Monarch, Thomson and Sanford

[AnnaTink]

Hi All,

I am considering trying to find a late deal sometime between now and mid September (However unlikely this may be, the weather over here is driving me crazyyyyyy ) We usually fly Virgin as we own DVC but this would be a package deal as we are out of points lol!!

Has anyone used Monarch in the past? Or Thomson? What are the flights like?
How is it when you fly into Sanford compared to Orlando?

Any advice and opinions greatfully received

 

[queendisney]

Personally if you find a really great deal I wouldnt worry about whom or where I fly into. I much prefer MCO over Sanford and yes I prefer scheduled to charter airlines but they all get you there. My only problem is the baggage allowance on some of the airlines is small and that just wouldnt do...

 

[wayneg]

I have very similar thoughts to Vanda, if its a last minute deal at a good price it wouldn't bother me who it was with.
Thomson get better reviews than Monarch, I prefer MCO anyday over Sanford (only used it once it wasn't good but it was a few years ago) but a late deal I would take anything at the right price.
Luggage wouldn't bother us we never get anywhere near 23kg pp, we could probably make do with 1 case between 2 of us for a short break.

Look at flight only or packages, hotels are cheap enough if the flight only is a good price.

Good luck finding something.

 

[AnnaTink]

Thanks to both of you.

I don't think flying into Sanford would bother me, it's more the flights themselves. I am a bit of a nervous flyer, and basically it's the 'unknown' element of the planes etc which would worry me - but not enough to stop me going . I just like to be informed if possible

There does seem to be the odd flight at around £350ish in the next week or so. Will have to check with work first though and I have a feeling I won't be allowed to take holiday before the beginning of July, and naturally it is more expensive then. I'll keep looking and hoping things reduce at the last minute when I can go - or keep my fingers crossed for getting something at the beginning of September. (Am also realising how spoilt I am by normally using DVC. I'm out of touch with pricing for hotels etc).

Sorry just realised I'm basically thinking as I type am keeping my fingers crossed the right deal can be found

 

[sanville]

i flew monarch -sanford last year and will be this thursday. i got mine from cosmos £399 per person includes 7 days with car hire flight and hotel in i-drive.

monarch is basic but better than reviews make them out to be. food is nice yes u dont get a personl tv but u get a a tv every 3 rows good leg room. sanford is basic but nice with an outdoor seating area (greenhouse room) if you smoke and you can watch the planes take off.

sorry for spelling my keyboard needs replacing !!

 

[stubb]

Look at Thomson £218 return for certan dates in June

 

[laura_<3]

Silly me I've posted twice, my 2nd post is more detailed

 

[dixonsontour]

We flew Monarch on a late deal in May. Usually fly scheduled or Virgin.

It was fine. No seat back tv and pay for soft drinks were only difference. Cabin crew were fine. Food was better than other airlines we have flown with recently.

Obviously sanford is further out but no immigration lines so much of a muchness.

I'll fly with whoever is cheapest tbh.

 

[bex7583]

I HAVE BEEN WITH THOMSON BOTH TIMES AND IN TO SANFORD HAD NO COMPLAINTS

also some very good flight prices on thomson at the moment they were £269 pp

 

[Shazzie B]

We used Sanford a couple of times, further to drive but no probs at all. Sorry haven't used Monarch or Thomson, but for that saving I'd give it a go!

 

[AndyBlizz]

The last 2 trips to WDW we have flown with Thomson from Birmingham to Sanford. (previous trips had been Orlando Airport)

As we live local to birmingham airport sort made sense. Both times the flights have been great but we have upgraded to PE.

But as an airport everything seems to be done quicker, check-in ,immigration etc.. as it is smaller.

In regard to transfer times yes it is longer, but we have used private transfer to reduce the chances of it taking ages if you are the last drop off on a coach.

 

[traceycooper]

The last 2 trips to WDW we have flown with Thomson from Birmingham to Sanford. (previous trips had been Orlando Airport)

As we live local to birmingham airport sort made sense. Both times the flights have been great but we have upgraded to PE.

But as an airport everything seems to be done quicker, check-in ,immigration etc.. as it is smaller.

In regard to transfer times yes it is longer, but we have used private transfer to reduce the chances of it taking ages if you are the last drop off on a coach.

Can i ask who you used for transfer & rough price??
- we are flying to sanford on monarch in july (never done monarch before) airport transfer is the last thing i need to do - our usual company dont do sanford so nervous about who to book for reliability thx

 

[torsie24]

I saw flights into Sanford advertised the other day for next week for £219pp!

For that saving I'd certainly fly with them. Even adding on the transfer instead of ME it's an incredible saving!

 

[WeeScotchLass]

My family flew in to SFB last year, sadly we got delayed and stuck behind another British plane so it took us over 3 hours from getting off the plane to getting in our hire car having said that I am looking at last minute deals to SFB again, fed up of weather too, £689 into MCO vs £268 into SFB (the other day I saw £198!!!)...I think I'll take the queue thanks!

 

[madmumof2]

Same experience here with Sanford, our plane landed early, which we thought was great, but the one before us landed late so there were twice as many people waiting for immigration, took 2 hours, we had no water left and were boiling so it wasn't pleasant at all!

BUT, it was over £1000 cheaper than the alternative (also going with Monarch/Cosmos this year) so we'll just make sure we have lots of water this time, just in case. But I have heard normally it's so much quicker from plane to car/taxi/bus that with MCO

We'll be taking the ipad on the plane for movies and entertainment so as long as it gets us from a-b I don't care what airline we travel on

 

[uk mouse lover]

I have flow with Thomson In Uper class from Birmingham to Sanford and the flight and Sanford airport was so good we are going again in sep.

Sanford was grate as we was landed bags got and security cleared all in under 20 mins and out into the sunshine. yes the road trip is a bit long to and from disney but with things like iphone and ipad you can spend the time looking up on the disboards and even facebook checkin (just to wind your mates at home up a little bit)

I rember going to Orlando Int when i was a kid and seemed like it took a life time to get out the airport and love how fast KSFB is.

Thomson Use the 767 for some flights to the US but now are starting the use the brand new 787 (THE DREAM LINER) this aircraft is sooooooooooo nice "like flying on a cloud" pardon the pun

TOM in my book are top

 

[laura_<3]

I've flown with Monarch twice and Thomson once (and again later this year). Personally, I prefer Thomson over Monarch. I felt there was more room on the Thomson planes plus you had your own personal tv whereas with Monarch there was a big screen at the front then tvs above your head every 4 rows or so. Although I don't eat the in flight meals, Thomsons looked better than Monarchs (DBF confirmed Thomsons were better).

I'd go with either though for a late deal

I've only cover flown into Sanford airport so don't know any different. I've never had any problems with Sanford, there's only ever been one year when we queued for ages to get through immigration but that was due to another flight landing within minutes of ours.