Orlando Airport- How early do you arrive

[CarolA]

We always aim for 1 hour before the flight. You'll read a lot of stories about how bad the lines have been recently, but we travel during the off season when the lines aren't any problem at all.

Jeff. I promise that I travel off season, strange days etc... I arrive at Atlanta airport 1 hour before my flight, I used to arrive at Nashviille around 45 mintues.. I would NOT recommend under any circumstances MCO at under two hours. In the last few months, MCO has apparently forgotten HOW to run security!

 

[ducklite]

We always aim for 1 hour before the flight. You'll read a lot of stories about how bad the lines have been recently, but we travel during the off season when the lines aren't any problem at all.

So the 45 minutes I waited in line at MCO the first week of February, midday on a Thursday (hardly a peak travel time) was a figment of my imagination. Right.

When was the last time you were in MCO?

Anne

 

[mkymouse4ever]

I usually give us an hour drive into the airport & gas stop, and then figure being there about 2hrs to wait. So total 3 hrs from wdw. We rent a car and have been back up at some of the toll booths, so I want extra time just in case. Then last aug. our rental at national took quite a while, maybe 15-20 minutes after arriving. They had cars backed up in 5 rows all the way to the end. And apparantly a problem somewhere up front, that was causing it. We really got behind there. After that, I usually head for "chili's" and snack / eat dinner before our flight.

MCO is a great mall Lots of resturants & shops. Very easy to kill an hour or two. Not like ohare.

mky

 

[safetymom]

I used to dread flying through Atlanta with their long security lines. Atlanta is a piece of cake compared to Orlando these days.

 

[jodifla]

Hmmm...sounds like it's time to switch to Tampa for flights!


I hate waiting in security lines. And MCO just sounds like they're being unprofessional.

 

[ducklite]

Hmmm...sounds like it's time to switch to Tampa for flights!


I hate waiting in security lines. And MCO just sounds like they're being unprofessional.

Any time savings at the airport will be more than chewed up by the travel time to get to TPA. Due to traffic congestion and construction, you need to allow two hours MINIMUM travel time between WDW and TPA.

Anne

 

[HappyLawyer]

going i allow the 2 hour rule, have never needed the full two hours but better safe then sorry, arriving in i would say it takes me about an hour or so to get out but we do not rush out, we get off the plane, go potty, look around, walk slow, get our luggage, get rental, go to garage, then spend time deciding which one we want, we go at a relaxed pace

 

[OKW Lover]

So the 45 minutes I waited in line at MCO the first week of February, midday on a Thursday (hardly a peak travel time) was a figment of my imagination. Right.

When was the last time you were in MCO?

Anne

Anne, Please don't take my remarks personally. I don't know you and have no idea how creative your imagination is.

Last time I was at MCO was in mid-January. Will be there again in just a few weeks. And just to let people put my remarks in perspective, we usually visit WDW in early/mid January, early May, mid-October, early Nov and early Dec; allways avoiding holiday weeks when possible.

 

[CarolA]

Anne, Please don't take my remarks personally. I don't know you and have no idea how creative your imagination is.

Last time I was at MCO was in mid-January. Will be there again in just a few weeks. And just to let people put my remarks in perspective, we usually visit WDW in early/mid January, early May, mid-October, early Nov and early Dec; allways avoiding holiday weeks when possible.

Jeff,

I am not Anne, but even traveliing your time of the year I would not arrive an hour in advance any more. It has gotten so bad at MCO that I went and spent $80 for the clear card to avoid the idiot lines. I have NO idea why MCO has gotten so much worse, but it has. (Actually I have an idea, the TSA could CARE LESS!!!!) My visit timing to MCO for work and pleasure has not changed so the change is in the lines.... (I did suggest to one person that perhaps they could get Universal or Disney to come teach them how to run a line.)

 

[jodifla]

Any time savings at the airport will be more than chewed up by the travel time to get to TPA. Due to traffic congestion and construction, you need to allow two hours MINIMUM travel time between WDW and TPA.

Anne

Works for me. I hate standing in line. I'm not wild about sitting in traffic, but it's far superior to standing in a security line.

 

[Brian Noble]

We like to arrive at MCO two hours in advance. This gives us time to sit down and eat, and not panic in the security line.

Usually this is much more than enough time, but after a week at WDW, I usually don't feel like I need to push it to get an extra half hour in the parks.

 

[kycat]

It depends on quite a bit: what day your flying, what time, what airline, and whether your going to go through the east or west security checkpoint.

Check the TSA website for average and max waiting times.

http://waittime.tsa.dhs.gov/index.html

 

[safetymom]

It doesn't seem to make difference what side you are going through these days. There are long lines during most of the day. I have never seen so many people running for their gates as I have the last 6 months. I travel weekly through MCO and it is much worse than it used to be.

 

[jodifla]

It doesn't seem to make difference what side you are going through these days. There are long lines during most of the day. I have never seen so many people running for their gates as I have the last 6 months. I travel weekly through MCO and it is much worse than it used to be.

What kind of way is this to do business? How does this airport defend itself? Have you made inquiries, since you travel so frequently? I just wondered. Certainly, a tourist Mecca like Orlando doesn't want the last memory of the place to be so unappealing that people pledge not to come back.

 

[safetymom]

I have made my conerns known to the airport authority. There have been articles in the paper stating they are aware of the problem and are supposed to change it but so far nothing.

I think for most tourists they don't know any better. The airlines have been saying to allow 2 hours for quite a while but most people found they didn't need that much time before so they figure they don't need that much time now. Wrong.

Personally, I bought the Fly Clear card and I can bypass the lines now. It was worth the money to me not to have to stand in line.

 

[CarolA]

What kind of way is this to do business? How does this airport defend itself? Have you made inquiries, since you travel so frequently? I just wondered. Certainly, a tourist Mecca like Orlando doesn't want the last memory of the place to be so unappealing that people pledge not to come back.

I have also complained. Got no response. It's a horrid way to do business.
I agree with safetymom. They get away with it because most tourists are in a hurry and don't have time to complain.

The TSA actually gets very few complaints. When I track down a supervisor they always seem SHOCKED that (A) I would dare complain and (B) I would miss my flight over this. The agents always try to discourage me by telling me how I will miss my flight. Sorry, but if you are rude to me then I am complaining. Most TSA agents are fine, but there are a number who should never have been given a position of power!!!

 

[TDC Nala]

but we travel during the off season when the lines aren't any problem at all.

I was there in mid-January too. 45 minute security line on a Monday afternoon.

 

[DonnaL]

I agree with earlier posters about two hour mark. I've noticed on our last two trips that the lines have gotten much longer at MCO. I do believe airports are probably back to pre 9/11 crowd levels, but, lines are longer because of the extra security measures.

 

[pppiglet]

I have never been there or any other airport for that matter. So once you get thru security what is there to do? Are there shops? Someone mentioned that there were places to eat. What kind of things? Thanks.

 

[safetymom]

Traffic has been increasing at Orlando airport. They mentioned on the news this morning about hiring more people to allow more screeners but I will believe it when I see it.

http://www.orlandoairports.net/goaa/ops/term.htm

There are plenty of places to eat at the airport. Your choices aren't as good as in the main terminal but you can find places to each in each terminal.