Sanford Airport (SFB) Pleasant Surprise

[steveq]

Just returned from a great week at WDW. Our family of 4 arrived into Sanford airport (SFB) on the 20th at 5:50 PM. It turned out to be so much more convenient than Orlando airport (MCO). My family went to baggage claim while I went to get car rental. When I arrived at the rental counter I was the only person in line. By the time we got our bags and car, which was only a 100 yard walk from terminal, we were driving to WDW in our PT Cruiser at 6:15 PM. We decided to avoid I-4 and stay on Route 417 all the way to exit 3. Very easy ride with absolutely no traffic, though about 5 tolls total cost $6.00. Total travel time about 50 minutes. Though a bit longer travel time when compared to MCO baggage claims, rental pick up and I-4 traffic this was a much quickeralternative.

Return trip even easier on the 27th. Drove into rental return and went to desk to return key. Again the only person in line. Not only did they know it was me returning the car they gave us a 25% discount on the weekly rental. Total charge $165.20. There was only one person in front of us at the Direct Air Ticket counter for check-in and NOBODY in line for security . Any future return to WDW or Orlando area I’ll always look for Sanford options first.

 

[Edd]

It is a pleasant surprise and with no stops for grocieries you can be in Disney just as fast or faster than you make it to Disney from Orlando International airport.

 

[karinbelle]

Just returned from a great week at WDW. Our family of 4 arrived into Sanford airport (SFB) on the 20th at 5:50 PM. It turned out to be so much more convenient than Orlando airport (MCO). My family went to baggage claim while I went to get car rental. When I arrived at the rental counter I was the only person in line. By the time we got our bags and car, which was only a 100 yard walk from terminal, we were driving to WDW in our PT Cruiser at 6:15 PM. We decided to avoid I-4 and stay on Route 417 all the way to exit 3. Very easy ride with absolutely no traffic, though about 5 tolls total cost $6.00. Total travel time about 50 minutes. Though a bit longer travel time when compared to MCO baggage claims, rental pick up and I-4 traffic this was a much quickeralternative.

Return trip even easier on the 27th. Drove into rental return and went to desk to return key. Again the only person in line. Not only did they know it was me returning the car they gave us a 25% discount on the weekly rental. Total charge $165.20. There was only one person in front of us at the Direct Air Ticket counter for check-in and NOBODY in line for security . Any future return to WDW or Orlando area I’ll always look for Sanford options first.

We are going in early October. Thanks so much for the positive comments about Sanford.

Which car rental did you use? Any codes you can share?

 

[samiandsky]

Yeah, could you share where you booked your rental car at, and any codes you used? I already booked our flight, now looking for a rental car, and the cars for a week rental for compacts are higher than a round trip plane ticket.... now I'm scrambling to find a good deal. I can't pay 350.00 a week for a car....... now I feel stranded, so if you could offer some help, please do, or send me a private message.
Thanks!

 

[Edd]

Sometimes I can't understand why anyone has to have a rental car to go to WDW in Orlando. The transportation out there is free and you can get around fairly easy using that. If you need a quick ride somewhere there are taxis available at every resort and the theme parks. Of course you can't use them everyday or you would end up paying more than a rental car.

The last times I stayed at out there, Polynesian, POP Century, my personal car sat for a week in the parking lot. I never used it. I felt the WDW transportation out there was adequate.

Car service from Sanford is expensive $160.00 - $250.00 depending on the company you use, but than again much cheaper than some of the rental car prices. There are certain advantages of using the car service. You are taken to the door of the resort you are staying at, you can buy groceries on the way out, you don't have to worry about the driving and you don't have to go pick up a vehicle and return it. The car service takes you straight to the doors of the terminal and drops you off there when you return to Sanford.

I certainly would not pay $350.00 just to get to WDW and park the vehicle. It seems like a big waste of money. If you have reasons to leave the property than that is a different story. I would check into car service prices from Sanford, not taxis as their prices are much higher than car service.

