Orlando International Airport Loses One of Its Biggest Off-Site Parking Lots
While Orlando International Airport (MCO) is busier than ever before, the airport has lost one of its biggest off-site parking lots.
The Park Bark and Fly located on South Semoran Blvd. just north of MCO has been a popular parking spot for locals since 2004.
Photo: Park Bark and Fly
Known for its dog-bone adorned minibusses, the shuttle-serviced lot stopped running to the airport on February 4.
A Popular Parking Destination
Once MCO’s biggest off-site parking area, the lot had room for over 3,500 cars. It was a favorite with airline crews and locals, offering $11 parking and monthly rates.
The lot had room for over 3,500 cars but now will cater to RV and boat storage, as well as any long-term parking that doesn’t require shuttle service to the airport.
Photo: Airport Parking Reservations
Founder and owner Pete Madison was conflicted about the decision to close the lot to airport travelers. He gave his staff members severance but said giving them the news was the hardest part.
“I’m really sad to get rid of 20 years,” Madison said. “Getting rid of the people was tough. But we had to do it. So we’re regrouping, and it works for us now, we hope. It’s been very tough.”
The Shuttle Service Grew Too Expensive
While Madison says the parking lot will remain open, he cannot afford to continue to operate the shuttles.
“These buses, we just bought four or five new ones, they were like $100,000,” Madison said. “Our first buses were under 50k. Everything’s gone up. And liability insurance is killing us.”
Photo: Airport Parking Reservations
Madison has carried liability insurance for his riders’ safety, however in the past year the cost has increased by 80%.
Additionally, the cost of paying drivers and maintaining the buses has risen alongside inflation.
Photo: OIA
“And if you keep in mind because we have that amount of buses and sometimes they go out with one or two customers so people don’t have to wait here, so now you’re sending a bus there with two people on it gone for an hour,” Madison said.
Terminal C Added to the Costs
The other increase in costs for Madison came after the new $3 billion Terminal C opened. While the terminal has helped to ease congestion, it has also meant longer drives.
While Madison said he would love to add back shuttle service he says it would be “impossible now.” Madison is getting ready to retire and said “the market’s changed.”
Photo: MCO
Despite the need for parking on-site at MCO, Madison says the loss of Park Bark and Fly will not make finding parking more difficult.
“Actually, it would have been a year or two ago, but this year, none of it filled up this Christmas,” Madison said. “The whole industry has changed a lot. Fewer people are looking for spaces because of companies like Uber and Lyft. It’s a cheaper alternative for people to use rideshares. Pay for an Uber instead of paying for a week of parking.”
MCO for their part has added an additional 2,000 sports over three new service lots since last year.
