A not-so-magical truth about Disney World is that there are a lot of looong lines in the parks. Some of the most popular rides regularly have wait times over an hour, and on busy days those lines get even longer.
End of line sign for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
Whether you’re looking to get a snack, hop on a ride, or see a show, you’ll likely have to wait in line. There are ways to skip the lines, though! You can purchase Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lanes, and some rides have single-rider lines as well. But did you know you can skip a long line even BEFORE you get to Disney World?
If you usually fly to Disney World, you may already be familiar with the Orlando International Airport. With multiple popular theme parks in Orlando, this airport can get very crowded, and the security screening lines often reflect that.
Orlando Airport in August 2021
However, this airport (and many other airports in the US) has the option for passengers to enroll in TSA PreCheck, which allows those authorized travelers to skip the long wait and hop into a separate line at security, which generally moves much faster than the normal lines. In fact, the Orlando airport has said that TSA PreCheck passengers usually wait less than 5 minutes in security screening lines!
Orlando International Airport
Previously, people had to apply for TSA PreCheck at home or reserve an appointment in order to get authorization to use that special line. But now the Orlando International Airport has launched a new TSA PreCheck enrollment initiative for anyone traveling through the airport. That means you can enroll in TSA PreCheck at the airport without reserving an appointment, and the process to enroll should take 5 minutes or less.
Orlando International Airport
You can enroll as you depart for your trip, and you won’t need an appointment to do so. To enroll, find the IDEMIA TSA PreCheck Enrollment Ambassadors at the security screening area in the Orlando International Airport. They are located in front of the security checkpoint for gates 1-59, on the South Walk side of the airport.
Here are the hours of operation for the TSA PreCheck Enrollment:
Monday: 5:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Tuesday: 5:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Wednesday: 5:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Thursday: 5:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Friday: 5:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday CLOSED
On to Disney World!
It takes 3 to 5 days to be approved, so people won’t be approved on the spot and immediately be able to access TSA PreCheck lines on that trip. However, anyone who applies on-site will be able to use the MCO Reserve Lane at the security checkpoint on the day that they apply. This lane also goes faster than the normal line, although it still requires people to go through the normal TSA security screening. And then, once you’re approved, you can use the PreCheck line on all future flights (at airports with TSA PreCheck) for the next 5 years!
Orlando International Airport
To enroll, you’ll need to pay $85 and show a valid ID and proof of citizenship (a passport or birth certificate). You’ll also be required to take a photo during the enrollment process. While you can’t be immediately approved for your current trip, you’ll be able to use it (if you’re approved) on your next visit to an airport that also has PreCheck available. If you’re hoping to use TSA PreCheck sooner, you can apply online to be approved before you arrive at the airport.
You can also apply online
Of course, because the enrollment station is before the security screening, you won’t be able to enroll when you arrive at the airport on your next visit to Disney World (unless you exit, turn around, and head back into the airport to enroll). But you can enroll on your return trip home! And some other airports are also launching this initiative, including the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, and the Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport. Check at the airport you fly out of to see if they have this new enrollment process!
Let’s go!
The TSA PreCheck enrollment initiative isn’t the only change coming to the Orlando International Airport, though. Currently, the airport is building the new Terminal C, which has already confirmed that 11 airlines will call the terminal home and over 24 food locations are coming as well. This terminal is expected to open on September 19th of this year.
New Terminal C Airport Concept Art ©Orlando International Airport
We’ll continue to watch for more updates that could impact your trip to Disney World, so keep following DFB!
Click here to learn more about the new Terminal C at the Orlando International Airport.
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We have been TSA PreCheck for less than a year and it’s definitely worth it! I will never go back. I think its worth will vary depending on which airports you frequent but I definitely skipped a line of hundreds of people last week flying out of Boston Logan.
Anyone with a US Military ID Card can use the ID# on their ID Card to use the TSA Pre-Check line at any US airport. Simply enter that number into the appropriate space when making your airline reservations. You will need to present your Military ID when in the TSA Pre-Check line.
We’ve had pre-check for many years now and it is truly the best. Another thing that was new to me on this last trip (just flew home yesterday Aug 14) was that on Delta, I had to tag my own luggage. I fly A LOT and have NEVER had to do that. Not sure if it’s something new they are trying or what but I was just there in Feb 2022 and they were not doing it then. It definitely flustered me b/c I was shaking (due to it being morning and I’d not eaten yet but thank you Starbuck’s MOBILE ORDER!) and I was afraid I was running late (almost was) and I didn’t know if I was doing the tagging right, etc. Don’t know if you all have done a piece on SB’s mobile order or not but you can now do that at ORD airport as well as CVG (Cincinnati) which is amazing. It’s the only way to fly. 🙂 Thanks for all you do…I read every article.
We did this a couple of years ago, and it was totally worth it. We had to do the appointment back then, but it wasn’t that bad. I highly recommend this.
We spent an hour at the Orlando Airport and not ONE person at TSA or the airlines had any idea what we were talking ab ou8t.
@FL-Dad say, sorry but as retired military that is not true. I tried to do that and after a long battle with TSA they showed me the TSA regulations that specifically states that Military ID can NOT be used for TSA Pre-Check.
Most vacation travelers fly on the weekend. TSA PRECHECK office is closed on Saturday and Sunday. So it’s not possible for most people to enroll at Orlando airport. Open it on the weekend!
Is this related to the MPC app? I know we will get Pre screened at YVR and hopefully will avoid too much on the return at MCO.
It can take up to 70 days to get approved AND, if you’re like me, you’ll pay the $85 and never get approved. I work for the government, you’d think I’d get in no problem…nope.
Can you also do this to apply for Global Entry?
@John Buono:
Retired Military is likely a different story. Also, you have to enter your DoD ID Number in the Known Traveler box when you make your flight reservations. Otherwise, just showing your Military ID will NOT work.
Here is the information right from the TSA Pre-Check Website:
How do I get TSA PreCheck® as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces?
Enter the DoD ID number from the back of your common access card (CAC) into the “Known Traveler Number” field of your flight reservations or when updating your Defense Travel System profile for official travel.
DoD federal civilian employees must opt-in via milConnect before using their Known Traveler Number.
And
Do I present my common access card at the checkpoint to access the TSA PreCheck® lane?
No. All members of the U.S. Armed Forces must include their DoD ID number in the Known Traveler Number field when making flight reservations and a TSA PreCheck® indicator must be visible on your boarding pass. The airlines will print a TSA PreCheck® indicator (such as TSAPRECHK, TSA PRE, or TSA PreCheck®) on boarding passes to help you recognize when you are eligible for TSA PreCheck® on your flight.
You cannot access the TSA PreCheck® lane by presenting your CAC or other documentation.
Source: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures/military-travelers
We got TSA Precheck in 2018 and renewed this year. We had an appointment at an office not located at the airport so they had better hours. We were notified this year 4 months before ours expire that we could renew then and it would just start when the old one expires. Mine was approved with in 3 days, my husband’s took 3 months. Memorial Day weekend we flew to Denver (stayed over there) then flew out of Denver Memorial Day. I have never seen so many people going through security that early in my life! I was so glad we had TSA Precheck because from the time we got in the shuttle at the hotel until we were through TSA was less than 30 minutes. That money for TSA Precheck was worth every penny.