First Time Flying

[LarryBoy]

No it's not my first time ever flying, but in 11 days it will be my first time ever flying to WDW. My twelve year old DS and I are flying down for six days at the world. This will be our first time flying into MCO, using DME, and not having a car while at the World. I need any useful tips, tricks, hints, and advice you can give me about all these things.

[mgmnut]

Disney makes it so easy to get around without a car. I love the fact I don't have to drive.

When you get your DME tags put them on your bags and check them in as usual at the airport. This is the last you will see of them until they end up in your room after check-in.

When you land at MCO take the Monorail shuttle to the Main Terminal, you will be on floor 3 when you get off. Go to the B side of the terminal and take the elevator or escelator down to level 1, bypass bagage claim. Look for the people with giant Mickey hands and they will direct you to the DME Motor Coach.

[MargaretMessler]

DME is a wonderful system, and they make it near impossible to get mixed up. MCO is a huge airport that can be overwhelming when you step into it if you're coming from a smaller airport, but coming from ATL you shouldn't be in for much shock.

Also, make sure you pack anything you might want within the first couple of hours of your arrival in a carry on, if I remember correctly (been a few years since we last used DME as we usually rent a car) your bags don't arrive at the hotel at the same time as you do. If this is a concern, you can always bring the bags with you on the bus, but in this scenario do not use the special DME tags.

The WDW bus system is great and can get you anywhere you need to go. Be sure to make use of your front desk staff if you need to plan a route between resorts at all, and if time is of concern (for dining ressies, etc.) make sure you allow enough time. If you just miss a bus, for instance, it could be 20-30 minutes until the next. Also between resorts where bus transfers are needed, I think they suggest allowing an hour.

[Aurora]

When you land at MCO take the Monorail shuttle to the Main Terminal, you will be on floor 3 when you get off. Go to the B side of the terminal and take the elevator or escelator down to level 1, bypass bagage claim. Look for the people with giant Mickey hands and they will direct you to the DME Motor Coach.

I've flown in and out of a lot of airports, and MCO is one of the easiest. Just FYI, to expand on mgmut's comment, when you get off the plane, you HAVE to take the monorail shuttle, no other way to the terminal from the gates. Just follow the signs -- everything is well-marked. We joke that the shuttle is the first ride of our vacation.

[MNNHFLTX]

The main thing about using Magical Express is remembering that it's in the B terminal. There's nothing like going all the way down to the first level and then realizing you're in wrong terminal. The terminals don't inter-connect on that level so you have to go all the way back up to walk over and go back down to B, level 1. Believe me, I've done it a couple of times.

[Melanie]

We joke that the shuttle is the first ride of our vacation.

Back when Jack Wagner was the voice of the MCO Monorail AND the WDW Monorail, it kinda was like the first ride of a WDW vacation.

[Aurora]

Back when Jack Wagner was the voice of the MCO Monorail AND the WDW Monorail, it kinda was like the first ride of a WDW vacation.

I really miss that voice.

Our other shuttle tradition is, because the train travels outside between the gates and the terminal, and we're from Chicago, on our first sighting we always exclaim, "Palm trees!"

[AvonleaCF]

I was really worried the first time I went solo, and it's so easy and well marked!

MCO is basically a giant main terminal in the middle (no planes come through here though; it's just where all the shopping, dining, and hotels are, and is dived by an A and B side). Branching off the main terminal are four giant gates (mini terminals) where the planes land, connected by monorails. Each gate will have a convenience store and about two eateries.

Just step off the plane and follow the signs to the main terminal A/B. Take the monorail and then look for terminal B, as stated.

Here's a map from their website:
http://www.orlandoairports.net/ops/terminal.htm

I generally choose not to use the ME tags cause I like to unpack right after I arrive. I always take JetBlue, which uses the "A" side. So after I get off the plane, I go to the main terminal, and then down to baggage on the "A" side. Then I have to lug my bag back upstairs to level 3 and cross over to the "B" side and go down to the ME coaches that way. It's a bit of a pain, but worth it to me to have my bag with me. It sounds confusing but I promise it's really well marked.

[LarryBoy]

Thanks for the info guys! Do you feel ok with leaving you carry on bags with the resort if your room is not ready? My main concern is our iPads. I don't think I'm gonna bring the laptop for this trip.

[#1donaldfan]

OH YES !! Once I check in, if the room is not ready, I have no problem at all leaving my carry on !! It's just as secure as it would be in the room !!! Laptop included !! I love flying to Disney, takes a lot of miles and driving off the trip !!! have fun !!

[MargaretMessler]

Thanks for the info guys! Do you feel ok with leaving you carry on bags with the resort if your room is not ready? My main concern is our iPads. I don't think I'm gonna bring the laptop for this trip.

I used to bring my professional grade (aka expensive) camera equipment with me on some trips, and I never had any problems.