Help - info needed on arrival at MCO

[TracyK]

It's many years since I used Virgin to fly to Orlando, I usually use an American carrier and clear immigration and customs at another airport. My sister is going for the first time and she's flying with Virgin. I am not sure of the procedure when she arrives at MCO. I remember I had to do baggage claim twice, does this still happen? How long approximately to clear immigration and customs because I plan to be at the airport to meet her? She is due to land at 3:50pm what time do you think I should get to the airport? Thanks

Tracy

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

We never seem to make it through in less than 1 hour (but that includes car pick up). The double baggage claim apparently is no longer compulsory as you can take your cases with you. Last year we cleared immigration at Charlotte so on arrival at MCO did not go through immigration etc. I would say give them 40 to 60 minutes.

 

[TracyK]

Thanks

 

[Jakey Rowling]

Mrs Doubtfire is correct the bag drop after customs is not mandatory but it depends how much luggage, kids etc you have as to whether it saves you time for the hassles of getting the suitcases up the escalator or using the lift to get the monorail to the other terminal.

Folk have various experiences with the bag drop, some say it saves no time not using it, others including myself have been delayed due to the service being suspended due to storms.

Overall time can depend on when she is travelling, what class (economy etc)
If its not July/Aug then 60 mins is maybe pessimistic, cleared everything is Sept in under 30 Mins for example.

If you want a trolley in the 2nd terminal, make sure you have a few dollars or a credit card handy as they cost.

 

[Jakey Rowling]

This page may help visualise the procedure

http://www.orlandoairports.net/arrive/arrive.htm

Just bear left when you get off the monorail.

 

[Verytallallguy]

Last time I went was 2005 when the 2nd baggage claim was in force, so this post is new info for me!

Can anyone tell me if my scenario will take less time to exit airport if I take luggage after customs clearance;

4 adults, flying PE 17th March.
4 suitcases on wheels + hand luggage.
Use escalator not lift.

I know that PE should allow our bags off in the first batch so I'm hoping that by taking them ourselves to the monorail will save time.
Thanks.

 

[Jakey Rowling]

Last time I went was 2005 when the 2nd baggage claim was in force, so this post is new info for me!

Can anyone tell me if my scenario will take less time to exit airport if I take luggage after customs clearance;

4 adults, flying PE 17th March.
4 suitcases on wheels + hand luggage.
Use escalator not lift.

I know that PE should allow our bags off in the first batch so I'm hoping that by taking them ourselves to the monorail will save time.
Thanks.

Not the definitive answer you want but maybe.

It may not if the bags don't get held up, as I said above people have differing experiences.
Are you hiring a car on airport, if so how many are drivers and need to be present, can they go ahead to the car hire desk whilst others wait for the cases?

Personally if it's adult only I would go for the self carry option as you know there is no risk of a delay, you can take a trolley to the bottom of the escalator but whether it actually makes a difference on the day is not certain.
One thing is for sure it can't cost you time, it's just a bit more hassle.

You should get off to a good start with PE into immigration.

 

[Verytallallguy]

Thanks Jakey,
Your logic is sound!
I can't remember the distance from baggage claim 1 to monorail & then from monorail exit at main terminal to baggage claim 2. Can you advise?
By the way...no drivers needed..I have a stretch limo waiting as a suprise for the family.

 

[Jakey Rowling]

Thanks Jakey,
Your logic is sound!
I can't remember the distance from baggage claim 1 to monorail & then from monorail exit at main terminal to baggage claim 2. Can you advise?
By the way...no drivers needed..I have a stretch limo waiting as a suprise for the family.

It's not far from the escalator, you go round the corner into the main terminal area into a fenced off area, and are let out when a monorail hasn't just arrived to stop a mad people jam I suppose. There used to be a 2nd security search at the top of the escalator a few years back, thankfully that has gone.

Similarly it is a couple of hundred yards from the monorail to the terminal exits, you'll need to go down a set of stairs, escalator or lift to level 2 to get the car.
(I think its level 2 for the limo, never down that MCO)

 

[yolkie]

Hi all,

Sorry for hijacking the thread, I'm a newbie!

I'm going to Orlando next month and arriving at MCO.. I'm a little confused about this "second baggage claim".. but then again, I'm a flight and airport novice..

