How is TMA and the Sanford airport? Have I made a mistake to save some $$?

[SnowWhite33]

We have always flown down on Delta, it's a very small commuter plane, but it always got the job done. Cheapest round trip flight I could have gotten thru Delta was $211 per person, and that's not a direct flight. TMA roundtrip is costing me $140.40 per person,non-stop !!!! I also understand that the plane is considerably larger, a 757 I think. Here's the kicker-we have to fly into Sanford, so tell me I haven't made a huge mistake. We always rent a towncar to get to Disney, so I know it will cost extra by flying to Sanford. Any other suggestions, I'm a little nervous about the different airport and airline. Have a made a huge mistake?

 

[zurgswife]

Towncar prices are higher from Sandford...I would also consider looking into a rental car to see what is the better value for your money..

 

[SB in KY]

You haven't made a huge mistake (of course you probably don't want to hear that I got SW from Louisville to Orlando last week for $120/pp RT non-stop, and Delta was only $2 more!!, but the fares are gone now)

We have flown into Sanford on TMA before and it was a very nice experience....friendly staff, they even fed us. We rented a car in Sanford (it was before the days of Magical Express) and it was slightly less expensive than renting at MCO, MUCH easier to pick up and drop off the car and it was an easy drive into WDW...all in all it was nicer than most flights (especially those commuter planes Delta flies from SDF to MCO).

I suspect you might be better off renting a car than using a towncar service....but they are getting pretty hungry now that so many people are using DME....so you might find a deal....just compare rates....

Don't kick yourself over this one....it will most likely be a much nicer flight than you would have otherwise.

 

[Parkerpooh]

i much prefer Sanford airport over MCO as it's smaller and faster to get your luggage,rental cars... We used a towncar from Sanford once and it was alittle more expensive but not double the price or anything! We're flying with TMA for the first time in Jan. and hope it's a good idea too!!

 

[Pete W.]

We flew TMA from Allentown, PA to Sanford last month and had a great experience both times. The plane we had was an MD-80 which is an older plane, but it was fine. It has 2 seats on the right and 3 on the left which we actually liked because we sat 2 and 2. The only minor disappointment is that we expected to be able to buy food on the plane but only received the complementary pretzel bag and beverages. Sanford airport is very convenient -- the rental car counters are right next to the baggage carousels and the rental cars are right outside. The drive to WDW is one hour.

 

[AllyBri]

You may really want to consider renting a car. What you saved in air you will spend on the limo and more.

 

[Patio]

I just got back yesterday and flew TransMeridian out of Allentown, Pa. The flight to Sanford was delayed 10 minutes. Our flight back yesterday was delayed 2 1/2 hrs due to a mechanical difficulty ( something with the radar for weather ). The plane was an MD-80 and seats 165, 2 on left side, 3 on right side. The flight itself was very smooth.
We used American Coach to get to Pop Century. It costs $14 one way for guests of TransMeridian. They have buses and vans, but, we were with 1 other family going to WDW and the only ones on the way back so we were in a van both times. We tipped the driver $10 each way. They were really good. I'd definitely use them again.

 

[Mary Anne]

Interesting I just tonight priced TMA out of Allentown. The prices was really good and I was wondering how the airline was. I know the airport is fine (both in Allentown and Sanford) as we've flown them before when Southeast went out of Allentown.

 

[KCMiller]

We flew TMA from Allentown, PA to Sanford last month and had a great experience both times. The plane we had was an MD-80 which is an older plane, but it was fine. It has 2 seats on the right and 3 on the left which we actually liked because we sat 2 and 2. The only minor disappointment is that we expected to be able to buy food on the plane but only received the complementary pretzel bag and beverages. Sanford airport is very convenient -- the rental car counters are right next to the baggage carousels and the rental cars are right outside. The drive to WDW is one hour.

It takes an hour to drive from Sanford to WDW?? How long does it take to drive from MCO to WDW? And if you can just go right outside and pick up your rental car, does that time savings factor in?

Help, I can't decide!!


KC

 

[Mary Anne]

About 40 minutes from MCO, but it takes far longer to deplane from MCO and get your car.

The reason town cars cost almost double if you use them from Sanford is because it's in another district. That is what I was told when I asked.

To be honest, if I get a great price out of Allentown to Sanford, I'd take it. And that is from someone who drives two hours from NYC to get to Allentown.

 

[snowy76]

It takes an hour to drive from Sanford to WDW?? How long does it take to drive from MCO to WDW? And if you can just go right outside and pick up your rental car, does that time savings factor in?

Help, I can't decide!!


KC

We've flown into Sanford twice from Syracuse and LOVE the convenience. In June we rented a car and the drive took us about 40 minutes. Add another 20 minutes for baggage claim and picking up the rental. BTW, a one-way rental (dropped off at Dolphin) ran us about $40 each way. VERY easy drive. The highway pretty much ends in WDW! If you avoid I-4 and use the toll roads (about 6 dollars, bring quarters!), it is a quiet drive and you avoid Orlando entirely. You make a big loop around the eastern and southern end of the Orlando area.

