The £4.5billion airport expansion that will make travelling to Disney World much easier
DISNEY fans could soon be able to get to Disney World much more easily thanks to a massive airport project.
A 10-year plan has been approved for Orlando International Airport (MCO), estimated to cost around $6billion (£4.5billion).
Orlando Airport is the busiest in Florida, and one of the busiest in the whole country.
And the project comes after passenger numbers have increased at the airport over the past few years, with it handling 57.2million passengers in 2024.
The expansion will focus on four main areas: customer experience, community, infrastructure and people.
By 2030, the airport hopes to add 8,000 car parking spaces, complete the construction of a new baggage handling system for Terminals A and B, complete two gate expansions and add more passenger walkways and travellators in Terminal C.
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Also by 2030, the airport would like to increase the number of small businesses working with them.
Then by 2035, the airport hopes to complete work on Terminal C.
The project will also see the terminals renamed by numbering them to make it easier for passengers.
As a part of the plans, the airport is working towards attaining a five star Skytrax rating too.
There will be one new cargo processing facility, an FAA-approved ‘vertiport’ for helicopters and restored stormwater structures, as well.
A video released showing the plans for the airport also implied that there will be facial recognition in the future, better flight information screens, smart restrooms, more shops and lounges and new play areas for families that will even have a theme park theme.
CEO of Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), Lance Lyttle, said: “This vision focuses and unites everything we do around one core purpose: delivering an exceptional experience for everyone who passes through our airports.
“We’re creating spaces that are more welcoming, efficient, and enjoyable, from the parking areas to the gate, so that every step of the journey feels seamless.”
According to Disney Tourist Blog, the “MCO badly needs modernisation and expansion, and we’re pleased to see that happening with this massive $6billion (£4.5billion) investment.
“That should greatly improve the arrival and departure experience, making for a better first and last impression with Walt Disney World guests.”
The blog added that the airport is usually very busy, with 30 minute queues.
But thanks to the new expansion, a lot of the issues should hopefully go away.
The expansion also comes after a number of new attractions have opened in Orlando, with more in the pipeline.
For example, Epic Universe at Universal Orlando opened in May of this year with a new Harry Potter land.
The £7billion land also has a ‘How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk’ land and a Super Nintendo World.
Walt Disney World is also investing $17billion (£12.7billion) over the next couple of decades, which includes a number of new rides.
In other aviation news, a major UK airport is getting a £30million upgrade – but could mean your late flight is cancelled.
Plus, these are the best and worst airports in the UK – with regional airport coming in at number one.