Anyone flown into Tampa ?

[scotlass]

We have found great prices for October flighting into Tampa but i know nothing about the airport.

We have only ever used Sanford before, what are the differences and how far is it to drive to Orlando ?

Thank you

 

[disneyholic family]

We have found great prices for October flighting into Tampa but i know nothing about the airport.

We have only ever used Sanford before, what are the differences and how far is it to drive to Orlando ?

Thank you

i've only flown in and out of Tampa once, but not when i was going to WDW....i attended a conference in Tampa (never even got to orlando that trip)....
the airport looks very similar to MCO...

i think it's about an hour and a half drive from Tampa to Orlando....in good traffic (not in rush hour)..

i'm not sure i would take on that long a drive right after a long flight..
especially considering you'll be driving on the wrong side of the street and all that....

 

[disneyholic family]

i found the following on the Tampa Airport website regarding transportation from Tampa airport to WDW:

Orlando/Walt Disney World?
Depending on mode of travel and current traffic conditions, you should allow approximately 2 hours to get to Orlando or Walt Disney World from Tampa International Airport.

Rental Cars

There are several on and off-airport rental car services to choose from. View the Rental Car List

Bus Service

Greyhound provides bus service from Downtown Tampa to Orlando and Walt Disney World (via Kissimmee). View the Bus Service List

Limousine Service

Pre-reserved transportation is provided by a variety of companies. Consult a phone directory for the specific area for contact information.

Taxi Service

United or Yellow Cab service. No reservations are required. View the Taxi Service List

 

[scotlass]

i've only flown in and out of Tampa once....
it looks very similar to MCO...

i think it's about an hour drive from Tampa to Orlando....in good traffic (not in rush hour)..

i'm not sure i would take on that long a drive right after a long flight..
especially considering you'll be driving on the wrong side of the street and all that....

Thanks.



Truth is that gettin these flights are pretty much a deal breaker.

and DH drives....

 

[disneyholic family]

Thanks.



Truth is that gettin these flights are pretty much a deal breaker.

and DH drives....

see my last post - it's actually a longer drive than what i originally posted...

 

[wayneg]

We did it last August.
It took us exactly 60 mins from leaving the airport to arriving at OKW. Really easy would not hesitate using Tampa again. So much easier than MCO, I hate Sanford, only been there once and hope I never return but Tampa is very easy and only about 15 mins longer drive.

 

[wayneg]

see my last post - it's actually a longer drive than what i originally posted...

We arrived at 8:30pm and it took 60 mins, maybe longer in rush hour but its all I4. Easy.

 

[scotlass]

We did it last August.
It took us exactly 60 mins from leaving the airport to arriving at OKW. Really easy would not hesitate using Tampa again. So much easier than MCO, I hate Sanford, only been there once and hope I never return but Tampa is very easy and only about 15 mins longer drive.

Woo Hoo Wayne wins a prize for posting EXACTLY what I wanted to hear !!




Seriously,an hour ago my dream was over and I was in tears.

 

[disneyholic family]

We arrived at 8:30pm and it took 60 mins, maybe longer in rush hour but its all I4. Easy.

i stand corrected...

but it did look like MCO didn't it?

if memory serves, it even had those peoplemover trains didn't it?
or did i dream that?

i was there a year and a half ago...

 

[wayneg]

i stand corrected...

but it did look like MCO didn't it?

if memory serves, it even had those peoplemover trains didn't it?
or did i dream that?

i was there a year and a half ago...

We honestly can't remember much about the airport and its only 6 months ago, Karen was in agony with her back, remember passing the Delta lounge saying thats where we have to go on departure day but the airport was a blur, she couldn't stand with pain.

 

[disneyholic family]

We honestly can't remember much about the airport and its only 6 months ago, Karen was in agony with her back, remember passing the Delta lounge saying thats where we have to go on departure day but the airport was a blur, she couldn't stand with pain.

oh right, i remember your reports about how bad her pain was...what a horrible way to have to travel.. ..

how were the car rental desks? same as at MCO? and rates?

 

[disneyholic family]

here's the map of the airport - yup..it has those same peoplemover trains between the main terminal and the gates...
i remember getting off the plane and heading for baggage claim and saying - wow...looks just like orlando airport....but i have to go to this conference instead of WDW...

http://www.tampaairport.com/maps/airport_map.asp

 

[wayneg]

oh right, i remember your reports about how bad her pain was...what a horrible way to have to travel.. ..

how were the car rental desks? same as at MCO? and rates?

