Now Arriving

MCO is getting ready to introduce Central Florida to the world… all over again!

That’s right. One of the nation’s busiest airports, our very own MCO, has begun implementing Phase One of an ambitious vision to reimagine the concessions program in Terminals A and B. Talks started as early as 2019, when the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) began serious discussions about ways to completely revamp the guest experience for travelers to and from Orlando International Airport.

In December 2024, the GOAA Board approved a comprehensive three-phase plan, with all three phases slated for completion in 2028! Phase One, already underway, will bring over forty new retail and food and beverage concepts to Terminals A and B. When the dust settles, guests will enjoy over eighty new options. Phase One starts opening new concessions this summer!

Why is this happening? Especially now? “This past year,” according to Tracy Conner Harris, Vice President of MCO’s Concessions Program, “our Terminal C was awarded the industry’s highest honor of The Best Overall Concessions Program. Of course, C is our newest terminal and we knew that we wanted to ensure our guests in Terminals A and B enjoyed that same elevated experience.”

So, they did their research. The Aviation Authority hosted events like “Coffee and Conversations” where they conducted in-person meetings with small businesses, they held virtual conferences with industry leaders, and attended conferences to talk with concessions operators about the new, expanding opportunities at MCO.

They wanted to truly introduce Central Florida to the world.

To that end, they developed concession packages in three Phases and issued RFP’s (Requests For Proposal) to the industry. Local, regional, and national brands responded, with slots already filled for Phases One and Two.

“We utilized design drivers throughout, like the flora, fauna, water, and wonder aspects of Central Florida that make it the unique place it is. Our terminals will be modernized and upgraded, from the flooring to the seating, restrooms to the lighting,” Tracy says. Where feasible, concession areas have been added or expanded.

The Board took particular care when selecting all their concessions, especially when mixing national and local brands. “This is really a community initiative, after all,” Tracy tells us. “What better way for travelers to sample the real flavor of Central Florida than through the smaller, local operators that travelers from other parts of the country may have never experienced before? Businesses like Kelly’s Ice Cream, 4-Rivers, Maxine’s, House on Lang, and The Old Jailhouse. Think of what it means for our diverse community of retail and restaurant vendors to be exposed to the millions of customers our airport sees every year. What an amazing opportunity.”

The audience for this massive airport upgrade would seem to be principally targeted to the growing number of travelers that fly in and out of Central Florida every day. But that is really only a part of the story. The Aviation Authority also hopes to attract Central Florida residents to the airport so they can take advantage of all the exciting new restaurants and shopping venues that will be opening.

It is a solid plan. Local travelers are quite used to showing up early to ensure they pass through security and make it to their flights on time. Why not show up an extra hour or so earlier and start off your vacation or business trip with a delicious meal or even a little shopping to start the day off right?

They say first impressions matter. We say, Hello world! May we present— Central Florida at MCO.