Help.... MCO or Sanford Airport?

[Mlissa88]

I'm hoping to get your expert help here...
I would be able to save a significant amount of money by flying out of a nearby airport into Sanford/Orlando, FL airport rather than MCO. Has anyone ever done this and if so...what are the drawbacks if any...?

Also, can you get a shuttle like Mears from Sanford? Have you done it and what was the cost?

I appreciate any help you can offer.... thanks in advance.

 

[mom2of2]

Just did this in March! I loved Sanford! Nice small airport, get your bags and out the door into sunny Florida!!!! We rented a car from National and used it one way to the Dolphin, it cost us $40.99. I don't think there is a MEARS there but I do know that TTC and Yourride are about dble what they cost from MCO. The trip wasn't bad at all to WDW and we were able to do a grocery stop and Burger King and still got to WDW within 90 minutes.

 

[worm761]

i looked into doing this for my trip. mears does not run at sanford. the towncars are about $160 roundtrip! when i factored that in it wasnt saving me any money. if you rent a car it should be very feasible. i get lost really easily and didnt want the hassle of getting lost so i went with flying into mco. if you think you can do the drive then rent a car!

 

[Mlissa88]

Thanks! I read your above messages and I'll have to consider if the rental car and the drive is worth the savings.

Rates from the airport by my house are horrible right now. I hope they go down!

I hope you guys both have a great trip....

 

[Dis#1]

We're planning to fly from ABE into Sanford in October. The rates for rentals/shuttles is higher than MCO, but for the convenience of a direct flight closer to home (1hr. vs. 3hrs.) we're flying Southeast.
Sanford airport has a web site & there's a listing of available transportation that you can research.

 

[Kallison]

We're flying from Allentown to Sanford also - family of five for $630 roundtrip direct. The Happy Limo cost was $120 - about $60 more than from MCO. I never thought about the rental car?? Can you return rentals at the Swan/Dolphin. We are staying at BC so this might be feasible. Don't know if it is worth the hassle of saving $40 though. Dh will probably enjoy being picked up more.

 

[mom2of2]

It really wasn't a hassle at all renting at SFB. We got an intermediate car and it was fine for the 4 of us and all our luggage.....4 large suitcases, 2 backpacks and my carryon. The trip to CBR was fine, we took our time getting there too. Stopped at the grocery store and then Burger King for an early lunch. Around 3pm we drove to the Dolphin and the valet took our car and sent us inside. That was it! Then the night before we left I arranged for National to pick up DH at CBR and take him to the Dolphin for our next rental car. He was back in 20 min! We loaded up the car, went to DtD, drove around Kissimmee and took our time all day until we headed to the airport later on in the afternoon. It cost us less then $90 and that included gas. The trip to and from SFB is very easy, no tolls and really not a bad trip. I perfer driving myself than having someone drive me anyway....don't think a limo driver would have let me reach over him to honk the horn a gazilion times as we drove under the Walt Disney World overhang!!!!

 

[Mlissa88]

You guys are staring to talk me into this. I'd have to drive to Allentown (1 1/2 hours) then park my car for the week (not sure how much that would cost). Take Southeast Airlines to Sanford and either rent a car or take a limo.

I'm still debating if the time factor of driving to Allentown and the cost of the limo is worth the savings for two people....

I'll have to write it down.....and compare.

Thanks for the great ideas though...keep em coming!

 

[Kallison]

We are in Bucks County with traffic it takes us 1 1/2 hours to get to Philly and probably will be 1 hour to Allentown. I prefer flying out of a quieter airport and I won't feel stressed about leaving my van in ABE for 10 days. Mom2 how was your flight on Southeast? Did they serve snacks or anything. I"m a little perturbed, I booked in Feb. and have called them 3 times for a written confirm and nothing yet. They do say they have me down every time I give them my number. Did you get any paper in the mail saying you had a flight??

 

[Dis#1]

Kallison,

I'm really interestd in how you were able to get 5 seats for only $630??? That's an amazing deal. The best I could find so far on Southeast was about $160 pp. Can you offer any tips?? We're not flying till October and they don't have their schedule out that far yet.

Thanks!!!

