Before that happens, passengers can pick up a free souvenir button on their travels through the airport.
There are three different buttons in the “Memories Created in Orlando” program. And with each one the airport says passengers will have a chance to “celebrate special occasions, share their love for MCO, and take home a unique keepsake that highlights their experience in Orlando.”
This first round of buttons is a limited-edition collection, available only until MCO’s rebranding is unveiled on November 13. Then a new line of commemorative buttons will be introduced.
You can pick up your free Orlando International Airport souvenir button at the MCO information booths from 4:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., daily.
Where You Can Find MCO Information Booths to get a free souvenir button
Terminal A
Terminal B
Terminal C
Level 3 across from Gates 1-59 security checkpoint
Level 3 across from Gates 1-59 security checkpoint
Level 2 across from Gates C230-C245 security checkpoint
Level 3 across from Gates 70-129 security checkpoint
Level 3 across from Gates 70-129 security checkpoint
While you’re there, ask if there are any Orlando International Airport trading cards to add to your collection.
Happy Friday! Here are some travel tidbits we’ve spotted over the past few days.
Airport WiFi. Free now, but it wasn’t then.
We remember when free airport WiFi was hard to come by. Now, almost every airport you visit offers free WiFi for a few hours or the entire time you’re there.
Norfolk International Airport (ORF) shared a snap of the CyberFlyer internet stations that once offered airport WiFi access for 33 cents per minute.
#TBT May 1997: ORF installs the CyberFlyer internet station — "the payphone of the 21st century". Travelers paid 33¢/min to connect to the Internet. These stations provided access to AOL, CompuServe, & the Microsoft Net.
The visitor program at Orlando Int’l Airport is now permanent
After testing it out for a year, Orlando International Airport (MCO) has made its MCO Visitor Pass Program a permanent amenity.
The pass gives guests without boarding passes the opportunity to shop, dine and hang out with friends or family post-security at Terminal C.
Want to visit Orlando International Airport without a plane ticket?
To apply for a Visitor Pass, apply at Experience MCO up to seven days in advance.
After filling out the form and agreeing to the terms of the program, TSA will notify you of your status and send you a pass after midnight on the day of your requested visit.
The list includes Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Nashville International Airport (BNA), Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), and at least a half dozen others.
Free parking for shoppers at PDX Airport
The recently opened pre-security lobby at Portland International Airport (PDX) is pretty darn swanky, with trees, stadium seating, giant video screens and a nice selection of cool shops and restaurants.
For those who want to visit the airport and check it all out (we highly recommend it), PDX is offering free parking to anyone who spends $25 in the pre-security area on Saturdays in September.
The free parking days at PDX are September 7, 14, 21 and 28.
Here’s how to get your free PDX parking offer:
Bring your airport parking ticket with you to the airport.
Shop or dine at one or more of the pre-security venues listed below.
After you make a purchase, show your ticket to one of the staff and save all your receipts. Once you’ve spent at least $25, show all the receipts to the staff at your last stop.
You’ll receive a validation coupon. Bring both the coupon and your parking ticket to the PDX parking structure and use that validation coupon to pay for your first two hours of parking.
Here are the shops and dining venues where purchases will count towards your free parking:
December 28 was National Card Playing Day, so the Stuck at the Airport games department asked the teams from the Phoenix Airport Museum at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to share pictures of some of their favorite airline playing cards from the more than 300 decks in their Aviation History Collection. Here’s what they sent.
PHX wasn’t the only airport shuffling the decks on National Playing Card Day. Orlando International Airport (MCO) gave away some of their MCO-branded card decks to some lucky travelers.
Ready to deal out some serious fun? Meet us at the Hyatt Atrium (near the Holiday Tree) to score a deck of our airport-themed playing cards (while supplies last). You don't want to miss out! 🃏#NationalCardPlayingDay ⏰ 11:30 am – 12:30 pm pic.twitter.com/pHfoMICKMC
The Stuck at the Airport team was in Geneva, Switzerland this week for an education day with officials at the International Air Transport Association, IATA.
Topics ranged from passenger rights and travel accessibility issues to earnings, sustainability, biometrics, safety, security, air cargo, and more. We’ll be folding what we learned into many of our stories going forward, but we are glad that the odd holiday ‘decoration’ we spotted a few years ago at Geneva Airport was nowhere to be seen this time through.
Airports and airlines elsewhere approach the holidays with a more festive outlook.
Munich Airport (currently recovering from the fallout of a snow closure) transforms each winter into a holiday destination complete with ice skating and curling rinks.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) and many other airports also go all out with holiday decorations throughout their terminals.
Feeling jolly, looking festive! 🎄 Our airport is officially in the holiday spirit with these tree-mendous seasonal decorations. pic.twitter.com/AyRiBsmTtp
In November, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) will join the list of airports that offer post-security access to non-ticketed airport visitors.
With the Wingmate Pass, anyone will be able to accompany a friend or family member to their gate, welcome an arriving passenger as they leave the plane, or visit the airport’s restaurants, bars, shops, art exhibits, pop-up installations, and activities.
The airport also plans to offer dining and shopping deals just for Wingmate guests.
Wingmate Pass wanna-bees will need to apply for a pass online, at the PHL.org website. Requests can be entered on the day of your planned visit or up to 7 days in advance. And, if the Transportation Security Administration approves your application, you’ll get a digital Wingmate Pass via email to show at the D/E or A-East security checkpoint, along with your government ID.
What other airports offer day passes?
We’re happy to report that PHL’s Wingmate Pass program joins a growing list of other airport gate pass programs.
