Traveling through Orlando International Airport (MCO) with a pet or service animal requires a bit of advance planning. Whether you are flying out on a vacation, arriving for a Florida stay, or connecting to a cruise out of Port Canaveral, knowing the exact locations of pre-security outdoor pet parks and post-security indoor relief stations ensures a stress-free trip for both you and your animal.
MCO maintains official Service Animal and Pet Relief Areas across Terminals A, B, and C, as well as every post-security gate concourse. This guide breaks down airport pet policies, exact indoor and outdoor relief locations, and essential tips for passing through TSA security checkpoints with a pet.
Quick MCO Pet Relief Area Directory
| Location / Zone | Security Status | Exact Area / Landmark | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal A | Pre-Security (Level 2) | East end of building (outside Baggage Claim) | Outdoor grass patch, waste disposal bags |
| Terminal B | Pre-Security (Level 2) | West end of building (outside Baggage Claim) | Outdoor grass patch, waste disposal bags |
| Gates 1–29 (Airside 1) | Post-Security | Concourse wing for Gates 20–29 | Indoor artificial turf, sink, wash-down area |
| Gates 30–59 (Airside 2) | Post-Security | Concourse wing for Gates 40–49 | Indoor artificial turf, sink, wash-down area |
| Gates 70–99 (Airside 3) | Post-Security | Concourse wing for Gates 90–99 | Indoor artificial turf, sink, wash-down area |
| Gates 100–129 (Airside 4) | Post-Security | Across from Gate 121 | Indoor artificial turf, sink, wash-down area |
| Terminal C | Post-Security (Level 2) | Near Gates C236, C238, C241 & C242 | Modern indoor relief rooms with turf |
| Terminal C (International) | Post-Security (Level 6) | Immediately before International Bag Claim | Indoor relief room for international arrivals |
| Cell Phone Lot | Outside Airport | East end of North Cell Phone Lot | Grassy outdoor relief area for waiting drivers |
1. Official Orlando Airport Pet Policy
Before arriving at MCO with an animal, keep the following official Greater Orlando Aviation Authority rules in mind:
- Carrier Requirements: Non-service pets are not permitted to walk freely inside terminal buildings. Pets must remain inside an airline-approved enclosed carrier at all times while indoors, except when using designated pet relief rooms or going through TSA screening.
- Working & Service Dogs: Fully trained Service Animals assisting passengers with disabilities are exempt from carrier rules but must remain under leash, harness, or tether control at all times.
- Vaccination & State Regulations: If you are importing pets into Florida or traveling internationally, verify health certificate and rabies documentation required by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and USDA APHIS.
2. Pre-Security Pet Relief Areas (Terminals A & B)
If your pet needs a potty break before clearing TSA security or after collecting luggage at baggage claim, use the designated outdoor areas on Level 2:
- Terminal A (East End): Exit the building on Level 2 (Baggage Claim) on the far East side (turn right as you walk out the doors past Baggage Carousel 16). You will find a grassy area equipped with waste disposal bags and trash receptacles.
- Terminal B (West End): Exit the building on Level 2 (Baggage Claim) on the far West side (turn right as you exit past Baggage Carousel 20). Includes a dedicated grassy area and cleanup station.
- North Cell Phone Lot: If someone is driving to pick you up with a pet, a designated grassy pet relief area is located on the east end of the North Cell Phone Lot on Jeff Fuqua Boulevard.
3. Post-Security Pet Relief Rooms (Gate Concourses)
Once you clear TSA security and ride the monorail train to your departure concourse, you do not need to exit security to let your pet relieve itself. Every airside concourse at MCO features an indoor, ventilated pet relief room:
North Complex (Terminals A & B Airsides)
- Gates 1–29 (Airside 1): Located on the concourse wing near the entrance to Gates 20–29.
- Gates 30–59 (Airside 2): Located on the concourse wing near the entrance to Gates 40–49.
- Gates 70–99 (Airside 3): Located on the concourse wing near the entrance to Gates 90–99.
- Gates 100–129 (Airside 4): Located directly across from Gate 121.
South Complex (Terminal C)
- Gate Level 2: Dedicated indoor rooms with synthetic turf, wash hoses, and handwashing stations located adjacent to **Gates C236, C238, C241, and C242**.
- International Arrivals (Level 6): Located on Level 6 immediately before entering the Customs & Border Protection international baggage claim hall.
Pro Tips for Passing TSA Security with a Pet at MCO
- Carriers Go Through X-Ray: Your pet’s soft or hard-sided carrier must go through the X-ray machine. Never place a live animal inside the X-ray machine.
- Walking Through Metal Detectors: You will carry your pet or walk them on a leash through the metal detector alongside you while TSA officers inspect the empty carrier.
- Private Screening Rooms: If you are concerned about your cat or dog escaping in a crowded security line, request a private screening room from a TSA officer before removing your pet from its carrier.
- Hydration & Collapsible Bowls: Keep a collapsible water bowl and empty water bottle in your carry-on; fill it up at MCO hydration stations immediately after passing security.
Traveling through an airport with a service animal or family pet can be stressful. Orlando International Airport (MCO) accommodates animal travelers by providing designated pet relief areas located both before and after the TSA security checkpoints across all three terminals.
Pre-Security Pet Relief Areas (Outdoor)
If you are checking in or waiting outside the secure gates, you can access these grassy curbside pet areas:
- Terminal A, Level 1: Located outside the main doors at the far east end of the building.
- Terminal B, Level 1: Located outside at the far west end of the building.
- Terminal C, Level 1: Grassy areas clearly marked outside the arrivals hall exit doors.
Post-Security Pet Relief Areas (Indoor Service Animal Rooms)
If you have already passed through TSA security and are waiting near your gates, MCO features custom indoor pet relief rooms equipped with synthetic grass, flushing systems, and waste disposal bags:
- Gates 1–29 Concourse: Located near Wing 1.
- Gates 30–59 Concourse: Located in the central hub area near the shops.
- Gates 70–99 Concourse: Tucked away near the center point of the gate wings.
- Gates 100–129 Concourse: Located on the main departures level.
- Terminal C (Gates 230–245): A dedicated indoor room located near the main retail concourse.