A Newbie's Guide to Orlando International Airport

[Larrue0915]

Have an airport question. Someone is meeting us halfway thru the trip. Actually he arrives Mon at 710pm. The dilemma we have dinner reservations at Cinderellas castle at 810pm. If he doesn't have anything except a carryon is it possible for us to pick him up (we will have our own car as we are driving), and make it to join the other 5 people for the reservation? How long does it take to go from airport to MK? Thanks in advance.

 

[Dax]

Have an airport question. Someone is meeting us halfway thru the trip. Actually he arrives Mon at 710pm. The dilemma we have dinner reservations at Cinderellas castle at 810pm. If he doesn't have anything except a carryon is it possible for us to pick him up (we will have our own car as we are driving), and make it to join the other 5 people for the reservation? How long does it take to go from airport to MK? Thanks in advance.

You will not make it. Its a 30-40 min drive at least, barring no traffic. Then you have to actually get INTO Mk and to the castle, another 30min at least

 

[goofy4tink]

Have an airport question. Someone is meeting us halfway thru the trip. Actually he arrives Mon at 710pm. The dilemma we have dinner reservations at Cinderellas castle at 810pm. If he doesn't have anything except a carryon is it possible for us to pick him up (we will have our own car as we are driving), and make it to join the other 5 people for the reservation? How long does it take to go from airport to MK? Thanks in advance.

Have to agree with Dax....if their plane lands, ontime, at 7:10, they aren't even going to be off the plane until about 7:20-7:25ish. It always takes an addtl 10 mins to get to the gate. Then, 10 mins from the gate to the meeting point, at least 35 mins to TTC, park, and about 15-20 mins to get from parking lot to MK. Now, it's taken about 8:15, at best. Just isn't going to happen.

 

[pinkxray]

It's looks like we are going to be stuck doing a 6:50 pm fight on our next trip. Does the Hyatt still offer the rate to use the room for the afternoon?

 

[Jackie123]

Wow this was great information I just visted Disney land in March and I totally agree with all of this information! It is fantastic.

Oh I rented a car from sixt and they are not on your list.

I am so looking forward to my next vacation to Orlando! This is an awesome place to get information.

 

[Dax]

Airline move update....

Spirit, Frontier, and SunCountry will all be moving to Airside 4(90's gates) within the next 2 weeks. Please be aware

 

[MsHershey]

Complete newbie here. First time flying and first time going to Disney! I am soooo excited about both events. I will be flying into MCO on Southwest. Would someone be kind enough to give me step by step instructions from departing the plane to finding DME. Like I said I am completely new to this and have NO idea what to do.

Thanks.

 

[cuteanfluffy]

i've read most of the posts in here so i think i have it right just want to make sure. We arrive via delta so thats terminal b we are use DME and do not need to go to baggage claim so we continue to B and down to level 1 to DME. Is that a correct sum up?
Thank you in advance.

 

[goofy4tink]

Complete newbie here. First time flying and first time going to Disney! I am soooo excited about both events. I will be flying into MCO on Southwest. Would someone be kind enough to give me step by step instructions from departing the plane to finding DME. Like I said I am completely new to this and have NO idea what to do.

Thanks.

i've read most of the posts in here so i think i have it right just want to make sure. We arrive via delta so thats terminal b we are use DME and do not need to go to baggage claim so we continue to B and down to level 1 to DME. Is that a correct sum up?
Thank you in advance.

Okay....SW will dump you on Side A, and Delta on Side B. BUT....when you get off the tram, you'll be in almost the same spot. So.....head to the center as you exit the tram area. If you look up, you'll see two big ole neon signs...Side A and Side B on opposite sides of that area. You want to head to Side B. I usually take the escalator down to level 2, baggage claim area. If you have tagged your checked bags with your yellow DME tags, there is no need to stop here. (if you're on SW and you didn't tag your bags?? You need to get them on Side A baggage claim before heading to Side B).
Then walk across to the next escalator..it's across the way a bit, to the right past the bank of elevators if I remember correctly. This will take me to level 1.
Go to the left and keep on truckin'...you'll pass car rental counters on your right, the outside area to your left. You'll go past Mears, on the right. Now, you're just about at the DME.
It's all very easy.

 

[MsHershey]

Okay....SW will dump you on Side A, and Delta on Side B. BUT....when you get off the tram, you'll be in almost the same spot. So.....head to the center as you exit the tram area. If you look up, you'll see two big ole neon signs...Side A and Side B on opposite sides of that area. You want to head to Side B. I usually take the escalator down to level 2, baggage claim area. If you have tagged your checked bags with your yellow DME tags, there is no need to stop here. (if you're on SW and you didn't tag your bags?? You need to get them on Side A baggage claim before heading to Side B).
Then walk across to the next escalator..it's across the way a bit, to the right past the bank of elevators if I remember correctly. This will take me to level 1.
Go to the left and keep on truckin'...you'll pass car rental counters on your right, the outside area to your left. You'll go past Mears, on the right. Now, you're just about at the DME.
It's all very easy.

I agree, it sounds very easy. Thanks!

