2024.11 Air Canada Rouge Orlando to Toronto in Premium Rouge
Like all things, our week in Florida had come to its end. After checking out of the timeshare we still had most of the day to enjoy in sunny warm Florida.
Downtown Disney
After stopping at a few stores we returned to Downtown Disney for a second visit. Christmas was in full effect.
Normally, Disney is busy. Yet visiting during a major US holiday it’s a different level. There were so many people, that the bridge from the parking garage to the entrance was filled with people waiting to get into Downtown Disney.
There is no shortage of options, and if your budget has more zeros, Disney has options to empty those wallets too.
We didn’t get to Epcot, but the main gift store has everything for sale, including these cute mugs.
We made a final stop at a grocery store to stock up on items before heading to the airport. That required us to rearrange most of the luggage in the store’s parking lot. I provided vital assistance helped by holding the bags and keeping track of what was left to be repacked.
With the luggage successfully rearranged, we headed to the airport, returned the rental car, and hauled our things to check-in. Originally when I booked the flight using Aeroplan points this was an Air Canada flight operating an Airbus A330. For about a two or three hour flight that would have meant lie-flat seats. Who doesn’t want to be spoiled?
Never fear, plane switches appear. Not only were we on a different plane, but also it was switched to be an Air Canada Rouge flight. Oh well. At least we had tickets that included enough checked luggage for all our purchases. Check-in was entertaining as an individual in front of us had a piece of luggage that was overflowing, and was no where near the carry-on limitations. When the agent requested the person to prove that the suitcase would fit in the carry-on sizing bin, the individual confidently said “Oh it fits. It fit when I flew down here.” We were then treated to a human reenactment of a cartoon character who is trying to push something very large into a much smaller space. No cartoon logic to make it work, instead halfway through the attempt, the passenger happily claimed “See. It’s fine”. He beamed with the suitcase hanging out of the metal container as if it was the next piece of artwork that Sotheby’s would sell for millions. Obviously, the suitcase had to be checked, much to his protests.
Once his overstuffed suitcase was tagged and sent with checked luggage it was our turn. We had a good laugh with the agent about the difference between the expectation “It’ll fit.” and the reality. Once our pile of luggage was successfully checked, security was a breeze and from there we took the train to one group of the gates. Within the area was a contract lounge called “The Club MCO”.
The Club MCO
This contract lounge is upstairs from the main portion of the terminal. We arrived to find out there was a wait list. The wait wasn’t long. We spent the time on a bench near some stores. I found it ironic that the main portion of the terminal was relatively quiet, and I was trying to get us into an area that was at capacity.
Once inside, the lounge was an okay size, but as advertised was busy. We found a couple oversized leather chairs facing a TV to settle down. We didn’t have to stay too long as the lounge closed at 9pm. The selection of snacks wasn’t important to us as we already had dinner, but a few snacks and something to drink is always accepted.
I tried to snap a few pictures as we left, however the lounge truly was busy. The pictures below aren’t the best, however do show that the space had a variety of seats available.
We had plenty of time to walk to our gate, and passed something that needed to be captured:
Air Canada Rouge Orlando to TOronto
We left the lounge when they started to make announcements of its impending closure. It was hard to miss our gate — we were the only departing flight out of 5 gates at the end of the terminal. We took a seat and did some people watching before boarding commenced. By 9:30pm pre-boarding was completed and we were able to board.
By ten to ten boarding was complete. Jamal the service director did his introduction, and then from the flight deck, Colin the first officer did the welcome message on behalf of the Captain Jules. Once the messages were over, the doors were closed, a manual safety demonstration was performed during the pushback
Air Canada Rouge, AC1679, Airbus A321
Scheduled departure: 10:15pm
Scheduled arrival: 01:07(+1)am
Seats 1D&F
By 10:15pm the plane arrived at runway 35L and took off with no delay. It was a smooth climb and in less than 10 minutes the seatbelt sign was turned off. By 10:45, the drink cart came by.
Since I had the pleasure of driving home, I had some tea to help keep me awake. About a half hour later dinner service began.
The chicken and rice was good as a snack, and I enjoyed the dessert.
By midnight the flight deck announced the 30 minute warning, and sure enough we touched down right on time. As usual, we had a long taxi to terminal one and our gate. Once the door opened, it was a breeze through CBSA, and once the luggage belt started our suitcases were quick to arrive. Another great trip. And the next one would be less than two months away!
Explore other parts of this trip:
Part 1 – Air Canada lounge and Flight Toronto to Orlando
Part 2 – Animal Kingdom & Downtown Disney
Part 3 – Magic Kingdom – Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Part 5 – Universal Parks, two parks, one day
Part 6 – Flight home (this post!)