Race to the airport

[SeanTomorrow]

What is your strategy to squeeze in a little more fun before racing to the airport?

I've managed to grab an Anna & Elsa FP+ for my daughter 4 hours before our flight leaves MCO. Using RAC to drop off bags in the morning seems like it will save a lot of time. Any other tips for speeding up the departure? Should I worry about traffic to the airport on a Sunday around lunchtime? DME sounds like it'll take way too much time, plus I already have a rental car.

Thanks very much -- this is a great board. If you're curious, here's my timeline:

See Anna & Elsa with FP+: 1hr
Monorail to Polynesian & get in rental car: 30 mins
Drive to airport: 45 mins
Drop off car and go through security: 45 mins
--------------------
TOTAL time spent: 2hr 45 min [UPDATE: correct elapsed time is 3hrs. My math mistake is bugging me!]
Remaining time before takeoff: 50 mins [UPDATE: correct remaining time is 1hr until takeoff]

 

[ToddyLu]

I don't know that I would take the monorail--too many waits on the rail at times. I think I would take the ferry with a timeline like that--but then I have never been on the ferry. I hope everything works out for you like you plan. How long will the FP+line be once inside? I am 40 something with no kids, so what do I know anyway, right ?

 

[SeanTomorrow]

Thanks! The ferry sounds like a neat idea.

The Anna and Elsa FP+ line should be 35 mins according to my trusty touring plans. Add in 10 mins to meet the princesses, plus maybe 10 mins to walk out of the park afterwards and I'm budgeting about an hour.

And 40 something is plenty young to be an A&E fan

 

[ncc1701]

You said 45 minutes to drop off the car and get thru security? MCO has had some of the longest lines we have ever done. Last trip it was under 15 but that was with us having "fastpass" type TSA notation on our boarding passes. Other trips it has been more than 30 minutes in line. And that was after getting dropped off by MDE and going thru the airport to TSA.

 

[SeanTomorrow]

Good to know. I have global entry so typically get to use the TSA precheck lane, but with the TSA things can always go sideways.

I wish we could get FP+ to go through security. (Though it seems that's a touchy subject on other boards....)

 

[bumbershoot]

Time to get from A&e to front of the park to monorail, line for monorail, getting to car. Time for gassing up the rental, getting to airport, waiting for attendant to check your mileage and hand you receipt. Getting from rental car spot to terminal, bathroom break ((inevitable with my family), up escalators, to security.

You get Pre but will the rest of the family? DH has GE, we were all booked together on Monday. He got Pre and we did not. Having DS with me tends to keep me from getting a patdown (I don't do the big machines and having the kiddo tends to get us sent though the normal metal detector) so he went with me instead of asking if he could go with DH.

Monorail to gate.

We tend to find that following the DME timing works out well. Might be too long at home airport but mco is too crazy (and with what I've found to be the most soulless, nonsensical, rude tsa officers) to chance anything.

 

[sam_gordon]

Your math is off. You've got 3 hours of activity, not 2 hours and 45 minutes. That would leave you an hour left, not 50 minutes. In theory you should be OK.

As mentioned, I wouldn't use the monorail. Either get on the Ferry or the boat launch (goes to GF then Poly). You might want to add 15 minutes to that time just to get through the park.

You also don't say if you're by yourself or travelling with older or younger companions (who can slow you down).

I'll take your word on how long A&E lasts. I think that's the big question in your equation.

 

[littlejimmy]

sounds like a great plan. and worse case scenario is you miss your flight and just take the next one. that's worth it to me for the opportunity to see anna and elsa. go for it, and don't look back.

 

[goofy4tink]

There's a reason airports recommend arriving at the airport 2 hrs prior to flight departure time......it works. Yes, DME errs on the side of safety, but they have to make multiple stops and tend to drive at, or below, the speed limit.
Yes, your plan could work....but, if the stars align imperfectly, and you have maximum wait times for everything...longer wait for Anna and Elsa, longer wait to get to the Polynesian, traffic exiting the area, a tie up on 4, a line to return cars, and a security line that winds around many times? Yeah, you 'might' get to the gate as they're boarding.
I always plan to leave the park no less than an hour prior to the time I am to depart the resort...that gives me plenty of time for slow transportation or such.

As for 'going for it and taking the next flight'? I don't think so. Airlines aren't happy when you do that...and it will cost you. But, the need to see the 'girls' may be worth it to you to take the chance.
As far as traffic goes....I've never been on 4 when there wasn't traffic...it's strange.

 

[MaleficentRN]

What time of year is your trip? Huge factor in park and airport crowds.
Can your whole family use the Pre Check line? Do you need the rental car? Can you take ME to WDW and a cab to the airport?

 

[JessM]

I think your plan looks good.

I've left from the MK 3 hours before a flight and had PLENTY of time. The airport isn't that far and dropping a car off is really quite easy. It takes all of 5mins. If your bags are already checked I think 45mins to drop off the rental car and go through security is good.

MCO does have crazy security lines but they move fast.

 

[goofy4tink]

I think your plan looks good.

I've left from the MK 3 hours before a flight and had PLENTY of time. The airport isn't that far and dropping a car off is really quite easy. It takes all of 5mins. If your bags are already checked I think 45mins to drop off the rental car and go through security is good.

MCO does have crazy security lines but they move fast.

Usually!

 

[SirDuff]

I think your plan looks good.

I've left from the MK 3 hours before a flight and had PLENTY of time. The airport isn't that far and dropping a car off is really quite easy. It takes all of 5mins. If your bags are already checked I think 45mins to drop off the rental car and go through security is good.

