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