Delays at Orlando International

[CurtS]

One of my co-workers just got back from a business trip in Orlando (they really DO have businesses there) and said that she almost missed her departure due to the long lines at security--at least 2 hours long. Has anyone else experienced long waits leaving Orlando? She also said the airport was pretty awsome for kids.

 

[disneybride96]

We haven't been there since January, but it wasn't more than 5 minutes then.

 

[Scratch42]

Everybody better expect Delays! It's not gonna get any easier by the looks of things!

Anybody planning on flying in the same day as their cruise and not using Disney better rethink their plans.

Scratch

 

[mrsltg]

The security lines at MCO can be brutal. I have waited as few as 10 minutes and as long as 75 minutes. You can sort of figure the crowds at the airport based on the "season" at WDW. If it's value, there won't be as many tourists clogging the airport. If it's high, plan to wait in line.

Erin

 

[CamColt]

We flew out of there Dec 29, and just recently on July25. Both times we literally rushed through security. They were waiting for us to put our stuff up and empty pockets as we had no waiting time in line to get ready to do this.
Logan airport in Boston is another story, but we have flown through security in Orlando.

 

[scrappermcl]

We were at WDW over Christmas this past year. The line for security was very long, but we anticipated this because of the security level at the time. DH waited in line while DD and I shopped at the Disney store where we could see the line from the store.

 

[swandiverpatt]

I think it also depends on time of day. Seems like early morning there are always a lot of people to get through security, etc. I've never found an overly long delay, at most 25-30 minutes, at best about 5-10. I'm in and out of Orlando at least 4 times a year.

 

[jcemom]

We flew out of Orlando right before President's Day weekend this February , around noon, and were practically rushed through security. I was juggling three kids by myself and getting a bit flustered because I felt I wasn't moving fast enough for them. DH lost his driver's license in Orlando and had to go through a different security process, leaving me with all the kids and carry ons! I was worried he wouldn't be able to get on the plane, but he was at the gate only about 5-10 minutes after we got there.

 

[lvmymcky]

Originally posted by scrappermcl
DH waited in line while DD and I shopped at the Disney store where we could see the line from the store.

There's a disney store at the airport???

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by lvmymcky
There's a disney store at the airport???

 

[jcemom]

You can find a list of all the shops and locations Here.

 

[lvmymcky]

sweet, i didn't realize the airport had a mini "mall" in it...at least now i know what i'll be doing to pass time while waiting for our flight home.

 

[drclaws]

Originally posted by lvmymcky
There's a disney store at the airport???

Two, actually......

 

[Carol RN]

I just flew out of Orlando International yesterday morning, and had a 5 minute wait at the security line.

 

[lovepuzzles]

I guess whoever said it depends on the season was right. We were there the end of June and it was brutal! Didn't think we would make it. In fact, it was so long that I thought I would miss my flight and went to the security lady. She looked at my boarding time and let me in the front of the line. I got to the terminal just in time to walk on the flight. I'll be there at least 2 hours early next time just for the security. That was at 5:30 in the morning too.

 

[nuts4sn00py]

Is this only when flying out of Orlando? Or are there the same type of delays when flying in? I'm not concerned about my return flight, but obviously I'm concerned about any delays coming in for the Cruise as I am flying in the same day as the Cruise depart. Thanks, Kathy

 

[anlashokna]

Was there in November. Probably had no more than a 20 minute wait..didn't seem that long as the security checkpoint moved right along. You should always prepare for worse case scenario. You never know what can happen and it may take two hours to get through. That's why the airlines ask for you to be early.

 

[dclwdwlover]

Flying into the Orlando airport (MCO) there is no security wait - at least there isn't @ Terminal A.

Yes, the wait really depends on the time of year & day, but I've been to the airport 4 times within the past week - busy season here - & the lines varied depending upon the hour of day. It's always best to go early & wait, just in case.

One of the times that we were there last week, there were only two people at the ticket counter in front of us when we arrived & just as we stepped out of line a group of about 50-60 people - all wearing the same shirts - got into line & then were behind us in the security checkpoint. Just a matter of two minutes made a huge difference in our potential wait.

Just a little tip for those of you going through the security checkpoint, again, this was at Terminal A,: I noticed that everyone tended to go to the first few lines that they came to on their left & it was mobbed. We walked over to the other side & it was moving right along with virtually no line or wait.

 

[CurtS]

Thank you, dclwdwlover! From what I understand, there are several security stations going into Terminal A and most of the people go to the left ones (I assume they follow the crowd). So if move to the right, we'll probably avoid some of the crowd.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

If you're really worried, consider flying into Orlando Sanford. We had a direct flight from Toledo on Trans Meridian Airlines (our first direct flight ever). It is a smaller airport although a little further from WDW. Hardly crowded at all.
Robin M.