Orlando Airport - Maybe Tampa Next Time
 

Returned last night from a trip to Chicago. Drove to MCO arriving around 10 am Friday to find North Lot blocked off without normal exit sign saying it was full. Drove to South lot where we had to drag suitcases across gravel and grass to find at least thirty people waiting for a shuttle. Thirty minutes later, a bus finally arrived. South lot buses only go to Terminal B and we were flying Southwest which uses Terminal A. Southwest has been bragging about courtesy checking at that terminal. Unfortunately, they require check in at least 2 hours before boarding. We arrived 5 minutes too late so had to lug bags to A check in. On return, we again had to trek across airport to Terminal B so we could get to our car. Bus dropped us off at the area G gate rather than going in. From there, we again trekked across 8 lanes of gravel and grass. I know we can take local transport but parking cost $50 instead of nearly three times that much for the two of us in a shuttle. No plans to fly again any time soon.

Off terminal parking is decent and you can reserve a spot.

We've started using Tampa, much nicer/easier than MCO, door to gate travel time is about the same.

For an early morning flight, we like going down the night before, have a nice dinner in Tampa and then using a stay and fly at a hotel to park the car. 15 min from hotel to the gate.

What a rotten parking experience!!! We’ve been very satisfied with parking at the Renaissance Orlando Airport Hotel, 5445 Forbes Place Orlando, Fl and using their shuttle for the drive to & from MCO. Reasonable prices for parking, shuttle leaves every half hour, pretty sure it runs 24 hours daily. They have a big, partly shaded lot behind the hotel. We felt safe parking ourselves & walking to their shuttle. Also felt safe leaving our car in their lot for 10 & 12 days twice last year. Separate note - we don’t like the Disney-craziness of MCO & have been considering Tampa for future flights. Good luck.

You might want to check shuttle pricing.

I know Workman ramped up its rates to (more than) cover the increased cost of fuel but they have come back down, and the others are cheaper.

Second that. $40 one way via Workman shuttle is waaaay easier on the temper than having to drive and fight traffic.

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After flying out of Tampa 10-12 times a year for many years, I thought it would be a good alternative to Orlando, when I moved to TV.

One trip to Tampa A/P and the Tampa traffic, will cure you of using Tampa.

It really is a no-brainer. If you want to avoid the tourist trap of Orlando traffic and people, use Tampa

Totally agree, Tampa is the way to go. Traffic can be an issue, so you want to time your flights with that in mind. But seriously, the only thing we don't like about living in TV, is Orlando airport. It's like JFK, except it's also full of kids either amp'd up because they are on their way to see the Mouse, or over-stimulated from a week with the Mouse ... making it worse than JFK (if that is possible).On my last trip via Tampa, it was 10 minutes from the door to the gate, including checking a bag (I am TSA pre).

fast
 

fast park shuttle to the door

Airport Parking - Fast Park

I’m in a quandary about which airport to use:

Orlando:
Pros: Closer / Can use Groome door-to-door service (so no driving in traffic or paying for parking)
Cons: TSA can back up at times / Can be very crowded once through TSA (long lines at food court, seating can be limited) / Lots of unruly children in airport and on flights coming and going. I’ve also noticed that there is a small homeless encampment that sleeps in terminal at night.

Tampa:
Pros: Easy to navigate, quick TSA to gate process / Clean / More relaxed and less hectic than Orlando.
Cons: No Groome transportation, and TRAFFIC to deal with.

I don’t mind the few extra miles of driving to Tampa, but it’s the nightmare traffic, especially during snowbird season that keeps me going to Orlando.

Why are airports (both Orlando and Tampa) always on the far side of town from where I am traveling? If Tampa Airport was located in their northern suburbs (say near Wesley Chapel), then Tampa would be a no-brainer to use.

There's a homeless encampment at the terminal at MCO??????

I have my doubts, but if true, why wouldn't those in charge clear that out? A few SWAT officers with M-16's could do that in about 30 seconds. Then maybe a flight out of Florida?

I park at The Parking Spot - offsite. They are at many major airports and the two I use most, In Orlando and Hartford. Easy breezy shuttles, reservation process and great pricing

You can doubt me, but have you been in the terminal after midnight? I have been several times. There are usually several dozens spread out, sleeping across the seats near the food court area, with blankets over their heads, and their stuff, usually in plastic bags, next to them. Security seem to ignore them. Welcome to our new world.

Might be homeless, might be flying standby. I've seen ticketed passengers using plastic bags for carry on luggage. Maybe doubting you was wrong---I think hoping you were wrong would be a better way of putting it

Totally agree. We always try to use Tampa. This may sound strange but once we had to fly out of Orlando and opted to leave our car at Tampa airport, fly to Orlando to catch our plane to our destination and then caught a return flight to Tampa. Worked for us.

If your checked bags are overweight I can see where transferring some articles to a carryon plastic bag might be an option. Just saying….

Parking
 

Park Bark and Fly is our go to parking at MCO. Reserve in advance, $8.99 a day. As soon as you park, the van is ALWAYS behind your car to load luggage. Drop at Southwest, check in curbside or inside..done.
Pick up on return quick and easy. Drop off right at your car.

Not going to argue this point - these folks are homeless - I’ve been there multiple times after midnight - could give more examples of what I have seen to substantiate my point, but not going to elaborate further - I’ve travelled and been around inner cities quite a bit - I know what homelessness looks like - Funny that people are questioning what I have observed who haven’t been there - I think some people don’t want to admit an inconvenient truth, and want to look the other way to the homelessness issues facing us - If you want to question what I have seen and observed with my own eyes on several occasions, then there is nothing I can do about that.

Use off airport parking and their shuttle drops you right at the terminal. Same with pickup. There are quite a number of them.

