Which would you pick?

[TandLMommy28]

We have an airline at our local airport that goes direct to Orlando for cheap, but it's the *other* airport, not MCO. We live less than 3 miles from the airport. In order to fly to MCO, we'd have to drive 2 hours to Indy or pay $$$.

So these are the two scenarios we have available to us:
1. We fly out of the close airport. It is significantly cheaper upfront than even Southwest (unless Southwest has a sale).
We have to pay for checked baggage.
We have to set up our own transportation to and from the airport once in Orlando (we won't rent a car--honestly, last time we drove and we parked the car the first day and didn't use it again until we left... we prefer the buses).

2. We drive the 2 hours to Indy, pay to park all week, and fly Southwest.
We get free checked bags.
We get Magical Express service to POFQ.

Basically, what I am asking is... is it better to be inconvenienced at HOME or once we get to Orlando? I think with the baggage costs and the transportation, we might save around $200-$300 flying the airport closer to our house. Is that savings worth the transport issue once we land?

Opinions???

 

[Dacky619]

That is tough, because one of the things we love is that as soon as we are at the airport, all the transportation is taken care of, so I would rather spend the extra travel time at home. If it were really saving $200 or more, I would fly out of your local airport. BUT I would make sure that included everything, even the cost of the shuttle or towncar or however you plan to actually get to WDW.

 

[cricket12960]

We have an airline at our local airport that goes direct to Orlando for cheap, but it's the *other* airport, not MCO. We live less than 3 miles from the airport. In order to fly to MCO, we'd have to drive 2 hours to Indy or pay $$$.

So these are the two scenarios we have available to us:
1. We fly out of the close airport. It is significantly cheaper upfront than even Southwest (unless Southwest has a sale).
We have to pay for checked baggage.
We have to set up our own transportation to and from the airport once in Orlando (we won't rent a car--honestly, last time we drove and we parked the car the first day and didn't use it again until we left... we prefer the buses).

2. We drive the 2 hours to Indy, pay to park all week, and fly Southwest.
We get free checked bags.
We get Magical Express service to POFQ.

Basically, what I am asking is... is it better to be inconvenienced at HOME or once we get to Orlando? I think with the baggage costs and the transportation, we might save around $200-$300 flying the airport closer to our house. Is that savings worth the transport issue once we land?

Opinions???

Hi, Personally I would rather have the inconvenience at home that way there once at Orlando you can relax and not have the vacation spoiled by some unforseen issue. Good Luck and enjoy your vacation!

 

[goofy4tink]

There are no 'shuttles', per se, that run from Sanford to WDW. You have a few choices...rent a car or hire a car service. If you rent a car, you can always return it at WDW. IF you rent from Alamo/National, you can return it to the Dolphin and then re-rent from there when it's time to head back to Sanford. Or choose a company that has a counter in one of the DTD hotels...many have pickup and delivery service. You may find a daily rental rate of under $40, which would be nice.
Or, if you choose to hire a car service, it will cost you about $200 r/t. Then you are expected to tip on top of that....about 10% each way, so another $40. Sanford is almost an hour from WDW and the towncars don't go there nearly as often so they charge almost double the cost to/from MCO.

So, unless you are getting a great rate to fly into Sanford, you may want to look into that further away airport. Something to think about....are there any hotels in the area of that airport that offer sleep, park and fly options?? You could head there the day before, spend the night, and then take a shuttle to the airport while leaving your car in the hotel parking lot. Just a thought.

 

[Lewisc]

DME takes a little over an hour to get you to your resort. A car service will get you from Sanford to WDW in under 90 minutes, figure an hour drive and maybe 30 minute wait to get your luggage. Not a huge time difference.

Just include the extra $240 for a car service when you do your numbers. Looks like most of your savings will wind up paying for a car service at Sanford. You'll cut that cost in half (or more) if you rent a car for one day in each direction. That will add some hassle.

I'd probably go with Sanford. An extra 2 hours at home vs an extra 15-30 minutes at WDW. Take advantage of the grocery stop.

