Arriving at Orlando airport

[jrparkin]

I'm now 8 days away from my holiday of a lifetime!

I just need somebody to check my instructions for what I do at the airport to get to Magical Express

I'm an international guest flying with Virgin so I'm assuming I will arrive at A Side. I have to do the following;

- Claim my luggage

- Pick up my gift card from the Virgin store near Carousel 8A

- Clear customs

- Return luggage to carousel to be delivered to main terminal.

- Go on the tram to the main terminal

- Pick up luggage again

- Go to ME welcome center on B Side Level 1

- Get on bus and turn into a four year old

Have I got this right (this was gleaned from the extensive e-mail, I got with my reservation)

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

If your luggage is manageable then you can always keep it with you on the monorail. We did this a few years ago and it saved us quite a bit if time

 

[flortlebap]

I would say it's more like:

Clear customs and immigration
Monorail to the baggage claim (or is it bags then monorail?)
Claim luggage(?)
Pick up gift card
Find the MDE queue and get on the bus

I don't think I've had to twice claim my bags but I could be wrong?!

I may have missed something there - I'm usually pretty tired by the time we land so my memory isn't the best

Ps it's a big airport and there's more than one level but it's not tricky to navigate.

 

[Elise79]

Ok - you doing the following;

Clear immigration
Collect baggage and clear customs
Now you can drop bags back off to reclaim at the main terminal or take it with you if you can manage.
Take monorail to main terminal
Go to Side A level one and collect gift card
Go back to level 3 and cross to side B
Go to level 1 and follow signs for ME
Go to the desk and they will set up for getting on the bus!

 

[Fommt2]

I would definitely recommend keeping your luggage in the train if you can manage it. There is plenty of room on the train and it's a very short journey, otherwise you will be waiting for ages to reclaim your bags.
Don't forget the 200 dollar voucher, if you leave the airport I can't be claimed back

 

[2Tiggies]

My favorite picture walk through for arrivals is from MCO's own website.

Arriving at MCO

 

[jrparkin]

Ok - you doing the following;

Clear immigration
Collect baggage and clear customs
Now you can drop bags back off to reclaim at the main terminal or take it with you if you can manage.
Take monorail to main terminal
Go to Side A level one and collect gift card
Go back to level 3 and cross to side B
Go to level 1 and follow signs for ME
Go to the desk and they will set up for getting on the bus!

Thanks for that. I will be writing this down because I'll probably forget all the steps if I don't. My bag is one of those with wheels and a handle so quite manageable I must say.

Two further questions;

(1) I have my ESTA, apart from that and my passport do I need to fill in an immigration form or anything

(2) As I don't have my vouchers for the bus being an international guest, would it be advisable to print off the e-mail for my ME reservation or will they find me in the system okay

 

[1nfrequent]

You have to complete a customs form (which they should give you on the plane) but not an immigration form.

On the bus, I always take a copy of the email confirmation and it's never been a problem.

1F

 

[chmurf]

(1) I have my ESTA, apart from that and my passport do I need to fill in an immigration form or anything

you will need to fill in a customs form.
don't forget to declare any food item (even snacks)
the customs form can be picked up at the check in desk at the airport, and will also be distributed in the plane prior to arrival (think of packing a black ballpoint pen to fill that form in, one per party/familly)

(2) As I don't have my vouchers for the bus being an international guest, would it be advisable to print off the e-mail for my ME reservation or will they find me in the system okay

it's never useless to have a printout of any reservation, confirmation number, just in case
but DME will find you in their system, and even if they don't, they'll put you on a bus, don't worry.

 

[Elise79]

Thanks for that. I will be writing this down because I'll probably forget all the steps if I don't. My bag is one of those with wheels and a handle so quite manageable I must say.

Two further questions;

(1) I have my ESTA, apart from that and my passport do I need to fill in an immigration form or anything

(2) As I don't have my vouchers for the bus being an international guest, would it be advisable to print off the e-mail for my ME reservation or will they find me in the system okay

1) you will be required to complete a Customs declaration. They will hand it to you at check in but they always have spare forms on the plane. Here is Link to the Form so you know what you need to complete.

2) I never print anything for Magical express - as long as you can give them your name and resort they will get you on the bus

 

[Button]

What's the gift card people are collecting?

 

[Elise79]

What's the gift card people are collecting?

If you booked with Virgin Holidays and got the gift card offer it has to be collected at the airport.

 

[Button]

If you booked with Virgin Holidays and got the gift card offer it has to be collected at the airport.

Oh right, thanks. Thought I may have been missing out on something hehe.

Hands up who HAS to go into the Disney Store when they arrive at MCO. I find it impossible to walk by any Disney Store. My husband looks at me with a sigh go on then face.

 

[wilma-bride]

Oh right, thanks. Thought I may have been missing out on something hehe.

Hands up who HAS to go into the Disney Store when they arrive at MCO. I find it impossible to walk by any Disney Store. My husband looks at me with a sigh go on then face.

No way, my sole purpose is to get out of the airport and on my way to the resort as soon as possible.

 

[Elise79]

No way, my sole purpose is to get out of the airport and on my way to the resort as soon as possible.

That makes 2 of us!

 

[2Tiggies]

No way, my sole purpose is to get out of the airport and on my way to the resort as soon as possible.

Snap! We are usually almost falling over ourselves to get to that red carpet!

 

[scoobydooby]

Snap! We are usually almost falling over ourselves to get to that red carpet!

Absolutely. Smoker. Ready to kill people by this point!

Actually ex smoker but this will be my first time with a vaporiser.

 

[scoobydooby]

Ok - you doing the following; Clear immigration Collect baggage and clear customs Now you can drop bags back off to reclaim at the main terminal or take it with you if you can manage. Take monorail to main terminal Go to Side A level one and collect gift card Go back to level 3 and cross to side B Go to level 1 and follow signs for ME Go to the desk and they will set up for getting on the bus!

You should put this up as a stickie