Workman shuttle?
 

Can you tell me more about the Workman shuttle and how I access this?
Thanks!

I flew in and out of Orlando last week. I used an off site parking site called Fast Park and Relax. I was able to make a reservation, their service was great and prompt. I parked Thursday morning and left Sunday afternoon, $56. I would highly recommend them.

I just had a very pleasant trip out of MCO and used Groome shuttle. I flew SW and it could not have been easier. $33, each way. I was picked up and dropped off at my home. Strongly recommend them.

Where do you stat
 

We are planning to do the same in Dec. Where do you stay?

Same here - I’m very happy with Groome - best way to get to and from MCO

Tampa
 

I just wish Groome went to Tampa. We asked a driver about it once. She said the original plan was to shuttle to Tampa, then expand to Orlando. Wish that was an option.

Daytona International
 

[QUOTE=Michael 61;2226494]I’m in a quandary about which airport to use:

Daytona also has an airport that has easy parking and should be included in your flight search.

Workmantransportation.com. I used it this morning and several times in the past. Picks up LSL or the Brownwood Hotel. After years of living here and driving ourselves to the airport versus various shuttle companies we prefer Workman. They have a set schedule so you don't have to wonder when you're being picked up. You can park free at LSL or Brownwood Hotel. (Or have someone drop you off or pay extra for a taxi pickup at your home). You save the gas expense, parking fees, tolls expense, and the wear and tear on your car of driving yourself to the airport; not to mention the considerable wear and tear on yourself! Those things pretty much make the shuttle cost a wash.

Plus, I like the idea that shuttle services are more likely to have backup in the event of a vehicle problem; if you have a flat tire etc in your own car .... you're gonna miss your flight.

I'll always take MCO over Tampa for the shorter distance (even though it's not a big difference); unless there a big cost or schedule advantage at Tampa.

Include Gainesville in your flight searches
 

We have used Gainesville a few times; tiny airport (2 gates) with American and Delta flights, the long term parking was less than $70 for 10 days. No crowds and no stress. Last time we flew was Jan 2020 so this info is not current but at the time It costs a little more but was well worth it for the lower stress and had no parking issues at all. It depends on where you are going and what carriers you need to use.

Tampa Preferred
 

I prefer using Tampa. It means an extra 20 minute drive but less airport traffic and easier to get around. Also fewer families since most with little ones tend to fly into/out of Orlando.

We used Goome. 33 bucks a person one way and pick you up at your house. Newer vehicles than villages airport van

Just flew into Orlando from Boston yesterday. My flight was terrible. Crying and unruly kids everywhere. One kid yelled and screamed on the whole flight except for maybe one hour. All to see the mouse. I’m surprised people near him didn’t go berserk. Landed in the new terminal C. Will never understand why they didn’t put any walking escalators. It’s a hike to. baggage claim. Thinking about using Tampa in the future but after reading about traffic there not sure. Is it as bad as it sounds?

Very disappointing experience- so sorry. I parked in the North last Thursday to go to Chicago. I was in the back in E lot and worried I wouldn’t find a spot there. I have been using North frequently and this is the first time I had to go past C. Not sure what’s going on.

Tampa can be Cheaper
 

Sorry to hear about your nightmare MCO experience. I flew Tampa to MD in December and the Southwest fight was actually cheaper and had better times. The drive to Tampa is 30 min longer and 295 is nearly always bumper-to-bumper for the last few miles. Tampa parking was convenient even though the ramp is under construction.

I always make parking reservations through this site: https://airportparkingreservations.com/?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign =campaign_APR_2023_27_APR_ONP_CONTACT_STRATEGY_A&u tm_term=%20Use%20code%20MCO7APR%20at%20checkout%20 to%20save%20$7%20on%20airport%20parking.&email=jat son%40mac.com

Using them, I make a reservation with Park’N’Go and pay in advance. It’s about $7 a day plus taxes, so it comes out to about $10 a day. The van picks me up at my car and drops me off at my car. The driver has access to airport roads that get me to where I need to go much faster. I never check luggage. I have TSA PreChek, which saves a lot of time in security lines. (I even have Clear, which saves even more time, but it’s expensive.) Waiting for the van to take me back to the parking area may take 15 minutes or even more, but it beats a big bus that may drop you off far from your car and waiting 40 minutes to get into the lot.

OMG - what a fricking hassle - flying aint what it use to be - took the autotrain from Lorton VA to Sanford Fl for my lifestyle visit - expensive and took 17 hours - but the benefit was bypassing all that bag drag bs and having my car was nice - oh, also the flatiron steak was pretty good too!

Have used MCO for many years back and forth to UK.
Orlando not our favorite airport by any means, but convenient, and flight prices are a lot cheaper to Orlando than into Tampa from UK.
Plus traffic out of Tampa due to the sheer volume and seemingly perpetual roadworks, can be a nightmare if you hit town at wrong time.
We found a one way car rental from TV very convenient. Drop it off and terminal just a short walk over road to terminals.
We have also used Village Transport and Groome without a problem.
Prefer one way car rental though going to airport, as you are then more in control of timing.

welcome aboard

When i use tampa airport i schedule my flight to avoid the heavy traffic patterns

"ORLANDO, Fla. —

Authorities at Orlando International Airport are struggling to deal with rising numbers of homeless people arriving at the airport, seeking the air conditioning, restrooms and other amenities offered to passengers and patrons.

This year, 50 million passengers will board flights or land at Orlando International Airport, spending little time in the terminal. But others are making their airport their "home." They're people who live on the streets of Central Florida, and instead of seeking shelters, they try to blend in with travelers."

Etc. (wesh dot com. Greg Fox, Nov. 14, 2019)

Over three years old but probably still accurate.