A Newbie's Guide to Orlando International Airport

[Carol97]

We're arriving at MCO around noon on a Saturday and staying at a WDW resort. We are planning on using ME and I know they will collect your luggage for you but I'm hesitant on not having my luggage with me or making sure that the airlines didn't loose them. So, we exit the airplane and head over to the shuttle to the main airport building. At that point, do I head over to the B side of the airport and down to Level 2 to collect our baggage? How do I know for certain that my luggage will be on the B side? We are flying in on Southwest. Thanks!!!

 

[goofy4tink]

We're arriving at MCO around noon on a Saturday and staying at a WDW resort. We are planning on using ME and I know they will collect your luggage for you but I'm hesitant on not having my luggage with me or making sure that the airlines didn't loose them. So, we exit the airplane and head over to the shuttle to the main airport building. At that point, do I head over to the B side of the airport and down to Level 2 to collect our baggage? How do I know for certain that my luggage will be on the B side? We are flying in on Southwest. Thanks!!!

If flying SW, your luggage won't be on Side B, it will be on Side A. So, this means you have to go down to level 2 on Side A (you arrive on level 3), collect your bags, then go back up to level 3 (there is no way to access Side B from level 2), then cross to the main area, go to Side B and down to level 1, ground transportation and over to DME. It's kind of a pain when arriving on Side A but getting luggage and taking it to Side B to get DME.

So, more simply put..
1. exit the plane
2. take shuttle to main terminal..Go to Side A area
3. go down to level 2 and get your luggage
4. go back up to level 3 and cross across to Side B
5. go down to level 1, ground transport, and down to DME

 

[disney.nut]

We are flying in on Delta. Can someone tell where to go to collect our bags and how to get to Disney Magic Express?

Thanks.

 

[goofy4tink]

We are flying in on Delta. Can someone tell where to go to collect our bags and how to get to Disney Magic Express?

Thanks.

You will arrive on level 3. Baggage claim is on level 2. I can't remember which side of the airport Delta uses. If it's Side A, then you get off the plane, take the monorail type shuttle to the main terminal. Go down to level 2 (baggage claim) on Side A. Get your bags, go back up to level 3 (where you arrived on the shuttle, cross over to Side B, and go down to level 1, ground transportation. DME is at the end of that area, on the right, bus driveway to the left.

If you arrive on Side B, take the shuttle to main terminal, go down to level 2, get your bags and continue on down to level 1 and DME area.

 

[carissa1970]

is there anywhere at MCO to pick up a few grocery items? probably not.

what about cans or bottles of soda? I am hesitant to ask about beer. yes we can get through a week without it, but we like it anyway. if we drive we bring our own.. if we fly, we usually pick some up at the HEss gas stations on WDW property.. but we are going to Universal for 3 nights first.

thanks!

I am curious about an answer to this. We plan to stay at the Hyatt the night before our cruise, and would like to take a towncar to port. Id like to pick up a few grocery items first, though.

 

[goofy4tink]

I am curious about an answer to this. We plan to stay at the Hyatt the night before our cruise, and would like to take a towncar to port. Id like to pick up a few grocery items first, though.

The vast majority of towncar companies will allow you a 30 min grocery stop if you have booked r/t with them. Check with the company that you intend to use.

 

[carissa1970]

Does anyone know anything about executive VIP limo? We got a quote from them that sounds pretty good for 6 of us. Just wondering about reputation.

 

[switch15foot]

Looking to purchase some alcohol upon arrival to MCO before boarding DME, flying in from Toronto. Is duty free an option? And if so, where would it be located.

 

[SpecialistSarah]

Hi all

I am a Disney Cast Member, and I will be flying from CA to meet my family that lives in Chicago. We will be meeting all together at MCO.

We are also on different airlines. I am on American, they are on Southwest.

I assume there is only ONE Magical Express area, and all passengers go to the same place? i am hoping that the busses dont pick up at each and every terminal for each airline.

if that would be the unfortunate case, I will send my family on without me. We only land within 10 minutes of each other.

