taking cab instead of ME back to airport?

[mh1973]

Im sure the airport is busier and security is tighter on Christmas day. So you're right, I would probably try to leave at least 3 hours before your flight Christmas day.

MCO is about 40 minutes away from Disney. I cant imagine it taking over 2 hours to get through security and board your flight on an average day. DW and I left two hours before our flight took off on our last trip (10/6). We made it to the airport with enough time to have a sit down meal at Outback and still had to wait about 30 minutes before our flight started boarding. Keep in mind this was also with no kids.

There's an Outback at the airport??

 

[PAcpl]

There's an Outback at the airport??

Yep, it was my first Bloomin Onion!

Outback Steakhouse:

Orlando - Airport
9333 Airport Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32827
(407) 851-1334
Proprietor: Tom Darth

 

[kymom99]

We've used Marty of Orlando Taxi Service and it is like being driven by your dad! He charges Taxi rates ($45-$60) and unlike normal taxis he schedules your service. He's very nice, has fun videos for the ride and has two car seats (many services only carry one). Search google for Orlando Taxi Service and look for the picture of Marty.

Marty looks like a gem! I'm thinking about adding a couple days onto our June trip and moving to Nick Family Suites. Marty sounds like just the guy to get us there and to the airport after! Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[Robo]

I cant imagine it taking over 2 hours to get through security and board your flight on an average day.

We nearly always travel to WDW in the "off-season."

We have spent over 45 minutes waiting in the security line to get to shuttle trams that
run out to the gates.
It was an average day.

You just don't know for sure until you're at the airport.

Why am I stressing this?

At the airport, it's better to be WAY too early,
than one minute TOO LATE.

 

[PAcpl]

We nearly always travel to WDW in the "off-season."

We have spent over 45 minutes waiting in the security line to get to shuttle trams that
run out to the gates.
It was an average day.

You just don't know for sure until you're at the airport.

Why am I stressing this?

At the airport, it's better to be WAY too early,
than one minute TOO LATE.

Wow, how many times have you had to wait that long? We must be getting very lucky. What do you do at the airport when you have to kill 2 hours?

 

[Robo]

Wow, how many times have you had to wait that long? We must be getting very lucky. What do you do at the airport when you have to kill 2 hours?

It is very common that MCO has a long backlog at the security area.

Remember that you might often encounter large groups of cheerleaders, gymnasts, ballplayers, tour groups and conventioneers entering and leaving Orlando, the year-round.

You just won't know for sure until you're at the airport.

 

[dburg30]

And if there are weather issues somewhere and flights may not be able to get to their destinations, you will have a VERY VERY slow line in front of you if you need to check bags (if you cant / dont use RAC or if you take your bags with you). My longest waits have been checking luggage since we use SW and they arent full participating yet. But I've seen huge lines at other counters also. If you dont need to check bags that will help for sure. Dec 07, feb 08, nov, 08 and jan 09 (all off times) we've never had more then about a 10 minute wait for security on the SW side. It's looked ugly, but has always moved well. That being said, no way in hell I'd chance trying to get an extra hour in somewhere, be it the hotel late checkout, a park or anything like that. Just WAY too many things can screw up between WDW and MCO and if you are late / miss your plane, THEN what are you going to do? I guess I just dont 'get it' as far as pushing your luck and not just getting to the airport well ahead of time.

 

[MouseyMin]

There is no way I would chance getting to the airport just in time these days. You don't know what kind of security screening might be going on, which could add quite a bit of time to the process. In fact, I'm thinking of changing my Magical Express pickup time to 1/2 hour earlier (yes, you can request earlier, but not later.) Better safe than sorry.

 

[goofy4tink]

And again I state...
best case scenario....flight departure of 6pm, DME p/u at 3pm..right to MCO with no stops. Quick through security, about 15 mins (and yes, that is quick), 5 min wait for tram, walk from tram to gate, about 5 mins....so, an hour at best. BUT....I have yet to have the 'best case scenario' in many departures from MCO.
Usually....if taking DME, I have at least one stop, sometimes two, before heading to MCO...so, add 20 mins to the 30-35 min drive to MCO. Then, if you are flying a non-participating airline, you have to check your bags...can take up to 30 mins. If not, right to security. Security can take as little as 15 mins or as long as an hour...depends on the conditions there. Then, if it's very busy, you may have to wait for a second tram to come along...doesn't happen often, but it has happened to me. Now....the very worst thing??? You get to your gate and find they have changed the gate assignement on you!!! Yep, had that happen as well.

So...you really need to be at your gate, ready to go, at least 45 mins before departure. If you run into any issues getting to the gate, you could have a problem. It is so much better to have too much time than find you are in danger of missing boarding the plane. Not a nice way to end a vacation.

I doubt anyone wants to take any chances. So, my recommendation is to always be on your way, from your resort no less than 2 1/2 hrs before flight departure...2 hrs is cutting it very close, with not much room for error.

 

[Robo]

Now....the very worst thing??? You get to your gate and find they have changed the gate assignement on you!!! Yep, had that happen as well.

Me, too.

Oh, but what if you get on the wrong TRAM (to the wrong set of gates?)


That has happened to someone very close to me as well.

 

[snowwhitenyc]

1- Typical.
2- NOT typical.
3- NOT typical.
4- NOT typical, due to the time it can take to go through security at Orlando.

With all things at WDW,
it's best to be very cautious about judging what will happen on
most trips based on the experience of only one or two trips.

Hi Robo! I feel honored that you quoted me, even if it was to completely disagree with most of what I said While I would never argue with one of my DIS heroes (I <3 your maps!!), I feel like I just want to elaborate a little on my post...

