OMG!! Airfare went down for me. Pls help me choose which airport!

[mermaidwannabe]

Oh my gosh, I'm almost shaking. I thought we were going to have to cancel our trip because airfare wasn't below $450 and this morning it is $318!!!!! Now I don't know if I should fly into/out of Orlando or Tampa. We are going to DW first and then some gulf coast beach, so my first thought is Tampa. We will def have to rent a car and are staying at POR so would like one anyways.

Any thoughts on which airport is better? Thank you!!

 

[Tink3rbell86]

hello. Im not sure if for you booking round trip is cheaper but for us flying out of NY we found it cheaper to book one way tickets and fly out of JFK and in to LGA. so maybe u could Fly into Orlando and out of tampa? Just an idea. good luck with whatever u decide!!

 

[goofy4tink]

Why not split 'em??? I do that all the time. Fly into Orlando, then drive to Tampa area, and then fly out of Tampa. Tons of people do that all the time.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

I just priced out one way to Orlando coming there and then one way from Tampa and it's the same. Anyone have experience with getting a rental car from one airport and returning to another? Or should I stick with round trip and just driving a little.

Thanks!!

 

[snowbunny]

I have a rental (National) in May picking up at MCO and dropping off at DAB (Daytona). It was the same price as returning to MCO.

 

[Tink3rbell86]

i havent done it in Florida but i have rented a car in NC in one airport and returned it at the other. i had no problems at all. just make sure both airports have the same car rentals most airports have the same ones. we rented enterprise and it worked out just fine. GooodLucck!!!

 

[katied]

I've done a lot of one way car rentals. Before you book you're airfare, try to price it out and see what you're looking at. Lots of rental car companies will add a $200 surcharge for one way rentals - or stick you with much higher rates. Other times, you're fine (seems to depend on if the rental car company has a need to move cars from one place to another, in which case they are happy for you to book the one way rental). The key is to know what you can find before you book your flight (unless you're willing to pay a premium for the convenience.)

 

[mblsj]

I generally like picking up a rental car at MCO - walk across to the garage, load luggage and go. Also if your rental is one where you pick your own car- like National Emerald Aisle, the selection at MCO is usually pretty good, as the threads on this board can attest.

But that being said, TPA is really no problem either. I just use whichever one has the better airfare for that particular trip. And I have also done the "fly in one place and out another..."

From what you are describing (no cost differences), I might go in to MCO for WDW, then out of TPA after the beach. Maybe it would add you an extra hour or two for fun- instead of driving to the airport!

 

[mermaidwannabe]

Okay, I priced out the car situation, and I could REALLY cut down the price if I flew into MCO, got the free shuttle to POR and then pick up a car at Disney Car Care Center the day we leave to go to Tampa area. I just don't know if I'll regret not having a car for POR!!

 

[goofy4tink]

I have rented in Orlando and returned at Tampa International many times..it's been no problem.
But..it depends on where you get the best deal for rentals in Orlando. Sometimes the airport is the best place. If you don't need the car for your WDW time, you can always use DME, to and from your resort. Take it back to MCO, pick up your car and then return to the resort, grab your bags and the rest of the family and head to the gulf coast.
If you can get a decent rental cost at WDW (National/Alamo at the Dolphin, various others in resorts in DTD)f, then pick up then and drive straight to Tampa.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

I have rented in Orlando and returned at Tampa International many times..it's been no problem.
But..it depends on where you get the best deal for rentals in Orlando. Sometimes the airport is the best place. If you don't need the car for your WDW time, you can always use DME, to and from your resort. Take it back to MCO, pick up your car and then return to the resort, grab your bags and the rest of the family and head to the gulf coast.
If you can get a decent rental cost at WDW (National/Alamo at the Dolphin, various others in resorts in DTD)f, then pick up then and drive straight to Tampa.

So smart! Never thought of that! Trying it now. Guess I need to go back to the "Do I need a car at POR" threads, lol.

 

[Tink3rbell86]

you could also carry ur own bags on DME and not have to go back to DW that would save you time.

 

[snowbunny]

Okay, I priced out the car situation, and I could REALLY cut down the price if I flew into MCO, got the free shuttle to POR and then pick up a car at Disney Car Care Center the day we leave to go to Tampa area. I just don't know if I'll regret not having a car for POR!!

Seeing you have several options on the car, I'd grab the air now and then worry about the car. The airfare could disappear at any time.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

Seeing you have several options on the car, I'd grab the air now and then worry about the car. The airfare could disappear at any time.

Thanks for the push. This is what happened to me a few weeks ago when there was doable airfare and I was frantically trying to find where to stay at DW, where to stay on the coast, etc.

 

[disneemama]

I have flown into Tampa many times, rented a car then return it to MCO without any problems. Book the flights then watch for the car specials. Really never needed a car at POR but if you get a good rate, its quicker to get around Disney with a car. I like to be able to take side trips around there.

 

[uva185]

FYI, you can book this as one ticket using the milti-city option. That way if there is a schedule change, delay, problem, etc with any of your segments you are protected on the other segments of your journey, otherwise you're on your own for the portion that is not affected.

Example: There is a storm that affects/cancels your outbound but not the return. If you booked 2 one-way flight you could be allowed to modify the outbound due to the storm but not the return. If you booked it as 1 ticket using the multi-city function you could be able to modify the outbound AND return.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

FYI, you can book this as one ticket using the milti-city option. That way if there is a schedule change, delay, problem, etc with any of your segments you are protected on the other segments of your journey, otherwise you're on your own for the portion that is not affected.

Example: There is a storm that affects/cancels your outbound but not the return. If you booked 2 one-way flight you could be allowed to modify the outbound due to the storm but not the return. If you booked it as 1 ticket using the multi-city function you could be able to modify the outbound AND return.

Good to know for the future! I did not know that. Unfortunately, I booked it as 2 one-ways. No way to go back and undo that at this point, I'm afraid. Good to know though!

 

[goofy4tink]

you could also carry ur own bags on DME and not have to go back to DW that would save you time.

Not really since you have to go right past WDW to get to Tampa. If just one person were to go to MCO to pick up the car, they could take an early bus, while everyone else gets packed and ready to go. Then back to the resort, grab a bite to eat, pack up and say goodbye to WDW.
It looks like the OP has found a good rate at the CCC. They can get a shuttle over to the CCC office...arrange it the day before you want to pick up the car.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

Not really since you have to go right past WDW to get to Tampa. If just one person were to go to MCO to pick up the car, they could take an early bus, while everyone else gets packed and ready to go. Then back to the resort, grab a bite to eat, pack up and say goodbye to WDW.
It looks like the OP has found a good rate at the CCC. They can get a shuttle over to the CCC office...arrange it the day before you want to pick up the car.

Again, thank you! Didn't even think how I was going to get over there! Whoa, I've been on this computer ALL day arranging POR changes, flights, car, condo near Clearwater, 1 night at Cocoa Beach (since girls have never set foot in the Atlantic Ocean lol), figuring out difference going through Undercover Tourist vs a package, whether to do Quick-Service Dining... I'm exhausted!!!!! I know you all do the same thing, but I need some chocolate or something!

 

[Halle]

We paid $300 fee to pick up at one airport and dropoff at another CA so please be sure there are no fees associated with that.