TPA vs MCO: WWYD?

[twansi99]

Hi there, first post here...I've learned so much from these boards.

We are booked through Airtran and flying in and out on a Sunday, mid-August. Are flights are set to fly in and out of MCO, but I've been reading that MCO is very crowded, busy and may take hours to clear through security. We are a family of 5, one being a baby. We are spending our last 3 days in Clearwater and I'm really thinking about changing our flight home to TPA. Airtran changed our flight times so I believe we get one courtesy change (thanks again to the Disboards). So what would you do - drive 1.5 hours to Orlando and fly out of MCO or change to TPA?

TIA!

 

[seashoreCM]

If you will be closer to TPA on going home day, do change your flight home to be out of TPA. Assuming there is no surcharge for dropping off the rental car there and no surcharge for changing your flight.

 

[Bets19]

I agree with the above. If its not a hassle I would change my flight to leave out of Tampa. I've flown in and out of Tampa many times and have had no problems.

 

[goofy4tink]

'If' you are able to change to a flight out of TPA, with no fees, then go for it. Since you'll be in St Pete at the end of your stay it would make much more sense to leave from TPA vs MCO.
Dropping the car at TPA shouldn't be a huge issue. Not many car companies charge a fee for a different drop off area in Florida.

Even if there is a small charge to change to a flight out of TPA I would be very tempted to go with that. Just not worth the addtl effort to drive from St. Pete to MCO just to fly home.

On the other hand....it's just not all that bad at MCO. Yes, security lines can be long, but I've never been in line for more than 40 mins....and that was just the one time. Other than that time, security usually takes me about 15 mins total at MCO. I certainly wouldn't change my plans simply to avoid security at MCO.

 

[Greysword]

I agree with goofy. If the change fee was below my comfort zone at the time, I would change to TPA. This is mainly so I wouldn't have to drive all the way to MCO.

Also, take into account the express tolls you'll pay once you get into the MCO area to get to the airport.

EDIT: Another idea, if you know you'll be flying out of TPA, you may consider making that your arrival destination (if required to save fees). Since you'll make the drive sometime in the trip, it may be easier to do it early rather than late (and still no express road tolls).

 

[ccgirl]

Have flown into MCO then gone to the Clearwater area and left from TPA many times. I do prefer TPA's airport and have yet to be charged for returning a rental car there. Not sure if AirTran will let you change airports without a fee though.

Good luck.

 

[*Seanaci*]

If you will be closer to TPA, then switch.

If you're thinking of switching just because of security lines at MCO, don't. When we go to Disney, we go during Christmas week (we have to go during school breaks as it's the only time mom can take any extended time off with the school district). And we've NEVER been in the security line longer than 15 minutes...and that includes or 2008 trip when we took our 15 month old son.

Good luck.