Flying Through Orlando Airport Is About to Get COMPLICATED

Vacations to Florida in the fall and winter may be top-tier experiences, but they are highly sought after, as well. Lots of people enjoy being at Disney World and Universal for the holidays, which is why the Orlando Airport gets VERY busy this time of year.

The holiday seasons have some of the highest rates of travel, so if you’re planning a trip through the Orlando International Airport in the coming months, here are a few reasons it could be more complicated for you and some tips to help you out.

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY

Last year, in 2024, the Orlando International Airport projected an estimated total of 2,903,347 passengers arriving and departing from the airport from December 20th through January 5th. That’s A LOT of people traveling through one hub.

The busiest projected day last year was December 28th, just a few days after Christmas. With so many tourist opportunities in the Orlando area, the holidays make for the busiest travel time of the year at this airport. This means security lines, food lines, bathroom lines, check-in lines, and walkways will be packed with people during this time. We definitely suggest being prepared if you plan on being at MCO at the end of December 2025 or the beginning of January 2026.

Travel Tips from MCO

MCO shared a few tips for travelers coming through the airport during this busy season. These are great ideas to keep in mind any time you fly, too.

• If you’re checking luggage, be at the airport 2 hours in advance of your departure.
• Use the MCO app and visit the website @FlyMCO.com for flight status and updates
• Pack as lightly as possible.
• Remember security measures and rules to make it a streamlined process through TSA.
• Place ID tags on the outside AND inside of checked and carry-on luggage
• Parking may reach capacity. Consider using a rideshare provider or taxi to get to the airport.

Winter Travel Can Be Challenging

Florida may have great weather during the winter, but many northern locations that fly to Orlando can have pretty rough winters. Last year, Orlando International Airport saw many cases of cancellations and delays due to winter weather in other locations.

If you’re flying to or from Orlando this winter, be aware that cancellations and delays can and do happen. It’s a great idea to download the MCO app or check its website for updates, as stated above.

If you are planning a trip to Orlando this winter for the holidays, check out the discounts, exciting events, and more below!

Holiday Discounts

Hotel Discounts at Disney World

You can save up to 20% on rooms at select Disney World hotels! This offer is from October 12th to November 20th on most Sunday through Thursday nights and on most nights from November 23rd to December 25th.

You’ll also get a FREE Disney gift card when you upgrade to a room and ticket package that includes non-discounted 4-day or longer standard theme park tickets. Savings and value of the promo gift card varies based on the hotel you book.

For More Info On This Deal and Others, Click Here!

Bundle and Save at Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando is currently offering a Bundle and Save promotion where you can save up to $200 on a resort vacation. This deal is based on the vacation package, including hotel and tickets, that you book to determine how much you save.

Holiday Happenings at Universal Orlando

Christmas at Universal Orlando is lots of fun for kids and adults. You’ll find beautiful decorations and special events. A few of those events include:

• Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
• Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s
• Grinchmas at Seuss Landing
• And more!

Holiday Happenings at Walt Disney World

Marvelous special events happen at Disney World, too! Some of our favorites include:

• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom
• Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios
• Decorations EVERYWHERE — life-sized gingerbread displays, giant Christmas trees, and more!

Flying in and out of Orlando International Airport may be more challenging around the holidays, but totally worth it in our opinion. The theme parks during the holidays are wonderful! The weather is nice, and the events are truly jolly.

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!

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Are you planning a vacation to Orlando this holiday season? Let us know in the comments!

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