Killing Time w/ Kids at the Orlando Airport

[1stDisneyCruiseForUs]

We are looking for good ideas to keep kids entertained (or at least keep them from whining!). We'll be coming back from our cruise (yay!) into Port Canavarel and our flight doesn't depart from the Orlando Airport until 4:30. Any ideas? We had planned on taking a car service back to the airport but I really don't know how I'm going to keep 3 kids (9/6/6) from going crazy in an airport for 6 hours.

Thanks!!!!
Steph

Going on the Magic - Sept 24th 2011

 

[mommy2tati]

See if your airline allows you to fly standby. When we went on our Disney cruise in '09 our flight wasn't until 4:45PM. We got to the airport at 10:30AM!!! They put us on standby and we were able to fly out at 12:30PM which was perfect.

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

I would go to Downtown Disney for a bit if possible! That's a long time at the airport. I'm sure that MCO has a playground at least but your 9-year-old probably wouldn't care for it.

 

[outahere]

How about getting a day room at the airport Hyatt? They have a nice pool and having a room gives you a place to relax and maybe even get in a short nap. We've done that a few times and it is really nice to have a a place away from the hustle and bustle of the airport.

 

[carmie3377]

Yeah, I would try to think of something else to do. I ended up there about 7 hours early once (long story, so I won't go into all the details) but I couldn't even check my bags for about 3 hours. I had to sit by the ticket counter since I had 6 bags, an 8 YO, and a 21 month old and there was no way I was hauling everyone/everything around. Once I could check everything, our entertainment for the next 4 hours consisted of riding the tram back and forth and walking and looking at all the tile mosaics around. Ugh, I was never so ready to get on a plane!

 

[HowdyHeidi]

We will have the same scenario. What are the logistics of getting to downtown disney and back to the airport. We have never been before, our wdw will be before our cruise but we won't have time for everything....

 

[flossin74@sympatico.]

Before you go through security there are tons of stores, it's like a mini mall. There is even a food court there with a small aquarium. My kids love to watch the fish. They have a "disney" store there and a "universal" store there so it's fun for the kids to wander around as well. If all fails we let our kids go back and forth on the people movers, it passes by at least an hour!!!! After security there is really nothing so watch your time and the security lines!

 

[lawone]

Another vote here for a Hyatt day room!!! Since you have to be off the boat early then you will most likely arrive at the airport around 9-9:30. That is a long time to wait!

The day room is awesome. You can nap, swim, eat, watch tv, take a shower if you need to.... and just relax. Then you just go downstairs, thru the security line and right to your gate.

Great option in my opinion!

 

[3Mickeys]

We just cruised and returned March 5th. Beware there are some strange rules at MCO!

-As someone else stated you can't check bags until X hours before. I do think it was 3 hours. That will be a huge deal if your flight is that late. When we were there the line was massive and this poor guy got all the way through the line and then was told he had to wait an hour and a half then get in the line again. Families were literally sitting on their mounds of bags at the end of the line looking miserable and watching the clock.

-Once bags are checked, there is a mini mall but somewhat limited. And you can't go through security and get on the tram to get to the gate and other stores/terminal right away. There were signs that said you couldn't get into security until your flight was 90 minutes away.

I don't know if these rules were standard or just for that one day we were there. Either way, it would be a problem. I would try to find a way to have lunch at downtown disney, but not sure what to do with your luggage. Good luck!

 

[UrbanDad]

We had this issue last week. We had a early dinner seating on the Dream - thus early breakfast on goodbye morning - thus early bus out. Got back to MCO around 9:00 to 9:30 and flight didn't leave until near 4.

The mini mall comment is correct. Much, much better than most airports and before the security line. We visited both Disney stores, Universal, Crocs, Space Center and hung out here and there. There were a lot of other stores we could have visited.

If you want to burn some time, try lunch at On the Border. That was a good 1.5 hours - or at least it felt like it. Glad we had the time. I would have preferred to eat outside the security line at either Fox Sports Grill (it was the first day of the NCAA) or Macaroni Grill.

I was dreading it and it certainly wasn't ideal, but it wasn't as bad as expected. We were tired and had plenty of portable devices - iPhones and the iPad to help keep the kids occupied. Nice part - they totally crashed on the plane and slept pretty much the whole 2.5 hours. That part was worth it.

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

You could totally do DTD. It's only about 20 miles from the airport. Now as far as your luggage goes, I'm not sure. You could stop at the airport, store your luggage then grab a cab and head to DTD for a couple of hours.

My husband and I did something similar to this in Rio De Janeiro last August and it worked out beautifully.

I think kids would go stir crazy sitting in the airport that long--I know mine would!

