Opinions/Advice on getting to airport for 6:30am flight

[Baloo76]

Hey everyone,

Less than 4 days til we leave for WDW and my first Disney run!

We have a 6:30am flight out of Philly on 1/10 with Southwest and are trying to determine the best way to get there so early.

1. Our original plan - FiL will drive us to a local train station for a 4:30 train (earliest available), get in to airport via train at 5:24. This will give us about an hour to check our bags, get through security and get in line to board. I can't imagine there will be lines so early on a Thursday but I don't think I've flown this early before. Plus with SW since we don't have preassigned seats I want to be sure I'm sitting next to my DW. 2 tix one-way will cost $19 (MiL will pick us up from airport coming home)

2. Another option - drive ourselves to a park n' fly near the airport, where we'd park at a 'secure' lot and get a shuttle to our terminal. I found one with good reviews on yelp and google reviews that would cost us $40 (not incl driver gratuity). This will allow us to get to the airport whenever we want, so figuring no later than 5am.


What do you guys think? Which would you choose?

 

[seashoreCM]

Given only the two choices shown I would pick #2. You need to shoot to be at the airport 2 hours in advance. (What if the train runs late?) This makes #1 an obviously poor choice.

 

[jentifred]

We have a 7am flight from Denver (that airport is near very little) and are just driving ourselves and paying the parking fee. The cost is not enough for me to consider inconveniencing anyone else at that hour!

 

[KJSJpipe]

Out of the two choices I would go with #2. Option #1 has too many ways to go wrong: FIL runs late, train is late, train is not running for some reason, and you are cutting it pretty close time wise. I would rather spend 1 1/2 hours relaxing over breakfast than running at break kneck speed to make the flight.

OR:

Choice 3: Economy Lot at Airport $11.00/ includes all taxes/fees
No one else drives your car and no tipping

You park the car yourself then take a bus to the terminal, SW is the last stop. The busses run every 15/20min. If there will be alot of people/luggage you can also drop people with the luggage curbside then have one person park the car and take the bus back. (You drive right pass all the terminals on the way to the lot. Usually DS and I drop off DD & DH with luggage then park.)
We have done this both ways and always get to the airport by 4:45am, I/we park the car and are in and through security by 5:15/5:30am. Super easy and about the same money wise once you figure in taxes, fees and tips.

 

[Baloo76]

Thanks everyone for your replies!

We decided to go with Expresspark, a parking service with good reviews; I think this will definitely help with peace of mind!

 

[grimley1968]

Another option: drive the night before to a near-airport hotel and spend the night. That way you can wake up later, and possibly catch an airport shuttle from the hotel and leave your car there for the duration of the trip (parking fee is built into the cost of the overnight stay).