Advantages: Big, clean, lots of facilities Disadvantages: Long time to get through immigration
OK, I’m going to try to make this a shorter than usual review. Orlando International Airport (MCO) is situated in the heart of Florida, USA. It is the main airport the British use when holidaying in the Disney area.
The airport itself is huge, and our only experience of it was this Christmas just passed (2004). On arrival we were greeted by airport staff who were really friendly, and we headed out to pick up our baggage.
Having waited about 20 ... ...we then headed off in the direction of the “exit”.
Hmmm. This is where Orlando appears to be different from other airports. Just around the corner from where you have just collected your luggage is another conveyor belt. You will be expected to put your entire luggage back onto the conveyor, take your hand luggage, and head up the escalator. That is the last you will see of your luggage for the next 2 hours!!
WHY?
OK, the next step is passport ...
Testarossa 28.01.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Orlando, USA (MCO)
Advantages: Easy to navigate, plenty of toilets. Disadvantages: Time in Queues and Speaker system.
Here is my experience of Orlando International Airport which we have used on Three holidays to Florida, our latest visit was Nov 2007.
Orlando International airport is one of the main Airports for Central Florida but some airlines use Sanford which is further from Orlando. It really depends on the airline company to which airport you will land at, we used Virgin for all trips and all arrived at the same area of the international airport.
Before ... ...those green visa waiver forms for each person in your party oh and 1 white customs form for the whole family. Fill this out correctly other wise you will pay for this later, time wise. The airline crew are very good and will help by checking over your forms but you must ask them to do this. On virgin flights they have a little section in the flight magazine with helpful information.
On Arriving try and get off the plane as quick as possible. Why ...
CRAFTYDONNA 09.02.2008 (06.02.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Orlando, USA (MCO)
Advantages: Compact, Good design, comfortable, lots of shops and restaurants Disadvantages: Need to take Monorail to gate.
Orlando International should not be confused with Sanford Airport (which most tour operators fly into). Sanford is small, with no real services, and located 60 miles from Disney. OIA (as Orlando International is known) is a great airport - one of my favourites. The airport is actually only one building, with two sides - A and B. Moving sidewalks and a shopping mall connect the two sides, and parking garages are on each side. Arrivals and departures ... ...from the main terminal. This is the one negative about OIA, as the monorails are the only way to get to the satellites, tough when you are late and trying to run to catch a flight (I have done this, and yes, I made it on time - just). The main terminal has high ceilings and lots of natural light. It is easy to make your way around, and everything is close together. There is plenty of comfortable seating. Plenty of shopping opportunites in the mall ...
Vistaway 08.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Orlando, USA (MCO)
Advantages: Great Location. Major airlines use. Great Facilities Disadvantages: Security.
As a family we have now used Orlando International Airport on our past two visits to the sunshine state. On both occasions we travelled with Virgin from the UK. In addition I also know that BA fly into Orlando International too.
Orlando International is situated about 30 minutes drive from International Drive area. The airport has two terminals - A & B. All the gates are remote to the main terminal buidlings and they use a monorail system to transport ... ...job is to go through immigration. This is probably the slowest part of the experience at the airport. This is where you present your passport, green visa waiver forms and your party for security checks. You will get your photo taken and adults get finger print taken too. The queues for this can be long so can be painful for kids after a 9 hour flight, but once you are through it the journey is painless.
Immediatley after this you reclaim your luggage ...
agrady1008 17.02.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Orlando, USA (MCO)
Advantages: Very quick to exit the terminal Disadvantages: not a great range of shops
...is the better choice than Orlando, dont let the drive put you off as each time we have still managed to reach the kissimee area an about one hour less than we would have by arriving at Orlando airport!
From touch down to actually exiting the terminal building its a very quick process, and the car rental station is as simple as crossing the road, all done on foot and as soon as you are out of the building you can get the cigarettes out ( after a ... ...smokers ).
The drive to Kissimee is very straight foward, its well signed and most of the trip is on the I4.
If you are an experienced Florida traveller or a first time visitor I think no one would have a problem finding the area attractions after landing at Sanford.
We have a disabled child and have encountered no problems arising from disability whatsoever at this airport.
On the return trip home there is a very small resturant facility and ...
Limara 05.07.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Orlando, USA (MCO)
Advantages: 10 - 15 mins drive from International Drive Disadvantages: none that I can think of
Orlando International ha to be one of the best airports in the world, you can virtually holiday here without going into Orlando..
So what is the airport?... its a Hotel, its a shopping mall, its a transportation depot, its a major international hub, its a small self contained town, its an amusment centre.....its amazing...its a wildlife sanctuary...
there are hundreds of mini lakes dotted all around the airfield there are 3 major runways, all in ... ...the single runway 35/17 rather that the parallel runways 18 L+R / 36 L+R..
Orlando is an experience all on its own and if you have en evening flight back to the UK or Europe arrive early at the airport and take some time to discover it properly... most people get of the aircraft and straight thro' the immigration & customs formalities and head toward the car hire stands and then to their International drive or Kissimee hotels..
Orlando International ...
Dalesman 19.08.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Orlando, USA (MCO)
Advantages: only 20 minutes from internatioal drive Disadvantages: none
Orlando international airport ( mco ) is situated in the heart of florida , usa . its the main airport for the british tourists and all the holday makers some people use the sanford airport which is an hour away but the orlando airport is only 20 minutes away from international drive and not far from the disney area.