 

[3stooges]

Southeast Air advertises $59 one way from ABE to Florida sites. They limit the number of seats at this rate and they seem to go fast. We got 4 for 8/11 back in March and they sent a letter containing info for check-in. There are no tickets until you get to ABE and give your info. We will be renting from SFB since we will be going to USF/IOA for two days and doing some local shopping and sightseeing. Would like to hear about anyone's experiences out of ABE to SFB with Southeast Air.
3stooges

 

[mom2of2]

I got a confirm letter right after I purchased my tickets. When I got to ABE I had that in hand as well as my DL and the kids SS cards. We got there at 5am for the 7something flight 609 I think. We were about 10th in line at that time. Anyway I didn't have to show my letter or anything, they had my name down and number of passengers. We were assigined 2 rows of seats for me, DH and the 2 boys. We valet parked our van out front...this was nice..just unload and your done! parking was $7 a day plus valet total was $72.00 and we were 7 days. Valet was $22. If you don't valet park the lot is just right there anyway so there really isn't much of a benefit to valet IMO. Southeast doesn't serve snacks but you can bring them on, they do however serve drinks. The snack bars at the airport aren't bad we got muffins and coffee. ABE if you haven't flown out of there is very easy! I've never flown out of a small airport before and was a wee bit concerned but I shouldn't have been. Security was top notch (we left the day the war began) and flying into SFB was great. At SFB you get off the plane, walk to baggage and the doors are right there to the exit. It's a nice airport and very easy to get in and out of. Trust me guys, I like saving a buck but I also like getting treated good and Southeast, ABE and SFB were all terrific. Total cost for travel for 4.....$532.00 Airfare (133.each), 72.00 parking, and $87 for rental car....grand total $691.00... not bad considering that PHL or EWR was running $179 each plane fare and parking is higher as well as a town car of $60....I saved at least $400....Flying out of SFB to ABE was just as easy..we had the 7:20 flight back and the plane was delayed due to weather..we took off at 8pm, made up time and landed on time in ABE. Just give them your name, show your id and off you go. Not once did they ask for my confirmation paper.

 

[Mary Anne]

I just did this Allentown to Sanford run for the $59 each way fare and this was EASTER WEEK. Can't say enought good things about it (and I drove from NYC to Allentown for this great fare).

We found out while we were down there that Coact USA services the Sanford airport, we didn't use them but they said it was $10 each way from/to the airport to a Disney Hotel. You might want to check into it.

One thing, they serve only liquid on the flight so depending on the flight time you may want to bring a bag breakfast/lunch/dinner. They have no problem with this.

 

[Mskanga]

I did that in December, flew out of ABE into Sanford alone, then I rented a car to go to WDW and the rental car for 5 days was $95 all taxes included.
The drive couldn't be any easier, get on I4 all the way to WDW . Trust me on this one, if I could do it, anyone can ! I don't like driving in areas that I don't know, much less alone, but I had no problem at all driving from sanford.
BTW, the rental car was from National , but they also had Alamo, Avis and Dollar onsite at the airport.
No you will not get any snacks , but you will get a refreshment.

 

[Mlissa88]

Which service does the shuttle? I wasn't sure if there was a typo or if Coact USA services is correct as you typed it.

I'm definately checking this out. I'm too excited about this now!

 

[Mary Anne]

Sorry, it was a type COACH USA is the firm that picks up and delivers you from Sanford to Mickey. At leat that is what I was told.

 

[Mlissa88]

I just checked it out and even though it's not 10.00 it's still a great deal at 40.00 round trip! Not bad. I didn't really want to rent a car so this would work out best for me.

Thanks again for the great tip!

This ABE departure is looking better and better all the time!

 

[Dis#1]

To those folks who have rented cars at Sanford,

Did you book it ahead of time or go to the rental counter upon arrival?? The rates you've posted are much lower than what I've seen on-line.

Thanks for your help-- 141 more days to go!!!!

 

[mom2of2]

online....try different scenerios such as compact and then they may ask is you want to upgrade to an intermediate for less then if you asked for one to begin with. I went with National since they are at both SFB and the Dolphin.

 

[edie w]

We've flown into MCO twice (via Atlanta) and got a bit disorientated leaving (different) car rental places both times. It was dark!

Last time we flew into Sanford which was much quicker getting through passport control and picking up the car. And we didn't get lost.

Having said that, it was a long drive from Sanford to our rental villa, made more tiring by the fact that tho my watch said 3pm my body thought it was 8pm!

This time we're flying direct to MCO with Virgin Atlantic which offers us the best of both - arrival nearer to Kissimmee, and in the daylight. Our car rental is off airport but I know where I'm going this time.... I think!

What I'm saying is: Sanford is fine, especially if you are going to drive (inexpensive and stress free in comparison to UK, even parking at WDW) and you are not travelling thousands of miles to get there. Have fun!!