Need help with flying into airport other than MCO

[busymomma123]

We are planning to drive to DW next weekend. We have flown the last five years, but my DH decided to pick days that are hard to get rates on. Now reality has kicked in and we are getting a little nervous. Its about a 15 hour drive with 4 kids, my mom, and us. To fly from our airport to MCO is around $500 a person. We can fly into Fort Lauderdale for about 220 a person. We could fly in a day before and leave out a day after our reservations at Disney. My question is can we rent a car just for the trip over and back from Ft. Lauderdale? We would only need it for then as we just use disney transportation once we are there. Has anyone flew into another airport besided MCO when going to Disney? This is a last minute thought and just need some quick advice. Thanks so much!!!

 

[ccgirl]

We are planning to drive to DW next weekend. We have flown the last five years, but my DH decided to pick days that are hard to get rates on. Now reality has kicked in and we are getting a little nervous. Its about a 15 hour drive with 4 kids, my mom, and us. To fly from our airport to MCO is around $500 a person. We can fly into Fort Lauderdale for about 220 a person. We could fly in a day before and leave out a day after our reservations at Disney. My question is can we rent a car just for the trip over and back from Ft. Lauderdale? We would only need it for then as we just use disney transportation once we are there. Has anyone flew into another airport besided MCO when going to Disney? This is a last minute thought and just need some quick advice. Thanks so much!!!

I've done longer rides. Maybe you will be surprised! Do you have portable DVD players?

To answer your question, I have flown into Tampa many times as well. A lot also fly to Sanford.

Good luck.

 

[busymomma123]

We can actually fly into Tampa for around the same price. How does the rental car work with getting to the hotel? We are staying on Disney property.

 

[CarolAnnB]

We flew to Ft Lauderdale to drop DD at a friend's, then drove to WDW. It was an easy drive, a little over 3 hours, I think? Are you saying you just want to rent one way and then return it at WDW, then rent again to drive the day back? Or are you keeping it the whole time? Check the rental rates, sometimes there are drop fees if you return at a different location. We have picked up at the Dolphin before. There is also the Car Care Center at MK where you can rent, they will pick you up at your Disney hotel if you are staying at one. Sounds like you need a van, not sure what the rates would be, check Mousesavers, she has lots of discount codes and info on rental there.

 

[ccgirl]

We can actually fly into Tampa for around the same price. How does the rental car work with getting to the hotel? We are staying on Disney property.

Not sure I understand your question. My family prefers a rental car anyway so we just keep it the whole time. It is free to park even at the theme parks since you are an on site guest.

 

[tobikaye]

Even though it looks to be only a 3.5-4 hour drive from Fort Lauderdale to WDW, how much additional time/money/stress is it really saving you?

Not sure which airport you are flying out of, but if you have to be there 1.5-2 hours before your flight and the flight is about 3 hours to Fort Lauderdale (total guess based on your 15 hour drive), estimate about 1 hour after landing to get luggage and rental car. So, not even including travel time from Fort Lauderdale to WDW, you have an estimated six hours of travel time involved. Add in the four hours to WDW from Fort Lauderdale and you are looking at 10 hours travel.

If you are planning to stay the night in Fort Lauderdale before making the the trip into WDW, it is not much different than stopping along the way to break up the 15 hour drive.

I have made 15-16 hour trip from where I live to Florida twice just this past summer and I have made the flight once earlier this year and again next month. I much prefer flight for time, but if I had to fly more than two hours out of the way to get a cheaper flight, it would make me wonder if it was worth it. For Orlando, the only other airports I would consider would be Tampa or Sanford.

Edited to answer Tampa Rental Car:
I would say to check car rental prices for the entire time frame of your trip. Since it does not cost anything, unless you valet, to park the car at WDW, I would just plan to keep it there. Once you check in, you will be given a parking pass to put in the dash of the car while you are there. This parking pass also gives you free parking at the parks.

 

[Lewisc]

How many in your group? 6? 7? Renting a vehicle, particularly one way, for 6 (or 7) people with luggage will be $$$. Price the car rental. Try AAA and COSTCO rates (if you qualify) Also try kayak and carrentals.com

 

[busymomma123]

The biggest reason for looking into flying is for my DH. We learned today that he has reherniated a disk in his lower back. I am trying to get him to postpone the trip until next year, but he will have none of it. He is really looking forward to going and doesnt want to miss it. That said the ride down and back he is not looking forward too.

 

[Sandi]

We have flown into Tampa and rented a car there and drove to WDW. (We were visiting relatives in Tampa and chose to fly into Tampa and out of MCO.)

Your issue is going to be getting a car big enough for the 7 of you. Like another poster said, you'll need an SUV or a Van and those can get pricey. I'm not sure how many days you're staying, but sometimes it's less expensive to rent a car for a week than it is to have two one way rentals. You're going to have to run numbers to see what the costs will be. Good luck.

 

[JanB]

I would imagine that there are shuttle/limo services between the Tampa airport and WDW. I googled "Tampa airport shuttle to Disney" and got a bunch of results. This is one example ---

http://www.centralfloridashuttle.com/

The DIS recommends FL Tours, but it isn't clear to me whether they pick up at any other airports other than MCO ---
http://www.wdwinfo.com/Transportation/transportation1.htm

Here's a list from Mouseplanet
http://www.mouseplanet.com/dtp/wdwguide/3_Tripplan/traveling_issues/airport_shuttles.htm

These types of services, you will pay per-person. With the size of your family, they might give you a discount. It still might cost less than renting a vehicle for a week, particularly the size vehicle that you will need.

Prices don't seem to be readily available online. You'll need to email them for a quote.

You could even call the hotel where you will be staying and ask if they can recommend a shuttle service from whichever airport you choose.

I have used these types of shuttles in other cities, and they can work really well and efficiently. You just need to find someone established and reliable.

 

[Tweedle Dees]

There is Amtrak rail service between Tampa. Kissimee & Orlando. Not sure how close the stations are to the airport & WDW (quick cab ride?) but the fares are very reasonable, although limited to one train per day. Has any one here tried it? Thanks for any info you may be able to share!

 

[DonnaL]

if the fares to Tampa are just about the same as to Ft. Lauderdale....I would definitely choose to fly into Tampa....it's only about an hour and twenty minute ride vs. about 3.5 to 4 hours from Ft. Lauderdale.

 

[carye1]

Last year I flew into and from Tampa (my wife had a conference there, so I tagged along and we spent 3 extra days at WDW). It was really easy to get there and back; and if I remember correctly, the drive was just over an hour.

 

[sammielynn]

I see your main issue being a rental car. Flying into another airport than MCO is easy if you can get a car at a decent price. Right now rental cars are running very high. You can rent a car in Tampa, drive to Disney and drop the car off at the car care center or some of the Downtown Disney Hotels and take a bus back to your resort, then rent another one for the return trip to the airpost.