ORLANDO, Fla. – Officials at the Orlando International Airport said they were expecting nearly a million people to pass through during the six-day Memorial Day travel period – especially with the opening of Universal’s new theme park Epic Universe.
“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.
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“Hopefully, we make it home on time; we’re just hoping for the best,” Na’Zai and his mom Na’Zirah Armstrong, also traveling home to St. Croix, mentioned.
AAA said Orlando is number one on their top destinations for the U.S. this weekend. Officials expect a 2% increase in passenger traffic compared to last year.
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.