Need info on Orlando Airport layout.
 

I'm flying into the Orlando Airport on Monday, and my friend is coming in an hour later. He will be renting a car from National.

Here's the thing...I'll be in a wheelchair. The redcaps will take me to baggage, but I'm not sure if they will then take me to National so I can meet my friend. If my friend has to come back around after renting the car, how much of a hassle is it to drive from the National area to Air Tran baggage? Or should I just get a taxi and meet him at the hotel? By the way, I'll be at a hotel near Universal; how far is that from the airport? Thanks for any info.

Hi SusanN99, I would assume they would take you wherever you asked them to take you, but based on the time frame of him coming in an hour later, then having to rent the car, perhaps you would be more comfortable going to the hotel and waiting there...but, the airport IMO is easy to navigate and has alot of wide open spaces, shops etc. compared to other airports so if you had to wait, I think it's a comfortable airport...hopefully you'll get some more accurate responses from someone who may have specific experience with the skycaps etc...Have fun on your trip, it's nice and warm here !

This may work out for you, assuming National is at the airport and not off-property.

When your friend leaves the rental area, the road leading out of the airport branches to a loop (bear left) that goes back to the aiport and to the "arrivals" area. If you can get your baggage and be sitting outside the door, your friend can easily pull over and pick you up. There's no hassle. I've done it. It will help coordinate things if you both have cell phones and can time the meeting.

That approach, I think, is a lot better than a redcap taking you to National. Making that trip is kind of a pain because it's a long distance and lots of up and down stairs (or elevators).

This may work out for you, assuming National is at the airport and not off-property.

When your friend leaves the rental area, the road leading out of the airport branches to a loop (bear left) that goes back to the aiport and to the "arrivals" area. If you can get your baggage and be sitting outside the door, your friend can easily pull over and pick you up. There's no hassle. I've done it. It will help coordinate things if you both have cell phones and can time the meeting.

That approach, I think, is a lot better than a redcap taking you to National. Making that trip is kind of a pain because it's a long distance and lots of up and down stairs (or elevators). The taxi also seems impractical because the airport is not close to Universal.

Thanks, J999. That sounds like the best plan; we both have cells so I'll arrange for him to pick me up at baggage. This would be a major undertaking in my home city (Atlanta), so that's why I was hesitant to do it in Orlando, but it sounds like a more user-friendly airport.

Thanks for helping to solve my problem!

SusanN

Wednesday, is it really warm there?? You are seriously playing with my head...LOL :). Atlanta has been schizoid lately; I can wait to have some sustained warmth for a few days. Plus we're going to run over and see my beloved shuttle on the launch pad at Canaveral. I'm sooo excited!

SusanN

yes it is, and cooling down ever so slightly at night, really nice :-)....funny because I used to live in Atlanta and that was the airport I was comparing Orlando to ! Having flown out of Hartsfield for 20+ years, I first came to Orlando and thought, "well this is a piece of cake, what a pleasant airport"...so if you are used to Atlanta, MCO will be nothing...have fun !!

Good news is that National is on property so rental car pickup is right out the doors from baggage, and easy for your friend to swing around and pick you up or there is elevator service to the National floor. With only an hour wait, I would wait for your friend it is about 25 minutes out to Universal.