What to do in Orlando before flight?

[hnthomps]

We now have a 7pm flight out of MCO the day our cruise gets back (next Saturday!). We are picking up a rental car at the airport (NOT at the port, we aren't changing this, we have various reasons).
Thoughts on what we should do? I suggested Legoland, but not sure we'll be up for it. Definitely not one of the Disney parks (not enough time for the money it would cost) and it seems silly to drive back to the Kennedy center.

We have kids ages 4&6. Suggestions welcome!

 

[daedelus]

If you're not up to the parks, Disney Springs (what used to be Downtown Disney) is a good compromise. We do that all the time when getting on or off in Port Canaveral. It's nearer to MCO that a lot of the eastern attractions and you'll get that Disney fix without breaking the bank on admission. There are also a ton of other smaller attractions in the Orlando area, there are a couple of adventure parks (carnival type rides) and such.

 

[bumbershoot]

Legoland is too far away when you’ll have to be walking into mco at the latest by 5pm.

We tend to hit Universal, but that’s wen we have APs. If your plans already included disney before the cruise, and it’ll be under 14 days from first use of the tickets, add an extra day and play for a few hours there.



I wound rent at the port (I hear what you’re saying, I do, but it’s what I would do) and go to Kennedy or hit cocoa beach.

 

[mousefan73]

As someone mentioned before I will look into Disney springs. They also have an AMC if you want to catch a film. Or maybe look into with the room at some area resort that has a nice pool to hang out at. Or I would even consider maybe going to one of the Disney waterpark‘s because per day is not as bad as a theme park then again with your kids at that age they might be too exhausted afterwards fly home

In my case I would probably just hit some of the outlet malls and go crazy shopping with any money I might have left over which is most likely nothing after a Disney cruise. The more I think about it I think downtown Disney is the best but you can also take boat rides there for example you can hop on the boat to port Orleans Riverside , walk around there. The quick service is nice though I preferred to quick services in Disney springs

 

[Snowwhyt]

Taking Disney transportation back to the airport isn’t going to go as quickly as you hope. First off since you don’t have the earliest plane you will not be the first set of people off the ship to go through customs after you pick up your luggage. Second you’re going to be dropped off at ticketing not baggage so you’re going to have to traverse the concourse with your luggage and children. Then when you finally get to the car rental area, after an assortment of elevators, escalators and long hallways, you will be able to walk through the parking garage and pick up your car unless you have to take a shuttle to an offsite facility to pick up your car which is often the case for the lowest price rentals(add 30 minutes). So half hour to load the bus, one hour to drive to the airport, half hour to walk and rent car(Unless there’s a line which in the morning which is not out of reason). Load your luggage in the car because you can’t leave your luggage at the airport, but remember you’re going to have to get to the airport 2 1/2 hours early so you’ll need to leave with enough time to be at the airport at 4:30 to return the car.

LEGO land is not advisable it’s a much bigger distance than you think. And Orlando traffic can get ugly.

At Disney springs you would be able to set up that Aqua car ride, take the boat ride from one end of the shopping district to the other, take in a movie, see Disney’s large toy shops, the Lego toy shop, Gardideli‘s chocolate shop, Earl of Sandwich, The Disney Christmas store and maybe you could do all of the things I listed for Disney springs, but I don’t think so.

Look at a map for the downtown area now called Disney springs. Then anytime in the future, when you have extra time before flight you’ll volunteer to spend your day there.

 

[ElenaRN]

How about the Orlando Science Center?

 

[Shanti]

We now have a 7pm flight out of MCO the day our cruise gets back (next Saturday!). We are picking up a rental car at the airport (NOT at the port, we aren't changing this, we have various reasons).
Thoughts on what we should do? I suggested Legoland, but not sure we'll be up for it. Definitely not one of the Disney parks (not enough time for the money it would cost) and it seems silly to drive back to the Kennedy center.

