5 Important Rules To Know About Orlando Airport in 2026

You may not realize it, but 2026 is going to be a big year for change at MCO, and we want to make sure you’re prepared!

With everything that’s happening at the Orlando International Airport, there are some important rules you need to know about to help you feel more prepared for your Disney World vacations. Let’s get right into it!

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Be Prepared for Long Tram Waits

The Orlando International Airport has begun the process of replacing its aging trams (finally). The project started on December 3rd, 2025, and is in full force. This isn’t just some refurbishment; it’s the airport’s $253 million Gate Link Replacement Project.

The project will see the replacement of the people mover vehicles that transport passengers between gates 70–129 and Terminals A and B. This means that passengers flying with Air Canada, Avelo Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, LATAM, Southwest, and Virgin Atlantic airlines may be affected by this project.

Patience will need to be practiced, as there will be fewer trams running during this project, estimated to take around 2 years to complete. Only one tram will be kept in operation, as opposed to the usual two. To help with the process, shuttle buses will operate around the clock.

Prepare for Change

MCO is also about to undergo a $26 million expansion — a Concession Master Plan that will be opening in phases, bringing more than 40 new retail and dining locations to MCO. We’ll start to see these new retail and dining spots come in during the summer of 2026, and they will roll out until late 2028.

The expansion will be executed in three phases and is just a piece of the massive expansion coming to the airport, including changes to the terminals, the tram service, the rental car lobby, and more. However, for 2026, keep an eye out for some of those phase one openings!

Give Yourself Enough Time

That leads us to the third important rule to follow — just make sure you’re giving yourself enough time. With all the construction work going on with the expansion plan, new restaurants, the removal of Hudson News, the replacement of Trams, and more, you don’t want to feel rushed getting around the airport!

Watch for the New Fee

Last year, TSA started requiring REAL IDs to fly, and they’re buckling down on that. Starting on February 1st, 2026, travelers who do not have a REAL ID or an acceptable form of ID at TSA checkpoints will have to pay a $45 fee and undergo the TSA ConfirmID process. The other option is choosing not to fly.

This is to make sure that the fee to cover an insufficient ID will come from the traveler and not the taxpayer. If you know you’ll run into this fee at the airport, TSA is encouraging travelers to pay the fee beforehand online. However, you will be able to pay at the airport, but you might run into delays.

Families, Look Out For the “Families on the Fly” Program

If you’re traveling with small children, family-friendly TSA lines are available at the Orlando International Airport. These new lines are part of a program in hopes to minimize stress at the airport. This new line focuses on flyers who are traveling with strollers, diaper bags, and more items that come along with small travelers.

You will need children ages 12 and under with you to use the line. You also don’t need to register in advance to use the line. In addition to these new lines, families are also eligible for a discount on TSA PreCheck thanks to the TSA’s “Families on the Fly” program.  This new program is to help reduce regular security lines as well — which has already resulted in seeing a drop of 10 minutes off of wait times on average.

Lots is happening with MCO, and we want to make sure your travel is as smooth and stress-free as possible. Make sure to stay tuned to AllEars so you can get all the latest travel news and updates.

New Non-Stop Flights Are Coming to Orlando In Early 2026

 

Do you have any travel plans for the year? Let us know in the comments!

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