Credit: Inside the MagicIf you’re planning a Walt Disney World vacation in the next few years, it’s time to update your airport game plan: Orlando International Airport (MCO) is renaming its terminals, and it’s part of a sweeping, multi-billion-dollar transformation that will reshape how travelers experience Central Florida’s busiest travel hub.
Earlier this week, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) officially approved a 10-year strategic vision for both Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL). While the entire plan includes futuristic features like biometric boarding, AR/VR attractions, and even a flying taxi terminal, one of the most immediately noticeable changes for travelers will be the renaming of the existing terminals from A, B, and C to Terminals 1, 2, and 3.
It’s a subtle shift, but one that will require a bit of mental re-mapping for the millions of vacationers who fly into Orlando each year to visit Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and other Central Florida attractions.
A Small Change That Could Confuse First-Time Guests
Until now, Orlando International Airport has been split into Terminal A and Terminal B in the main building, with the newer Terminal C (opened in 2022) located in a separate complex connected by the Terminal Link train system.
Starting soon, these terminals will be renamed numerically:
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Terminal A → Terminal 1
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Terminal B → Terminal 2
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Terminal C → Terminal 3
This change aligns Orlando with naming conventions at other major international airports and aims to reduce confusion for global travelers unfamiliar with the alphabetical system.
But for Disney-bound visitors — especially those returning after a few years — this renaming could cause minor confusion during airport pickups, Magical Express-style shuttle transfers (for those still using third-party services), and even rideshare or rental car returns.
If you’ve flown into “Terminal B” for years to pick up your rental car or meet your Disney hotel transportation, you’ll now need to remember you’re looking for “Terminal 2.” For frequent flyers and travel planners, that’s a small but important detail to update on your itineraries.
Why the Change Is Happening
The terminal renaming is part of a $5.9 billion Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for MCO, paired with an $84.2 million investment in nearby Orlando Executive Airport (ORL). Approved by GOAA on October 15, 2025, the initiative is billed as “a new strategic vision” to prepare Orlando’s airports for future demand — and position them as global leaders in innovation and guest experience.
Some of the biggest features of this overhaul include:
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Biometric boarding and facial recognition — boarding passes will eventually be phased out
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A brand-new on-site hotel
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8,000 additional parking spaces by 2030
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An Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) vertiport for flying taxis and drones
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VR and AR rides, including one with a robotic arm reminiscent of Universal’s “Forbidden Journey” ride
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Autonomous wheelchair technology for mobility assistance
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Mobile food ordering throughout the airport
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Major terminal expansions and more baggage handling capacity
According to GOAA CEO Lance Lyttle, the changes are about more than just efficiency — they’re focused on delivering a seamless, elevated travel experience.
“We’re creating spaces that are more welcoming, efficient, and enjoyable, from the parking areas to the gate,” Lyttle said in a statement. “Every step of the journey should feel seamless.”
How Will This Affect Disney World Travelers?
For most Walt Disney World visitors, the renaming of the terminals will have the most immediate impact, especially for families using:
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Rideshare pickups (Uber/Lyft drop-offs and pickups are designated by terminal)
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Hotel shuttle or third-party bus transfers
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Rental car pickups and returns
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Meeting friends or family in baggage claim
If you’re used to telling your ride “I’m arriving at Terminal B,” you’ll now need to get comfortable saying “Terminal 2.” For travelers already navigating a busy holiday trip or wrangling children, these seemingly small updates could create brief moments of confusion.
Fortunately, the physical layout of the airport isn’t changing with this renaming — the terminal numbers will reflect the existing terminal structures. That means if you’ve always flown Southwest and landed in Terminal A, you’ll now be arriving in Terminal 1 — same location, new name.
Will Disney Change Its Signage and Services?
As of now, Disney has not commented on whether it will update its signage or instructions for services like Minnie Van pickups or resort transportation. But given the volume of guests that pass through MCO on Disney vacations, it’s likely that Walt Disney World will align its wayfinding and transportation information with the new terminal naming before or shortly after the change is implemented.
Expect updates to:
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The My Disney Experience app, where airport info is sometimes referenced
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Printed or emailed travel documents sent to guests booking through Disney
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Third-party shuttle companies and tour operators that coordinate with airport terminals
The Airport of the Future
Terminal renaming might be the easiest change for guests to notice, but the broader MCO overhaul paints a picture of a radically upgraded airport by 2030 and beyond.
Within the next five to ten years, travelers could be:
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Checking bags using facial recognition
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Boarding flights without paper or digital boarding passes
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Riding a robotic-arm “attraction” while waiting for their flight
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Using autonomous wheelchairs that navigate the airport themselves
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Flying in and out of a vertiport offering short-range air taxi service to nearby cities
It’s an ambitious vision, and one that places Orlando in line with futuristic transportation hubs like Singapore’s Changi Airport or Tokyo’s Haneda.
While the renaming of MCO’s terminals from A/B/C to 1/2/3 might seem like a small detail, it’s part of a massive investment in the future of travel through Central Florida. For Disney World guests, it’s a heads-up that your pre-trip instructions and routines might need a small update — especially if you haven’t visited in a few years.
As Orlando International Airport moves toward becoming “the airport of the future,” travelers should expect both wow-factor upgrades.