Did I make the right choice?

[travelbug]

Orlando

 

[csharpwv]

Since you're already considering less convenient options than MCO... I have to suggest that you check out airlines that fly into Orlando-Sanford.

Allegiant Air is really low priced - and since you're renting a car already, it is worth checking to see if there is an airport near you that flies direct to Sanford.

There are so many flight options, and yes, you may find low prices... but remember to factor in how much of your vacation time is worth SOME savings.

When it comes to flying in to Tampa - you won't be ahead in terms of time, it will take a lot longer than Magical Express.
In terms of cost, you can think that it would take at least two extra hours in and out - so that's 4 hours total.

Plus the cost of gas....

Plus the cost of time....

You can really start to see how fast any savings that you would have realized quickly disappears.

Like I said, if you're open to other options - take a look at Sanford.
But know that your $200 savings with Tampa... or similar savings at another airport.... is very fragile!

If you rent a car and have an accident - imagine the time and energy you will have to invest in getting back to normal!

 

[honeybunches]

Since you're already considering less convenient options than MCO... I have to suggest that you check out airlines that fly into Orlando-Sanford.

Allegiant Air is really low priced - and since you're renting a car already, it is worth checking to see if there is an airport near you that flies direct to Sanford.!

We fly into Sanford and love how small it is. We usually get a service to pick us up but since you are renting a car anyway that won't be an issue. It is about an hour drive from Disney.

 

[disneymom2003]

If I was staying on property I would not hassle flying to another city, renting a car and driving to Disney. If you fly into Orlando get the Magical Express at no extra charge.

 

[brertoad]

There are no tolls between Tampa and Orlando on I-4.

The car rental is going to cost at least $200:
PLUS Gas
PLUS Driving Time, possible traffic delays
PLUS Parking Costs? Are you on property?

If you are staying on on property, the DME will pick you up from Orlando and take you back to Orlando airport. That would save you at least $120 in transportation.

I guess you just have to decide what is more important.

 

[dpswift]

I would go with Orlando if the savings is $200 total, Tampa if it is $200 a ticket. Although your kids are older it is still their first flight if you have any transfers there is going to be a lot of waiting involved. Then you have to rent a car and they will have a boring 2 to 3 hour drive with you worrying if you are going to get to dinner on time.

So for $200 no way, for $800 I would go with Tampa or check Sandford.

 

[aprilgail2]

There are no tolls between Tampa and Orlando on I-4.

The car rental is going to cost at least $200:
PLUS Gas
PLUS Driving Time, possible traffic delays
PLUS Parking Costs? Are you on property?

If you are staying on on property, the DME will pick you up from Orlando and take you back to Orlando airport. That would save you at least $120 in transportation.

I guess you just have to decide what is more important.

Parking Costs? We rent a car every single time we are at Disney and there are no parking costs.

 

[disneyfan'ole]

Also it doesn't take 2 hours to get to Orlando from Tampa.

 

[tinkercat]

For $200 total difference, I'd fly into Orlando and skip the hassle of the car.

BUT, I do have to say that we flew into Tampa on our trip last month and it was the easiest experience I've ever had at an airport. It is a very nice airport and didn't seem nearly as busy as MCO. We got our luggage and rental cars super quick, and the drive from Tampa to Orlando was maybe an hour (and that was in a heavy storm). There were 15 of us traveling, and choosing Tampa over MCO meant a difference of $1200 in cost and a direct flight versus a layover, so it was a no-brainer decision for us.

 

[dhardawa]

This is a tough one. If you can actually get the car for $200, I'd probably consider that just for the convenience of having a car. I looked on Google Maps and they put the Tampa airport 1 hour and 18 minutes from Disney World. It's at least a 30 minute drive on the Magical Express, plus the time you wait in line to get on the bus, plus the time you wait on the bus for them to load everything up. Not to mention, on the way back, the Magical Express wants to pick you up three hours prior to your flight time so you spend forever stuck in the Orlando airport waiting for your flight.

If you're staying on site, you won't pay to park and have the convenience of driving yourself to the parks (no parking fees if you're staying on site at the parks too) and if you have dinner reservations at a different resort, you don't have to play the musical buses game to get there. Not to mention, last time I was there, I came down with a horrible head cold and needed medication. Nowhere in Disney World can you buy Mucinex. Since I didn't have a car, I had to pay a fortune for a pharmacy delivery service to bring me a box of Mucinex. I would have loved the option to drive over to Walmart.

 

[GAGirlInVA]

I don't think you are going to have much luck renting a car for $200 over Thanksgiving.

If you could get that rate, I'd consider it.

ETA: Not for a "cost saving" issue but for a convenience issue.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Go straight to Orlando. You have to factor gas tolls your time and chance of an accident.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Anthony1971]

It would be unlikely that you will get a car for a week for 200 from Tampa.
We fly into Tampa and rent a car for one day each way in general it is 50.00 each day with a very good corporate code for a comapny we work for. We own DVC and stop for food for the room so it makes the car worth while. There are no tolls and it is about a 1 hour drive. We also saved more than 200 on 3 much less the 5 we have this year however as I said we buy food mainly for breakfast and snacks which saves us the 130 with gas for the car.

Renting for a week we run you in the mid upper two's with a great rate for a compact car. I would budget in the low to mid threes plus gas.

 

[aprilgail2]

Go straight to Orlando. You have to factor gas tolls your time and chance of an accident.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

There are no tolls from Tampa to Orlando!
I would get the car not to save the 200.00 but simply because it is SO much easier to drive to the parks rather than deal with those busses and the Magical Express from the airport! Parking is free if you are staying on property so you don't have to pay to park at any of the parks. You get the freedom also to escape "all Disney all the time" and go to another place in the area for the day!

 

[disneyfan'ole]

Fox rent a car is 243 and change for the week.