Sanford vs MCO

[SLThomas318]

How do people like flying into Sanford vs MCO? Able to get a cheaper flight direct into Sanford from a smaller local airport, but only have experience flying into MCO. How bad is the drive to WDW? Google maps says 55 minutes? We will be renting a car either way. Our departure airport is about 30 minutes closer to home then the airport that flies direct to MCO. Is getting in/out of Sanford easy/smooth?

 

[thanxfornoticin]

We have done both. Sanford is much smaller and easier to maneuver, with easy in and out, Our drive from Sanford to WDW ranges from 50-60 minutes normally, almost double at times of the drive from MCO - but certainly not terrible. You will be more limited on your rental car choices, though. It might be wise to compare the entire package of flight and rental car. But if Sanford makes more sense on a cheaper airline, we wouldn't hesitate to bypass MCO. Don't eliminate Tampa Int'l from your list either. That's about a 75 minute drive, bigger airport, more airline/car options. Good luck with your decisions!

 

[_19disnA]

Many recent threads on this topic. Be sure to check out the cost of transportation if doing something other then renting a car. Any savings on airline flight will likely be eaten up with the cost of transportation. Both Tampa and Sanford are significantly further away from Disney compared to MCO. Car services run less frequently from smaller airports and the cost will be higher due to the added time/distance they have to drive. It seems some people book cheaper flights to these other cities and then only later on think about the distance/cost/logistics to get to Disney from there.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

What time is your flight out?
7:00 am out of MCO is bad enough
7:00 am out of Sanford is awful

 

[Best Aunt]

Threads you should be reading:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/mco-and-sanford-transportion-to-and-from-disney.3884389/
https://www.disboards.com/threads/transportation-from-sanford-airport.3875043/
https://www.disboards.com/threads/transportation-from-sanford.3872946/
https://www.disboards.com/threads/t...arly-early-in-the-morning-like-4-a-m.3880658/
https://www.disboards.com/threads/allegiant-air-experiences.3884886/#post-64044687
https://www.disboards.com/threads/allegiant-airlines.3880864/

 

[SLThomas318]

Thanks for all of the input. We are planning on renting a car whether we go into MCO or Sanford... rental car looks to be $15 more at Sanford, but would obviously have more cost in gas/tolls with the longer drive. Landing around 10:30 am and going home around 12:30 pm. Was more curious if people just didn't care for the airport itself. We've found most smaller airports to be a much smoother experience. We have TSA pre-check and fly with carry-on only so even MCO being larger, it still has always been a smooth process.

 

[Monoxide]

Flown both MCO and Sanford. Preferer Sandford even with the longer drive. Smaller airport that's quick to get around. Drive is not bad and is about 60 Min.
Alamo is the furthest car rental from terminal but has a covered walkway if it would happen to rain. Other agencies are just across the roadway from the terminal.

 

[Stratman50th]

FWIW: Occasionally my wife travels to visit family in southern PA (via Hagerstown airport). She loves Sanford because it's small and easy. Allegiant flies direct. Plus the traffic isn't nearly as bad as MCO. We use Sanford as locals and not to get to and from Disney so take that into consideration.