Your Orlando International Airport (MCO) Guide

With 39 airlines currently serving Orlando International Airport (airport code MCO), carrying both domestic and international passengers keen to visit the major attractions in the state, it can be a little tricky to navigate if you have never been there before. Fortunately we have some tips to help make your journey as easy as possible!

Before you even arrive at the airport you can see which of the two terminals (A or B) and airsides that your airline uses, by checking the airport’s website. With this information in mind, you can then check the terminal’s map, to make sure that you don’t get lost en route to the gate, as it’s easy to get confused by the large central area!

It is also worth downloading the official app for the airport – available for both Android and Apple devices – which becomes your pocket assistant, offering turn-by-turn in-terminal navigation, flight tracking, shopping and dining options and more. Fortunately there is free Wi-Fi access in all of the airport’s public areas labelled as MCO Internet on your device’s connections. If you don’t have a smartphone there are also several kiosks around the site which offer internet access to passengers.

Airport tip: While you are at the airport why not check out the artwork around the terminal? Orlando International has a permanent art collection which features exhibits from regional, national and international artists.

Before you arrive at Orlando International, please note that if you need a wheelchair, you should contact your airline in advance and they will be able to arrange for one to be provided for your use throughout the airport.

If you are arriving in the country for your holiday, and have already arranged a car for your trip (see out webpage for car hire), then the rental companies are located on level 1 of the terminal. You should also be able to rent on arrival, but there is no guarantee of this and you are likely to get a far better deal by booking in advance. Alternatively there are plenty of taxis waiting to take you to your destination!

For those heading out from Orlando, we suggest that you arrive early and check out the shops and restaurants on level 3 of the airport, as there is plenty to keep you occupied before your flight. If you have forgotten to pick up a souvenir or two for the family, this is the perfect chance – there are two Disney stores in the main terminal – Disney’s Earport in the East Hall where you can even trade your collectible Disney pins at the pin station, and Magic of Disney on the South Walk, which re-opened in January this year after moving locations due to redevelopment within the airport. While you are there, take a photo against the large screens outside the shop depicting scenes from around the park, and with the large Disney characters at the Earport!

If you need some last-minute Harry Potter goodies, then there are also two Universal stores – in the East and West Halls of the main terminal, where you will also find two Kennedy Space Center stores with gifts for the budding astronauts back home. If they don’t have what you are looking for in one store, ask and see if the other store has it! In the East Hall you also have the opportunity of looking around the SeaWorld store. If you have a sweet tooth, then a trip to Natalie’s Candy Jar should be on your itinerary! With more than 400 varieties on the shelf, you will be sure to find your new favourite flavour! All of these stores are open from 7am – 9pm, so there is plenty of time to pop in and look around.

Airport tip: We recommend arriving at the airport three hours before your flight is due to depart to give you time to get through security, as well as look around the airport and pick up some last-minute goodies.

If you spilt up to go shopping, the atrium fountain by the Hyatt Regency hotel on the east side of the terminal is a great location to reconvene, plus it is a pleasant spot to sit and relax and watch the world go by!

If you arrive with plenty of time to spare to avoid the last-minute airport rush and panic about where your passports are, you might want to stop for a bite to eat. There are plenty of choices around the airport catering to all tastes, with options ranging from light bites at Chick-fil-A or McDonalds, to a sit-down meal at one of the three Hyatt Regency hotel restaurants, or Macaroni Grill in the West Hall. You can even stop off for a beer and food at the City Pub, which is an Orlando City supporting sports bar that opened in February this year, where you can watch the matches as well as pick up some official team merchandise! When you pass the security and get airside, there are further restaurants and eateries such as Outback Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze or Burger King, though these vary depending on the location. It’s worth checking the menus of the restaurants that you will be able to access beforehand, so you can decide where you want to eat! Look and see what is available to you on the airport’s website.

Airport tip: When arriving at MCO and once you've been through immigration, you will have the option of having your luggage carried for you on the carousel over to the main terminal. However, many customers recommend that you take your luggage up the escalator with you, otherwise you will be waiting ages for it at the other end. 

Once you have finished with your shopping, it’s time to proceed past security! Standard security procedures apply here, so check the TSA site for a list of items that you can take on the flights. Remember no drinks can be taken through security, so finish them before queuing up! Also, check that none of your souvenirs contain liquids, and if they do you might have to check them in with your luggage – snow globes are a popular gift so you don’t want to be caught out and have to surrender them! Once past security you’ll be taken on a monorail to your gate. Make sure that you know your gate number though, as there are a choice of two monorails and if you get on the wrong one you’ll have to travel back and start over! While you are on the monorail, watch out for alligators sunning themselves in the ponds – they’ve be known to cause disruption to flights in the past!

Do you have any top tips you can suggest we recommend to passengers? Get in touch with us with your suggestions!