First flight out of MCO
 

Hello all... We're new to TV and we'll be flying out of Orlando for a quick trip.

How soon before the flight should we actually plan to arrive at the airport to be "on time", taking into account walking time, security queue, etc.?

Flight is on a Saturday mid-morning. Tickets are already purchased and will check in on-line. No luggage, just a personal item to carry on.

We're using Spirit airlines (first time for this too).

Trying to calculate which Groome shuttle to book (express vs. home pickup and what time). We're near Dabney so we should be the last ones picked up before they get onto the turnpike.

Assuming this is a domestic flight. I don't think Spirit does international but I never checked. Anyway, we figure 2 hours for a domestic flight. It's similar to other big city airports in terms of time needed. You won't have to park a car which will save some time. Bon Voyage!

Need to add an extra 30-60 min for Turnpike construction shutdowns, they are frequent.

Clear is useful in MCO to avoid the herds of families visiting local attractions clogging up security.

Tampa is a good alternative to MCO, 10 min longer drive but much easier airport to navigate.

When you make a reservation for home pick-up online, Groome gives you three options for a pick-up time. I have always picked the first one (I live north of you) and it has always worked out fine. Security is a crap shoot. It has taken me as little as 15 minutes up to 75 minutes.

You want to be at the airport at least two hours before departure. That way, if there are delays on the Turnpike (major problems today) you have some flexibility. The Turnpike is usually great but I have been stopped for 90 minutes. At least I wasn’t trying to catch a flight.

Airports are horrible places to wait for a flight but they are even worse if you miss your flight!

Good luck with spirit!

Biggest thing to think about is whether you have TSA pre or global entry. 30-40 minutes extra for non TSA pre. Long lines at MCO. Also, if you use curb side porters can make a huge difference. Driving from Spanish Springs to airport we have been able to get to gate(including parking) in as little as 2 1/2 hours.

Not a lot of walking in Orlando airport. They do have monorails going to the terminals.

Get a Room near the Orlando Airport the night before! If your shuttle forgets you or the Turnpike is jacked up, you may miss your Flight! Many Hotels will let you park there, and take you to the airport...

You've obviously not experienced Terminal C.

$2.8 BILLION dollar construction job that recently opened and the entire building has to be redesigned, because the airport CEO and Airport Authority are ego-maniacs and went for bling and not practicality. Your walk in Terminal C can be over 1/2 mile.

Security can be a bear at MCO. In my experience a wait of 1/2 hour to 45 minutes is to be expected. It can be more, so allow for that. I'd much rather wait in a (relatively) comfortable seat at the gate than stuck in a security line wondering if the flight will take off without me.

The wait line to get into the Lounges at Orlando, can be 1/2 an hour, so that's not much help either.

It's general suggested knowledge for years to arrive at airport 2hours b4 flight departure

2 things I would check:
1. If it's a quick trip, you might be able to find long-term parking cheaper. I use to fly out of Detroit using off airport parking with a great shuttle service.
2. Uber could be cheaper if more then one person

1 hr for travel, and 2 for TSA= 3 hours.

As mentioned earlier; TSA pre-check is invaluable for MCO. Highly recommended. It has taken me from absolutely hating MCO, to not really minding it at all.

If you don't have Clear or tsa pre-check, MCO let's you make an appt to go thru TSA. Just go to the website and pick your time, you'll have a 20 minute window to do your check in. You skip the long lines.

Global Entry has nothing to do with the OP's question, or anything other than a US citizen returning from abroad.

For a mid-morning flight, I too would stay at an overnight hotel, close to the airport, and use their shuttle., rather than trust any bus service.

GlobalEntry includes TSA Pre-Check.

Agree and have been there. Call it the Jet Blue Terminal. Like them but now at near the bottom of my list due to this terminal.

$55+/- for TSA Pre is a no brainer, especially at MCO.

Get TSA pre, especially if you use MCO. Last 2 times sign said 33-37 minute wait and it was less than 10 minutes going thru PRE

3 hours minimum. Too many things can go wrong. You don't want to be stressed out at the beginning of your trip. Plus you will be able to get the best seats at the gate.

He is correct!

Global Entry members also receive TSA PreCheck® benefits as part of their membership.

I agree!
 

As an exclusive Spirit flyer to and from Detroit for years, I agree with Coop63. No matter when your flight departs, be there 2 hours before. Spirit doesn't play. Also allow at least 90 minutes for transport. VAV used to be pretty reliable on timely travel especially with early flights, Groome likes to pack their vans when you are doing the home pickup (haven't done the town square pickups yet) so it can take a bit more time. Catch the Spirit and have a great flight.

one of 2 worse days to fly at MCO. reason? Disney. Anyway. Spirit is on the weak side of the airport meaning it's the low end lines not Delta which could be a nightmare of a line. Assuming you don'thave any 'benefits' such as airline status, clear, tsa precheck. I'd figure an hour in line Personally in my experience I'd get there 2 hours ahead. other side would be 2 1/2. Good luck!

