Immigration at MCO

[snowweisz]

Hello!

I'm in Costa Rica and I have a question that those of you from the UK may be able to answer since you too, fly into MCO from overseas.

For a variety of reasons, this will be my first time flying directly into MCO by myself so I went to read some reviews online and the most negative thing I read was about customs and immigration lines, saying that they're poorly staffed and that some people have been in line up to 2 hours.

I have no interest in being in line at immigration for 2 hours, of course. But if I have to, I'd rather be prepared lol

So, what are your experiences flying into MCO? Is it really that bad?
If it makes a difference, I'm arriving on a Monday afternoon.

Thanks in advance

 

[MarkF0wle]

It's all about luck. I've personally been in 2 hour queues & I have personally been through & out the airport in 40 minutes.

The guys from the UK are always moaning about it because a majority of the flights from the UK, which there are many, all arrive roughly the same time as each other. If you're the 3rd plane of 3 arriving in convoy then the 2 hour wait happens. If you're front of the queue you're done pretty smoothly.

When I have waited a bunch they have most if not all of the stations manned but they can only get through 1000+ people so quickly when a finite amount of desks. If you're sitting at the front of the plane to be first off you're also on a winner!

 

[2Tiggies]

Having recently returned, I can report that our experience was that it was not bad at all. The kiosks for self processing have greatly improved the flow of passengers through the immigration hall. We were unfortunate enough to touch down within 5 minutes of 3 other international flights, each of which beat us to it and were held on the plane for about 45 minutes. When we got to the arrivals hall it was packed, but I don't think it took us more than 20 minutes to make our way through the line, which was a continuously, albeit slow, moving line.

 

[queendisney]

Of all the times we have been through MCO only once have we ever had a long wait. We have been on the early and late flights with VA and the BA flight. The only time we had a long wait was because our flight was 3 hours late leaving. I'd say on average we are out and by MDE within 40 mins!..I never understand the problem that others have with MCO because we never have.

 

[scoobydooby]

The issue happens but is, IMHO, very over hyped. In 11 visits in 9 years the longest I have waited is an hour, shortest time 10 minutes. The self serve kiosks have helped.

 

[snowweisz]

The issue happens but is, IMHO, very over hyped. In 11 visits in 9 years the longest I have waited is an hour, shortest time 10 minutes. The self serve kiosks have helped.

What is this about the self serve kiosks? First I hear about it! How does that work?

 

[wayneg]

We went thru 16 days ago(Sat in MCO now waiting to return home), took us exactly 1 hour from joining the line to seeing the immigration officer. We fly indirect more often than direct, usually 10-20 mins at other hubs.
Everyone has different opinions, I find 1 hour unacceptable, especially when half the kiosks are unmanned. others don't.

 

[docmcstubbins]

We were about an hour start to finish...