Killing time before flight

[splah]

I'm looking for ideas on how to kill a few hours before our flight. We will dock at PC and then our flight out of MCO is at 3:00. I figure if we get off the boat at 9 that gives us about 3 hours to kill before we have to head to the airport. Or if we get off earlier we would have about 4 hours to kill. It will be just me and DD11.

I thought we might head to Disney Springs (always DTD in my mind) but was wondering if there was any other ideas that would be a good and fun use of a few hours. Kennedy Space Center seems a little pricey for just a few hours.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'm looking for ideas on how to kill a few hours before our flight. We will dock at PC and then our flight out of MCO is at 3:00. I figure if we get off the boat at 9 that gives us about 3 hours to kill before we have to head to the airport. Or if we get off earlier we would have about 4 hours to kill. It will be just me and DD11.

I thought we might head to Disney Springs (always DTD in my mind) but was wondering if there was any other ideas that would be a good and fun use of a few hours. Kennedy Space Center seems a little pricey for just a few hours.

For me - 3 hours isn't really enough to worry about. There's plenty to see (shops, restaurants) at MCO. I'll also point out that TSA there can be brutal at times (up to 2 hours wait one time for us). Be sure to allow time for that. I certainly wouldn't do Kennedy Space Center - that really takes all day.

Also, remember you're going to eat into that "extra" time if you have to get a rental car and return it.

 

[splah]

For me - 3 hours isn't really enough to worry about. There's plenty to see (shops, restaurants) at MCO. I'll also point out that TSA there can be brutal at times (up to 2 hours wait one time for us). Be sure to allow time for that. I certainly wouldn't do Kennedy Space Center - that really takes all day.

Also, remember you're going to eat into that "extra" time if you have to get a rental car and return it.

We are keeping our rental car in the PC garage. We are only doing a 3 day on the Dream so the cost of the garage vs doing a 1 way rental each way made more sense. And it makes my life easier! Which is worth a small amount of $.

3-4 hours is a struggle for me. It's just long enough to not want to hang around the airport but not long enough to really do anything. *sigh*

 

[Weedy]

Here's a thread I did awhile back.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/fun-things-to-do-in-port-canaveral.3388210/

 

[Flight]

For me - 3 hours isn't really enough to worry about. There's plenty to see (shops, restaurants) at MCO. I'll also point out that TSA there can be brutal at times (up to 2 hours wait one time for us). Be sure to allow time for that. I certainly wouldn't do Kennedy Space Center - that really takes all day.

Also, remember you're going to eat into that "extra" time if you have to get a rental car and return it.

I agree.

The TSA lines at MCO can be a nightmare at certain times so you need to triple the amount of time on line. The airport has a lot of shops and some restaurants for killing time.

The Kennedy Space Center is an all day affair.

 

[jrabbit]

air boat ride?? maybe spendy, but it's something you probably can't do back home

Just put this into google: airboat ride central florida

 

[gumbypee]

Here's a thread I did awhile back.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/fun-things-to-do-in-port-canaveral.3388210/

great ideas

 

[Weedy]

FYI: the lock area is still not open

 

[splah]

I agree.

The TSA lines at MCO can be a nightmare at certain times so you need to triple the amount of time on line. The airport has a lot of shops and some restaurants for killing time.

The Kennedy Space Center is an all day affair.

I despise the TSA at MCO. The 3 hours of time to kill is factoring in arriving at the airport 2.5-3 hours before our flight.

Here's a thread I did awhile back.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/fun-things-to-do-in-port-canaveral.3388210/

Thanks! I'll check this out. This might be just enough to kill a little of that time.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Since you have a car, Disney Springs might be perfect. Just beware that the I-4 can get backed up with traffic, so allow for that when coming back to the airport. Another possibility, if you just want some shopping, is that the Florida Mall is quite near the airport. You can walk around there a bit and go for lunch, then head over to the airport for your flight.

 

[richmo]

Since you're practically there, how about spending some time on Cocoa Beach if its nice...maybe check out Ron Jon also...

 

[BigredNole]

3 hours extra time to kill is not that much. Some of it may be lost by the time you get off the ship. Going to DS will take 45-60 minutes and give you maybe 2 hours there. If it were me, I would find a nice place to have a good relaxing lunch near or at MCO. Then just looking around the airport after going through TSA.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Since you're practically there, how about spending some time on Cocoa Beach if its nice...maybe check out Ron Jon also...

We do this- roam around Ron John's, coffee or snacks at Juice N' Java. Walk down the beach at Lori Wilson Park. You don't have a lot of time to kill and the TSA lines depending on the day/time and what seems like the phases of the moon, can be miserable.

 

[My2Qtz0205]

We are renting a car and going to Disney Springs, but our flight is not until 5:45.

 

[arlopop]

You can always get a dayroom at the Hyatt MCO. Swim, shower, relax.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

You can always get a dayroom at the Hyatt MCO. Swim, shower, relax.

I think it's a little pricey for just 2-3 hours use. If it was a late night flight, sure.

 

[openwater]

I would go to Disney Springs. You have plenty of time to have fun there. You will probable arrive around 9am - Avoid I-4. Use 417 and exit 6. Park in the shade of the Lime Garage. Head straight for the Characters in Flight (early bird discounts!!!) and take a look at the area from the air. Then have coffee at Starbucks next door or one of the bakeries.

By 10am the shops start to open and you can browse until lunch OR hop on a water taxi (from the Marketplace dock starting at 10:30am) and explore Port Orleans Riverside or French Quarter (22 minute ride). Have a quick lunch there at Riverside Mill or return to Disney Springs by water (or bus if your timing is right).

Afterwards follow the airport signs via 417 back to the airport (do not take I-4)

See directions here: http://cruiseportcanaveral.us/disney-cruise-shore-trip/

 

[phinz]

I've found the best way to kill time in any airport is with a book.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I've found the best way to kill time in any airport is with a book.

Quite true. But, while I don't now OPs child, sadly many 11 year olds don't.

 

[splah]

Quite true. But, while I don't now OPs child, sadly many 11 year olds don't.

Valid point. My DD is actually quite the bookworm but not necessarily in a busy airport and after coming off of a cruise and prior to getting on a plane. There is only so much I can expect from her on a travel day.