Travel Feature: 

Using Orlando's "Other" Airport: Sanford Airport
by Margaret Harris, Guest Contributor

Many people do not realize that Orlando is home to two airports - the big busy International Airport and then there is what I call Orlando's best kept secret, the Orlando Sanford Airport. This is a smaller airport located approximately 43 miles from Walt Disney World. There is no Magical Express Service to Walt Disney World from this airport and alas there is little information in most guide books about Sanford. I would not have known about arranging a town car if a prior vacationer had not filled me in. So, why bother with this airport? I'm hoping that my recent experience will encourage others to give this alternative a chance.

Orlando Sanford offers Allegiant Air as one of its carriers and flying from Des Moines as we do, it is a wonderful option. I am not a flyer so it helps me to think of it as only one take off, one landing, and three hours in the air and I am there. Another comforting thought for me ... no connecting flights, so less chance that my luggage is lost or delayed. To top it off, the price is amazing! We bought our tickets in November 2006 and paid $203.00 round trip per person. We flew into Orlando Sanford on February 3^rd, 2007 and our Iowa weather was good but coming home on February 13^th blizzard conditions left many flights that were going through Minneapolis, Chicago, and Kansas City stranded for up to 8 hours. Not so with Allegiant -- our flight was perhaps 30 minutes late and had a delay unloading us at the airport but we were home in less than 4 hours from Orlando to Des Moines.

So here I am at the Orlando Sanford airport. Claiming my luggage is easy since this is a small airport and we are the only flight at the baggage check. It is delightful to see my town car driver holding a poster with my name on it. It truly makes me feel like a star! How did I find this wonderful service? There are many reputable town car services available and the Internet makes it so easy to make arrangements. I used the resources on the Orlando Sanford airport web site and e-mailed Sam's Transportation. I had called prior to my trip to confirm my date and the price. He was professional and prompt. I told him that I would need to stop at Albertson's for groceries and he was very accommodating. (For our 2005 trip I used Tiffany Town Car and they were wonderful and also accommodating. Their price in 2005 was $165.00.) Both companies required the full balance upon arrival at the airport, and any time this type of service is utilized a tip is in order. The driver that picks you up may not be the driver that takes you back so a tip is in order both ways. I did see many cab companies waiting at the airport but my driver warned me that the fares are very high.

It is always wonderful to have the opportunity to grocery shop before arriving at Walt Disney World and if you have a moderate or deluxe accommodation your room comes with a refrigerator. Be aware it is a refrigerator only and no freezer compartment. Our flight from Des Moines always arrives late at night (around 9:45 pm) so the only thing open is an Albertson's. We don't have those in Iowa so when they asked me if I had a preferred customer card I replied that I am from out of state. The cashier was more than happy to issue me a number to give me the preferred price. If you are interested in a rental car the airport literature stated that Alamo-National, Dollar-Thrifty, Avis, Enterprise, and Hertz are all available on-site and Budget and U-save have off-site locations with shuttle service. I am overwhelmed at the prospect of driving in the Orlando area so a town car is well worth the money for me.

So I made it to Walt Disney World with all of my luggage and my groceries having had a pleasant trip and an easy car ride. All that and I saved money too! Reason enough for me to fly into Sanford from now on. How about you?

[Our PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line and Its Ports of Call guidebook offer a full page of information (plus map) for the Orlando Sanford Airport!]


About the Author: Margaret Harris is an avid Disney traveler. Every trip she says “This is my last trip.” and then six months later she is back on the Internet planning another trip. 
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A Walt Disney World Veteran's First Trip To Disneyland
by Richard Mercer, Guest Columnist


Like many baby boomers, I grew up watching Walt Disney on TV telling the country about Disneyland. But it was a distant, impossible dream. Our family didn't have the money for that kind of vacation. So when a colleague suggested last year that I should come with her to a conference in California to help make a presentation, my eyes lit up and I immediately started conspiring to visit Disneyland as part of that trip. I made arrangements to stay at Disneyland two nights prior to the conference.

Approaching the entrance to Disneyland is a very difference experience from Walt Disney World. After checking into the Howard Johnson hotel right across the street, I started walking down Harbor Boulevard toward the entrance. The only hint of Disneyland was Space Mountain peeking over the wall on the other side of the street. Across the street was a simple sign arching over the walkway that said "Disneyland" in blue letters. I walked under the sign, past the bus drop-off area and into a concrete courtyard. Only a few minutes after leaving my room I was at the gates of Disneyland bearing my park hopper pass.

I entered Disneyland at 1:00 pm on Wednesday. I stayed until closing (8:00 pm) that day, came back at 9:00 am on Thursday (early entry) and again stayed until closing. In a day and a half, 18 hours of park time, I did nearly everything I wanted to do in both Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure!

Not that I necessarily recommend this. Folks, don't try this at home. Or at Disneyland! This was done under ideal conditions by an experienced commando tourist alone from opening to closing, during one of the least crowded times of the year, on weekdays with excellent weather conditions. At Disneyland, the difference between weekday and weekend crowds is much greater than it is at Walt Disney World. For a family trip, plan at least three days for the Disneyland Resort. In addition to the two parks, there is also a small Downtown Disney district and three official Disney hotels.

Rather than reporting my experience in excruciating detail, I will answer some questions I think other Disney World veterans might have.

Q: Is January a good time to go?
A: Yes! The weather was perfect from my point of view, varying between 50° and 75° with low humidity and no rain! (This is after all!) The parks were marvelously un-crowded. I even started recognizing people by the end of the day. I only stood in two significant lines, for Matterhorn Bobsleds and Autopia, each about 20-25 minutes. Everything else was a walk-on or short wait.

A disadvantage was that unlike at Walt Disney World, there is very little evening entertainment on weekdays during slow season. There was only the Parade of Dreams at the Disneyland park. No fireworks, no Fantasmic!, and (sob!) no Electrical Parade.

Q: What's the best attraction that isn't at Walt Disney World?
A: I would say "Disney's Aladdin -- A Musical Spectacular," a stage show at Disney's California Adventure. A large well-appointed new theater, excellent staging and special effects, and a talented cast result in a show as good as the shows on Disney Cruise Line. The only stage show at Walt Disney World that even comes close is the newly-opened Finding Nemo show at Animal Kingdom. I loved them both and it's great to see live shows making a comeback at Disney resorts. But in a head-to-head comparison Aladdin seems to be the clear winner.

Honorable mention goes to California Screamin'at Disney's California Adventure, and Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland park.

Q: Is there any compelling reason for those living far away to visit Disneyland Resort rather than Walt Disney World?
A: This is a matter of personal preference, but I would say no, not as far as attractions are concerned. Of the 20+ unique attractions at Disneyland, the only headliners are the three mentioned in the previous answer, plus Matterhorn Bobsleds.

Here are some possible reasons for those from the Eastern US to visit Disneyland Resort: