Did I make the right choice?

[teacherme]

We are traveling to Disney on November 21 - November 28. My husband, myself and two kids. I am trying to book my flights now. Here is my problem. If we fly into Orlando is $1100. If we into Tampa is is $900. We are on a budget. I know if I fly into Orlando I will not need to rent a car however when flying into Tampa I will need to rent one. I think I can rent a car for $200 for the week. Tampa also has more choices of flight times. I am thinking about going with Tampa. Which one would you choose?

 

[Minnesota!]

Orlando 100%! Maybe you can get a car for $200 for the week. But you also have to budget tolls, gas, and also the time it will take to get to/from WDW/TPA.

$200 is a very small amount to pay for the straight convenience of flying into MCO and using DME.

 

[bpesch]

I definitely vote for Orlando. The $200 difference is going to totally be gone by the time you rent a car and pay for things related to the rental. Then you have to factor in the time involved for the drive both ways. Wouldn't be worth it to me at all.

 

[Disneychix]

Orlando, hands down. I would even do Orlando and maybe still rent a car over flying into Tampa.

 

[wiigirl]

Orlando 100%! Maybe you can get a car for $200 for the week. But you also have to budget tolls, gas, and also the time it will take to get to/from WDW/TPA.

$200 is a very small amount to pay for the straight convenience of flying into MCO and using DME.

 

[littlelulu33]

Orlando--
We are flying into Tampa next month--because we have family there and will have a new baby to meet. We have not been able to get a cheap rental car so we are flying home out of Orlando and getting the car for the time that we are in Tampa and will return it to the car care center in Disney. But you can not count on getting a cheap rental car.

 

[Allison]

Orlando.

 

[disny_luvr]

I would definitely fly into Orlando. For the $200 price difference, save yourself the headache. After you rent a car, pay for gas, tolls, etc. you probably won't be that much ahead flying into Tampa.

 

[barbmouse]

Orlando for sure!! Much less hassle!

 

[Pembo]

Love the Tampa airport - and the drive isn't bad, I don't remember any tolls. If the flight times are better, I say go for it. Having a car at Disney can be a real blessing especially going to DTD.

 

[danygirl]

you didn't say how old your kids are or where you are coming from. If I had spent a long day traveling, the last thing I want to do is to rent a car and travel more. The extra time at the hotel to relax, play in the pool, etc would be worth more to me.

my budget is always tight, you have to weigh all the factors, but the fly/drive option has not been a winner for us. I would rather just get there.

 

[teacherme]

My kids are (girl)13 and (boy)12. It is going to be there first plane trip. We normally drive 12 hours to go on vacation every other year. We are on the dining plan. I know they are going to be hungry. I just don't know if I will have time to make it to the ADR.

 

[MrsNnr]

Love the Tampa airport - and the drive isn't bad, I don't remember any tolls. If the flight times are better, I say go for it. Having a car at Disney can be a real blessing especially going to DTD.

No tolls! We drive from St. Petersburg all the time.

 

[ceecee]

I would definitely fly into Orlando. For the $200 price difference, save yourself the headache. After you rent a car, pay for gas, tolls, etc. you probably won't be that much ahead flying into Tampa.

We just flew into Tampa a few weeks ago to visit family and go to Clearwater for a few days. No way would I fight the traffic and the two hour drive to get to Orlando for a difference of $200.00. closer to $100 when you factor in the rental car fee (even for a day) gas and tolls and PARK TIME!!! Not worth it.

 

[Maus]

By the numbers you gave it would be cheaper to fly into Orlando, no? I doubt that you can rent a car and pay gas for $200.

 

[CluelessDisFan]

Depends all the PPs keep saying is it's not worth the $200. Are you talking a $200 savings per ticket or total? $200 per ticket is going to make it worth the $800 you'd save in air fare. Only a $200 savings then I'd fly to MCO like everyone else.

 

[C-CMom]

Well, maybe there could be "value added" with the car, even if you don't quite break even. Depending on where you're staying and what your eating habits are like, the ability to leave WDW property for groceries or alternate dining could be a savings (if money alone were the question). If you are staying long enough to explore some other spots in Orlando (or even swing by the beach, or other sites in Tampa), having a car could facilitate that.

But if it's just Disney for all entertainment and all food, especially if your time is limited --> Orlando.

 

[pigletto]

I don't think it's a huge hassle to fly into Tampa. And I like having a car on property. We rent one every trip now. However, my concern for you is being sure you could get that car rental for $200. In the August car rental thread people are having a really hard time getting their Tampa rentals a a decent price. With codes and coupons I am at $180 for 10 days out of MCO. The Tampa folks are saying their rentals are stuck around $400 or $500. So unless you'd be willing to go with some type of shuttle service and know what it costs, it could end up costing you more. For that reason alone, unless I had a guaranteed decent car rate out of Tampa I would stick with MCO unless the price difference was huge.

 

[crisi]

I don't think you'll find a $200 car over Thanksgiving.

 

[Alesia]

I don't think you'll find a $200 car over Thanksgiving.

I agree. Cars are going to be at a premium.