When to leave for airport?

[asmit4]

We are staying at bonnet creek- we presume it's a 30 minute ride to the airport and we have to return a car. We are flying on Southwest and paid for the early bird check in. Our flight is at 9:45am

What time should we leave for the airport so we don't have lots of time to sit in the airport and wait. I was thinking 7:45am? is that good?

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

I left 2 hrs prior and almost didn't make it through security. They took me to the handicap line and I still was last minute getting through the airport, riding to the terminal, walking to the end of the airport, looking for the gate, and just made it with 20 minute until closing the doors.
I immensely dislike the security lines at MCO...always leaving 3 hrs before.

 

[DVC-Don]

I always left WDW 3 hours before my flight. Half hour or so drive time, time to turn in the car and then get into the terminal and through security. It leaves a buffer should any of those steps take longer than planned.

 

[asmit4]

I think I'll split the difference and go with 2.5 hours thanks guys!

 

[DebbieB]

Are you checking your luggage at the resort? Remember it has to be done 3 hours before. I think 2 1/2 is good with no luggage to check.

 

[PlutoPony]

Is this during the week? if so factor in rush hour traffic. Security at MCO is the great unknown so personally I wouldn't cut it too close

 

[sam_gordon]

I like getting to MCO 2 hours ahead of time. That means walking away from the rental drop off 2 hours before the flight. That includes giving me time to check luggage.

In your case, that would mean arriving at 7:45. I'd allow 45 minutes for the drive and getting gas. So I'd leave at 7. That means loading the car by 6:45 which means leaving the room by 6:30.

 

[Alesia]

I think I'll split the difference and go with 2.5 hours thanks guys!

Do not cut it any closer than that. You're going to be driving at the beginning of the morning rush and security can take forever at MCO.

ETA: A friend of mine was there a couple of weeks ago and it took her 45 minutes to get through security.

 

[keishashadow]

Do not cut it any closer than that. You're going to be driving at the beginning of the morning rush and security can take forever at MCO.

indeed, one of the reasons we now take evening flights home, rarely a long TSA line.

we leave 2-1/2 hrs prior to have plenty of time to gas up car, etc.