Orlando International Airport, the gateway for millions of travelers each year heading to Walt Disney World, is about to look — and sound — a little different. In a move that’s part of a sweeping 10-year modernization strategy, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) has approved a plan to rename the airport’s well-known terminals A, B, and C to Terminals 1, 2, and 3.
On its own, it might seem like a minor cosmetic update. But for frequent fliers, first-time Disney vacationers, and even transportation providers, this change is just one piece of a much larger overhaul that aims to transform MCO into “the airport of the future.”
Let’s unpack what this shift means for travelers, why it’s happening, and how it may affect your next trip to Central Florida — especially if your plans include a certain castle and mouse.
From A, B, and C to 1, 2, and 3: Why the Change?
Since its early days, Orlando International Airport (MCO) has used letter-based terminal identifiers — A and B in the main terminal complex, and C in the newer South Terminal building. That’s all going away.
Under the new plan, the terminals will be renamed as follows:
-
Terminal A → Terminal 1
-
Terminal B → Terminal 2
-
Terminal C → Terminal 3
The renaming may help standardize wayfinding for international visitors, as numeric terminal systems are more common in major airports abroad. But it also serves as a clean slate for a facility undergoing billions of dollars’ worth of structural and technological upgrades over the next decade.
The terminal renaming is part of a $5.9 billion Capital Improvement Program (CIP) at MCO and a separate $84.2 million initiative at Orlando Executive Airport (ORL). The program was approved on October 15, 2025, and will stretch into the mid-2030s, with several elements — like updated parking and passenger systems — targeted for completion by 2030.
What This Means for Disney Vacationers
For most guests heading to Walt Disney World Resort, this change won’t interrupt travel — but it does require a mindset shift. Travelers who are used to landing in Terminal B and meeting their hotel shuttle at the designated pickup zone will now need to remember that’s Terminal 2 under the new system.
If you're arriving at MCO and planning to:
-
Grab a rental car
-
Meet a Mears Connect shuttle or third-party transportation service
-
Use rideshare to get to your Disney hotel
-
Coordinate with friends or family during pickup
You’ll want to double-check what your airline’s new terminal number is once the signage and maps are updated. Many Disney guests travel in large groups or with kids, so even a small misstep in terminal identification can lead to unnecessary stress after a long flight.
A Bigger Vision for the Future of MCO
The terminal renaming is just one piece of the puzzle. GOAA’s broader 10-year strategic vision paints a picture of an airport that’s not only expanding in capacity, but also redefining the travel experience through innovation and technology.
Some of the most ambitious changes announced include:
-
Facial recognition and biometric scanning, removing the need for physical boarding passes
-
An on-site hotel
-
A robust VR/AR attraction, complete with a robotic-arm ride system — visuals suggest something not unlike Universal Orlando’s “Forbidden Journey”
-
A vertiport for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), which could enable short-range flights via electric aircraft by 2030
-
Autonomous wheelchair technology for guests requiring mobility assistance
-
Mobile food ordering throughout the airport
-
A massive parking expansion (+8,000 spaces) and better passenger conveyance areas in Terminal C
It’s not just about flashy features, either. Behind the scenes, MCO is upgrading baggage systems, opening a new cargo processing center, and working to increase the number of small businesses operating at the airport by 40% before the decade is out.
“We’re focused on delivering an exceptional experience for everyone who passes through our airports,” said GOAA CEO Lance Lyttle, who stepped into the role earlier this year. “This vision unites everything we do under that mission — from curb to gate.”
What About the Timeline?
While some changes will unfold slowly, others will be much more immediate. Expect to see terminal signage, airport maps, and travel documents begin to reflect the new terminal numbers in the coming months.
By 2030, travelers can anticipate the completion of several key projects:
-
Terminal C Phase 2
-
Airside 2 gate expansions
-
New landscaping and wayfinding design
-
Advanced biometric security across multiple gates
By 2035, the full reimagining will be in place, with Orlando expected to host one of the most advanced air travel hubs in the United States.
Navigating the Change
If you’re flying into Orlando in late 2025 or beyond, here are a few things to keep in mind:
-
Check your airline’s terminal assignment. Most airlines are staying where they are physically, but their terminal number may change.
-
Update transportation details. Confirm with your shuttle service, car rental provider, or rideshare driver which terminal you’ll be using.
-
Review your Disney travel documents. While Disney has not issued formal updates as of this writing, expect travel confirmations, app instructions, and welcome guides to eventually reflect the terminal renaming.
A “Magical” Start to Your Disney Trip?
For families heading to Walt Disney World, MCO is often the very first taste of the vacation experience. The GOAA board emphasized that the goal of the redesign isn’t just technological — it’s emotional. They want to make travel through Orlando more welcoming and guest-friendly.
“This plan ensures that as Central Florida continues to evolve, Orlando International Airport remains a world-class gateway,” said GOAA board chair Stephanie Kopelousos. “It’s a reflection of the spirit and hospitality our region is known for.”
Will renaming the terminals dramatically impact your Disney trip? Not likely. But it’s the first step in a much larger evolution of how Orlando hosts the tens of millions of visitors who pass through each year — many of whom are bound for Cinderella Castle, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, or a plate of Mickey-shaped waffles.
In the coming years, expect a smarter, sleeker, more immersive airport experience — one that may just give theme parks a run for their money when it comes to technological wow factor.
So yes, Terminal B is now Terminal 2, but don’t worry — the magic still begins the moment you step off the plane.
