Volcano Bay or Clearwater Beach

[wildflower]

When I made our plans for the beginning of June, I didn't realize that Volcano Bay was going to be such a big deal and an all-day park like the other two. I booked a hotel in Clearwater Beach for the first two nights of our trip (2 1/2 days) and then booked PBH for the remainder of the trip (2 full days and 2 half days). I figured that would be enough time to do everything in IOA and US with Express Pass and still have an afternoon to visit VB if we wanted. But with all that's come out about VB, I think we'd want to spend a full day there or maybe even more. I'm wondering if we should just stay at PBH for the entire trip. It would also free up more time to spend at the resort if we wanted to take a break from the parks in the afternoons. But it also seems weird to travel to Florida and not visit a beach. (We live no where near one.)

I know that no one has actually been to VB yet, but I can't wait until it opens to decide. Has anyone been to Clearwater Beach. What are your thoughts??? (We are a family of six with four "kids" 12, 16, 18 & 21.)

 

[schumigirl]

We really like Clearwater Beach.........but, we usually just go for sunsets and Crabby Bills now. Stayed overnight a few times.

There's not really a whole lot to do there........it's lovely though. We do live right beside the sea at home in the UK, but something about sunsets in Florida..........and the water is warm! Sea is always cold where we live.........

I would choose VB now. Especially with your kids the ages they are.........VB sounds amazing and I'm not a water park person at all.......plus it gives you extra time to enjoy PB which is such a beautiful resort.

 

[keishashadow]

OP - Clearwater beach is beautiful, blinding white sand. Daytona Beach has some nice spots too where cars don't frequent the beach, a bit quicker drive.

Love waterparks, have been to most in Orlando. However, A WP, no matter how new/nice, it just doesn't compete with mutha nature...yes, i did go there lol

JMHO split beach trip better @ end to chill and no worries re dealing with accidental sunburn issue in the parks.

 

[k1koala]

Ok although we love the thrill of water parks, I would opt for the beach. I dont know where you are from aside from not being near the water.
Enjoying the beautiful sandy beach, the warm water, sunset, food and family beats the hustle and bustle with hot sun any day.
Yes VB will be awesome, crowded, hot and new....but it is new and will always be there. Honestly, we are going as well with an extra day and are looking at a beach day vs adding a day at VB for little more $. Just MHO. Good luck!

 

[cdnusagurl]

We were the same dilemma and I decided to opt for going to VB instead of the beach. When I go to the beach, I want to go for a minimum of 4 days (we spent 14 days lounging on the beach for our honeymoon and it was glorious) and we would only have one day/night there which to me doesn't feel like enough. I also can't justify renting a car to go to the beach for a day, so I decided VB will have to do with it's fake sandy beach and wave pool, haha.

 

[derekw]

We just got back from a trip - 4 days Universal (off-site) and 5 days at Daytona Beach (have also been to Clearwater). Kids ages similar 18, 16, 14, 12, 9. If VB would have been open I know our kids would have loved to go to it so I'd plan a full day there. You didn't mention what tickets you have but I assume you are getting 3 park tickets? I'm leaning towards full stay at PBH (probably more $$$ you are having to book two rooms or a suite?) and spread out your park schedule more (enjoy the resort and hit some of the other resort pools). You could do a day trip to Daytona or Cocoa Beach (assume you are driving for this trip; around 1 hour drive each way from Orlando) if you are having a beach craving. It's hard to chill at a beach for just 2 nights with travel/unpacking/repacking. I'd also agree with keishashadown and if you keep the beach stay in if possible make it end of trip for a more relaxed mood returning home.

 

[wildflower]

Thanks everyone who weighed in on this. We'll actually save money by staying at PBH the whole time versus doing a split stay in Clearwater Beach. The hotels are similarly priced, and we won't have to rent a car if we don't stay two nights in Clearwater (a savings of about $250 when we factor in transportation to and from the airport). That's almost enough to cover a cabana at Volcano Bay.

I hadn't considered the possibility of a day trip to the beach. It looks like we could rent a car through Hertz onsite at PBH for around $100. So I'm thinking we'll stay at PBH the whole time, and if we have time at the end of the trip after we do everything we want to, we'll just rent a car for a day and go to the beach.