The majority of people going to the Disney area will fly into Orlando International Airport terminal C, with both British Airways and Virgin offering direct flights from the UK. Here is a video we found on youtube that gives you a tour of the new terminal if you want to see how it looks.
It can be daunting arriving in an airport that you don’t know, so here's a few tips to help you through the experience!
When the plane lands you will firstly need to pick up your luggage, it's usually quite a long walk from the plane, but take your time, as I'm sure you will still be quicker than your bags!
You may see The Beagle Brigade walking through passengers; they are not to be petted as their role is to sniff out fruit, vegetables and meat banned from crossing the country's borders. Failure to declare food products can result in fines of up to $10,000 - not a good start to your holiday!
Next you go through passport control / U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It is also wise to have a copy of your ESTA and your flight itinerary showing details of your return flight in your hand luggage, should you be asked to show it.
VR360 TOP TIP - Terminal C participates in the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) programme, which lets you submit your details and a selfie to skip the larger queue for passport control, and take a much shorter queue on the left hand side!
Once you have gone through passport control you head through the one way doors, so make sure you have everything and everyone with you, as you can’t turn back!
You are currently on level 6, Arrivals. Next you need to head to the car hire desks to sign paperwork, to do this firstly head to level 4 using the elevators or escalators on the far side of the concourse, and follow the signs for your car hire company.
VR360 TOP TIP - The toll roads in Orlando have moved to a cashless payment system, therefore, I also recommend that you pick up a Visitor Toll Pass, the machine for this is located next to the car hire companies, you need to download the app and reserve a pass ahead of time. Then pick up the pass from the machine and enter the registration plate of your hire car into the app when you arrive.
Also make sure you hang the toll pass tag in the windscreen before you leave the airport otherwise it won't get read by the toll machines as you drive through them.
You need to decline the toll option with the car hire company, otherwise they will charge you a daily rate plus the cost of the tolls, which is considerably more than what you would pay for just the tolls. Just remember to drop the pass back at the end of your stay to be refunded the initial $10 rental fee. https://www.visitortollpass.com/How
Once assigned a car, you can head to the garage following the signs for your car rental company. There are toilets as you leave this area, which might be worth stopping at as it could be an hour drive to your villa!
Once you have your rental car and toll pass, you need to follow exit signs from the car park, your villa directions will either take you on the 417 heading south or 528 heading west (both ways are toll roads!). Most of the cars have Apple CarPlay and the Android Auto, it's best to set this up before you leave the garage, so that you can have access to the maps and navigation.
I hope these hints into what to expect have been useful to you? Have a fun onward stay in Orlando!