is TAMPA worth it over MCO, if flight is way cheaper?

[goofy4tink]

My ds lives in Tampa.....actually about 8 miles from the airport. The drive isn't bad. But it can get trafficky close to the airport. The area is fairly well marked.
As far as renting a car goes....I must have gotten lucky. I've never had a higher rate because of different pick up and drop off spots. But, you do need to be aware of what rental companies are close by. Alamo and National are both at the Dolphin and Car Care Center. Other companies are located in the hotels in DTD. Some offer shuttle service back to your resort.

 

[wishes114]

We are a family of two and are flying into Tampa this Saturday. We are renting a car one-way to Orlando and dropping it off at the Dolphin. I just could not find a decent fare down. We are flying out of Orlando so we will be taking Magical Express back to MCO. Well worth it for us - saved us hundreds!!

How much are you paying for the one day, one way rental? We are looking at doing the same thing.

 

[Rpsemont]

It can be easy to rent a car one way. Many companies don't charge a drop charge between Orlando and Tampa. We have flown into Tampa and out of Orlando and visa versa. More importantly, what time of year and time of day are you looking at for you return trip home. Tampa traffic can be brutal! especially around rush hour. So it could mean you would have much earlier departure from WDW by flying home from Tampa.

 

[njmom47]

It's been almost 2 years since I rented a car in Fla (not for WDW) but we flew into FLL (Ft Lauderdale) and flew out of RSW (Southwest Regional in Ft Myers area). Our rates went way down about 10 days out. We rented with National and our rate was $108 for 4 days (originally was $220 or so IIRC). Register with their (whoever you decide to rent with) saver's club and see what extras you might get (National has 2nd driver for free). Also, when you're doing your car rentals, Google "XYZ car rental codes" or coupons; play around with your reservations. Usually you can save your reservation, and cancel it when you find a better deal.

 

[richmo]

A lot covered here...my thoughts (sorry, some are dups):

- As part of considering flying to TPA and renting, as opposed to MCO and ME, figure on about 1.5 hours of driving. Also you have to figure in the cost of the rental. The problem is car rental rates change fast and you usually don't find the best price until a week or two (or even less) before you depart.
- Of course, add gas in too. There are no tolls between Tampa and Disney on I-4.
- Also look into a split trip (flying). You could fly into TPA and leave from MCO (or reverse). You would also need to look at the impact on the car rental. It might be more expensive, but it may not. There are not the traditional high drop off charges within Florida, and if the drop off city needs vehicles, it could be less. Although there are not drop off charges, sometimes coupons don't work unless you return to the same city.
- Of course, a car gives you flexibility you wouldn't have without. Ability to hit a store, different parks, off-site restaurants, etc.
- Someone brought up if you could fly into TPA, drive to MCO and get ME. The answer is yes...what you'd have to do is find a dummy flight arriving in MCO about the time you would return the car. Of course, as others pointed out, you could also drop an Alamo/National car at the Dolphin or Car Care Center (next to Hess outside MK exit), as long as you set up the reservation that way. Using those two locations is often more expensive than returning to MCO/TPA, but not always. Check everything out.

Personally, I have flown into TPA when the flight difference is large, but I much prefer MCO. Especially when you have to leave Disney for TPA, you have to allow plenty of time...keep a close eye on I-4 traffic that day.

 

[elaine amj]

I don't think $200 savings would be worth it to me (and I've done a lot of crazy things to save $20). The cost of renting and driving a car would negate most of that savings. UNLESS - you want the car during your trip. If you want it enough, it may be worth it.

Now a one-way rental would make a lot more sense. 1-2 day rentals can be very cheap. If you spent $50 to save $200, then that would be worth it IMO.