The airport istself is absalute massive and our only experienace of it was in 2005 as we arrived from the uk we were welcomed by the ... ...20 minutes to arrive on to the belt then we headed of to find the exit .
orlando airport is very differant from any other as hen you get round the corner and you think you have got to the end ohh no you havent you go to another conveyer belt then this is the last you will see your luggage till you get to the other side which could be some time. The next thing we see is passport contol and having completed out visas correctly and answered all the ...
flyingspike 06.02.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Orlando, USA (MCO)
Advantages: loads to do!!!! Disadvantages: easy to get lost!
This place is not an airport, it's a mini city!! Well, less of the mini! Orlando International Airport is THE biggest airport I have ever seen and if something isn't there, it isn't worth having! There are hotels, diners of all variety, hundreds of shops, games arcades and anything you need to amuse you while you wait! Airports can be boring at the best of times but we had to board before we'd finished looking about!! Admittedly I haven't seen many ...
traceyhand 12.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Orlando, USA (MCO)
Advantages: Very easy to get round Disadvantages: Not many places to smoke
Orlando International is a huge airport which could be very daunting, however they have some nice touches which make it a very good airport to use. I have used this airport tfour times and have been amazed that an airport that size can be so efficient.
One problem for the international traveller is that immigration can take quite a long time, however it is good to see that they take security so seriously. After you go through immigration everything ... ...simple. With Orlando Airport being so big, they could have had a problem with passengers hauling baggage through the terminals, however, they have implemented a fantastic system to overcome this. When you have collected your baggage a porter takes it from you and puts it on a conveyor belt, then directs you to a monorail. The monorail system is very quick and sleek and takes you across to the exits of the airport. When you arrive at the exits your ...
linsta 08.06.2003
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Quick review of Orlando, USA (MCO)
Molly Mullen from Orlando Food and Fun: Its a great airport, the tolls getting there and leaving are a pain, but the drop off and pick up is good. The Disney shop is a place I always stop at when at the Airport. I like it better then JFK (NY) La Guardia (NY) and O'Hare (Chicago) , Tampa International is even better for ease of getting around. FYI: if going to Chicago, Midway Airport is better then O'Hare if flying from inside the USA ...
OrlandoFoodandFun 03.06.2007 (02.06.2007)
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Orlando, USA (MCO)
Advantages: Open air Disadvantages: pay for parking before 6
The next time you're in Orlando you must visit Universal City walk. The atmosphere and the music is so great.
We visited recently and were surprised at the number of people who actually preferred to visit Universal City walk at night just for the fun of it. In one small area you can go to the movies, go to restaurants or take in many of the live shows in at any number of the clubs and bars on the walk.
If you want a place to relax after visiting ...
theabel_72 31.05.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Orlando, USA (MCO)
Advantages: plenty to see and do while waiting for a flight Disadvantages: need to allow a hugh amount of time to check in when returning home
We have flown into and out of Orlando International several times now and each time getting in is great although more time consuming now than in previous years because of all of the security checks - which I completely agree with. I love the airport itself because of the things to do there, shopping, size of it, easy way to find your way around and pick up your hire car.
Getting out is a different kettle of fish. Each year we allow plenty of time ... ...that we can get seats togther then have a leisurely breakfast and a look around the airport to buy those last minute bargains. This year however was completely different. We flew as we have done previously with Virgin and when we got to the desk there were about 4 flights checking in together. We were there 2 1/2 hour early so joined the back of the queue. After 30 minutes of not moving we found a very helpful virgin rep who confirmed that there ...
edmonds101 06.01.2006
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Advantages: Its exciting on arrival bec you are on hols, the lovely warmth as you get outside. Disadvantages: its just too big!
This is a massive airport. To get from the 'plane to the outside world is an eternity, firstly there is the long walk to the shuttle that takes you to the main terminal building, then there is the trek to the luggage carousel that will leave you sweating, after lugging your case up and down escalators and lifts in the heat with your jetlag all you will be ready for is bed! On the way home, there are plenty of shops to get those last minute pressies, ...
JoannaC 03.10.2000
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Quick review of Orlando, USA (MCO)
MY EXPERIENCE OF SANFORD AIRPORT IS GOOD ESPECIALLY ON THE RETURN JOURNEY AS ITS NOT AS BIG AS ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL, THE AIRPORT IS USED MOSTLY FOR UK AND IRISH PASSENGERS, WHEN WE TRAVELLED IN JUNE 2007 THE QUEUES WERE LONG WE WAITED OVER AN HOUR TO GET THROUGH AND ALL THE UK FLIGHTS SEEMED TO ARRIVE AT THE SAME TIME IT WAS CHAOS AT IMMIGRATION AND BADLY ORGANISED HOWEVER ONCE THROUGH IMMIGRATION IT WAS A BREEZE COLLECTED OUR BAGS AND CAR WITHIN AN HOUR.
I PREFER SANFORD TO ORLANDO MCO ...
tedyea 27.01.2008
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Orlando, USA (MCO)
Advantages: clean , big, spacious, Disadvantages: you need to catch the monorail to the gate
orlando airport arrivals and departures and located in the a and b side of the pods there is a shot monorail ride which takes you in to the airport itself. the airport is light with high ceilings and makes your way round easy.
There are plenty of places to eat and sit and plenty of that late shopping as there is the duty free shop near the teminals. there is also a disney shop and universal shop and seaworld shop so if you miss anything dont worry ... ...airport .
As soon as you arrive at the airport you will arrive at the imagaration were you will wait in the que may be for half an hour or an hour depends on the wait then you will go through and hand your visa in were there you will wait . then you will go through to pick your cases up but your not out of the woods yet as you pick up your cases they will go on the belt and then you can get them at the other side.
The airport at orlando is good ...
bonustools 10.05.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Orlando, USA (MCO)
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