Does Anyone NOT Like Flying Into Orlando?

[NotUrsula]

My 9 yo recently felt the need to tell various MCO employees just how much he really likes that airport. We were on our descent when he looked over and said, "You know, Mom, this is one of the best airports I know." After we landed, he actually decided to tell some of the staff we encountered that MCO was his favorite airport. They looked indulgent, no doubt thinking he liked it because he associated going there with cool theme park visits. The thing is, coming from DS, such a comment is more than that, as he has been in a LOT of airports in his short life, large and small, foreign and domestic, and he knows from bad airport experiences.

Interestingly enough, DS does NOT like Denver, even though DEN and MCO have somewhat similar-seeming interiors from a kid's POV. Things he dislikes at DEN are the rental-car shuttles and their "islands", the terminal layout that lets you see many vendors that you cannot reach without crossing security, and the convoluted path from the gates to the trams.

DS hasn't had occasion to fly from LGA yet, but I'm thinking that he'll dislike the terminal but love the hair-raising takeoffs. More than once I've thought that the landing gear might end up as a hood ornament on the Rikers Island Bridge.

 

[safetymom]

I think MCO is one of the best airports to fly in and out of. I have flown out of quite a few and think Orlando is great.

 

[sammi]

Another satisfied MCO fan here! I love watching the palm trees and all the little ponds get closer, when we descend into MCO cause that means I'm in Florida! Also the airport itself is gorgeous and all that last minute before boarding shopping???? Love it!

 

[blondeheroine]

Honestly, I was prepared for it to be just me. I was just wondering if there was just ONE person out there like me.

I can't explain it really - but it doesn't have ANYTHING to do with MCO. That's a nice airport. It's more just this weird vibe. Someone mentioned that it might be too much of a sensory shock to go from a dirty, mean metro city to the magic of Disney and I'm prepared to believe that. I think I need to ease back into it! And out of it for that matter - more than anything.

I'm one of these people that is very aware of my surroundings and that could very well be it.

 

[jenelope]

Maybe it's a sense of unreality- that everything is just a little too perfect? Every time I fly to MCO, I feel like I'm walking around some movie set decorator's vision of what an airport looks like. I kind of like that feeling, myself. After Atlanta and Chicago Midway, a little extra glossiness feels nice. I've gotten the same unreal feeling in the new(ish) McNamara Terminal in Detroit and the airport in Vancouver. They're so pretty and modern, I don't always feel like I fit.

 

[WillCAD]

I don't have a lot of airport experience, but I much prefer MCO to my home airport BWI.

I like the fact that MCO is so big. There is enough room for everything.

I like the way MCO is arranged - 4 airside buildings in an X shape, one big two-sided landside building (with everything duplicated on both sides for convenience!), and two big garages (also with everything duplicated!) It's a model of efficient airport design.

I like the large variety of shops, stores, and eateries in MCO. It blows BWI right out of the water.

And I even like MCOs placement on the major Orlando highways. One to the north, one to the south, just pick a direction and go!

 

[sammi]

Just an afterthought.......for anyone that's not been through MCO at Christmas.....WOW the place is dressed for the season....especially that huge Christmas tree in the main area!

 

[blondeheroine]

Maybe it's a sense of unreality- that everything is just a little too perfect? Every time I fly to MCO, I feel like I'm walking around some movie set decorator's vision of what an airport looks like. I kind of like that feeling, myself. After Atlanta and Chicago Midway, a little extra glossiness feels nice. I've gotten the same unreal feeling in the new(ish) McNamara Terminal in Detroit and the airport in Vancouver. They're so pretty and modern, I don't always feel like I fit.

That's a very real possibility. When I step out of the gate and down the concourse, I feel like I'm in a mall! It's very surreal to me.

I'm used to LaGuardia and Memphis. Perhaps that's the problem.

 

[elgerber]

I love flying into the Orlando Airport, in fact it is one of my fav. airports!!! And I love the tram ride, that you get to take to get to the other side and get to where your bags and the bus/car is! They also have lots of nice shops and places to grab something to eat before you have to get on the plane.

I love MCO also. It's so much nicer to fly in or out of than the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport. And I love the Palm trees!! Now, on our last trip, we connected in Midway in Chicago, yuck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That one I think has surpassed Atlanta as my least favorite airport.

Sarah, when did you leave our fair state????