The USO has a Wonderful location in Orlando International Airport!
Years ago the Orlando airport had a USO, but it closed due to a lack of donations brought on by the closing of the Orlando Naval Training Center in the mid-1990s.
It had been years since military members and their families visiting or traveling through Orlando have been able to enjoy this free service.
But a couple years ago the USO re opened at MCO Bigger and Better tThank Ever!
The USO Entrance on the B-side transportation level
The USO welcome center is on the ground transportation level on the A-Side of the Terminal.
This location is both outside of the security checkpoint and on the opposite side of the terminal from Mears Connect and the Sunshine Flyer, which are on the B-Side
Orlando Airport USO Welcome Area
Great discounts like the Disney Armed Forces Salute and Waves of Honor have drawn more and more military visitors to Orlando over the years.
And with this huge growth of the tourist industry in Orlando it was well past time of a new, shiny, comfortable center for the military to relax.
Relax at the Orlando International Airport USO
“A lot of it is driven by the fact that 750,000 people visit the Shades of Green facility a year,” said Charles Rogers, chairman of the board of directors of USO Central Florida.
Rogers also said that military organizations have informed him that about 700,000 military retirees, active-duty members and veterans also live in Central Florida.
Kick back and watch TV in the Disney themed area at the Orlando USO
The welcome center features a gaming center, a quiet room, and a play room for kids. Some of these sections were sponsored and donated by Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World and SeaWorld Orlando.
Orlando International Airport USO Universal themed Gaming Area
The play room donated by SeaWorld features painted walls of coral reefs and fish.
Orlando International Airport USO Kids Room provided by SeaWorld Orlando
Kids can watch their own shows and movies in the Orlando Airport USO Kids Room
Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin also donated to help cover the starting costs of close to $1 million.
Internet access and airline departure times screen at the Orlando USO
All the food is free, and the center features a 14-seat granite counter table, accompanied with fridges full of microwavable meals, snacks and soda.
The fantastic kitchen at the Orlando International Airport USO
Free snacks and meals at the Orlando International Airport USO
At 3,100 square feet, the center is “not the largest, but is certainly one of the large ones,” said Rogers, who said that most airport welcome centers are between 750 and 1,500 square feet.
Plenty of room at the Orlando International Airport USO
So stop by The USO on your Disney vacation! The USO is a great place to relax and grab a quick snack when the Disney Magical Express drops you off 2 and a half hours prior to your flight.
Stop by and leave your coin at the Orlando International Airport USO
Eligibility
USO airport locations work on a space available basis. Current U.S. military (Active, Guard, Reserve, Retired) have priority. Then Retired Military and last veterans. If a location is at or near capacity the later categories will be restricted. Guests are also admitted on a space available basis.
Services Offered
Food & Beverages
- Beverages
- Coffee & Tea
- Snacks
Multimedia & Gaming
- DVD & Blu-ray Player
- PS4
- TV & Cable
- Xbox One
Connectivity
- Computers & Laptops
- Desks & Work Areas
- Phones
- Printers
- Wi-Fi
Rest & Relaxation
- Children’s Play Area
- Library
- Lounge
- Sleeping & Quiet Area
- Toiletries
Travel Services & Gifts
- Flight Time Boards
- Local Information
- Lost & Found
- Luggage Storage
- Transportation Information
Operating hours: 6a.m. to 8p.m. Daily
Phone: (407) 825-8761
Have you stopped by the Orlando USO or do you plan to? Let us know in the comments below and perhaps leave a thank you message to the great people at the USO!
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This MDT Post By: Steve Bell Steve is the the Military Disney Tips Founder. He a retired U.S. Military Member who's been touring the Disney Parks since 1971! Steve's mission is to help military families with their Disney vacations in every way. Check out Steve's Bio. Subscribe to Steve's email newsletter to get website updates and news by clicking this link. |
Planning a Disney Trip? Want to get the best military discounts that are available? Feeling a little confused? See Our Great Disney Discount and Planning Info:
- Disney Veteran & Military Discount Eligibility Guide
- The Military Family’s Walt Disney World Comprehensive Vacation Planning and Preparation Guide
- Military Disney Tips Disney Packing Checklist
- Disney Military Tickets – Your Start to Finish Guide
- Resorts/Hotel Overview Page
- Dining Overview Page
- Transportation Overview Page
- Technology Overview Page
- Shades of Green, WDW’s Military Only Resort
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Hi Steve!
