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Practical Guide to Orlando Airport Terminals (MCO)
The experience at Orlando International Airport (MCO) largely depends on a key variable: the terminal assigned to your flight. The airport is divided into three main facilities: A, B, and the new Terminal C. However, the difference in design, age, and functionality between them is so stark that many travelers feel they operate as two completely different airports. This guide provides detailed information so you know what to expect and plan your passage as smoothly as possible.
Quick Questions about MCO Terminals
- How many terminals does Orlando Airport have? The airport has three terminals: A, B, and C. Terminals A and B are in the North Terminal Complex, while Terminal C is in the South Terminal Complex.
- Is it easy to move between terminals? Yes, you can walk between Terminals A and B in about 3 minutes on Level 3. To go to Terminal C, you can use the automated train (APM or Terminal Link) and then walk, or take a free shuttle bus.
- Which terminal is better? Terminal C is universally considered more modern, cleaner, and with better services. Terminals A and B are older and often criticized for being crowded and in need of renovations.
- Does luggage take a long time to come out? It is one of the most common complaints across all terminals. Be prepared for possible delays, especially at Terminals A, B, and also at the new Terminal C.
- Are there differences in ground transportation? Options are similar, but signage at Terminals A and B for rental cars and ride-hailing apps can be confusing. Terminal C has a more direct connection to the parking lot, though also with signage challenges.
- Is there Spanish-speaking staff? Yes, although it is not guaranteed at every counter. Several airport services — from VIP lounges to rental cars and currency exchange — have bilingual staff according to recent reviews, but it's advisable not to assume you'll find it at every contact point.
- What happens if the train to Terminal C is not working? When the APM/Terminal Link is out of service, it is replaced by shuttle buses, which can add considerable time to the journey, especially if you're traveling with heavy luggage or reduced mobility. If your connection is tight, it's key to add extra margin.
Critical Points: Smart Traveler's Manual
- Connection to Terminal C: it is the most reported friction point between terminals. If the automated train is out of service, the transfer is made by bus, with outdoor sections and waits that can compromise a tight connection. Strategy: if your itinerary includes Terminal C, always add 20-30 extra minutes of margin, even if the connection seems comfortable on paper.
- Food before security: in all three terminals, the food offering before security control is noticeably more limited than after. Strategy: if you have time, eat or buy something before going through security, rather than counting on finding open options in the boarding area, especially if your flight is at night.
- Slow luggage across all terminals: baggage delivery delays are a cross-cutting complaint across all three terminals, with reports of waits of 45 minutes or more, especially notable at Terminal C. It is not a specific airline issue, but a consistently reported pattern at the airport.
- QR code parking reservations: in the Terminal C garage, QR code reader failures for prepaid reservations are reported, generating duplicate charges. Strategy: keep the confirmation email and reservation receipt as backup if the reader doesn't recognize your code.
Terminals A and B are located on opposite sides of the same building (North Terminal Complex). It is easy to cross from one side to the other on Level 3, with a walking time of approximately 3 minutes, facilitated by elevators and escalators.
The APM (Automated People Mover) or Terminal Link is the automated train that connects the terminals. It operates 24 hours from Terminal B to the train station (Brightline). From there, a walk of about 400 meters through the C parking garage is required to reach Terminal C. Additionally, a free shuttle bus operates 24 hours between space B16 (Terminal B) and space C272 (Terminal C).
Terminals A and B: A Classic Design with Current Challenges
Terminals A and B are MCO's original facilities and share the same building and, to a large extent, the same traveler reviews. They are frequently described as "outdated," "worn," and with an aesthetic that evokes the 80s or 90s. A recurring comment is that the facilities "desperately need a renovation" to handle the current passenger volume. It is in these terminals where travelers report most of the inconveniences.
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Terminal A
Terminal A is located in the northern part of the North Terminal Complex and is distributed across three levels:
Level 1
Ground transportation, including taxis, buses, rental cars, luggage wrapping, baggage claim (8A), USO lounge, and lost and found office.
User experience: This level is functional for accessing transportation, but it is a critical point. Travelers report negative experiences with some taxi services, mentioning meters already running, excessive fares, reckless driving, and refusal of short trips. According to recent reviews, this pattern repeats with more than one taxi provider operating in the area, while the Mears Connect shuttle receives considerably more consistent reviews for transfers to the Disney area.
Strategy: confirm the fare before getting into the taxi and verify that the driver uses the meter; if your destination is a Disney resort, comparing with the Mears shuttle may be cheaper and more predictable.
Level 2
Baggage carousels 1-16, pickup for ride-hailing apps (Uber, Lyft, Wingz, KreweCar), service animal relief area.
User experience: A known challenge at MCO is waiting for luggage. It is advisable to prepare for delays that, according to reports, can exceed 45 minutes. Although the carousels operate, patience is key. On a positive note, the availability of pet relief areas is a well-valued service.
Level 3
This level is divided between check-in counters A1-A4 and boarding gates 1-129. Ride-hailing apps (Uber, Lyft, Wingz, KreweCar) operate here from 9:00 pm to 2:00 am.
You will also find various services, such as currency exchange, information counters, telephones, restrooms, bars and restaurants, nursing rooms, VIP lounges, among others.
There are separate security checkpoints for the two different sections of boarding gates (1-59 and 70-129). You can access the parking lots through the A boarding area.
User experience: This level shows signs of its age. Common complaints include a limited restaurant offering, restrooms that are sometimes dirty or out of service, and a shortage of seating at boarding gates. VIP lounges, such as the Admirals Club, are described as notably small and often crowded, making access difficult during peak hours — several recent reviews report lines of more than 20 minutes to enter even with a valid membership.
