Travel Experts Calls Out the 2 Most CONFUSING Things About the Orlando Airport

Traveling can be stressful, especially when you’re flying! So you’ll want to look out for these things that can make your head spin at Orlando Airport.

Orlando International Airport

If you’re going to Disney World soon and if you’re flying, there’s a good chance you’re flying into the Orlando International Airport (MCO). Because I live further away from Orlando, I usually fly into MCO. Several times, while going through that airport, I noticed that two major issues can leave anyone confused.

1. The TSA Checks

There are several TSA security checkpoints and which one you go to will depend on your gate number. This can get pretty confusing, especially if you’re used to just checking which terminal you need to head to and then looking for your gate number.

MCO Airport

At Orlando Airport, you’ll want to make sure you go through the correct TSA so that you can head to the right area of the airport that has your gate. You will actually have to take a small form of transportation to get to your terminal, but more on that later.

Security lines!

The lines for TSA are known to be long at Orlando Airport, especially if you’re flying on a holiday. One way to avoid this is to use a free service! MCO Reserve is a skip-the-line service at the airport that lets you completely bypass the security line for FREE. You can schedule a time ahead of your trip to basically have an appointment at TSA. This is a must if you don’t have TSA precheck.

2. The Layout

The Orlando airport is BIG, and if you don’t know where you’re going (or even sometimes if you THINK you know where you’re going), you can get lost very easily. I’m used to a smaller airport, in comparison, it is much smaller compared to MCO.

Orlando International Airport

You’ll need to navigate a few different floors and possibly different terminals. Here’s a quick look at the Terminal A/B building…

©Orlando Airport

…and another at Terminal C.

©Orlando Airport

Once you get to the airport from your destination, you’ll need to take the Gate Link (a Monorail-type transportation service) from the gate buildings to one of those Terminal buildings. The Gate Links typically come every few minutes, and the ride only takes about a minute, so it’s not a big time suck. If you are flying into or out of Terminal C, you do not have to take a Gate Link unless you have a connecting flight leaving out of Terminal A or B.

Terminal C

Similar to multiple TSAs, you also want to make sure you get on the right Gate Link! Check the signs over the stop to make sure your airline is on there. If you do get on the wrong one, just hop back on and it will take you back. It’s not a huge deal — unless you’re running late for your flight!

Welcome to Orlando!

With a little bit of prior knowledge, navigating MCO can be done. We’re here to help you to have the best vacation, so be sure to follow us at DFB!

7 Things Orlando Airport Wishes You Knew When Traveling to Disney World

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