Clearwater to WDW

DiPSU224

DiPSU224

Member
Hey guys!

My husband and I are taking a trip to Clearwater with about 10 friends to catch some spring training action from the Phillies. While researching hotels down there I saw one hotel advertise that it's 90 mins from WDW. Seeing that we were going to be so close, we've decided to drive down for the day and visit one park. We can't be that physically close and not go! It looks like it's going to be either March 19 or 20.

A few questions:

1. How far is it actually from Clearwater to WDW? Some I have talked to have said it's over 2 hrs, mapquest gives me an ETA of 90mins....We would like to get there for park opening so I can soak up every minute of park hours that day. :lol:

2. Spring break. I'm a little nervous about the timing. Anyone know when the official spring break week is? Up here in the NE, it's always been the week before Easter...

3. Which park would you choose for the day? I'm partial to the MK, but considering Epcot as well.

Any advice/thoughts would be greatly appreciated!! :wave:
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
unkadug

unkadug

Follower of "Saget"The Cult
DiPSU224 said:
Hey guys!

My husband and I are taking a trip to Clearwater with about 10 friends to catch some spring training action from the Phillies. While researching hotels down there I saw one hotel advertise that it's 90 mins from WDW. Seeing that we were going to be so close, we've decided to drive down for the day and visit one park. We can't be that physically close and not go! It looks like it's going to be either March 19 or 20.

A few questions:

1. How far is it actually from Clearwater to WDW? Some I have talked to have said it's over 2 hrs, mapquest gives me an ETA of 90mins....We would like to get there for park opening so I can soak up every minute of park hours that day. :lol:

2. Spring break. I'm a little nervous about the timing. Anyone know when the official spring break week is? Up here in the NE, it's always been the week before Easter...

3. Which park would you choose for the day? I'm partial to the MK, but considering Epcot as well.

Any advice/thoughts would be greatly appreciated!! :wave:
Click to expand...
  1. Travel times can vary. Sorry, there is no definitive answer here.
  2. Spring break times vary from state to state, and sometimes from city to city.
    In my hometown alone, spring break is spread out through the months of March and April with different public schools, private schools, and universities all taking different weeks.(see link for an example of how diverse the dates can be!)
  3. That would all depend upon the demographics of your travel companions.
 
Upvote 0
smk

smk

Well-Known Member
Those dates in March MAY be a little too early for grade school/high school spring breaks? Easter is April 4th this year and most Indiana schools take a break right before OR right after. Wait and see what others who have schoolaged kids post and you will get a better idea.

We have flown into Tampa and gone to Orlando many times before, sometimes the airfare is better. We take I 4 to Orlando, it can take forever or no time at all, just depends on traffic. I have been in jams that have taken many hours, seems like everyone has at one time or another. Once, we made great time and 90 minutes is about right. You really can't mess it up, straight shot to Orlando from the airport. I have never stressed about not finding my way anyway. Just be alert, people drive like mad on that road, the reason there are a lot of accidents.

MK is the only park I would go to if I had only one day. While I love Epcot, I am MK girl all the way!
 
Upvote 0
T

tampabrad

Active Member
Tampa/Hillsborough county schools have spring break April 12. When I lived up north, we would have spring break the week after easter. My University spring break was usually the end of march and we were normally about 2 weeks behind most colleges and universities. I would think you would be all right with the spring break crowds.

90 minutes from Clearwater to WDW is possible as long as there is no traffic. I would budget 2 hours at least. I-4 is a mess.

As for which park....with 10 people, you're probably going to have fun where ever you go. If alcohol is part of you fun I would do Epcot.

Cheers!
 
Upvote 0
Rob562

Rob562

Well-Known Member
As others have said, the real defining point with traffic would be in and around Tampa. Once you get past the Tampa metro area, it's pretty smooth sailing up I-4 to WDW.

-Rob
 
Upvote 0
MissM

MissM

Well-Known Member
DiPSU224 said:
1. How far is it actually from Clearwater to WDW? Some I have talked to have said it's over 2 hrs, mapquest gives me an ETA of 90mins....We would like to get there for park opening so I can soak up every minute of park hours that day. :lol:
Click to expand...
That's really hard to say. Could be 90 minutes, could be over 2 hours. Problem is that if you go during rush hour, you're looking at obscene times getting stuck waiting around on the major access roads you need to get from Clearwater to Orlando. (Especially if you're anywhere near I-275 which goes through downtown Tampa during rush hour traffic.)

In an ideal situation, without dealing with morning commuters, 90 minutes - 2 hours is a reasonable expectation of drive time from Clearwater. Factor in rush hour though and things get WAY worse.
 
Upvote 0
D

Disney Dawg88

Active Member
Hope you have a good time on your trip. To answer your question:

1. An hour and a half is about right. It's a straight shot up I-4.
2. March 19-20 should be a good time to go. I'm in grad school here in Atlanta and our spring break is the 7th -13th, which I feel like most universities have the same if not earlier breaks. If anything I would imagine the dates you're planning on going are going to fall right in between college and grade/middle/high school spring breaks. In Georgia anyway that usually falls the first week or two in April. So you should be OK.
3. That's a tough choice in my book. You could just buy a one day park hopper and visit all four parks!
 
Upvote 0
DiPSU224

DiPSU224

Member
Original Poster
Thanks for the replies everyone!

I checked park hours that day and the MK opens at 9. I want to be psycho about it and leave our hotel by 6:30 at the latest. Hopefully that will help us avoid some of the traffic around Tampa.

After inviting all 10 of our friends to come with us, I thought about it and kinda wished I hadn't invited them....:lookaroun I'm just thinking that no one is going to want to leave that early or be as excited about it as my husband and I will be. I'm pretty sure most of them have never been to WDW. We'll see what happens! Thanks again for the replies!
 
Upvote 0
GoochDSA

GoochDSA

Well-Known Member
I would suggest doing the day in EPCOT. I know most people think MK when they think Disney but myself and my GF both prefer EPCOT. Especially with a group that big. If people want to ride rides there are enough to fill a day. If some people want to just relax and walk around the World Showcase is great for that. Then maybe make a reservation for one of the many places to eat in the WS and have everyone meet there for dinner. I find that with a large group with varying tastes EPCOT is the closest to filling everyones needs.

Or maybe I am just saying that cause your a Phillies fan and I'm a Mets fan and I'd rather you be miserable.... just kidding. :lookaroun
 
Upvote 0
D

DisneyNole

New Member
I've driven from Clearwater to Orlando, and even without traffic it was a solid 2 hours. Especially if you're staying on the beach, I would leave before 6:30 to allow for traffic and parking/getting to the park for the opening show.

My opinion is one day = Magic Kingdom, there are so many things not to be missed for first time visitors in your group. Just realize at MK that once you park you'll need to account for monorail or ferry time to get to the park.
 
Upvote 0
MissM

MissM

Well-Known Member
DisneyNole said:
I've driven from Clearwater to Orlando, and even without traffic it was a solid 2 hours. Especially if you're staying on the beach...
Click to expand...
True. I was thinking they'd be around Bright House Field at 19 & 60 since isn't that where they train? From there it's an easy hop across the Causeway to I-275 so 90 minutes is reasonable. But, if they are down on the beach, easily add another 30 minutes minimum to that time for sure. (And again, not including rush hour traffic which makes everything much, much worse.)
 
Upvote 0

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom