5 Important Rules To Know About Orlando Airport in 2025

The Orlando International Airport (MCO) can be a wild ride, and we’re not talking about the monorail between terminals.

If you’ve ever flown in or out of MCO, you already know it’s one of the busiest airports in the country, with crowds that can rival a Disney park during peak season. The last thing you want is to be stressed out before you even get to your gate. So, whether you’re a first-time traveler or a frequent flyer, these five important rules will help you navigate Orlando Airport like a pro in 2025.

Pre-Schedule Your Rideshare

Picture this: You’re leaving your Disney hotel (or wherever you’re staying) and open your app to call an Uber or Lyft, only to find that prices have surged to astronomical levels – or worse, there are no available drivers at all. MCO is one of those airports where pre-scheduling your rideshare can save you major stress and money.

If you’re leaving for the airport during peak travel times (think early morning flights or after a big theme park event), go ahead and schedule your ride in advance.

Both Uber and Lyft allow you to do this, and it guarantees that your driver will be ready when you are. Trust us, scrambling for a last-minute ride and watching the clock tick down is NOT the way to start your travel day.

Download the MCO App

Yes, another app – but you’ll find this one to be surprisingly useful! The official MCO app is a lifesaver when it comes to navigating the airport.

Need to check security wait times? Find the nearest coffee shop? Figure out where your gate is? The app has it all.

Also, MCO is a massive airport with three different terminals, so knowing exactly where you’re going ahead of time can make all the difference. The app even includes real-time parking updates, so if you’re driving yourself, you can avoid circling the garage like a vulture looking for an open spot.

TSA PreCheck and CLEAR

If you travel even semi-frequently, TSA PreCheck and CLEAR are worth every penny.

Security lines at MCO can be unpredictable, and if you’ve ever found yourself stuck in a long queue with restless kids or tired tourists, you know it’s not fun.

TSA PreCheck lets you breeze through security without removing your shoes, belt, or electronics, while CLEAR uses biometric scanning to get you to the front of the line even faster.

While you do have to pay for these services, the time and stress you save can be well worth it – especially at an airport as busy as MCO.

Use MCO Reserve

Even if you don’t have TSA PreCheck or CLEAR, there’s still a way to skip the worst of the security lines. MCO Reserve is a FREE program that allows you to book a time slot to go through security, helping you avoid long waits.

Simply go online to  mco.clearme.com, reserve your time, and show up at the designated checkpoint during your slot. It’s that easy! If you don’t have PreCheck or just want extra peace of mind, this is a must-do.

Follow the 3-2-1 Rule

MCO is not the kind of airport where you can roll up last-minute and expect to breeze through. The 3-2-1 rule is your best bet for avoiding a mad dash to your gate:

• • 3 hours before departure – Arrive at the airport, especially if you’re checking bags.
  • 2 hours before departure – Be through security.
  • 1 hour before departure – Be at your gate, ready to board.

And one more tip – again, since MCO has three separate terminals, make sure you KNOW which one you need to be at ahead of time. Walking across the airport in a panic because you went to the wrong terminal is not a good time (trust us).

Navigating the Orlando International Airport doesn’t have to be a headache. With a little planning, you can make your airport experience so much smoother.

For more travel tips and to stay up to date on the latest Disney news, make sure to continue to follow along with AllEars!

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Are you flying to Disney World through the Orlando International Airport this year? Let us know in the comments!

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