Everything You Need To Know About Orlando International Airport Before Your 2025 Disney World Trip

Are you planning on flying to Disney World in 2025? There are some things you ought to know before your trip!

You’ve already got down your theme park itinerary, dining plans, and budget, but now it’s time to nail those pesky travel plans. Traveling to and from Disney World can sometimes be a pain, but if you plan to fly to Orlando International Airport (MCO) in 2025, we have some advice that will make your trip go as smooth as possible!

It doesn’t matter if it’s your first flight to MCO or 100th, it’s always best to go in prepared. As one of the busiest airports in the entire United States, it’s easy to get lost in the sauce when traveling through the airport. Worry not, as we have several tips that will make you an MCO expert in no time!

Know the Map

This is an obvious tip, but know the lay of the land before you arrive. 

MCO is a major airport that can get hectic and often feels like a maze. Featuring multiple (confusing) levels, three terminals — Terminal A (which hosts airlines including — but not limited to — Frontier Airlines, Southwest, Spirit Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic), Terminal B (which hosts airlines including Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta, Sun Country Airlines, and United), and Terminal C (which hosts airlines including British Airways, jetBlue, and Lynx), and a monorail system, it’s easy to get lost.

Understanding the layout and where to find options like dining ahead of time can be a real lifesaver when you’re pressed for time but need to grab a bite, as well. All in all, there is no downside to being an MCO master before stepping foot in the airport.

If you’re ever confused or feeling overwhelmed, follow the signs you see around the airport or ask an employee for help. We also recommend downloading the Orlando MCO Airport App and your airline’s app before your trip to have a leg up before you even step foot at MCO.

Some big notes you should also know before your visit include:

• Ground transport is on Level 1.
• Baggage Claim is on Level 2.
• Check-In, the Food Court, and the Gates are on Level 3.
• Terminals A and B are on opposite sides of the same building.

Know About Ground Transportation

One of the worst things you can do is not understand how ground transportation works at MCO before you go.

This reporter has been well-traveled for decades, but my first visit to MCO years ago ended after a ton of time meandering and an hour-plus of needless confusion. Don’t repeat this mistake.

When it comes to basic ground transportation, you’ll have Mears Connect, Lynx Bus (public bus), or a rideshare option in addition to getting a rental car.

Mears Connect is ideal for traveling on a budget between Disney World and the airport. Tickets for adults are $16 one-way (plus a $1.60 fee for airport-to-resort travel) and $32 for round trips (plus a $1.60 fee), while kids are $13 one-way (plus a $1.30 fee for airport-to-resort travel) and $26 for round trips (plus a $1.30 fee).

The major downside here is that Mears makes a ton of stops at hotels all around Disney World, so you shouldn’t count on getting to your destination in under an hour. Some reviews have also featured complaints about tardiness, so that’s also something to keep in mind.

Lynx is the public bus system in Orlando and it runs from Disney Springs to Orlando Airport without forcing a transfer to a different bus. This route is called Link311 and runs every 30 minutes every day between 5AM and 11PM with a $2 fare.

Again, don’t expect a quick ride or convenience. The Disney Springs pick-up/drop-off is at the West Side bus loop, requiring you to take a different method of transportation to get to and from your hotel to this spot.

At the airport, pickups and dropoffs are on the “arrivals” level outside of the main terminal. This is ideal for Terminals A or B, but the Terminal C check-in counters are a 20-minute trek. Either way, you’re looking at an hour’s commute each way.

It also doesn’t help that storing luggage on the bus isn’t a thing. If you’re traveling with bulky suitcases on a full bus, prepare for some spatial issues. Also, if you are transferring from a Lynx Bus to a Disney Bus at Disney Springs, be prepared for your luggage to be thoroughly inspected by security.

A more comfortable alternative (aside from car rental) is taking a rideshare like Uber or Lyft.

You can book these ahead of time in order to lock in a price and secure a ride. Keep in mind that rideshares are susceptible to surge pricing so you’ll get comfort from this option, but you’ll hardly save a buck. Renting a car will always be the most comfortable option, but you’ll be paying daily fees on top of gas and parking fees at the resorts and parks.

