OT - Stay in Tampa or drive to Seaworld at night

[renae3]

Hi everyone. I have a question and hoping to get some advice. This time we are flying into Tampa Friday night at 7:45. We plan to go to Seaworld the next day early. Should I get a hotel by the airport or should we drive to Seaworld and find a hotel in that area. Not sure what to do since it will be late after we get our luggage and rental car. We have 3 kids ages 10, 7, and 4 too. What would you do? Does anyone know how long a drive it is from Tampa to Seaworld? Thanks so much!!

 

[Cobern]

Hi everyone. I have a question and hoping to get some advice. This time we are flying into Tampa Friday night at 7:45. We plan to go to Seaworld the next day early. Should I get a hotel by the airport or should we drive to Seaworld and find a hotel in that area. Not sure what to do since it will be late after we get our luggage and rental car. We have 3 kids ages 10, 7, and 4 too. What would you do? Does anyone know how long a drive it is from Tampa to Seaworld? Thanks so much!!

It is about an hour and half to get there. Might be quicker since it is later at night. Personally I would just drive to Orlando unless the driver is just too tired. It is a pretty quick trip in I-4

 

[brertoad]

The drive would vary between 1:10 to 1:30 depending on traffic -if there are no accidents or delays. I'd only stay in Tampa if you were planning on doing Busch Gardens the next day. But since you are doing Sea World, I'd go ahead and get the drive out of the way, and stay in Orlando.

 

[castleri]

Agree with PPs . Traffic that time of night will probably be lighter than the following morning. You might look for a place to stay along 192 in Kissimmee or along the lower end of International Drive.

 

[kiki02]

Hi everyone. I have a question and hoping to get some advice. This time we are flying into Tampa Friday night at 7:45. We plan to go to Seaworld the next day early. Should I get a hotel by the airport or should we drive to Seaworld and find a hotel in that area. Not sure what to do since it will be late after we get our luggage and rental car. We have 3 kids ages 10, 7, and 4 too. What would you do? Does anyone know how long a drive it is from Tampa to Seaworld? Thanks so much!!

depends on what time you arrive in florida.

if it's very late, and it were me , i 'd gt a room asap and sleep.

if you are arriving before 10, drive to / near sea world. have fun

 

[Ali]

Having made that drive many manyt imes in my life I would suggest driving earlt in the morning on Saturday. Friday nights are the worst traffic, you are unfamilliar with the area, and you will already be tired. Saturdays are light Tampa traffic early in the morning and Sea World does not get a rope drop feeling like Disney parks. You can get to Sea World right before opeing if you have tickets and have no issuse getting in quickly.

 

[ilovemk76]

I would drive to a hotel by SW.

 

[Luvchefmic]

I live exactly 1/2 way between Tampa and WDW I drive I-4 almost daily heading that way

I would drive that night to the SW area and then get sleep I'd hate to fly in, sleep, and then deal with traffic Sat morning which builds on I-4 between Tampa and the attractions surprisingly early lately

Have a great time

 

[seasheller]

Drive to Lake Buena Vista area on Friday night, get a good night's rest, and see Seaworld in the morning.

 

[mieuxmew]

It depends...

Where are you traveling from? Is it a long flight? Will you have a time zone change? Will you be up late the night before packing then working all day and rushing to get to the airport? Later flights are also more subject to delays. My flight last night had over a 2 hour delay. Also, where will you be staying the remainder of your trip? I am not a huge fan of moving to different hotels, especially with little kids. You need to factor the pros and cons and see what best fits your family.

 

[mieuxmew]

BTW - we were just at Busch Gardens Tampa a few days ago and we LOVED IT! We also went to SeaWorld and loved it as well.

If you have an extra day, perhaps consider getting a combo ticket and staying in Tampa after your flight, visiting Busch Gardens then driving to SeaWorld Orlando. The animals were terrific and my husband really LOVeD he roller coasters.

 

[wiigirl]

Drive to Lake Buena Vista area on Friday night, get a good night's rest, and see Seaworld in the morning.