Flying into tampa, good or bad idea??

[princessap]

We are leaving next month and still haven't booked flights yet...kept hoping they would drop and now in a panic {will never wait to book flights again!}/
Anyways, we can fly into tampa direct for 1000 less than Orlando, anyone flew to Tampa before? how far a drive to Disney??
thanks in advance,

 

[sjs314]

I never flew into Tampa but a few years ago I met a freind in WDW who drove from there and it took them 4 hours.

 

[Poohlovr]

We've done it when airfare was low enough. It takes about 90 min from Tampa to WDW. It's a straight shot on the expressway. TPA is easy to get around.

I say do it, if the air is low enough.

 

[bcvprincesses]

We have flown into Tampa a few times and really liked it. Easy airport to get around and an easy drive to Disney. To save $1000 I would fly into any airport in Fl.

 

[Detailor]

There can always be a situation on the highway that would slow or stall traffic but 90 minutes from the Tampa airport to the general Disney area is the norm - it's 70 to 75 miles depending on which Disney exit you expect to take. I wouldn't hesitate to fly into and out of Tampa for that kind of savings.

Dick Taylor

 

[princessap]

Thanks girls...the cheap flights are now all gone anyways

 

[loveysbydesign]

We drove to Tampa on our way to the beach and the drive was nice and rather uneventful!

 

[CathrynRose]

I never flew into Tampa but a few years ago I met a freind in WDW who drove from there and it took them 4 hours.

Did they go the wrong way? It's only 80 miles.

We used to do this drive almost every weekend, when we lived there. If you're lucky you can get there in an hour - but it's usually closer to an hour and a half - but a straight shot there.

Nice small airport, too.

Worth saving $1000.

 

[Kae]

We fly into clearwater & it is about 90 mins. Never had a problem.

Kae

 

[DVC-Don]

I've done it (usually when visiting family in the Clearwater area first). Normally 90 to 75 minutes, but any kind of accident can bring traffic to a halt fast.

 

[Elmo007]

I would do it. We have day tripped from Tampa to Disney a few times and its very do-able.


A thought is to add a night in Tmapa and then visit Busch Gardens if you have the tiime, just to add a little variety

 

[My3kiddos]

We flew into TPA last year and I would do it again if the flights were cheaper. It took us about an hour to drive (but we weren't staying on property). I say if you can find flights that are that much cheaper go for it!

 

[Sammy]

We are doing exactly the same thing in 4 weeks (yay!). I couldn't touch Southwest's fares into Orlando for the last week in April, but was able to fly into Tampa for a great rate. We were renting a car no matter where we landed, so that part didn't matter. I'm a little nervous just because we've never driven from Tampa, but I hear it's an easy, straight shot to the WDW resort area.

 

[goofy4tink]

I love Tampa Intl. My ds lives in Tampa...actually about 8 miles from the airport. We normally stay at the Doubletree that is right on the bay...Rocky point or such. Anyway...it takes us about 75-80 mins to get from WDW to the hotel, so it's going to be about the same to the airport. But....if there is any kind of traffic issue, it is going to take longer.
Tampa Intl is a terrific airport. It is smaller and easier to navigate. I would have no issue flying in or out of there.

 

[JoeCathyAngelina]

For the sake of non-stop flights and saving barrels of cash; We flew into Tampa a couple of years ago, no problem.
This year, in 3 weeks we're flying non-stop into Tampa on Delta and renting a Cadillac for the week during our spring break.
We're staying at the Orange Lake Country Club in Kissimmee.
At the most, It's about an hour and a half drive from Tampa, TPA.
Orlando, MCO is about 45 minutes...or more.
For the sake of non-stop flights and saving barrels of cash; next year, 4/11; We already have reservations for a 2 bedroom at Silver Lake Resort and vouchers to fly into Orlando/Sanford for spring break .
We always find a way to rent Cadillacs and Lincolns for the price of a Toyota spot car...No Big Deal.
Good Luck All,
Joe

 

[Rpsemont]

We've flown into and out of TPA on different trips. Generally pretty easy. The only thing to watch out for is rush hour traffic. On of the times we were there, the highway was a parking lot. It was on arrival so no big deal. But if flying out of TPA, allow extra time to get to the airport if you need to arrive at the airport between 7-10AM or 4-7PM.

FWIW, we've using found that it's usually pretty easy and costs about the same to rent a car in TPA and drop at MCO or visa versa. So it only OW to/from MCO is expensive you can try that.

I also second the idea of trying to spend a day or two at Busch Gardens. It's great!

 

[Suzyq9241]

WHEN WE FLY.... WE ALWAYS GO INTO TAMPA.... BECAUSE THE AIRFARE IS CHEAPER... THE DRIVE...NOT BAD AT ALL... DEPENDING WHAT TIME YOU FLY IN... WE LIKE ALWAYS GET TO LEAVE TAMPA AROUND 10 AM... NO PROBLEMS AT ALL AROUND 70 MINUTES TO GET TO DISNEY...


DO IT ... SAVE YOUR MONEY... GO INTO TAMPA...

 

[SilverMickey]

Sorry the great fare has gone away! I hope you can find something!

We love Tampa... Equal money put us in and out of Florida for Tampa and Orlando. We chose Tampa. Very nice airport and easy to get around!

 

[danjoan14]

We've flown into Tampa a few times. Picked up the rental, and drove to Orlando in about 1 hour. Tampa airport is very nice. We're going to the Magic in August. The flights are over $300 going to orlando. A little cheaper into Tampa. I keep checking everyday hoping that the prices drop.

 

[DisneyPoohBear]

Thanks for posting this since I had never even thought about arriving in Tampa. It will save us hundreds and I found a great price on a rental van. Now we are staying a few extra days and hanging out on the beach.