Tampa is it worth the saving?

[kells]

I was looking for our flights and car hire for next year and it is £300 cheaper per person direct to Tampa rather than mco, for a family of 4 that’s a fair bit to save but was just wondering if anyone has experience of Tampa, other than distance is there any other disadvantage from using Tampa, we plan on getting a villa around champions gate area.
Thanks in advance guys.

[Simon & Suzann]

Originally Posted by kells

I was looking for our flights and car hire for next year and it is £300 cheaper per person direct to Tampa rather than mco, for a family of 4 that’s a fair bit to save but was just wondering if anyone has experience of Tampa, other than distance is there any other disadvantage from using Tampa, we plan on getting a villa around champions gate area.
Thanks in advance guys.

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£1200 saving then i wouldn't hesitate to go Tampa. It's not a great deal longer than MCO to drive really esp Champions Gate area.

You could do a few nights either side down the coast. Also Busch Gardens is close if you plan on doing those parks?

[Hornet1976]

A no brainer imo for that saving, especially if you stay at Champions Gate - it's an easy drive there from Tampa.

[loldis]

I'd agree. If you're going to be hiring a car anyway, no downside to Tampa. Immigration shouldn't take as long as not as many international flights through, so may even work out much the same time wise.

[Kasalic]

If you are happy driving in USA then absolutely take it, I would do it if it were £50 cheaper per person to avoid the hell that is MCO!

The drive is easy, and as mentioned, not much longer than MCO.

Our trip through MCO in January 2019 was the worst, over two hours in the immigration hall, 30 minutes waiting for luggage, 45 minutes sorting out a car, and then over 2 hours driving to Poinciana.

Not the end of the world but we just wanted to get to the villa, order pizza and have a beer/wine!

[MrsEgg]

We've decided to go to Tampa due to the cost saving next year, I'm hoping it can't be as bad as the 2.5hr immigration queue at MCO in 2019 😅

[Claudette]

We don’t drive over there, if we did, I would have no hesitation in booking Tampa. I would probably even book it as a first choice, even before the savings to be made.

[Chilli-pepper]

I would have no hesitation, and not necessarily because of finances. (generally use miles) but if massively more cost effective then yes I would fly to Tampa.

We often go into and out of different airports if we cannot find the flights times/days we want into MCO with Virgin miles. We will go to Miami or Atlanta and dive up/down so Tampa would be a doddle for us.

[Bozza]

An absolute no-brainer as stated above.

Frankly, given what immigration at MCO can be like, I'd probably pay a little bit more to fly into Tampa. We've always breezed through there.

[kells]

Thanks all, that was just what I wanted to hear! I’ll get booking.