The Rules About Shoes at Orlando International Airport

There are few things more important to a Walt Disney World vacation than a good pair of shoes. However, if your trip to the “Most Magical Place on Earth” involves flights through Orlando International Airport (MCO), there are certain shoe rules you NEED to keep in mind.

Over my 30+ years flying through MCO for trips to Disney World, Universal Orlando, and other Central Florida attractions, I’ve gone through many, MANY airport security changes. One of the biggest was the institution of shoe removal after an alleged shoe-bombing plot shortly after the September 11th attacks. However, that changed in 2025.

The TSA Reverses Course

In July of 2025, the TSA announced that the nearly 20-year-old shoe removal policy would be changing immediately. According to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in a press release,  “Ending the ‘Shoes-Off’ policy is the latest effort DHS is implementing to modernize and enhance traveler experience across our nation’s airports. We expect this change will drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints, leading to a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience. As always, security remains our top priority. Thanks to our cutting-edge technological advancements and multi-layered security approach, we are confident we can implement this change while maintaining the highest security standards.”

So, if you haven’t flown in the second half of 2025, that major TSA rule has officially changed at MCO, which in turn has changed the airport security procedures many have known for decades.

Unwritten “Rules”

Beyond the TSA’s official rule, there are also some unwritten shoe rules one should keep in mind when traveling.

• First off, make sure you wear shoes you can walk in, as you may have a far walk to your gate.
• As tempting as it can be to look highly fashionable for your flight, you really should prioritize comfort over aesthetics, just in case your flight is delayed/you’re stuck in the airport for hours.
• Finally, wear shoes you can easily slip on and off on the plane if you want on a longer flight. (But if you’re planning to do so, please wear shoes paired with socks, for the sake of your aisle mates).
• Keep in mind that you may still have to remove your shoes at TSA — if you are pulled for additional security checks, they may ask you to. So save the lace-up, knee-high gladiators for your destination, just in case.

So, with those rules in mind, which shoes should you wear for your next flight? Well, these are a few of our recommendations:

First up, there’s one of our GO-TO SHOES: The HOKA Clifton 10.

We have these in white and orange, but they’re available in a litany of colors, all of which are breathable and padded, a winning combination for walking through the Magic Kingdom. So, why are they perfect for flying? They’re nice and comfortable, keeping your feet feeling good through the airport and your flight.

SHOP HERE

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