Combiningg WDW and Tampa Vacation

[jaypatty]

We plan to be in FL 10/24-11/4/2009. We want to stay at Port Orleans French Qtr until Nov 1 and then stay on a beach in the Clearwater area the remainder of trip. Is it better to stay at WDW the entire time and just drive to the beach for the day? It appears I can get better prices with a WDW package deal rather than trying to divide the trip with two different hotels. Any suggestions from people who have done this in the past?

 

[MarthaJr.]

Depends.........Are you flying into MCO and out of TPA? Driving?? If you have to drive back to Orlando to leave--I would say stay at WDW. If not--ya gotta go to the beach! Gulf beaches are absolutely gorgeous white sand beaches and that is the perfect time to visit. We've gone several times in late October and always had beautiful weather and mid 80's temps.

We've done the split trip many times.....Mama needs her beach time!!LOL!
We always do WDW first...then the beach. The beach hotels are much more affordable in the fall.

That being said if Disney decides to extend the 4/3 deal--I would choose that instead and stay at CBR so I feel like I'm at the beach!

Hope this helps.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Every August before going to WDW my family and I spend a week in Clearwater Beach and then it's off to WDW. Also in December we do the opposite so we first visit WDW and then it's off to Clearwater Beach for the rest of our vacation.

 

[eandesmom]

We plan to be in FL 10/24-11/4/2009. We want to stay at Port Orleans French Qtr until Nov 1 and then stay on a beach in the Clearwater area the remainder of trip. Is it better to stay at WDW the entire time and just drive to the beach for the day? It appears I can get better prices with a WDW package deal rather than trying to divide the trip with two different hotels. Any suggestions from people who have done this in the past?

We had a Clearwater condo and drove to WDW for the day. Despite getting up early and leaving late we did not get a full day at WDW. It felt VERY rushed and stressful and the drive took longer than we'd thought. Of course, part of that could have been due to my ex-evil-SIL who HAD to have a margarita from Mexico before we left with an ex-MIL who just couldn't move that fast. I still shudder thinking about it.

On the flip side our trip and day at Busch Gardens worked out really well from Clearwater. I would keep them separate and try to fly into MCO and out of Tampa to make the most of the trip. We loved Clearwater though!

 

[kgle]

I am kind of doing the same thing. We are down there for 10 days and taking 3 days off from the parks as I have family in Land O Lakes. I plan on renting a car and driving out there each day and then coming back to Disney. I am not getting a separate hotel room, especially since the traveling will be in the middle of the trip. The drive is a little under 2 hours so I am okay with driving back and forth.

 

[maddiesmom0116]

I just did that same trip. I stayed at clearwater for the first 3 days to go to Big Cat Rescue and Busch Gardens. It is a long drive to clearwater, so I would recommond staying there. We also did the Captain Memo's pirate cruise at the beach and it was awesome. If you decide to do this, I would caution you not to pick the Holiday Inn Express as the maid stole some of my makeup, skin care and my light weight Coach trench coat while we were at Busch gardens almost $500 all in all and they could have cared less. They also had teenagers partying both nights and did nothing to stop all the noise.

 

[jaypatty]

Not sure yet which airport we will fly into. Flying in and out of Tampa would be cheaper, about $100 less per person (and there are 3 of us). I would like to do Clearwater after WDW so I can rest after a week of all that walking. Any good hotel suggestions for Clearwater?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Any good hotel suggestions for Clearwater?

I would recommend the Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites on Sand Key.
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/tpams-clearwater-beach-marriott-suites-on-sand-key/

 

[MarthaJr.]

Here's a link you might find helpful

In Clearwater Beach we have stayed at the Hilton--nice, wide beach area and next to the pier where there are street vendors-kind of fun and far enough away from the hotel so it's not a bother. Hilton is a bit pricey-depending on the season.Also stayed at the Quality Inn--not so nice--very narrow beach area -hardly any beach chairs. FYI-There are not a lot of moderately priced hotel options that are directly on the beach in Clearwater Beach.

We prefer St. Pete Beach just a little farther south...more of a laid back, low key atmosphere with more hotel options directly on the beach. We've stayed at the Tradewinds Sandpiper (2x), Sirata Beach Resort(3x), Beach Haven(Mom & Pop type hotel-clean but a lttle dated) and Travelodge. I would highly recommend all but the Travelodge--very run down.

I would strongly advise that you don't drive back and forth from Orlando. Tampa traffic can be brutal--it once took us over 3 hours from Orlando to Tampa for what should have been an hour and a half at the most.

 

[jaypatty]

Thanks for all the responses. I think I'm going to fly into Orlando and out of Tampa. Will also check into all the hotels recommended in St. Pete and Clearwater!

 

[kmvand1]

We stay at the Doubletree Resort in Reddington Beach, just a few miles down from Clearwater. It is a beautiful beach!

 

[MarthaJr.]

Just an FYI-http://travelzoo.com show a really great price at the Sheraton Sand Key resort in Clearwater for spring--$179/night with breakfast for 2. This is a very nice resort. Perhaps you might look into this place for your fall vacation.