Listen up: if you're flying into Orlando for Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando Resort anytime in 2026, you need to know that MCO is currently a construction zone, wrapped in policy changes and a side of operational chaos. The airport is undergoing multiple major transformations simultaneously, and Disney travelers will feel every single one of them.
The Orlando Airport Tram Disaster You Need to Know About
Orlando International Airport is starting a $253 million tram replacement project in December 2025 that will cause disruptions for the next two years. This project involves completely replacing the trams that take passengers between gates 70 to 129 and Terminals A and B.
During this construction, only one tram will run instead of the usual two. This single tram will handle the number of passengers that two normally would. If you are flying Delta, Southwest, Frontier, Virgin Atlantic, Air Canada, LATAM, or Avelo, this will affect you.
The airport is providing shuttle buses 24 hours a day to help, but these buses are not as quick as the trams. They take longer to load, and they must navigate traffic inside the airport. This means that what used to take five minutes from your gate to the main terminal may now take twenty minutes or more, especially when many travelers are moving at the same time.
This situation won't change quickly. The project will last about two years, meaning reduced service and longer wait times will be the norm for a while. Make your plans accordingly to avoid missing connections.
Orlando Airport Construction Zones Everywhere
MCO is implementing a $26 million Concession Master Plan that will add over 40 new dining and retail locations by late 2028. This will result in construction barriers and closed stores throughout the terminals. The expansion unfolds in three phases starting in the summer of 2026, with some construction already ongoing, leading to the closure of familiar spots like Hudson News. If you have a favorite place at MCO, it might not be there anymore, as changes will happen in phases, causing ongoing disruptions.
The New ID Fee That's Going to Catch People Off Guard
Starting February 1, 2026, travelers arriving at TSA checkpoints without a REAL ID or other acceptable ID will face a $45 fee. You must either pay this fee and go through the TSA ConfirmID process or forfeit your flight that day. TSA advises handling this fee online in advance to avoid delays, as paying at the airport will slow down screening and create bottlenecks. This change is meant to shift the cost of processing travelers with insufficient ID onto those individuals rather than taxpayers, but many may be caught off guard by this unexpected charge.
One Positive Development for Families
Not everything happening at MCO is terrible. If you're traveling with kids ages 12 and under, the airport now offers family-friendly TSA lines as part of the “Families on the Fly” program. These dedicated lanes are designed for travelers dealing with strollers, diaper bags, car seats, and all the chaos that comes with moving small children through security.
You don't need to register ahead of time. Just look for the family lane signage when you approach security and get in that line if you qualify. The program has already shown results, cutting average wait times by about 10 minutes. Families also get discounts on TSA PreCheck through the program, which saves even more time.
It's a legitimately helpful addition that acknowledges the reality of traveling with young kids. But it's one bright spot in an otherwise messy year for MCO.
What This All Means for Your Disney Trip
The bottom line is that navigating Orlando International Airport in 2026 requires significantly more time, patience, and advance planning than in previous years. The tram capacity reduction alone is enough to throw off your timing if you're not prepared. Add construction detours, closed dining options, and new security policies, and you've got a recipe for stress and delays.
Give yourself way more time than you think you need. If you normally arrive at the airport two hours before a domestic flight, make it three hours this year. Check your ID situation right now and get a REAL ID if you don't have one. Don't assume your favorite MCO restaurant or shop is still open. Be flexible and expect the unexpected.
These changes are temporary growing pains as the airport expands and modernizes. Eventually, MCO will have better infrastructure, more dining options, and improved passenger flow. But we're not there yet. Right now, we're in the messy middle of a multi-year transformation, and Disney travelers are going to feel every bump along the way.
