Flying into Sanford Airport (SFB) for Your Disney Vacation
If you’re flying into Florida for a Shades of Green stay, your first instinct might be to book a flight into Orlando International (MCO)—and that’s totally fine. But here’s a little secret from several military families in our community: Sanford Airport (SFB) is a hidden gem that might be worth considering.
While I haven’t flown through Sanford personally, many group members have—and they rave about it. Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering Sanford as an arrival option for your next Disney trip.
🛫 Why Consider Sanford Airport?
- Smaller, Less Crowded, Less Stressful
Many travelers describe SFB as calm, clean, and super easy to navigate. Shorter lines, friendlier vibes, and no need to show up 3 hours before your flight. - Security Is a Breeze
Multiple families shared that they’ve gotten through security in 15 minutes or less—even with kids in tow. It’s a far cry from the long security lines and stress you might face at MCO. - Free Military Baggage on Allegiant
Allegiant Air is a budget airline that operates as a hub at Sanford. They charge for everything—but active duty and retired veterans (plus ID carrying dependents flying with them) get free checked bags and carry-ons. - Rental Cars Just Steps from Baggage Claim
Renting a car? No long hikes through parking garages—rental desks are about 20 steps from baggage claim. - Ground Transportation Options
- Tiffany Town Car offers a military discount, includes a 20-minute grocery stop, and provides car seats if needed.
- Away We Go Transportation has been praised by families with larger groups.
- Uber/Lyft generally costs $50–$60 to Shades of Green or Disney resorts.
🚗 How Far Is Sanford from Shades of Green?
Sanford is about 30–45 minutes farther than MCO depending on traffic, making it roughly a 75–90 minute ride to Shades of Green. That sounds like a lot—but many families feel that time is made up by the ease of flying in and out of SFB compared to the chaos of MCO.
“We’ve waited over an hour for luggage at MCO. At Sanford, we were off the plane, through baggage, and heading out in minutes.”
⚠️ Things to Consider
- Flight Availability is Limited
Not every city has direct flights to Sanford. Allegiant’s schedules can be sparse or seasonal, so it might not be an option for everyone. - No Disney Magical Express (but neither airport has it anymore)
You’ll need to arrange your own transportation, just like you would flying into MCO these days.
✅ Military Perks with Allegiant
Allegiant offers the best baggage benefits for military families we’ve seen in commercial air travel:
- 2 free checked bags (up to 99 lbs each) per military ID
- 1 free carry-on per military ID
- No charge for seat assignments, pet-in-cabin, or oversized items
- Applies to active duty, reserves, and retirees
📌 Check out Allegiant’s military policy here: https://www.allegiantair.com/military-discount
🚐 Transportation to Resorts
🛬 Final Thoughts from Our Community
“We only do Sanford now. MCO is a time suck. Sanford is quiet, clean, and easy.”
“We’ve flown Allegiant to Sanford for 9 years. It’s a no-brainer with the military baggage perks.”
“With kids, Sanford was a dream—security, baggage check, and bathroom all done in 15 minutes.”
If your home airport offers a direct flight to Sanford, it could be a fantastic—and budget-friendly—option to consider.
Official Sanford Airport website: https://flysfb.com
