Flying into tampa, good or bad idea??

[shoes99]

Needed flights from EWR to MCO on June 24th, and the airfare to Tampa instead of MCO was $200 per person cheaper, so I booked EWR-TPA , returning MCO-EWR for my short 5 day trip. I still paid quite a bit than I am used to $289 per person....rental car is about $104 plus gas.

 

[DOOM1001]

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.

No way it took them 4 hours from Tampa,maybe if there was a major accident on I-4 where the highway was closed and they had to go find some other roads,but even then it's not going to take 4 hours.4 hours is what it takes to get to Disney from Miami which is about 240 miles away,from Tampa to Disney it's like 70 miles,it can be done in about an hour and in my opinion is a very simple drive so if you're going to save $1000,do it.

 

[nytimez]

No way it took them 4 hours from Tampa,maybe if there was a major accident on I-4 where the highway was closed and they had to go find some other roads,but even then it's not going to take 4 hours.4 hours is what it takes to get to Disney from Miami which is about 240 miles away,from Tampa to Disney it's like 70 miles,it can be done in about an hour and in my opinion is a very simple drive so if you're going to save $1000,do it.

I make this drive all the time, and I usually do it in less than 90 minutes. Usually.

There are times, however, when accidents or construction bring I-4 to a stop. Also, while leaving the airport has gotten better with the new roads there, the construction at "malfunction junction" hasn't improved a thing. Earlier this year, Forbes magazine named Tampa "the worst commute in America." Worse the New York, worse than Los Angeles.

What I'm trying to say is, you should be fine -- but I can totally see how it could at times take someone four hours to get from Tampa to WDW.

 

[PinkRhombus]

Several years ago we were supposed to fly into Tampa, but due to weather, they had us land in Orlando and shuttled us there on a bus. Wasn't an unreasonable ride.

Several friends of ours like to do a split Disney/Beach trip, so they fly into whichever one is cheaper and start their vacation there.

 

[mamapajama]

I have flown into tampa and I have also flown into west palm beach to save moeny. Not a problem although, WPB is a longer drive.

 

[5boyz]

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,

I would do it in a heartbeat....We did it in Feb...1-1.5 hr but very easy drive...I will do it too if my prices dont go down. We are renting a car for the first day anyway so either way not an issue...

 

[5boyz]

I have flown into tampa and I have also flown into west palm beach to save moeny. Not a problem although, WPB is a longer drive.

How far is west palm beach? I would do it but dh is a bit of a stick in the mud.

 

[FINFAN]

A little further but Sarasota/Bradenton (SRQ) is another option, more like 2-2 1/2 hour drive, but you are off the plane and have your bags and car in under 20 minutes! I love SRQ, so clean and no stress. Airtran flies into there, so maybe a decent rate. People fly into Sanford airport as well, I have never tried it, but another thought.

 

[5boyz]

Thanks!

 

[DOOM1001]

How far is west palm beach? I would do it but dh is a bit of a stick in the mud.

To West Palm you're looking at around 2 1/2 hours,definitely further away.

 

[danjoan14]

We're flying into TPA again this year. Southwest was $139 into TPA and $190 into MCO. It will be a $150 savings. The drive is not bad at all. We plan on picking up our rental at the airport, and stopping for lunch on the way.

 

[pbharris4]

About 3 yrs ago I got a SUPER Southwest DING fare...$29/each way for a nonstop from Dulles to Tampa. So for 4 of us $329 give or take r/t. Couldn't pass that up! Tampa was only 1.5 hrs away w/o traffic and I even got an awesome deal on a Chevy Trailblazer for $129 for 10 days too! Tampa's airport is MUCH more calmer and less crowded.