5 hour layover at MCO

[cmorris303]

My friend has a 5 hour and 49 min layover at MCO during her trip from Philly to Austin. It's 2 adults. Any suggestions of what she can do? It seems like a long time to stay within the secure areas, but the security lines are always so long.

 

[caylene44]

I would look into a day pass for a lounge (or see if your friend has already has lounge eligibility like something through priority pass but I would assume your friend would know about that already). Lounge Buddy is good for looking up lounge info.

Could also eat at a restaurant, shop the Disney/Universal/other stores in the airport, bring or buy a book and read, bring an iPad or laptop to watch, etc.

6ish hours might be enough time to leave and come back (especially if they have TSA pre-check but I'm assuming they don't based on what you wrote) but I'm not sure what they would even want to leave to do.

 

[cmorris303]

I would look into a day pass for a lounge (or see if your friend has already has lounge eligibility like something through priority pass but I would assume your friend would know about that already). Lounge Buddy is good for looking up lounge info.

Could also eat at a restaurant, shop the Disney/Universal/other stores in the airport, bring or buy a book and read, bring an iPad or laptop to watch, etc.

6ish hours might be enough time to leave and come back (especially if they have TSA pre-check but I'm assuming they don't based on what you wrote) but I'm not sure what they would even want to leave to do.

Thanks for the info on the lounge. She's going to look into it. I agree that I don't even know what they would leave and do and if it would be worth it.

 

[pixiedustedme]

Imo that is not enough time to leave the airport and do anything worthwhile in the Orlando area. Agree with a PP that her best bet is to get a pass to an airport lounge, have a good book or electronic device, and while away her time that way.

 

[Capt_BJ]

hotel in airport does day rooms

hidden tip: take the escl' or elevator up to the desk area of the airport hotel ... there is a large lounge area up here with sofas and easy chairs. Good place to stake out a corner ... there are outlets to be found for chargers. You're away from traffic and it is quieter than most areas and close to food court and shops ... but it IS outside of security

 

[jennyq87]

I'd be hesitant to leave the secure areas since MCO security lines can be such a mess -- not quite enough time to make it worth it. We've spent hours at Cask & Larder in the Southwest terminal. Great food, drinks & desserts! I'm always happy to kill some time there.

 

[brianj320]

roughly 6 hours is a long time to stay within the the gate-hubs at MCO. while some are better than others with their amenities, it can get boring very quickly. certainly a day-pass for a lounge would be a great option as you are secluded and can rest/relax and get food and drinks without the mess. the terminals do offer a wide variety of shopping and restaurants which is a good way to kill time. i recommend the hotel bar/lounge as well! just keep an eye on the time and allow enough of a cushion to get back through security if need-be.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I'd be hesitant to leave the secure areas since MCO security lines can be such a mess -- not quite enough time to make it worth it. We've spent hours at Cask & Larder in the Southwest terminal. Great food, drinks & desserts! I'm always happy to kill some time there.

To visit Cask and Larder that would only work if they are flying out on a gate located where Cask and Larder is located. Security won't let you through if your flight is not taking off from the airside were Cask and Larder is located. And 6 hrs is plenty of time to go outside of security and go up to the hotel and relax in their lobby. Grab a bit to eat there and pass the time. McCoy's Bar and Grill is in the lobby and has great sandwiches and opens at 11.am. One the web page for the MCO Hyatt the bar is the area located on the far right of the picture. It has a large seating area with tables that overlooks into the airport atrium.

 

[bumbershoot]

I just looked up the drive time, because that layover plus the flying time had me kinda losing it, thinking about it. But I guess 16 hours driving (right now as I type) would be a bit longer than 7+ hours waiting and flying.

She should look up other flights on her airline that leave before that, just in case there’s a change in her flights that allows her to change to something else.

 

[LadyBeBop]

We've done something similar after a cruise. Although it wasn't a layover between flights, it was after a cruise out of Port Canaveral. Our chartered bus dropped us at MCO about 10:00, and our plane didn't take off until 4. Not chancing security, we were well inside the confined area by 10:30. We had lunch at Outback Express, then sat around our gate, watching Netflix and playing video games on our phone until 3:30 (boarding time). Boring, but we survived.

 

[_19disnA]

Is there a reason they chose a flight with a longer layover then the total flying time? Seems an awfully long time for layover, regardless of where they are going.

 

[cruisin5]

Google "The Club MCO". Reviews are mixed but for $40/pp it may be worth it.

I recommend they travel with limited stuff to carry. I ended up delayed at Dulles for 5 hours with a weekender shoulder bag, oh my, it was so heavy, really limited my ability to walk around. It was fascinating walking through the international terminal - flights to Korea, Moscow, Emirates Airbus 380. More interesting food options at that terminal too.

While not cheap, there are spas!

 

[Searc]

I'd be hesitant to leave the secure areas since MCO security lines can be such a mess -- not quite enough time to make it worth it. We've spent hours at Cask & Larder in the Southwest terminal. Great food, drinks & desserts! I'm always happy to kill some time there.

Almost 6 hours is MORE than enough time to leave the secured area and come back. MCO security is bad, but it isn't that bad.

 

[rigs32]

I spent about 2 hours at The Club. They had some hearty soups, a small salad bar, some snacks (dried fruit, etc), fruit, tea sandwiches, and cookies. They also had self serve coffee, tea, and soda. The bar had some ok wine and beer but I was surprised at the liquor selection. I had a couple glasses of sparkling wine and then some Johnny Walker Red along with a light dinner during my layover.

 

[Capt_BJ]

it is easy to keep track of the TSA wait times . . .

If using the Hyatt lounge I mentioned just peak over the railing!

TSA has a site: https://www.tsawaittimes.com/security-wait-times/MCO/Orlando-International

and an APP: https://www.tsa.gov/mobile

while wait times at MCO CAN get long ... most of the time they aren't. Website right now says 7 minutes .....

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

it is easy to keep track of the TSA wait times . . .

If using the Hyatt lounge I mentioned just peak over the railing!

TSA has a site: https://www.tsawaittimes.com/security-wait-times/MCO/Orlando-International

and an APP: https://www.tsa.gov/mobile

while wait times at MCO CAN get long ... most of the time they aren't. Website right now says 7 minutes .....

Keep in mind peeking over the railing will only be useful if they are flying out of gates 70-129 because gates 1-59 at all the way at the other end of the airport and not viewable from the Hyatt because of the long hallway with the shopping center/ food court that separate the two sides of the airport.