My husband and I will be visiting Orlando next year. We are retired military and will have our daughter, son-in-law and grandson with us. Would we be allowed to take them into the lounge with us?
Thanks for all you do for the military community!
Yes Donna, you can escort guests.
Thank you!! 🙂
I am excited to see a USO in the Orlando Airport, I have visited the DFW USO and plan to stop by when we are waiting for our flight home in December. We would enjoy stopping by when we have the waiting time before our flight.
I am a 100% disabled Vietnam veteran. I will be traveling with my wife, my daughter -her husband & two grandchildren. Can we use the new USO at the airport or is it for active military only?
Hi Ron, I believe it is just for current and retired military, but stop by to check
Hi I am Air Force retired , are we authorized to use USO facilities ,
Thanks
Absolutely!
My husband is retired AF, we fly standby so arrivals and departures are unpredictable, we have been able to stay at the USO in other airports overnight. Is there any options for us if we get stuck waiting for a flight overnight?
Hi there Holly,
Thanks! Unfortunately their hours are only: 6a.m. to 8p.m. Daily
I Iive in The Villages and will get dropped off at Terminal B by the Village Van . After checking luggage how would I find the USO. My husband was retired AF and passed away last year before we could visit it. I would like to in August.
Hi Marlene,
You would need to cross over to the A side of the terminal and go down to the bottom floor. There are signs which will direct you.
Hello, I am a Brazilian Air Force officer and I will be with my family in Orlando and I would like to know if I can access the USO WELCOME CENTER while I await our flight.
Thank you.
No Sorry, US Military only.
How can I donate to this USO?
Here you go James
https://secure.uso.org/OM_BRD/
Hi Steve,
My husband is a 100% disabled Vietnam veteran. We truly appreciate the USO during wait time traveling. I am planning to return to Michigan in December but he will not be with me. Will I still be able to visit? Thank you
Hi Gwen,
USO’s are dedicated to serving current military members. All others such as retirees and veterans are admitted on a space available basis only.
The National Organization does have eligibility published on their website except to say:
“As much as the USO would like to open its doors to retirees, disabled veterans and all those who have honorably served, as a nonprofit organization, the USO must focus its efforts on serving the needs of those who need us most: U.S. Armed Forces active duty, Reserve and Guard service members, as well as their families.”
Many local Lounges have sites and do publich eligibility, the below is from the SeaTac USO.
“Who is allowed to enter and use the SeaTac USO with valid and unexpired I.D.?
All Active/Guard/Reserve military and their dependents may enter with a current military
I.D. Unaccompanied minors (16 and over) with proper I.D. and itinerary/boarding pass may use the center. All authorized users can sign-in up to three guests with the Volunteer on duty using their own discretion to allow more in for special occasions. This applies to Gold Star Survivors as well. On a space available basis we can allow the following with an itinerary or boarding pass:
a. Retirees and Dependents
b. Veterans with VA Card denoting “Service Connected Disability” or “Purple Heart”
c. Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Cadets
d. Military Academy Cadets
e. Officer Candidate School Candidates
f. Recruits (with I.D. and orders)
g. JROTC/Civil Air Patrol/ Sea Cadets
h. Foreign Military
i. Department of Defense Civilians on travel orders
j. Those designated “Friends” of the USO by the Manager or Executive Director (First Responders, or those possessing business cards with notes or emails stating such)”
Thanks for responding. I’ll check availability once I arrive.
Thanks. I did read that retired military and veterans are admitted based on availability. I will check once I arrive.
hello i hope everyone is well i i am from brazil and i am going to orlando next week and my husband is military here in brazil and i would like to know if we can use the space for rest
thank you
Hi,
Please see the Eligibility section of this post.