MCO Terminal C Guide for UK Travellers: Arrivals, Immigration & Bags First

Terminal C feels modern, but with a bag collection policy before passport control checks when you land, it’s a different experience than some UK visitors are used to. This guide takes a look at the full UK journey from the excitement of arrivals to the departure blues, and what to do if need to connect to Terminals A and B or the Bright Line.

Which UK Airlines Use Terminal C (2026 Update)

If you are flying direct from the UK to Orlando International (MCO), you are almost certainly heading to Terminal C from 28th April 2026 as Virgin Atlantic have confirmed their move. needs changing to June one

For more detailed advice on the UK airlines flying direct to MCO from the UK head to Which UK Airports Fly Direct To Orlando (MCO)?

Arriving At MCO Terminal C: The Experience

If it’s your first time landing in Terminal C from the UK, there is one part of your experience that may feel odd: the “Bags First” approach. Terminal C operates a “Bags First” policy, meaning that you collect your bags before you pass through US Custom and Border Patrol. This design is meant to help speed up the exit process, but that isn’t always the case when it’s busy!

The walk from the gate to the arrivals hall is lengthy and you will notice the difference especially if you have previously landed in Terminal A and hopped on the monorail. The walk helps you stretch your legs after a 9 hour transatlantic flight, and it’s a modern terminal, but you are going to be walking for around 10 - 15 minutes. If you have mobility issues or young children it could take longer and you may want to consider requesting assistance in advance. You'll pass through “The Palm Court," a massive sun-lit atrium, before reaching the luggage area.

Then, in a reversal of the usual routine, you will collect your checked suitcases first. Look for your flight number on the digital screens. Once you have your bags, then you proceed to the Passport Control hall.

To skip the standard queue if you are returning to Florida on an ESTA you have used before, download the official Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app opens in a new tab before you leave the UK. As a British citizen on an ESTA, you can submit your details via the app as soon as you land. It is an extra cost and you can 100% skip it if you are doing this trip with a tight budget. If you opt to get MPC, look for the dedicated MPC Lane at immigration, it is often empty while the main line is hundreds deep.

Things you miss landing in Terminal C

If you’re a returning visitor there are a few things that you may miss when landing in Terminal C rather than Terminal A:

• The first ride of the trip: the monorail with Buddy Dyer’s welcome message
• The iconic carpet
• Less walking

Benefits of Landing in Terminal C

There are a few benefits to landing in Terminal C, too:

• The Terminal building is new and it feels so much lighter than the old building
• The building is modern
• Collecting your bags before going through Customs removes that sense of anxiety of what if my bag is going round and I’m not there because this queue is so long.

Terminal C: Transfers

Travelling into Terminal C does not restrict or change your transfer options; it is just as easy, if not easier in some instances. Here is a list of the transfer options available and where you’ll find them in Terminal C, (car hire’s below this section).

• For rideshares like Uber and Lyft after you collect your bags on Level 6, walk straight out of the glass doors to the Arrivals Curb. This is a massive advantage for Terminal C and makes finding the place to get your Uber or Lyft from straightforward.
• For Mears Connect, one of the most budget-friendly ways of getting to Disney Resorts, head straight to their podium on Level 1 of Terminal C. Take the lift or escalator down from Level 6 to Level 1. Follow signs for "Bus Service" or "Shuttle Vans."
• If you are using Disney’s exclusive Minnie Van service for Deluxe resort guests, you will also be picked up from Level 6.
• If you are using the Brightline to head down to Miami from MCO, Terminal C is the only terminal connected to the station. You go from Terminal C via a pedestrian bridge on Level 4. It is about a 5-minute walk from the main Terminal C building.
• If you are choosing public transport and staying on International drive, the Lynx Bus can also be caught from here. The stop is on Level 1.

Where to get your transfers from when arriving in Terminal C

If you are heading to Disney World and considering your transfer options from Terminal C, this guide takes at detailed look at your options including cost comparisons read How UK Visitors Get From Orlando Airport (MCO) To Disney Resorts.

Picking - Up Car Hire In Terminal C

Picking up a hire car in Terminal C is arguably the easiest experience in Florida, provided you know where to go. Car hire is a great option for transfers and getting around while in Florida, to read more about it head to Florida Car Hir For UK Visitors: Choosing, Booking & Using A Hire Car.

Whether you have booked a fly drive directly through a UK holiday provider, added car hire onto a package deal, or booked it separately, in Terminal C all of the car hire companies are located on Level 4. This includes all the bug names like Alamo, Avis, Budget, Hertz, Dollar, and Enterprise. From Level 4, you can walk to your car, in around 10 minutes, collecting your Visitor Toll Pass on the way.

