By Jim Carchidi
December 16, 2025 - New information was added after publication
Orlando and Clermont residents will soon have the option of receiving packages from Walmart drone-based delivery hubs, set to open in 2026.
City approval and project details
A rendering of the storage and maintenance "nest" proposed for the Walmart Supercenter at 450 Johns Lake Rd. Packages will be picked up at a separate site across the parking lot. Image courtesy of City of Clermont.
Clermont city council recently approved two Land Development Code variances to enable the new service at the Walmart Supercenter on 1450 Johns Lake Rd. One variance permits fencing above the standard six-foot height limit while the other allows a shipping container to be permanently placed on the property.
The drone system will operate from a 525 square-foot Autoloader Station at the northwest corner of the parking lot, where drones will pick up orders. Drones will be stored, maintained, and launched from a designated “nest” at the southeast corner. Both areas will be secured by eight-foot fences and the resulting loss of parking spaces will be minimal compared to the size of the lot. The variances require compliance with all applicable FAA regulations and safety standards. The service is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026.
Clermont's drone facility was the first and only one approved in Florida until Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer made an announcement on December 16 that the city will open a similar facility in 2026 at the Walmart on 2500 S. Kirkman Rd.
"We are proud to be leveraging the power of partnership and collaboration across government, industry, and the community to reduce cars on the road, minimize environmental impact, and deliver a more seamless future for our residents," Dyer stated in a social media post.
How it works
Walmart’s service, in partnership with Wing drone delivery, currently operates in Dallas and Atlanta. Additional cities targeted for the service are Charlotte, Houston, and Tampa, according to the Walmart Wing website.
Deliveries are within a 6- to 8-mile radius from each hub and packages arrive in 30 minutes or less. Drones hover above the designated delivery spot and lower tethered packages for pickup. Customers can arrange and track their orders on the Walmart Wing website and app. The service costs $19.99 per delivery, but is free for Walmart Plus members.
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About the Author
Jim Carchidi is an Orlando journalist and photographer with previous work at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. He covers development, arts, culture, and local stories for The Orlando Real.
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