Saturday Is the WORST Day To Go to the Orlando Airport

Spring break time is upon us! While it is always great to have a much-needed week break, it also means CROWDS at popular vacation destinations. And LOTS of them!

Spring break is here!

Lots of families use the time when kiddos are out of school to visit Disney World! If you’re also heading to the parks soon, we have a word of WARNING about the Orlando International Airport.

The Orlando International Airport (MCO) has been preparing for a BUSY spring break season. In fact, spring break is the BUSIEST time at MCO, even busier than the holidays! If you are traveling in the upcoming weeks, you’ll need to be prepared so that you don’t miss your flight due to long lines at airline counters and security.

Be prepared for a busy travel time at Orlando Airport!

The Orlando Airport is urging passengers to follow the “3-2-1 rule.” This rule asks passengers to show up at the airport THREE hours ahead of their flight, be in line for security TWO hours before their flight, and arrive at their gate at least ONE hour before departure.

Orlando International Airport is VERY busy

Orlando Airport recently released a press release that included their projections for spring break travel this year, with estimates on which days will be the BUSIEST. Let’s just say, Saturday is probably NOT the best day to be at MCO. Sunday is following close behind with lots of busy days, too. Here’s a look at the ten days that the Orlando Airport expects the biggest crowds, with their projections of how many people will be going through security each day:

Projected Busiest Spring Break Days ©Orlando International Airport

For context, the Orlando Airports current daily passenger record (set on December 30th, 2023) was 98,521 passengers. That’s a BIG increase!

If you’re traveling through the Orlando Airport soon, we have a few tips that might help you navigate those big crowds.

Use Reserved Parking

The Orlando Airport just started a new reserved parking program. You can use it on the airport’s website or on the mobile app before your arrival. You’ll just need to log in, put in your vehicle information, pay, and then you’ll get a QR code for access to level 4 of Parking Garage C.

©Orlando International Airport

The program is only available at that location right now, and space is first-come, first-served. It costs $32 per day. You can click here to reserve your spot now!

Reserve Your Spot in Security, Too

You can also reserve your spot in security, which means you’ll get to SKIP those long security lines! At the Orlando Airport, you can use the FREE service MCO Reserve powered by CLEAR.

©Orlando International Airport

MCO Reserve is open from 5AM to 5PM. If your flight is set to depart between 6:30AM and 8:30PM, then you are eligible to use this service. If you’ve already paid for TSA PreCheck or Clear+, you won’t need this extra reservation, as you can just use those lines instead. Make your MCO Reserve reservations starting three days before your flight is set to depart.

Download These 2 Apps

The Orlando International Airport actually has its very own app! Using the app, you can check security wait times, save your parking location, see the latest airport updates, find shopping and dining locations, and get other important airport information.

Learn more about the Orlando Airport app here!

You should also download the app of whichever airline you’re using to fly, if they have one. With the app, you can see delays and cancelations as soon as they happen. And, you can sometimes even solve problems like rebooking a flight through the app instead of having to wait in line to talk to an airline employee. Those lines can get LONG!

We wish you the best on all your spring break travels! Stay tuned to DFB for even more travel news.