what time to leave for MCO???

[wendlle]

I have a 7pm flight out of MCO headed to LAX on May 29th.
We plan to take a ride share to the airport from Grand floridian hotel.

What time do you recommend we leave?
I am one of those people who doesn't like to be late or rushed so would like to allow time, but don't want to be absurdly early!

I've only ever taken super early flights out of MCO before not ones in the evening so have no idea how long it could take to get there or get thru the lines at the airport.
Two Adults and two kids with checked luggage - flying with United.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I’d do 3 hours, especially because you’ll hit rush hour.

 

[wendlle]

I’d do 3 hours, especially because you’ll hit rush hour.

so if we plan to leave around 4pm that should be enough time?
Sounds fine to me we will likely sleep in a little on our last morning and then just go to MK until it's time to leave.

 

[gottalovepluto]

so if we plan to leave around 4pm that should be enough time?
Sounds fine to me we will likely sleep in a little on our last morning and then just go to MK until it's time to leave.

That’s my vote but let’s have a few other chime in to be safe!

And don’t get too cute at MK with rides. Remember rides get stuck. On departure day once I did Pooh right before leaving for the airport- and it broke down. Like completely broke, CMs had to come around with a stool and unload the honey pots, easily half an hour added to my afternoon at MK.

 

[wendlle]

That’s my vote but let’s have a few other chime in to be safe!

And don’t get too cute at MK with rides. Remember rides get stuck. On departure day once I did Pooh right before leaving for the airport- and it broke down. Like completely broke, CMs had to come around with a stool and unload the honey pots, easily half an hour added to my afternoon at MK.

yeah we will likely get a late lunch then just head back to the resort for pick up. Do some rides until maybe 1-2pm

 

[scrappinginontario]

Domestic flight so I agree with @gottalovepluto and leave your resort 3 hours before your flight at 4PM.

 

[Jillpie]

I would not leave your resort at 3 hours, remember its rush hour! I'd leave at 3:00 for a 7:00 flight. No later. I'd rather be sitting at the gate, than running and missing the flight. If you don't have Pre tsa, that security line can be long, very long. Have a leisurely dinner at the food court and no stress.

 

[wendlle]

I would not leave your resort at 3 hours, remember its rush hour! I'd leave at 3:00 for a 7:00 flight. No later. I'd rather be sitting at the gate, than running and missing the flight. If you don't have Pre tsa, that security line can be long, very long. Have a leisurely dinner at the food court and no stress.

3pm would be fine for us. I just didn't want to be overly cautious.

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

I would leave 4 hours before flight time. We have experienced quite a few times very, very long lines for both security and bag check-in. In the Spring of 2023, we were in the line for security for a little over an hour, that was after 45 minutes waiting to check our bags. The lines at MCO are some of the worst we experience.

If that was your situation, leaving at 4 PM for a 7 PM flight, we would have arrived at the airport after 5, it would have been almost 6 after bag check, around 7 getting through security. We would have missed that flight.

 

[sam_gordon]

We have a 7p flight leaving in June (from BLT, so pretty much the same). I'm planning on the car service picking us up at 4p. So, I agree with the three hours. Here's how I figure it...

* Normal travel time between those two points is ~30 minutes.
* I like to arrive at major airports (including Orlando) 2 hours before departure if I need to check bags
* We have a large party (7 of us) and will have multiple checked bags.
* If there is a skycap available, we'll use them to check our bags.
* Only two of us have precheck.

I think if you leave at 3P, even allowing an hour for traffic (doubtful) and an hour for bag check and security (maybe), that still leaves you two hours. I don't like being stressed also, but that's extreme IMO. Unless you plan on having a meal at MCO, I vote 4P.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I'd also plan on leaving the resort around 3PM, maybe 3:30, especially since you're calling for a rideshare - you can't always be certain they'll be there exactly at the time you're ready to leave, unless you pay extra for a reservation.

 

[Lewisc]

Posters are reinventing the wheel. MCO and airlines suggest arriving 2 hours early. A 3 hour departure already gives you a 30 minute cushion for traffic or other issues.

Deviate from the 2 hour policy if you have a reason. TSA pre and no checked luggage less.

Allow more time if you have special circumstances:
You need a wheelchair and a pusher.
You have a BP WITH SSS.
You don't have proper ID
You want to get specific food. Jersey Mike's can have a 30 minute line.
Need for multiple bathroom breaks.
Need for some adult beverages before boarding.
Pre boarding.
Airline like Frontier which stops boarding 15 or 20 minutes prior to posted departure time

You have extra $ and want to visit airport Disney stores

Edited to add You have a book to read or videos to watch. You're more relaxed at the gate; not obsessing about traffic or security delays

 

[KPeterso]

I just looked back at my uber account. I had a flight around 7 PM in March (same United one as you are taking MCO-LAX). I was picked up at 3:41 PM according to my receipt. It was a Friday night and the traffic was actually not bad at all that day. I was able to check my bags easily (I had already checked in and had a free bag because of my credit card) so I just printed the tag and took the bag back outside and handed it off. I also have pre check so I got through security pretty quickly but there were still lines for pre check and longer ones for the regular lines. I got dinner and then walked around quite a bit before my long flight. I could have pushed back a little later, but I prefer getting there early. Maybe split the difference and go with 3:30 pick up time.

 

[_19disnA]

Since it appears you are traveling internationally, I would also check the airline website for what sort of extra time they recommend. I would much prefer to err on the side of being early. Far too many things can cause delays @ MCO. You can always shop or eat if you arrive early.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Since it appears you are traveling internationally…

LAX is Los Angeles

 

[_19disnA]

OP's profile shows they are from Australia.

 

[reddog21]

If you go up 417 there is no rush hour, there's never traffic there. We usually fly home is around 7, we leave our resort roughly 2.5 to 3hrs before flight time if where leaving from Disney. It's about a 45min drive up 417 so we get to the airport about 1.5-2.0 before the flight time which is more than enough. We do have pre-check so that factors into my time.

 

[gottalovepluto]

OP's profile shows they are from Australia.

They literally said they’re flying MCO-LAX. That’s domestic. Nothing about continuing onto Australia.

 

[Lewisc]

. I got dinner and then walked around quite a bit

You were picked up a 3:41. Why are you suggesting 3:30. 4:00 sounds about right

 

[KPeterso]

You were picked up a 3:41. Why are you suggesting 3:30. 4:00 sounds about right

I also had pre check and got through a bit quicker than most. If the OP is worried about getting there too late, I would go a smidge earlier - especially if she does not have precheck. And she will definitely want to get dinner at the airport before the 5+ hour flight to LAX. I believe I got a snack from the airline and by the time I landed, almost nothing at LAX was open so OP will want to have a good meal before they get on the plane unless they want to find a late night McDonalds or In N' Out when they arrive for a bite to eat.