Arrived yesterday evening and enjoying our first full day in Orlando - morning at Hollywood Studios followed by afternoon swim back at our villa.
Just wanted to let others know that our indirect flights from LHR via MIA to MCO worked out really well - I know the relatively short layover has been a concern to others in the past.
The morning AA57 flight left about 15 mins late but touched down in Miami just past 2pm, leaving us 2hrs 15mins to make our connection. We made our way to the brand new immigration area and joined a line of about 200 people that moved fairly quickly. You then needed to pick a specific immigration lane - around 30 were open - with each having around 3 or 4 groups in front. In total it took us around 15 mins to pass immigration and head off to baggage claim.
We waited about 10-15 mins more for our bags; this was probably the most chaotic part of the whole journey, with flights changing to different claim areas causing a lot of switching around. Handed in customs form and left the area, and went around 100 metres before a nice guy from American called us over to drop the bags for the connecting flight. This was around 2.45pm, so still 90 mins or so until the connection was due to leave, so loads of time spare.
We went straight through security again in no time at all, and had a slow walk down to our gate, grabbing drinks and snacks along the way. Flight started boarding around 3.30pm, and went so well that we were ready to leave 15 mins early!
Landed an hour later at MCO - flight was a little longer as we had to skirt round some bad weather in the area. Straight off the plane, no long MCO immigration lines
straight to baggage claim - 5 mins wait, across the road to Dollar in the garage who had our name on the board, and a nice new Dodge minivan in parking bay 16. Our of the airport by 5.45pm...quickest exit, ever!
Anyhow...hope the above is useful for anyone flying through Miami. Looks like the new arrivals area is working well compared to before, and it should cope well with increasing numbers of arrivals.
Right...off to Olive Garden for dinner, and Fantasmic if the rain holds off
Just wanted to let others know that our indirect flights from LHR via MIA to MCO worked out really well - I know the relatively short layover has been a concern to others in the past.
The morning AA57 flight left about 15 mins late but touched down in Miami just past 2pm, leaving us 2hrs 15mins to make our connection. We made our way to the brand new immigration area and joined a line of about 200 people that moved fairly quickly. You then needed to pick a specific immigration lane - around 30 were open - with each having around 3 or 4 groups in front. In total it took us around 15 mins to pass immigration and head off to baggage claim.
We waited about 10-15 mins more for our bags; this was probably the most chaotic part of the whole journey, with flights changing to different claim areas causing a lot of switching around. Handed in customs form and left the area, and went around 100 metres before a nice guy from American called us over to drop the bags for the connecting flight. This was around 2.45pm, so still 90 mins or so until the connection was due to leave, so loads of time spare.
We went straight through security again in no time at all, and had a slow walk down to our gate, grabbing drinks and snacks along the way. Flight started boarding around 3.30pm, and went so well that we were ready to leave 15 mins early!
Landed an hour later at MCO - flight was a little longer as we had to skirt round some bad weather in the area. Straight off the plane, no long MCO immigration lines
straight to baggage claim - 5 mins wait, across the road to Dollar in the garage who had our name on the board, and a nice new Dodge minivan in parking bay 16. Our of the airport by 5.45pm...quickest exit, ever!Anyhow...hope the above is useful for anyone flying through Miami. Looks like the new arrivals area is working well compared to before, and it should cope well with increasing numbers of arrivals.
Right...off to Olive Garden for dinner, and Fantasmic if the rain holds off
Have done that one several times (though without bags) and never had a problem, other than that Miami is just about the most boring airport in the world 
