As hurricane season peaks, airports temporarily close down for safety reasons. For Floridians, this is nothing new. Small airports, in particular, shut down to avoid disaster, but some larger airports, such as Orlando International Airport (MCO), remain open due to their large capacity. This does not mean they become shelters, nor does it mean flights run on schedule. It does mean the airport has a greater chance of operating if conditions are deemed acceptable.
Unfortunately, those who have to travel through these harsh conditions have the choice of either being dropped off by a friend or a rideshare app or parking near the airport. Those choosing the latter may want to take that extra second to consider where exactly they want to park, especially for long-term trips.
Although only a couple of hurricanes make landfall in Florida a year, it’s never a bad idea to plan ahead, especially if you have a trip longer than a week. Hurricanes can make landfall within 48 hours, so knowing where to park is sometimes crucial if you frequently use Orlando International Airport. In 2017, Hurricane Irma thrashed Florida and forced over 30 percent of all residents to evacuate, the largest evacuation in U.S. history.
Safest parking options at Orlando Airport during stormy conditions
Orlando International Airport offers plenty of parking options, both on-site and off-site. Most would agree that the closest parking lot with the best protection would be ideal, so let’s start with the closest:
Onsite Parking
Terminal Top Parking, the closest to the terminal, is a covered lot offering both long-term and short-term parking at MCO. Parking costs $24 per day and about $168 per week. It is patrolled by the Orlando Police Department. Maximum parking duration is 45 days.
Valet parking is also available at the airport for $35 per day. Weekly parking will cost you about $245. As the rates are higher, valet parking isn’t commonly used for long stays, but the airport allows parking for up to 45 days. It is also a covered facility, and security on the parking premises keeps your car safe.
More onsite options
The next MCO parking option is Parking Garages A and B. Both these are within walking distance of the terminals and are guarded by security. These parking spots are mostly covered and will cost you $24 per day and about $168 per week. The maximum number of days you can park is 45 days.
Further away from the airport, you have the North or South Park Place Economy Lot. These two lots require shuttles to get to the terminals, but they are free and run 24/7, about every 10 minutes. These spaces are all uncovered, so this may not be the best option during stormy conditions. The lot is fenced and guarded by the Orlando Police Department. Parking costs $14 a day and $98 per week. They offer the longest maximum stay of 90 days.
Finally, Parking Garage C, which is located right next to the South Cell Phone Lot. Most of the spaces at this lot are covered, so you don’t have to worry about any weather damage affecting this lot. The daily parking rate at Garage C is $24, and the weekly rate is $168. The maximum stay is 45 days.
Parking oversized vehicles
The only parking lot available for oversized vehicles, including motorhomes (or vehicles longer than 20 feet), is at the North Park Place Economy lot. Accessible MCO parking is near the elevator shafts on each level of Terminal Garages A, B, and in the Top Parking Lot. Accessible parking spaces are on levels 3 and 5 of Garage C. MCO also provides free parking for anyone who uses specialized equipment with their cars in accordance with Section 316.1964. This equipment includes ramps, lifts, and foot or hand controls.
Offsite MCO parking
There are more MCO parking options nearby. One of the best parking options is The Parking Spot. To find more parking options at the lowest rates, you can always use parking websites like Way.com.
If none of these options interest you, you can try parking at the airport hotels. Some hotels nearby offer long-term parking for travelers. The DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando Airport, Wyndham Garden MCO Airport, and Sheraton Suites MCO Airport all offer long–term MCO parking at the lowest rates. Unfortunately, these hotels don’t offer covered spaces, so consider your options before making a decision. For those with an early flight, these hotels might be a good option. This allows you to spend the night at the hotel and park your car on-site for free for at least a week, sometimes longer.
Preparing your car for long-term parking during stormy conditions
Say you’re going on a trip for three months and are forced to park in the Park Place Economy Lot because of its extensive time allowance, but you’re worried about your car being uncovered. There are things you can do to prevent damage to your car during a storm when you’re away.
Before heading to the airport, make sure your car’s tank is full and all fluids, such as oil and windshield wiper fluid, are properly checked and replenished. The last thing you want is to come back home after a disaster to find your car has no gas!
Once you park your car at the airport, the first thing you should do is document its condition with photos and any written descriptions. Do this for both the interior and exterior of your car. This will help with your insurance company if you have to make a claim in the event of a hurricane. Before you go, review your insurance policy to see if you are protected in the event of a natural disaster.
Before heading off on your trip, make sure you properly stow away your car keys and documentation. Put them in a safe place, possibly on you, so that you always know where to find them.
Park smart
Avoid parking under power lines or near trees. Don’t park in lower-level parking lots, as they tend to flood during heavy rainstorms. Try to park in a covered lot or near a building to protect your car from high winds.
A study found that 63% of the time, it’s cheaper to drive and park at the airport. It’s cheaper to take an Uber or Lyft to MCO Airport if the parking fees exceed the cost of a rideshare.
Returning to Orlando: What to do after the storm
So, let’s say you’ve found a cheap MCO parking spot near the airport and you’ve gone off on your trip. Come to find out a storm is brewing in Orlando, and you’re worried about what to do when you get back. Here are some tips to follow when it’s time to return to Orlando.
The first thing you should do before returning home is to make sure it’s safe to return home. Depending on how devastating the natural disaster is, Orlando might take time to return to normal. Police could have restricted access to the city, which may affect airport traffic.
Once you arrive back in Orlando and your car is found to be where you left it, it’s time to inspect it. It’s understandable to be excited and anxious to get back home to see if your house is in stable condition, but your car is just as important. Go around the entire car and check for any new damage. Document anything that wasn’t there when you left for the trip. These documents might come in handy if you later discover something wrong with your car.
Finally, the last thing to be careful about is driving away from Orlando Airport during this time. Streets may be flooded, and some roads could be closed, so it’s best to check the road conditions before you leave the parking lot.
Final thoughts
Orlando has been affected by hurricanes and severe weather throughout the years. Many people don’t think about how quickly a storm can destroy an area. In the case of a natural disaster, you may want to prepare yourself. You don’t return home from a trip to see your car damaged from debris or rainfall. As the saying goes, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Fanny Dorris is an author with four years of experience in travel and automotive topics. She provides readers with clear guidance on airport navigation, travel planning, and vehicle ownership.
