Best place for Sunpass, several airport trips for Sanford.

Ladygoldenhair · Aug 28, 2015

The next trip to Disney this Fall there will be a few trips to pick up and drop off family members. Four trips, two to Disney and two back to airport at Sanford.

Generally with only one round trip I wouldn't bother, but I have to pick up extra family the night we arrive and then drop off dd three days earlier then we leave.
Is it worth picking up a SunPass and what is the easiest way to get one? Mail, nearest rest area, car rental? I have Thrifty reserved.

bumbershoot · Aug 29, 2015

I looked at a map. Does Sanford even require a toll road? I get that I'm looking at googlemaps at 1am eastern time, so traffic isn't doing what it would be doing during the day, but it seems like I-4 takes you there, no 417 required.

If it were me I'd still just load up on quarters for the 417 part, if that was a better way to go during the daytime, and go through the tollbooths. The savings just doesn't seem worth the sunpass, to me.

deedisneydream97 · Aug 29, 2015

Ladygoldenhair said:
The next trip to Disney this Fall there will be a few trips to pick up and drop off family members. Four trips, two to Disney and two back to airport at Sanford.

Generally with only one round trip I wouldn't bother, but I have to pick up extra family the night we arrive and then drop off dd three days earlier then we leave.
Is it worth picking up a SunPass and what is the easiest way to get one? Mail, nearest rest area, car rental? I have Thrifty reserved.

There is a thread somewhere here on the transportation board about construction on I-4. I purchased a sunpass on-line....to me, well worth the money. I-4 was a disaster when I was there last week....I opted for 417 on the return trip and it was smooth sailing....no stopping at toll booths.

Do not get one from the rental company....they charge you a fortune. If you do order one, make sure it is the portable one....not the less expensive one that sticks to the windshield if you plan on always having a rental car. And it is very easy to notify them on-line when you are using it for a rental car.

I'd be happy to answer any questions.

deedisneydream97 · Aug 29, 2015

Here is the thread:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/i-4-construction-weekly-updates-and-discussion.3401337/

OKW Lover · Aug 29, 2015

You can order a Sunpass on line. https://www.sunpass.com/index

Ladygoldenhair · Aug 29, 2015

Thanks for the information.
I took 417 down last year and tolls everywhere, even a few accidental exits I thought were toll needs, but it was a toll at an exit. I had paid and needed to get back on. Going back I went I 4 and it was heavy traffic in areas delaying me. Thank you for the heads up about the construction.
It looks like the sunpass is a convenience not any dollar for dollar toll payments, $4.99 isn't bad for the convenience to drive through and not carry and fish for toll coins. I wish I could just use the EZ PASS.

Off to read the link,

joelkfla · Aug 29, 2015

Ladygoldenhair said:
Thanks for the information.
I took 417 down last year and tolls everywhere, even a few accidental exits I thought were toll needs, but it was a toll at an exit. I had paid and needed to get back on. Going back I went I 4 and it was heavy traffic in areas delaying me. Thank you for the heads up about the construction.
It looks like the sunpass is a convenience not any dollar for dollar toll payments, $4.99 isn't bad for the convenience to drive through and not carry and fish for toll coins. I wish I could just use the EZ PASS.

Off to read the link,

$4.99 is the sticker than can only be used on 1 vehicle; it is destroyed when you remove it from the windshield.

If you want to use it on multiple rental cars, you need to buy the more expensive portable model, which attaches by suction cups.

You can also purchase them at local Publix & Walgreens stores. There is a 24-hour Walgreens not far from Sanford Airport, on French Ave. But it's probably easier to order online if you have enough lead time.

deedisneydream97 · Aug 29, 2015

Ladygoldenhair said:
Thanks for the information.
I took 417 down last year and tolls everywhere, even a few accidental exits I thought were toll needs, but it was a toll at an exit. I had paid and needed to get back on. Going back I went I 4 and it was heavy traffic in areas delaying me. Thank you for the heads up about the construction.
It looks like the sunpass is a convenience not any dollar for dollar toll payments, $4.99 isn't bad for the convenience to drive through and not carry and fish for toll coins. I wish I could just use the EZ PASS.

Off to read the link,

I opted for the portable one....more of an initial outlay, but I used it for my rental in May and for my road trip last week. Ordering on-line was an extra few dollars ($5 maybe??) for shipping I think. We go down at least twice a year, sometimes three. Four for me this year. I did see the discussion on the other thread about Alamo....they must have recently changed their policy because it used to be a lot more. But still, if you use theirs at least two days....that is an extra $8. Plus we also go off property for shopping or places to eat...so that could be another day or two of use. It was the better decision for us. Just always keep it in my Disney travel folder.

Very annoying that they don't use the EZ Pass. I read somewhere that maybe in a couple of years. I understand the construction on I-4 has something to do with installing tolls on that road.

I hear you about the "surprise" toll booths on ramps. There is one when leaving Disney...it is unmanned and you need exact change or a sunpass. Twice I had no money in the car (in the trunk) and had to take one of those envelopes and mailed them a check.

You also get a discount on the tolls with the sunpass...I think the 75 cent on-ramp one was 50 cents.

joelkfla · Aug 30, 2015

deedisneydream97 said:
Very annoying that they don't use the EZ Pass. I read somewhere that maybe in a couple of years. I understand the construction on I-4 has something to do with installing tolls on that road.

I have read that there are both technical and political issues slowing full interoperability.

SunPass & it's Orlando area little brother, E-Pass, are in the process of swapping out older model transponders for newer technology. That's supposed to be finished by this fall, and hopefully will ameliorate the technical problems. Then everyone has to agree what protocol (language) to use; from what I read, most of the receivers in use can handle only up to 2 different ones.

The political problem is that EZ Pass is actually a loose confederation of independent state toll agencies, and FL has to reach an agreement with each state.

BTW, all toll facilities within FL are fully compatible. In the Orlando area, you will see SunPass, E-Pass, and maybe even one or two O-Pass signs, depending on which agency is responsible for that particular section of roadway; your SunPass will work at all of the above..

Ladygoldenhair · Aug 30, 2015

So much helpful information, I hadn't thought about the discount on tolls. I only wish I had made the decision four years ago before my husbands stroke. We were traveling twice a year back then; road trips and flying. I think for this one trip i'll have to weigh the inconvenience over the possibility to use the EZ pass down the line.

Capt_BJ · Aug 31, 2015

there is a federal mandate for interoperability ...

cranbiz · Aug 31, 2015

Yup, The federal mandate is by 2016 for interoperability with all electronic tolling systems. The NC Quickpass is accepted in FL and is accepted for EZ-Pass. That works for those of us who live in NC but as I already have a Fast Lane (MA EZ-Pass) so FL is still out for me (right now) but I can use it for the Triangle Expressway here in Raleigh.

joelkfla · Sep 1, 2015

But of course, the federal gov is notorious for extending deadlines.

Best place for Sunpass, several airport trips for Sanford.

Ladygoldenhair

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