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Military Disney Tips Blog

By Military for Military

Ears of Experience Military Disney Vacation Experts
You are here: Home / Travel / Orlando International Airport’s USO Welcome Center

Orlando International Airport’s USO Welcome Center

By Steve 22 Comments

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!

Orlando International Airport USO Entrance on the B-side transportation level

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 International Airport USO Welcome Area

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

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 at the Orlando International Airport USO

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 Gaming Area

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

Orlando International Airport USO Kids Room provided by SeaWorld Orlando

Orlando International Airport USO Kid's 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 International Airport USO

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

The fantastic kitchen at the Orlando International Airport USO

Free snacks and meals 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

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

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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Filed Under: Helpful, Travel Tagged With: Orlando International Airport, Sea World, Shades of Green, Universal Studios Florida, Walt Disney World

Comments

  1. Donna Hodges says

    31 October 2016 at 12:16

    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!

    Reply
    • Steve says

      31 October 2016 at 18:02

      Yes Donna, you can escort guests.

      Reply
      • Donna Hodges says

        31 October 2016 at 19:50

        Thank you!! 🙂

        Reply
  2. Wendell Schwebke says

    31 October 2016 at 13:23

    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.

    Reply
  3. Ron says

    31 October 2016 at 13:53

    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?

    Reply
    • Steve says

      31 October 2016 at 18:05

      Hi Ron, I believe it is just for current and retired military, but stop by to check

      Reply
  4. MICHAEL says

    29 January 2018 at 00:22

    Hi I am Air Force retired , are we authorized to use USO facilities ,
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Steve says

      29 January 2018 at 07:09

      Absolutely!

      Reply
  5. Holly says

    31 July 2018 at 12:57

    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?

    Reply
    • Steve says

      31 July 2018 at 17:17

      Hi there Holly,

      Thanks! Unfortunately their hours are only: 6a.m. to 8p.m. Daily

      Reply
  6. Marlene Brand says

    9 August 2018 at 16:45

    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.

    Reply
    • Steve says

      10 August 2018 at 06:24

      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.

      Reply
  7. GILSON LUIS SILVA ALCIPRETT says

    30 October 2018 at 21:16

    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.

    Reply
    • Steve says

      31 October 2018 at 06:37

      No Sorry, US Military only.

      Reply
  8. James Douglas says

    21 February 2019 at 13:09

    How can I donate to this USO?

    Reply
    • Steve says

      21 February 2019 at 16:46

      Here you go James

      https://secure.uso.org/OM_BRD/

      Reply
  9. Gwen says

    22 November 2021 at 01:18

    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

    Reply
    • Steve says

      22 November 2021 at 09:50

      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)”

      Reply
      • Gwen says

        22 November 2021 at 14:30

        Thanks for responding. I’ll check availability once I arrive.

        Reply
      • Gwen says

        22 November 2021 at 14:35

        Thanks. I did read that retired military and veterans are admitted based on availability. I will check once I arrive.

        Reply
  10. shirley shizue sakuma says

    7 May 2022 at 21:02

    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

    Reply
    • Steve says

      8 May 2022 at 14:06

      Hi,

      Please see the Eligibility section of this post.

      Reply

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