Baggage claim wait times at MCO

[sachilles]

Last time I was at MCO for a non-disney trip, it seemed to take forever for bags to come out. I figured it must have something to do with them sorting bags for Disney properties.

That was at least 2 years ago. Does it still take longer than average for bags to come out at MCO. We have a trip in October, staying at the Swan, so no disney express bag service. We arrive at 10:30am if all goes well and intend to taxi out asap. It's a just a quick trip with my wife for her birthday...and our first disney trip where our son will not be along, so we can move quick as necessary.

Any suggestions on the quickest way to wdw? Lyft/Uber, traditional taxi, shuttle service? The cost isn't a huge concern, but don't want to spend a million dollars to save 5 minutes.

 

[drwadadli]

The last time we picked up our bags we waited like 10 minutes at the baggage carousel until our bags showed. Faster way to WDW would to grab either Uber or Lyft or taxi

 

[OKW Lover]

I live in Orlando and fly in/out of MCO very regularly on Delta. I've always found the baggage to show up very quickly. Usually within 10 minutes of us getting to the baggage claim area.

 

[sachilles]

I live in Orlando and fly in/out of MCO very regularly on Delta. I've always found the baggage to show up very quickly. Usually within 10 minutes of us getting to the baggage claim area.

Hmm, maybe it's a united thing....or I just had bad luck for a couple of business flights in. It was notably longer wait than other airports, and I travel a lot. :Shrug: I don't really have much of a choice. I suppose we could gate check our begs if we truly want to worry.
More of a curiosity I guess. Sort of get spoiled with the luggage service on the magical express.

 

[bumbershoot]

I figured it must have something to do with them sorting bags for Disney properties.

All they do is grab the bags with the bright yellow tags.

I’ve never had to wait. We deplane, find a bathroom, use it and usually change to Florida-friendly clothing, head the the carousels. Bags are always there.

 

[Timothy02359]

Never had to wait more than 10-15 min for our bags at MCO.

 

[Best Aunt]

Are you looking at the amount of time between when your plane lands and when your bags appear on the carousel at baggage claim?

Or are you looking at the amount of time between when you get to baggage claim and when your bags appear on the carousel at baggage claim?

If you are stopping at a ladies' room after you get off the plane, it will take you longer to get to the baggage claim area than people who do not stop at a ladies' room. (Not enough bathrooms, not enough stalls, long lines particularly if a large plane has just landed.)

 

[sachilles]

My previous experience was at least 45 minutes from the train arriving near security, getting to bag claim, and waiting for the bags. In a span of 2 months for 4 trips, it was typical. I'm guessing it was just bad luck, a staff shortage at the time....or the time my flight landed, same time/flight every time. Baggage staff might just have had more to do at that odd time.

 

[kristenrice]

I'm curious too...

We usually either fly with only carry-ons, even when flying SWA, or we are arriving when DME can grab our checked bag and we don't have to worry about it. This year, we are flying with Delta and arriving at 10:30pm. We each have a rolling carry-on which has to be gate checked on the first leg of our trip anyways due to the size of the plane (CRJ) but we can put them in the overhead on the flight into Orlando. I even upgraded us to the Comfort+ seats so that we have dedicated overhead bin space. I would rather pack a little differently (i.e. not worry about the size of our toiletries and if they will fit in a 3-1-1 bag) and check at least one of them but not if it is going to add an extra 20-30 minutes at the airport.

 

[mco65]

When we fly into MCO we always pick up our bags at baggage claim and drag them over to ME... we don't use the Disney bag tags because we never know which flight we might be on (non REV standby)... In the dozen or so times we have flown into MCO, I don't recall ever having to wait a terribly long time for our bags... ~10 minutes max..

 

[Lynne G]

I've had a mix, mostly within 15 minutes, but a couple of times, was over an hour.

 

[Lewisc]

I think luggage comes out faster at MCO then other airports. A business flyer, sitting near the front of the plane, going directly to baggage claim is going to get there 10-15 minutes faster then a family sitting in the back of the plane, making a bathroom stop.

Gae checked luggage is generally claimed in the luggage carousels.

DME bags are generally pulled at the tarmac. DME might speed up bags.

Heavy rain, particularly thunderstorms will delay luggage. Flight delays, resulting in more planes arriving at the same time will also slow it down.

If you can't wait go with carry on bags. I don't think it's worth the $$$ but airport bags will retrieve and deliver your luggage to your hotel. They offer a pay service.

 

[kristenrice]

I've had a mix, mostly within 15 minutes, but a couple of times, was over an hour.

Well...that makes up my mind...carry-on it is!
Since we are flying after school and the kids get up at 6am, we are already looking at pulling in to the resort after midnight as it is. I am not going to risk waiting another hour for a bag if it's not absolutely necessary.

 

[DLgal]

The main thing that delays baggage at MCO is thunderstorms. If there is lightning in the vicinity, the baggage handlers take shelter and only resume normal operations when it is safe to do so. So, if you land and a thunderstorm pops up, you COULD be waiting awhile for your bags.