🏛️ Practical Guide to Orlando Airport Terminals (MCO)

Terminals A and B: Classic Design with Modern Challenges

Terminals A and B are the original MCO facilities and share the same building and, to a great extent, the same traveler feedback. They’re frequently described as “outdated,” “worn,” and reminiscent of the 1980s or 1990s. A recurring comment is that these terminals “desperately need renovation” to handle today’s passenger volume. These terminals are where most issues are reported.

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Terminal A

Terminal A is located on the north side of the North Terminal Complex and is distributed across three levels:

Level 1

Ground transportation including taxis, buses, rental cars, baggage wrapping and claim (8A), USO lounge, and lost and found.

🗣️ User experience: This level is functional for transportation, but it's a critical pain point. Travelers report bad experiences with some taxi services, citing meters already running, overcharges, reckless driving, and refusal of short trips.

Level 2

Baggage carousels 1-16, ride-share pick-up (Uber, Lyft, Wingz, KreweCar), and service animal relief area.

🗣️ User experience: Waiting for luggage is a known challenge at MCO. Be ready for delays that, according to reviews, can exceed 45 minutes. On a positive note, pet relief areas are well-regarded.

Level 3

This level includes check-in counters A1-A4 and gates 1-129. Ride-share apps operate here between 9:00 pm and 2:00 am.

You'll also find currency exchange, information desks, phones, restrooms, bars, restaurants, nursing rooms, VIP lounges, and more.

There are separate security checkpoints for gate sections (1-59 and 70-129). Parking is accessible via the A boarding area.

🗣️ User experience: The level shows its age. Common complaints include limited food options, dirty or out-of-service restrooms, and a shortage of seating near gates. VIP lounges like the Admirals Club are described as small and overcrowded during peak hours.

Terminal B

Located on the south side of the North Terminal Complex, Terminal B mirrors Terminal A in structure, services, and reported user issues.

Level 1

Ground transportation including taxis, buses, resort shuttles, rental cars, baggage storage, and baggage claim (28B).

🗣️ User experience: As with Terminal A, ground transportation is a friction point. Return signage for rental cars is described as "confusing" and “a maze.”

Level 2

Baggage carousels 20-32, ride-share pick-up, service animal relief area, and nursing room.

🗣️ User experience: Luggage delays are a consistent complaint. Signage to ride-share pick-up points is not always clear, causing confusion for first-timers.

Level 3

Divided between check-in counters B1-B4 and gates 30-99. Ride-share apps operate from 9:00 pm to 2:00 am.

Services include currency exchange, information desks, phones, restrooms, bars and restaurants, VIP lounges, and more. Separate security checkpoints for different gate areas. Parking is accessed via secure zone B.

🗣️ User experience: The terminal is seen as needing modernization. Bathrooms are frequently criticized as “disgusting” or lacking supplies. Food options are limited, and finding available seating is often difficult. One traveler recalled the smell of "burnt coffee and toast" — a vivid description of the ambiance.

Terminal C: Modernity and Spaciousness (with its own challenges)

Terminal C, opened in September 2022 in the South Terminal Complex, represents the modern face of MCO and offers a radically different travel experience. Travelers rate it highly, using terms like “beautiful,” “immaculate,” “modern,” and “visually appealing.” However, its cutting-edge design brings notable operational challenges.

🗣️ User experience: Despite its virtues, Terminal C has two frequently mentioned pain points. First are the long walking distances. Be prepared for a lengthy trek; passengers describe it as a “very long walk” from the gate to baggage claim, with insufficient moving walkways. Second is the slow baggage delivery, described as “endless” and “very, very slow,” creating frustration that contrasts with the terminal’s overall efficiency.

The Palm Court is the terminal's centerpiece, offering a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes. The South Travel Plaza hosts convenience stores and quick food options. The terminal features innovations such as RFID luggage tracking, interactive screens, and is the world’s first airport campus certified LEEDv4.

Level 1

Ground transportation, parking shuttles, nursing room, lost and found.

🗣️ User experience: While the modern design is a plus, some travelers mention the lack of ramps and escalators in certain areas, which makes movement difficult for those with heavy luggage, strollers, or reduced mobility.

Level 2

Check-in counters, boarding gates, Palm Court, nursing rooms, pet relief areas, shops, dining, information desk.

🗣️ User experience: Palm Court receives excellent reviews for its ambiance and commercial and culinary offerings, including upscale restaurants like Cask & Larder. One key tip from travelers: food options before security are very limited, so plan accordingly.

Level 4

Bridge to Garage C and ground transport, rental car agencies, nursing room.

🗣️ User experience: The direct connection to the parking area and car rental zone is a major convenience. However, poor signage in the garage affects this benefit. Prepaid parking reservations frequently have issues, such as unreadable codes and ineffective assistance services.

Level 6

Baggage claim, customs and immigration, cafes, ride-share services (Uber, Lyft, Wingz, KreweCar).

🗣️ User experience: This level exemplifies the terminal’s contrasts. The “Great Arrival Hall” is praised for its stunning architecture, but it’s also where baggage claim—the terminal’s most criticized aspect—is located. Waiting times, described as “exasperatingly long,” negatively affect arrival experiences. On the flip side, customs and immigration controls (especially for Global Entry users) are praised for their remarkable speed and efficiency.