If you have not sorted your car hire before arriving, there are a lot of car hire options at MCO and you can see where each one is located on the MCO website: Orlando International Airport (MCO) opens in a new tab. It’s always best to book car hire before heading to Florida to get the best deals.

Terminal C: Getting A Visitor Toll Pass

Unlike Terminals A and B where the machines are on Level 1, in Terminal C, you must go to Level 4. The toll pass vending machines are near the car rental service desks which are also on Level 4. The machines are 24 hours and easy to use. You collect and return your toll passes from these machines when using Terminal C.

For a full guide on using the Visitor Toll Pass service, including our experience of losing the toll pass, read about using Visitor Toll Pass.

Connecting to Terminals A & B

Terminal C is a standalone building located about a mile south of the main airport complex which is where Terminals A and B are. If you need to reach the main terminal for a hotel like the Hyatt Regency, for specific car hire brands, or a connecting domestic flight, you have two 24/7 options.

Option 1: The Terminal Link (APM) - Th

This is the fastest and most popular method. It is a free, automated people mover that runs every few minutes.

Option 2: The Terminal Shuttle

If you have an excessive amount of luggage and want to avoid the walk through the garage, the shuttle bus is a better bet.

If your flight lands late, after 9:00 PM, take the Terminal Link. It is much more reliable than the bus at night and drops you right at the heart of the Terminal A/B atrium.

Leaving MCO Using Terminal C: The Experience Going To The UK

When it comes to heading home, the departures experience at MCO is modern and efficient. It is, in our opinion, a better departure experience than Terminal A, offering an all-round better service. With over 33 shops and restaurants offering sit-down and counter-service food beyond TSA, the light and open-air space offers a different experience to Terminal A. The price of airport food still remains high, though, so if you are looking to save eat properly before heading to the airport.

MCO Reserve

MCO Reserve opens in a new tab is a free option for all passengers departing MCO, including UK travellers heading home from Terminal C. It is a service that provides you with a dedicated timeslot to go through TSA security. There is a dedicated lane where you scan your QR code which you get when you book your reservation.

Reservations can be booked up to 7 days in advance, and they do get snapped up fast. Ideal for families, MCO Reserve is available between 5:00am and 5:00pm for flights departing between 6.30am and 8.30pm. This does mean not every UK traveller can use it as some of the flights back to the UK depart later than the 8:30pm cut-off, so just check your flight times before making a free reservation.

The Plaza Premium Lounge: Is it Worth It?

Located on the second level of the Palm Court (just past security), this is the primary airport lounge in MCO, Terminal C for BA, Aer Lingus, and from 28th April 2026, Virgin passengers in Terminal C.

You can gain entry in a few ways, including:

• by Priority Pass,
• American Express Platinum,
• through your airline depending on what class you are flying
• paying at the door which is around £52.49 ($70.00), but prices vary.

Unlike UK lounges where almost everything is included, "Premium" spirits and hot à la carte food items here often come with an extra charge. However, the buffet, house wine/beer, and soft drinks are complimentary. If you are looking to find out more head to Plaza Premium Lounge Orlando | Plaza Premium Lounge opens in a new tab.

Food at MCO, Terminal C

Because UK flights mainly depart in the evening, many travellers grab something to eat before boarding the flight home. However, Terminal C has a closing time problem. While the terminal is 24/7, many kitchens (including Shake Shack and Summer House) begin winding down by 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM., so if you want to eat, you need to get their sooner. Sunshine Diner and Cask & Larder generally stay open later to accommodate the final UK departures.

Shopping when departing from Terminal C

There are a lot more shops to enjoy after you pass through TSA. Shopping at the Universal shop is an experience, especially if you are a Harry Potter fan. Be sure to head up the stairs to see the merch and staging, even if you don’t want to buy anything.

If you are wondering if there is a Disney Store in Terminal C, there is. It is after TSA, but not quite the same as the one in Terminals A and B.

Terminal C is the new home for direct flights for UK arrivals and departures into Orlando International Airport (MCO). It’s a modern terminal building, offering a better departure experience, but many Brits may prefer the arrival experience at Terminal A. Overall, it’s something that you can’t change and as Terminal buildings go, Terminal C is a decent Terminal building.

With your transport and arrival plans organised in advance, navigating MCO Terminal C should be a straightforward start to your Florida holiday.

Next steps

Where to go next

The next steps from here

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UK Visitor Questions About MCO