Virgin DTD check-in

[Cyrano]

I've read about this on the Virgin site but wonder if folks can share their experiences.
What time did you drop off your cases?
When did you aim to be at the airport and drop off the hire car?
What did you do with this added time?

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hello Reid.

We use DTD check-in every time.

Generally get there for around 0830. They do seperate queue's for Economy and Premium Economy, most recently we have been PE. Same again next year.

We normally get to the airport around 1500 or so, flight is at 1815.

As we are usually in a villa, we head straight back there and ensure Joshua gets something decent to eat before we check out around 12.

To be honest we have always gone to the Florida Mall on our last day, we are not one's for doing that much really so we just aim to get there for around 1pm or so and that's it really.
Find the day very tiring and would rather conserve our energy, we are normally read for home by then and have done the theme parks etc

 

[Netty]

Reid i think its open 8am-1pm.
we drop off our cases around 10am and then have a look around dtd and then go on to a theme park or seaworld for the last few hours. As our flight isnt until 8:40pm we tend to get to the airport to drop off the car just a couple of hours before.
remember though if you have booked through Virgin atlantic you have to pay $10 each to use the facility, if booked through Vrigin holidays its free.

 

[Ware Bears]

We always aim to get there for opening but never have we usually get there by 10am.

We then do some shopping and have a nice leisurely lunch, then more shopping. I would like to go to a theme park for the last day but I get outvoted.

We get the last flight back, I think we're always at the airport by 5pm but it may be earlier.

I hate the last day ~ once I know I've got to leave I just want it over with and to be back home with my doggies!!

 

[UKDEB]

No matter what time we've arrived, we've always been lucky with queues in that there haven't ever been any, but I know others here have reported long lines (and we've dropped off friends who've been flying home sooner than us and witnessed them), so I think it's just the luck of the draw.

Like Netty, we tend to spend some time looking around Downtown Disney once we've checked in. If you're planning on doing that, there's no point turning up much before 9.30am because the shops don't open until 10am. Lately, we've been using online check-in and, whilst there's nothing to stop you doing both that and Downtown Disney check-in if you want to get rid of your bags, we don't bother.

On several occasions, we've been to a park on our last day, but no matter what you do, you can't prevent that "going home" feeling and, even with a later flight (ours is usually 7,30ish) you can't risk leaving it too late to head to the airport. On a couple of occasions recently, we've booked an extra night at our villa accommodation so that we can go out shopping or maybe to Downtown Disney, have some lunch and then go back to the villa for a swim before showering and heading for the airport.

Orlando International Airport is actually a very pleasant place to spend a few hours. Our tradition is to head up to the Hyatt where we either sit in the lobby lounge with a drink, or grab a bite to eat in McCoys (the casual restaurant just off the lobby). There are some very nice eateries in the airport itself, but we enjoy the calm of the Hyatt.

 

[jackieleanne]

Used it for the first time this september and it was very good no queue's and done very quickly. We got there at about 9 and then went around DTD and Disney Quest having a chilled out day. We was at the airport for 3 for our 6:15 flight back to Manchester. I wanted to go to a park for a few hours but Jonathan just wanted to chill out.

 

[Cyrano]

Thanks for your various suggestions. This gives me plenty to discuss with everyone.
Which of course will probably change when we are there

 

[wayneg]

3 times we have done it, very unlucky with lines, 45-60 mins each time. Tried opening and mid AM.
I think it because we only go school hols so everytime is probably the busiest days of the year, others have no or little lines.
We now do OLCI and leave cases in car trunk all day, sometimes go in a park or last minute shopping. Find OLCI a lot better option for us.

 

[Elise79]

We usually try to get there for around 9.30 then we head back to hotel to sort out the rest of the hand luggage. We then leave the car and catch a bus back over to MK! Do a last few rides then head back for a late lunch before leaving for the airport. Depends which flight home we are on as to what time we leave WDW but usually somewhere between 3 & 4pm.

As pp said MCO is not a bad airport to spend a couple of hours and we enjoy a nice walk round the shops before security.

 

[Pegasus928]

We've done it each time we have been and have been very lucky with the queues. Once the bags have been dropped we have a chat about what's next and have done anything from hanging around DTD to going to International drive for lunch at Bahama Breeze. I suppose a lot of it depends on how much shoppig you manage to get done and whether there are any last minute ideas that pop into peoples heads.
One thing we have found time and time again with Florida is that no matter how rock solid a 'plan' seems to be it always ends up out of the window to some degree.
I would also advise that, if you can, you weigh you cases as they are very strict at DTD. We had 6 cases last time, 5 of which were about 5 kilos under and 1 that was 2 kilos over, and they made us swap some stuff around so the heavier one was bang on 20 kilos.

Kenny

 

[disneydopey]

We've used it the last 4 years and its wonderful.We fly back on the 6.30?pm to manchester. We get there to check in at 8am although last time no one was there until 8.45am. We usually then go off to Epcot and leave there about 1.30pm and go straight to the airport. Get changed at the airport into going home clothes, have a couple of doughnuts at krispy creme, then go through passport control. Quick look round duty free and then hang around at the gate.....the day goes so fast.