Just returned. Flew into TPA & used EA...great

[workinmom]

Returned Sat from WDW. Flew into TPA from Phila. Had a great experience with both our flights & National's EA. Picking up our car & dropping it off were quick & easy. Arrived at the airports about 2.5 hours prior to flights & were checked in and at the gate in about 10-15 min both times. The drive from Tampa was easy...about 1 hour & 20 min both coming & going. Had a great week. Any questions, I'll be happy to try & answer them.

[robinb]

What kind of cars were on the aisle? I'm picking up from Tampa in about 10 days.

[BWVDenise]

Thanks so much as that is the exact route I will be taking in 13 days. Did you fly USAir? What time of day were your flights? I've read posts that there are long lines at 4:30 in the morning, etc., and with three young kids to keep entertained, I'm a bit concerned!
What type of vehicle did you get from EA?

Thanks again!

Denise

[bigsis1970]

how was the drive between Tampa and Orlando.. I will be flying MHT to TPA on Dec 1st and staying at PO Riverside... Thanks Michelle

[travelcoupons]

I've done the Tampa EA twice.
Car selection in FEB was excellent w/ convert.,minivans,SUV's, etc.
Car selection in JULY was poor w/ only full & intermediate avail.

Drive was smooth, just like the above poster wrote (about 1 hr 20 min.)

[workinmom]

OK...where to begin. There were about 10-15 full size cars on the EA aisle. We chose a Buick Regal w/leather & 3800 miles. Mostly regals & Chevy Mailbu's. There were 2 minivans across the other side. Someone was getting in one & I didn't ask about those b/c when I asked the attendant where the full size cars were for EA, he pointed to the aisle across from the minivans & with my 2 kids, the Regal was big enough. There were 2 Mitsubishi Eclipses, which my DS 7 was dying to get, but I checked the trunk & there wasn't enough room for our luggage, so I nixed that car.
The drive was easy route 275 for about 5 miles & onto I-4 for the rest of the way. I did get off at exit 24 instead of 26, b/c I got so excited when I saw the signs for WDW!!! Before my husband could get out the little map from our Passporter, I was off the exit. It wasn't a problem, we just found POR by following the signs.
BWVDenise, We took a 7:55 am flight on USAir on SAT. Stayed at the Econo Lodge in Philly the night before & used their shuttle. We decided to take the 5 am shuttle. We were on the road by 4:55. When we arrived, it looked like curbdside check-in was just opening b/c there weren't too many people there, so we waited about 5-10 min & checked our bags out there. The lines inside looked long, but when we went inside, we decided it was b/c the ticket agents didn't even start until 5 am, so the lines had built up b/c there were no agents. We went to window 4/5 to get boarding passes, there were only about 2 people ahead of me in the line. This line said "corporate check-in", but the agent said I was in the right place to get boarding pass. (Had e-ticket). Walked upstairs, went through security & were at the gate by 5:30. I couldn't believe how fast the check-in was. My two kids 7 & 10 did great while waiting the 2 hours. Played game boy, listened to walkmans, & did word puzzles. Going back to Tampa airport, we again were checked in in about 15 minutes from dropping off rental car. There was a porter that unloaded our bags from the trunk, & wheeled them over to the ticket counter & we checked bags & were done by about 3:40 for our 6:00 pm flight. There was a Chili's by our gate, so we decided to eat some dinner about 4:45. Tampa was a very nice airport & the National couldn't have been easier. Other than the National Guardsmen w/guns, everything seemed normal. My husband was sure we had air marshals on the flight home. Have a great trip...sorry for the length.

[villainwdw]

:D

[bigsis1970]

thanks.. was the Tampa airport still suggesting a 2 hours check in time?? Michelle

[workinmom]

I'm sorry...I don't know.

[denisenh]

According to the SWA web site Tampa is suggesting a 1.5 hour check in. We are
using the MHT to TPA then drive to WDW route as well.
Now off to check Emerald isle prices! thanks for your post workinmom!