We are arriving at Orlando International Airport on Mon 15th August at approx 5.30pm.

We have heard that it takes ages from touchdown until leaving the airport having retrieved the luggage/immigration/customs etc. In our case, we shall be making our way to the Dollar rent-a-car desk to collect our car and be on our way.

If we land on time, how long can we realistically expect to take before we can get to the Dollar desk.

Someone told us approx 2 hours - is that correct ?

topping for someone to comment about customs....but without that, once you get off your plane, take the tram, and walk to baggage claim, it's just a few minutes. I am outside in less than 15 minutes...waiting for bags takes a few min longer. Again, that is without customs which I have never done at that airport so hopefully someone can advise on that specifically...even customs at Atlanta airport doesn't take near 2 hours though so I would be shocked to find it takes that long in Orlando...

I can't speak to the customs issue, but if there is a lightening storm in progress, there will be a delay in getting your bags since they do not unload the plane in severe weather. Or at least, that has been my experience.

We shall be travelling on an international flight into Orlando from Amsterdam and not on a domestic flight.

I just recently flew from London to Orlando. Things have gotten more complicated there since my previous visit 6 months ago.
Briefly, once you leave the plane, it's not too bad to go through immigration, although it's a slower process for non-Americans (you don't give your nationality). It took me about 20 minutes to go from the plane and through passport control with a U.S. passport; plan on half an hour to 45 minutes if you're not American (depending on whether other int'l flights arrive about the same time as yours).
After that, you go and wait for your luggage. Took me about 30 minutes...my suitcase was one of the last ones to pop onto the carousel.
BUT after you go through customs you have to re-check it! You can't take the elevated tram over to the main area with your lugage. AND after you re-check your luggage, you then go upstairs and go through another security line, i.e., your carry on has to be xrayed, you go through the detectors etc. Again, how long that takes depends on how many people are there at the same time as you. And whether or not the other pax actually pay ANY attention to the staff who keep telling them to pull laptops and video cameras OUT of their carryon for inspection. My line was full of clueless or self-centered (or both) eejits who, despite being told what to do at least a dozen times, didn't do it and held up the line.
Only then can you catch the tram over to the main arrival terminal area, then you have to walk a bit, and go to baggage claim to enjoy *another* bout of waiting for check-in luggage to be delivered.
So yeah, 2 hours sounds about right. It could take less, but count on one hour minimum and up to two hours.

OMG, it's that bad, huh? Then Orlando should be an airport to avoid flying into on international flights. [Just as Philadelphia should be avoided for international-to-domestic connections.]

Thank you BTilke. It sounds like we are going to have a long wait. However, us Brits are quite happy to queue and queue!!!! Is the procedure as long when departing?

Hi there! I frequently go in and out of Orlando International. I have to admit the arrivals for international flights are a bit of a hassle. Departing is not that bad....in my opinion. After checking in your bags with the airline, security isn't too bad. Depending on what time you leave will depend on how long of a wait. I have left for flights during peak times (expect a wait) but non-peak times I waited ~20 min. If you have any other questions about OIA...check out their website at http://www.orlandoairports.net/goaa/main.htm