Orlando International Airport (MCO), sits just 6 miles southeast of Downtown Orlando and is Florida’s busiest airport and a top-10 U.S. airport by enplanements. Originally McCoy Air Force Base (hence the “MCO” code), today MCO handles record passenger volumes and a wide mix of domestic and international carriers. In the latest FAA release (Sept. 2025) covering Calendar Year 2024, MCO recorded 27,859,783 enplanements (No. 9 in the U.S.); GOAA reports 57.2 million total passengers in 2024. The airfield spans 11,605 acres, making it one of the largest U.S. commercial airports by land area.
Why this matters for cruisers: MCO is the primary gateway for ground transportation from Orlando Airport to Port Canaveral, a smooth 45–60 minute ride via FL-528, with private car, SUV, limo, Sprinter, mini-bus, and shared shuttle options.