One day in the Tampa/Orlando area, how to spend it?

[snoopy5386]

We are headed to Tampa in a month for SIL's wedding. We have one day free the day before the wedding and I'm trying to figure out what we should do. We're headed to Disney for 2 days after the wedding as well. It's myself, DH and DDs 7 and 3.

My original plan was to take the kids to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to see Winter the dolphin. However the price is quite high $70 for the 4 of us and SIL is actually getting married in the Florida Aquarium the next day and we'll have full run of the aquarium during the wedding. How much aquarium is too much? But it'd be really neat to see Winter and she's not going to be there forever.

Another option would be to go to the beach. However DH is not a beach person, so he is not a fan of this option. Honestly, I'm not even sure he'd step foot on the sand with us. Plus it may not be warm enough to swim.

And finally we have APs for Disney so we could just head over to there for another park day, it's "free" and we'd all love it.

What would you pick? I'm also very open to other suggestions!!
Thanks!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

There is also the Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) in Tampa, and Lowry Park Zoo. I haven't taken my kids either place (I had one trip planned, but we opted for Disney instead), but I've been to MOSI as an adult and enjoyed it.

There's always Busch Gardens, but it would be pricier than the aquarium, I'm sure.

 

[snoopy5386]

Yes we did Busch Gardens in the fall and Sea World too, saving Legoland for a future trip. Haven't been to the zoo there in ages and never have been to MOSI, thanks!

 

[JillyBean1899]

What day of the week will you be in Tampa? If it's a Saturday or Sunday, Big Cat Rescue does Kid's Tours, which would allow them to be just a few feet away from some of the cats that the rescue houses. Otherwise, MOSI would be lots of fun for them, so if you can't do BCR, I vote for that.

 

[uccats97]

I'd go to Disney with your AP!! Honestly, I've done Busch Gardens, MOSI & Lowry Park Zoo. In my opinion, all are very similar to things I can do at home. I have even used my zoo and museum memberships to get in free at both places as they participate in the reciprocal program. You can usually find discounts to Busch Gardens on Coke cans. Your choice, but I'd do Disney, hands down! I haven't been in years, but there is a place called Weeki Wachee Springs where you can watch "real" mermaids swim. It's a Florida State Park and has many things to do.