Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
24
country, it's a thoroughly modern and
user-friendly facility with tons of restau-
rants, shops, a 446-room on-premises
Hyatt Regency hotel, and centrally located
information kiosks. All major car-rental
companies are located at or near the air-
port; see the “Airline, Hotel & Car-Rental
Websites” section in chapter 11 for more
information about car rentals.
Orlando Sanford International Air-
port
(
&
407/585-4000;
www.orlando
sanfordairport.com)—online air code
SFB
—is much smaller than the main air-
port, but has grown a bit in recent years,
thanks mainly to a small fleet of interna-
tional carriers that service it, including Air
2000, Britannia, and Aeropostal. The air-
port has Avis, Alamo, Dollar, and Hertz
rental-car desks on-site and shuttles to
Budget and Enterprise. It is also served by
Mears Transportation shuttles (see below).
Getting into Town from the
Airport
Orlando International is 25 miles east of
Walt Disney World and 20 miles south of
downtown. At rush hour (7-9am and
4-6pm), the drive can be torture and take
up to an hour or more; at other times, it's
about 30 to 40 minutes depending on
your exact destination.
Orlando Sanford
International
is roughly 35 miles north-
east of Walt Disney World and about 18
miles northeast of downtown.
Mears
Transportation Group
(
&
407/423-
5566;
www.mearstransportation.com) has
vans that shuttle passengers from Orlando
International (you catch them at ground
level) to the Disney resorts and official
hotels, as well as most other Orlando
properties. Their air-conditioned vehicles
operate around-the-clock, departing every
15 to 25 minutes in either direction. Rates
vary by destination. Round-trip fares for
adults run $29 ($23 for kids 4-11)
between the Orlando International and
International Drive; $33 ($26 for kids
4-11) for Walt Disney World/Lake Buena
Vista or West U.S. 192. Children ages 3
and under ride free. From Sanford Inter-
national, Mears offers transportation via
luxury van (with seating up to 8) or town
car (seating up to 4). Fares run $120 each
way (or $240 round-trip) whether your
destination is International Drive, Walt
Disney World, or West U.S. 192.
Quicksilver Tours and Transportation
(
&
888/468-6939
or 407/299-1434;
www.quicksilver-tours.com) is a bit more
personal. Their folks greet you at baggage
claim with a sign bearing your name—
they'll even help with your luggage. The
bonus is a 30-minute grocery stop and free
phone call included in the price. While a
bit more expensive than Mears, they're
coming for you. And they're only going to
your
resort. This is a good option for four
or more people. Rates run from $125 (up
to 10 people, round-trip) to I-Drive, $130
to Universal Studios, and $130 to $135
for the Disney empire.
Tiffany Towncar
(
&
888/838-2161
or
407/370-2196; ww.tiffanytowncar.com)
offers a $125 round-trip rate for up to ten
people from Orlando International to
I-Drive, Universal, Disney, and U.S. 192.
Drivers will meet you right at baggage
claim, and a free 30-minute grocery stop is
included with the service. Booster and car
seats are available upon request (at no
charge).
If you're renting a car, to get from
Orlando International to the attractions,
take the
North
exit out of the airport to
Hwy. 528 W.
Follow signs to
I-4;
it takes
about 30 to 40 minutes to get to Walt
Disney World if the traffic isn't too heavy
(however, you can double that if it is rush
hour or if there's an accident). When you
get to I-4, follow the signs
west
toward the
attractions. From Sanford International,
exit onto Lake Mary Road and follow the
roadway to the I-4 interchange and follow
signs
west
toward the attractions. Another
option would be to take S.R. 417 South
(though a toll road, it's a bit more direct if
your destination is Walt Disney World);
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