Sanford International is located roughly 30 miles NE from Orlando proper. It is a converted military air base. With that in mind, it was designed to accomidate "heavy" aircraft. Heavy is a term used to refer to aircraft over 300,000 lbs in general. A dual isle aircraft (ex. 767, 777, A300, A330 and A340) is a heavy aircraft. They require longer and wider runways and taxiways and more space between gates (Jetways or loading bridges) to accomidate the wing span.
Sanford, while limited to gate space, is a gateway for many international flights to central florida. It offers spacous modern board lounges, restrooms and great food courts.
Now while there are many ups there are a few downs. Those of you traveling to northern cities may experience longer delays due to weather in your destination cities. Why? There are little to zero alternative destination options out of Sanford. In other words...if you fly airline XYZ to say Syracuse (SYR) and there is weather in SYR, there are no other flights or airlines to cities near by. For example SYR could be closed but Albany and Rochester are open for arriving flights.
If your aircraft has a maintance delay, you cannot simply change airlines or get rebooked on another flight. Airlines serving Sanford have limited service to domestic destinations and when they have 2 or 3 flights a day to a city, it may be flown by the same aircraft all day. Two round trip flights a day, an AM and PM flight, could be the same aircraft going back and fourth. So, if you are delayed you could get on an evening flight but remember that that evening flight has passengers already booked on it and may be full. It then becomes a problem to transfer passengers to Orlando International. Also, does your airline have an agreement with other airlines at Orlando International to carrier their passengers during irregular operations? If so, Plan on a 2 - 3 hour delay in waiting for a bus to pick up and your fellow travelers up in Sanford, unload the luggage from the aircraft, load it in to the bus or rented cargo truck, find all the passengers and their children and make your way to Orlando International (MCO).
The airlines serving Sanford do offer great rates. Some of the best you will find but there are reasons for it. It is a secondary airport, lower landing and gate fees and other operational costs. That is because they are trying to attract passengers to less desired Sanford International.
Are you staying in the Orlando Internation Drive/Disney area?
Well there are two ways to get there. One is the 417 toll road or GREENWAY. It is the GREENWAY in my mind because it takes a lot of GREEN from your wallet to get from one end to another. Now, depending on what exit you get off at, you can pay $5 - $7.50 in tolls. IMPORTANT: When you get down close to the Disney area, you will need exact change to get through the toll both. There are no attendants at many of them. So have quarters ready. Keep in mind though that the price is worth it. It is a direct shot to Disney.
I-4. Here is your second choice from Sanford. I-4, AKA Orlando's cheapest place to park, can be a nightmare between 7 - 9 AM and 3 - 7 PM. Mulitpule areas of road expansion projects and make this trip a 2 - 2.5 hour experience. If you like playing the out of state license plate game, road kill BINGO (thanks to the Jersey barriers preventing animals from getting across the highway and trapping them in the middle), who can hold their bladder the longest or chatting with strangers in the cars next to you, this is your road!
If you have a choice and the airfare is only $20 - $40 different between the two airports, chose Orlando International.
Many fares may look better. Example: $199 compared to $215. It is only $16 different but you will have many more options if anything happens and less road travel distance to cover. Let's face it, the kids have been on a plane for 3 hours and adding a 2 hour drive could test your limits and ruin your vacation.
If you have any questions about Orlando, feel free to contact me.
If I can get this worked out, I'll be saving quite a bit on airfare! 
Am I making sense?!?!) 
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