Orlando International Airport (MCO) after a Disney World adventure? Picture this: exhausted kids, drained wallets, and the looming prospect of a flight delay. Enter the airport lounge, a potential oasis of calm amidst the travel-weary chaos. Forget fancy Centurion Clubs; MCO offers a hidden gem for Priority Pass holders: The Club. Think free snacks, complimentary drinks, and even a candy bar to appease little travelers. But is this budget-friendly haven worth seeking out? Today, we explore The Club at MCO, weighing its perks against the realities of a busy airport escape, especially for families navigating the post-Disney exhaustion. Let's dive in!
Post-Disney exhaustion? The Club at MCO might be your family's oasis!
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An Orlando family vacation typically involves extensive days filled with amusement, considerable walking distances, numerous queues, and character-themed dining experiences. Consequently, by the time you arrive back at Orlando International Airport for your departure, it's highly probable that everyone in your party is thoroughly exhausted, and your vacation budget is likely depleted. This scenario presents an ideal opportunity to utilize an airport lounge, especially if your flight is delayed due to a common afternoon Florida thunderstorm or if you've taken the complimentary Disney Magical Express Bus back to MCO, as Disney often schedules bus departures that leave you with several hours to spare at the airport.
While MCO regrettably lacks any restaurants eligible under the Priority Pass program or an exclusive Amex Centurion Lounge, it does feature 2 comparable lounges accessible solely with your Priority Pass membership. Situated in Terminals A and B, you'll find analogous lounges, both bearing the name "The Club at MCO." Although these Priority Pass lounges may not offer amenities like a swimming pool as seen in Punta Cana, they do provide complimentary snacks, beer, and gummy candies for your enjoyment.
The functionality of Priority Pass Select membership varies depending on the specific rewards credit card that activated the membership. Holders of The Platinum Card® from American Express or the Chase Sapphire Reserve typically receive complimentary access for 2 guests, whereas cards, such as the Ritz Carlton Reserve or the Citi Prestige, may extend access to an even greater number of guests. Further details regarding which Priority Pass membership option is most advantageous can be found in dedicated resources. Enrollment is required for select benefits associated with these cards.
At both of these Orlando-based lounges, children under the age of 12 are granted free entry, potentially allowing your entire family to gain access with a single membership, even if your complimentary guest allowance is capped at 2 individuals. The Club at MCO in Terminal A is conveniently situated near gates 1 through 29. While operational details are subject to change, this location places the lounge near the departure gates for Frontier Airlines flights.
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The check-in process at the Club at MCO in Terminal B is characterized by its friendliness and efficiency, granting swift entry into the lounge. Upon entering, a search for a suitable location to unwind and recharge electronic devices commences before the scheduled flight home on Frontier Airlines, an airline known for its Kids Fly Free promotion.
As an example of the lounge's typical mid-afternoon atmosphere, a Tuesday in July reveals it to be rather crowded, with families comprising the majority of occupants. After a brief search, a few adjacent chairs are usually located.
The advertised children's play area, which generates initial excitement regarding the lounge's amenities, proves to be quite small. It essentially consists of a couple of chairs and a single gaming console.
Attentive servers circulate throughout the lounge, proactively inquiring if guests have any needs and politely reminding children or adults to use headphones if their devices are being played at a disruptive volume. This courteous intervention is observed on more than 1 occasion during a 30-minute period spent in the lounge.
The Club at MCO features a compact buffet area situated at the far end of the room. This area offers a selection of sandwich varieties, a salad bar, soup, and a candy bar, which appears to be a popular attraction for younger guests.
What is better than complimentary gummy bears and M&M's? While the remainder of the food options appears adequate for a quick snack, they are not items that would likely be sought out for a more substantial meal.
Guests also have the option to help themselves to beverages, such as Coke, Sprite, or Diet Coke from the readily accessible refrigerator.
For adult travelers, the main bar area offers a selection of beer, wine, and mixed drinks. While no alcoholic beverages are consumed during this time, it's indicated that these are included at no extra charge for lounge patrons.
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Within the confines of the lounge, a couple of private restroom facilities are available for guests' use, and it even offers the added convenience of a shower.
That encompasses the positive aspects; now for the less favorable observations. Unsurprisingly, the lounge appears to experience a high volume of usage. The condition of the furniture and carpeting is not optimal, and Priority Pass members should anticipate potential waitlisting for entry during peak travel periods. The staff, to their credit, appears to be diligently working to meet the needs of the guests, but the heavy utilization rate inherently leads to common issues associated with overcrowding, such as elevated noise levels, a degree of disarray, and limited availability of seating.
The ability to conveniently access a lounge at MCO for a complimentary drink and snack is undeniably advantageous, so considering giving the Club at MCO a try if entry can be gained at no extra cost through a Priority Pass membership linked to a credit card is advisable. However, making a special effort to navigate the airport solely to locate this lounge is not recommended, nor is arriving at the airport significantly early specifically for a visit advised. In addition, travelers should be prepared for the possibility that the lounge may be temporarily at full capacity if their travel coincides with peak travel seasons.
Alternative lounge options available at MCO include the Delta SkyClub in Terminal B (accessible with an Amex Platinum card and a same-day ticket on Delta or a Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express), the American Airlines Admirals Club also in Terminal B (accessible with a Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®), and a United Club, also located in Terminal B (accessible with a United Club Card). In Terminal A, there's another Club at MCO location, as well as a USO Lounge.
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