Flying into Tampa to WDW?

[ain0004]

Looking at a future trip. Airfare into TPA is about 100 cheaper than orlando right now. Has anyone flown into TPA and rented a car to go to WDW? Is the drive terrible? I have lots of time before I need to make up my mind. We are not leaving again until end of Sept. 2013

 

[Southernswthrt]

Looking at a future trip. Airfare into TPA is about 100 cheaper than orlando right now. Has anyone flown into TPA and rented a car to go to WDW? Is the drive terrible? I have lots of time before I need to make up my mind. We are not leaving again until end of Sept. 2013

I had planned to do the same for our trip next week until SW dropped to $200 rt pp a couple weeks ago so I think it is totally worth it. Rental car prices are about the same and its about a 75 min ride to wdw all interstate. Good luck!

 

[jmasgat]

I have done this before--flown into TPA and out of MCO. Also flown into and out of TPA. It's not bad. Car rental is onsite. Drive to WDW is ~1-1/2 hrs. Since it's FL ,I haven't been socked with a huge 1 way fee.

It's definitely doable.

Maura

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

Just did it last month - it adds about 35 minutes EXTRA to the trip, but is so easy.

 

[ssawka]

Would you rent a car anyway? How many people?

 

[Muhlenberg]

I've done some combination thereof, a few times. Last trip, we flew into and out of Tampa. I've flown into TPA, and out of MCO. In 9 days, we're flying into MCO and out of TPA.

I go by price and flight schedules, and what our preferences are. The Tampa airport is about 40% the size of MCO, so it's much easier to navigate, as it's just plain smaller! The drive is easy, as was mentioned.

It really comes down to your own preferences and comfort level. Half the fun is in the planning!

 

[SondraD11]

I just did this the first week in November. My son and I had originally planned to do a Tampa Bay Lightning game the night before our Disney trip started. Unfortunately the NHL decided to strike and I couldn't change the airfare and car rental without spending even more money. Car rentals were very expensive during our trip so it might offset that $100 you would save in airfare. The drive is very easy and less than an hour so that isn't a big factor.

One thing to watch is AirTran switching over to Southwest. I was told by the AirTran agent in Indianapolis when we left that the switch to Southwest will be complete at the IND airport by June 2013. It's possible since you are planning so far in advance, that the AirTran schedules and prices may change by then depending on your airport. Just another consideration.

Sondra