Flying into Sanford airport

[momof2disprincesses]

We found some GREAT prices on Allegiant but they fly into Sanford. Does anyone have experience flying into this Orlando airport? How far is it from Disney and do you have to rent a car or are there other options for getting from Sanford to Disney property (we'll be staying onsite - we're DVC members)?

 

[youalleverybody]

We flew into Sanford in 2008. It's nice to be in a smaller airport!!

Yes, we rented a car. I don't know of any shuttles to WDW from there. Maybe that's changed since then?

I think the drive was about an hour, maybe a touch less.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

We found some GREAT prices on Allegiant but they fly into Sanford. Does anyone have experience flying into this Orlando airport? How far is it from Disney and do you have to rent a car or are there other options for getting from Sanford to Disney property (we'll be staying onsite - we're DVC members)?

Lots of visitors fly into Sanford. It is probably better to rent a car, although there are town car services. No Magical Express from Sanford.

 

[seashoreCM]

Don't use either of the car services with names like "Sanford Transit".
Various sob stories in months past here on The DIS.

 

[ccudmore]

We flew in Sanford last October and loved it. Took about 45 minutes to drive from the airport to All Star. But that was countered by the fact it only took about 10 minutes from the time we stepped off the plane until the time we had our luggage and were in the car. No line-ups, short walks and very easy to get around. Same thing on the way back - took only a few minutes to get checked in and through security and to the gate.

If you're going to rent a car anyways (which we were) I'd highly recommend it.

 

[Glenn&Sharon]

We've flown into Sanford twice, and used Mears town car service. It's nice to be in a smaller airport.

 

[goofy4tink]

Sanford International is a very nice, small, user friendly airport. I've flown there before, but not lately. I am flying in there in April and again in Oct...looking forward to it.
We are renting a car for the April trip but using a car service in Oct. A rental car is the least expensive way to go. A car service will run you close to $200 r/t.
The drive to WDW is a fairly straightforward if I remember correctly.

 

[Orlando Vic]

We found some GREAT prices on Allegiant but they fly into Sanford. Does anyone have experience flying into this Orlando airport? How far is it from Disney and do you have to rent a car or are there other options for getting from Sanford to Disney property (we'll be staying onsite - we're DVC members)?

Well, technically it is not an "Orlando airport". I think they just called it the Orlando Sanford International Airport as a marketing gimmick. It's in another county (Seminole) from MCO which is in Orange County.

There is an interesting discussion on SFB vs. MCO here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/orlando/1184855-sfb-vs-mco.html#post15929891

Regarding distance from WDW, it's approximately 35+ miles via I-4. I am unaware of any other transportation options except rental car.

 

[Lewisc]

Regarding distance from WDW, it's approximately 35+ miles via I-4. I am unaware of any other transportation options except rental car.

There are numerous car services which service the Sanford airport. Sanford is probably twice the distance from WDW as MCO.

Guests considering flying into Sanford, and who would otherwise use free DME, have to include the costs of transfers in their analysis. Probably around $50 to rent a car in each direction or around $200 + tip for a car service.

 

[dester]

I have flown into bothe airport and prefer Orlando if you have a problem with your flight in sanford you are stuck and have no other options.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I have flown into bothe airport and prefer Orlando if you have a problem with your flight in sanford you are stuck and have no other options.

Pretty much the case with all the airlines that fly into Sanford, none of them have agreements with other airlines, so even if they flew into MCO, it wouldn't matter unless you wanted to pay for a whole new ticket. They wouldn't rebook you on another airline.

 

[lugnut33]

As we were taking 417 in Sanford to head down to WDW, there was a sign that said 47 miles to WDW. Doesn't seem possible that it's that far, but it is.

Also, there are a bunch of tolls on 417, so be prepared for that. Either get the Sunshine pass or lots of dollar bills and quarters.