Flying into Tampa..

[mom18]

This is becoming my new favorite dis board!! I have so many questions regarding transportation on our next trip. We have booked kind of wacky travel this time! We have always flown direct to Orlando, and used Magical Express or rented a car.

This time, it was significantly cheaper to fly into Tampa, but significantly more expensive to rent a car. I have never been to Tampa airport, so I am a bit nervous navigating around. My question surrounds on our arrival time at the resort and traffic.

I am assuming Tampa is smaller airport than Orlando. We are renting a car for the day from the airport, and dropping it later in the day at the car care center. Our plane lands at 8:30am. I was thinking we would probably make it to the resort (art of animation) by 11:30, but I have no idea what traffic we may hit, or the easiest and quickest route to take. What are typically high traffic times in Tampa and Orlando? If not leaving the airport until about 9 (just my estimated since I dont know Tampa) after getting our bags and car, then do we miss any Tampa/Orlando rush hour?

Also, it seems like people say the easiest route is I9?

Any input would help!!

Thanks!!

 

[Ralph&Pam]

Yo

This is becoming my new favorite dis board!! I have so many questions regarding transportation on our next trip. We have booked kind of wacky travel this time! We have always flown direct to Orlando, and used Magical Express or rented a car.

This time, it was significantly cheaper to fly into Tampa, but significantly more expensive to rent a car. I have never been to Tampa airport, so I am a bit nervous navigating around. My question surrounds on our arrival time at the resort and traffic.

I am assuming Tampa is smaller airport than Orlando. We are renting a car for the day from the airport, and dropping it later in the day at the car care center. Our plane lands at 8:30am. I was thinking we would probably make it to the resort (art of animation) by 11:30, but I have no idea what traffic we may hit, or the easiest and quickest route to take. What are typically high traffic times in Tampa and Orlando? If not leaving the airport until about 9 (just my estimated since I dont know Tampa) after getting our bags and car, then do we miss any Tampa/Orlando rush hour?

Also, it seems like people say the easiest route is I9?

Any input would help!!

Thanks!!

Since you are renting from one of the companies located at the airport (Alamo or National to drop at the Car Care Center), you will will pick up you car in the car rental center just a short walk from the terminal. Exit the garage and follow the well-marked signage to I275 and on to I4 (not I9) toward Orlando. Exit I4 at the appropriare WDW exit for your destination resort or the Car Care Center if driving directly there.

I cannot comment on traffic heading toward Orlando at that time of day as we usually head south on I275 to St. Pete Beach when we fly into Tampa. After our beach stay we usually do the I275 to I4 drive at midday and it has been my impression that the eastbound traffic I275 to I4 to WDW moves okay once we're past the through-Tampa traffic on I275. I would think three hours is more than sufficient time.