leaving Tampa

[minniegidget]

When my sister and I started planning this trip she said that we woul leave Tampa (we are visting her daughter and her family) at about 9 pm. On May 1st. You know after the kids went to bed. Then I tell my sister I dont want to drive at night. Ok she says we will leave about 3 pm after lunch. Ok. Then I still want more time at WDW so I ask if we can leave at 12pm. I tell her that I want to make sure we get there before it gets dark. She says she understand and we now are leaving at 12 pm. But now I start thinking wow we really could have one more whole day if we just leave at 8 am when We pick up the rent a car. So one more phone call to my sister( she is already in Tampa visting her daughter and 3 grandkids) Tell her my new plan to spend one more whole day at WDW. Telling her that we need this extra time because it will be so busy the whole time we have at Disney. So now we are leaving Tampa at 8am. Cool one more day at Disney. But I do feel a bit guilty taking my sister away from her grandkids a bit early. She has been with them since the 29th of Marchand we are not leaving Tampa till May 1st.
So can someone now tell me how long it will take to get form Tampa airport to the POP Century? If I check in before 12pm do you think That I have a chance to get the room I wanted 50's building facing the lake so I can see Wishes?

 

[Scoootch]

It takes roughly 2hrs or so to get from Tampa to Orlando (barring no traffic) from what I understand. I cannot speak from experience as I live on the east coast of FL and have never made this trip but I'd guess that from what others have told me that this is correct as Orlando is in the middle between where I live and Tampa. (it takes me an hour and a half to get to WDW).

As for checking in to PopC and getting your requests met....the earlier you check in the better your chances I'd think but ya never know

Best of luck and have a great trip!

 

[Feralpeg]

I don't know anything about the Tampa airport, but I drove to and from Tampa the other day. There is construction a good part of the way. It only took me a little over an hour each way, but I've been told that some days it can take up to three hours depending on the road crews.

 

[tinkerbell81284]

You are absolutely correct. It can take anywhere to 1 1/2 hrs to 3 hrs or sometimes even more depending on traffic, construction (especially in Polk County), etc. Usually anytime between 7:30am and 11:00am is pretty good on I-4 and I-275.

Jessica

 

[pigtail]

Its about one hour from tampa airport to disney. If there is an accident, it can be much longer. But if its moving - an hour or less.

 

[spectro man]

I live in Tampa and go over to Disney about 4-5 times a year. From the airport, it will probably take you around 2 hours.....maybe 1 1/2 hours. It all depends on the time of day and traffic. It is pretty much a straight shot on I4. Good luck!

 

[madalex]

I'm with those who say the drive is about 1-1/4 hours from the airport (assuming no major traffic or other delays). I've driven many times from St. Pete's Beach (about a half hour south of Tampa) and we can easily get from there to WDW in about 1-3/4 hours. No way is it 2 hours from the Tampa airport.

 

[mwerner2]

I just spent a week driving back and forth each day on I-4 from Lakeland to the main gate entrance of WDW. (Lakeland is about halfway between Tampa and Orlando)

Some days the traffic moved just fine, and it was a quick trip. Other days the traffic went at a slow crawl and it took an hour to go 5 miles. There aren't really any good alternate routes, so if you get stuck in traffic, you're stuck! We went at different times of the day, but it didn't seem to make much difference.

Don't make yourself crazy by setting up your schedule so that you *have* to make the trip in 1-2 hours. If you make it in that time period, great!, you get extra time at the World. If it takes 3-4 hours, oh well----

Please drive safely, that stretch of road is all under construction and treacherous.