I agree with your point that it is better to be too early rather than too late. I think that for me, the more that I use the ME service (this most recent trip was my 3rd in a year -- next week is #4!), the more I wonder whether it works with my vacation style.

I think ME is a decent service, but on this recent trip I was really regretting those extra hours that I spent sitting in the airport (and, of course, after waiting the 2 hours in the food court we got to the gate and found the flight delayed for another hour).

Also, I guess I must get really lucky with security...I always allow myself 30 minutes to get through, but I've never needed more than 10.

Next week I'll be staying at the Swan, so no ME for me! I'll be trying out the Mears airport shuttle, we'll see how that goes. Perhaps the absense of the ME will make my heart grow fonder

 

[Robo]

Hi Robo! I feel honored that you quoted me, even if it was to completely disagree with most of what I said While I would never argue with one of my DIS heroes (I <3 your maps!!), I feel like I just want to elaborate a little on my post...

I agree with your point that it is better to be too early rather than too late.

That's all I'm trying to say.
Err on the side of caution, especially THESE days!



And, thank you so much for the very kind words, snowwhitenyc!

 

[kaytieeldr]

We did this back in January. It cost us no more than $35 including tip. That was from the Beach Club. It was an early morning flight and the extra hour was worth it. We would have had to get up at 3:30 to be ready for ME pickup for 4 a.m. for a 7 a.m. flight.

Instead we caught at taxi just after 5 a.m. Well worth it with young children.

The Mears Taxi Fare Estimator http://mearstransportation.com/TaxiFareEstimator.asp approximates $52.25 from Epcot to MCO and $58.85 from the Magic Kingdom to MCO. Not including tip.

These fares are based on regulated meters plus distance. It's unusual for a metered taxi to be able to do a similar run/distance for about 40% less.

 

[maxie]

The Mears Taxi Fare Estimator http://mearstransportation.com/TaxiFareEstimator.asp approximates $52.25 from Epcot to MCO and $58.85 from the Magic Kingdom to MCO. Not including tip.

These fares are based on regulated meters plus distance. It's unusual for a metered taxi to be able to do a similar run/distance for about 40% less.

Well that is what it cost us. It was for sure less than the ASMovies - Universal cab ride which was closer to $40 with tip.

 

[maxie]

The Mears Taxi Fare Estimator http://mearstransportation.com/TaxiFareEstimator.asp approximates $52.25 from Epcot to MCO and $58.85 from the Magic Kingdom to MCO. Not including tip.

These fares are based on regulated meters plus distance. It's unusual for a metered taxi to be able to do a similar run/distance for about 40% less.

Actually I plugged in Epcot to the airport in the estimator and got $32.45.

Not sure how you're getting closer to $60.

 

[Micca]

In our many trips to WDW we've "cut it close" on many occasions. I don't really enjoy the last hour or two at WDW because I get worried about airport hassles. The anxiety of possibly missing the flight, running through the airport, etc is not my idea of a nice end to a trip(I think DW enjoys the challenge). Last time we left property fairly early and ended up pretty much breezing through check-in & security only to sit & wait for a couple of hours.
Note: We did not use ME, this was with our rental car.

 

[seashoreCM]

Were the video screens showing the old gate all the way to the time you got in the security line?

If the gate changes but not from above 60 to below 60 (or vice versa) you can if needed take the tram back to the security area and take the other tram in the same "end zone" out to the other gate rotunda without exiting and having to re-enter security.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Actually I plugged in Epcot to the airport in the estimator and got $32.45.

Not sure how you're getting closer to $60.

Please check again. Epcot to MCO still comes up at $52.25.

Now, Epcot to Amtrak/Kissimmee? Yep - $32.45.

At about nineteen miles from Epcot to MCO (per mapquest) and a fare per mile of $2.75 - that's $52.25. But I got the original dollar amount from the fare estimator, and I "know" the cost per mile for a taxi in the Disney area.
At about twelve miles from Epcot, the train station calculates at close to the $32.45 estimate.

 

[goofy4tink]

Were the video screens showing the old gate all the way to the time you got in the security line?

If the gate changes but not from above 60 to below 60 (or vice versa) you can if needed take the tram back to the security area and take the other tram in the same "end zone" out to the other gate rotunda without exiting and having to re-enter security.

Since I'm the one who mentioned 'gate numbers changing' I'm going to assume you are talking to me. I seldom stop and double check the gate when going through security. I have usually checked them before leaving the resort. Generally speaking, the gates are going to be in the same area, once you get off the tram. But, if you cut it too closely, it may make a difference if your gate changes. Now, you have to grab all your stuff and run to the 'new' gate.
And yes, I was just with someone who had family traveling to WDW, from TX. She got a phone call from her dh telling her that their gate had changed..but it was in an entirely different terminal area. And yes, it was still showing as the 'old' gate on the website...barely made it to the plane before the door was closed.

 

[maxie]

Please check again. Epcot to MCO still comes up at $52.25.

Now, Epcot to Amtrak/Kissimmee? Yep - $32.45.

At about nineteen miles from Epcot to MCO (per mapquest) and a fare per mile of $2.75 - that's $52.25. But I got the original dollar amount from the fare estimator, and I "know" the cost per mile for a taxi in the Disney area.
At about twelve miles from Epcot, the train station calculates at close to the $32.45 estimate.

Well I guess we just got lucky because we were only charged less than $35 for our cab ride from the Beach Club to the Orlando airport.

I would rather base my estimates on actual experiences than a website. We're going from Universal to the airport this time and I'm budgeting about $35 U.S. dollars again.