Question on layout of MCO

[quagmire0]

This will be our first time flying into Orlando and what we'd like to do is feed the kids at the airport before we drive to the condo. How I have it working in my head is that we all get off the plane, DW and the kids(4yo and 1yo) go to the food court for lunch and I'll head down and get luggage/the rental car. Being unfamiliar with the airport layout, my two questions are:

1. When I look at the airport map, it seems like the food court is right outside the arrival gate area, so we should be walking through it on the way to the rental cars/baggage claim, etc. Is that true?

2. If I'll be getting the luggage and rental car myself, I'll probably need a cart. If I recall correctly, the rental car counters are downstairs, but you have to go outside to get the car itself. Is that true, and if so, would I be able to bring one of those luggage carts out to the car?

Thanks in advance!

 

[GrnMtnMan]

1. When I look at the airport map, it seems like the food court is right outside the arrival gate area, so we should be walking through it on the way to the rental cars/baggage claim, etc. Is that true?

No, not true. You won't be walking through it.

When you get out of the gate area trams, you normally would simply turn to the right (or left, depending on the side of the airport) and descend down to the baggage claim level. In order to go to the food court, you have to go straight into the large area between the two terminal sides.

The food court is not far out-of-the-way...but it is in an area that you only go through if you're changing terminals (unusual) or going to the food court.

2. If I'll be getting the luggage and rental car myself, I'll probably need a cart. If I recall correctly, the rental car counters are downstairs, but you have to go outside to get the car itself. Is that true, and if so, would I be able to bring one of those luggage carts out to the car?

Yes, you can bring those carts out to the car.

 

[Cherinva]

I agree with the PP...MCO is an easy airport to get around in...it's large....they have plenty of signs to help you get where you need to be.