Do we have to claim baggage twice? Sorry if this sounds stupid, but it just seems to read like a different procedure to normal and I don't want to look like an idiot or do anything wrong!

Thanks in advance

 

[Jakey Rowling]

Hi all,

Sorry for hijacking the thread, I'm a newbie!

I'm going to Orlando next month and arriving at MCO.. I'm a little confused about this "second baggage claim".. but then again, I'm a flight and airport novice..

Do we have to claim baggage twice? Sorry if this sounds stupid, but it just seems to read like a different procedure to normal and I don't want to look like an idiot or do anything wrong!

Thanks in advance

No probs, nothing to get worked up about, it certainly confused me the first time I went with no prior knowledge.
It's to do with having to clear customs in the arrival terminal where you must take your luggage through.

It's there to make life easier for you.
When you arrive at MCO and cleared immigration and customs, you have to transfer to another terminal building on a monorail, pretty much like Gatwick North/South in many respects in terms of travel.

Just round the corner after customs you have the opportunity to drop your baggage back onto a conveyor belt where it magically whisks its way to a 2nd baggage reclaim belt in the other terminal. Only checked luggage should go on this otherwise the handlers wont know what to do with the items.

As of last year you have the choice whether to use this facility or take the luggage on the monorail
It depends on the travelling party and the amount of luggage whether it's practical or not.

 

[yolkie]

Oh that's brilliant, thanks for clearing that up!

I thought it was a procedure rather than a service - I'm a bit dozy at the best of times so after flying for half a day I need everything as simple as!

Thanks again for the help!

 

[freddykrueger]

This time I will be using Disney's Magical Express - any idea how this works as it mentions that you do not need to reclaim your baggage and that it will "magically" appear in your room at the resort?

 

[Jakey Rowling]

This time I will be using Disney's Magical Express - any idea how this works as it mentions that you do not need to reclaim your baggage and that it will "magically" appear in your room at the resort?

I've never used it but instructions for booking it are here.

http://disneymeetings.disney.go.com/dwm/services/detail?name=DMEPlannerDetailPage

 

[barbarah]

To get back to Tracy's original question - As she is meeting her sister she can meet her just past the monorail so that is before you had to collect the luggage on the second bag drop if she has to use it therefore she will be quicker.

Difficult to judge but if she has a low seat number (below 35) she will get off the plane earlier and therefore through customs earlier. Tell her she must fill out the back of the visa waiver form too as the number of people I have seen who have been turned away to start again for forgetting that is huge.

It usually takes us an hour but that is collecting luggage and getting the car so I would say 30 mins at the earliest as it would be horrible for her to arrive and not know what to do. It is chaos at the bag collection area so it would be better to meet her just after the monorail exit by the newspaper shop. I have lots of people being met by relatives there.

 

[maleficent_man]

I realise this thread is a little old - is the info still relevant?? Once in the Main Terminal, where do you go to pick up car rental (Budget).

 

[dc1964]

when u get off the monorail just follow the signs for car rental. it was all to the left as u walk through. think we used a kift to go down a level

 

[MrsJobba1]

This is a very useful thread.

I have another question regarding disney ME.

We are using this service but are going to bring our bags ourselves rather than letting disney do it. (we will be arriving late )

Am I right in thinking

We r virgin PE so we get our cases first at one terminal-go through customs and immigration- then we can take them with us to the monorail.

When we get off the monorail will we be able to see where to get disney ME?

Thanks

 

[maleficent_man]

when u get off the monorail just follow the signs for car rental. it was all to the left as u walk through. think we used a kift to go down a level

Cool thanks!

 

[CustardTart]

This is a very useful thread.

I have another question regarding disney ME.

We are using this service but are going to bring our bags ourselves rather than letting disney do it. (we will be arriving late )

Am I right in thinking

We r virgin PE so we get our cases first at one terminal-go through customs and immigration- then we can take them with us to the monorail.

When we get off the monorail will we be able to see where to get disney ME?

Thanks

Once off the monorail follow the signs to buses and car rental - as far as I recall there are no specific ME signs up there tho' there are Disney CMs located on Level 2 who will point you in the right direction. Go down in the lift to Level 1 and The Disney Welcome Center for ME is at the far end on the B side, past all the car rental agencies...