Officials at the Orlando International Airport in Florida anticipated almost one million travelers to move through the airport during the Memorial Day travel period lasting six days. This surge in visitors was driven in part by the recent opening of Epic Universe, Universal’s new theme park.
“Dark Universe. Monsters! I think we’re probably going bankrupt on the merch there,” Tyler Hansen, who was traveling to Orlando, said.
Hansen and his family were using their Memorial Day weekend to visit Epic Universe and go on a Disney Cruise.
“This is the week that falls between school getting out and the summer starting up, so it just made perfect sense,” he added.
Something not so epic – several flights were delayed Sunday evening due to a ground stop that lasted nearly three hours because of storms.
One family, Na’Zai and his mom Na’Zirah Armstrong, expressed their hopes of returning home to St. Croix safely and on time among the throngs of travelers passing through the airport.
According to AAA, Orlando topped the list of popular destinations in the U.S. for the weekend, with a projected 2% increase in passenger traffic compared to the previous year. The airport was bustling with activity as travelers embarked on their holiday journeys.
The organization reports that 2.6 million Floridians will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day period, many by car.
This is why several travelers planned ahead to beat traffic on the roadways.
“Seems to be a lifesaver for us not worrying about Uber, lifts, cabs, or what have you, but also checking out the Hyatt Regency here seems like a no-brainer,” Hansen added.
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority recommends arriving three hours before your scheduled departure flight time.
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