MCO Airport

[nancilyn]

My daughter and I are flying into MCO on different airlines. I will be flying on Delta, and my daughter will be flying Southwest. We will be flying into different terminals (A and B). I know that terminals A & B are in the same building, different sides. Is there a way for one person to pick up their luggage in one terminal and walk to meet other party in the other terminal without going through security?

Thank you!

 

[seashoreCM]

Both of you will pass a small food court and take a tram to the main A-B terminal and then exit security before going down to baggage claim. No need for either of you to go back into security. You can choose where you want to meet. From baggage claim both of you must return to the ticketing level (top level; Level 3) to cross over.

Think of the A-B terminal building as a football stadium. The A and B sides correspond to the side grandstands. respectively The security areas correspond to the goal posts. The public food court is at the 50 yard line in the middle. The Hyatt hotel can be thought of as occupying up to the 20 yard line at one end. Detail: Each security area serves one A tram and gate area (satellite terminal) and one B tram and gate area.

 

[EACarlson]

If you're both going to have checked bags, one of you will have to cross over to the other side, right through the middle of the airport. Assuming it's you that will meet her on the other side. When you get off the tram, follow the crowd out of the secured area and down the stairs to baggage claim. Once you have your bags, go back up the same stairs you came down, walk right across the back of the security line, past the Disney store and I think Sea World is there, to the stairs going down to where SW baggage claim is.

 

[BlueGreen5]

As others have said, you will not need to go through security to get between terminals A and B.

Just keep in mind that, in order to move between the two terminals, you will need to go up to the main/security floor from the baggage claim level to get across. Every time we're there, there are people who are lost trying to figure out how to get to the other side from baggage claim. You have to go up to get across. It's not difficult, but it's also not clearly marked IMO, so I get how people get confused.

 

[CarolynFH]

You can access a map of the A/B terminal on the MCO website - https://flymco.com/ - which might help in planning where to meet. Also, there are elevators you can use if your luggage isn’t suitable for using the escalator or stairs on your way back up from baggage claim.

 

[nancilyn]

Thank you for all for taking the time to answer my question. The map will indeed help!

 

[jimmymc]

Yes, you can walk from the A to B baggage claim areas without going through security. You just go back up the escalator you went down to baggage claim and walk across the main terminal concourse.

 

[Miffy]

In case anyone reading this thread wants to know: You can get from Terminal C to Terminals A/B without involving security as well.

I think there's bus service between the two areas, but I just walk it. Takes about 20 minutes, including waiting for the link tram.

 

[elvispursley]

Back when Magical Express was operating, we frequently had to cross to the side where the buses were. It was definitely confusing the first time we did it. Ah, those were the good ol’ days

 

[_19disnA]

The least complicated plan would be for the party arriving first to claim their luggage and then walk to the baggage claim area where the later arriving person will get their luggage. Planes are often delayed for any number of reasons, so I would simply wait at baggage claim for them to arrive. Baggage claim areas are always outside of the secured terminal areas. What I would NOT do is claim your luggage and then try to go back thru security to meet the later arriving party at their gate.

 

[EACarlson]

The least complicated plan would be for the party arriving first to claim their luggage and then walk to the baggage claim area where the later arriving person will get their luggage. Planes are often delayed for any number of reasons, so I would simply wait at baggage claim for them to arrive. Baggage claim areas are always outside of the secured terminal areas. What I would NOT do is claim your luggage and then try to go back thru security to meet the later arriving party at their gate.

Moot point as they will not be allowed through security at MCO unless they have a boarding pass originating at MCO for that day.

 

[nancilyn]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Our current plan is to meet at the rental car area. Our flights are scheduled to land within 10 minutes of each other, but at different terminals. My daughter and her husband are renting a car, so our current plan is just to meet there since they will need to wait in line.

 

[sam_gordon]

Moot point as they will not be allowed through security at MCO unless they have a boarding pass originating at MCO for that day.

I've often wondered if I exit security at my destination if I could go back through security. Just for example, I realize I had left one of my bags in a bathroom or similar. Guess not.

 

[CarolynFH]

I've often wondered if I exit security at my destination if I could go back through security. Just for example, I realize I had left one of my bags in a bathroom or similar. Guess not.

Several years ago, DH realized at baggage claim that somehow his cell phone had been left on the plane. I can’t remember details, but with assistance from our airline he was given a special pass that allowed him to go through security and to the gate, where airline staff was holding it for him. So yes, it’s possible, but it was quite a process.