MCO vs. surrounding airports

[DerraZ]

Traveling to WDW in June and currently flights are ridiculous in price. It is definitely cheaper to Sanford, Tampa but those are both further away? Has anyone done this? I am hoping and expecting that in the next 1-2 months, the prices will drop a little bit, they usually do but just in case, looking at alternatives. Would love to hear from anyone else that may have done it. Thanks-

 

[BlondieinFL]

As someone who lives in Orlando near Disney, I would fly into Sanford. It's not that far away - depending, could take an hour to get to WDW. I would not fly into Tampa because traffic can be terrible getting to Orlando, and it would take much longer.

 

[fla4fun]

As someone who lives in Orlando near Disney, I would fly into Sanford. It's not that far away - depending, could take an hour to get to WDW. I would not fly into Tampa because traffic can be terrible getting to Orlando, and it would take much longer.

I agree with this, as someone who used to live near Tampa and now lives near Orlando. Sanford is a suburb of Orlando, so at least you are landing in the same city. If you take the 417 toll road from Sanford it goes right down to Disney and the traffic is usually not too bad. When we lived near Tampa the only direct route to Disney is taking I-4, which is almost always heavy traffic and the distance is double the drive from Sanford. I would fly into Miami and take the train to Orlando before I would fly into Tampa.

 

[EACarlson]

I would also look into Melbourne. It's not often that prices are cheaper than MCO but it does happen occasionally. I'm actually going to Melbourne on Tuesday but flying into MCO and driving the rest of the way. It's a straight shot down 192 from Melbourne to WDW, took me a little over an hour when I did it last year.

 

[Ross Kratter]

As a local and also a former ground transportation professional in the area, fly into MCO. The cost savings to fly into Sanford, or especially Tampa, will be more than negated by the cost of your ground transportation. Also, rideshare availability to/from Sanford can be dicey. I would not fly to Melbourne or Lakeland; those are tiny airports with just a few flights per day.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Yes we love Tampa airport. Its an easy drive to WDW and the Tampa airport is not a crazy zoo like MCO is. Plus the flight prices are so much cheaper. Just pick flights that aren't around the rush hour time frame. Its takes under 2 hrs to get to Disney. On our last day at Disney we had a night flight out of TPA and we went over to Tampa early in the morning and checked out the Gulf Coast. The beach was great at Honeymoon Island. It had a bathhouse for changing/showering, cafe and you could rent beach equipment.

 

[sam_gordon]

We have done Tampa a couple of times, but that's also because we were going to my parent's (in Poinciana), so we were getting a rental car anyway and we were a group of five (so savings were multiplied). It doesn't hurt to price things out, just if you do so, account for transportation and time. The other airports (Sanford, Tampa, Melbourne), in addition to being cheaper are also smaller, which can also be seen as an advantage.

 

[MillauFr]

The traffic between Tampa and Disney is better since they widened I4 east of US 27.

 

[Ross Kratter]

The traffic between Tampa and Disney is better since they widened I4 east of US 27.

It still can be pretty bad at certain times of day.

 

[MillauFr]

It still can be pretty bad at certain times of day.

Agreed. But instead of the eastbound stop and go traffic starting 6 miles west of US 27 it is "only" backed up 2 miles before US 27.

 

[Anthony1971]

We have flown into and or out of Tampa a number of times. Never really hit traffic BUT the true meaning of traffic is based on where you live to me traffic is 4 hours to go 40 miles heavy traffic add another hour light traffic is 2 hours… most of the time it takes us about 1:15-1:30 have hit “traffic” but at most added 10-15 minutes. But I would think peak rush hours will be worse. Rental cars are $$$ unless you have an employee company discount it is hard these days… We get cars very cheap and yes they ask for company ID most of the time.
In the end MCO is by far the easiest both distance and added stress… and mostly maybe a few $ more when you factor in other costs unless you have 3-4 people with light luggage and a good car rental discount.

 

[SteveMouse]

You do need to consider ground transportation costs and timing. Mass transportation and the variety of car rental companies will differ between airports. You will want to plan accordingly.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

Simplicity matters. Decide what cost simplicity means to you!