First time flying into Tampa

[BraveLittleToaster2]

We are flying into Tampa for the first time ever. The flights were much cheaper then MCO. We are renting a car and driving to bay lake tower.

How long will it take on a Saturday around dinner time? Is there a particular route I should take to avoid traffic etc? We are returning the car the same day we get it right after check-in. If my husband returns it at the car Care center, what's the best way for him to get back to Bay Lake?

Thanks for any help!!

 

[bumbershoot]

If my husband returns it at the car Care center, what's the best way for him to get back to Bay Lake?

(Making 100% sure you're renting with Alamo or National because they are the ines st CCC)

They have a shuttle. After he turns in the car he'll put his name on the list for Bay Lake and he'll be taken back.

Car rentals are done in 24 hour increments. So there's likely no need to return it *right then*. You could probably modify your rental to hours later or to 24 hours after you pick it up and it will be the same price. And that gives you more leeway. Yiu could run to the grocery store and get snacks or wine or sunscreen etc. and return it a bit later.

Just making sure you know that!

Can't help with directions. We came into Tampa once at night, we stopped at Trader Joe's (this was before there was a TJ in Orlando), we got on the road and drove. That's all I recall.

 

[BraveLittleToaster2]

Yes, Alamo.

Does the shuttle always run? Or only certain hours? We should be able to get the car back by 8pm. Good idea with stopping at a store though. We usually get garden grocer but we could always do the shopping ourselves. We would rather not return the car the next day because we have a full itinerary!

 

[nacho113]

We are flying into Tampa for the first time ever. The flights were much cheaper then MCO. We are renting a car and driving to bay lake tower.

How long will it take on a Saturday around dinner time? Is there a particular route I should take to avoid traffic etc? We are returning the car the same day we get it right after check-in. If my husband returns it at the car Care center, what's the best way for him to get back to Bay Lake?

Thanks for any help!!

You should look at returning the car the following day, the Car Care Center is only open until 6pm on the weekends.
https://www.alamo.ca/en_US/car-rent...s/US/ORLR72-orlando-walt-disney-car-care.html

FYI: make sure that you are unchecking "return to same location" on your reservation and choose Disney's Car Care Center as the return location

The drive from TPA to WDW is a straight shot east along I-4, approx 70-90 minutes depending on traffic.
Take I-275 when you leave the airport and then you will keep to the right part way across Tampa, I-275 goes North and you will go East on I-4.