Spending Time at MCO

We always do the Disney store first then do the other stores. Yes, we just left Disney, but we need one more fix. We even have 2 non Disney trips coming up and we chose to stop at mco as our layover, so we can do the Disney store. It is pitiful, but I had do it. One layover is only 45 mins (really pushing it) the other is 3 hours. I just want to breathe that wonderful Disney air.

We drive to WDW.

But if we flew, DH is always in panic mode on flight days. He just wants to get to the airport, as long as he is through security, all is well. So it would probably be like 3 hours or more. I used to work for an airline so I am a little more laid back. BUT, for my own sanity and to rid DH of his terrible attitude, we get there early so he can relax, then I am happier.

If we had to fly to WDW, we would lose a lot of park time because he would have to be at the airport so early! He has been advised, that no matter what happens with his job, we always need to be driving distance to WDW.

We always make time to shop at MCO on the way home! Our flights are usually early afternoon - we don't get park time that day anyway, so this is our "fun" part before the "unfun" part - security! Wow - the lineup in May was humongous for that! It took us about a half hour to get through, which isn't that bad, but it was a bit of a zoo. We've been spoiled other trips and sailed through in 10 minutes.

Anyway, I love looking through the stores and seeing things we don't have at home. I must confess though that I don't look in the Disney store.

On our last real WDW trip, we arrived at MCO on departure day when the Magical Express got us there. No concern on our part as to how early/late to arrive. We did no shopping at the airport; neither of us is into recreational shopping, not even where Disney stuff is concerned. This is not to say we never bring home a souvenir or three, but we try to get any shopping over with ASAP. (What do we want? Quick, run in, grab it, and get the #&!% out!) In April for our partly WDW but mostly Universal trip, we flew in and out of Sanford. No shopping to speak of there, which is not a bad thing where we're concerned. And on the even brighter side, also no lines to speak of.

We usually allow for 2 hours from the time we leave WDW to our departure time ate MCO. Gives us enough time to return the car, catch the shuttle and get through security with an hour to an hour and a half time to rest.

We rarely hit the stores at MCO though. My credit card is usually melted by then...or confiscated!

I'm excited that our flight home doesn't leave until 2:00 PM ET, so we get to spend some last minute time shopping and having lunch at EoS on our last day before heading out.

I get there when Magical Express gets me there so about two to two & a half hours before my flight. I go through security & go to the gate. Once I'm at or near the gate I'll go get something to eat &/or browse the news stand type of shops that are nearby. I'm not going to risk missing my flight due to a long slow security line, losing track of the time or a gate change I didn't hear about just to do some shopping or eat at a restaurant. It's just not worth the stress & potential expense. I'll happily sit at the gate entertaining myself & eat what I can get nearby my gate rather than risk missing my flight. I fly Alaska Airlines & at the time of year I go they have one flight a day to Orlando from Seattle & one flight a day from Orlando to Seattle so if I miss my flight I'm looking at the cost to change my flight, an extra night in a hotel & an extra day's worth of food. That's money I would rather put towards my next trip & that trip means more to me than any shopping I could do or any restaurant I could eat at in the airport.

I get there when ME drops me off, but I don't usually do any shopping. DH and I just go sit by the gate and read or look through all our pictures and wish we were still at the parks

We also get there whenever ME gets us there. But when we fly in, because we arrive early evening, we stay the night at Hyatt Regency. Then because we are still on UK time, we end up shopping in the Disney Store at 5am the next morning. It's a lovely peaceful time to shop!

We arrive around 2 hours before and get through the hellacious security lines...OMG. It was awful in May!!!

Then, we get a starbucks and finally catch back up with our email, work, etc....kinda boring. We don't hit the stores...

Add me to the list of people who get to MCO by ME. We also don't do any shopping. There's usually no room left in my suitcase anyways

I go straight through security. Security is always the worst at MCO b/c there are so many families and just generally clueless travelers. If the frequent/single/business traveler line is open, then I may browse the Disney and Seaworld store before going through. If not, I hope in line and find a bar at the other end to wait it out.

This is my MO for most airports though. I'd rather be through security and sitting on the other side, beer in hand, watching the people.

I also take the magical express. I usually will grab a bite to eat and then head through security. I don't do any shopping.

With us I sometimes get a car rental or other times I use ME, and the ritual is usually the same, get there EARLY!! If we use ME I always try to show up at the ME pickup location for our resort before the scheduled time and ask the driver if he has any open spots on the bus and we have never been told no. If we did get told no we would simply remain for our scheduled ME time. If we have a rental car, we try to get to the airport at least 3 hrs before departure, go through security and then sit and watch the ones who are rushing like crazy to get to their gate.

Its been so long since we got on an airplane , I forget if they even had security checks! I cant even remember how we got from the airport to the hotel.

Hey mrhub on your last flight wasn't Orville and Wilbur Wright your pilot and co-pilot?

ooh good one.

No , actually it was a young women named Amelia something, but we had to land and get directions, scrappy told her how to get to Florida, but she left without us and we haven't heard from her since! She still has our luggage!

There, now it's in the right thread!

Okay NOW it makes sense. (See my answer on the other thread!)

Don't know what your talking about Pirate girl! ( as I look around whistling) .