TSA PreCheck is actually $78, a renewal is a bit less. Global Entry, which includes TSA PreCheck, is $100. If there is any chance at all that you will leave the country then Global Entry may make sense for the extra $22-$30, every 5 years. Some credit cards actually reimburse you for the cost.

We use Groome all the time get picked up from the house and usually four hours from flight time. If you have TSA pre is very efficient and civilized. Once at the airport, we generally have a bite and drink before going through security. Once you go through security and take Shuttle out to your gate there is very limited choices where to spend your waiting time. Have a nice flight.

[QUOTE=BrianL99;2300559]You've obviously not experienced Terminal C.

$2.8 BILLION dollar construction job that recently opened and the entire building has to be redesigned, because the airport CEO and Airport Authority are ego-maniacs and went for bling and not practicality.
Wow, I’m so surprised by your comment and others I’ve read concerning this terminal. I’ve flown in and out of Orlando from abroad for several years. I found the new terminal C a breath of fresh air! It is away from the circle road of A and B and a breeze to get in and out of when you're picking up or dropping off. I agree The walk can be long but they have those moving sidewalks to assist. Flying in from overseas into terminal A or B was the nightmare in my humble opinion. You would go through customs and then get your luggage at the belt. Then you would have to walk a few feet only to have an over crowded single elevator or a bag lift to get you up to the train level. For folks traveling with children and bags it was a joke.
The new terminal C eliminated that crazy.

Actually 1.3 mile to be exact. Yep, from landing gate for Jet Blue to outside transportation. They are using shuttle carts to ease the walk. Hail a ride if you spot an empty cart. International flights are interesting. Terminal C, exit plane on ground floor, then face 6 walk up ramps to get to 6th floor baggage and customs. Welcome hike after 10 to 11 hour flight to USA.

2 hrs minimum
 

I have flown in and out of MCO several times a year for business. All days and times.

There is no good time to fly out of MCO. It’s always a zoo.
I had a 7am flight out not too long ago and by 5:30am the line was out to the Southwest ticket counter.
Spirit is a little better, but not much.

I would arrive 2 hours early at a minimum as it’s on a Saturday.

I’d rather cool my heels at the gate than be stuck in a security line wondering if I am going to make it.

Just my $0.02

I'm not sure what Terminal C you're talking about, but it's not the one that exists.

Right before construction began on Terminal C, the Airport Authority got nervous about costs and narrowed all the corridors & walkways, to reduce their width by 10'. This made the installation of "moving walks", impossible ... there are none in Terminal C.

The Airport is now thinking of ways to retro-fit moving walks, as Terminal C has become a white elephant and no one wants to use it. JetBlue is complaining they're losing business, because folks no longer want to fly the airline, as they'll be forced to use Terminal C.

A & B are much more convenient for passengers. The only convenience Terminal C offers, is easier pickup/drop off ... mostly because it's only running at about 20% capacity. Airlines don't want to move their operation into that terminal.

Give yourself plenty of time. If my flight leaves at 1pm, I make sure that I leave the Villages by 9am. It does mean that if all goes well that more time will be spent at the airport, but it beats being tied up on the turnpike for an unknown amount of time due to construction or accident.
Being late is stressful, but knowing that you are where you are supposed to be and just waiting for your flight is sooooo much better.

I usually travel with only a carry on and have TSA Precheck so I usually arrive about 1 hour before because I go right to the terminal and breeze though security!

We generally get there with plenty of time. We have a Priority Pass so we wait in their lounge. Unfortunately, we sometimes have to wait to get in.

Anybody fly breeze airways outa MCO?

I am coming down in March and have a Return Flight with Breeze at 7am.

I have to return an Avis Car also. Should I leave TV at 2Am to get there on time?

A lot depends on where you are going and what you are doing. If you are going to visit friends, missing a flight and being delayed a day probably won't ruin the vacation.

However, if you absolutely have to be on that flight, I would recommend going down the night before. For example, if I have a flight connection to Europe where, if I miss it, it might ruin the entire vacation (like missing the cruise), I would go down the night before.

I had a Spirit flight where they canceled a Friday morning flight and offered to put me on another flight on Saturday afternoon which was to arrive late Saturday evening. I was going out for a wedding on Saturday afternoon so that would have messed up the purpose of the trip.

Exactly. Terminal C is a nightmare. Now avoiding Jet Blue at all cost. I indicated that in my review to Jet Blue. Who ever made those final decisions on design should not be employed. Considering this is Florida, they probably got promoted.

I know people who arrived 3 hours early but missed their flight, but they were checking bags. I also saw quite a few Sprit passengers missing their flights when they were in the same airside as United. Security can get long quickly because so many of the early flight passengers arrive at the same time and can't get through security in time. It's a personal preference if one would rather be sitting around waiting or taking the risk on traffic and security.

The Village Airport Van has never left people behind at 1:30 in the morning when the driver didn't show up or at the airport when a flight was delayed and the vans were booked. Enough said.

I just flew JetBlue to DC last month. I was picked up at my house (Groome) 2.75 hrs before my flight. Zero problems. The walk was not an issue... TSA-Pre and only a carry on bag...

I even had time to grab a bite to eat before boarding...

The shuttle bus drivers for the off site parking services hate this terminal