📝 Tips and Precautions for Traveling through Orlando Airport (MCO)

🧳 Before Arriving at the Airport

1. Plan Your Arrival Time with Extra Margin

This is not an airport for cutting it close. The most repeated traveler recommendation is to arrive with much more time than usual. Consider at least 3 hours for domestic flights and 4 for international. The two biggest "time thieves" are parking and security lines.

2. Parking Strategy

• Assume it will be full: MCO's main problem is the chronic lack of parking in the main garages (A, B, and C). Don't count on finding a spot easily.
• Have a Plan B (and C): If the main garages are full, you will be redirected to the economy lots. This easily adds between 45 and 60 minutes to your arrival between shuttle wait and travel time.
• Consider alternatives: If traveling during peak season, an Uber, a shuttle, or having a friend drop you off can save considerable stress.
• Book in advance: QR code parking reservations can fail at the Terminal C garage. Keep the confirmation email as backup in case of any issues at the entry barrier.

3. Optimize Your Security Screening

• Invest in TSA PreCheck or CLEAR: Frequent travelers describe them as "essential" and "vital" for surviving MCO's security lines, which can exceed an hour wait. Even so, during peak hours these lines can also become congested.
• Check Wait Times: Use the official MCO app or website to check estimated wait times at each terminal's security checkpoints before leaving home.

4. If You Rent a Car or Take a Taxi

• Beware of "mandatory" insurance sales: it's the most repeated complaint at MCO car rental agencies. Under Florida law, most of these insurances are optional — review the contract before signing and record a video of the car upon pickup and return.
• With taxis, demand the meter: Quick Cab and Diamond Cab concentrate the most serious reports of overcharging and risky driving at the entire airport. If the driver refuses to use the meter or something feels wrong, it's better to get out and look for another option.

🛬 During Your Stay at the Airport

1. Navigating Security and Immigration

• Real Wait Times: Although the airport may give optimistic estimates, prepare for security lines that can easily exceed 50 minutes in Terminals A and B during peak hours. Terminal C is usually faster, but it's not immune to crowds.
• International Arrivals: The customs process can be very slow, with waits of up to two hours — Global Entry passengers get through noticeably faster. Add to this baggage claim, which is notoriously inefficient in all terminals. If you have a connecting flight, time is your biggest enemy.

2. Food and Shopping Strategy

• Eat Before Security: The greatest variety and quality of restaurants is found in the main Food Court (Terminals A and B, Level 3). Options at the gates are scarce, more expensive, and many establishments close early.
• Don't Trust the Hours: Many restaurants and stores, including Duty-Free, close before the last flights of the day. If you have a night flight, bring your own snacks or prepare for very limited options.
• McCoy's Bar & Grill as a reliable option: open 24 hours in the public area, it receives the most consistent ratings at the airport if you need something safe at any hour.

3. Connectivity and Device Charging

• Unstable Wi-Fi: The airport's free Wi-Fi network ("MCO Internet") is known for being slow and unreliable when crowded. Don't count on it for important tasks.
• Battle for Outlets: There are charging stations, but they are insufficient for the number of passengers. A portable charger (power bank) is one of the best accessories you can bring to MCO.

🛋️ Recommendations for Long Layovers

1. Rest: Hotel vs. Terminal

• Hyatt Regency Hotel: If your budget allows, it's the best option for real rest. Rooms are officially classified as soundproofed and comfortable in most cases, although there are occasional reports of noise in specific rooms. They offer "day passes" for stays of a few hours.
• VIP Lounges: They can be a good refuge, but keep in mind that at MCO they are usually extremely crowded and have waitlists. Food is generally basic. Delta Sky Club and Plaza Premium Lounge tend to be the best options; American's Admirals Club is the most problematic.
• Sleeping in the Terminal: It's possible, but very uncomfortable. Prepare for hard seats, bright lights, and lots of noise throughout the night.

2. Exploring the Airport

• Art and Views: MCO has several art exhibitions. Additionally, the top floor of the Terminal Top parking garage offers excellent views of the airfield and, sometimes, fireworks from the parks.
• Themed Stores: Take the opportunity to visit the Universal Orlando and The Walt Disney World Store, especially if you didn't have time in the parks.

⚠️ Key Precautions to Keep in Mind

1. Luggage and Lost Items

• Be Proactive: Baggage handling is a weak point. Always keep valuables, medications, and a change of clothes in your carry-on luggage.
• Know Who to Contact: If you lose something on the plane, contact your airline. If it's in the terminal, use the airport's lost and found offices or their online form.
• Good news: the airport's lost and found system has a solid track record of successful recovery according to recent reviews, so it's worth reporting any loss without delay.

2. Connection Times

• Calculate Broadly: Moving between Terminal C and Terminals A/B can take more than 20 minutes. If you're coming from an international flight and have to go through security again, you'll need at least 3 hours of connection time to avoid risking your next flight.
• Have a Plan B for the train: when the APM to Terminal C is out of service, it's replaced by buses, which can add considerable time to the connection. Consider this scenario if your itinerary includes Terminal C.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Specific Tips for Families and Passengers with Reduced Mobility

1. Families with Children

• Nursing Rooms: MCO is very well equipped with private and comfortable nursing rooms in all terminals. They are a strong point consistently praised by families.
• Look for Family Restrooms: Although they exist, they are sometimes not well signposted or may be out of service in the older terminals.

2. Reduced Mobility

• Request Assistance in Advance: Wheelchair assistance must be requested from your airline at least 48 hours in advance. Don't count on being able to get it on the spot.
• Be Patient: Travelers report that assistance services can be slow and disorganized, with long waits. It's crucial to plan with plenty of extra time if you depend on this service.
• Reconfirm at Check-in: some wheelchair passengers with assistance noted on their ticket found no one waiting for them at the gate. Confirming the request again at check-in reduces that risk.
• Accessible Parking: There are reserved spaces in all parking facilities, near elevators and shuttle stops, and the airport offers free parking for vehicles with special equipment or disabled veteran plates.