Fly in to Tampa?

[markey]

Could not resist, got tickets for $129 from Harrisburg but have to fly into Tampa. How long a drive? I know I won't be sorry, because if we fly out of BWI we have a hour and 45 minute drive and pay twice as much to park and have very long lines. Or drive from Pa. which I really don't want to do. I thought it was no more than 2 hours. Which is the best way to go? Thanks

 

[josierac]

It's about a 1 hour drive from Tampa to WDW. It's a real easy drive to.

 

[Shannon G]

VERY easy drive - I think it's on I-4. It's pretty much a straight shot on that one highway. We stayed at DH's grandmother's house in St. Cloud last year, and drove to Tampa for the day to go to Busch Gardens. I think it took us about an hour.

 

[debster812]

Super easy drive, little over an hour. I was in Tampa last August for business and had a full day off in the middle of the week. Into the rental car, and off the WDW to do lunch and shop at DD. Piece of cake, and at that fare, you can't beat it.

 

[nuts4sn00py]

Hi! We too are flying into Tampa due to the price difference. When I started looking for air tickets the best prices I could find are for flying into Tampa...from JFK to MCO was over $200 ea...from JFK to TPA was $154 each. I've done TPA before because my DH has an Aunt in Clearwater & we usually visit her whenever we go down to Florida. I even got a better deal on the rental car thru National by going to TPA. Will be there for 2 weeks & paying $175 per week for a full-size car. That's also with my corporate discount. Couldn't use the 1 day free from DC due to the fact it's a 2 week rental. TPA is approximately 1 hour to WDW..give or take some. You can't beat it for the rate you got! Don't worry, you made the right choice & you will be amazed how easy it is to get to WDW. Kathy

 

[alleluia5]

Very simple drive, just try not to leave Tampa during busiest hours - about 4-6pm or it will be a little more frustrating.

From the airport take 275 North to the I-4. Stay on the I-4 all the way to Disney and vuala!! you are there before you know it. From the airport probably about an hour and 15 minutes. If you want to stop along the way for a soda or bathroom break, Lakeland is a good place, about exit 16 or 17.....Disney is from exit 24D on.

Happy driving!

 

[pathubia]

This is so funny, I was just going to ask the same question!!!! We can fly into Tampa for $448 for 4 of us from Providence, we wont be going to WDW but we are going to the new Royal Pacific at Universal. Thanks for answering my question before I even asked it, LOL.

Patty

 

[AngKWhite]

Just got back. First time flying into Tampa and it was great. There was a larger variety of cars available on the Emerald Aisle for National than the last time we flew into Orlando. The airport did not seem as crowded. The drive took us 1 hour and 15 minutes. We went back to Tampa at 5:00 Monday and I was alarmed by the traffic on 275 but luckily we got off soon after the backup. The traffice going away from the airport was terrible. I'm glad our flight to Tampa got us on the road before 4:00. I would definitely fly in to Tampa again.

 

[nuts4sn00py]

Hi Angie, Could you tell me what was on the EA when you were in Tampa. I have a full sized reserved, so I know I'll get at least that, but would love to see about getting something a little larger, possibly a minivan. TIA Kathy

 

[Buzzrules]

You know what's funny about this drive? You'll be heading up I-4, seeing signs that say "Orlando 40 miles" or whatever, thinking (at least I did!) ok, about another half-hour or so to get there. Well, if you think about it, WDW is actually west of Orlando proper, so the exits for WDW are right in the neighborhood of the signs saying that Orlando is still 20 miles away!

 

[d.kurz]

The thing I liked about the drive was that there really AREN'T any signs for WDW. Then it DOES sneak up on you. The first thing I saw was that Mickey head thing where the electrical wires all are!

We also rented at National's EA. This goes back to August, but there were at least 3 minivans on the aisle and we got one! We drove away from the airport less than 30 mins after landing.

We will definately fly into Tampa again!

 

[nuts4sn00py]

Thanks Dorothy, I hope I'm lucky enough to get a minivan, that would be a score! Kathy