Transportation options from TPA

[china mom]

We are flying into Tampa and out of Orlando. There will be three of us (maybe four).

What are the transportation options between TPA and WDW? I can't find any town car prices online and no one seems to be answering their phones.

Here are the options I have come up with so far:

Rent from Alamo for $105 after airport fees and drop off at the Disney Car Care Center. Take DME home

Rent from other rental company via Priceline for $60, drop family off at Pop century then continue on to MCO, drop off car and take DME back to Pop.

Can anyone suggest any cheaper/more convenient options?

 

[FCDub]

Most convenient is dropping off at the Car Care Center

If you do #2, I'd skip driving all the way to Disney, then BACK to MCO. I would drive from TPA to MCO, then drop the car, then have everyone hop on DME the rest of the way. You'll save more than an hour of time that way.

 

[joelkfla]

Most convenient is dropping off at the Car Care Center

If you do #2, I'd skip driving all the way to Disney, then BACK to MCO. I would drive from TPA to MCO, then drop the car, then have everyone hop on DME the rest of the way. You'll save more than an hour of time that way.

But Disney is on the way between TPA & MCO; just zip up World Dr., and back out on Osceola Pkwy. How could that possibly take more than an hour?

And your way, OP & party would have to deal with getting all the baggage from the car rental to DME, as opposed to dropping it at the resort first and giving the rest of the party time to unpack and settle in, or do something fun if they prefer.

 

[FCDub]

But Disney is on the way between TPA & MCO; just zip up World Dr., and back out on Osceola Pkwy. How could that possibly take more than an hour?

And your way, OP & party would have to deal with getting all the baggage from the car rental to DME, as opposed to dropping it at the resort first and giving the rest of the party time to unpack and settle in, or do something fun if they prefer.

30 minutes to the airport, then waiting for the bus, then the bus driving. That's over an hour of extra time away from the family.

I would prefer to not be separated from my family for that long on the first day of the trip. Other people can certainly disagree.

 

[china mom]

I appreciate your thoughts on that FC but separating isn't a problem. DD and I have AP s and will go straight to the park while DH makes the trip. He doesn't have tickets this trip so will chill by the pool all weekend. We won't see him all that much anyway.

 

[JohnneeO]

You can also drop off an Alamo Rental at the Dolphin. Then you can use WDW transportation back to POP. Take the boat to DHS, and a bus to POP.

If you can find a competitive rate with Avis, they have a location at the Hilton in the Disney Springs area.

 

[china mom]

You can also drop off an Alamo Rental at the Dolphin. Then you can use WDW transportation back to POP. Take the boat to DHS, and a bus to POP.

If you can find a competitive rate with Avis, they have a location at the Hilton in the Disney Springs area.

Thank you////looking up Avis now.

 

[MrKnight]

Other than driving, an alternative option would be to take the Amtrak train. It's a quick and easy train ride, the price is approx. $10 per person from Tampa Union Station to Kissimmee Station (closest station to WDW). You can use a quick Uber/Lyft to get to/from the train stations. Visit the website below:

http://www.amtrak.com

 

[kaytieeldr]

This

30 minutes to the airport, then waiting for the bus, then the bus driving. That's over an hour of extra time away from the family.

Is different from this original statement

I would prefer to not be separated from my family for that long on the first day of the trip. Other people can certainly disagree.

and is, as admitted, personal preference.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Other than driving, an alternative option would be to take the Amtrak train. It's a quick and easy train ride, the price is approx. $10 per person from Tampa Union Station to Kissimmee Station (closest station to WDW). You can use a quick Uber/Lyft to get to/from the train stations. Visit the website below:

http://www.amtrak.com

This seems to be extremely convoluted, time-consuming, and stressful.

 

[joelkfla]

This seems to be extremely convoluted, time-consuming, and stressful.

Agreed. 1 train a day in early evening, which frequently runs late, and Amtrak recommends arriving at the departing station at least 30 minutes in advance with carry-on only or requires at least 45 minutes in advance with checked baggage. And self transferring baggage 4 times: airport to car, car to train, train to car, and car to hotel. Amtrak has liberal carry-on allowances, but dragging everything up into the train car and stowing it seems like a chore.

I'm a supporter of rail travel, but given the service level, station locations, and alternatives here, it just doesn't make sense.