Oh Gail...I need your help/advice. RE: flying into Tampa

[3PRINCESSMOM]

Okay here is the deal. Sometimes the early bird doesn't catch the worm! I booked JetBlue for our December trip about 7 weeks ago, ($876 total for 5 r/t). They have since dropped both flights I booked from their schedule. I am cancelling 'cuz flight time was a major factor for me booking with them. Yesterday I found great fares on American ($601 total), but again the schedule wasn't ideal. The caveat there is my dad is a 38 year AA employee so perhaps we'd get to fly first class. Today SWA schedule comes out, but the fares for my dates are not competitive yet. While I was in my frenzied state, I decided to begin to look into Tampa. Well I can book BOS to Tampa for my exact dates and fantastic flight times on Song for a total of $583! Unbelievable!!!

However, I have read quite a bit about Song changing flight times, too. Do I book Song? Tell me about the travel from Tampa to WDW. Would you throw in some info about Nat'l car rentals out of Tampa, too?

I do love my SWA, but am I going to do any better than $583 for 5 to travel, even if I wait it out?

Now if you went ahead and wrote a book like I recommended before, I wouldn't be seeking you out SO MUCH! Take care!

 

[Brikate]

Originally posted by 3PRINCESSMOM
Tell me about the travel from Tampa to WDW. Would you throw in some info about Nat'l car rentals out of Tampa, too?

I'm bumping this up for you.

I am also flying into Tampa for the first time at the end of Dec. (DH & I will be spending 3 nights in WDW before cruising from Tampa on 1/2 ) and plan on using National (hopefully).

 

[safetymom]

I'm not Gail but I can tell you they are doing lots of work on I-4 between Tampa and WDW. There are rolling roadblocks at diff. times of day as they expand the road. Just allow extra time for your commute to WDW and back and you will be fine.

 

[3PRINCESSMOM]

we'll be landing in Tampa Friday night and heading back there late Saturday afternoon the following week, so it is my hope that traffic will only factor minimally. Once again, thanks for the heads up!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by 3PRINCESSMOM
Okay here is the deal. Sometimes the early bird doesn't catch the worm! I booked JetBlue for our December trip about 7 weeks ago, ($876 total for 5 r/t). They have since dropped both flights I booked from their schedule. I am cancelling 'cuz flight time was a major factor for me booking with them. Yesterday I found great fares on American ($601 total), but again the schedule wasn't ideal. The caveat there is my dad is a 38 year AA employee so perhaps we'd get to fly first class. Today SWA schedule comes out, but the fares for my dates are not competitive yet. While I was in my frenzied state, I decided to begin to look into Tampa. Well I can book BOS to Tampa for my exact dates and fantastic flight times on Song for a total of $583! Unbelievable!!!

However, I have read quite a bit about Song changing flight times, too. Do I book Song? Tell me about the travel from Tampa to WDW. Would you throw in some info about Nat'l car rentals out of Tampa, too?

I do love my SWA, but am I going to do any better than $583 for 5 to travel, even if I wait it out?

Now if you went ahead and wrote a book like I recommended before, I wouldn't be seeking you out SO MUCH! Take care!

Do you book Song? Oh, I will not answer that one!!!! I value my life. LOL But, that fare is pretty darn good.
Travel to and from Tampa is very easy, IF you avoid the construction Safety Mom mentioned. From what I gather from your flight times, you will probably miss most of the actual work times.
National is now offsite in Tampa. The ride to the location is very short. I have not rented from National in Tampa, only Alamo. They share the same cars and space there, so, you should be able to get a nice car.
If I had the time, I would consider writing a book, but, with all the wonderful sites out here and the numerous books that already exist, I doubt I would make much of an impact, but, thank you for the compliment. Besides, with a book, you would not get personal answers from many people, like you do here.

 

[safetymom]

Most of the work is done in the evening with lane closures, etc. I have been stuck in many evening traffic jams.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by safetymom
Most of the work is done in the evening with lane closures, etc. I have been stuck in many evening traffic jams.

Figures!!!! But, do they work on Friday nights? Up here they work Sunday night to Thurs. night.

 

[safetymom]

They work 7 days a week except for holiday weekends.

 

[ducklite]

I flew into TPA and travelling north in I-4 to Route 27 a couple months ago. Traffic was brutal with horrible construction. Speed limit goes up and down and up and down.

I'd do it again to save the money if there was a big difference, but I'd definitely plan on a minimum of two hours TPA to WDW. IMHO the traffic and construction problems were worse on the southbound lanes (saw a ten mile backup betwen Zephyrhills and Lakeland!), so leave plenty of time to get back.

Anne

 

[drgnfly30]

3Princessmom - I'm doing almost exactly the same thing, in November, flying into Tampa late Friday night & departing the following week on a Saturday afternoon. I've done the Tampa to Orlando drive before - on a weekday around noon with a tiny bit of construction & we made it in an hour which I have been told is pretty good! I'm actually going to opt to stay in Tampa that night & drive over to CR the next morning. But I agree that if you give yourself two hours of travel time you'll be fine. I'll be sure to post how it went when I get back mid-November!
Christine

 

[3PRINCESSMOM]

I still haven't decided for sure. However, I let the AA deal expire. I want to travel on specific dates. I am really unsure about Song! I've never used them. Based on some responses, or lack of, this is a debatable subject, I gather...???

The construction doesn't really scare me. We could actually stay in Tampa area first night, rise and shine early, and head to WDW then. On our last day I would allow plenty of time, (basically eat lunch and head out for a 7:15 pm flight).

This is the part of the planning I hate! I am always torn when it comes to choosing our flights!

I love the way our August trip came together. The only reason we're going is because I got $49 (each way) SWA out of PVD. No agonizing.

Anyway, thanks again.

 

[gw_lit]

Song is a product of Delta... in my view they are the same basic product. All of the "legacy carriers" seem to be quite good at changing flights around to meet seasonal travel flucuations, especially since they generally have their schedules open 11 or 12 months out. (IMHO, Song and Ted (United) will probably be the worst about changing schedules since they are still trying to find their niche.) Southwest generally sticks to published travel times since their schedule usually goes out 4 or 5 months. I can't comment on jetBlue since I haven't flown on them.

I travelled to WDW in May on American, booked my flights about 10 months in advance, and I must have had 5 changes to my itinerary.... nothing major, in fact I think we still arrived in Orlando about 15 minutes later than when we were originally scheduled.

 

[ducklite]

As an FYI, the Hilton by the Tampa airport (westshore) is VERy comfortable and convenient to the airport. I'd stay there again without hesitation.

Anne

 

[3PRINCESSMOM]

Now that SWA has some great fares for my dates I really don't know what to do. In order to take advantage I'd have to fly out of MCO much earlier on Sat, 12/11. However, SWA, an airline I have some experience with and have been more than satisfied with is appealing. Getting to have more time on our last last is a big draw for my entire family, but the variables involved with the drive from WDW to Tampa that last day scare me a little. Will I end up being so worried that the distraction will negate any benefit of having that day there? Also, the unknown of dealing with Song cause me some anxiety. From what I can gather people here are really divided with regard to satisfaction on Song. If I don't just make a decision soon I am going to miss out on the great fares being offered. Oh, the stress!

TY everyone.