[Michael 61]

I have done countless trips between Orlando and Colorado Springs this year in my lead-up to finally buying this month, so Orlando Airport has become very familiar. The terminal for Southwest is always very crowded, with long lines for any food/coffee places. The last few times, it took 90 minutes just to get through TSA (the agents in Orlando seem much slower than at other airports to me). Now that I’m a Villages resident, I am going to try Tampa for my next flight - though a little longer drive, the advantages seem to be worth it, based on the comments here.

[Altavia]

If you have to use Orlando, Clear is worth the extra cost, gets you through security in 5 min.

They have a free trial promo

Enjoy a faster, safer, touchless way through airport security, venue entrances, and beyond.

[Pamela1130]

Thank you. If I rent a golf cart for the week, (if that's possible) do you think I will not need to rent a car also? Thank you very much for your advice. I was going to see if I could rent a car in the villages once we got there instead of driving ourselves from the airport. Too much stress doing that!

[Bilyclub]

The key to flying is having Pre-Check or Global Entry to get thru the TSA checkpoints faster and easier. A few credit cards will even reimburse the fee if you charge it to that card.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Raybe

I applaud every time I land. Have never understood how heavy planes stays up.

I'm an Instrument Rated Pilot and I'm not sure I understand the magic.

[Carlsondm]

Originally Posted by Pamela1130

Thank you very much. I thought so but my contact there said both are the same distance. That could be true but the car rental in the airport would be very convenient.

We enter and exit the Orlando Airport on the south side. It is much easier to get to the turnpike on the south airport connectors. Garmin always directed us to the north side and it was quite a bit longer. We are south of 44 in TV and the Orlando airport is a quick trip. < 1 hour

[Nana2Teddy]

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.

In The Village of DeLuna we have a gate on 301, and just a one minute drive from the gate is the turnpike on-ramp. This was a big plus for us as Disney fans, and also having all of our family in California we’ll be heading to MCO a couple times each year. Cool that Meggison will connect eventually too.

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by Pamela1130

Thank you. If I rent a golf cart for the week, (if that's possible) do you think I will not need to rent a car also? Thank you very much for your advice. I was going to see if I could rent a car in the villages once we got there instead of driving ourselves from the airport. Too much stress doing that!

If you have a golf car, you really don’t need a regular car. You should spend time mapping the route from your house to the grocery store and other places youll get essentials.

[Pmarlow]

Originally Posted by Pamela1130

Thank you. If I rent a golf cart for the week, (if that's possible) do you think I will not need to rent a car also? Thank you very much for your advice. I was going to see if I could rent a car in the villages once we got there instead of driving ourselves from the airport. Too much stress doing that!

Are you staying at the hotel or are you doing a lifestyle visit? If you are doing a lifestyle visit then the villa you get will include a golf cart. If you are staying in the hotel then you will have to rent a golf cart. You can get everything you would need by golf cart if you’re not leaving the Villages.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Orlando is about an hour's drive from The Villages and Tampa is about two hours.