Orlando Airport, help please

[Button17]

This will be our first trip so need advice please.

Can anyone tell me how things work at the airport. From trip reports I think I've gathered;

Get off plane, monorail to main airport, immigration, luggage claim, customs, Magical Express, DISNEY WORLD.

Is this the correct order of things?

Also, if we leave our stroller at the gate at Gatwick, when do we get it back in Orlando, ie, before monorail, or a luggage claim?

Also, last one, for now, what is this second luggage drop which people mention and say should be avoided?

Thank you for reading xx

[Parkie]

Hi

You go through immigration after you get off the plane, you then collect your bags (not sure about the stroller) then pass another customs. Then you hit the monorail and you can either drop your bags here and they will come over to the main hub or you can take them on the monorail with you, which I suggest is the best option. Then you go to the DME all done.

Have an amazing time be advised MCO is busy and how long you wait in immigration depends on your flight time and where your seating on the plane!

[Guest]

Originally Posted by Button17

This will be our first trip so need advice please.

Can anyone tell me how things work at the airport. From trip reports I think I've gathered;

Get off plane, monorail to main airport, immigration, luggage claim, customs, Magical Express, DISNEY WORLD.

Is this the correct order of things?

Also, if we leave our stroller at the gate at Gatwick, when do we get it back in Orlando, ie, before monorail, or a luggage claim?

Also, last one, for now, what is this second luggage drop which people mention and say should be avoided?

Thank you for reading xx

See more...

No Its land, immigration, baggage reclaim, customs, 2nd bag drop if you dont want to take on monorail, monorail, 2nd bag drop reclaim.

Baggage reclaim is behind immigration so will get pushchair back there. Its all quite close once you get off the plane.

2nd baggage reclaim is near the car desks.

[loves2plan]

It's pretty easy to find. After you get of the plane the first thing you do is clear immigration. Then you collect your cases (I believe buggies etc are brought out into the same area) and go through customs, remembering to declare if you have any food. Then you need to catch the monorail over to the main terminal building, look for the giant green letter B. Head for that and catch the lift down to level 1. When you come out of the lift follow the signs for bus transportation (I believe you turn left out of the lift). It's quite a walk to the MDE desk, but you'll start to see signs for it. When you get there check-in and they'll direct you to your coach.

This only applies if you take your cases with you up the escalator to get on the monorail after clearing immigration and customs. If you can't manage your bags then you have to use the 2nd bag drop and pick your bags up again. This can take a while and if it's raining they won't transport any bags until it stops so I've read of people waiting for up to 2 hours. So, if you can manage your bags on the escalator, then it's best to do so. If you do the bag drop then you will have to go down to level 2 on the A side to collect them again, then back up to level 3, over to the B side and down to level 1. The main terminal building is basically an A shape and you arrive at the top of it (level 3) when you get off the monorail. You can only cross from side A to B on level 3, hence the need to go back up again if you've had to pick your bags up from level 2 A side as the Magical Express is on level 1 B side.

This is a photo of level 3 of the main terminal building and the giant letter B

[halloweenbaby2]

There's a great " how too " guide in the Dibb Guide book which walks you through Orlando Airport with pictures.

Not sure about Stroller question

2nd bag drop is after you've done immigration and got your suitcases, before you go up the moving stairs to get on the monorail. To get into the main hub you can put your cases on there or take them with you. Most prefer to take cases with them as people have said it can take ages for your cases to come through at the other end

[Button17]

Thanks for that.

Does anyone know where Virgin's Concierge Desk is in all of this?

[Davy Crockett]

As above, the only thing I would add is that I think it's better to keep your bags with you, just in case!

[loves2plan]

Originally Posted by Button17

Thanks for that.

Does anyone know where Virgin's Concierge Desk is in all of this?

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The Virgin holidays desk is on level 1 of side A. We had to pick up our gift card there last year, so rather than dragging everyone around the airport, when we got of the monorail (level 3), I left DH and the children there. Then headed for the giant A, caught the lift to level 1 and the desk is a little bit of a walk to the right as you get out of the lift. Then I went back up to level 3, got DH and the children, went over to the B side, down to level 1 again and to the Magical Express

[Button17]

You guys are all so amazing. Thank you so much. Feeling more confident now xx

[Guest]

Originally Posted by loves2plan

The Virgin holidays desk is on level 1 of side A. We had to pick up our gift card there last year, so rather than dragging everyone around the airport, when we got of the monorail (level 3), I left DH and the children there. Then headed for the giant A, caught the lift to level 1 and the desk is a little bit of a walk to the right as you get out of the lift. Then I went back up to level 3, got DH and the children, went over to the B side, down to level 1 again and to the Magical Express

See more...

Is this going to be hard work with 2 cases and a tired 9 year old? Got to be done!