 

[atinkerbellmom]

Hi Steph~
I first need to know which airline you are taking home. See some airlines are "participating airlines" and you may be able to check in on the ship and not have to worry about your luggage. This then gives you a few more options. The only thing with this is that you have to use DCL transportation to take advantage of this. You also have the option of as a PP has said getting a room at the Hyatt for the day. That would give the kids something to do and a place for your luggage. Now, I would not go to my scheduled breakfast if you have early dinner, instead I would go to the buffet for breakfast later and head off the ship a little before 9. That would put you at the airport closer to 10. Know it takes some time to get through MCO security and to your gate. There are shops there also I would plan on doing lunch at the airport. That always kills some time. Now you can hit DTD. That is a good idea too. We were just off the ship. We had planned on DTD the day we were leaving and just ran out of time. A little shopping, lunch and a stop by the arcade, it was time to hit security, the tram and the gate. SO I hope you have gotton some options here.

 

[sc507]

Sorry to hijack, but I have an added question - any idea how much these day rooms are at the Hyatt? My MIL definitely won't be able to sit forever in the waiting area, so that may be a perfect solution for her....

 

[jlwhitney]

Something else to consider:

Rent a car and find something other than shopping that would entertain your kids.

Things like mini-golf, go carts, wonderworks, ripleys believe it or no and such. Then get lunch and head to the airport.

-or-

Go to the space center for a few hours

-or-

Drive over to Cocoa beach for a few hours and wander the beach and play in the sand

 

[ksucats]

Something else to consider:

Rent a car and find something other than shopping that would entertain your kids.

Things like mini-golf, go carts, wonderworks, ripleys believe it or no and such. Then get lunch and head to the airport.

-or-

Go to the space center for a few hours

-or-

Drive over to Cocoa beach for a few hours and wander the beach and play in the sand

This is what I would do if it were me. A one way rental is cheaper than the Disney shuttles. Plus you can leave the luggage in the trunk so that concern goes away.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Sorry to hijack, but I have an added question - any idea how much these day rooms are at the Hyatt? My MIL definitely won't be able to sit forever in the waiting area, so that may be a perfect solution for her....

It was $90 when my parents last did this, Nov 2009. They loved it. Must be booked by phone though. I would have done this too but no way could my kids just sit around all day.

Our flight time was changed to 6:40, then again to 7:20pm so we rented a car at Budget near PC and went to US/IOA for the day. At the time, we had APs so didn't even have to pay for parking. Cramming luggage for 4 on a 7 nt cruise into a Taurus wasn't easy and we still prefer the convenience of DCL transfers but we may end up doing something like this for our Nov cruise if I can't find reasonable flights around noon-2.

 

[BlondeJungleBookFan]

Another vote for the Hyatt at MCO.

We're staying there the night before our cruise also.

I called and booked the day room about a month ago. At first, they said they were out of those rooms for the day I requested. Then I persisted and told them about staying there before the cruise also, and they found a day room available for me to book.

It was 89.00 and was from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
89.00 plus hotel taxes came to 99.98.

Worth it to us, as I plan on taking a hot shower and resting for a bit. Then I'm sure we'll end up shopping and having lunch. But, it will be nice to leave our day bags and wander around and then go back and relax before we board.

Since we fly Delta, and are using DCL transfers, our luggage will be taken to the airport and checked in and we'll see them again at our home airport.
DCL will check us in for our flight and give us our boarding passes before we leave the ship. (the night before)

All we'll need to do is take our day bags, take DCL to the airport and bypass airline check in and handling our luggage. We'll go through security and check in at the Hyatt and enjoy our last day in Florida for awhile.

 

[ksucats]

Another option would be the Delta Skyclub in the airport. I wouldn't do it for 6 hours, but may be a good option for those with 3 or 4. The single day pass if $50 per person, but does include snacks & alcohol.

I used to be platinum on Delta & at the time had a club membership. I could bring my wife & 2 kids for no extra charge as a member & it was great when we had long layovers. I no longer have a membership, but sometimes wish I did.

 

[sc507]

It was $90 when my parents last did this, Nov 2009. They loved it. Must be booked by phone though.

Thanks for this! We'll have to decide if it's worth it, but I think it may be, even if just for my MIL. Our flight is at 3:45, so she'd have a bit to rest....

 

[1stDisneyCruiseForUs]

Thanks for all of your suggestions! Right now we're debating between:

(a) Renting a car and taking a short side trip to the Kennedy Space Center. I read on these boards that members of congress do occasionally offer ticekts to their constituents so I have requested tickets. If we actually get them, we will probably take this option.

- or -

(b) The day room option at the Hyatt.

Thanks everyone! This is truly a fantastic group of helpful people!