ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando International Airport officials said parking will likely be a challenge this holiday season, as lots are expected to quickly reach capacity when travelers head out to catch a flight.

Thursday and Friday are expected to be some of the busiest days at OIA this week as travelers head to see family for the holidays. An estimated 3 million travelers will flow through TSA's gates in Orlando, but many of those anxious vacationers are bringing something with them: cars, and lots of them.

Over the Thanksgiving travel period, airport officials say lots reached capacity at OIA. A manager at a local parking lot and shuttle service told Spectrum News that many people rushed in after being denied parking lot access at the airport.

"Thanksgiving for us is always crazy," said Park, Bark, and Fly general manager Cory Yurgelonis. "Unfortunately, parking is very limited in Central Florida. As you get closer to the holidays, people are getting turned away at other locations."

Yurgelonis said Park, Bark, and Fly tries to make room for anybody who needs a spot. Just to be safe, however, travelers like the O'Loughlin family had a checklist of parking locations in hand.

"In case it was full, we scoped out two or three others in case we had to venture around to get a spot," said Dick O'Loughlin, who was traveling to New Hampshire to see his grandkids.

O'Loughlin and his wife also allowed for extra time getting out the door.

"We decided to get here a little earlier — an hour and a half, maybe two hours earlier — to make sure we could hopefully get a spot, and we did," he said.

To check whether an OIA parking lot is full, you can visit the airport's parking and transportation page. Officials say it is important to remember that lots showing open spaces could fill up before travelers arrive at the airport.

Meanwhile, private lot managers like Yurgelonis say it's always best for travelers to call them as early as possible ahead of a vacation to see about reserving a spot.