Flying into Tampa?

[Afabena]

Talk to me please about flying into Tampa and possibly renting a car or Uber/taxi to our resort? Flights into MCO from the NY area are so expensive in Nov that we are debating about going into Tampa. Traveling are myself, DH, parents and 2 kids using booster seats. Thanks!

 

[Jmadkins]

Hi afabena. I live in Tampa. It is about a 2.5 hour drive from Tampa to Disney, depending on traffic. I’m not sure you want to spend that much money on an Uber. If you fly into Orlando you could get the Disney bus which I think is free but not sure. If you rent a car for the trip you would have to pay for parking at the hotel. Just some things for you to consider. Hope you enjoy your trip.

 

[Jimsig]

You can look up on either online or the Uber/Lyft app to get an idea of how much it would cost from TPA to WDW.

If you fly into Orlando you could get the Disney bus which I think is free but not sure.

If staying at Disney property's your stay includes the DME bus from MCO to your resort and back. So that's something to factor in as you want to take all transportation costs into account. So even if they airfare is cheaper into Tampa the cost of a rental(for 6 people)/Uber/Lyft and parking per night at your Disney resort could make the cost close to that of flying into MCO and taking the DME, especially too when considering travel time between TPA and WDW. Also if flying into MCO you would not need the booster seats so it's a couple less things to lug.

 

[shocker]

You didn't happen to mention if you are staying on Disney property, but I'll assume yes since you didn't act as if car rental was a given. Assuming you are saving sufficient x6 to cover the cost & you're willing to forgo some time (though sometimes a Tampa flight time can be better), I'd look into a one -way car/van rental too & from TPA. Turn it in after you drop everyone & luggage at the resort & don't pay to park onsite unless you price & decide to keep rental for duration, make roundtrip & plan to use to get places faster. Really up to you which way you want to swing.

ETA: there's many hotel locations you can return your car to around Disney, you don't have to book airport to airport for the rental.

Happy Planning!

 

[SteveH]

@Afabena last trip we flew into MCO and out of TPA next trip I'm going into TPA then out of MCO, right now I'm renting a car for day which will run around $120 as of last time I checked. Uber/Lyft, without tip, has an estimate of about the same, assuming I could actually get one. But since I want to swing by the grocery store and pick up my wife at MCO it doesn't make as much sense.

 

[JimMIA]

Google Maps says the drive time from the rental car center at TPA to Disney Springs is about 1.5 hours -- and that also matches my experience having driven it both directions several times. Of course, that drive time could be longer depending on day of week, time of day, and traffic.

It's an easy drive, expressway almost all the way.

Your group presents several problems. You've got 4 adults and 2 kids with booster seats -- which I assume you are bringing with you. That's a large party, and with luggage you probably are going to be crowded, even if you rent a minivan or large SUV. Of course, if you wedge everything and everybody in, it's only a short drive.

According to RideGuru, the Uber/Lyft fare for XL (which you would need) would be about $125. You could expect some difficulty getting a ride and would probably have to give the driver a big tip up front for the inconvenience of having to drive back to Tampa empty.. For that reason, I think the one-way rental might be a better option. Also, if you don't bring your own boosters, neither Uber nor Lyft will be an option.

I would also research flying into TPA and returning home from MCO. If you fly both ways via TPA, remember to also include the return trip rental in your calculations.

 

[jdisnut]

Hi afabena. I live in Tampa. It is about a 2.5 hour drive from Tampa to Disney, depending on traffic.

Where in Tampa do you live? The drive from my in-laws’ house in Carrollwood to Disney property takes 75-90 minutes, barring terrible traffic on I-4. It’s never taken us 2 1/2 hours to make that trip.

 

[shocker]

Google Maps says the drive time from the rental car center at TPA to Disney Springs is about 1.5 hours -- and that also matches my experience having driven it both directions several times.

Thank you for the report. I was reading the PP report of 2.5 hours & thought what?!? I worked a week in Tampa & drove to WDW every night for dinner & rides & thought I did it in about 1 hour. Like you I had driven back & forth 10 times.

 

[JimMIA]

The real issue for OP is not the drive time. The drive time is what it is..

The real issues are the size and composition of their party, and the COST comparisons between the various options for travel, parking, airfares, etc, etc, etc.

