Credit: DisneyMillions of Walt Disney World Resort guests’ vacations could change in 2027 as Orlando International Airport (MCO) faces a potential shake-up to one of its time-honored traditions.
On Monday, Democratic Florida State Representative Anna V. Eskamani announced plans to run for mayor of Orlando in 2027. Current Mayor Buddy Dyer was re-elected in 2023 after serving since a special election in 2003. During his 2023 campaign, Dyer said he needed “one more term” to execute his plans for the city.
How does this relate to the Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World Resort? Last year, over 57 million passengers traveled through MCO, many of them headed to the Central Florida Disney parks. Those headed on a theme park vacation embark on their first “ride” of the trip when they board the airport tram between terminals.
After Mayor Dyer took office, he recorded welcome and goodbye messages for guests riding the airport tram. Many Walt Disney World Resort fans consider the “This is Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer” message a quintessential part of their vacations.
When Rep. Eskamani announced plans to run, Disney Parks fans immediately noted that a new mayor could mean a new welcome message on the MCO trams. Theme park content creator Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) wrote the following on X (formerly Twitter):
My first thought seeing this was we could get a new MCO welcome message.
My first thought seeing this was we could get a new MCO welcome message. https://t.co/0j87Ue2ukA
— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) December 16, 2024
During his 2023 campaign, Mayor Dyer said it “might” be his last run. However, he hasn’t officially decided not to seek re-election in 2027.
In response to Eskamani’s campaign announcement, Mayor Dyer issued the following statement to WESH:
“Last year during the election, I was humbled that residents overwhelmingly confirmed the direction we are headed. As we are only one year into this term, we remain focused on continuing to advance major projects and initiatives.”
Orlando International Airport is the busiest in the Sunshine State and the seventh busiest in the country. It services over 40 airlines, including Southwest, Delta, Frontier, Spirit, and United.
Have you traveled through the Orlando International Airport? Share your experience with Inside the Magic in the comments.