Flying into Tampa. Pros and Cons?

[jamuth]

We just saw a great rate to fly into tampa instead of MCO. Any advise? What is the travel time? HOw much time would you allow? How is car rental there?

 

[Keacc]

We have flown into Tampa on several occasions because of the airfare. Tampa airport is easier to get thru. Cars are cheaper many times. It takes us about 50 minutes to drive to WDW. We are flying in and out of Tampa Dec 27th & Jan 3rd.

 

[OKW Lover]

We always check prices flying to TPA as well as MCO when planning a WDW trip. Travel time from TPA to any of he Epcot Resorts is about 70 minutes, unless you arrive at TPA during rush hour. TPA is a very easy airport to get around (not that MCO is difficult either) and the road to WDW is pretty open. The only thing I don't care for is the short section getting from the car rental lot to I-4 East.

 

[Soon2B4]

Things to think about, do you normally rent a car or us ME? If you use ME, make sure you factor in how much more you are going to pay for the car and gas getting back and forth from TPA. I guess it comes down to how much are you saving? If I was saving a decent amount of money, I would do it. It's not a far drive IMO

 

[goofy4tink]

We have flown into Tampa on several occasions because of the airfare. Tampa airport is easier to get thru. Cars are cheaper many times. It takes us about 50 minutes to drive to WDW. We are flying in and out of Tampa Dec 27th & Jan 3rd.

50 mins? Really?? It normally takes me about 70 mins to get from TPA to WDW. The one time it was less was an Easter morning, we left at 7am (our resort is about 3 miles from TPA) and drove right to MK...we got there by 8:00. I was moving...probably doing about 75 the entire way. Yes, I could have moved faster but I didn't want to get stopped. There was no traffic to speak of. There was much more traffic going back to Sanford after our MK breakfast!!!
Most people here figure on it taking about 90 mins to get your car and then get to WDW from TPA.

 

[jamuth]

Thank you for the advise. I think we are going to try it. Tickets are $184 RT to tampa vs $300 RT to MCO. For 7 of us that adds up. We normally rent a car anyway and since we aren't going to WDW on the first day I won't feel like I need to rush to get there. Our departure time is 3pm so we will leave with plenty of time.

 

[ttfn3]

Tampa Airport is a much easier airport to navigate than Orlando. For that much of a savings, I would jump on it. Just be sure to leave extra time to get to Tampa for your flight home. The traffic can get a bit crazy on I4 near Tampa.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

We LOVE TPA. it is a much quietier airport compared to MCO. It does take 1hour and 20 minutes to get to WDW but when you think about it, it takes 35 minutes to get from MCO to WDW. So flying into TPA really only takes an extra 35-40minutes to get to WDW. (70 minutes - 35 minutes= ruffly 35-40 minute difference)

I have always found the car rentals are cheaper at TPA.

I think once you have flowen into TPA you will be hooked on flying into there.
Rental cars are right outside like it is at MCO. The drive is pretty much a straight shot.

Oh if you need to stop at a grocery store there is a Publix at Champions Gate exit and its right off of I-4 and not far from Disney. It easy off easy on the highway!


http://store.publix.com/publix/cgi/...hampions+Gate,+Champions+gate,+fl&mapx=&mapy=