Flying in/out of Tampa?

[moesy4]

We are a group of 6...my mom, me, DH, and our then 6, 3, and 2 year olds. We are going late October and would be flying out of Indy. We have to fly SW as that is where are points are. SW flights for that time of year suck...there are only 6 flights total, only 2 non stops each direction which are more than double the price of a layover flight, and the times stink. Two of the flights leave before 7 am, and the other 4 don't get us to Orlando until after 5 pm with layovers. The way back isn't any better. Right now all the flight prices are higher than I'd like, starting around $150 each way.
We do have the option of flying out of Midway bc that is where my mom lives close to and we could spend the night at her house the night before. Prices still aren't great, although there are a ton of options (20+) so I'm hoping they will drop as we get closer. I think it would REALLY stink for my husband though as we are coming back Sunday and he has to work Monday, so we would have a 3 1/2 hour drive after a long day of travel to get back home just to start a work week.
I have been watching flights out of Tampa as well...decent times, and prices are much lower of course. We would have to rent a car, but we would still save money, and we could fly non stop. I don't mind renting a car on the way there as we could make a grocery stop as opposed to using Garden Grocer which would also save us money I am sure. Big negative would be having to drag car seats along as opposed to using the ME and not needing carseats. I would also prefer not to rent a car both ways, but if it came down to it, we could. We hadn't planned on renting a car at all.
I guess my questions are...does anyone have any better suggestions? Has anyone done this before and have any tips or any issues I am not thinking of? I know prices with Orlando just tend to go up, is Tampa similar?

 

[nacho113]

We've used TPA several times over the past few years, mostly to get better flight times or better prices.
Tampa is a smaller airport than MCO which makes it easier to get in/out of. Security lines are much shorter also.
There always seems to be a lot less families in the airport than at MCO.

You are looking at approx a 70 mile drive from TPA to WDW (60-90 minutes depending on traffic but it's pretty much a straight shot up I-4)

You WILL need a rental vehicle both ways (or pay considerably more for a taxi, Uber or a Towncar).
Check the cost of 2 one-way rentals (TPA to Disneys Car Care Center and then back to TPA)
AND a price out the cost of a round trip for your whole visit, sometimes cost will be similar to the 2 one-ways.

Depending on what the flights are like, you could fly into TPA and back home from MCO (or vice versa depending on how the flights stack up)

I always try to find the earliest flight into Florida because I want my vacation to get started sooner and I try to get the latest possible flight home - don't want the vacation to end
My wife is the opposite, she doesn't care what time we arrive as long as we get there, figures the travel day is a write-off anyway. She would prefer an early flight home with tight connections (or a direct flight) so she can get home and wind down before back to work on Monday morning.

 

[cassie58]

Several yrs. ago we flew into Orlando and out of Tampa, since the flights back were not reasonable out of Orlando. We did fly SW, but out of Philly. We did take ME to resorts, but only stayed a few days on property, and then joined in-laws in their timeshare, so we did have to rent a car for parks, and back to Tampa. Since our kids were 8 and 5, I think we just brought a booster for DD, not as much to drag along. As far as renting a car, there are a few places on/close to property where you can rent a car, so if you flew into Orlando but out of Tampa, you could rent a car just for the ride back to the airport. Or if you flew into Tampa, you could possibly return the car after you got settled, so you don't have to keep it for the whole week, and pick one up for the last day, or if you flew back out of Orlando, you could just return it, and take ME back. Hopefully that was not too confusing, just thinking of options that might work! I know this still involves the car seat hassle! But I think the 3 1/2 hr. ride back home after a tiring(but magical!)week of being on planes and many buses will be dicey for everyone!

There is a car care center near MK, and I know they will send a shuttle to get you if you need to pick up a car. There is also one at the Dolphin(I think, could be the Swan!) which is right near the Epcot resorts, so easy to get to, and another at one of the hotels across form Disney Springs, which is where we picked up. You can check Mousesavers.com, to see which companies are at each location. They also post discount codes to try for each company. And remember, the great thing about Southwest is you can change your mind, so if you book something and a better option pops up, you can switch with no fee!

 

[Woodview]

Here is a thought.

Fly to Tampa & hire a car for the duration of your stay.

On Leaving Airport join & Drive East on I-4 heading for Orlando

THEN take the Exit for Hwy 27 North ( heading for Ocala )

Stay on Hwy 27 North ........ There are eating places here .......... And drive for about 5 miles & look

out for Publix supermarket ( It is on your Left ) do your Shopping there.

Back into car and rejoin Hwy 27 North AND within 3 miles Follow Disney Signes going RIGHT onto Hwy 192

On this stretch of Hwy 192 there are Many More Good eating places & Publix & Target grocery stores.

Why rent a car for full stay ........... Well you CAN eat out at any of the above areas & there are other things to do

around outside of the theme Parks ...... you have freedom with your car.