MCO airport..

[paisleybell]

So, I'm looking at the MCO map and I wanted to check in with the awesome people here!

We are probably going to be spending a few hours at the airport post flight arrival until another member of our party arrives.

We will have checked luggage (And we're going to universal, so no DME).

A few questions..

-How soon do we need to get to baggage claim after our flight arrives?
-Should we try to stay by the gates for awhile to ease boredom? (Dependent on 1st question..)
-Are there decent places to eat once we go past the point of no return? (Exiting past security)
-Anything to see or do past the point of no return?

We can just hunker down and watch a movie, etc and wait of course. Mainly, I wanted to know if we need to eat/grab food before exiting and how soon before they assume we aren't claiming our luggage.

Thank you!!

 

[maxiesmom]

I would get your bags asap if only because you never know who is watching for unattended bags and will try and make the most of the opportunity. No way would I leave my bags going around and around.

 

[paisleybell]

I would get your bags asap if only because you never know who is watching for unattended bags and will try and make the most of the opportunity. No way would I leave my bags going around and around.

Yup, I wasn't even thinking of that...

Thank you!

 

[kj2mom]

There is a food court (options include but not limited to Moe's, McDonalds, Chick-Fil-A...) as well as a few sit down restaurants (including Macaroni Grill and a sports bar) available to all passengers and the public....you should be good in that department.

 

[paisleybell]

There is a food court (options include but not limited to Moe's, McDonalds, Chick-Fil-A...) as well as a few sit down restaurants (including Macaroni Grill and a sports bar) available to all passengers and the public....you should be good in that department.

Awesome! Thank you!

 

[sam_gordon]

how long do you have to wait?

 

[paisleybell]

how long do you have to wait?

Errr.. 5 hrs..

 

[nacho113]

Eww, 5 hours, that's a lot of time to kill when you are ready to get your vacation started, especially when the sun and warmth are just out the front doors.
If you're renting a car, I'd go check into your hotel and get everyone settled in. You could maybe grab a bite to eat near your hotel and then someone can come back later to pick up the last member of your group. (Rest of the party could have some pool time while they wait)
If your booking a towncar or shuttle, probably better to just wait for the rest of the party to arrive.

 

[sam_gordon]

I agree. 5 hours is a long time. What are you doing transportation wise? Rental car? Private Shuttle? Even if you're getting a private shuttle, is it worth it for the late arrival to just cab to your hotel?

 

[paisleybell]

We're taking a cab to the resort. Multiple people would prefer to take the cab together rather than separately. So 5 hours it is. Some of the time will be taken by getting our bags, eating, we can watch a movie.
I'm glad there is a food court.

 

[DVC California]

1. Do leave the gate area. Not really anything there that isn't out in the terminal. And as others have posted, collecting your luggage is wise.
2. While one person waits at the carousel, someone else can go on a "scavenger hunt" for a loose luggage cart. They're typically abandoned either by the curbside pick up area or across the street in the rental car garage. (You have time and you might as well save a few bucks.)
3. Set up camp at a table by the Food Court. Should be enough variety to keep everyone happy and it's a central spot to go up and down to check out the souvenir stores (Disney, Universal, Sea World, etc).

 

[bumbershoot]

Should we try to stay by the gates for awhile to ease boredom?

There is very little in the actual gate areas to ease boredom.

Multiple people would prefer to take the cab together rather than separately. So 5 hours it is.

That sounds ghastly to me.

You'll be going downstairs to get bags then bringing them back on up to the main area, from what I recall of the airport. (I would soooo be running away and taking DME or my own cab to get on with things)


But there is also shopping in the non-secure part, so if someone needs some last minute Crocs, I think there's a store there. There's a Skechers store, too.

http://www.orlandoairports.net/concessions/images/shopping_landside.pdf

Ha! There's a Cariloha. Bamboo towels that have to be washed in cold and bamboo sheets that shrink up. So so soft, but... (major tourist thing in cruise ports)

Well, there used to be a Crocs store. Perhaps the Sanrio/Hello Kitty and Lush will make up for it?

 

[Capt_BJ]

Look for the escalators up to the in airport hotel check in area. Unless things have changed recently there is a LARGE lobby area up there ... away from the general hubbub, relatively quiet, with nice furniture and many quiet corners. A great place to find a corner, an outlet for your chargers and read a book etc. You still have access to all the shopping and food places of the 'central' terminal area.

 

[paisleybell]

Thanks everyone! Definitely giving us ideas!

Also making me question waiting the 5 hours.. haha..

Ideally, I'd rather go to the hotel.. but would rather not take a cab without the other part of the party.

Does anyone know, we booked a room only for universal, but can we still call them and get the r/t shuttle or is

Look for the escalators up to the in airport hotel check in area. Unless things have changed recently there is a LARGE lobby area up there ... away from the general hubbub, relatively quiet, with nice furniture and many quiet corners. A great place to find a corner, an outlet for your chargers and read a book etc. You still have access to all the shopping and food places of the 'central' terminal area.

Great information! Thanks!

 

[paisleybell]

Anyone have opinions on mears shuttle? Would it end up being a hassle and take over an hour to get to the resort?
I'm not sure I would feel comfortable taking a cab or uber separately (Or even the much praised Tony) and neither would the other party.
But a shuttle seems a little better, only because there would likely be other people onboard. The mears shuttle is also not as costly as I thought.
We're trying to keep our from/to airport costs around $100 total.

 

[Lynne G]

with the universal shuttle, at least it only goes to universal, with Mears, you many be going to other places before yours. You should check into a rental car, for the day, as there are drop offs/pick ups near Universal. That may be the easiest and cheapest. Otherwise, a towncar service would be most likely more expensive than your $100 round trip, but that would also be a direct transportation too. All to think about. Otherwise, a taxi or uber is also direct, and for a cab, it's about $120 round trip and for uber, you'd have to check, they are not welcome at MCO.

 

[bumbershoot]

Otherwise, a taxi or uber is also direct, and for a cab, it's about $120 round trip and for uber, you'd have to check, they are not welcome at MCO.

According to an article I just read they very recently got approval. Doesn't mean they are starting immediately but in the future it seems it will be an option.

 

[nacho113]

I believe Uber Black is now allowed to service MCO.
A little more expensive but a nice ride. 4 passengers per vehicle max though.

 

[rwdavis2]

Just curious. What will you do if the last person's flight is late? I would do, as mentioned, a 1 day car rental.

 

[gottalovepluto]

According to an article I just read they very recently got approval. Doesn't mean they are starting immediately but in the future it seems it will be an option.

Can you post the article link? I've tried searching myself but can't seem to find it