Poly to MCO

[eeyore81]

Can anyone tell me how long in advance to leave the Poly to make it to MCO for a 3:00 flight on a Saturday? We have a reservation at Ohana at 10:50. We will have a rental car and everything pack and in the car prior to breakfast. Can we make it to MCO and return the rental car in time for our flight?

 

[Hopefully]

I think it is very tight. I would not do that . I would not enjoy breakfast with worrying and rushing. Breakfast is expensive.
It usually takes about an hour for all of the characters to cirulate. It is likely that you will not be seated on time.
We choose to leave for the airport about 3 hours ahead of flight time. The security lines at MCO can be very long, the longest I have ever experienced anywhere.
Good Luck.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Can anyone tell me how long in advance to leave the Poly to make it to MCO for a 3:00 flight on a Saturday? We have a reservation at Ohana at 10:50. We will have a rental car and everything pack and in the car prior to breakfast. Can we make it to MCO and return the rental car in time for our flight?

It is approximately a 40 minute drive to the airport. Give yourself some time to return the car. Then you have to check in and go through security. The TSA lines can be very long at MCO, so give yourself plenty of time for that. I would leave the Poly no less than 2 1/2 hours before flight time.

I agree with the pp, that would be cutting it close because you might not get through with breakfast in time. Disney restaurants are notoriously slow sometimes. Keep trying to get an earlier reservation. They tend to open up, especially as you get closer to the date.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

As long as you are heading out by noon, you should be fine.

 

[thisismyusername]

I agree with a noon departure time. I wouldn't go any later than that (assuming you're returning your car AT MCO and not a satellite location that you have to drop the car off and have someone shuttle you to MCO).

 

[richmo]

As long as you are heading out by noon, you should be fine.

I agree with this...if you can leave Ohana by noon, you should be good. That would get you to the car rental drop about 12:45.

A few things:
- If you can move your ADR up even a half hour, you won't have to rush nearly as much.
- Have the car gassed up before you go to breakfast. It should still be plenty full when you arrive at MCO.
- Let the server at Ohana know you need to be on the road at 12. That way you can have them do the check/payment, etc. early
- Plan on taking the southern route (FL-417) to the airport. You'll totally miss the unpredictability of I-4
- Bring 12 quarters. This way you can pay the two tolls with the exact change drop

 

[Kevin355]

I agree with a noon departure time. I wouldn't go any later than that (assuming you're returning your car AT MCO and not a satellite location that you have to drop the car off and have someone shuttle you to MCO).

If you are in the terminal with your rental car, then you should be fine by 12:00 or 12:20 at the latest. If you are at a satellite/remote location, give yourself extra time.

 

[thisismyusername]

By the way, you could always just go a little earlier to your breakfast ADR--I'd show up at least at 10:30 just in case you have to wait. With a little luck, you'll get seated earlier and out of there earlier, and at least pad your reservation time in case there's a wait.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

I was going to say show up to your ADR early. We do this very often for one reason or another and only once have we still had to wait until our actual ADR time.

I agree too, let your server know you're in a hurry. I'm a server and you can sometimes tell if a table is in a hurry or wanting to have a little longer and enjoy… but sometimes you can't. If I knew a table was trying to leave by a certain time, I'd put their order in right away, I'd ask if they'd like to order dessert when they order the entree, I'd drop the check right after the last course was brought to the table, etc.

 

[eeyore81]

Thanks for all the advice. I'll keep trying to get an earlier reservation but if I cannot get one we will show up a little early and be completely ready to leave by noon (car filled up and quarters in hand). The rental car is from Alamo at the airport. Thanks again!

 

[cadawson]

Kona Cafe has delicious breakfast, too. In fact, my family prefers it over Ohana.

 

[mackeymouse4eva]

Honestly, I think you will be fine. I definitely agree you should take the 417. I find once you exit WDW property around Wide World of Sports AoA etc it takes about 25 min tops. Of course there could always be an accident etc, but in general the 417 is easy & smooth sailing. Will your luggage be checked in at the resort? Or will you have to do it at the airport? If all you have is carry ons AND your familiar with the set up at MCO, I think you would be fine as long as you re on the road by 12:30 BUT noon would be less stressful. I have arrived as late as an hour prior to flight time but I would NOT recommend it..obviously stressful & risky, and made it. However, as I said, who wants to be stressing while in the security lines(which are USUALLY scary looking but move pretty well). Also I usually use the cash toll lanes but I think Alamo MAY only charge the daily fee for the transponders on the days you actually use it , not the entire rental period. Some companies charge $3(just an example) a day even if you don't use it. Alamo USED (check current rules) to only charge for days that it was actually used...so if your departure day is the only day you want to use express lanes, than they would only charge you the convenience fee for that one day. You would need to verify if this is still true, and how much it costs in addition to the tolls. The tolls don't usually take much time but on that day it might be nice just to keep cruising and not slow down, if the fee is only a few dollars. I agree that gassing up before hand will cut your delays, and the car care center is right there! Previous posters have great ideas about going a little early, and requesting bill early in meal etc. that way you may gain a few extra minutes and not encounter a last minute unexpected delay(like a 10 minute search for your server that was ALWAYs nearby UNTIL the one moment you need your check ASAP). I think these things will give you more peace of mind and allow you to relax more, but I REALLY think you will be ok (I do it at least 4 times a year).

 

[thisismyusername]

I just keep contributing to this thread (sorry! ) but I also second the Kona suggestion IF character interaction isn't important. We just had Mother's Day breakfast there after wrangling with choosing between that and 'Ohana. Ultimately, we didn't see much difference between an 'Ohana breakfast and the one at Whispering Canyon, which we tried earlier and left us full but not very impressed. Kona was half the cost, and better than a buffet since our food was delivered hot and fresh. (It was also *more* than enough to eat--I skipped lunch I was still so full, and I didn't even finish my entire plate.)

 

[jerseygal]

I just keep contributing to this thread (sorry! ) but I also second the Kona suggestion IF character interaction isn't important. We just had Mother's Day breakfast there after wrangling with choosing between that and 'Ohana. Ultimately, we didn't see much difference between an 'Ohana breakfast and the one at Whispering Canyon, which we tried earlier and left us full but not very impressed. Kona was half the cost, and better than a buffet since our food was delivered hot and fresh. (It was also *more* than enough to eat--I skipped lunch I was still so full, and I didn't even finish my entire plate.)

CAN'T WAIT for Kona breakfast! YUM!

 

[eeyore81]

Can anyone tell me if the road signs are easy to follow to take 417 to airport?

 

[richmo]

Can anyone tell me if the road signs are easy to follow to take 417 to airport?

The roads are pretty well marked. I think most, if not all, of Disney signage for the airport heads towards 417 (as opposed to I-4/528).