A Newbie's Guide to Orlando International Airport

Can someone give me an estimate (I know that changes with traffic, etc.) of approximate time to drive from the airport to WDW, specifically the Beach Club? We will have a rental car. Thanks!
 
It's about 30 mins...give or take, depending on traffic.
 
Newbie here so please forgive if this has been asked (i tried to search but too many different items came up). WE are flying into MCO the night before our cruise and staying at the Hyatt. The next morning we are supposed to catch Disney transportation directly to the port. Do we go to the same area as described in this post (DME)? If so, how will we know which line to stand in for cruise transportation? Never been in this airport or on a cruise
 


I have seen Disney Cruise CMs in the main terminal area, directing guests. I would ask over on the Cruise Boards....lots of great info to be had there.
 
This will be our first time flying Southwest into MCO instead of US Air. We found it very easy to get to the Magical Express counter fro the US Air gates in Terminal B. Since SW is located in Terminal A, how easy is it to get from Terminal A to Terminal B and the ME location? Can you get to Magical Express without leaving Terminal A or is the only ME location in Terminal B?
 
jhaig said:
This will be our first time flying Southwest into MCO instead of US Air. We found it very easy to get to the Magical Express counter fro the US Air gates in Terminal B. Since SW is located in Terminal A, how easy is it to get from Terminal A to Terminal B and the ME location? Can you get to Magical Express without leaving Terminal A or is the only ME location in Terminal B?
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It's really not a huge issue unless you have to claim your bags. So, yes, you do have to head over to Side B in order to get the bus. But, that just means crossing over through the center of the main terminal once you are off the tram from the gate. Look up, overhead, and you'll see the bright neon Side B. Head there. Go down to level 1 and look for DME.
If you do, for some reason, have to claim your bags, you will take the tram from your gate, stay on Side A, go down to level 2 (you arrived on level 3), go to baggage claim, get your bags. Go back up to level 3, cross through the main terminal to Side B and go down to level 1..ground transportation, and find DME.
The buses will be on your left, the rental counters on your right. Keep on walking to the end of the area, go to the bus podium, and get checked in.
Do NOT head right outside when you see the buses!!! I watch so many people get to level 1, see the DME outside, and then head there vs going to the checkin area first. There really should be better signage down there!!!
 


goofy4tink said:
It's really not a huge issue unless you have to claim your bags. So, yes, you do have to head over to Side B in order to get the bus. But, that just means crossing over through the center of the main terminal once you are off the tram from the gate. Look up, overhead, and you'll see the bright neon Side B. Head there. Go down to level 1 and look for DME.
If you do, for some reason, have to claim your bags, you will take the tram from your gate, stay on Side A, go down to level 2 (you arrived on level 3), go to baggage claim, get your bags. Go back up to level 3, cross through the main terminal to Side B and go down to level 1..ground transportation, and find DME.
The buses will be on your left, the rental counters on your right. Keep on walking to the end of the area, go to the bus podium, and get checked in.
Do NOT head right outside when you see the buses!!! I watch so many people get to level 1, see the DME outside, and then head there vs going to the checkin area first. There really should be better signage down there!!!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. No bags to check thanks to ME. So it's gate, tram, then cut across the center to B, go to level B1, get checked in, and get on the bus.
 
We have never flown out of MCO in the Morning. Our flight is at 8:20 am and we will be staying really close to the airport. We will have checked bags through delta. Was wondering what type of congestion there is at 6 am on a Wednesday morning. If we arrive at 6 will we have plenty of time?
 
Disneyfanatic108 said:
We have never flown out of MCO in the Morning. Our flight is at 8:20 am and we will be staying really close to the airport. We will have checked bags through delta. Was wondering what type of congestion there is at 6 am on a Wednesday morning. If we arrive at 6 will we have plenty of time?
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Since it's usually recommended to be at an airport at least 2 hours before your flight leaves and you're going to be there more than 2 hours in advance, I can't imagine that you wouldn't have plenty of time.
 
cheermom2four said:
Newbie here so please forgive if this has been asked (i tried to search but too many different items came up). WE are flying into MCO the night before our cruise and staying at the Hyatt. The next morning we are supposed to catch Disney transportation directly to the port. Do we go to the same area as described in this post (DME)? If so, how will we know which line to stand in for cruise transportation? Never been in this airport or on a cruise
Click to expand...

The DCL transportation is in the same area as DME. However, it is to the right of the DME check ins (right before DME). It is a smaller area and the CMs have on different uniforms (more nautical I think). BTW this is all from memory from a couple of years ago.
 
Here's my MCO question:

I know there are moving sidewalks on Level 3 to help you get from one end of the terminal to the other (going longways). Are there moving sidewalks or anything similar on B-side Level 1?

I'm planning to fly Delta for the first time next year and I know from looking at their flights that they use the gates numbered in the 70s. These are on the B side, but at the far distant longways end from DME. I'm just thinking I might be better off when I get off the plane to go the length of the terminal bldg on level 3, then go down to level 1 at the end closer to DME. Does that make sense? Or am I completely misremembering and misreading the airport maps?
 
karly05 said:
Here's my MCO question:

I know there are moving sidewalks on Level 3 to help you get from one end of the terminal to the other (going longways). Are there moving sidewalks or anything similar on B-side Level 1?

I'm planning to fly Delta for the first time next year and I know from looking at their flights that they use the gates numbered in the 70s. These are on the B side, but at the far distant longways end from DME. I'm just thinking I might be better off when I get off the plane to go the length of the terminal bldg on level 3, then go down to level 1 at the end closer to DME. Does that make sense? Or am I completely misremembering and misreading the airport maps?
Click to expand...
Yes, you could take the moving walkway to the other end of Level 3, and then go down to Level 1. I've done that when flying Delta. When I started flying JB, I usually took the moving walkway.....wrongly!!! I always forgot that I was now on the correct end for DME!!! Took me forever to readjust my thinking and just go right when I got to the main terminal!!! Your plan should work very well.
 
goofy4tink said:
Yes, you could take the moving walkway to the other end of Level 3, and then go down to Level 1. I've done that when flying Delta. When I started flying JB, I usually took the moving walkway.....wrongly!!! I always forgot that I was now on the correct end for DME!!! Took me forever to readjust my thinking and just go right when I got to the main terminal!!! Your plan should work very well.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I'm used to flying American, which comes in on the A side but at the end of the terminal closest to DME, so it was just a short walk across. I don't think I'd even seen the food court until I intentionally went there to grab some lunch last year.
 
Are most of the shopping and dining options at MCO located after the security checkpoints?
 
The vast majority of the shops are before security, in the central area of the airport. There are some shops after security though, as well as some dining options.
 
goofy4tink said:
The vast majority of the shops are before security, in the central area of the airport. There are some shops after security though, as well as some dining options.
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I was trying to remember if the Chick Fil A was before or after security. We got stuck in a long security line last trip and almost missed our flight so I want to allow plenty of time this time around.
 
I checked the MCO info map....it show Chick Fil A in the main part of the airport, before security.
 
I looked at the map but can't figure this out... I'm hoping someone can answer this for me. I'm flying in on Southwest - Terminal A. My sisters are flying in on United Terminal B. Since I fly in first I'd like to be at their gate to greet them. Is it possible for me to go from one terminal to the other without leaving security? or will I just have to meet them at magical express?

(If I can do it - I want to do something special/funny for when they get off the plane lol)
 
Nope. You can't get to a gate other than those in your side of the airport. You would have to go through security.
So, meeting them in the dme is the easiest idea. You could be there when they get into the main central part of the airport, but there is always a chance of missing them!!
 
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