Tampa vs. MCO

[goofydad99]

Is it worth the extra hassle?

Does anyone use the Tampa airport instead?

 

[srberubenh]

We have flown into TPA and MCO. TPA is about an hour further from Disney than MCO, but I do prefer the TPA airport. I find it less hectic and we can usually get a rental car cheaper there than at MCO. With that said, if you are staying onsite, you lose the benefit on being able to use ME and resort airline checkin.

 

[goofydad99]

We usually drive, but I am going on my own this year without 2 family members. I was planning on renting a car anyway...........

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We flew home from TPA once. It wasn't bad. We had a rental car anyway and we stayed at our TS approx 5 miles west of WDW. It was about 1 hr drive. We had a convertible. Put the top down and radio up and enjoyed our last glimpses of palm trees before going home.

Our kids were 6 & 9 at the time and didn't even gripe about the drive. I would do it again if I couldn't get good fares at the time of day I need.

As pp mentioned, if staying onsite, you would lose ME but if that's not an issue for you, go for it.

 

[DCbride]

If you can get a better rate on car and airfare then the hr. drive is worth it. I have landed at MCO and taken ME and it has taken me close to 2.5 hrs to get to my hotel if you count waiting at ME, stopping at resorts, unloading luggage at each resort....

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

If you can get a better rate on car and airfare then the hr. drive is worth it. I have landed at MCO and taken ME and it has taken me close to 2.5 hrs to get to my hotel if you count waiting at ME, stopping at resorts, unloading luggage at each resort....

Yes! Good point!! Might as well just drive yourself.

 

[champ.49er]

With airline prices soaring this year, we saved by flying into Tampa and used that savings to a rental car. We were going to rent a car anyways, so we don't mind the extra drive on our first and last days.

 

[KEMdisney]

Hello! I was just coming on to post about a similar topic, hope you don't mind me jumping on your thread!!

My sister claims that when she flew into Tampa two summers ago, rented a car, and then returned it at The Dolphin that SAME day that she paid close to $300- $400. She seems to think that if she flies in MCO, and returns the car to The Dolphin the same day that it will be different. Can anyone clarify or help me out on this? She is visiting a family member in Clearwater for about an hour before heading to Disney, so that is why she is renting a car.

If you can supply an info Id appreciate it!!

 

[SilverMickey]

We almost always fly into Tampa. Nice clean airport and it just seems easier than Orlando. We almost always save money on both the flight and the car rental. We are again this year! (We have family on the Gulf Coast but even fly there if our 1st stop is Disney!)

 

[DCTooTall]

I flew into and out of Tampa a couple years ago on my trip and actually enjoyed it. The airport and rental car experience are pretty nice. The biggest downside into Tampa over MCO is pretty much just the 1-2hr drive (depending on flight time and if you hit Tampa traffic)

That being said.... there are several possible advantages for you... For instance it could be cheaper for you to get a nicely timed flight in tampa than MCO. And as others have said, Rental car rates could also potentially be cheaper.

The landing approach over the water is kinda nice/picturesque as well.


And honestly, the thing I enjoyed most about it was being so close to the beach. We actually decided to fly in a day or 2 earlier than originally planned and got a nice beachfront hotel so we could enjoy the beach before starting our Disney vacation. It Also made hitting Busch Gardens pretty easy.

We also ended up having a late afternoon return flight, so we were able to swing back by the beach in the morning/early afternoon on our departure day and spend some time swimming and getting our last florida sunshine fix before hopping back on the plane to parts unknown.

 

[goofy4tink]

If you can get a better rate on car and airfare then the hr. drive is worth it. I have landed at MCO and taken ME and it has taken me close to 2.5 hrs to get to my hotel if you count waiting at ME, stopping at resorts, unloading luggage at each resort....

Ummm, that's really not a good representation of DME timing. The longest it has ever taken me was 90 mins!! The rest of the time it was much closer to 70 mins. You must have had very bad luck.
Please, don't misunderstand me...I am NOT saying you didn't have that experience. But, I do want to be sure that newer posters/readers don't think that 2.5 hrs is to be expected.

Hello! I was just coming on to post about a similar topic, hope you don't mind me jumping on your thread!!

My sister claims that when she flew into Tampa two summers ago, rented a car, and then returned it at The Dolphin that SAME day that she paid close to $300- $400. She seems to think that if she flies in MCO, and returns the car to The Dolphin the same day that it will be different. Can anyone clarify or help me out on this? She is visiting a family member in Clearwater for about an hour before heading to Disney, so that is why she is renting a car.

If you can supply an info Id appreciate it!!

No way of knowing. About the only thing you can do is to plug in the info on the Alamo/National site and see what comes up.



My ds lives in Tampa. Flying into Tampa, I can look down and see his condo. They live about 7 miles from the airport. We use Tampa as often as we can. It's a terrific airport. Very user friendly and smaller than MCO.....a ton fewer kids!! But, it does take about 75 mins to reach WDW. And that's not at rush hour. And doesn't include baggage retrieval and getting your rental. Plan accordingly.

 

[goofydad99]

Thank you for your responses so far. Keep them coming.

As for a 75 minute drive............it isn't a big deal for me since I am used to driving for 19 hours one way to get to the world.

 

[keishashadow]

Hello! I was just coming on to post about a similar topic, hope you don't mind me jumping on your thread!!

My sister claims that when she flew into Tampa two summers ago, rented a car, and then returned it at The Dolphin that SAME day that she paid close to $300- $400. She seems to think that if she flies in MCO, and returns the car to The Dolphin the same day that it will be different. Can anyone clarify or help me out on this? She is visiting a family member in Clearwater for about an hour before heading to Disney, so that is why she is renting a car.

If you can supply an info Id appreciate it!!

we typically rent from National (alamo in a pinch) but wound up using Dollar when renting car arriving @ MCO & dropping @ TPA precruise a few days later.

It might have changed since then but, at the time, Dollar was the only agency that didn't impose the 'drop fee' from MCO to TPA. Might be worth it to check into nearest Dollar return to WDW.

 

[Cherinva]

Tampa is a nice airport. Much smaller than MCO and easier to get around. The only thing is, you can't use ME, have to get your own bags and then drive to WDW....if you don't mind that, and it benifits you cost wise, then do it.