Orlando International or Tampa

[boff64]

What are the thoughts of whether it's worth flying into Tampa or not.

The reason I ask is because our inlaws have just returned form 2 weeks in WDW with another horror story about Orlando International. Took them close to 3 hours to get out of the airport with the double carousel, immigration and car hire thing, and I must admit that whenever we've flown in there we always think what a zoo it is!!. The first time we went we flew into Sanford which was an absolute dream to exit from albeit a little way out of town.


We were just wondering whether Tampa would be more civilised. We're staying in the Lindfields area so we were thinking that the longer car journey may be negated by a less stressful arrival.

What do you think guys and girls????

 

[SimonV]

There would have to be a reasonably substantial price difference to make me fly in to Tampa rather than MCO. You have got a minimum 90-minute drive from Tampa airport once you are through immigration, etc, there and, while it is a simpler airport to deal with, I'd rather be stood in a queue for a bit longer and have a 20/30-minute drive afterwards. MCO is slowly getting better at dealing with the immigration system and the double baggage system shouldn't really hold you up too much. The only real problem there is if you are the last of the daily UK flights to arrive (3 Virgin, 1 BA) and you get at the end of the 1400-plus people they have to process in the space of 2-3 hours. Even then, the experience you describe would be at the extreme end of the scale these days.

 

[angel659]

To be honest I have only ever looked into flying into Tampa for cheaper air fares. I agree MCO can be a nightmare, with the double baggage re-claim etc. We have also flown into SFB, but personally speaking I prefer MCO. Yes it feels like we are cattle, but I have also been delayed on several occassions with immigration and baggage claim at SFB. It took over an hour to get through immigration and then a further waiting time with baggage, SFB in my opinion has never been the quickest when it comes to baggage reclaim. On top of all that you have the long drive. It really is horses for courses.

I would check to see if you could save money on flights to Tampa. If not I would stick to MCO. Also you have more choice who you can fly with. Only charter flights such as, MY Travel, Thomson who fly to SFB.

Hope this helps.

 

[wayneg]

Of all the airports in the world I have used I have always found OIA about the best. Always takes around 60-90 mins from landing to leaving car parking lot. Sounds like we have been lucky. Then for the return flight the facilities are fantastic. Flew once from Sanford and after a 3 hour delay said never again. Never considered Tampa but would have to save a lot think about that kind of trip.

 

[boff64]

Well it looks like MCO wins hands down.

Looking at the BA website there is no difference in price for Tampa or MCO so that rules that out then

Thanks once again for your thoughts. Superstars as ever.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

The double-baggage claim issue aside I actually think MCO is a great, modern airport.
Everyone is tired after a long flight so it's always a pain with the customs/baggage/security checks etc but overall I have no problem with MCO, guess I am fortunate that our Manchester flight generally arrives before the other Virgin planes from Gatwick.

We actually sometimes stay at the Hyatt Airport hotel the first night as we just find it easier for our son.

 

[angel659]

Well it looks like MCO wins hands down.

Looking at the BA website there is no difference in price for Tampa or MCO so that rules that out then

Thanks once again for your thoughts. Superstars as ever.

Same here that was the only reason I thought of Tampa a few weeks ago, but the prices are not really cheaper.

 

[UKDEB]

A few tips for getting through MCO a bit quicker:

• Send the driver to sort out the car, whilst the rest of the party picks up the cases from the second baggage claim.

• Each of the car hire companies has a free-to-join fastrack program. (Alamo's, for example, is Direct Road, Dollar's is Dollar Express). Each operates in a slightly different way, but they all offer a separate queue at the desk. If you arrive at the rental desk to find a 30-deep line, you'll be so glad you've taken the time to enrol.

• Choose seats near the front of the plane. If you're at the back, you'll be behind 400 other passengers in the immigration hall.

• As you come down into the immigration hall, don't just join the nearest queue. People tend to congregate in the middle lanes, so look to either side. At the very far right-hand side of the hall are the lanes for US Citizens. It often helps to get in the lane to their immediate left as, once the one or two US Citizens from your UK flight have passed through, they will call over those waiting in the next lane.

The quickest we've ever passed through MCO is 30 minutes, the average is 45-60 minutes and the longest has been about 2 hours.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Most of the delays we experience are simply down to waiting for our bags, this can add easily 30 minutes to the time it takes for you to clear the airport.
After all if your bags come off last you ain't going anywhere!

We find flying PE with Virgin helps as the bags 'usually' come off first.

Personally don't find any of the customs/security checks hard work, they are there for a reason.

Further to Deb's post on the immigration hall, if like us you have a disabled passenger in your party, if you head to the lane on the far right you should in theory get through a bit quicker.

 

[wicket2005]

Wouldn't entertain flying into Tampa at all, after all that travelling the minimal driving to the hotel the better. I have flown into Orlando once and Sanford 4 times, with no great problems. Always feel a bit laid back and excited because we are actually back in Orlando again.

 

[scottishsue]

We have flown out of Orlando International many times and never had any problems at all. In fact the last couple of times we got through amazingly quickly, picked up our car, and were on our way after around an hour.

It seems a very efficient airport from what we can tell.

 

[mikki.young]

We once flew to Tampa as a friend was going to meet us - 'you can't get lost in Tampa!'. Well, she couldn't find us at the airport and then promptly got lost in the car taking us to her home

If you are at the back of the line for immigration MCO feels like it is forever but Deb's tips are Ace - exactly what we try to do to minimise the wait. Also agree with Johnny - the Virgin PE luggage can speed things up too.