 

[jlw29]

I'm of the opposite mind. I would personally rather fly out of the smaller, less hassle local airport and then get a taxi / towncar or rent a car. To me time and no hassle are more valuable, so I will fly out of our local airport even if it costs me more money. Less time driving, less time getting through security, less time waiting at the gate. And the hassle factor is important too. Also, if you factor in the time it takes to get Magical Express, stop at the other resorts vs a towncar or rental car just for you, you will likely get to the resort in the same time from Sanford or MCO (although having to claim baggage is a downside at Sanford). Also, you can make a grocery stop on your way to WDW and save money on water / drinks / snacks if you have a rental car or towncar service.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Does that $200-$300 savings include parking at the airport and the transportation from Sanford? If the prices were equal when taking into account everything (including allowing for gas to the farther airport and higher parking at the farther airport as well as the car service from Sanford), I'd fly from the airport 3 minutes from home and book a car service from Sanford. I love small regional airports and short drives. While I do like DME, if I'm paying for a car service then it's actually even easier than DME. You'll have a long trip from the airport in Orlando either way. At MCO you'll be waiting for DME and then possibly sitting through drops at other resorts. As Sanford you'll be met by a car and then brought directly to your resort. In the end it's probably not that much longer for the car service from Sanford.

 

[ktbugsmom]

I have not flown into Sanford, but I have friends who just moved to Orlando and said it is super easy - especially since it is so much smaller than MCO. I think I know the airline you would take - and I have flown them before - 3 times. Always on time - no frills - but flying out of a small airport and into a smaller aiport will save time overall - so I would do the cheaper closer to home flight.

 

[LadyBeBop]

Something to think about....are there any hotels in the area of that airport that offer sleep, park and fly options?? You could head there the day before, spend the night, and then take a shuttle to the airport while leaving your car in the hotel parking lot. Just a thought.

There are in Indianapolis, where she would drive to. Several years ago, we took advantage of a Park, Sleep, Fly at the Days Inn right by the Indy Airport. The four of us spent the night, and left the car at the airport. Cost less than if we drove up the day of our flight and parked at the airport.

 

[Lewisc]

The OP only asked for an opinion based on airport convenience at each end.

I assume the OP is considering Allegiant. Allegiant doesn't generally offer daily service. Your flight is cancelled and you may have to wait days until they have a flight with availability. Allegiant could change the time or day of your flight. Some cases they discontinued service between a city pair. The prices Allegiant charges doesn't allow them to maintain service on under performing routes.

All things being equal I'd pay a price premium to fly with SW. I'm not sure if I'd pay a price premium and drive 2 hours out of the way.

 

[*Seanaci*]

Personally, I would look into the Park, Sleep, Fly (I've heard of it before in that area). Also, I would rather have the hassle of the 2 hour drive to the big airport near your hometown, than the hassle of collecting your own luggage and finding your town car (I wouldn't even dream of a taxi for a drive that far), then sitting in the car through traffic (depending on what day and time your arrival is) to get to the resort (at least with ME, you don't have to deal with your own luggage, aside from your carry on, a comfy seat, room to spread out a bit, and a video to watch on the way to your resort).

Really, there is way more to consider than just whether or not you'd save more flying in and out of smaller airports.

 

[dester]

I would stick with southwest at Orlando airport over sanford airport

 

[azdizzymom]

I fly out of Indy about once a year and use the Park, Sleep and Fly. We have used a few different hotels. Last time we did Microtel (have never stayed at one but wouldn't hesitate to use them again)...they were about 15 minutes to airport. With taxes it was about $95 which included parking for our entire stay.

This time we have a reservation at Comfort Suites and rate is $105 including all taxes. This has breakfast with it.

We have also stayed at Hyatt Place and loved it...currently they are the same price as Comfort Suites. I am considering changing the reservation to Hyatt Place since we have stayed there BUT Comfort Suites has good reviews on Tripadvisor.

I would travel to an airport where IF there we were weather issues or any type of emergency you knew you could get a flight to that day and there are more options.