Question on flying into MCO

[Minnie824]

I know this is WAY overplanning, but yet I still have to ask. We'll be flying on southwest from chicago to mco this nov. This will be my DDs first flight. I was wondering, when flying into MCO, which side of the airplane would you be able to see the castle from? I think they'd like to be able to see that out the window if possible. Does anyone know? Thanks!

 

[safetymom]

I don't think you will be able to see it. WDW is quite a way from the airport. I haven't seen it in many many flights.

 

[helenk]

In all of my trips I have never seen the Castle or SpaceShip Earth in Epcot, and I have looked each time.

 

[magicaldisney]

Before moving to Minneapolis, we lived in Milwaukee. So, we have always flown into MCO from the north, just as you will be. We have never seen any part of WDW. Maybe we are just missing it.

 

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

I agree, you can't see any of WDW as you fly in to the best of my knowledge.

 

[PCFriar80]

The only WDW landmark I have ever been able to see was the Swan & Dolphin resorts. Even those looked like a spec in the distance. I could barely make out the Contemporary as well. Conditions were ideal, clear visibility, approaching from the north and heading south, with WDW off to the right (west) of the plane.

 

[Lisa_Belle]

Isn't Disney World a no-fly zone? If so, I don't think you'll be able to see it from any direction. I don't remember seeing the castle on any of my flights either - and we've flown north to south and west to east.

 

[we3disneygo]

I think you are correct it's a no fly zone, we have never seen the castle from the plane....

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

There is already a thread right on this page regarding the same topic:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1180850

 

[seashoreCM]

Flights from the north landing when still facing south do not come close to WDW. If wind conditions dictate, planes from the north may descend between MCO and WDW and make a U turn to the left, facing north when landing. So I would say the right side of the plane would give a better view. But more often the plane will descend east of MCO and far from WDW, making its U-turn to the right.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Edd]

If you fly into Orlando from the Northwest, landing to the north from a left downwind, you will be descending to 5000 about 10 miles northwest of Orlando. The radar approach will take you almost directly over the city of Orlando at 5000 to about 10 miles south of the city, You should be landing runway 36 left or right. On the downwind to landing that runway, you might be able to spot Disneyworld if you are sitting on the right side of the aircraft and looking in your 12 to 2 o'clock position. When you turn base, you might spot Disney, which will be off in the distance about 15 to 20 miles from your 2 to 6 o'clock position as the aircraft heading turns 180 degrees to 090 degrees for base.

If you land runway 18 left or right you probably won't spot Disney because it will be anywhere from 20 to 35 miles out the right side of the aircraft. Even a real clear day it would be hard because you are descending from 5000 to ground level in 10 miles.

 

[Simba's Mom]

In all my flights TO MCO (over 20), I've never seen WDW. However, on my last trip (2 months ago), I got to see it very well as we were leaving. I'd always closed my eyes on take off before, but someone here had reported seeing it from the air when they took off. Facing front, it was out the right. Also, it was really exciting to see it-we could see Epcot, OKW, the castle, Space Mountain, BCV, CBR, etc.