 

[daisy2013]

We rent a car one way from MCo to Disney car care center. (Obviously not the same tpa) we used autoslash as soon as we solidified dates and have reserved a minivan for around $70. We have two bubble bum booster seats that weigh less than a pound each and blow up in under a minute. If I was flying into tpa we would do the same. We also have the ability to make a target stop and get sunscreen and some stuff for the room so there is less to pack and carry. I would check out auto slash you can always cancel it

 

[Afabena]

Thanks for all of the replies and the things to consider. We are actually renting points and staying DVC so I believe we would not have to pay for parking onsite? Originally the plan was to fly into MCO and use DME but the airfare is crazy expensive. I’ve even looked into flying out of philly, JFK or the smaller airports in NJ (our preference is Newark). I’ve been checking for months almost daily and the prices haven’t budged. If we flew into TPA we would be on an early morning flight, landing around 9:30. My kids will be 6.5 when we leave and they are good travelers so I’m not too worried about dragging them through and airport and then driving. Logistics of the booster might be annoying though. Can you rent boosters?

 

[Afabena]

Also, someone mentioned dropping the car off at a hotel as an option? Which hotels can you drop off a rental? We are staying at BLT. Thanks!! Trying to consider all options and opinions from others who have done it. I have not been to Disney since I was a kid prob 20 years ago, and we drove! Yikes!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Also, someone mentioned dropping the car off at a hotel as an option? Which hotels can you drop off a rental? We are staying at BLT. Thanks!! Trying to consider all options and opinions from others who have done it. I have not been to Disney since I was a kid prob 20 years ago, and we drove! Yikes!

Alamo has a location at Swan/Dolphin. It's right at the lobby; I forget which one. We were staying at BC but spent the day in MK so we took the park transportation back to S/D, got the car, and parked at BC. This was before parking fees went into effect. It was very easy. Most major car rental companies rent booster seats and car seats. I only did it once and it was gross. The car seat straps were all twisted and it was a PITA. I would research the cost of them and factor that into your savings for choosing TPA.

We have flown out TPA post cruise and it was an easy drive from Port Canaveral. All highway and way easier than driving in NJ.

Did you look into flying Frontier out of Trenton?

 

[JimMIA]

Can you rent boosters?

We have two bubble bum booster seats that weigh less than a pound each and blow up in under a minute.

Bubble Bum and similar are about $30 and are easily carried in a backpack. Pretty low hassle factor.

You can also possibly return the car to the Car Care Center and they'll take you back to BLT.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

We have done it and it was a great experience. TPA is much calmer airport. The ride to WDW is about 1hr 20 min. We rented a car.

 

[daisy2013]

Also, someone mentioned dropping the car off at a hotel as an option? Which hotels can you drop off a rental? We are staying at BLT. Thanks!! Trying to consider all options and opinions from others who have done it. I have not been to Disney since I was a kid prob 20 years ago, and we drove! Yikes!

Skip the hotel drop off and do the car care center. They will give you a lift back to the hotel and from bay lake tower it is the closest drop off point.

 

[writerguyfl]

Also, someone mentioned dropping the car off at a hotel as an option? Which hotels can you drop off a rental?

As other people noted, Alamo/National has several locations on Disney World property. If Alamo is the cheapest, it's fairly easy. I'm speaking with experience, as I end/start roughly 4 to 6 one-way rentals in the Disney World area each year.

But, there are times when Alamo is not the cheapest or they are sold out. There are several car rental locations at the various Disney Springs Hotels. If unfamiliar, these hotels are located within walking distance of the Marketplace Section of Disney Springs. You can always take Disney Transportation to/from Disney Springs to your Disney Resort.

The following rental companies are available, listed in approximate distance from Disney Springs (near to far):

• Avis: Hilton Lake Buena Vista
• Alamo/National: Hilton Buena Vista Palace
• Dollar: Wyndham Lake Buena Vista
• Hertz: Holiday Inn Disney Springs
• Enterprise: B Resort and Spa
• Budget: DoubleTree Suites

 

[JimMIA]

Just FYI, the Car Care Center is only for Alamo and National. If you rent from either of those, dropoff (and pickup on your return to TPA) would be very easy -- especially for BLT.

 

[Afabena]

Appreciate all of this insight! I will definitely look into the bumble bum. I’m still hoping for some miracle with MCO prices but I’m slowly running out of time to book.

 

[mullii5]

Talk to me please about flying into Tampa and possibly renting a car or Uber/taxi to our resort? Flights into MCO from the NY area are so expensive in Nov that we are debating about going into Tampa. Traveling are myself, DH, parents and 2 kids using booster seats. Thanks!

Like others have said, we rented a car in Tampa and drove to our WDW hotel. It happened to be the Yacht Club and the return facility for the car was at the Swan/Dolphin hotel. Driving enabled us to stop at the store for snacks and water for the trip. The whole thing cost us about 4 hours between the drive, stopping for lunch and stopping at the store. Magical Express can take up to 2-2.5 hours from MCO. Between the savings of flying into TPA and getting to stop for groceries, renting a car is something we will definitely do again.