up at the resort and bring us to the airport, which would save a few hours of precious sleep.

 

[Alesia]

It will save you 30 minutes of sleep, tops.

If you are using RAC, you will need to have your luggage completely checked in no less than 3 hours before your flight, regardless of which transportation you use. So you will need to be at the RAC desk around 6:45 - 7:00.

ME will pick you up about 3 hours before your flight. I know that seems like a long time, but you may need every minute of that. If you hire a car to take you, you could maybe wait to be picked up 2.5 hours before your flight, but I wouldn't risk leaving any later.

You don't have to use RAC if you use ME, but then you will have to check your bags when you get to the airport.

So the answer to your question is yes, you can use ME one way, but hiring a car won't save you much sleep.

 

[dburg30]

We're taking ME from MCO to POFQ on our arrival day which I think will work out great. However, reading more about departing on ME, looks like we'll have to check our luggage at the resort at 6:30 in the morning, even though our flight doesn't leave until 10:30. My question is, is it possible to use ME for arrival, but NOT for departure? I'm thinking about hiring a car to pick us up at the resort and bring us to the airport, which would save a few hours of precious sleep.

From your question you are asking 2 different things. You say you have to have your luggage checked in at the resort by 630 am (that would be the resort airline checkin part where you let RAC take your bags to MCO) that is different from ME for the trip back to MCO. You can just take your bags with you on the bus (they will load them under the bus and a tip will be expected) You then collect your bags when you get to MCO and check them in yourselves at the airport. That being said, Using ME for the trip back, it will pick you up approx 3 hours before your flight, so you are still only looking at an extra hours sleep, and if you use a car service you CAN push your pickup time to 2 hours before, but that will get you to MCO at the earliest about 90 minutes before your flight time, and if you happen to hit a busy day or security is slow or getting checked into your airline takes a while you can be pushing it to make your flight on time (most flights start boarding 20 minutes before departure so that would leave you about 70 minutes at MCO to get checked in, thru security and to you gates).

 

[CarolMN]

Repeating what PP have said:

If you want to sleep in, just take your bags on the ME bus. Then you and your bags just need to be at the ME bus stop about 15 minutes before pick up time.

 

[areno79]

Sorry, didn't realize that RAC wasn't required for using ME. I was just wondering if it was going to save alot of time to hire a car service or taxi, but it appears not.

 

[dburg30]

Dont be sorry, it's confusing about the luggage going back to the airport, it just so happens that for your time of the AM, you arent going to get a lot of extra sleep no matter what you choose

 

[plutospup]

Also consider, if you use RAC you simply take your bags to the RAC at your resort, and get your boarding passes. It might take 10 mins. When you arrive at the airport you can simply go right to your gate. No waiting to check in. Otherwise, you will have to haul your bags on ME, drag them to your airline check in, stand in line, and then head to your gate. It will take much longer at the airport to check in and process your bags than it will take with RAC at your resort.

 

[areno79]

It sounds like it's not worth the $60-$70 to have an extra 30 minutes of sleep. Better off just doing everything at the resort AND saving my money
Here's another question, OT...is there anyplace at MCO to have a decent breakfast? In a perfect world it's possible we could be there with at least an hour or two to spare, and it would be nice to not have to scarf down a quickie breakfast at the resort.

 

[plutospup]

Check out this link for services in the main terminal at MCO: http://www.orlandoairports.net/images/flash/shopping_landside.swf

You will probably find something for breakfast in the main terminal, and you might find something near your gate as well.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Nice map, plutopup! If the OP wants a sit-down meal, I remember having good Belgian waffles at the Hyatt terminal-level restaurant.