We have kids ages 4&6. Suggestions welcome!

One of the Disney water parks could be a great place to go if it's a warm weather month.

 

[bobbiwoz]

It’s back east, but I would go to Blue Springs State Park. Perhaps some manatees will still be in the Springs, and at any rate it’s beautiful and gives you a real Florida feel.

 

[Trera]

How about the Orlando Science Center?

This is not a bad option. About 30 min north of the airport.

 

[Capt_BJ]

I'm a local

agree LegoLand is too far

Gatorland is between Disney and the airport https://www.gatorland.com/

the amphi car ride at DS is $$$$ forget that one ...otherwise DS isn't a bad choice but in reality is just an expensive mall (there is a lot of parking but on a weekend it can get very full very fast)

at Florida Mall there is 'Crayola Experience'

Discover the magic of color with 25 hands-on attractions at the new Crayola Experience at the Florida Mall. Crayola Experience is a family attraction that only Crayola can create, designed to be a full day of hands-on creative play and colorful fun! It’s where every child’s creation is wonderfully unique – just like them!

Fun Spot is your basic old school amusement center .... great for the kids ....

https://fun-spot.com/ there's one in Orlando and one in Kissimmee ..... the Kis' location is adjacent to 'Old Town' https://myoldtownusa.com/

OR **************** a suggestion from left field

The hotel IN the airport offers day rooms ..... https://orlandoairport.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

you can cancel the car, use the room to nap and rest up, use the pool and there is a surprising amount of shopping and food options IN the airport accessible from your room .... (all the major attractions have suv'y stores in the airport)

There is usually a sign in the hotel lobby saying day rooms available but I believe you can reserve as well ..... in your case, I would

***************
funspot could ensure the kids are burned out and sleep on the plane ... but the pool at at the hotel might allow this as well ....

p.s. you don't have as much time as you may think. I'm thru MCO a good bit and ALWAYS plan to be there 2 hours b4 my flight. And by 2 hours I mean IN the terminal and this assumes carry on only AND I have TSA - PRE ....

 

[bumbershoot]

The hotel IN the airport offers day rooms ..... https://orlandoairport.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

Decent idea. Their pool is basic but fun, and there’s food and shopping.

you don't have as much time as you may think.

Always sooooo true.

 

[Minnie368]

We have a 9pm flight. We are considering Winter Summerland minigolf next to Blizzard Beach (the kids love it), Disney Springs to try out Secrets of the Empire at The Void, and an airboat tour somewhere. Would love to go to the Polynesian for a Dole whip but I’m afraid we’ll be sad being so close to MK and not going

 

[DCLCrazy64622]

The Crayola experience is good for a few hours to kill.

 

[Camonkeygirl]

I'm a local


at Florida Mall there is 'Crayola Experience'

Discover the magic of color with 25 hands-on attractions at the new Crayola Experience at the Florida Mall. Crayola Experience is a family attraction that only Crayola can create, designed to be a full day of hands-on creative play and colorful fun! It’s where every child’s creation is wonderfully unique – just like them!

The Crayola Experience is only about 15 minutes from the Airport, and is located in a large mall. We spent almost 4 hours with the 7 year old that was part of our group, and had a lot of fun.

 

[Lori74]

The hotel IN the airport offers day rooms ..... https://orlandoairport.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

I cant seem to find day room prices, is it generally cheaper than reserving a night, or is it all the same?

 

[Capt_BJ]

call and talk to a people

never done this myself, living 45 minutes from MCO but I've seen the signs nearly every time there and others have commented that they've done this ....

 

[ladyofthetramp]

I'm a local


p.s. you don't have as much time as you may think. I'm thru MCO a good bit and ALWAYS plan to be there 2 hours b4 my flight. And by 2 hours I mean IN the terminal and this assumes carry on only AND I have TSA - PRE ....

