MCO airport questions

[CindyZMomof3]

HOw many hours before my flight should I arrive at MCO to return my rental car and get to my flight at Southwest airlines. My flight departs at about 6pm.

Also, my flight arrives one week earlier at 1:40pm. I wanted to stay around Disney property as long as possible before my flight leaves at 6pm one week later. That would mean that I need to hang around MCO so that I don't pick up the car too early..and then have to have it back too early to avoid getting charged extra fees.

What would there be to do around MCO for an hour or so when we arrive? I'm not going over to WDW that day because we're going to the beach in DAytona for a couple of days first...

Thanx for the advice.

~Cindy Z in CT

 

[Lew]

If you're returning the vehicle at the airport, I would plan to arrive at about 4:00pm. Vehicle return is quite quick.

If Southwest has curbside check in, check your bags first at curbside, then return your vehicle. Then proceed directly to your gate.

Some car rental agencies used to give a one-hour grace without charge. So, in theory, you could pick up your rental at 3:00pm and return it at 4:00pm without any additional charge. You'll need to check with your rental company to confirm this.

Having said all this....You're on vacation!!!...get your rental car and get yourself out of the airport ASAP!!! You're already spending a lot of money on flights, car rental, hotel, park passes, food, etc, etc... Don't spend one minute longer than necessary wandering around the airport in order to save a few $$$ on your car rental!

 

[safetymom]

I agree with the previous poster. Do you really want to be sitting around the airport for a couple of hours?

They are usually quite strict about the time you return the car.