when to leave park on last day to catch flight?

[aec]

On our previous trips we have just shopped on our last day, but this is a shorter trip so I want to go to a park on our last day (not sure which park yet). When should we leave the park to catch a 5:40 pm flight at MCO. We will be driving to the airport and have to return the rental car.

Thanks

 

[AJKMOM]

Most airlines since 9/11 say arrive at the airport 2 hours prior to departure. Especially a busy airport like Orlando. You should be at the security gate by 3:40pm, and it will take a while to return your rental car. I would plan to arrive at the airport by 3pm, use curbside drop-off for checked luggage, and head to the rental return. Then take your carry-ons and head to the security check in. It may be just me, but I find the most stressful part of the trip is having to leave thru MCO.

 

[DebbieB]

Unless it's a peak travel day (around a holiday), I would leave the park between 2:30 and 3:00. It takes about 30 minutes from WDW to MCO. If you have an onsite (airport) rental, that is quick. We curbside check the checked luggage before returning the car (USAir or Air Tran), you also get your boarding passes there. Earlier this month we left MGM around 3:00, I think we were at the gate between 4:00 and 4:30 (National Car Rental and Air Tran). Our flight did not leave until 6:30. We left MGM early because it was raining on and off, we decided to get out while it wasn't raining. Otherwise we would have left between 3:30 & 4:00.

 

[aec]

Thanks.

Sounds like we'll be able to see a lot that day before we have to leave.

 

[seashoreCM]

With a rental car it is a good idea to plan on being out of your parking space 3 hours before flight time, to allow time to gas up the car, return it, etc.

Work backwards.

Start with "What time does my flight close its door, typically 10 minutes before departure?"

Then, "What time do I want to be at the airport, for example 90 minutes before the preceding?"

Then, "What time do I need to be on board to leave for the airport and from where?

Of course if you need to leave from your resort you have to plan transportation time from park back to the resort.

etc.

Travel tips:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/travel.htm

Last WDW trip: Jan. '05, Pop Century

 

[DVC-Don]

We now leave WDW 3 hours before the scheduled flight time. Figure 30 - 40 minutes to drive to the airport & gas up the rental + 15 minutes to turn in the car (we use onsite agencies) and get the luggage up to be checked in + 15 to 60 minutes to get checked in and through security. Then we have time to grab a meal out at the gates before heading to our gate. The time to clear security is the part you really can not plan on, those are just the times we've had to get through over various vacations.

 

[aec]

Thanks all. We'll plan on leaving the park at 2:30.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Thanks all. We'll plan on leaving the park at 2:30.

My son and I left WDW at 3pm for a 5pm flight. We checked the luggage curbside, then returned the rental car, and walked to security. Security was not busy and we had plenty of time. I would allow an extra half hour, though, because if we had of encountered traffic or a line at security we would have been cutting it close.

When I fly next month with my other son I will also leave at 3pm, but for a 5:40 flight.

T&B