MCO - Pick UP

[luvsvacations]

I will be picking up my son at MCO - I am very unfamiliar with this airport - he will have no luggage - is there only one door he can come out of ?? I am just wondering what door he will come out where I can pick him up ?? Is there someplace where I can sit and wait ?? Thanks for your help.

 

[seashoreCM]

"Many columns holding up the awning look alike"

There are lots of exits so you have to arrange to meet at the same exit. You can start by recognizing the airline.

At MCO there are two "sides" (A and B, think of home and visitor sides on a football stadium) and three levels on each side. His airline will be associated with a side. Signs on the roadways direct you to the side you want.

Level 2 is the arrivals and pickup level. MCO like most airports has a long roadway and curb alongside the terminal building where each airline in turn has a section. But only certain alternating lengths of curb are allocated to picking up people, other intervening areas may be for buses and taxis.

You cannot go there and wait; he has to be out there waiting for you. If you get there early you can roost in the cell phone lot which is out the "south airport exit".

YOu could park in the airport garage (one on each side A and B) and go in to find him but keep in mind you will probably not get out before the free parking grace period (if they still offer that) expires.

If he dares he can arrange to meet you at a nearby hotel and take the hotel's shuttle there. Most shuttles leave from level 1 below. There are a variety of hotels out the "north airport exit" aka Rte 436 aka Semoran Blvd. There is a Hyatt hotel right in the terminal but I do not think it has a parking lot where you can wait for free.

 

[luvsvacations]

Thank you for the ideas. I had nooo idea it was so complicated - think I will go for the arrive early and go inside! Thanks again

 

[Missytara]

Thank you for the ideas. I had nooo idea it was so complicated - think I will go for the arrive early and go inside! Thanks again

I remember the years as a kid, in the 60's/70's, how much fun it was going to the airport, walking all the way through to the gate, and waiting for my dad to come out of the gangway - after coming back on business. Those were the days.

Long gone after 9-11.

One of the airports near me finally succumbed to the Cell Phone lot, after people started sitting on the shoulder of the exit ramp leading to the airport for hours waiting for people to call them.

 

[dpmfloyd]

I remember the years as a kid, in the 60's/70's, how much fun it was going to the airport, walking all the way through to the gate, and waiting for my dad to come out of the gangway - after coming back on business. Those were the days.

they really were! however, its nice to not have such a crowded boarding area. aside from that, it stinks flying by yourself and getting stuck in the terminal - luckily some airports are starting up free wi-fi. but! it was nice to get off a plane and have your family/friends there waiting for you.

 

[Tara]

The exits to street level are on level 2, the same as the baggage claim level, so he'll have to head toward baggage claim even though he won't have luggage to pick up. The doors are numbered, so my suggestion is that you wait in the cell phone lot and have him call you with the side he's on (just to confirm he didn't somehow walk across to the opposite side from the one you're expecting) and the door number. When I've picked up my husband at MCO, I always have him meet me at the last door, which is either 13 or 14 as it's easier to find a space to pull in there.

 

[Edd]

If I know the airlines he is coming in on I can direct you to the escalator he will be coming down to the 2nd floor on. There are 4 such escalators. If you are by yourself you cannot go in and wait for him, unless you park your car and walk over. If you have a driver you can walk inside the 2nd floor exits and find the right escalator to meet him at. They do have parking underneath the terminal where you can leave your car and go upstairs and find your son. All you have to know is the airline he is coming in on.

Give me the airline name an I will give you better directions and what escalator to find him coming down from the 3rd floor.

 

[goofy4tink]

When my ds came to pick me up at MCO, he just parked and met me right at baggage claim..at the bottom of the stairs/escalators. Then, we just walked out the door and to his car.
That is really going to be the easiest way to do it. But, it will depend on which airline he is arriving on...there are two sides to MCO, and different airlines use different sides.

 

[Edd]

Di,

One small catch. You can't just park outside and walk into the escalator and meet someone. If you have someone in your car while you go inside you can park there for a few minutes but eventually a traffic coordinator will come by and wave you to go around. If your car is empty, no driver in it, it will get towed by the airport. The two trucks usually sit at the beginning of the 2nd floor ramp waiting for the signal to come to tow. If you get waved to go you better go or you will also get towed.

 

[Tara]

Di,

One small catch. You can't just park outside and walk into the escalator and meet someone. If you have someone in your car while you go inside you can park there for a few minutes but eventually a traffic coordinator will come by and wave you to go around. If your car is empty, no driver in it, it will get towed by the airport. The two trucks usually sit at the beginning of the 2nd floor ramp waiting for the signal to come to tow. If you get waved to go you better go or you will also get towed.

I didn't read anything in Diane's response that indicated she was talking about parking at the curb.

 

[Edd]

You may be right, Just extra information should anyone think you can just park at the curb. If you do park in the parking lot it still is quite a ways from the escalators, and requires some knowledge of the airport to get close enough.

 

[backyardponder]

In my opinion the easiest thing to do would be to go to the cell phone lot, south of the terminal. Have your son call you when he is ready and follow the "arrival" signs for the airline he is on. The signs will take you to the right place.