On-site vs Tampa w/ 9 month old

[Mocharilla]

My Dad offered to let us stay with him in Tampa, but we're debating staying on site anyways.

So, I wanted some other inputs.

We're thinking it'd just be easier to be there, to have somewhere to go if DS needs a nap or a break from the heat, and not have to drive back and forth every morning.

Is it worth the 229$ it'd cost us? I'm thinking it probably would. Especially due to parking costs.

 

[PrincessNana]

We took our 9 month old grandson (and his parents) last summer to WDW. We stayed onsite at Fort Wilderness. We went to the parks everyday, but we took Colton back to the RV every afternoon about 1:00. We rested in the afternoon and went back to the parks in the evening. It was great being close enough to enjoy the parks without getting overly tired.

 

[debster812]

You'd be looking at about an hour drive each way to and from Tampa to WDW. Not bad for a day or two, but for an entire vacation, it could get old, very fast. I'd go for onsite personally

 

[hoosiergirl7]

I would just stay onsite. I had a friend that used to be a Cast Member and she lived just over half way between WDW and Tampa so that she and her roommates could actually have affordable rent and she said it was a 40 minute drive for her. She said that from Tampa it's about 1 hr 15 min to WDW. With a 9 month old I wouldn't want to do that every day. And just a reminder, gas prices will be going up. I heard by Memorial Day they are expected to go up $.75 per gallon.

 

[eeyorefan74]

I think it would definitely be worth it to stay onsite. Disney vacations are exhausting, and not just for your 9 month old. It's so convenient to just get on a bus and let someone else drive you to your resort. And naps and downtime can make such a difference in how everyone feels. I wouldn't want to have to make that kind of a drive or deal with traffic with a tired baby. Once you add up costs of parking, gas, and stress, I think you'll be better off onsite.

 

[1rockinmamato2]

It's 70 miles one way from Tampa to WDW. That's over two hours (probably almost three with traffic) in the car each day to get to and from WDW. IMO, it's not worth it with a 9-month-old.

 

[trivial]

If it takes about 1 hour to drive to/from Tampa every day, that would cost a lot in terms of gas, so be sure to consider that as well.

 

[Gillian]

I've driven from Tampa, and to sarasota. It's really a long trip at the end of the day, or early in the morning. It is totally worth staying onsite. You'll only be there a few days?

Really, with a 9 month old your best bet is to get to the parks when they open and then take a break in the afternoon when you get tired. That's difficult to do when you are staying over an hour away.

 

[DISNEYFOS]

We did the trip from Tampa to Orlando a few years back. Its a pretty long drive with lots of traffic. We only did it two days out of the 10 we were visiting. Once to Disney the other to Sea World. There was construction so it may have impacted the trip as well..But I wouldn't recommend it if you want to spend a lot of time at WDW.

I agree with the others on getting up early (if your nine month old is anything like mine your'e up at 6:30 anyways ) hitting the parks when they open for less crowds and heading back mid afternoon for rest at the resort. Hang out at the pools.

 

[megal0331]

I live in Tampa currently and we are staying on-site when we go in a month. With the cost of gas anymore (it's $3.19 at the cheapest place here), it's not as cost effective. You might as well stay on-site or closer and enjoy not having to drive and pay to park.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[DisneyFed]

Another vote for staying on site...Tampa is a deceptively long trip--especially with Traffic and construction, etc. etc....