MCO terminals A and B how far apart?

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

My in-laws are arriving 40 minutes before us on NWA and we're flying in on SW. It looks like we'll be in different terminals, any ideas on meeting places that would be easy to find? They're flying from Paris so they'll be exhausted, my MIL speaks some English, not a lot. HELP! TIA!

 

[Donald is #1]

I believe that both terminals meet in the center in a mall type area.

Here is a map of the airport that I found. http://www.orlandoairports.net/goaa/ops/term.htm

Have your in-laws take the monorail to the center area and then meet you at the food court area.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

Food court . It's centered and the only one there once you get off the monorails

 

[dudspizza]

Think of Terminal A and B as sides of the airport instead of separate buildings. The airport has 4 gate areas that all require a tram ride to the main building. Once inside of the main building, there are HUGE letter directing passengers to the A or B side of the airport for baggage pick up. Once out of security, simply head for the middle of the building where the food court is. Grab a bite to eat and meet your party. It is really easy!

Here is a great map to visualize where you are going. It is for folks using Magical Express to help them find the welcome center, but it also shows the main building very well.

 

[Edd]

When you look at the above map Northwest airlines is on the side that has gates 30-59. SW is on the side that has gates 100-129. So you are exactly on opposite ends of the terminal and different sides. I would call that kitty-corner but I don't know if the term is still used.

 

[seashoreCM]

Terminals A and B, how far apart?

Would you believe me if I said the distance was the width of a football field?

Except when you get to the "grandstand" on the other side you go down like into the dugout, not up.

The two security areas would be in the "end zones". When you get off the tram, not matter from what gate, you are near the "goalpost" so kitty corner would no longer apply.

 

[Armadillo4]

Here is a great map to visualize where you are going. It is for folks using Magical Express to help them find the welcome center, but it also shows the main building very well.

Thanks for posting that map of MCO!!! That's a very handy guide and I find it much easier to read than the printable maps from the MCO website. I'm saving it now.

 

[bavaria]

Terminals A and B, how far apart?

Would you believe me if I said the distance was the width of a football field?

Except when you get to the "grandstand" on the other side you go down like into the dugout, not up.

The two security areas would be in the "end zones". When you get off the tram, not matter from what gate, you are near the "goalpost" so kitty corner would no longer apply.

I don't think that information will help the OP's inlaws if they are French. American football and baseball references mean nothing to me as a German, and probably won't to a French person either.

I'd go with the map reference.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

It should be noted that there are moving sidewalks that connect the 1-59 and 60-129 sides.

 

[Edd]

I don't believe anyone said American Football. They said football and your parents should understand that. Of course we could say soccer and maybe they won't understand we are talking about European football. The fields are about the same size.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

In my opinion the only difference between terminals A and B is the baggage claim area & where you check in for your flight. Once you get off the tram into the main terminal you will either go towards A or B because it will say where your Airlines baggage claim belt is. It's the same thing when flying home from MCO. You check in where your Airlines desk is & after that both sides will meet the main terminal for you to clear TSA security.

The example of an Airport with seperate terminals is Toronto Pearson International Airport. There are two terminals #1 & 3 (#2 closed a few weeks ago if you wanted to know) so once you check in you don't go into a main terminal like at MCO.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Depending on the time of day, the food court could be a hassle to meet at. I would recommend the large fountain in front of the Hyatt hotel. There are plenty of benches and chairs in the area plus it tends to be a little less congested.

 

[goofy4tink]

The spot I ask people to meet me would be in front of the Disney Store Earport. It's pretty prominent.
The terminal is actually very easy to navigate, but it is big. You could miss someone easily. Will you both have cell phones? That always make things easier....I know it did for us last month with my 30 y/o dd traveling solo for the first time and meeting us at MCO.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

The spot I ask people to meet me would be in front of the Disney Store Earport. It's pretty prominent.
The terminal is actually very easy to navigate, but it is big. You could miss someone easily. Will you both have cell phones? That always make things easier....I know it did for us last month with my 30 y/o dd traveling solo for the first time and meeting us at MCO.

Just be sure to specify that it's Disney Store Earport, not the Magic of Disney store. They are very similar looking. The Disney Store Earport is right by the fountain in front of the Hyatt.

 

[boBQuincy]

One thing to be aware of: afaik there is no passageway between terminals except on the gate level. If you go to the luggage pickup level you will have to go back up to cross over.

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

The spot I ask people to meet me would be in front of the Disney Store Earport. It's pretty prominent.
The terminal is actually very easy to navigate, but it is big. You could miss someone easily. Will you both have cell phones? That always make things easier....I know it did for us last month with my 30 y/o dd traveling solo for the first time and meeting us at MCO.

I think they'll probably leave the cell phones at home, none of us want to make international calls on our cell phones! Once we meet up with them we'll be giving them one of ours so we all have phones.

They arrive at 10pm and we get in at 10:40, they're doing customs in Detroit so they don't have to worry about that one. Originally they were wanting to meet down in rental cars but I'm not sure how easy that's going to be!