Cities near Orlando to fly into?

[CDoobee]

Hi all,
I'm having trouble finding affordable flights at times I like for my trip in June. (I know, I'm too picky!) Anyway, I was thinking about flying into Tampa or somewhere else, renting a car at the airport there, then turning it in at the airport in Orlando, and catching Mears to get to All Star Sports. Then, doing the reverse on the way back. It shouldn't cost too much to rent a car for a few hours each time, right? I have NO experience with renting cars! I don't want it for the week. It will just be me and my 17-year old son, and we are very happy letting Disney do the driving for us that week! So, I guess I really have 2 questions.

Is there anywhere else (besides Tampa) to fly into that is relatively close to Orlando?

Is my plan feasible?

Thanks for any input!
Debbie

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Tampa is a great airport. Rent a car via National and you can drop it off at the car care center at WDW, no need to go to Orlando Natioinal. They will drop you at your resort and pick you up for your return.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

One thing you might want to do is compare the cost of a weekly rental for your entire stay vs. two one-way rentals. My experience has been that rental companies will add a surcharge if you rent at one location and drop off at another, even if for a day or a few hours. Of course, I don't think the two one ways will be that much more than two round trips of the same time period. You'll probably still come out ahead of the weekly rental, but don't be surprised if they do add some sort of one way fee.

I second Gail's suggestion about dropping off at National's WDW location. That saves you the cost of the Mears transport. I would check in to the hotel, unload your luggage, then turn the car in, and when you leave, get the car and then go back for the luggage.

 

[CarolMN]

In Florida, there isn't a surcharge for picking up and dropping off at different locations. (Think it is due to a FL law). That makes the option to drop off at WDW even more attractive.

IIRC, Dollar has a location in one of the hotels in DD and there may be others who do as well. It may pay to check when yo do your rate comparisons. Even if the other companies don't have a complimentary shuttle, a cab ride from DD to a WDW resort would be a LOT cheaper than going from MCO to WDW.

That said, if you are a DC member, National may be the least expensive. It is definitely the most convenient if you plan to stay on site.

 

[CDoobee]

Thanks, Gail, Obi, and Carol
!
I AM a DC member, so I guess I'll be checking into National. Just where is the National center at WDW? That does sound a whole lot easier than going to the Orlando Airport! LOL

Thanks again!
Debbie

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Originally posted by CarolMN
In Florida, there isn't a surcharge for picking up and dropping off at different locations. (Think it is due to a FL law). That makes the option to drop off at WDW even more attractive.

I didn't know that, Carol! Thanks.

 

[sgtdisney]

Here is one thing you may want to try if you are going to pick up and drop off in a different location, and use the internet to make your reservation. For some reason, many of the Rental Car companies will show you one price if you make the drop off location different than the pick up location, and another price if you say the drop off and pick up location are the same on the net. I am not sure why this is, as they cannot charge a premium or a drop off charge for using 2 locations in florida as another person posted by law. It may have something to do with how their systems are set up. Anyway, I usually set the drop off and pick up the same and then tell them I am dropping off in a different location when I get the car. I have called the companies and they said that this is fine. A couple of times when I used to call and make the reservations over the phone, they would have to do this for me and they would note in the system about the different drop off location. I recently checked a price for a car with a pick up in FLL and a drop at MCO. It was 450 a week. If you use the pick up and drop off at the same location it was 209 per week. Big difference. Just something to consider.

 

[DaisyDebbie]

Debbie, they have a National counter at the Swan, but you have to check because when I was there last Dec. it was closed. I had to drop the car off at the Car Care Center right outside of the Magic Kingdom. It's not hard to find and it is really quick. They will take you back to your hotel or to any of the parks.

 

[CDoobee]

Thanks, again! All great suggestions! I'll let you all know what I end up deciding.

Debbie

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by DaisyDebbie
Debbie, they have a National counter at the Swan, but you have to check because when I was there last Dec. it was closed. I had to drop the car off at the Car Care Center right outside of the Magic Kingdom. It's not hard to find and it is really quick. They will take you back to your hotel or to any of the parks.

The National desk is at the Dolphin Hotel. It's a very good idea to check the hours of both the Dolphin desk and the Car Care Center before you go. If you drop a car off at the CCC after they are closed, you are on your own to get back to your resort. A cab would be your only option. You cannot pick up or drop off cars at the Dolphin. IF you are dropping off, you will be directed to the CCC. You can have your paper work done at the Dolphin (to pick up a car), but then you will take the National shuttle over to the CCC to actually get the car.

 

[banjo]

why not try flying into sanford thats just an hour away and you have dollar, alamo etc on site?

 

[travelcoupons]

Sanford isn't an option, because the only domestic airline that flies into Sanford is Pan Am and they do not serve Missouri.

 

[banjo]

i didnt realise that as im from the uk and thats the airport im flying into in august just tried to help.
margaret.

 

[travelcoupons]

 

[CDoobee]

Thanks, everyone! I tried Orbitz again, and was finally able to find a reasonably priced round-trip flying into Orlando that didn't have me leaving early in the AM! That was the problem. I was hoping to stay until at least early afternoon on my last day, and I finally found a flight that doesn't leave until 6:10PM!!! YAY!! And we'll be flying right into Orlando!

But, I will definitely keep all this great info you've all given me in mind for future trips!!!

Thanks again!!!

Debbie

 

[CarolA]

By the way, a few hour rental is the same price as a one day rental. And one day rentals can be fairly expensive. Take care!