A decision, although admittedly not a huge one, is taking into consideration which Orlando airport you're going to travel to. Airlines will either fly to Sanford or Orlando international. They don't tend to go to both. So if you have a real preference to which you want to go to, you need to choose your airline carefully. We run through the main differences between Sanford and Orlando International.
Orlando International
The Good
Disney run the Magical Express only to Orlando International. So if you're not driving, this free transfer service is a major plus.
Lots of shopping! Orlando International has a mall's worth of shops for you to explore. Great if you've missed any shopping trips.
It's a good 20-25 minutes closer to Disney World than Sanford. After a very long flight, every little helps.
The Bad
With all its extra amenities, it's a lot bigger. I hope you don't have a tendency to get lost easily.
Because check-in and gates are so far apart, it's a lot of walking and requires monorail travel to get to your gates.
Sanford
The Good
It's a very small airport, which means you won't get lost, and there's barely any walking.
There's only a few gates, and they're close to the waiting area, which means quick and effortless boarding.
Security is super quick to get through with less flights leaving frequently.
The Bad
It's 20-25 minutes further away from Disney World than Orlando International, so transfer times are longer.
There's only a few shops and a couple places to eat. There is still a duty free of course, but no shopping sprees here.
Disney do not offer Magical Express to Sanford, so if you need transfers, you'll have to pay for a coach or taxi.
Our View
We have been to both airports multiple times, and although we don't exclusively choose the airline for either airport, it is definitely in the calculations. If we don't plan for much shopping one time, we may pick Orlando international to hit some of those shops on the way back. We also will save some money not having to pay for transfers as the Magical Express is included. The downside for us personally, is our closest airport only flies to Sanford. We have to choose if its worth travelling a couple extra hours this end (each way) for the amenities of Orlando International, or choose the quiet, smaller yet slightly more inconvenient and costly Sanford (excluding any shopping sprees of course).
As you can see, several variables in play!
Join the FREE Mickey From The UK email club & never miss any of our Disney content
Tick the box to confirm you want to signup to our email club
(Your email will never be shared, sold or spammed as outlined in our privacy policy. Only Disney goodness you'll receive.)
Direct Link:
HTML Link: Click the text box above which will highlight, and then copy/paste the link.
Purchase your 2023 Disney Magic Tickets by July 10th and benefit from Disney's "Lowest Price Guaranteed" on Disney Magic Tickets for arrivals from 5th June to 31st December, 2023. Ticket prices ... Read more >
Welcome to a magical world that swings, slides and rocket-rides your mood until you start to feel a little more... you. Welcome to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Welcome back to being you.
... Read more >
Back in 2022, Adventures By Disney offered a $109,000 Per Person "Disney Parks Around The World - A Private Jet Adventure" which sold out. For 2024, Adventures By Disney is now offering a similar... Read more >
600 Heathrow airport security staff (via Sky) will be striking almost every weekend over the summer holidays.
The workers will be on strike on:
• June 24, 25, 28, 29 and 30
• July 14-16... Read more >
The Disney Dining Plan is back starting in 2024 to much excitement, but after UK prices were released excitement tempered, especially when snacks were reduced to 1 from 2. In another blow to the ... Read more >
Starting today for arrivals on and after January 9th, 2024, the Disney Dining Plan can now be purchased! The UK pricing to add the Disney Dining Plan to your booking has been revealed.
Disne... Read more >
Virgin have announced (via their website) that Twilight check in will be available once again at Manchester airport all flights departing the following day, every evening from 4pm to 8pm.
From... Read more >
Although originally not slated to open until later in the summer, Rock 'N' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney's Hollywood Studios has reopened following a lengthy refurbishment. It appea... Read more >
Disney announced that the $5,000+ two-night Star Wars experience at Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will be closing for this September. Just days after this announcement, FOMO has kicked in and a... Read more >
British Airways (via BBC) has cancelled dozens of flights - many long haul - on Thursday and Friday due to a technical glitch. Around 16,000 passengers have been affected by flights being cancell... Read more >
