Serving as the gateway to Florida’s world-famous theme parks, Orlando International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the USA. Every year it welcomes over 40 million passengers, with most making a beeline for Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando. It’s also extremely popular with cruise passengers departing from Port Canaveral on lines such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Disney.
Unsurprisingly, Orlando International Airport is brimming with gift stores retailing theme park merchandise, making it a great place to indulge in a little last minute souvenir shopping. For well-heeled travellers, Orlando International Airport is home to some fantastic business lounges, as well as a handful of airport hotels close by.
Orlando International Airport is serviced by several car rental agencies, which operate at both Terminal A and B. Orlando’s local public bus network operates a service to Downtown Orlando and other area routes, with Disney's Magical Express whisking passengers directly to resort hotels.
While today Orlando International is a civic airport, it’s “MCO” code refers to its former name, McCoy Air Force Base. Prior to 1975, it served as a Strategic Air Command installation but was shut down following the end of the Vietnam War.