Credit: Inside the MagicA decades-old airport security policy may soon be on its way out — and for visitors headed to Orlando’s world-famous theme parks, it could bring much-needed relief during one of the busiest summer travel seasons on record.
According to an internal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) memo obtained by multiple outlets, a plan is underway to end the long-standing requirement that travelers remove their shoes at airport security checkpoints.
If enacted across the country, the rule change could streamline screening at key travel hubs — especially at Orlando International Airport (MCO), which has long struggled with congestion, long wait times, and a crush of vacation traffic headed to Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, and beyond.
A 20-Year Rule May Finally Be Ending
The TSA first implemented the shoe removal policy in 2002 following a failed 2001 terrorist attempt involving a shoe bomb on a transatlantic flight. Since then, all U.S. travelers passing through standard TSA lines have been required to take off their shoes — a process that has caused delays, especially for families with young children, travelers with mobility challenges, and groups carrying multiple bags.
The memo, first reported by the newsletter Gate Access and confirmed in part by ABC News, outlines a plan to allow passengers to keep their shoes on during most standard screenings, starting at select airports before expanding nationwide. The change may begin as early as this week, although the TSA has not yet made a formal public announcement.
“TSA and DHS are always exploring new and innovative ways to enhance passenger experience and our strong security posture,” a TSA spokesperson said in a statement. “Any potential updates to our security process will be issued through official channels.”
What It Means for Orlando Visitors
Orlando International Airport is consistently one of the most heavily trafficked airports in the U.S., particularly for leisure travelers. It serves as the primary entry point for domestic and international guests heading to Disney, Universal, SeaWorld, and Central Florida’s vacation rental corridor.
With many families arriving early in the morning or late at night on budget airlines — often with small children and lots of luggage — security lines can become a significant pain point.
In recent years, MCO has worked to modernize its facilities, including a new Terminal C, facial recognition technology for international arrivals, and improved baggage handling. However, even with upgrades, long TSA lines during peak travel windows (summer, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Break) are common.
“Any policy change that helps speed up the security process at MCO is a win,” said one Orlando-based travel consultant. “The airport is constantly busy, and a more efficient screening experience makes a big difference for families headed to the parks.”
Disney Vacations Could Become Slightly Less Stressful
For guests arriving in Orlando with plans to visit Walt Disney World, every minute saved at the airport can have an impact. Many travelers use the first day of vacation to squeeze in a theme park half-day, check into resorts, or make Advance Dining Reservations. Delays at security or baggage claim can easily derail those plans.
Currently, only TSA PreCheck travelers, children under 12, and seniors 75 and older are permitted to keep their shoes on. The new policy, if finalized, would allow all travelers to pass through security with their shoes on — no PreCheck required.
That could ease the burden on Disney-bound families flying in from cities like New York, Chicago, or Atlanta, who often arrive to long lines and tight transportation schedules. Orlando’s airport is not just busy — it’s often ranked among the most stressful in the country for travel during holidays, with heavy congestion on both the tarmac and in the terminal.
The Department of Homeland Security is expected to make an official statement regarding the policy later this week. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is scheduled to hold a press conference at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, where she will reportedly outline upcoming changes to TSA protocol intended to improve the traveler experience.
This update follows recent turnover in TSA leadership. David Pekoske, the agency’s administrator, was fired earlier this year by former President Trump, though he had been reappointed by President Biden. His replacement has not yet been named.
For now, the policy remains in the rollout stage — but if successful, it may offer relief to millions of travelers heading to and from Florida’s most popular airport. For Disney and theme park fans, this could be one less hurdle on the road to magic.