Time from MCO to resort?

[HGD24]

We are most likely renting a car for our next trip. How much time should we allow for driving from MCO to POFQ? We'd be arrving at MCO around 11am on a Saturday.

How much time should we allow for driving back to the airport at approx 8:30am on Monday morning? Thanks!

 

[mjones73]

We are most likely renting a car for our next trip. How much time should we allow for driving from MCO to POFQ? We'd be arrving at MCO around 11am on a Saturday.

How much time should we allow for driving back to the airport at approx 8:30am on Monday morning? Thanks!

It's usually about a 30 min drive, not sure how bad it will be during rush hour on a Monday though.

 

[HGD24]

It's usually about a 30 min drive, not sure how bad it will be during rush hour on a Monday though.

That's my concern - rush hour. We've only ever used the shuttle buses so we haven't paid much attention to the amount of traffic early in the morning on a weekday.

 

[tkldisney]

Once you have your car about 30 min. drive using the S417 exit. There are 2, $1.00 tolls. Take exit 6 to POFQ. If all flights are on time you should be at the resort by 1PM.
Returning:
If you take the 417, you can stop at the Hess station right past Caribe Royal resort to fill-up. Even with rush hour, I haven't had any trouble with traffic.
You will again have 2, $1.00 tolls. Take the boggy creek exit, turn left, stay in left lane, and that takes you right to the airport. (Signs are posted)
Car Rental signs are posted for both terminals and easy to follow. Now as for time, I would leave about 2 hrs. to 2 hrs. 15 min. before your flight time. Fill-up car, 30 min drive, return car, gets you inside terminal well over 1 hour in advance.
If your checking bags, I'd pay any baggage fees (407-284-1231) and have boarding passes printed. You can do this from POFQ using RAC once you pay for your bags. (Get info from resort)
Another option:
When we have an early morning flight, we stay at airport hotel night before. We return car, and use hotel shuttle then in the morn. we just take the shuttle back to terminal. We normally stay at one of the Marriott hotels, but there are several that offer shuttle to/from airport..

 

[HGD24]

tkldisney -

Thanks for the great info about exits, tolls & gas station! We've never driven ourselves so this is really helpful! We're only staying 2 nights so - a first - no checked bags for us and DH is an Avis Preferred member so our wait time for the rental car shouldn't be too long.

 

[tkldisney]

Driving from airport is very easy. Here are exact directions to POFQ. It's also very easy to drive around WDW. When your heading to POFQ you'll see the Hess Station to fill up on your return. It's only about 9 miles to airport from there so tank will still be full. It's usually one of the cheaper stations too!

One thing, after you exit the airport you will make a right turn (signs posted) onto SR417.

Directions from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter and Port Orleans Riverside Resorts:

Follow the signs for the South Exit from the airport to pick up SR417 South (also called the Central Florida GreeneWay) towards Disney World. Once on SR417, you'll have 2 toll plazas for $1 each. After the 2nd toll, take exit 6 (SR 536/International Drive). Go straight through two sets of traffic lights (first intersection will be International Drive; second will be SR535) which will put you on SR536. Continue straight on this road and go straight through the next set of lights. You will pass the Marriott Orlando World Center on the right and the Nickelodeon (formerly Holiday Inn) Family Suites on the left, then I-4.

Just after I-4, you'll pass under the WDW welcome arch and the road becomes Epcot Center Drive. Take the 3rd exit after the arch. The sign will say Port Orleans/Old Key West. Go left at the set of lights at the end of the exit ramp. This is Bonnet Creek Parkway. Stay in the right hand lane and continue straight through the next traffic light. The entrance to Port Orleans French Quarter will be the first resort on your right after the traffic light. Port Orleans Riverside will be a little further down also on the right.

 

[HGD24]

Thanks tkldisney! You're the best!

 

[tkldisney]

Here's directions back to airport. Just make sure you take 536 which becomes SR417. If you take 528, then you will have lots of rush hour traffic and mapquest, etc. will have you go that way. I did this on AAA website.

2201 Orleans Drive, Orlando 32830, Florida to MCO
Orlando International Airport, FL

1. Start out heading NORTHWEST on ORLEANS DRIVE towards
BONNET CREEK PARKWAY. Drive for 0.1 miles.
2. Turn LEFT onto BONNET CREEK PARKWAY. Drive for 0.6 miles.
3. Turn SHARP RIGHT onto E BUENA VISTA DRIVE. Drive for 0.3 miles.
4. Make a U turn at BACKSTAGE LANE. Drive for 0.1 miles.
5. Take EPCOT CENTER DRIVE towards AIRPORT /I4/SR536.
6. Go STRAIGHT on SR536E. Drive for 2.1 miles. 536 becomes SR417
7. Take SR417N / SANFORD / INT'L AIRPORT. Drive for 11 miles.
8. Take exit number 17 towards BOGGY CREEK RD / INT'L AIRPORT.
Drive for 0.4 miles.
9. Turn LEFT to get on BOGGY CREEK ROAD heading NORTH. Drive
for 0.6 miles.
10. Keep SLIGHT LEFT at the fork towards S ACCESS ROAD. Drive for
3.8 miles.
11. Go STRAIGHT on AIRPORT BOULEVARD. Drive for 0.4 miles.
12. You have reached the destination.