MCO does have crazy security lines but they move fast.

Took us over 45 minutes! It was the worst car rental drop off experience I've ever had - huge, long line of cars to get to the drop off point. We ended up finally returning it about 5-10 minutes after the proper return time and they had the gall to try to charge us for the extra hour (or day, don't totally remember). Had to go into the terminal to the counter to get them to remove the charge (or, rather, credited my card for the amount of the charge). Luckily, I had plenty of time before my flight.

 

[Funfire240]

Thanks! The ferry sounds like a neat idea.

The Anna and Elsa FP+ line should be 35 mins according to my trusty touring plans. Add in 10 mins to meet the princesses, plus maybe 10 mins to walk out of the park afterwards and I'm budgeting about an hour.

And 40 something is plenty young to be an A&E fan

When are you going? We were there last July when it was busy and with our FP+ we were in and out within 15 minutes. Not sure if things have changed since then and of course crowds could change that I'm sure

 

[Prose]

I agree that 45 minutes is not enough time to go through MCO. We traveled in mid-October, not a particularly heavy time, and ended up in check-in behind AN ENTIRE MARCHING BAND. We were in that line at least 20 minutes. And then had to get in the security line, which was at least another 20-25 minutes. Get through security, walk to the little mini-monorail stop, take it to the gate area, walk to the gate, etc. I would not plan on arriving at MCO less than 60-90 minutes before your flight. I know it is possible to get through in less, but why go through that stress?

 

[kaytieeldr]

sounds like a great plan. and worse case scenario is you miss your flight and just take the next one. that's worth it to me for the opportunity to see anna and elsa. go for it, and don't look back.

 

[SeanTomorrow]

This is a good reminder of how different folks experiences at the airport are. I appreciate the different perspectives.

One note: I think the "arrive 2 hrs early" advice is really geared towards infrequent travelers or those with complicated situations. I'm a former consultant with lots of years of weekly travel under my belt. I can understand how some of these airport experiences would have been very painful. If it helps, here's how I would have approached them:
1) I'd avoid the check-in counter at MCO by using RAC at the resort (and boarding passes on the phone)
2) Would skip the long security line using TSA pre-check (anyone can get it if you pay a fee -- definitely worth it). Sometimes, walking to another checkpoint is faster, though not sure of MCO has that sort of setup
3) For the rental drop off, I've often just parked it in line and walked away (not waiting for someone to come give a receipt). If you have "status" with the company and are in the right place, it's fine.

There's no guarantee all of this would work, of course, and some delays are unavoidable. But they'd sure save some time.

 

[sam_gordon]

I think a lot of people are focusing on '45 minutes' and missing when they're actually starting...

I've managed to grab an Anna & Elsa FP+ for my daughter 4 hours before our flight leaves MCO.

Thanks very much -- this is a great board. If you're curious, here's my timeline:

See Anna & Elsa with FP+: 1hr
Monorail to Polynesian & get in rental car: 30 mins
Drive to airport: 45 mins
Drop off car and go through security: 45 mins
--------------------
TOTAL time spent: 2hr 45 min
Remaining time before takeoff: 50 mins

So... assume flight is 4pm
Their FP is Noon (4 hours before).

A&E meet & greet: Noon - 1pm
Leave MK and get to Ply: 1p - 1:30p
Drive to airport: 1:30p-2:15.

That's arriving at the airport almost two hours before their flight. I think their time getting to their car is a little short, but still, getting to the airport 90 minutes before a flight IS doable IMO, assuming everyone is able bodied, can walk fast if needed, and knows how to handle themselves getting through security.

 

[NotUrsula]

Spend a bit more to save some extra time: valet park your rental car at the Contemporary. The walk is short, straight over from the MK gate. You should be in your car in about 15 minutes, especially if you program the valet stand number into your phone and call them to get it the minute you leave the park.

You will leave via Seven Seas Drive, then turn left at the Magnolia Golf Course. Exit onto Epcot Center Drive, which is the road that will lead you direct to 417. As it leaves the property the name of the road changes to World CENTER Drive, aka 536. It will intersect with South Apopka Vineland and the southern end of I-Drive. At the I-Drive intersection there is a Hess on the righthand side of the road. Gas up there. Right after the gas station the road becomes the on-ramp for 417, the toll road that will take you right to the airport.

Most of the time we find that it takes us 40 minutes from when we cross out of property until we hit the airport rental car return ramp, but we've been known to do it in 30 if the tank only needs to be quickly topped up. (Also, clean up the rental car before you head to the park that morning; make sure that all your stuff is put away in your bags so that you don't have to delay to do it at the car return.) What will normally get you at MCO is the security line, but if you have expedited access that should not be quite the problem that it is for the rest of us.


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[TheRustyScupper]

See Anna & Elsa with FP+: 1hr
Monorail to Polynesian & get in rental car: 30 mins
Drive to airport: 45 mins
Drop off car and go through security: 45 mins
--------------------
TOTAL time spent: 2hr 45 min
Remaining time before takeoff: 50 mins

WARNING . . . DANGER WILL ROBINSON . . . WARNING
1) I also have travels (4½-million air miles), and free TSA-Pre-Check.
2) And, I think you are cutting things too close.
. . . A&E could, and frequently does, take longer than 1-hr, even with FP
. . . my guess is 45-min to Poly and car retrieval is more realistic
. . . any traffic at all, and the 45-min airport journey is 1¼-hrs
. . . you need to add 15-20 minutes monorail time for the air terminal shuttle
3) Any other hiccups, and you are left watching your plane taxi away.
WARNING . . . DANGER WILL ROBINSON . . . WARNING