Any shuttle service from Sanford Airport?

[Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo]

Does anyone know of shuttles (not limo/towncar) from Sanford Airport to Contemporary Resort? I just checked Tiffany ($175) and Yourride($200), and am wondering if there is a cheaper shuttle option. I couldn't see anything on Mears site indicating they transport from Sanford. I think it may end up being cheaper for my sister to rent a car than to do either of these (or I'll suggest they fly out of Manchester, NH instead of closer Portsmouth). Thanks in advance!

 

[Ted and Holly]

We're practically neighbors!!!


Coach USA is a shuttle from Sanford Airport to WDW. Ted and I took it to WDW on our first trip. They are just okay.... but if that's your only option, it wasn't THAT bad!

We waited for almost two hours before Coach USA had enough people to put in a van. Luckily we found some nice tables and soaked up the Florida sun. They filled a bus full of people, including those who had bought tickets after us, but made us wait for a van. They driver was very unprofessional. He smoked and complained about his job the whole time, and how late he was going to be getting home. We were dropped off at CBR last, after just about EVERY downtown Disney hotel. Ted was barely out of the van, and the guy had his hand out DEMANDING a $5 tip!!!! Needless to say, we rented a car for the ride back.

I think it was about $28 (each way) each adult, but that was a couple of years ago, and I'm not 100% certain. The drive to WDW is easy if you decide to rent. If we can do it, anyone can! Cost of a rental car with a code could be as little as $25. We pick up at the airport, drop it off at Downtown Disney the next day, and pick up a car for the ride back to the airport the day we leave. It's about the same price as taking the shuttle, and if you have more than two adults, it may be cheaper to rent a car for two days.

More info on Coach Usa at:

www.orlandosanfordairport.com

Look under ground transportation.

If my opinion counts for anything, Pan Am is the WORST airline. I would suggest Manchester and save your sister the hassle of a subpar airline. Southwest and UsAir constantly have flights much cheaper than Pan Am. Southwest even has many non-stop flights to Orlando.

I hope this helps!
Holly

 

[Kristi1357]

I have to agree with Holly on staying away from Pan Am if at all possible -they are the WORST! I know she posted about Pan Am previously, but here's my two cents...

I was already in WDW on March 2nd and had to pick up another couple at Sanford airport - scheduled to land at 11am. To make a very long story short, they did not get to FL until 7:30pm! Now, I know things happen, but these delays happen ALL the time with Pan Am out of Portsmouth. Apparently, there were mechanical problems. So, they flew their scheduled morning flight down to Clearwater that morning, then flew the plane back empty to pick up the Orlando passengers, then fly them down. They were given measly $100 vouchers to fly them again - NOT! Also, Sanford airport is almost 50 miles from Disney. And this couple's tickets were not in any way, a deal. Also, the railroad that owns Pan Am now, has just as bad a reputation....

Oh yeah - another thing...when we got to the airport around 7pm to pick them up, the flight was not listed on any of the arrivals boards. As we approached the Pan Am counter to ask about that - the people there disappeared into the backroom! We had to keep calling the Pan Am 800# from the baggae claim area to find out what was happening with that flight. One man we talked with, said he'd pay $1000 for his friend to fly out of Manchester, rather than go through that again. I have to say, I agree. I'd like to also mention that the many other people waiting to pick up passengers were also extremely upset about the situation.

In Pan Am's defense though, they did just buy some more planes and hired more mechanics. Maybe things will get better, but I think they may have damaged their rep. to much at this point.

Good luck with your sister's trip - sorry I couldn't help with the shuttle suggestions, but I just had to warn about how bad this airline really is.

Kristi

 

[Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo]

I do appreciate the above responses and opinions about Panam. I didn't realize they'd gotten so bad! November 2000 we flew for the first time from Portsmouth, and were singing their praises on the flight down. It left on time, no hassles, the rental car was easily accessible, etc. On our return, however, there was a delay, then they told us that for "security reasons"we were having to route to Philly, then Portland Me to board additional passengers. We figured out pretty quickly that they were just saving themselves some empty planes, and of course, since the planes are hangar'd (sp?) at Portsmouth, we were the last stop, 7 hours later. We were pretty annoyed, but considered it a fluke. I may just suggest to my sister to go out of Manchester instead, all things considered! Thanks again for the input!!

 

[ducklite]

No way would I fly Panned Am. They have a terrible record, I just do'nt even know how they're still in business. Not to mention the following from their web site:

The following items may be acceptable to carry on board but this is not guaranteed and is at the discretion of Pan Am employees at the terminal, gate, and in the aircraft.

• Canes, Crutches
• Medical Supplies, (diabetic, asthmatic, etc.)
• Magazines, Books
• Diaper Bags
• Wallet
• Small purses (no larger than 25 linear inches)
• Laptop Computers
• Small Breifcases

So they are saying that if the gate agent is in a pissy mood, you might be forced to check your diapers, diabetic supplies, inhaler, wallet, and mobility equipment. I bet the ADA would have a FIELD DAY with these idiots. Any company that backwards thinking is not getting my business.

Anne

 

[Ted and Holly]

THanks for backing me up on Pan Am, everyone!

I don't know one person who has had an all-around good experience with Pan Am. Maybe they will get better now that they bought some 'new' planes. It makes me nervous though, that these were United's throw-aways. I think that most of the delays are because they have to fix old, broken planes past their prime by about 20 years!

Bibbidy, Bobbidy, I'm sorry the thread turned to Pan Am, It was my fault by leading the discussion off-topic. I just don't want anyone to go through the messes that we have gone through with that airline. Your experience wasn't a fluke! It happens all the time.

If your sister is brave and does decide to take Pan Am, there are more affordable ground-transportation options than what you have found so far. Just warn her though, that there very FEW transportation options available when your plane gets in at 9:40pm, 7 hours after it was supposed to.

Holly

 

[Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo]

Holly- please don't apologize- I'm grateful for everyone's input on Panam. You've convinced me and my sister( by relay!) to go with Manchester airport instead. It will save them money on airfare and ground transportation, with only 40 minutes of additional drive time. That little bit of difference more than outweighs the potential for trouble with the alternative. Thanks for everyone's two cents- that's why I love this board! My sister and her husband are going (without kids this time!) with another couple who've never been to WDW, and I want them all to have a wonderful time with a minimum of problems. They've already been transferred to Contemporary Resort from Shades of Green due to the Renovations, so I hope to keep the pixie dust going for them! Thanks again.

 

[msdis]

We considered flying Pan Am too, but reconsidered more due to the fact that transfers and rental cars were a lot more money. When you add that difference to the air fare of some other airlines it works out about the same. After our last experience with National(we are also DC members) we prefer to stick with them, and they are not at Sanford. OIA just seems to have it all, except Pan Am of course.