NEWS: Orlando International Airport Adding 13 NEW Restaurants

Orlando International Airport has become somewhat of a symbol for the beginning (or end) of your Disney World trip. Those iconic floors, sleeping statues, and more are a sign that the magic is just a few miles away.

Our team travels through this airport at least once a month (if not more!), so we feel like this spot is a home away from home. The popular airport has been changing quite a bit over the last year, and now more changes are ahead, thanks to a wave of new restaurants! We think you’ll be VERY excited when you see this list!

MCO is about to get even better because 13 new restaurants are headed to the airport! According to the Orlando Business Journal, this addition is part of the overhaul plan from the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority’s plan to redevelop over 200,000 square feet of space.

The leases for these 13 restaurants are worth roughly $5.9 million, which signals a major upgrade within the food offerings at the airport. According to the GOAA board meeting documents, the 13 restaurants signed a 10-year lease, meaning we’re going to be eating good food for a while! The 13 restaurants include national chains like:

• Chick-fil-A
• Einstein Bros Bagels
• Shake Shack
• Starbucks
• Panda Express

We actually screamed when we saw Shake Shack! Those late-night flight dinners are about to get even better. The new spots also include two Orlando-based restaurants. They’re Piggza, a pizzeria, and Bricks & Bowls, a sandwich shop.

They’re also bringing several regional chains, including:

• Crisp & Green
• Just Love Coffee Cafe
• Naya Middle Eastern Counter & Grill
• Sambazon

Tracy Harris, vice president of concessions, said the mix of national, local, and regional chains is intentional. She said, “The plan is designed to provide opportunities for small, medium, and large companies to showcase the mix of local, regional, and national brands.” The new restaurants will be coming to Terminals A and B in the airport.

These latest additions come as the airport continues to work on a  $5.9 billion MCO Capital Improvement Program. Work on the renovations has already begun, with the first round opening in 2026. This phase, planned to open in 2026, includes local restaurants like Smoke & Donuts, Kelly’s Ice Cream, 4 Rivers Smokehouse, and Otto’s High Dive.

The airport is also working on its mover tram system with a $253 million investment. The Gate Link Replacement Project is slated to begin on December 3rd, and it plans on building new tram vehicles and replacing the rail it travels on. This project is expected to be completed by 2027.

This is just scratching the surface of the changes occurring at the major airport, but we can’t wait for them all! The airport is expected to complete its development over the next 10 years. Be sure to keep following AllEars for more travel news and updates.

What I Wish I’d Known Before Flying Into MCO For My Disney World Trip

 

Have you ever been to MCO? Tell us in the comments!

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