Terminal B
Located in the southern part of the North Terminal Complex, Terminal B is practically a mirror of Terminal A, sharing its structure, services, and user-reported deficiencies.
Level 1
Ground transportation, including taxis, buses, resort transfers, rental cars, luggage storage, baggage claim (28B).
User experience: As in the opposite terminal, access to ground transportation can be a friction point. Signage for rental car returns is rated by some as "confusing" and "a maze," which can add stress to the departure experience. Added to this, several rental agency reviews mention attempts to sell insurance presented as mandatory when it is actually optional.
Strategy: review the rental contract line by line before signing, and consider the airport's own Visitor Toll Pass (VTP) as an alternative to rental companies' toll systems to avoid surcharges.
Level 2
Baggage carousels 20-32, pickup point for ride-hailing apps (Uber, Lyft, Wingz, KreweCar), service animal relief area, nursing room.
User experience: Slowness in baggage delivery is a consistent and recurring complaint in this area. Additionally, signage to locate ride-hailing app pickup points is not always clear — being on the same level as baggage claim, several travelers report confusion upon first arrival — which can cause additional delays.
Level 3
This level is divided between check-in counters B1-B4 and boarding gates 30-99. Ride-hailing apps (Uber, Lyft, Wingz, KreweCar) from 9:00 pm to 2:00 am.
You will also find different services, such as currency exchange, information counters, telephones, restrooms, bars and restaurants, VIP lounges, among others. There are separate security checkpoints for the two different sections of boarding gates. To access the parking lots, you can go through the B secure area.
User experience: The general perception is of a terminal that needs modernization. Restrooms are a frequent point of criticism, being described as "disgusting" or lacking supplies like soap. Food options are considered limited, with several locations closing before the published schedule according to recent reviews, and finding a free seat in the crowded waiting areas can be difficult. One traveler described the experience with the memory of the "smell of burnt coffee and toast," an anecdote that reflects the terminal's atmosphere.
Terminal C: Modernity and Large Spaces (with its own challenges)
Terminal C, inaugurated in September 2022 in the South Terminal Complex, represents the modern face of MCO and offers a radically different travel experience. Travelers rate it very positively, using terms like "beautiful," "spotless," "modern," and "aesthetically pleasing." However, its cutting-edge design presents some significant operational challenges.
User experience: Despite its virtues, Terminal C has two recurring weak points in reviews. The first is the long distances you have to walk. It is advisable to prepare for a considerable journey; passengers describe it as a "very long walk" from the arrival gate to baggage claim, with an insufficient number of moving walkways to mitigate it. The second is the slowness in baggage delivery, rated as "endless" and "very, very slow," which generates frustration and contrasts with the efficiency of the rest of the facility.
The Palm Court building is the core of the terminal, with a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes. Meanwhile, in the South Travel Plaza area, there are convenience stores and fast-food options. The terminal features technologies such as RFID baggage tracking and interactive screens, and stands out as the world's first airport campus with LEEDv4 certification.
Level 1
Ground transportation, transfers to parking lots, nursing room, lost and found office.
User experience: Although the modern design is a plus, some travelers point out the lack of ramps and escalators in certain sections, which can make transit difficult with heavy luggage, strollers, or for people with reduced mobility. Added to this, several passengers who requested wheelchair assistance report prolonged wait times at this terminal.
Strategy: if you need wheelchair assistance, confirm it with the airline when booking and reconfirm it at check-in, as several cases of delays occurred when the request depended only on the original reservation.
Level 2
Check-in counters, boarding gates, Palm Court, nursing rooms, pet relief areas, shops, dining, information counter.
User experience: The Palm Court receives excellent comments for its atmosphere and its commercial and dining offerings, which include higher-category restaurants like Cask & Larder — although the latter receives occasional mixed reviews for service delays despite the good quality of the food. An important tip from travelers is that food options before going through security are very scarce, so it is recommended to plan accordingly.
Level 4
Bridge to garage C and ground transportation facilities, car rental agencies, nursing room.
User experience: The direct connection to the parking lot and car rental area is a great convenience. However, this positive point is affected by signage that many consider confusing inside the garage. Additionally, frequent problems with prepaid parking reservations are reported, including barriers that don't read QR codes and unhelpful assistance service. It is also worth noting that the rental car return area does not have its own gas station, and the walk to the boarding gates from this area is notably long.
Strategy: fill up with fuel before arriving at the return area, and if you're coming from returning the car, add about 30 extra minutes of walking to your boarding gate.
Level 6
Baggage claim, customs and immigration, coffee shops, ride-hailing apps (Uber, Lyft, Wingz, KreweCar).
User experience: This level is an example of the terminal's contrasts. The "Great Hall" is praised for its impressive architecture, but it is here where the baggage claim process is located, the most criticized aspect of the terminal. The waits, described as "exasperatingly long," negatively affect the arrival experience. In contrast, customs and immigration controls (especially for Global Entry users) are valued for their notable speed and efficiency.
Pros and cons of MCO terminals
Pros: Terminal C with modern design, good dining and shopping options, agile customs controls for Global Entry passengers, free 24h connection between terminals via APM and bus, and short walk between Terminals A and B.
Cons: slow baggage delivery across all three terminals (especially notable at C), confusing signage in parking and rental car return, scarce food options before security control, restrooms with inconsistent maintenance at A and B, and small, overcrowded VIP lounges during peak hours.
