Arrival at Orlando International Airport
Orlando International is the main airport servicing Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Airport procedures here are relatively simple as the airport was designed with holidaying families in mind. Walking distances are short, and there are many facilities for parents to help make their journey easier.
On exiting the plane at Orlando Airport, you may or may not be given your buggy back immediately. This will depend on which airline you are travelling with and whether they have stowed your buggy in the hold, or kept it within the main aircraft. For example, Virgin Atlantic always stores the buggies within the hold – there are simply too many buggies to have room to keep them in the main cabin. In this case, your buggy will be returned to you at Baggage Reclaim.
From the aircraft, it is a short walk through to Immigration and this should take you around five minutes. At Immigration, you will join the queue to be processed through some strict security checks. This may mean a bit of a wait so you will want to be prepared to amuse or feed your young baby. There are no food outlets in this part of Orlando Airport, but there are water fountains and, of course, restrooms with changing facilities. Remember, the likelihood is that you will be carrying your baby at this point.
Immigration and Customs
At Immigration, you will be asked to present your passports and the customs declaration form you will have been given on the airplane (one per family). Make sure your form is filled in correctly and fully. Mistakes will not be allowed and there is a chance you may be sent back if your form is not completed properly. The best advice is to fill out your form on the plane, giving yourself plenty of time to do so, and the opportunity to ask for a new form if you make a mistake.
You will also be asked to present your fingerprints for scanning and your photo will be taken. Your baby will not have to have his fingerprints scanned. You will probably also be asked a few simple questions about your visit and the Immigration staff will welcome you to Florida. Make sure you have your and your family’s passports and documentation to hand before you approach the counter. You are not permitted to use your mobile phone whilst going through Immigration. When your passports are returned to you, you will also be given back your customs form, duly stamped.
Once you have cleared Immigration, your next stop is Baggage Reclaim. This is right next to Immigration – no distance at all. At this point, you will be reunited with your buggy. You collect your luggage and walk out of the Baggage Hall, clearing Customs on the way. There, you will need to hand over the white customs form you completed on the plane.
After Customs
Once you have cleared Customs, you have a choice. If you have a lot of luggage, you can leave this on a second conveyor belt for the airport staff to transport over to the Main Terminal for you. This can be very useful if you have heavy bags and a baby to worry about. Alternatively, if you feel you can manage, you can take your bags yourself. Either way, keep your buggy with you.
You progress up to the next level, where you will take a 90 second train transfer over to the Main Terminal. This is your first chance to see some of the Florida waterways and you might even catch a glimpse of 
some Floridian wildlife as you zoom over to the Main Terminal.
On arrival at the Main Terminal, you will probably need to find your holiday representative and/or be reunited with your luggage. If you are on holiday with Travel City Direct and/or flying with Virgin Atlantic, you should follow the signs for Reclaim A. This will take you across the main terminal foyer – a huge atrium surrounded by shops and with a pretty fountain in the middle. There is also a food court across the foyer, with a good choice of snack options if you are hungry. You can also pop into a ‘News and Gifts’ shop and pick up snacks or an emergency pack of nappies and wipes if you need one.
Walk across towards the large A sign, then descend to Level One. If you rechecked your luggage, head to the carousel to pick it up. Then walk past the car rental desks to find your holiday representative. He or she will direct you to the correct car rental desk, or to your transfer bus which is right outside on the same level.
Then, you’re off to your hotel. Happy holidays!