Know General Airport/Air Travel Rules

Another obvious tip is to be aware of airport rules, both written and unwritten.

Get familiar with TSA rules and regulations if you aren’t familiar already. These are specific to all domestic airports, so they won’t just apply to MCO.

Also, you should know how early to arrive at MCO. According to the Orlando International Airport website, “The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority recommends arriving three hours before your scheduled departure time, but please check directly with your airline for specific recommendations for your flight.”

It also helps to understand the busiest seasons at MCO to get a better grasp on pricing and ease of travel. Expect times of the year like the holiday season to present extra challenges physically, mentally, and emotionally. The same goes for flight times. Red-eye flights generally will be easier to navigate with lower prices, but the hours aren’t ideal.

Another tip is that you’ll generally find the best value for your flight 60 days from your travel date. This rule isn’t written in stone, but it’s served us well in our travels.

All in all, do your homework ahead of time and come prepared. As we previously mentioned, getting familiar with the airport and airline apps ahead of time could get you caught up to speed quickly.

Faster TSA Checkpoints

Getting through TSA at MCO can be time-consuming just as it is at most major airports across the country, but you can still get through quickly and sometimes free of charge.

MCO Reserve is a free program at MCO that allows you to pre-register for a time slot to go through a shorter security line. You can access MCO Reserve from 5AM to 5PM if you have an eligible flight between 6:30AM and 8:30PM.

Clear+ is an annual membership program that costs $189 per year and uses fingerprint and retinal scans instead of traditional forms of ID in the security process. This system has you bypass a live TSA agent (and the line). You then move to the front of the security line with the aid of a Clear representative where you’ll undergo the usual security scans such as removing your shoes and having your belongings checked.

TSA PreCheck is common at over 200 airports and costs $77.95 for five years. You can also bundle it with Clear+. With this government program, you typically don’t have to remove your shoes, belt, light jacket, laptop, or approved liquids from your luggage. Applications for TSA PreCheck can be made online after which you’ll follow up with a background check and fingerprinting.

Last-Minute Disney Souvenirs

Probably the least consequential tip on this list is what to do if you need a last-minute Disney souvenir.

There are two Magic of Disney retail stores at MCO and they’re stocked with all kinds of Disney gifts. One store is located in the main terminal, in the east hall, just outside the security checkpoint for gates 70-129. The other is near the security checkpoint for gates 1-59.

Brightline

Traveling to Disney World but want to venture to other parts of Florida? Brightline is for you!

The Brightline Train has a station at MCO and can even take passengers all the way to Miami. We’re big fans of the Brightline for several reasons.

It’s an affordable way to travel and often offers several different types of discounts (kids under 2 ride free and kids younger than 12 ride for 50% off SMART fares), is quick and convenient with easy dropoff and pickup, offers self-service kiosks, easy security that doesn’t require much effort, and no liquid restrictions.

We also love that you can load your own luggage or choose to check it. In our experience, the trains are fairly clean and well-maintained and the ride is smooth, reaching a max speed of 125 miles per hour. It also doesn’t hurt that the seats and cars are roomier than airplanes!

You can also find plenty of food, beverage, and essential options, including alcohol, over-the-counter medications, and headphones. Overall, this is a great way to travel outside of the Disney bubble.

By following these tips and staying prepared, you should feel confident enough to take on the airport during your next vacation in 2025. We hope you have a safe and pleasant experience during your next Orlando International Airport experience, and, in the meantime, be sure to follow us here at AllEars for all the latest Disney World news, tips, reviews, and more!

I ALWAYS Get Lost Trying to Do This at Orlando Airport. Don’t Make My Mistake.

If you’re looking for a travel agent to help with your vacation, we recommend our friends at Mouse Fan Travel. They’re experts in the field with over 20 years of vacation planning experience, and they can help take a bunch of the stress out of the entire booking process for you!

What are some of your best Orlando International Airport tips? Let us know in the comments!

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