Orlando Airport Sensory Room Guide: Annie’s Space at MCO for Autism-Friendly Travel
- Brandi Parker
- Feb 8
- 5 min read
This guide explains where to find the Orlando International Airport sensory room, who it’s for, how it works, and how Annie’s Space at MCO helps families traveling with autism or sensory sensitivities start their Orlando vacation more calmly.
There’s a moment many parents don’t talk about. It happens before the magic.
Before the castle.
Before the rides.
Before the cruise ship horn blows.
It happens at the airport — often at Orlando International Airport (MCO), one of the busiest family travel hubs in the country.
The lights.
The noise.
The crowds.
The unpredictability.
For families traveling with children who have autism, sensory processing differences, ADHD, or anxiety, the airport can be the hardest part of the entire vacation.
And that’s exactly why what Orlando International Airport just did matters so much. 💜
Orlando International Airport (MCO) has opened Annie’s Space, a dedicated sensory room designed for travelers with autism, ADHD, sensory sensitivities, anxiety, or neurodivergent needs. Located pre-security in Terminal A, this calming space helps families regulate before flights and makes Orlando travel more accessible for neurodiverse visitors heading to Disney, Universal, or beyond.
❓Does Orlando International Airport (MCO) Have a Sensory Room?
Yes. Orlando International Airport offers Annie’s Space, a complimentary sensory room located in Terminal A, Level 3, pre-security. Because it’s located pre-security, families can use the sensory room before flights, after arrival, or during long layovers at Orlando International Airport. It is designed for travelers with autism, ADHD, sensory sensitivities, or anxiety and includes calming lighting, tactile tools, and interactive sensory elements to help reduce travel stress.
🚀 Welcome to Annie’s Space at Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Orlando International Airport has officially opened Annie’s Space Sensory Room — a calming, interactive, space-themed retreat designed specifically for travelers with sensory sensitivities and their families.
📍 Location: Terminal A, Level 3 (near the Food Court, pre-security)
🕒 Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
💲 Cost: Complimentary
Because accessibility should never be an upgrade. It should be standard.
Orlando International Airport
🌙 What Makes Annie’s Space Different?
This isn’t just a quiet corner with a couple bean bags.
Annie’s Space is a Snoezelen® Multi-Sensory Environment, built using research-backed design proven to help reduce anxiety and improve emotional regulation.
Inside, you’ll find:
✨ Glowing “moon rocks”
✨ A Milky Way–inspired carpet
✨ Bubble tubes with calming movement
✨ Tactile panels
✨ A rocket sculpture
✨ A small “moon cave” for retreat
✨ Adjustable lighting
✨ Soothing textures and sensory tools
And guiding it all? Annie the Astronaut — MCO’s friendly mascot helping kids feel like explorers instead of overwhelmed travelers.
The design is intentional.
It allows users to control their environment — a cornerstone of true sensory support.
Because independence builds confidence.
Orlando International Airport
👨👩👧👦 Who Annie’s Space at MCO Is Designed For
Annie’s Space supports travelers who may benefit from a calmer airport experience, including:
✔ Children with autism or sensory sensitivities
✔ Travelers with ADHD or anxiety
✔ Neurodivergent teens and adults
✔ Families needing a quiet reset before flights
Even travelers without a diagnosis can use the space if they need a calm environment before navigating Orlando International Airport.
Orlando International Airport
💜 Why the Orlando Airport Sensory Room Matters for Families Traveling With Autism
Research shows that sensory overload is one of the biggest barriers to air travel for neurodiverse individuals.
Airports are:
• Loud
• Bright
• Crowded
• Fast-paced
• Unpredictable
And that can lead to meltdowns, shutdowns, or full family stress spirals before vacation even begins.
But sensory rooms like Annie’s Space create a reset point.
Families across the country have shared stories like:
“It changed our entire travel experience.”“We thought we’d never be able to fly as a family.”“This quiet refuge made boarding seamless.”
When a child can regulate before TSA…The entire trip shifts.
Orlando International Airport
🌻 MCO Is Doing More Than Just Adding a Room
Orlando International Airport became a Certified Autism Center in 2024, with more than 80% of staff trained in autism and neurodiversity awareness.
They also offer:
🌻 Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program (discreet lanyards for extra support)
🐾 MCO Paw Pilots Therapy Dogs
🧠 Ongoing neurodiversity training
With nearly 58 million passengers annually — many headed to Disney and Universal — this isn’t just thoughtful.
It’s transformational.
Orlando International Airport
🧠 The Science Behind Sensory Rooms
Snoezelen environments have been shown to:
✔ Reduce state anxiety
✔ Decrease physiological stress responses
✔ Improve mood and focus
✔ Reduce repetitive behaviors
✔ Support emotional regulation
They activate the parasympathetic nervous system — helping the body move from fight-or-flight into calm.
In simple terms?
They help nervous systems reset.
✈️ How Families Can Use Annie’s Space
Here’s a practical example I share with clients:
✔ Arrive early at MCO
✔ Check bags
✔ Visit Annie’s Space before security
✔ Allow time for regulation and decompression
✔ Then head through TSA feeling calmer
It can also be used:
• After landing
• During long layovers
• Before boarding return flights
It’s not meant to be an all-day lounge.
It’s a reset station.
And sometimes that’s all a family needs.
❓ Orlando Airport Sensory Room FAQs
Where is Annie’s Space at Orlando International Airport?
Annie’s Space is located in Terminal A, Level 3 near the food court, before security.
Is the MCO sensory room free?
Yes, Annie’s Space is complimentary for all travelers and their families.
Who can use the Orlando airport sensory room?
The room is designed for travelers with autism, ADHD, sensory sensitivities, anxiety, or other hidden disabilities, but any family needing a calm space may use it.
Can you use Annie’s Space after landing?
Yes. Families can use the sensory room before departure, after arrival, or during layovers.
Does Orlando Airport support autism-friendly travel?
Yes. MCO is a Certified Autism Center with trained staff, sensory supports, therapy dogs, and accessibility programs for neurodiverse travelers.
🌎 The Bigger Movement
MCO isn’t alone.
Airports across the U.S., Canada, and Europe are adding sensory rooms — including Seattle, Houston, San Francisco, LaGuardia, Boston, and more.
Programs like Wings for Autism are also helping families rehearse airport procedures before travel.
The travel industry is slowly but meaningfully shifting toward inclusion.
And that matters deeply.
💙 What This Means for My Clients
As a Certified Autism Travel Professional, I help families plan travel experiences that account for sensory needs from the very first airport step. Accessibility planning isn’t just about theme parks — it starts with choosing the right supports, timing, and regulation strategies.
I look at your entire vacation from start to finish:
Airports/Road Trips
Accessibility Programs
Sensory Supports
Park Touring Plans & Strategies
For many families, the airport determines whether the trip feels possible at all. Annie’s Space at MCO is one more reason Orlando is becoming one of the most inclusive travel destinations in the country.
And that makes me incredibly hopeful.
✨ Travel Should Feel Possible
One parent said:
“Having a sensory room at the airport changes the thinking from ‘We can’t travel’ to ‘Maybe we can.’”
And that’s everything.
If you’re considering an Orlando trip and want help planning a smooth, supportive travel experience from start to finish, I’m here.
Because the magic shouldn’t start when you make it to your destination.
It should start the moment you feel seen. 💜
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