Sanford to WDW, rent or Uber?

[Nick6300]

We haven’t rented a car in a few yrs for WDW, and I’m having sticker shock after booking Avis from Sanford for pickup 11pm Fri, Christmas Eve, drop off will be 3am on Fri, New Years Eve. It was $550 with 30% off code. Now I’m thinking about canceling and incurring the $50 cancel fee. I can’t look far enough for those dates but I saw that it’s typically $50-60 for an UberX from Sanford to WDW area (we will be offsite). And I’m guessing $8-11 for an Uber ea. Way per day. Park hopping could be done via disney buses, Uber to hotel from 2nd park. Round #s $10 x 2 per day x 5 days (sat-thurs) = $100. Assuming late Christmas Eve pickup from SFB is $100 and dropoff at 3am NYE is also $100, that’s still only $300.

Has anyone ubered from SFB late on a similar holiday to know if readily available? The hotels I’ve glanced at have free parking (if staying with rental), and we’re AP for park parking although that’s going to be fun that week. Could try to order rides 5 min ahead of time to lower wait times, but I hesitate to order in advance for SFB not knowing if the flight gets delayed or trouble with bag.

Typically stay on site, ME from MCO, and only ubered a few times ever, so not really sure what’s the best course from SFB. Thank you for any suggestions.

 

[corn princess]

We haven’t rented a car in a few yrs for WDW, and I’m having sticker shock after booking Avis from Sanford for pickup 11pm Fri, Christmas Eve, drop off will be 3am on Fri, New Years Eve. It was $550 with 30% off code. Now I’m thinking about canceling and incurring the $50 cancel fee. I can’t look far enough for those dates but I saw that it’s typically $50-60 for an UberX from Sanford to WDW area (we will be offsite). And I’m guessing $8-11 for an Uber ea. Way per day. Park hopping could be done via disney buses, Uber to hotel from 2nd park. Round #s $10 x 2 per day x 5 days (sat-thurs) = $100. Assuming late Christmas Eve pickup from SFB is $100 and dropoff at 3am NYE is also $100, that’s still only $300.

Has anyone ubered from SFB late on a similar holiday to know if readily available? The hotels I’ve glanced at have free parking (if staying with rental), and we’re AP for park parking although that’s going to be fun that week. Could try to order rides 5 min ahead of time to lower wait times, but I hesitate to order in advance for SFB not knowing if the flight gets delayed or trouble with bag.

Typically stay on site, ME from MCO, and only ubered a few times ever, so not really sure what’s the best course from SFB. Thank you for any suggestions.

We've typically flown into MCO as well. Since we knew Magical Express would be gone and we could get WAY cheaper flights into Sanford, we're going to probably do an uberxl as well. Car rental prices are so high and we know once we're on property we won't use it enough to warrant one!

 

[Nick6300]

We've typically flown into MCO as well. Since we knew Magical Express would be gone and we could get WAY cheaper flights into Sanford, we're going to probably do an uberxl as well. Car rental prices are so high and we know once we're on property we won't use it enough to warrant one!

I'd think no issues, but want to make sure that you can Uber to/from SFB currently?

I actually incurred the $50 cancel fee to cancel the $550 rental car last night. Also canceled my $547 Allegiant flight today! We get a credit to use by 9/16/22 to go along with my Delta cancel credit expiring 9/2022 (racking them up). I think the rental rates were just jacked up because it was going to be Christmas Eve. Probably would have been more of a consideration at a different time of yr.

The Allegiant flight, which included 2 bag fees, was about $300 less than Southwest to MCO ($850), which would gain us much of the 2 flight days (you get in midnight 12/24 and leave 6am and lose those potential park days with Allegiant). But we would have had to drive 3 hrs to and from Chicago, and pay to park (approx. $75 vs. local airport for Allegiant).

Because we were going to lose those 2 flight dates with Allegiant, the high costs, and because we already have the time off, I think we're actually now going to drive from Thurs. 12/23 after work from Central IL and aim to get to WDW Fri 12/24 evening (17 hr. drive before stops for gas and such). Seems kind of crazy, but if we get there with maybe a fireworks night on Fri, and gain New Years Eve, with a little bit of Sat 1/1, I think it may make sense. I wouldn't do it during a different part of the year, with cheaper/better flights. And hopefully no snow.

