MCO to Wilderness Lodge

[Jkpark]

We are flying on Christmas day and land at 4:15. Our plan right now is to get a rental car (National-on site at MCO) and drive over to Wilderness Lodge. Anyone have a guess on how long this should take? I'm expecting no rush hour and hopefully shorter rental car lines on Christmas Day? My husband belongs to that National service where they have your car waiting for you - so thinking this will be much quicker than DME (which I believe would make 2 stops before WL). Planning out ADRs and thinking through what is safe, while not wasting time sitting around waiting for it - if that makes sense. TIA!

 

[Mickey_Maniac]

I always allow between 30 and 40 minutes driving time. You are right that there should not be any traffic, but around Orlando, sometimes you just never know...

 

[purple figment]

On Christmas Day MCO probably won't be crowded, but once you get close to DW, traffic is definitely going to be heavier than on a normal Friday afternoon. Typically it would probably take 60-90 minutes from arrival at MCO to WL, but for Dec 25 I would at least double the time. I would not make a dinner reservation for that evening unless you are willing to pay the $10 per person penalty if you cannot make it to a restaurant in time.

 

[Jkpark]

On Christmas Day MCO probably won't be crowded, but once you get close to DW, traffic is definitely going to be heavier than on a normal Friday afternoon. Typically it would probably take 60-90 minutes from arrival at MCO to WL, but for Dec 25 I would at least double the time. I would not make a dinner reservation for that evening unless you are willing to pay the $10 per person penalty if you cannot make it to a restaurant in time.

I hadn't really thought about that. Are that many people driving around on Christmas Day heading to/from the parks at 5/5:30? I would think everybody would already be in the parks for the day since they might reach capacity? Or if MK reaches capacity, does it make traffic just back up everywhere?