That is the only less expensive alternative you have other than dropping the car off at WDW and picking it back up when you return to Sanford. These times it might get risky because just a few weeks ago you couldn't get a rental anywhere around here even for the complete vacation. It might get tough if you were looking for a one day rental.

 

[515_renae]

We just returned from a week at WDW. We flew into Sanford instead of MCO and it was a great experience. Baggage claim was quick. I saved almost $700.00 by flying into Sanford.
I rented a car from National for a week for $198.00. We loved having a car at WDW and used it to drive everywhere but MK. It was wonderful.

 

[steveq]

I used Enterprise...I had an entertainment book coupon but the person at the counter gave us an upgaded car and the 25% discount.

There is no Magical Express from Sanford so we booked the car about 5 months before our trip. I saw a great rate and jumped on it. No risk since they didn't require a credit card to hold the car.

Yes I know the WDW Transportation is very good but it was so much easier to go where we wanted when we wanted...grocery store, theme park, water parks, resorts whatever. Especially easier when having dinner reservation at resorts, didn't have to leave 1.5 hours earlier to make ADR. Also our round trip air was only $140 into Sanford.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Those who enjoy airline spotting as a hobby will really enjoy Sanford too as the airline mix cannot be duplicated anywhere else, particularly late afternoons when the international flights are on the tarmac.

Besides Allegiant and DirectAir, the airline mix currently includes Icelandair, Globespan, Monarch, Thomson Airways and Thomas Cook Airlines.

BobK/Orlando

 

[2009Izzie]

Thanks for the information on Sanford. This coming weekend, my 3 crazy girlfriends and I are flying into Sanford from TN on Allegiant for a few days of magic at WDW. We have a direct flight and we each saved more than half the cost of a ticket if we had used Delta—which was not a direct flight into MCO. We are getting a town car pick up service for $155.00 round trip (Sam’s) to and from Pop Century. So, we felt the few extra miles from Sanford to WDW was not too bad considering we each saved money on the flight. Even with the town car pick up service, we each will have around $125 to spend on pixie dust.
me; Karen Susan :Pam

 

[dansyr2514]

We flew into Sanford from Allentown , PA in March with Allegiant. Allegiant was running a special $29 each way. Loved Sanford, super fast and super easy. We rented with enterprise which was a little over $200 but we were there for 8 nights 9 days. We just searched coupon codes online and used that.

As to why you would rent a car when going to Disney.... First let me say this, I have done both rented and used Disney transportation. I will never go without a rental car again. 3 words describe why I rented....freedom...and no waiting. We were able to come and go as we please...no waiting at park closing for a bus that is not full.....and we were able to take trips to the outlets, grocery stores, Universal, outside restaurants and downtown orlando.

 

[supersuperwendy]

Hmm... That is really something to consider! How was parking at Allentown? We just parked offsite at PHL and it was just ok. We are really close to the Northeast Extension so getting to Allentown would be easy.

We used only Disney transportation on our trip last month and I really missed having a car. How are allegiant's fees? bag fees? I think I'll check out their site!

 

[dansyr2514]

There is long term parking at Allentown. I'm not sure about offsite. We didn't use the parking because we are only about 10 min from the airport. I know there is a hotel across the street. They may have some kind of parking deal.

The fees you have to watch. First of all, if you can....goto the airport and purchase your ticket. It saves the $15 convenience fee they charge to book online. They do charge for extra bags, choosing your seat, and priority boarding.

We just booked a quick getaway from Allentown to Myrtle Beach....without all the extras is cost us about $75 per person round trip.

Allentown airport is also super easy and super quick. Probably slightly smaller than Sanford.

I would suggest signing up for airfare watchdog and put ABE as your airport preference. That is how we found the cheap fares for Myrtle Beach.

Also, keep checking Allegiant website. If you check for flight only...after you put in your dates it will bring up the prices for the entire month and if your flexible with dates you can just pick the cheapest days.


Good Luck....