Sanford-newbie here - please help!

[staci]

What is the best (most efficient, most economical) way to get 5 adults, 2 children and carseats (ages 1 and 4), two strollers, two golf bags, and about 5 suitcases and 5 carryons from Sanford to POFQ the end of April?

We have never flown through here before and are missing Magical Express but are loving the direct flight that Sanford allows. We have thought about trying to use some type of shuttle service (not even sure what is available in that department) or getting two rental cars (although that seems wasteful to sit at WDW for a week), or maybe doing a combination of the two (send the kids in a rental car and send a few adults on some type of shuttle?

We will be arriving at Sanford about 2:30 in the afternoon on a Saturday, and our flight leaves Sanford at 8:40 am on the next saturday, so we would need transportation available pretty earlier in the am.

Thank you so much for any wisdom you can give!!!

Staci

 

[ittybittybabynurse]

There are private shuttle services and cae rental companies serving Sanford on the Sanford airport website. I just started calling around for rates. There's only 3 of us, so right now we are thinking about a private shuttle for $180 round trip. The best price on a car I could find was about $220 (with taxes & fees) through Dollar. Good luck!!

 

[cruisekat]

That's what we came up with, after much research. There were no 'shuttles' that we could find from Sanford. I agree that having a rental car sit at WDW is a waste. We have 2 small children and need a carseat and booster, plus lots of luggage and a grocery stop, so we were told we needed a van to accomodate us. $200 round trip from Sanford to POP. Whatever time we needed they would pick us up. Seems like the most hassle-free way, although maybe not the cheapest. They provide the carseats so we don't have to lug ours too, which is nice.

 

[safetymom]

Why not rent from Alamo if available? You could drop car at Car Care Center near MK, then rent for the return trip.

 

[jenseib]

Why not rent from Alamo if available? You could drop car at Car Care Center near MK, then rent for the return trip.

I was going to suggest this too. Renting a car was the cheapest option for us last year. Vans or car services were asking 50 a person and we could get a car fo less than that. We kept ours al lweek though, as DH liked to be able to drive around if he wanted to. This year we decided to go into Orlando instead and use the ME.
But you will need a van or two to get all of you and the equiptment there. So renting for a day would probably be the cheapest route.

 

[CindyKansas]

We flew into Sanford last May because of the non-stop flight (which is fantastic). We rented a car from National, drove the short distance to Orlando, stopped at Publix and bought water and Pepsi also visited the outlet malls and the next day we checked the car in at the Dolphin and then walked over to EPCOT. We just rented another car for the return trip to Sanford.
Non-stop flights can spoil a person.

 

[staci]

Thank you everyone who responded! I am so looking forward to the direct flight, especially with my two little ones.

For right now, we rented a van using the Am. Express promo code for $177 for the whole week, which is awesome. It will work out nicely too as my dad and bro are planning on golfing twice so they will have transportation. Now I am just trying to decide if we should just all squeeze in one van like sardines in a can, or whether I should get another vehicle for the arrival/departure day just to make sure we all have room....

At any rate, thanks for the advice! Happy planning!

 

[ashef]

Great decision! One more thing-- you need to be at the Sanford Airport 2.5 hours before your scheduled departure. They close the ticket counter 45 minutes before your departure time.

 

[WendyinNC]

2.5 hrs? Are you sure?

 

[clkelley]

Disney will provide taxi service to the golf courses at no charge and if they play at two different courses, will transport the clubs from one course to the next.

 

[ashef]

Yes, Wendy, I'm POSITIVE! It is hard to believe and it only applies to Allegiant flights from Sanford and Las Vegas, but you really need to be there 2.5 hours before the flight. There are several flights leaving at the same time and a lot of people to be processed -- and the ticket window really closes 45 minutes before the departure time.


Here's what the Allegiant Air website says:

What time should I arrive at the airport for my flight?

Allegiant Air recommend a two (2) hour check-in time outside of Las Vegas and Orlando/Sanford. At both Las Vegas (LAS) and Orlando/Sanford (SFB), Allegiant recommends a two and a half (2.5) hour check-in time. This allows Allegiant Air's staff plenty of time to check in all passengers for the flight. The ticket counter does close 45 minutes prior to departure. The aircraft doors close 10 minutes prior to departure.

 

[Edd]

The 2.5 hours is actually only in paper. You can get to Sanford 1.5 - 2.0 hours before your flight and have absolutley no problems. If they close the ticket counters 45 minutes before flight time what does that tell you.

Sanford is a small airport and getting through security costs you about 10 minutes. There are never any lines whatsoever. Another case of web site exaggeration.

 

[jenseib]

We didn't get there that early either. I think our flight left aound 11 and we goth there most like about 1 1/2 hours ahead of time and got through quickly, even with a line up at the counter. They are very quick. And htye aren't going to close the counter with people standing in line.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

How would you suggest that we, 2 adults, get from Sanford to Wilderness Lodge? How long of a drive is it time wise?

 

[Edd]

The cheapest way is to rent a car for the day and drop it off at WDW. I am not sure who will let you do that. The other way is to schedule a car service in advance, they run you $180 - $240 round trip depending on the company, to pick you up and return you to Sanford. Don't wait until you get there to pick up a taxi unless you have about $125.00 to spare for a one way trip.

It is about an hour drive depending on route and time.