MCO airport..

[nkereina]

Is riding in the cab together solely because of cost? We just took a flat rate car from the airport to Universal and it was $55. I'd pay $55 every day of the week and twice on Sunday before I'd kill 5 hours at the airport. Any airport.

But, if you do decide to hang out, we found a few stores and better food options in the pre-security area, so "past the point of no return". I would go get your bags and then come back to this central area pre-security to grab food, walk the stores, etc. I posted a few days ago that the food area in the Southwest/Virgin Atlantic gate area (100-129) is all under construction so there's virtually nothing to eat or do there.

 

[maxiesmom]

Eww, 5 hours, that's a lot of time to kill when you are ready to get your vacation started, especially when the sun and warmth are just out the front doors.
If you're renting a car, I'd go check into your hotel and get everyone settled in. You could maybe grab a bite to eat near your hotel and then someone can come back later to pick up the last member of your group. (Rest of the party could have some pool time while they wait)

THIS!! I am all about compromise and going with the flow on vacation, but killing 5 hours at the airport when I could be relaxing at my resort, or sipping a drink by the pool, no way! The vacation won't be any less special if the last people that fly in make their own way to the resort. Heck, if you want, the rest of you could pitch in and pay for a limo to make the trip extra special. No way in heck would I cool my heels for 5 hours in the airport.

 

[tjmw2727]

Along with other posters I wonder what your hesitations are with traveling ahead to the resort alone? Perhaps the party arriving after you hasn't traveled much or has very young children and may need help?

If not - I would absolutely look at Universal shuttle or Mears, even if you do stop at other resorts it will be quicker than spending 5 hours at the airport. If the later flight has a delay you could be there longer.

I can say that as a widow I have traveled to Disney and elsewhere as the only adult with my kids and never felt unsafe in a towncar, mears shuttle, taxi or DME.

Sometimes car rental can be affordable but remember if you don't return the rental right away Universal hotels charge for nightly parking.

 

[paisleybell]

Part of it is certainly cost.. but most of it is not wanting to head to the resort alone.
5 hours is a long time though. And I didn't even think about potential flight delays..

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

If you are flying Frontier I would go straight down and get my luggage. A friend did not and when she got there her luggage was not there. and there was no Frontier person to ask. Had to get security to pass Frontier. They came 20 minutes later went in the back and got her luggage. She thought someone had taken her bags. Plus if your bag is truly lost you only have a short window of time to make a lost luggage claim.

There is not much to do by the gate area's. You are better off leaving the secured area because there are lots of shops on the landside of the airport.

.

 

[Lewisc]

A one or two hour wait might be worth a discussion. Five hours, plus possible delays? I'd put that in the same category as walking to Universal from MCO. Neither is going to happen. Google gives the time as 4 hours 20 minutes. You have roller bags? The late passengers don't want to be alone. Let them pay to change there flights.Go to your hotel. The don't want to travel alone. Go back to MCO in a rental car or Uber to get them

 

[paisleybell]

Yes, it sounds like the two of us are going to head to the hotel and the third will follow later.
5 hours is just such a long time with a kid in tow, especially because the 2nd flight arrives so late.

Thanks all!!!

 

[lindsey]

Another vote for Mears if you want to save money. I have used them many times.

 

[paisleybell]

Another vote for Mears if you want to save money. I have used them many times.

Yep, we're all going to do mears separately and then we'll take a car from RPR to MCO together at the end.

Thanks everyone!