I remember commenting to DH how great it was that in the time it took us to get to WDW, we would have probably just been coming out of MCO... and then having to deal with the Beeline AND I-4

 

[Pete W.]

We've flown into Sanford twice from Syracuse and LOVE the convenience. In June we rented a car and the drive took us about 40 minutes.

It's 55 miles from Sanford Airport to WDW, of which 43 miles are on 417, and the last several miles you go through several traffic lights as you approach WDW. You must have been driving awfully fast to make it in 40 minutes. I would suggest that most people allow an hour.

 

[ducklite]

It's 55 miles from Sanford Airport to WDW, of which 43 miles are on 417, and the last several miles you go through several traffic lights as you approach WDW. You must have been driving awfully fast to make it in 40 minutes. I would suggest that most people allow an hour.

At minimum an hour, and if you are traveling during rush hour it will be up to 90 minutes.

Anne

 

[snowy76]

It's 55 miles from Sanford Airport to WDW, of which 43 miles are on 417, and the last several miles you go through several traffic lights as you approach WDW. You must have been driving awfully fast to make it in 40 minutes. I would suggest that most people allow an hour.

As you quoted, I said "about" 40. Not exactly 40. We, however, did make it to WDW in under an hour:

1. We arrived Sunday morning.
2. We had a list of tolls and a roll of quarters, so we had exact change ready at all toll booths without asking for receipts.
3. We make it our habit to travel with local traffic wherever we are, which means going about 70 mph in most spots in Florida.

My driving directions had our route at about 50 miles to Disney property. That's where I consider us having "arrived", not at the resort itself. Going 60 mph, you'd ideally make it there in 50 minutes. By going faster than 60 you shave several minutes off the time. You also save a few minutes IMO exiting at 3 rather than 6, but it depends on your situation.

Earlier posters seemed concerned about losing a lot of time. I think the quieter, less congested SFB/417 route *basically* gets you there in *about* the same time as coming from MCO/Beeline/I-4, which is much more congested all day. Of COURSE you should always plan extra time. You never know if there'll be construction, or an accident, etc.

 

[Pete W.]

As you quoted, I said "about" 40. Not exactly 40. We, however, did make it to WDW in under an hour

Yes, but you were responding to KCMiller who asked "It takes an hour to drive from Sanford to WDW??" I thought someone who had never taken that route before would want a realistic estimate based on real-world conditions, not a rare exception with zero traffic, achieved by speeding and not counting the time it takes to get from the edge of WDW property to your resort.

Better to allow extra time so as not to be disappointed! I know I did that in the past and ended up missing my first night PSs, so I learned to allow extra time. And we stay at BWV (Epcot area) which is the closest of the 3 main resort areas. And we always have exact change for the tolls too!

Believe me, I'm not trying to be argumentative or to 'split hairs.' Just trying to give helpful advice based on my own experience (as you were too).

 

[CarolA]

Having worked in Sanford... I would say that on most days you are looking at an hour. Of course I also have never taken 40 mintues from MCO as someone posted. It is normally under half an hour and if it's not rush hour and I take the Bee Line it can be fairly quick.

 

[snowy76]

Pete, I definitely not come on these boards to argue with anyone, just to help. And I think on that, we're agreed!

I think we're probably in agreement on this too: any extra time it takes to drive from SFB (versus MCO) is justified if it means avoiding traffic and the crowds at MCO.

As an aside to ANYONE, regardless of airport: between driving and checking in, etc. etc. allow at least two hours from arrival time to whatever activities are in your plans. The more, the better. We usually go to a water park or DTD on the first day so that we don't feel pressure to be anywhere in particular.

 

[Pete W.]

I've actually had good experiences at MCO. Although it's larger, it seems to be more efficient at getting your luggage to the carousel, more staff at the rental counters, etc. We've used SFB the past 2 times because the TMA airfare was less than half what we would have paid if we had flown out of Newark on Continental or Delta. I'll gladly 'put up' with an extra 20-30 minute drive for that!

P.S. Regardless of whether you choose MCO or SFB, I agree that 417 South beats I-4 hands down!

 

[leanne11]

patio, i'm glad your trip was good, i will never fly TMA again ..7 hour delay going down missed cm,fireworks,an entire day, and like you 2 1/2 delay coming back no apology, did give me some credit money, with restrictions like you wouldn't believe.. but still love Abe to Sanford,,maybe i'll try Hooters next time, i'm glad you tried the coach and liked it...

I just got back yesterday and flew TransMeridian out of Allentown, Pa. The flight to Sanford was delayed 10 minutes. Our flight back yesterday was delayed 2 1/2 hrs due to a mechanical difficulty ( something with the radar for weather ). The plane was an MD-80 and seats 165, 2 on left side, 3 on right side. The flight itself was very smooth.
We used American Coach to get to Pop Century. It costs $14 one way for guests of TransMeridian. They have buses and vans, but, we were with 1 other family going to WDW and the only ones on the way back so we were in a van both times. We tipped the driver $10 each way. They were really good. I'd definitely use them again.