First of all, don't be nervous about flying. My first trip after 9/11 was to Madrid and I was very aprehensive about flying, so I know how you feel. Everything will be just fine. BWI now has the federal screeners for security and they are much more efficient and courteous than the private companies that used to handle the screening. Please note that you will probably have to remove any heavy coats and put them thru the screening machine. Since you have a small child, you might want to dress her with that in mind. The federal screeners are much more informative about what might cause a problem with the security machines and will gladly answer questions. Generally, if they suggest you take your coat or shoes or belt off and put them thru the machine, I would follow their instructions. It may save you from beeping when you walk thru the arch and then having to be wanded.
I have never flown SW out of BWI but my stepdaughter and famliy do regularly. She always insists on getting to BWI at least two hours ahead of the flight time because of SW's boarding procedure. They issue boarding cards by letters-a, b, c. The people who check-in the earliest get a "A" card and get to board the plane first. You select your seat once you are on the plane-no specific seat assignments by the airline. Since there are five in your group, and you probably want to sit togther, I would get there early. Sometimes the check-in line can be long.
If you do check-in early and need breakfast, you can grab a snack while waiting to board or to take on the flight. I think they give you a beverage and that is all.
Since we have only dropped off or picked up people at BWI, I am absolutley no help with the parking question.
Just a word about the Orlando airport (MCO). When we flew home from there last February, the security lines were long. Lots of children (I wonder why!) and it just takes longer to move thru security. We were on a mid-morning flight and apparently, unless you fly very early or very late in the day, the line are always bad. You may want to allow additional time there so you won't be rushed to make your flight home. I had a friend who had a business trip to Orlando the week before Thansgiving and he said it took him 25 minutes to get thru the security check point late in the afternoon.
