Sanford Airport

disney obsessed · #1 09-20-2011, 07:18 PM

Has anyone flown into this airport? I will be for the first time and have no idea what to expect. How far away is Disney?

thanks

faline · #2 09-20-2011, 07:42 PM

I've never used that airport. What I can tell uoi is that Magical Express is not an option from this location and it is further away from Disney than Orlando Airport is. A town car will cost more from this location also so you might want to look at car rentals.

disney obsessed · #3 09-20-2011, 08:57 PM

Thankfully, we will be renting a car. We found airfare under $100 per person and could not pass it up. Between that and lower cost for car rental, I saved over $1200.00 just on trasportation costs!

Anyone know how far the drive is?

ibelieveindisneymagic · #4 09-20-2011, 09:12 PM

It should take about an hour, depending on traffic.

You can't beat the great price on the flights

Main Street Jim · #5 09-20-2011, 09:58 PM

Going through downtown Orlando, especially on I-4 or 417 (which is about the only way to get to Disney from Sanford) - is a *nightmare*. I would *PLAN* on closer to two hours for travel between the airport and Walt Disney World. It's a good 45-50 miles (I just checked on Google Maps), and either route will take you through downtown Orlando. SR 417 South (toll road) will take you just about to EPCOT (exit 6 at SR 535); I-4 will take to one of several exits, depending on where you want to go on property.

Donald · #6 09-20-2011, 10:11 PM

We enjoyed flying through Sanford . It is a smaller airport--easy to get around, easy security, easy car rental.

I hope you enjoy your vacation!

RAIDER · #7 09-21-2011, 03:28 AM

Ive been to Sanford quite a few times .Its far smaller than Orlando International ....But it has its plusses..... To get your hire car and drop it off is far quicker once you get your baggage as well leaving the airport itself .
Its takes roughly about 45 mins to hour tops to get into the wdw area .

The only negative ( to which has never happened to me touch wood ) is that if your flight was delayed it would be cramped in the waiting area

disney obsessed · #8 09-21-2011, 09:44 AM

Thanks everyone!

Mousemates · #9 09-21-2011, 11:48 AM

Mrs Mousemates has flown into Sanford from Knoxville several times and had no porblems with excessive drive times due to traffic. However, if your arrival time ends up putting you in a rush hour scenario then I imagine (given the distance involved) that it could add a considerable amount of time to the commute.

If that turned out to be the case, I would do one of two things. #1 Stop and get something to eat and let the traffic clear out a little bit. #2 Remind myself that I was essentially making $600 dollar an hour for the extra hour driving to WDW and the extra hour to drive back.

TexansInNY · #10 09-22-2011, 10:40 AM

Hey Mousemates I like your attitude - let's go golfing sometime

PAYROLL PRINCESS · #11 09-24-2011, 11:06 PM

We flew into Sanford in Feb and it was fine. Easy to get to, easy to get through. Our flight was delayed about an hour or so, so we just plugged in our laptops and waited it out.

We rented through National and it's literally right out the door and over to the right to get your car. I did find that the rental was a bit more expensive than at Orlando Int'l airport.

We flew in and out on a Saturday so we didn't have a whole lot of delays on the highway. It was probably about 40-50 minutes to my time share in Kissemmee, about a mile from the entrance to the World.

Ed · #12 09-25-2011, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Main Street Jim

Going through downtown Orlando, especially on I-4 or 417 (which is about the only way to get to Disney from Sanford) - is a *nightmare*. I would *PLAN* on closer to two hours for travel between the airport and Walt Disney World. It's a good 45-50 miles (I just checked on Google Maps), and either route will take you through downtown Orlando. SR 417 South (toll road) will take you just about to EPCOT (exit 6 at SR 535); I-4 will take to one of several exits, depending on where you want to go on property.

417 doesn't go anywhere near downtown Orlando

and gives you a straight shot from Sanford to WDW. Exit 6 is marked "International Drive" (not SR 535); if you continue straight on that exit road, it becomes SR 536, then becomes World Center Drive after you cross SR 535. Continue on World Center Drive and you'll quickly be passing under one of the WDW archways.

417 is a toll road; it will be about $6 each way, and well worth every penny if it keeps you off I-4. Much less traffic, road in much better condition, and less chance of major delays.