All of the airlines listed in this section (and possibly a few others) offer competitive rates and travel packages to the Orlando International Airport, so be sure to shop around for the best airfares and flights. Keep in mind that not all of the airlines will offer service from your home city.

As a general rule, you want to book your airfare as far in advance as possible. Many airlines offer the best prices if you book and pay for your tickets 21 days in advance You can, however, also obtain good fares if you make your reservations (and pay for your airline tickets) 14 or seven days early. When making your travel plans, try to have the most flexible schedule possible. If your schedule permits, you'll almost always get a better airfare if your stay includes a Saturday night.

Keep in mind, with “discounted” or “special” airfares, the tickets will not be refundable, and there will be a fee to change the ticket's booked travel dates. The change fee is usually between $100 and $150, plus the price difference in the airfare itself. To avoid this change fee, most airlines will allow you to fly standby; however, this does not guarantee you a seat on a specific flight, and if you're traveling with a family and the flight you're trying to get on is close to capacity, your chances of all getting on the same flight are slim, especially during peak travel periods.

If you choose to use your frequent-flier miles to book your airline ticket to Orlando, keep in mind that seats may be difficult to reserve during peak travel periods, so make your reservations early. The advantages of using a frequent-flier ticket are that it's free and most airlines allow you to change your travel plans at the last minute with no penalties or fees.

Always ask the airline reservation representative you speak with for the lowest airfare available. After an airfare is quoted to you, ask again if it is the best deal. Next, ask if there are flights to and from Orlando at around the same times as the ones quoted to you that would make the airfare less expensive. You won't often be quoted the absolute lowest prices the first time you ask. Sometimes, airlines will offer discounted “online-only” fares exclusively from their Web site.

Also, check the travel section of your local newspaper for advertised special fares and promotions. You can make a reservation that will be held for 24 hours without having to pay for the ticket, so make an unpaid reservation and then shop around by calling additional airlines.

Strategies for the Best Airfare

There are several alternatives available to you when it comes to shopping around for the best airfares. You can go to the airport and visit a ticket counter, or book your travel directly with the airline via telephone or its Web site.

You can also surf the Internet and visit the various travel-related Web sites such as Travelocity.com, Hotwire.com, Priceline.com, Last-MinuteTravel.com, or Orbitz.com.

Another alternative is to call a travel agent and have her or him do the busywork for you. Travel agents have computer systems that allow them to search for flight availability on all airlines at once. Most travel agents will be happy to work with you over the telephone, so it's not necessary to take time out of your busy schedule during business hours to visit a travel agent's office in person.

When choosing a travel agent, find someone who comes highly recommended by someone you trust. Travel agents can be extremely helpful and save you money, but some will purposely quote you higher-priced airfares since they're receiving a commission from the airline based on the price of the ticket they sell. If you're a member of AAA or have an American Express card, both of these companies offer highly reputable travel agencies that offer their services either in person or by telephone to members.

Finally, you might want to look into package deals offered by the various airlines. Many packages include airfare, hotel, rental car, and perhaps meals or show tickets. Most airlines have a separate “Vacation Package” reservation department that's different from the regular airline reservation department. The Walt Disney Travel Company also offers a handful of discounted packages to the WDW Resort (407) 939-7675.

The Orlando International Airport

The Orlando International Airport is the closest major airport to all of the theme parks, resorts, and attractions within the Greater Orlando area. If you'll be flying to Orlando, chances are this is the airport you'll be flying into. While this list is subject to change, the major airlines that service this airport include:

Note: A handful of other airlines also operate charter flights to and from Orlando and other major U.S. cities and foreign countries. For more information about the Orlando International Airport, you can visit its website.

If you're driving from the airport to the Walt Disney World (WDW) Resort, there are multiple routes that'll get you there. One direct route is to take the north exit from the airport to the Beeline Expressway West (Route 528). Get onto I-4 West and then follow signs to the WDW Resort. You'll want to exit I-4 at either Exit 26B or Exit 25, depending on your final destination within the huge resort complex. Another is to take 417 straight to WDW. The trip is less than 25 miles and should take about 30 minutes (without traffic).

Mears Motor Shuttles offers van service to the various hotels at the WDW Resort (as well as nearby areas) from the Orlando airport (and back). The cost is around $20 each way or $40 round trip for adults, $15 one way or $30 round trip for kids (ages four to eleven), and free to kids under age four. These shuttles leave the airport every 15 minutes or so and can be picked up right outside of the airport terminals.

Taxi service is available outside of the airport's main terminals, but this is one of the more expensive ways to reach the WDW Resort. Check with the Ground Transportation Information Desk located inside the airport for various other transportation options to get you from the airport to your hotel in the Orlando area. You can also call the Yellow Cab Company (a fleet of bright orange cars and vans) at (407) 699-9999.

Orlando/Sanford International Airport

The Orlando/Sanford International Airport is a smaller airport located only 35 miles east of Walt Disney World (between Orlando and Daytona Beach). It's a straight shot on no-toll I-4 and some say that the airfare is half the price of what it costs to fly into the Orlando International airport. Most flights are European, but for America, Allegiant Air offers roundtrip flights from Allentown, PA; Boston/Portsmouth, NH; Boston/Worcester, MA; Cedar Rapids, IA; Chicago/Rockford, IL; Des Moines, IA; Lansing, MI; McAllen, TX (seasonal); Newburgh, NY (New York City area); Roanoke, VA; Sioux Falls, SD; South Bend, IN; Springfield, MO; St. Louis/MidAmerica (Belleville, IL); Toledo, OH (Detroit area); and Youngstown/Warren, OH. It's worth checking into if you plan to rent a car while in Orlando. Every little bit helps.

Airport Security Information

Security is extremely tight at all U.S. airports. Be sure to arrive at the airport at least one hour prior to your scheduled departure time and have your driver's license, military ID, or passport ready to show multiple times at various security checkpoints, including the airline ticket counter.

A wide range of items, such as pocket knives, golf clubs, and scissors, cannot be taken aboard any flight as part of a carry-on. Find additional security information on the airport website.