Aerial View when Flying into MCO?

[Fueledbycoffee]

One of my highlights of my trip Washington DC last year was seeing the monuments from the sky when I flew out of Reagan.

I have no sense of direction regarding Orlando, so I'm curious about the layout & flight patterns. Do you ever see Walt Disney World from the plane when you are using MCO?

 

[SaraJayne]

One of my highlights of my trip Washington DC last year was seeing the monuments from the sky when I flew out of Reagan.

I have no sense of direction regarding Orlando, so I'm curious about the layout & flight patterns. Do you ever see Walt Disney World from the plane when you are using MCO?

Not that I've ever seen, no, but we always come from the North. It may be different coming from southern FL.

 

[OKW Lover]

We've flown to MCO from the NorthEast too many times to count (say 80+) and I've only been able to see WDW from the plane a couple of times. Even at that it was way off in the distance and I could only pick out things like the Contemporary simply because I knew what to look for.

OTOH, a little more frequently we've been able to see WDW when departing MCO. This only happens when you take off to the South and the plane makes a right turn to head North. This depend more on what runway your airline uses (those to the east or west of the terminal) and which direction the wind is blowing, among factors.

 

[Greysword]

I don't think the flight pattern takes you over WDW at all. Since it is deep in the woods, you shouldn't see anything as you approach MCO.

 

[IlovePiglet]

I always look when we fly in or out of MCO but have never been able to see Disney.
When we flew to Seattle last week we flew right over where I work (I live in Orlando) so that was pretty neat.

 

[Traveliz]

Sitting forward and looking out of the right side of the plan I have clearly seen the Contemporary, GF, Poly and Bay Lake area. I have followed the road behind MK and found our condo. A few times leaving Orlando we have seen Epcot and some of their buildings.

Liz

 

[Tara]

I don't think I've ever seen WDW from the air when flying in from the northeast. However, I've had some great views of Cape Canaveral, including seeing the shuttle on the pad.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

One of my highlights of my trip Washington DC last year was seeing the monuments from the sky when I flew out of Reagan.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is very close to the landmarks of Washington, DC. The airport is practically downtown. So there can be great views.

Orlando International Airport is a substantial distance from Walt Disney World. Even if you sit on the right side, take off to the south, and then turn toward the west, you'll be high in the air before you get anywhere near Walt Disney World.

I've managed to make out Walt Disney World landmarks from departing flights, but the experience is nothing like you have at Reagan.

 

[PSUGuy]

Only once in 15 trips, in March 2006, JetBlue out of Newark, I clearly saw the Dolphin hotel, at which we were staying BTW, as we approached MCO. Once this was in view, Swan and Spaceship Earth were easy. We were in the left side.

Bill From PA

 

[DVC-Don]

I've heard of people seeing WDW from air, but I fly in and out of Orlando International a dozen times a year and have never see it myself.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Only once in 15 trips, in March 2006, JetBlue out of Newark, I clearly saw the Dolphin hotel, at which we were staying BTW, as we approached MCO. Once this was in view, Swan and Spaceship Earth were easy. We were in the left side.

You were landing from the south. I've landed from the south a few times, but usually we land from the north.

The runway direction depends on the wind direction.

I suppose someone could maximize their chance of seeing WDW from the air by reserving a left-side window seat (an "A" seat on most aircraft) for arrival and a right-side window seat (an "F" seat on most aircraft) for departure.

Even then, it would be a matter of luck. It would still depend on the runway direction, the pilot's route, and a clear sky (rather than having the view blocked by clouds).

And, even then, it would be a case of recognizing WDW lakes and tall WDW landmarks far below, not of being wowed by the view.