MCO security was ridiculous yesterday!!

[mom2brooke76]

I flew back home yesterday, 8/2. I fly in and out of MCO often. The airport wasn't that busy (it was a Tuesday). I typically try to get there 2 hours before hand, but we figured since it was a Tuesday and I'd check in curbside that 1 1/2 hours would suffice since 2 hours is usually WAY more than enough time. Well, we hit some horrendous traffic and finally got there. Curbside literally took two minutes as there wasn't a line. Got to security. There was a huge line to the left that they were trying to stick people into with strollers and little ones. Then to the right of that were much smaller lines. Three TSA agents at their podiums, each taking people on both sides. Well, those 6 lines that form from the podiums all merged into ONE gigantic line that zig zagged like a queue at WDW! It was insanity! Of the three agents, I chose the one to the far left. They were allowing the other lines to cut in front of us when we had our ID checked first. It took well over 1/2 an hour to get through security, something that I've never experienced there, even on a busy day. Please provide ample time to get through security if you're going to be down there soon.

 

[DebbieB]

I flew back home yesterday, 8/2. I fly in and out of MCO often. The airport wasn't that busy (it was a Tuesday). I typically try to get there 2 hours before hand, but we figured since it was a Tuesday and I'd check in curbside that 1 1/2 hours would suffice since 2 hours is usually WAY more than enough time. Well, we hit some horrendous traffic and finally got there. Curbside literally took two minutes as there wasn't a line. Got to security. There was a huge line to the left that they were trying to stick people into with strollers and little ones. Then to the right of that were much smaller lines. Three TSA agents at their podiums, each taking people on both sides. Well, those 6 lines that form from the podiums all merged into ONE gigantic line that zig zagged like a queue at WDW! It was insanity! Of the three agents, I chose the one to the far left. They were allowing the other lines to cut in front of us when we had our ID checked first. It took well over 1/2 an hour to get through security, something that I've never experienced there, even on a busy day. Please provide ample time to get through security if you're going to be down there soon.

What time of day was it?

 

[mom2brooke76]

Around 4 pm.

 

[MHSweb79]

We have encountered this type of line (and much worse) at MCO many times. If you have regularly gotten through security in much less than 30 minutes, then I think you've been lucky!

 

[Kim&Chris]

Wow! Sounds extremely frustrating.

Going through MCO's security is the one & only thing I hate about trips to Disney.

 

[SaraJayne]

That's been our experience each and every time we've flown out of MCO.

And coming into the terminal past the security lines always boggles my mind.

It's always chaos there.

 

[bytheblood]

That's been our experience each and every time we've flown out of MCO.

And coming into the terminal past the security lines always boggles my mind.

It's always chaos there.

Same here. We have not had a good experience at MCO, ever.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Orlando airport... One of the worst run in the country.

I have REPEATEDLY suggested to management that they ask Disney for tips on HOW to manage a line, but they just perfer to upset thier customers...

(And this reminds me I need to go pay my clear renewal fee. Yes I pay over $100 a year just to avoid the MCO lines LOL!)

 

[goofy4tink]

It truly is mind boggling. I just shake my head when getting off that tram and head past the security area upon arrival at MCO. It's not really rocket science. The way I figure it....they could take all those with strollers, families with young kids, or others who need extra time, and send them through one specific line...off to the side. Then, they all stay in that same line for the entire process...they don't get to blend in with the other lines. That has been the thing that drives me nuts about MCO....3 or 4 lines having IDs checked and then funnelled into 2 scanner lines.

If people would only be honest about their ability to manage the security lines....but no, everyone likes to think they 'get it' and know exactly what to do. "Really??? Since when do we have to remove our shoes??" Or "Huh? What do you mean I can't take that water bottle through??? It's expensive.'' Yep...all things I've overheard in the so called 'black diamond' line for experienced travelers.

Truly...Disney could seriously give MCO some pointers. And to think we continue to hear from people who say you don't need to leave WDW all that early, you only need to be at MCO an hour before your flight. Yeah, right.

 

[Elmo007]

The problem at MCO is the same problem they have in Las Vegas, The central terminal where everyone heads to the same place. Airports with multiple terminals can be better PROVIDED that they actually provide enough staff at each terminal.

The best way to go through security fast is to use a smaller under utilized airport like Islip

 

[DebbieB]

Is it the airport or TSA? It aggravates me at PIT when the lines are long and only half of the lanes are open. It has gotten worse with the body scanners.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Line management up to the screening point is the airport. The Airport Manager I found at MCO one time confirmed that "we control the set up" (Control was a bad word IMHO LOL!)

So.... they could do better they choose not to.

I use ATL as a prime example. MUCH better line management and a LOT more travelers. The airport just manages things. When traffic builds they have a plan to 'adapt' the lines and keep things organized, MCO... the manager came out there and YELLED at people, but really was no help LOL!

 

[mom2brooke76]

It was just aggravating because I fly out of MCO a lot, including holiday periods and weekends and have never seen it that bad. I've been going down monthly lately due to a relationship that I'm in. That said, the problem IMO opinion was a lack of lanes open. Hopefully that won't be the case next month.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

.........................going through mco's security is the one & only thing i hate about trips to disney.

+1

 

[corster]

You get this alot at airports like MCO (LAS is another one which comes to mind), which have a higher than average percentage of tourists (read: once-a-decade flyers) trying to go through security not used to the procedures. Add in all the families with small children at MCO in particular, and well... just budget some extra time.

Remember, not everyone that visits Disney is as prepared as the people that frequent this board.

 

[Torgue]

We have a return flight on Monday the 15th at 5:30pm and will be going to a park that morning. I have never done a park on our return day. We are using a towncar service and staying at the BWV. What is the latest time we can leave for MCO? I was thinking like 3:00pm? But not so sure now

 

[LilyWDW]

So, how long do you all think a traveler should plan at MCO? Is the two hour suggestion for domestic flights enough? We will be flying out on a Sunday at 3:30PM ish and were planning on DME.

 

[horselover]

It was just aggravating because I fly out of MCO a lot, including holiday periods and weekends and have never seen it that bad. I've been going down monthly lately due to a relationship that I'm in. That said, the problem IMO opinion was a lack of lanes open. Hopefully that won't be the case next month.

Don't count on it. This is what I've encountered on my last 2 trips through MCO (March & May of this year). It's not the TSA id checking line that's the problem. It's the horrible everyone cram into one line from all sides line right after it. Both of my flights were afternoon flights if that makes a difference. MCO is horrible. But, at least I know what to expect for my upcoming trips. As others have said give yourself lots of extra time!

LilyWDW - if you're using DME you should be fine. They usually get you there 2-2 1/2 hrs. before your flight. I would say allow 2 hrs.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I had a flight booked to fly home on 9-11 from MCO for this year/ I changed it to 9-12 though, worried about security on that day.....


I have seen ENORMOUS long lines at MCO for security myself. A few times we were "saved" by a friendly employee because of my son in his special needs chair.

 

[cooldadtexas]

I agree with the original poster. The 6 lines into 1 line is a joke. What really ticked me off is that I finally got my luggage on the belt and they allowed someone to bypass the line and get in front of my family (after we arrived 2 hours early and waited 45 minutes). I asked the guy who let him cut my family how he got the VIP service. He just looked at me and continued to help the guy load his luggage on the belt. Something needs to change at that airport.