Our decision now is driving my newer car vs. renting a car locally for $300 for the 11 days (much cheaper for a rental here), saving 2500 miles. I'd also worry about those tight parking spots at the park for door dings/scratches. Maybe next year when my car isn't new anymore I wouldn't care. But idk what I'll do there yet.

 

[corn princess]

I'd think no issues, but want to make sure that you can Uber to/from SFB currently?

I actually incurred the $50 cancel fee to cancel the $550 rental car last night. Also canceled my $547 Allegiant flight today! We get a credit to use by 9/16/22 to go along with my Delta cancel credit expiring 9/2022 (racking them up). I think the rental rates were just jacked up because it was going to be Christmas Eve. Probably would have been more of a consideration at a different time of yr.

The Allegiant flight, which included 2 bag fees, was about $300 less than Southwest to MCO ($850), which would gain us much of the 2 flight days (you get in midnight 12/24 and leave 6am and lose those potential park days with Allegiant). But we would have had to drive 3 hrs to and from Chicago, and pay to park (approx. $75 vs. local airport for Allegiant).

Because we were going to lose those 2 flight dates with Allegiant, the high costs, and because we already have the time off, I think we're actually now going to drive from Thurs. 12/23 after work from Central IL and aim to get to WDW Fri 12/24 evening (17 hr. drive before stops for gas and such). Seems kind of crazy, but if we get there with maybe a fireworks night on Fri, and gain New Years Eve, with a little bit of Sat 1/1, I think it may make sense. I wouldn't do it during a different part of the year, with cheaper/better flights. And hopefully no snow.

Our decision now is driving my newer car vs. renting a car locally for $300 for the 11 days (much cheaper for a rental here), saving 2500 miles. I'd also worry about those tight parking spots at the park for door dings/scratches. Maybe next year when my car isn't new anymore I wouldn't care. But idk what I'll do there yet.

Hey I'm another Central Illinoisian here! We're flying allegiant as well but had much better luck with times it sounds like!

 

[Nick6300]

Hey I'm another Central Illinoisian here! We're flying allegiant as well but had much better luck with times it sounds like!

Wow, what are the chances? We're now driving down from Peoria for Christmas. Haven't decided yet on a rental vs. my car... sort of nervous about potential winter conditions. We haven't been in Peoria a real long time, but it sort of seems like it doesn't really snow here much, so I'm hoping that even if it does, it would only be for the initial part of the drive down.

Allegiant had much cheaper options for other than right over Christmas/NY's.... so you probably have different dates or booked earlier, I'm guessing. Either way, wish we had better options here. We're usually having to go to Midway for Southwest for better flight times/nonstop, and prices. Such a hassle.

 

[corn princess]

Wow, what are the chances? We're now driving down from Peoria for Christmas. Haven't decided yet on a rental vs. my car... sort of nervous about potential winter conditions. We haven't been in Peoria a real long time, but it sort of seems like it doesn't really snow here much, so I'm hoping that even if it does, it would only be for the initial part of the drive down.

Allegiant had much cheaper options for other than right over Christmas/NY's.... so you probably have different dates or booked earlier, I'm guessing. Either way, wish we had better options here. We're usually having to go to Midway for Southwest for better flight times/nonstop, and prices. Such a hassle.

We are just east of Champaign so we are flying allegiant out of Indy!

 

[Nick6300]

We are just east of Champaign so we are flying allegiant out of Indy!

You gotta love being in Central IL w/ no good airports in immediate vicinity, but about equal distance to Indy, St. Louis, and Chicago. We often check all 3 for Southwest but always end up at MDW. Wish SWA was in Peoria, but I'd even settle for having Delta come back. Delta left last year due to Covid stricken demand and didn't come back. We actually had a Disney trip via Delta last Sept., which was canceled because Delta left PIA, but they didn't tell us, and I found out by checking a couple of days prior to check in on my own!

 

[corn princess]

You gotta love being in Central IL w/ no good airports in immediate vicinity, but about equal distance to Indy, St. Louis, and Chicago. We often check all 3 for Southwest but always end up at MDW. Wish SWA was in Peoria, but I'd even settle for having Delta come back. Delta left last year due to Covid stricken demand and didn't come back. We actually had a Disney trip via Delta last Sept., which was canceled because Delta left PIA, but they didn't tell us, and I found out by checking a couple of days prior to check in on my own!

