Orlando vs. Tampa Airport

[mom2bros]

Has anyone used Tampa's airport instead of Orlando? How is the drive from Disney to Tampa- a lot of traffic/construction usually, etc.? We'd be doing the drive on a Saturday morning/early afternoon.

We are planning on flying into Orlando airport (reasonable price), but flights out of Orlando back home are insane. I priced out flying out of Tampa instead, and we can save almost $900 for four of us for one flight! Even factoring in a car rental from Disney to Tampa, we'd be saving significantly. I'm just hesitant to keep my kids confined in a car and then on a plane shortly after (they're 3 and 6).... I fear meltdowns! My other option would be to switch the dates of the trip and fly in/out of Orlando. The downfall to switching the dates is we'd have to take a late flight in (arrive at Orlando airport around 10:30)... then between magical express, checking-in, walking to the room, I'm guessing we're looking at 12:30 AM before we're in bed. Again, that's not ideal with the little ones, but I'm thinking (or should I say *hoping*!) they're going to be sleeping on the plane and bus.

 

[OKW Lover]

Its a pretty easy drive from TPA to WDW. It will take about 75 minutes (vs 30-40 minutes from MCO) and the only real confusing part is when you first leave the airport. Once you're on I-4 (about 10 miles from TPA) you just go.

 

[Moonwolf]

I did the drive from Universal (driving past WDW) to the Tampa airport last October (on a Sunday around noon). I agree it was a fairly easy drive. There was some slight concern close to the airport due to some highway construction that was going on at the time but between my phone GPS and the signage I was able to work it out on my own.

 

[robndani]

we've done it twice before. once because we spent time in tampa and once because it saved us $2000 on flights! even with the rental car, it was well worth it. the drive wasn't bad. it took around 2 hours with traffic, etc.

 

[Malsf05]

Thanks I never thought of using Tampa airport, This is sounds like a good deal for me. My only issue is I wasn't planning on bringing a carseat for my 3 year old on the plane, if I have to rent a car from Tampa I'll definitely need a carseat.

 

[Hootch]

We head to the Gulf Coast every trip. It's an easy drive. In fact one trip we stayed on Longboat key. There were several people from a wedding party driving to Disney two days from the Key.

On a Saturday morning you'll be driving with all of the other people heading to Disney and Universal.

 

[Emacneil]

You could check with the car rental place to see if you can rent a car seat???

 

[Barbydoll8]

I live just west of TPA and will tell you it's fairly easy. Be warned though, there is construction around the airport that will cause higher than normal congestion of the road. So if you are coming from WDW to Tampa, you will take I-4 west to I-275 south towards Tampa/St. Petersburg. At the merge of I-4 & I-275 it can get confusing and thick with traffic on a Sat afternoon. There really isn't an "off ramp" and I-4 kind of just merges into I-275. I've been in stop and go traffic on a Sat afternoon adding an extra 15-20 min to the airport exit. Plan for that just in case.

TPA itself is a fantastic airport and wins awards regularly for being easy to navigate and having great shopping/dining options. The drive is signed fairly well and personally, I think it's worth it. As a local who is about 14 miles west of TPA and about 75 miles west of WDW, I normally can make the drive in about an hour and a half. Plan for two hours just in case.

 

[DisneynBison]

We flew into Clearwater last (PIE) last year as the flights were insanely cheap. We had happy limo pick us up and take us to Disney and back. Cost about $500 + tip but it was nice and easy and still cheaper than flying into MCO TPA or even SFB.