Saved $96 each flying into Tampa

[MouseLover]

from Fort Smith, AR.
We are flying March 19, ret 27th.
We purchased airfare on American for $185+tax, total $228 each. Prices into MCO were $326!!

Also, we got an Ent rate at National (on-site TPA), including taxes & fees for $202. (intermediate).

We will have to drive about an hour instead of 20 minutes, but I think it's worth it.

 

[debster812]

I think you made a great choice. I have flown into Tampa 3x in the past year for business, and I have YET to beat my luggage to baggage claim. By the time I am off the plane, make a quick stop at the restroom and get to baggage claim, the bags were already riding around. You might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you are out of the airport.

 

[tonilea]

We actually prefer Tampa, it is a very nice airport, less crowded than MCO, cheaper to fly into,and it is not that much further to WDW.

 

[FloridaCat]

Tampa is a much easier Airport to get out of. You will come up I-4 to WDW. If you are in the Epcot ot MK area, you want exit 64B

 

[Epscot]

Originally posted by MouseLover
Also, we got an Ent rate at National (on-site TPA), including taxes & fees for $202. (intermediate).

Are you sure National is on-site at TPA? I'm booked with Alamo and read here on the boards that National & Alamo share a facility at the end of the runway (a short 5 min shuttle ride away from the terminal).

 

[mrford]

Thanks for posting those prices. I had never considered Tampa airport. I am also looking to fly out of Fort Smith & was getting discouraged looking at the prices of flights. Looks like we will be passing in the night, we are leaving on the 13th, returning to Fort smith on the 19th of March.

 

[packy]

The Drive from Tampa is probably closer to an hour and a half when all is said and done. We are thinking of doing the same thing and I asked a friend who lives there. I think it is somewhere in the area of 80 miles, but it is all Interstate so it will go fast.

 

[MouseLover]

Well, National said they are in-terminal, but a shuttle ride will be okay if that's what it is. It can't be any worse than the shuttle + 2-hour wait to pick up a car at Alamo when it was "near" MCO.


Tampa is supposed to be 60 miles from the hotels we have checked. It may take us a little over an hour.

 

[FloridaCat]

I-4 is numbered from Tampa to Daytona Beach. WDW exits are 64,65. So add the miles from Airport to I-4 and that will be your mileage.

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by FloridaCat
...WDW exits are 64,65. ...

WDW exits stretch from 62 to 68. IMHO, the exit that is best would depend on what resort people are staying at.

62 is the World Drive exit. It makes a straight shot with no turns or traffic lights to the MK parking gates and the MK Resort Area.

64 (there is no 63) is the exit to US192. You really don't want to get off here just to head into Disney. Take 62 directly onto World Drive and avoid the lights and traffic that 192 gets. Use 64 for a grocery stop if needed.

65 is the Osceola Parkway. Handy for Animal Kingdom Resort area and Pop Century.

67 (there is no 66 either) is SR536. This is the best exit for OKW, POFQ, POR, CBR, and the Epcot Resort area hotels.

68 is SR535. This is the best exit for all the DTD hotels.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Epscot
Are you sure National is on-site at TPA? I'm booked with Alamo and read here on the boards that National & Alamo share a facility at the end of the runway (a short 5 min shuttle ride away from the terminal).

You are correct, National is no longer onsite at Tampa. They share space with Alamo which is offsite.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by MouseLover
Well, National said they are in-terminal, but a shuttle ride will be okay if that's what it is. It can't be any worse than the shuttle + 2-hour wait to pick up a car at Alamo when it was "near" MCO.


Tampa is supposed to be 60 miles from the hotels we have checked. It may take us a little over an hour.

Actually, if you look at their locations, you will see an icon with buildings in it for Tampa, which means a city location, and airplane , like the one you see when you pull up Orlando, indicates an onsite location.

At any rate, it is a very short ride.