Oh how right you are!! We do the same. I end up checking 3 different airports every trip. We frequently use Indy because it's the closest to us out of the big ones: MDW, STL, & Indy

 

[Disneyfan754321]

I'd think no issues, but want to make sure that you can Uber to/from SFB currently?

I actually incurred the $50 cancel fee to cancel the $550 rental car last night. Also canceled my $547 Allegiant flight today! We get a credit to use by 9/16/22 to go along with my Delta cancel credit expiring 9/2022 (racking them up). I think the rental rates were just jacked up because it was going to be Christmas Eve. Probably would have been more of a consideration at a different time of yr.

The Allegiant flight, which included 2 bag fees, was about $300 less than Southwest to MCO ($850), which would gain us much of the 2 flight days (you get in midnight 12/24 and leave 6am and lose those potential park days with Allegiant). But we would have had to drive 3 hrs to and from Chicago, and pay to park (approx. $75 vs. local airport for Allegiant).

Because we were going to lose those 2 flight dates with Allegiant, the high costs, and because we already have the time off, I think we're actually now going to drive from Thurs. 12/23 after work from Central IL and aim to get to WDW Fri 12/24 evening (17 hr. drive before stops for gas and such). Seems kind of crazy, but if we get there with maybe a fireworks night on Fri, and gain New Years Eve, with a little bit of Sat 1/1, I think it may make sense. I wouldn't do it during a different part of the year, with cheaper/better flights. And hopefully no snow.

Our decision now is driving my newer car vs. renting a car locally for $300 for the 11 days (much cheaper for a rental here), saving 2500 miles. I'd also worry about those tight parking spots at the park for door dings/scratches. Maybe next year when my car isn't new anymore I wouldn't care. But idk what I'll do there yet.

You can keep an eye on flights untill the last week along with the planning. We buy flights about 10-12 days out and get unbelievable rates..(as a backup plan)

I watch flights on the hopper app and buy on
Skyscanner.com

For car rentals ( anywhere) use autoslash for the best rates.... it also watches the rate in case it goes down.
I'm really surprised they charged you $50 with this much notice, I make and cancel all the time i have never paid a fee.

 

[Nick6300]

You can keep an eye on flights untill the last week along with the planning. We buy flights about 10-12 days out and get unbelievable rates..(as a backup plan)

I watch flights on the hopper app and buy on
Skyscanner.com

For car rentals ( anywhere) use autoslash for the best rates.... it also watches the rate in case it goes down.
I'm really surprised they charged you $50 with this much notice, I make and cancel all the time i have never paid a fee.

Thanks for the booking tips

 

[mrsR123]

Another Central Illinoisan here trying to scope out the best plan to get to WDW from Sanford, too. Tempted to cancel and book a flight into MCO…

 

[Nick6300]

Another Central Illinoisan here trying to scope out the best plan to get to WDW from Sanford, too. Tempted to cancel and book a flight into MCO…

I’ve only done SFB to WDW once, and we rented, but it was $300ish for the week rather than the $550 I'm faced with now, given it’s for Christmas. I decided against renting because it’s likely cheaper to Uber the whole time. I looked up estimates for Uber to and from, guessed at surge pricing for the times/holidays to compare with the rental. Outside of that week, I think a rental would have been a closer comp to Uber. Now I think we could just be driving down from IL with crappy flights available and the rental rates.

we have a Nov trip as well via MCO, staying on property and using ME. But the Christmas trip has limited to no onsite hotels available, and given how recent the Nov trip is to this one, we’re ok staying offsite and saving some $ for some inconveniences. If it were my only trip, and on-site resorts readily available, I’d consider MCO for a last use of ME. That’s just us though.

for Allegiant from IL, have you also looked at Tampa flights and driving from there? We used to live 5 mi from that airport and the drive is 90 min (if not during work rush times, 75 if Wknd early am) vs about an hr from SFB. The airport is larger than SFB but still small/manageable, and flight times may be better.

 

[mrsR123]

Thanks, Nick6300, I decided to book a town car. I def will not need a car on property, and we fly home via MCO.