Can anyone help me with this? We arrive on 1/17. Thanks

 

[Trip 2 Disney]

Hi all

I am a Disney Cast Member, and I will be flying from CA to meet my family that lives in Chicago. We will be meeting all together at MCO.

We are also on different airlines. I am on American, they are on Southwest.

I assume there is only ONE Magical Express area, and all passengers go to the same place? i am hoping that the busses dont pick up at each and every terminal for each airline.

if that would be the unfortunate case, I will send my family on without me. We only land within 10 minutes of each other.

Can anyone help me with this? We arrive on 1/17. Thanks

It's been a few years since we went (2011) but there was only ONE Magical Express area that all passengers went to.

 

[goofy4tink]

Hi all

I am a Disney Cast Member, and I will be flying from CA to meet my family that lives in Chicago. We will be meeting all together at MCO.

We are also on different airlines. I am on American, they are on Southwest.

I assume there is only ONE Magical Express area, and all passengers go to the same place? i am hoping that the busses dont pick up at each and every terminal for each airline.

if that would be the unfortunate case, I will send my family on without me. We only land within 10 minutes of each other.

Can anyone help me with this? We arrive on 1/17. Thanks

Yes, DME uses just one area.....level 1, Side B. If anyone arrives on Side A of the airport, they will have to cross the middle of the airport and head to Side B, then go down to level 1...they arrived on level 3, and baggage claim is on level 2.
The only fly in the ointment could be if they didn't tag their bags with the yellow DME tags, and they arrive on Side A. If that happens, they have to go down to level 2, Side A..get their bags. Then, back up to level 3, Side A, cross over to Side B, and down to level 1 for DME. Not a big deal but something that you need to know...just in case.

 

[3happydancers]

In need of information departing from MCO. DSIL is flying SWA and using DME. She will check her luggage in at the resort. I want to give her simple directions from DME drop off, thru security, and to her gate (which she will get once at the airport). Does she?

-DME drop off: take escalator or elevator to 3rd floor (If this, which way doe she walk to get to security)
-Go thru security
-Take Tram to Airside
-Find her gate

She is flying alone and has never gone thru MCO. Thanks for your help!

 

[Dax]

For those that prefer Dunkin Donuts, it has finally opened at the Main Terminal at MCO. You can find it near gates 1-59. They are open till 10:30p, but I am hearing they are going 24hrs soon. They also are franchised owned, the prices are on par with stores outside the airport, and they accept DD cards.

Krispy Kreme will be closing soon as well.

 

[lidec]

This post said that rental cars are on both sides of the airport. When we go to get a rental car we always go to the left side. Does anyone know if one side has more cars than the other? Twice we had to wait at Budget for them to get a minivan from the other side of the airport which took about 45 mins

 

[jh91]

For those that prefer Dunkin Donuts, it has finally opened at the Main Terminal at MCO. You can find it near gates 1-59. They are open till 10:30p, but I am hearing they are going 24hrs soon. They also are franchised owned, the prices are on par with stores outside the airport, and they accept DD cards.

Krispy Kreme will be closing soon as well.

sad about KK Closing

 

[ngchiro]

I always get turned around. My kids lead the way usually.

 

[Dcheftimmins]

We are traveling from Canada. This year as something different we chose to fly to New York then take the Amtrack to Orlando. What do you think ?

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm not sure what this has to do with the airport.

 

[Dcheftimmins]

I was just giving an alternative airport for Canadians with an alternative route with the train. Just thought I would share

 

[Dax]

This post said that rental cars are on both sides of the airport. When we go to get a rental car we always go to the left side. Does anyone know if one side has more cars than the other? Twice we had to wait at Budget for them to get a minivan from the other side of the airport which took about 45 mins

Late to the party on this, but let me answer this in case you still had questions....While there are cars on both A and B, the amount of cars to pick from at any given time can vary day to day, and hour to hour, based on incoming flights and the amount of people. It may not hurt to have someone check out the aisle on the opposite side of the terminal just to see what is out there. When I rented last Aug, I originally went to the B side, as it was closest to my office. After not seeing anything good on the aisle, I went to the A side, found a much better selection and a good car that I wanted. So it all depends.