Flying into Tampa instead of Orlando?

[Crispity]

Thoughts on flying into Tampa instead of Orlando? Flights from Chicago in October are outrageously expensive at the moment ($550+, rather than the ~$350 that I'm used to). Looks like we could save $500 total by flying into Tampa for our trip. We will be renting a car anyway, so I am not worried about the car rental expense, but I am worried about the drive.

Google maps says the drive from TPA to WDW will be 1 hr 15 minutes TPA , vs 30 minutes from MCO. That seems completely doable, but how likely are we to hit traffic? Is there any construction along the route? We would be arriving mid-afternoon on a Friday, and leaving early morning on a Sunday. Thanks in advance!

 

[CarolynFH]

We flew into Tampa a couple of times pre-DME but decided it wasn't worth it unless we could save a significant amount of money. (At the time we didn't save nearly as much as you expect to.) Our drives to and from all went smoothly, but we felt that we had to allow a lot of extra time "just in case."

 

[bumbershoot]

We didn't feel that the drive was difficult. I think we did get in later than you, but we also stopped at Trader Joe's b/c it hadn't opened in Orlando yet. Really decent airport, lots of food options on the secure side if you wanted to grab something. Do make sure of the car rental prices vs MCO before making your final decision!

 

[Crispity]

Thanks for the replies! Looks like the car rental would be about $100 more in Tampa (I have sticker shock over car rental prices too!), so still a $400 savings. Definitely leaning towards doing this.

 

[Gracie09]

We are doing that next week. It saved us over $300. For the rental car, keep checking. We ended up with a full size for under $100 ( we are flying in on Thursday am out late Sunday.)

 

[goofy4tink]

Yes, there will be traffic. The only time I made it from Tampa to WDW in under 70 mins, was Easter morning! We left Tampa around 7am, got to MK around 8:05...but I was flying!!!
There is usually a ton of traffic in the TPA area. If you are traveling at any commuter times, you are going to have company on the road. But, it's a pretty easy, straightforward drive. If I was going to rent a car anyway, I would fly into TPA a lot more often!!! I would plan on it taking 90 mins though....just in case.

 

[CarolMN]

..........(snip)..........There is usually a ton of traffic in the TPA area. If you are traveling at any commuter times, you are going to have company on the road. But, it's a pretty easy, straightforward drive. If I was going to rent a car anyway, I would fly into TPA a lot more often!!! I would plan on it taking 90 mins though....just in case.

90 minutes doesn't seem all that bad, LOL. That's what I allow for DME from MCO to BWV.

 

[Keacc]

We have flown in and out of TPA the last four years and are doing so again Oct 31st thru Nov 7th. The airport is nice and a lot faster to get thru when you are leaving. We scored $127 round trip tickets from Chicago to TPA on Spirit. We got an intermediate size car from Dollar for $84 + taxes. There are deals to be had at TPA that are better than MCO. We stay at Silver Lake Resort every year (Windsor Hill area) and it take us 70-75 minutes from the time we get in the car in Tampa until we get to the resort. There is some construction near the airport in Tampa but it is not a big problem.

 

[MrPTato]

I have seen lines and heard people complaining about waiting in DME lines for well close to an hour or more. It might just be quicker from Tampa

 

[houseofduck]

We didn't feel that the drive was difficult. I think we did get in later than you, but we also stopped at Trader Joe's b/c it hadn't opened in Orlando yet. Really decent airport, lots of food options on the secure side if you wanted to grab something. Do make sure of the car rental prices vs MCO before making your final decision!

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but we are flying into Tampa next month on a Saturday (arrive at 11am). I hadn't realized there were Trader Joe's in the Orlando area and was happy that we would get to go to the one in Tampa. Have you (or anyone else) been to the Orlando (Sand Lake Rd.) Trader Joe's on a Saturday? Is the traffic/parking horrible at that time? Would we be better off going to the one in Tampa?

 

[bumbershoot]

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but we are flying into Tampa next month on a Saturday (arrive at 11am). I hadn't realized there were Trader Joe's in the Orlando area and was happy that we would get to go to the one in Tampa. Have you (or anyone else) been to the Orlando (Sand Lake Rd.) Trader Joe's on a Saturday? Is the traffic/parking horrible at that time? Would we be better off going to the one in Tampa?

I think the latest Orlando TJ opened in April, so I bet it would be OK. The Tampa one had a pretty tiny parking lot, and I think it's only because it was after dinnertime that we did alright there, parking-wise.

I'm ridiculous happy that they have TJ now. We get so many staples there at home, and it's just so comforting to know that we can buy "our" yogurt, etc etc. And the company is great and they treat their employees like stars. Love TJ.