Credit: Orlando International Airport (MCO)Orlando International Airport, commonly referred to as MCO, has experienced significant renovations in recent years, with Terminal C being the highlight of these upgrades. Terminal C has quickly become popular among locals and frequent travelers due to its exceptional dining options, many of which have connections to beloved restaurants at Disney Springs.
Traveling out of Terminal C feels like a little win, as passengers can enjoy The Sunshine Diner, operated by Chef Art Smith, who is also behind Homecomin’ at Disney Springs. Other exciting dining choices include Wine Bar George, Cask & Ladder (from the same group that runs The Polite Pig at Disney Springs), and Summerhouse Santa Monica, which is linked to Summer House on the Lake at Disney Springs.
Walking through Terminal C offers an experience that closely resembles visiting Disney Springs, but set within the unique atmosphere of an airport. The quality and variety of dining options available surpass those of most airports, transforming layovers and early arrivals into genuinely enjoyable experiences instead of mere tolerable ones. For locals in the Orlando area, Terminal C presents a frustrating dilemma: these fantastical spaces are away, yet they remain inaccessible unless you have a boarding pass and a reason to fly. The idea of enjoying these imaginative menus without actually traveling feels impossible, leaving some of Orlando’s most intriguing dining options tantalizingly out of reach for anyone not boarding a flight.
The previous limitation has now been removed. The Experience MCO Visitor Pass Program is back, and for the first time, it includes access to all terminals at Orlando International Airport, including the highly sought-after Terminal C. This expansion allows non-ticketed guests to go through security specifically to shop, dine, and enjoy the airport’s post-security offerings without needing to book a flight.
How the Orlando Airport Program Works
Beginning December 16, visitors will be able to apply for access to post-security areas in Terminals A, B, and C. This marks the first time the program offers comprehensive access across the entire Orlando International Airport (MCO) campus, with Terminal C being the significant new addition. The program allows non-travelers to pass through TSA security to shop at retail stores, dine at restaurants, or spend time with friends and family who are traveling.
The program was initially launched but was paused by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority to assess staffing requirements and operational feasibility. The relaunch includes expanded access and improved procedures designed to manage visitor flow while maintaining security standards and ensuring regular passenger operations are not disrupted.
Lance Lyttle, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, highlighted the program’s importance in welcoming non-ticketed guests to enjoy the airport’s dining and retail offerings or to spend quality time with their traveling loved ones. The program required coordination with the Transportation Security Administration to ensure proper implementation throughout the entire airport campus.
Orlando Airport Application and Access Requirements
Guests interested in participating in the Experience MCO Visitor Pass Program must apply in advance through the official website. Applications can be submitted up to seven days before the desired visit date, but daily availability is limited to manage crowd levels and ensure that the program does not negatively impact the regular flow of passengers through security checkpoints.
Approved visitors are permitted to enter post-security areas only during their specifically assigned timeslot. Available timeslots run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., allowing for a six-hour window for applications. Guests must exit the post-security areas by 8:00 p.m., giving them several hours to explore, dine, and shop once inside.
Applications are processed at midnight on the requested visit date, meaning guests will receive confirmation on the day they plan to visit rather than days in advance. Approved guests must present both a digital Experience MCO Visitor Pass and TSA-approved identification, such as a passport or REAL ID, at security checkpoints. Note that standard driver’s licenses that do not meet REAL ID requirements will not be accepted. Guests should ensure their identification meets federal standards before applying.
Visitor Pass holders are subject to the same TSA screening requirements as ticketed passengers, including all restrictions on prohibited items and liquids. The 3-1-1 liquids rule applies, carry-on size restrictions are in effect, and all prohibited items remain off-limits regardless of visitor pass status. Essentially, anyone using the Visitor Pass must prepare for security screening as if they were flying, except they will not need an actual boarding pass.
Currently, participants in the Visitor Pass Program are required to use standard TSA screening lanes. Expedited options, such as TSA PreCheck and Clear, are not available, meaning all program users will go through regular security, regardless of the expedited screening programs they may typically qualify for when flying.
What This Means for Locals and Visitors
For locals in Orlando, this program finally offers access to the exceptional dining options available at Terminal C without the need to book a flight. Patrons can enjoy meals at Chef Art Smith’s Sunshine Diner, Wine Bar George, Cask & Ladder, and Summerhouse Santa Monica for lunch or dinner, all while experiencing these restaurants in a unique airport setting.
The program also benefits those wishing to spend time with friends or family before flights, as it allows access beyond the pre-security areas. Instead of saying goodbye at the security checkpoints, visitor pass holders can accompany travelers to their gates, share meals together in post-security restaurants, and enjoy more time together before departures.
For tourists visiting Orlando without rental cars, this program offers a convenient way to access quality dining options by utilizing rideshare services to reach the airport. However, whether this is practical will depend on individual circumstances and transportation costs.
The Practicality Question
The effectiveness of the Experience MCO Visitor Pass Program varies based on individual circumstances and priorities. For locals interested in the restaurants at Terminal C, especially those linked to Disney Springs, the program offers unique access. It also provides a solution for those who want to spend extended time with traveling loved ones, alleviating the frustration of quick pre-security farewells.
However, the program necessitates advance planning, TSA-approved identification, compliance with full security screening, and adherence to specific time slot restrictions. It’s not as simple as casual drop-in access; it requires preparation and commitment similar to that of taking a flight, minus the actual journey.
Additionally, the program has limited daily availability, which means applications may not always be approved, especially during busy periods when the airport is focused on managing actual passenger flow. With a midnight processing time for applications, you won’t know if you’ve been approved until the day of your visit, adding uncertainty for anyone planning to access the airport.
Making It Work
If you are interested in using the Experience MCO Visitor Pass Program, it is best to apply as early as possible within the seven-day application window to increase your chances of approval. Make sure your identification meets TSA requirements before submitting your application. Plan to arrive during your approved timeslot and be prepared for full TSA screening, just like regular passengers.
Once you are inside, Terminal C features some of the most appealing dining options, especially for those familiar with the restaurants at Disney Springs and curious about their airport counterparts. This experience combines the atmosphere of an airport with restaurant quality that surpasses typical airport offerings, creating something truly unique to Orlando International Airport.
The return and expansion of the Experience MCO Visitor Pass Program transform Terminal C from a space accessible only to ticketed passengers into a destination that both locals and visitors can enjoy without needing to fly.