 

[hill6]

Does Spirit come in on the A or B side? Thanks. We just booked and not even sure if we will get our ME info before we go.

 

[goofy4tink]

According to the MCO official site map, Spirit is arriving on Side B.

 

[hill6]

According to the MCO official site map, Spirit is arriving on Side B.

Thanks. I was looking at it on my Ipad and it wasn't displaying the info for the airport on it. A week from now we will be in Orlando.

 

[alicia080979]

This is our first time flying to Disney so I'm not sure exactly how DME works but can you tell me IF and HOW this would work I would really appreciate it. We are flying AirTran on a Thurs at 9:27am arrival. I have to have a car at Disney but I also really want to ride MagicExpress just for the experience. My sweet DH said that he would pick up the rental car and meet us at the resort so my mom & I could ride DME. We will have 2 checked bags but I am really worried about not having my luggage so I wanted to get it myself. We are also flying with friends (same flight, resort, etc.). Her DH said he didn't want to get the rental car alone so I doubt they will be doing DME (unless they let my mom & I take their 2 kids bc they really want to).

Can some people take DME and some not in the same group? From what I have read in the thread this is my plan:
Arrive, take the tram to main building (we should be on side B I think). Go down one level on side B and pick up our checked bags. Then go down to level 1. At this point we are all still together. Walk past the rental car counters and leave DH & our friends (they may have a different rental company but I think we are using Alamo) to get the rental cars and leave luggage with them. My mom & I keep going to DME area and take the bus to POFQ.

Does this sound like it would work? Are we going to be wasting a lot of time by taking DME? Is it worth taking just to experience it? I HATE flying but in my own crazy little way this would make it worth it, lol (nevermind arriving in 2 hours instead of 15+). I typically do all of the driving around Disney and DH is not so great with directions...is it easy to get out of the airport and to Disney?

Thanks for all the help!!

 

[goofy4tink]

This is our first time flying to Disney so I'm not sure exactly how DME works but can you tell me IF and HOW this would work I would really appreciate it. We are flying AirTran on a Thurs at 9:27am arrival. I have to have a car at Disney but I also really want to ride MagicExpress just for the experience. My sweet DH said that he would pick up the rental car and meet us at the resort so my mom & I could ride DME. We will have 2 checked bags but I am really worried about not having my luggage so I wanted to get it myself. We are also flying with friends (same flight, resort, etc.). Her DH said he didn't want to get the rental car alone so I doubt they will be doing DME (unless they let my mom & I take their 2 kids bc they really want to).

Can some people take DME and some not in the same group? From what I have read in the thread this is my plan:
Arrive, take the tram to main building (we should be on side B I think). Go down one level on side B and pick up our checked bags. Then go down to level 1. At this point we are all still together. Walk past the rental car counters and leave DH & our friends (they may have a different rental company but I think we are using Alamo) to get the rental cars and leave luggage with them. My mom & I keep going to DME area and take the bus to POFQ.

Does this sound like it would work? Are we going to be wasting a lot of time by taking DME? Is it worth taking just to experience it? I HATE flying but in my own crazy little way this would make it worth it, lol (nevermind arriving in 2 hours instead of 15+). I typically do all of the driving around Disney and DH is not so great with directions...is it easy to get out of the airport and to Disney?

Thanks for all the help!!

Your plan is fine!! The way to WDW is very well marked....even a dh should be able to find it!! And yes, some of you can take DME while others go off in a rental car.
I love using DME...for me it's a no brainer, but I am one of those who doesn't have an issue with the buses while at WDW!!!

 

[smidgy]

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!

 

[ksromack]

We're flying SW and have a split stay......first night is at Royal Pacific Resort as we are spending 2 days at UO/IOA, so DME will only be utilized on the return trip back to MCO.

I'm still undecided as to what the best mode of transportation would be for us to get to RPR. Price wise our options seem similar......does anyone have any opinions for me? Airportshuttles dot com quotes a price of $32 and Mears $38. We leave in 17 days so I'm wanting to get this figured out Thanks for any help!

 

[Canooknic]

Our flight arrives just before midnight, will DME be ok at this time? We are bringing our 4yr old twins (staying at POR) and I'm worried about too much waiting around when they are going to be incredibly tired - would anyone recommend getting a taxi instead?

 

[goofy4tink]

Our flight arrives just before midnight, will DME be ok at this time? We are bringing our 4yr old twins (staying at POR) and I'm worried about too much waiting around when they are going to be incredibly tired - would anyone recommend getting a taxi instead?

DME will be up and running...it runs pretty much 24/7. It may take a bit longer, but it could also be faster. There is really no way of knowing before hand. The one thing to keep in mind is that you will have to go to baggage claim and get your own bags. DME stops baggage transfer at 10pm and resumes around 6-7am.

 

[hpriamson]

Newbie here. Great thread. One piece of information about MCO that I thought would be useful - you can't buy gum anywhere in the airport. So if you or your kids need gum to help with ear popping, make sure you have some in your carryon before you get there. Luckily we found the half-pack left from our flight down, so my 7 year old didn't spend the flight in tears.