[shut the front door]

Originally Posted by Pinball wizard

I always choose Tampa over Orlando if possible.

1. Yes, Tampa is a bit further away but I never have traffic and there are no tolls.
2. The airport is 'in and out'. I have never had long lines going thru security.
3. Pickup and drop off is quick and easy.
4. There is no Disney traffic inside or outside the airport.

^^^ This
I-75 is much easier than the turnpike and no tolls.
And if you're south of 44, the same 15 minutes off of your trip applies.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

I used to fly in and out of Tampa every month, for 12 years.

Since I moved to TV, I've used Orlando 6 times for me & 4-5 times to pickup/drop off friends.

There is absolutely no comparison. Tampa is lightyears more efficient and easier than Orlando. Orlando is full of "tourists", mostly with children ... & no one has a clue where they're going, how to get there or why they have to go there.

Flying into Orlando, is the only airport I've flown into in 30 years, where people "clap" when the airplane lands. If that's not a indication of novice flyers, nothing is.

Yesterday, it took me 25 minutes to get from the Orlando "Cell Phone Lot", back to Terminal B. The signage is atrocious.

Orland is amateur hour, use Tampa.

It kills me the cell phone lots have poor to no signal...

[JoMar]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

Also look at Sanford airport.

Tampa is about 20 minutes further than MCO
MCO car rentals are easy to get to, just cross the street. Not sure about Tampa.

Depends on where you are coming from I guess. We and our guests use Sanford because they fly from secondary airports. Smaller, faster in and out. Works well for where we go and from where our guests come from.

[rjm1cc]

No rental car experience. For pick up and drop off I like Tampa. Orlando is a very busy airport and just opened an expansion section and has many many problems for passengers using that new facility. Rental cars are probably at the top of the problem. If you are coming in a few weeks the problems might be solved.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Pamela1130

Thank you everyone for your reply. We are visiting for the first time and staying at the Brownwood hotel. Traveling from the airports with a rental car seems daunting so have decided to hire a car/limo service back and forth. Need now to find a car rental in or near the Villages and hopefully a place to rent a golf car for the week. Thanks again!!

The Villages Golf Cart Store in Brownwood Square rents carts. It's walking distance from your hotel. You can't reserve one now, but there MIGHT be some available when you arrive...

[Bzemom22]

Our choices in order of priority: 1)St. Petersburg/Clearwater 2) Tampa International 3) Sanford/Orlando 4) Orlando International

[toeser]

Originally Posted by Normal

Orlando, just avoid Avelo airlines. We had a nonstop flight and they still managed to lose our luggage for 2 days. Don’t forget during holidays to not count on parking either. Always take the shuttles during those periods or you could be stuck with parking unavailability just before your flight. Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Years travel makes the “long term” lots fill fast.

One plus may be where you reside in the Villages, if you are South of 44 , Meggison will basically connect to the turnpike and reduce the drive time to Orlando by about 15 minutes! This should happen within the next 6 months.

We always pre-book a reservation with a highly-rated lot. We have never had a problem driving and parking.

[HeleneGB]

Enterprisecrent a car is in Lake Sumter.

[JayDub]

There is. Enterprise rental in Lake Sumter 352-751-2417 good luck

[JeanC]

We prefer Tampa. My husband travels frequently for work and insists in Tampa. Yes it’s a tad further but worth it because the crowds are less in the airport. We went to pick up our daughter there last Thursday the 22nd and it was so easy. Orlando airport is always a madhouse. You can incur traffic going to either. You never know what you will encounter on the turnpike. Lately it’s been questionable. And you may have some thick traffic on 275 near hillsborough area in Tampa. But it’s worth it once you get to the airport and have no congestion.

[westernrider75]

Originally Posted by Pamela1130

Hi all:

What airport do you think is easier to get out of and get a rental car to take us to The villages? Both airports are convenient from where we live. We are hopefully taking a short trip first. I would move in tomorrow but have to convince my husband so want to get a feel of the Villages before we book a future Lifestyle visit.

Thank you

We have used both and found there are good and bad with both. Orlando is a bit closer but always seems more crowded especially with kids. Tampa is a little further and rental car experience is a little longer but less crowded. Sometimes flying into Tampa was less expensive also.

[ithos]

Originally Posted by Normal

Orlando, just avoid Avelo airlines. We had a nonstop flight and they still managed to lose our luggage for 2 days. Don’t forget during holidays to not count on parking either. Always take the shuttles during those periods or you could be stuck with parking unavailability just before your flight. Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Years travel makes the “long term” lots fill fast.

One plus may be where you reside in the Villages, if you are South of 44 , Meggison will basically connect to the turnpike and reduce the drive time to Orlando by about 15 minutes! This should happen within the next 6 months.

That new connection to the Turnpike is great news. Can you cite a source for it?

[Lindaws]

Mco

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by ithos

That new connection to the Turnpike is great news. Can you cite a source for it?

I suspect they are referring to Megason Road connecting to 470 near the Turnpike entrance.

[Sgt Ed]

Originally Posted by Pinball wizard

I always choose Tampa over Orlando if possible.

1. Yes, Tampa is a bit further away but I never have traffic and there are no tolls.
2. The airport is 'in and out'. I have never had long lines going thru security.
3. Pickup and drop off is quick and easy.
4. There is no Disney traffic inside or outside the airport.

Being that I lived i Tampa for 30 years I find it much easier than Orlando. Traffic is so much easier, and no tolls. Parking in Tampa is easy easy. The Terminal is a dream, easy convenient and comfortable. Rental cars abound all the big names and some smaller ones.