There were 5 or 6 companies all together, incl Budget and Dollar, we used Budget, smaller selection to MCO, car they gave us was intermediate, should have had free upgrade to full size thru USrenatacar, Matt's legs were too long for the car, went back in I felt the lady was a bit offhand so I told her thsi was my 4th rental with them this year, other 3 from MCO all had upgrades no problem, she had another look and happened to find a full size, her attitude was OK then,
Rates were exactly same as MCO.

 

[disneyholic family]

There were 5 or 6 companies all together, incl Budget and Dollar, we used Budget, smaller selection to MCO, car they gave us was intermediate, should have had free upgrade to full size thru USrenatacar, Matt's legs were too long for the car, went back in I felt the lady was a bit offhand so I told her thsi was my 4th rental with them this year, other 3 from MCO all had upgrades no problem, she had another look and happened to find a full size, her attitude was OK then,
Rates were exactly same as MCO.

it might just have been her....or it might be they handle far fewer people and don't have that automatic upgrade policy...
but it really depends on the person...

we always use alamo....it's hit or miss in orlando in terms of the staff...
but when we rented in detroit, DD and i really lucked out...
we stood in line for a while and i had all 4 people working there pegged by the time i got to the top of the line....
clearly 3 of them had a major attitude and weren't really interested in serving anyone....
we totally lucked out and got this young guy...the only guy of the 4...
and he was just so upbeat...and working working working....he handled 4 people for every 1 the other 3 managed..
anyway....we had reserved an economy size...but i asked him if he thought we'd fit all our luggage in the economy car (we had in orlando, because they'd had this cool compact SUV that fit everything)...
he took a look at the luggage and said no...
then he ran outside to the lot - which was outdoors....this was at the end of november (the day before Thanksgiving)....it was COLD and snowing..
he ran out in his short sleeve shirt....looked through the lot..
came running back in and said he'd found the perfect midsize SUV for us and he wouldn't charge for an upgrade...
how nice was that...
and no way would the other 3 witches (replace that w with a b) have done anything like that...
so we were very very very very lucky to have gotten this really nice guy...

anyway..long story...but it really is a toss up when it comes to the people who work those rental desks...

 

[scotlass]

Thanks for our replies....

I think we are gonnae go for it !!

Now just got to decide between SSR and OWK.

 

[disneyholic family]

Thanks for our replies....

I think we are gonnae go for it !!

Now just got to decide between SSR and OWK.

if it's just the two of you, then SSR might be nicer for you, since the studio there has one bed and one sofa (that can turn into a bed)..
while at OKW, the studio has two queen beds....which is better for a family, but not as nice for a couple...

having said that, i love OKW....but then again, i've never stayed at SSR.. happy planning!!

 

[ford family]

We use Tampa airport about three times a year. It is similar to MCO but much smaller. If you are flying direct with BA bear in mind that immigration can be slow so sit as far forward as you can and walk fast when you get out of the plane!
Also, if you rent from Alamo, they are abut five minutes away, offsite, but the shuttle buses are very frequent and the choice at their lot is huge. Getting on to the freeway is very easy.
We always head south to Bradenton but last November we were at WDW for F&W and drove home via TPA to pick up some friends arriving on the BA flight. That took us about an hour even with tea-time rush hour traffic in Tampa

ford family

 

[brer_rabbit]

I use Tampa a lot as well - easy to drive out of now that they've redone the roads around the airport and as someone else said you just go onto I4 all the way to Orlando

 

[kristieuk]

We fly into Tampa every year, it's a nice easy airport, not too busy, BA is the only UK carrier who fly direct so yes, get seats as far forward on the plane as you can as the Immigration gets backed up from that flight (although it is much improved these days).

The only weird thing is you collect your luggage, then put it back on a conveyor and pick up again at the exit. This saves you hauling it, but the transfer of luggage is slow and can be v frustraing when all you wnat to do is get out of there!

On your return flight, there is a TGI's in the aiport, or the airport is right next to a mall which has a Cheesecake Factory (you would have to drive there though, about 5 - 10 mins travel between them). The duty free is almost non-existent btw, I know most American airports are not great, but it is particularly hopeless here.

 

[Chilly]

Can I ask where you saw the flights?