Clearwater Aquarium Winter and Hope Info

[figment41]

I know it is not Disney...but we are thinking of going there for a day while at Disney. Are there posts anywhere that I can find out more info on how the travels were between the aquarium and Disney. Or any other information.

I tried doing several searches and have come up empty.

I know someone here must have done this before.

TIA

 

[pooh4evr]

Its an easy drive - about an hour and a half. We have been a couple of times, but always when were were staying in the Clearwater/ Ste. Pete area. If you are planning on just going thee for that day, I am not sure it is worth the special drive. It is neat to see the dolphins and other animals, but it takes just a couple of hours, maybe, not all day. I would try to visit the beach, and maybe do a dolphin cruise or something else too.

 

[CindySwims]

I live near the aquarium and take half day trips to WDW often, so the drive is an easy one. The aquarium is very small and is more of an animal rehab facility than an attraction. We never spend more than a couple hours there. The surrounding beaches are beautiful so you might want to fill your day with other activities as well.

 

[Flynnismine]

My DD(6.5) is completely obsessed with going to CMA to see Winter. She watches her on the webcam every couple days and has worn out the Dolphin Tail DVD. We're planning another trip to Disney next March for her birthday and are driving over for the day just so she can see Winter with her own eyes. She just can't wrap her head around the fact that Dolphin Tail was based off of a true story and Winter is a real live dolphin that she'll be able to see in person

 

[Sytrace]

I lived in Clearwater for a few years before moving to Orlando and have a few suggestions in addition to the time spent at the Aquarium.
You definitely will want to do more than visit Winter who is quite an attraction.
Caladesi Island in nearby Dunedin has a ferry boat that you can get on to take you over to a beautiful beach area. There is also some information on wildlife and the boat ride over is stunning. Many times the dolphins will jump in the water and play in the wake of the boat. The boat operators have been known to stop the boat and let passengers take photos. She can visit Winter and then see some real life dolphin playing in the water. There is a nominal fee to get on the boat and you can rent chairs and umbrellas at the beach it self, or you can pack your own. There is a bit of a walk from the dock to the beach, but it is not horrible.
Here is the link to their site.

https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Caladesi-Island

There is a wonderful pirate ship boat... http://captmemo.com/ right there practically across the street from the aquarium so you would be closer. That is also a good way to see the dolphins playing!

Frenchys' restaraunt is a favorite of mine on the beach and also right in the area of where you will be.

Enjoy your trip to beautiful Clearwater Beach...probably 1 .5 hours but allow extra time for traffic and road construction on SR 60. LOTS of road crews and traffic. Not to mention the locals and tourists who love the beaches!

Tracey

 

[Flynnismine]

Thanks for sharing so much awesome information on the Clearwater area.

 

[Sytrace]

Glad to help out. I love the area and my Mom still lives there so we go back at least once a month.

 

[figment41]

Wow thanks for all of the info.

Can we park at the aquarium see the aquarium and walk to a beach. Or do we have to drive to one?

We are also thinking of flying into Tampa doing the aquarium and the driving to Orlando for the rest of our trip. About how many hours will we need to spend at the aquarium?

Are there a lot of seashells at the beaches around there? Last time we went to Daytona and the shells were slim pickings and very tiny.

 

[Sytrace]

I personally would recommend driving over to the beach even though it is walking distance. The reason is that there is a traffic circle and since this road is the only one leading to Clearwater Beach from the city it gets really packed. From a safety standpoint, drive over and park at the beach or marina where the pirate boat leaves from. Or drive to Caladesi (right up the road a few miles) and take a ferry over to the beach.

The Gulf of Mexico water (and shells) are totally different from the Atlantic Ocean where Daytona Beach is located. I find lots of shells in the gulf and have a few times found sand dollars as well.

I would think it would only take a few hours to cover the Aquarium.... you could certainly fly into Tampa and go that way. It is about a 1.5 hour drive to Orlando from Clearwater Beach, but factor in time for the traffic on SR 60/Courtney Campbell Causeway/Gulf to Bay Blvd (yes, the main road has three names) not to mention the massive amounts of road construction happening.

 

[mls02]

What is the weather like first part of Dec? We are doing Disney for the first 3 days then driving to Clearwater to do the aquarium and spend the night in Clearwater. My husband is flying into airport there and thinking about getting a wave runner for couple hours and see if we can see the Dolphins that way also. Is it too cool that time of the year for this? Thanks

 

[minushka72]

My DS9 is obsessed with Winter, Hope and Nicholas also. His class watched Dolphin Tale last year in school as a treat and he is so happy that I agreed we can go to visit them on our trip next week!