This ^^^ MCO can be a mess as far as security goes. We got held up there for an hour once. Well, my family did, I got Pre and spent a good deal of time waiting for them and wondering if we would make our flight. And we had no bags to check. It was a nerve racking mess. We always plan for more time when flying from there

 

[hnthomps]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I'm going to look into it all now.

Taking Disney transportation back to the airport isn’t going to go as quickly as you hope. First off since you don’t have the earliest plane you will not be the first set of people off the ship to go through customs after you pick up your luggage. Second you’re going to be dropped off at ticketing not baggage so you’re going to have to traverse the concourse with your luggage and children. Then when you finally get to the car rental area, after an assortment of elevators, escalators and long hallways, you will be able to walk through the parking garage and pick up your car unless you have to take a shuttle to an offsite facility to pick up your car which is often the case for the lowest price rentals(add 30 minutes). So half hour to load the bus, one hour to drive to the airport, half hour to walk and rent car(Unless there’s a line which in the morning which is not out of reason). Load your luggage in the car because you can’t leave your luggage at the airport, but remember you’re going to have to get to the airport 2 1/2 hours early so you’ll need to leave with enough time to be at the airport at 4:30 to return the car.

LEGO land is not advisable it’s a much bigger distance than you think. And Orlando traffic can get ugly.

At Disney springs you would be able to set up that Aqua car ride, take the boat ride from one end of the shopping district to the other, take in a movie, see Disney’s large toy shops, the Lego toy shop, Gardideli‘s chocolate shop, Earl of Sandwich, The Disney Christmas store and maybe you could do all of the things I listed for Disney springs, but I don’t think so.

Look at a map for the downtown area now called Disney springs. Then anytime in the future, when you have extra time before flight you’ll volunteer to spend your day there.

This is all fair, and thanks for the advice. For the record though, our luggage will not be with us - we'll have checked it through (the magic system where you put it outside your door the last night and don't see it again until your home airport) and we are precheck. We'll just have carry-ons. Last cruise we were at our gate at 830am for a 1pm flight (which was then delayed). And we certainly wont' get back to the airport 2.5 hours early unless we are out of stuff to do. So we are still talking about 6+ hours. I don't know how we can spend that much time at Disney springs, but I'll look at the map!

ETA: we thought about the day room at the Hyatt, but we are staying there the night before the cruise (this Friday), and I'm not sure we can do two days in that pool.

 

[Capt_BJ]

thanks for wasting my time ......

 

[Snowwhyt]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I'm going to look into it all now.
This is all fair, and thanks for the advice. For the record though, our luggage will not be with us - we'll have checked it through (the magic system where you put it outside your door the last night and don't see it again until your home airport) and we are precheck. We'll just have carry-ons. Last cruise we were at our gate at 830am for a 1pm flight (which was then delayed). And we certainly wont' get back to the airport 2.5 hours early unless we are out of stuff to do. So we are still talking about 6+ hours. I don't know how we can spend that much time at Disney springs, but I'll look at the map!

ETA: we thought about the day room at the Hyatt, but we are staying there the night before the cruise (this Friday), and I'm not sure we can do two days in that pool.

You never know what TSA has up their sleeves, and since you fly at 7 you can grab a dinner after TSA. Keep an eye on your flight to see if it’s delayed if you want to stay out later. I thought Airlines are not as helpful if you miss a flight like they were pre 9/11. And it’s been bugging me that they seem to be locking up plants early and pulling out before the time on my ticket. Makes me nervous.
So good to hear your luggage will be handled by Disney! What a helpful thing that will be for you!

The lines are long at the Geardellis chocolate/ice cream shop but it’s awesome chocolate! Make sure the kids stand under Stich so he can get them wet a little. Look for the water on the ground outside(the main store has 4 or more doors) it’s the doors furthest left when your looking at the front on the building. Get a shot with the buzz figure at the toy shop too. Also take time while you’re at the Christmas shop because you can have things personalized that they don’t have online and sent to you when they’re done