Rental car back to MCO from SW

[bas71873]

Having never rented a car while in Orlando before, we are used to the 3 hour in advance pick up time for ME to get you back to MCO. We are renting a car for this SW parks trip. We have a return flight on a Wednesday departing at 3:00 pm. Wondering if we should go with the same 3 hour window to give us time to return the rental car & get our bags checked or will it take less time than that?

 

[vicki_c]

Having never rented a car while in Orlando before, we are used to the 3 hour in advance pick up time for ME to get you back to MCO. We are renting a car for this SW parks trip. We have a return flight on a Wednesday departing at 3:00 pm. Wondering if we should go with the same 3 hour window to give us time to return the rental car & get our bags checked or will it take less time than that?

We usually do. Or 2.5 at the longest. I'd rather be waiting at my gate than stressed out about getting through security. I like the car service because they pick up 2 hrs ahead, but that's because there is no car rental return involved. So when you have to return the car and check bags, I think 3 is still safest.

 

[bas71873]

We usually do. Or 2.5 at the longest. I'd rather be waiting at my gate than stressed out about getting through security. I like the car service because they pick up 2 hrs ahead, but that's because there is no car rental return involved. So when you have to return the car and check bags, I think 3 is still safest.

Thanks. That's kind of what I was thinking too. We'll probably leave our hotel at noon, get squared away and have lunch & shop if we must at MCO

 

[bumbershoot]

After nearly missing a flight because I messed up with every aspect of timing, we learned that it's better to be bored at the gate for hours than to be running through the airport with your pants falling off (b/c you couldn't put your belt back on after security) hoping against hope they haven't closed the door yet.


So yes, use that same timeframe. If there's an accident along the road, it is a nice cushion so you don't have to be stressed. If there's no problem and you get to the airport in 15 minutes, have a smooth car return, don't have to wait for 4 cycles of the elevator (like we once did) b/c it's so packed, there's no line to check bags, and TSA is smooth, it means you get to your gate sweat-free, with time to relax.

 

[DebbieB]

If your airline is participating, you can still check your luggage at the resort instead of the airport counter. That saves you from dragging the luggage from the rental car and no having to stand in line at the counter.

 

[bas71873]

After nearly missing a flight because I messed up with every aspect of timing, we learned that it's better to be bored at the gate for hours than to be running through the airport with your pants falling off (b/c you couldn't put your belt back on after security) hoping against hope they haven't closed the door yet.


So yes, use that same timeframe. If there's an accident along the road, it is a nice cushion so you don't have to be stressed. If there's no problem and you get to the airport in 15 minutes, have a smooth car return, don't have to wait for 4 cycles of the elevator (like we once did) b/c it's so packed, there's no line to check bags, and TSA is smooth, it means you get to your gate sweat-free, with time to relax.

^^^That is hysterical. I think I'll stick with a 3 hour timeframe and take my time...hopefullly

If your airline is participating, you can still check your luggage at the resort instead of the airport counter. That saves you from dragging the luggage from the rental car and no having to stand in line at the counter.

Not an option. We aren't on property at WDW to take advantage of this unfortunately. This is an all Sea World parks vacation.

 

[DebbieB]

Not an option. We aren't on property at WDW to take advantage of this unfortunately. This is an all Sea World parks vacation.

I thought SW was Southwest. I was wondering why that didn't seem in context.

 

[bas71873]

I thought SW was Southwest. I was wondering why that didn't seem in context.

OOPS! Sorry. Never thought about people taking that as SouthWest (not an airline I have easy access too). Darn abbreviations