Tell me will we make it.....please!!!!!! ****UPDATE****

[jetsetter90]

Hi all,

We are departing LGA to MCO on Aug 17. Originally we were going to WDW and then on the 3 day Wonder Aug 21 but decided to change and do the 4 day which leaves on the 17th. We decided to change it when we also found out that our flt with Song was changed from departure of 12 to 10:30 am. We are due to arrive at 1:08. We have a National EA car reserved. Hubby will pick up suitcases and I will go get car. I don't mean for this to sound crude but I'm a typical New York driver, please don't flame me, I do drive fast, sorry. I love driving in traffic and in the city, wierd I now.

Tell me will we make it.....please!!!!!!

I know I could probably change my flight but there are no nonstops available earlier and the night before is out of the question.

What is the latest possible boarding time?

TTFN

Jetsetter90

 

[floridaminnie]

If you leave MCO around 2:00, you'll be getting to the port a little after 3. That is if everything runs smooth with your airline and you receive your car rental right away with no wait. That is cutting it a little too close for me. I would want to see about getting an earlier flight.

 

[LarryC]

Everything MUST go smoothly in order for you to make it. If there is ANY delay (weather, maintenance, air traffic, ground traffic, baggage) you may get some good photos of the ship leaving port.

 

[PiperG]

That arrangement would create to much anxiety for me before the vacation. I want to enjoy the anticipation.

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Hi jetsetter90.

I'm a typical New York driver, please don't flame me, I do drive fast, sorry. I love driving in traffic

If you're a TYPICAL New York driver, then you are accustomed to sitting in traffic. "Speed" is a narcotic, not a driving option...

 

[WebmasterAlex]

that seems way too close for comfort. If everything goes perfectly you could make it but a small delay and you are cooked

 

[MarkRG]

Just throwing in with the rest, you'd best re-think the plan a bit, that is going to be too close for comfort.

 

[Tiiiigergirl]

I would do a red-eye before I cut anything that close. Sorry.

 

[eva]

I agree, I would look at changing flight times. We sat in line at Budget this past May for 1 hour and 20 minutes waiting to get a car. You will probably get through the line at National a bit faster. But don't count on less than a 30 minute wait. And if your flight is delayed you'll never make it.

 

[Kabuli1]

Besides potential flight delays and all that, even if things go very smoothly, you probably should rethink the rental car. At the very least, arrange for a limo or towncar to take you to the port. You don't need the additional time either at the airport or the port to be taken up w/car rental.

Karyn

 

[Disneymommie]

Hello, I have no advice, other then I agree witheveryone. I just wanted to say hi, we , my DH and Myself are on the Aug 17th cruise. COunting the days!

 

[MrsPete]

I'm with the others . . . this is just too close for comfort. Any little thing could make you miss the boat -- literally! Suppose your flight is delayed, suppose you miss your flight, suppose your rental car is not ready, suppose you get a flat tire (happened to us in a rental last summer), suppose you get lost in unfamilar territory . . . it's too close for comfort.

I'd suggest flying in the night before so you can board the boat leisurely.

 

[jetsetter90]

Thanks all! That was exactly what I've been thinking...don't need the extra anxiety before a trip. Will try to change flight if at all possible.

What is the latest time anyone has checked in?

Thanks for the advice BD, no one's perfect.

Disneymommie..what are your travel plans?

TTFN

Jetsetter90

 

[Werner Weiss]

By using a Towncar service instead of a rental car, you'll buy yourself a lot of extra time. Your driver will be waitng for you when exit from the secure area at MCO. The driver will help you to the curb with your bags. In the past, the driver could leave the Towncar at the curb, but now he/she needs to retireve it from parking. The driver will when take you directly to the ship.

By eliminating the time involved with obtaining and returning the rental car, you'll greatly increase your chance of making it onto the ship in time.

That said, I'm a firm believer in flying in the day before, for anyone who is in a position to do so.

 

[goodstarr]

Since your question was will you make it, i feel I can contribute to an answer. Last month, I got bumped from a flight into MCO and had to take one into Tampa. It got there at 12:30! We had a limo waiting (who got lost on the way to the port) and ended up getting to the ship at 3:45! We called the port several times to let them know that we were still on our way. They said that they like to finish boarding everyone by 4:00. When we got there, we breezed through, of course (no on else was in line) So, it has been done

 

[jetsetter90]

goodstarr Thanks for the encourgement.

A quick update to all. I called Song and all earlier flts are sold out and leaving the day before was not an option but checked the flts (which are available) anyway and the extra costs would run us the price of the cruise. So please send Pixie Dust our way and hope for the best.

I also called the DCL and was told that the latest you can checkin isssss 4pm buuutttt there have been instances.

Hoping for the best since it is all out of my hands now. Living on the edge is soooooo much fun, lol.

TTFN

jetsetter90

 

[Disneymommie]

We are driving, we leave Aug 10 to drive to VA where we are bringing the kids to stay with Grandma whike DH and Myself enjoy our Annv. Cruise. We are leaving VA on Aug 15th to drive to Port by Sat. We like to drive. Good luck getting your flight changed.

 

[LarryC]

For everyone's information:

jetsetter90 said they would use National's Emerald Aisle. There is no delay waiting in line. You get to the lot, walk down the row of cards and pick whichever one you want. Total time = 5 minutes.

I wouldn't expect the rental car portion of their intinerary to be the cause of any possible delays. I would worry MUCH more about the flights. Remember, if there is bad weather ANYWHERE in the country, it could affect your flight due to planes not getting to where they are supposed to be. Your airport may be fine, but your plane may still be Chicago waiting to take off to get to New York.

 

[snowiit]

Originally posted by jetsetter90
Hi all,

We are departing LGA to MCO on Aug 17. Originally we were going to WDW and then on the 3 day Wonder Aug 21 but decided to change and do the 4 day which leaves on the 17th.

I'll be looking over the side of the ship to see if you are running on! We'll be on that cruise also. Our second 4 night on the Wonder... can't wait!

Nancy from IL

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by LarryC
jetsetter90 said they would use National's Emerald Aisle. There is no delay waiting in line.

What about returning the car in Cocoa Beach? That will add a lot of time because National is not at the port. See http://www.dcltribute.com/carhire/

I would still look into a Towncar service (such as FL Tours, Tiffany Towncar, or one of the others) as a way to get curb-to-curb service.

Originally posted by LarryC
Your airport may be fine, but your plane may still be Chicago waiting to take off to get to New York.

At least Song doesn't serve Chicago! See http://www.flysong.com/ (But the aircraft may be coming in from somewhere in Florida that morning.)