19 days to departure and you think everything is all set until......man, I am an idiot.

K

kyle3423

Mouseketeer
Joined
Sep 21, 2015
So I am a Disney noob. I've never been to Orlando before. We are 19 days away from our departure. We got our Magic Bands last week and were happy because it started to feel "real." Yesterday I started to wonder why we hadn't received any Magical Express info yet, so I contacted my Disney TA to see if I still needed to do anything on my end (I'm a worrier like that). I knew something was up when it took her almost a full day to respond (she usually responds within an hour). It turns out, our inbound flight lands at Sanford International Airport instead of Orlando International (I had no clue there were 2 airports!), and Disney does not offer Magical Express to Sanford. You may have heard the smack from one of the hardest facepalms in history around noon central time today. Luckily my TA is already on top of it. She already had a few different options for me (rentals, towncar, etc.). I figure that it's vacation though, so why not go big right? Instead of ME, we are now rolling from Sanford to POR in a limo.....all because I'm an idiot.
 
It's an expensive, but nice way to go. Probably around $200 r/t, plus tip.
If you don't want to spend the money, you can always rent a car. It's an easy drive...about 50 mins.
 
We're flying in on Allegiant for $57/person. Our TA got us a Lincoln Limo for $125, and since our departure flight is with Southwest, we'll take ME to Orlando International.
 
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Perfect plan. I don't mind the drive, but since you're leaving from MCO, a car service makes sense, especially since you're only paying $57, for your flight!
 
kyle3423 said:
So I am a Disney noob. I've never been to Orlando before. We are 19 days away from our departure. We got our Magic Bands last week and were happy because it started to feel "real." Yesterday I started to wonder why we hadn't received any Magical Express info yet, so I contacted my Disney TA to see if I still needed to do anything on my end (I'm a worrier like that). I knew something was up when it took her almost a full day to respond (she usually responds within an hour). It turns out, our inbound flight lands at Sanford International Airport instead of Orlando International (I had no clue there were 2 airports!), and Disney does not offer Magical Express to Sanford. You may have heard the smack from one of the hardest facepalms in history around noon central time today. Luckily my TA is already on top of it. She already had a few different options for me (rentals, towncar, etc.). I figure that it's vacation though, so why not go big right? Instead of ME, we are now rolling from Sanford to POR in a limo.....all because I'm an idiot.
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I'm curious who booked the flights? I would think a Disney TA should have known you would need transportation from Sanford.
 
I booked the flights. I recall seeing Sanford on the arrival info, but it never registered that there were two airports. I just assumed Orlando International was named after a guy named Sanford.
 


kyle3423 said:
I booked the flights. I recall seeing Sanford on the arrival info, but it never registered that there were two airports. I just assumed Orlando International was named after a guy named Sanford.
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Actually, it's named after McCoy!!!! Which is why you see MCO. The official name is OIA.

You're not the first to make this mistake...and I'm pretty sure you won't be the last!!!!
 
Sanford Airport is a second smaller airport in the Orlando area, it is located in Sanford, FL which is a suburb on the northern part of the region (complete opposite from WDW which is south of Orlando).. Have you considered options on cancelling your reservation and re-booking on an airline that fly's into MCO instead? Despite a cancellation fee, most airlines will still give you some kind of credit towards a future flight if you cancel prior to your travel date, I would recommend calling your airline and discussing your options.. Otherwise, as stated by pp, transportation costs from Sanford to WDW will be hefty.. But as you said, worst case scenario, it will just be a learning experience and you get to see some of Orlando's local areas and also drive through Downtown Orlando (you could even make a stop there) on your way to WDW! :)
 
It's all been taken care of. It's going to cost me about $200 but I was able to book a limo from Sanford to POR as well as a Town Car from POR to Universal through the same company and got a nice little discount for doing both. I figure it's vacation, so I guess I'll splurge a little. I'll just have to work a few hours of overtime.
 
That'll be fun to arrive in a limo. You got such a great deal on the flight, you can splurge now. Have fun.
 
I think its a great mistake....now you'll be rollin VIP and kicking off WDW in style!!
 
For the prices you got with Allegiant and the time you will save with the limo-- it sounds like it worked out really well!
 
kyle3423 said:
I booked the flights. I recall seeing Sanford on the arrival info, but it never registered that there were two airports. I just assumed Orlando International was named after a guy named Sanford.
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I run into people from time to time that did not realize their flight was going to Sanford and not MCO. I can see how easily this can happen.
 
Allegiant just started non-stop flights in the last couple of months from my airport, KCI as known to the locals (technically MCI for the airport code-they tried to change the name from MCI later on to KCI but was unable to as another airport in the world already had KCI by that time), to Sanford but I looked at the prices and in all actuality Southwest is just a bit more than Allegiant due to the baggage fees that Southwest doesn't charge for but Allegiant does (I mean that is their purpose though to be the low and allow the passenger to decide what extras they would need to pay for). I would prefer to fly Southwest myself and due to the cost that's what we'll be doing. $57 is amazing by the way. Lowest in my family was my husband got a flight for $80 round trip including baggage fee and seat upgrade from Houston to KCI usinng Spirit airlines (new to KCI as well).
 
Mackenzie Click-Mickelson said:
Allegiant just started non-stop flights in the last couple of months from my airport, KCI as known to the locals (technically MCI for the airport code-they tried to change the name from MCI later on to KCI but was unable to as another airport in the world already had KCI by that time), to Sanford but I looked at the prices and in all actuality Southwest is just a bit more than Allegiant due to the baggage fees that Southwest doesn't charge for but Allegiant does (I mean that is their purpose though to be the low and allow the passenger to decide what extras they would need to pay for). I would prefer to fly Southwest myself and due to the cost that's what we'll be doing. $57 is amazing by the way. Lowest in my family was my husband got a flight for $80 round trip including baggage fee and seat upgrade from Houston to KCI usinng Spirit airlines (new to KCI as well).
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Yea, we can fly Allegiant out of our local airport. The base fares are good. BUT (big BUT on purpose)
By the time I add all the fees that Allegiant charges (and Southwest doesn't) and I figure in transportation costs to Disney, Allegiant costs way more than Southwest. That even includes the fact that we drive 2 hours to fly with Southwest but 5 min to fly with Allegiant. We we are going to Tampa we have used Allegiant but still find their costs are not nearly as reasonable as they appear due to their alacarte pricing structure.
 
Have a great time OP! We actually like Sanford airport (smaller, much easier to get to rental car etc) and the drive to WDW is not bad at all; last year we got really great deals on Allegiant as well - even with baggage fees- and since we can fly from local airport vs driving 3 hours for Southwest-Allegiant it is. Since we were there 2 weeks (with a week in a condo anyway) we could pack light and just do some laundry (not a huge deal with washer/dryer in unit). We needed a car anyway. Plane tickets for 5 add up really fast so cheaper is better; if it was just one or 2 of us then difference in airfare might not seem like such a big deal.

And how cool to arrive in a limo!!
 
kyle3423 said:
Finally got everything finalized over the weekend. The driver is even going to write "idiot" on his card that he holds up when he greets us :). Silver linings I guess.
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Always nice when one can make fun of themselves though I'd not have the driver write that on the sign as there are a number of WDW guests coming in from Sanford that may end up taking your limo. At least you recognized before arriving where you were scheduled to arrive and you will be travelling in style the last leg.
 
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