Return flight at 11:50am or 3:15pm?

[TX000]

I am trying to decide which return flight to book. There is one at 11:50 am and the next one won't be until 3:15 pm out of MCO. I'm tempted to book the first one but I'm afraid we might cut a little too close. Any advice?

Thanks

 

[>>^..^<<]

I would take the earlier one...

Even if you leave the ship at 9:00am - you should be at the airport for 10:00am and you still have almost 2 hours...

>>^..^<<

 

[InsanelyMickey]

I would do the earlier one also. When DH and I went on our trip in December, our flight was at 12 noon and we were at MCO by 10:15. I remember the time because there was the same flight leaving at 10:15 and DH wondered why we weren't on that one until I explained that would've been cutting it way too close!

I think the 11:50 would be ok, and I would book that one if I had to choose between the two times.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

We had an 11:30AM flight out of MCO, and ended up getting off the ship at 7:30AM, and were at the airport well before 9AM. We had PLENTY of time!

 

[tezb]

I'd hate to be the odd one out here BUT I would go w/ the later flight...we are doing that on our flight home to CA. After our last cruise, we didn't get off the ship til 10:00 am! We had an emergency in Castaway the night before and were stuck there til a helicopter picked up a sick passenger. We left Castaway after midnight and didn't make it back to Port Canaveral til 8:30 or so and then had to wait another hours to clear customs. I just wouldn't want to take the chance of missing our flight...just for our peace of mind. We can always hang out at the airport, etc.

 

[mmouse37]

Hey Therese....that was some cruise...wasn't it!!!!

MJ

 

[sjm]

We just came back from the 1/25 sailing. We had a 12 noon flight and had no problem making it. Also security was good, but moved very quickly.

My only concern today, would be with the raised terror alert and the upcoming war. These could make geting through security much worse.

sue

 

[tezb]

SJM, those were also my thoughts after I last posted...the heightened security issue may present more delays...just never know. I guess I'm just paranoid because we thought we had plenty of time once leaving Maui and we came very close to missing our flight!! The airline even gave our seats away and we were only 5 minutes late after they started boarding! Just makes you more paranoid I guess.

MJ, that was a weird thing to happen to us huh? Remember after that, there were a few more cruises that were also late getting back due to other mishaps/illnesses.

 

[alisbarc]

Heres my 2 cents. I would say it depends on how many are in your party and what age. We have 4 kids, 3 of them under 10 years of age. As such we do not move very quickly. So I would opt for the later flight. However, If I only had one kid or a couple of older ones who could carry their own bags, keep up with us, etc, I would book the earlier one. It also depends on how you plan on getting back to the airport. If you have a limo or towncar waiting for you its a lot quicker than the Disney bus.

ttfn

 

[KaitlinsMom]

MY 2 cents

I would opt for the earlier flight - We were at the airport by 9:45 and our flight was not until 12:45 - No lines, and we were sitting around with our 4 year old for over 3 hours - then on a flight for 5 hours - long day!!!! Take the later flight though if you are going to do something before hand and not go straight to the airport

 

[northernmouse]

I guess it really depends on how long your flight is, the size and composition of your party as others have mentioned, and whether or not you have some options for other things to do once you're off the ship. It also depends on the ticket you have, and how flexible it is on the off chance the ship could be late.

Last cruise, our flight did not leave till 2:15. We had a rental car, so we headed to DT Disney for some final souvenirs and were there before 10:00 am (sunday). We left for the airport before noon, which would have been perfect. . . except our plane had mechanical trouble. Long story short, our flight left almost 4 hours late (we never were allowed off the plane back into the terminal, which is another story altogether!), and we missed our connecting flight from Toronto so we never made it home till the next day.

If we had an earlier flight option, (ours were 8 or 2:15), I would have chosen it, simply because it gives you more options if flight problems come up. (Next trip, we're solving the 'which flight' problem by staying at WDW just a little longer)

 

[LAMPSKIES]

We had a 1:15 flight Sunday Dec 8th, and had plenty of time. The security line was long but quick. Some people on earlier flights were panicking seeing the long lines. Are you klying out on Sat or Sun it could make a difference.

 

[TX000]

Thanks to all who replied. We have a fourteen year old and an eight year old so we move fairly quickly. We will be flying out on a Thursday but it will be during spring break so I would expect some delay at the airport. We have ground transfer with Disney so we'll be heading straight for the airport. That's why I'm a little concerned about the possibility of spending a long time waiting at the airport if we book the 3:15pm flight. Since we have late seating on the cruise, will we be able to catch a late breakfast and be among the last ones to get off the ship?

 

[LAMPSKIES]

We had the late seating also, I do believe that customs didn't clear the ship for disembarking until about 8:30am. That is about the time we were finishing our meal.

 

[DISNEYGATOR]

TX,


You could always go to the continental breakfast at the buffet on deck 9, and then head off the ship as soon as they disembark. I like the continental breakfast on the outside deck anyway... one last look off the ship before you leave... and by the end I am so stuffed donuts and bagels is plenty for me.