Sanford/Orlando Airport?!?!?!

[loveysbydesign]

We hope to fly out of Allentown, PA from LVIA. However the flight's it shows me (using Allegiant Air) on the computer, all end up at the Sanford/Orlando airport. Have any of you ever been there and if so how much further from WDW is it vs. Orlando Int'l? Any input's appreciated!

 

[susan1]

hi
most u.k. flights land at sanford. it takes about 45 - 60 mins down the toll road, or you can go straight down the I4 if you are not about to hit rush hour betwee about 4.30pm and 6pm. its not a bad journey and it is certainly quicker to get throgh than orlando int.

 

[MulanMom]

We used to fly in to Sanford from ABE (or LVI) when we took Southeast's flights. At that time, we preferred Sanford as it is a small airport in comparison to MCO and it seemed to be easier to rent a car. Sanford is about an hour from WDW, though it is an easy drive on the Greene Way. Some of the issues with Sanford were that the rental car agencies would close earlier in the evening than when your flight arrived. However, I believe they now stay open until the last flight comes in.

I did check out the new carrier's schedule. What is nice is that there is an option to purchase transportation to WDW at $25/per person when you buy your airline ticket. I would guess it is probably a Mears charter bus. That's actually a great rate to pay to get to WDW as Sanford is much farther than MCO from WDW and the Mears group rate is roughly the same.

For us, it seemed renting a car was as expensive as renting an airport limo service or taking a taxi to WDW.

We also pay attention to the flight times when deciding who to fly with. If a flight leaves at 6:30am, then that means arriving at the airport at 5:30am at the latest, etc. When considering those scenarios, we've looked into getting a hotel that's close to Sanford airport. Naturally, they are not as plentiful as those around MCO.

Hope this helps!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Actually, I think it is either American Coach or Orlando Carriers that operate the shuttle.

 

[localdriver]

Actually, I think it is either American Coach or Orlando Carriers that operate the shuttle.

Both.

But if you are traveling First Choice or Thomson, Mears handles those transfers.

 

[IlovePiglet]

It will most likely be the shuttle service.
The distance between the airport and WDW is about 50 miles. I personally prefer the Greenway (417). It might take a little bit longer but I never trust I-4. It doesn't take much to mess up traffic. 417 is also newer and much nicer

 

[Bill From PA]

I investigated this a few trips ago and found that 2 one way car rentals from Sanford to the Dolphin and back was cheaper than a TownCar RT. If a shuttle suits you, that may be cheaper but for 4 adults 2 one way rentals, about $100 total a year or so ago, might be cheaper and quicker. We ended up flying AVP to MCO so I didn't actually do this.

Bill From PA

 

[MrsJobba1]

Hi,

I love Sanford, it is much much smaller than MCO, however I'm from the Uk too.

We use a towncar service return and its about $210.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Both.

But if you are traveling First Choice or Thomson, Mears handles those transfers.

LOL, I of all people should have known about that one.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Thanks for your help!
Any of you rent a car at Sanford recently? if so who did you use and did you like them.
Also is it good to sign up for all the car rental websites to get special deals?

Looks like we'll have to stay near the Sanford airport for the night before we take a flight home in the morning, any recommended places?

 

[MulanMom]

Actually, I think it is either American Coach or Orlando Carriers that operate the shuttle.

I've never looked into it personally. About 3 years ago, I gave an airplane mate a lift to WDW as she didn't know how she was going to get to WDW from Sanford. I did see a Mears bus on that occasion.

For a single person or a couple, I think it's great that Sanford has a shuttle as an option.

Given the stranglehold Mears had on MCO ground transporation ten years ago, it's nice to hear that others are able to provide the service and give some (ahem) "friendly" competition.

 

[MulanMom]

Thanks for your help!
Any of you rent a car at Sanford recently? if so who did you use and did you like them.
Also is it good to sign up for all the car rental websites to get special deals?

Looks like we'll have to stay near the Sanford airport for the night before we take a flight home in the morning, any recommended places?

I've always preferred Dollar or National myself, but Alamo at the Sanford location was good as well.

What I did was sign up at the websites. I also checked Mousesavers and applied codes that I qualified for. I would reserve the best deal I could get in advance, then recheck as the dates got closer. Sometimes, my best rates were the ones I booked months ahead of time. And I've had occasions where I've booked something different shortly before leaving home.

Sanford is a really nice airport. Small and usually not too much of a walk to the rental car desk.

 

[localdriver]

I've never looked into it personally. About 3 years ago, I gave an airplane mate a lift to WDW as she didn't know how she was going to get to WDW from Sanford. I did see a Mears bus on that occasion.

For a single person or a couple, I think it's great that Sanford has a shuttle as an option.

Given the stranglehold Mears had on MCO ground transporation ten years ago, it's nice to hear that others are able to provide the service and give some (ahem) "friendly" competition.

Mears equipment! just a thought. In that alone, there is no competition..

 

[jez4100]

We have flown from ABE to Sanford before and it was much easier than flying from Philly to MCO. They are both small airports and very easy to get around. We are flying Allegient Air out of Allentown to Sanford in August for 10 days and got a rental car rate of $288 with National, the cheapest of all the rental cars, I even checked Orlando and got quoted much higher rental car rates. I used the priceless code from mousesavers, signed up for emerald reserve and used the $20 off coupon in the entertainment book. Good luck.

 

[hsmamato2]

we booked enterprise with an entertainment book code at $250 for 2 weeks from sanford- drop off time is way early, so they have directions to drop it in the lot........ can't wait to NOT have to stand in HUGE lines at MCO...

 

[loveysbydesign]

I also checked Mousesavers and applied codes that I qualified for. I would reserve the best deal I could get in advance, then recheck as the dates got closer.

Just curious, has anyone ever had a problem cancelling a rental car and then rebooking to get a lower rate...did they charge your card a fee or anything? And if so, what company is it so I know to avoid them!

 

[bigsis1970]

signing up - our first trip to SFB too! late arrival from Portsmouth 9:45pm finding all car companies close about 10 except Enterprise at 10:30pm

 

[MulanMom]

Just curious, has anyone ever had a problem cancelling a rental car and then rebooking to get a lower rate...did they charge your card a fee or anything? And if so, what company is it so I know to avoid them!

I've never had a problem cancelling. If I recall correctly, I usually print the screen confirming that I cancelled the reservation. Come to think of it, I don't believe I've ever been asked for my credit card info to secure a rental car reservation. Just check a company's policies/requirements and keep track of applicable cancellation deadlines, if any.

 

[MulanMom]

signing up - our first trip to SFB too! late arrival from Portsmouth 9:45pm finding all car companies close about 10 except Enterprise at 10:30pm

If you are interested in another car rental place, call them directly on the phone...number can be obtained either on the rental car company website or the Sanford Airport website. They will usually stay open.

We had a situation a few years back where we were scheduled to land at night about 15 minutes prior to the desk's closing time. I spoke with them directly to be sure they would be open when our plane landed. We encountered a problem. The pilot refused to land at Sanford supposedly because some construction caused the improper landing of another plane and knocked out a few of the ground guiding lights. We landed at MCO and sat for a few hours. We were unable to leave the plane because the airline had no priviledges at MCO. Very frustrating. During this time I called the rental car desk to be sure they would be open, which they assured me they would be there. And they were even though we arrived at Sanford a good two to three hours after our scheduled arrival.

So don't limit yourself to just one rental car company. Try contacting a few directly to determine your options.

Hope this helps!

 

[hsmamato2]

yea Enterprise- they seemd to be the ones who would work with our "strange' schedule at sfb too