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Lets talk about the weather
- Thread starter Nsaudra
- Start date
MickeyLuv'r
Well-Known Member
One more thought... as I said earlier, showers can be spotty across central FL. Just last year, we exited HS in an absolute soaking, blinding, downpour, but over by MK , the ground was completely dry.
Both coasts of FL are well within driving distance along I-4, so if it is raining on one coast, consider the other as an option!
East coast: bigger waves, slightly closer, grittier sand
West/Bay Coast: softer waves, WAY more shells, more wildlife to see (depends a little which beach though)
The one little catch if you head straight along I-4, is that the causeway to Clearwater gets bogged with traffic. You can spend an hour trying to drive the last few miles. Though it is a beautiful beach.
An easier beach to access that we like is called Indian Rocks. (though it could probably use a name change.) It isn't super fancy, but it has everything we like: a parking lot with reasonable rates and even some shade, a bathroom/changing room, an outdoors shower to wash off sand, and across the street is an absolutely amazing restaurant called Guppies. (It is classic FL seafood house; what Narcoossee's aims to be, but better and far less $$. If you go, try the crab+ guacamole dip and the soups, esp the chowder.)
Truly though, there are many great options along both coasts, if you can find one with decent weather.
Still one more very fun and unique option this time of year....see some wild manatees! There are many places to see them, I think on both coasts, but one free location right in Tampa is the Manatee Viewing Center owned by Tampa Electric. Manatees like warm, and the power plant discharges warm water. In addition to manatees, we also saw a ton of fish and spinner sharks jumping out of the water. The pier's outdoors, but the gift shop is indoors, and the walk to your car is short if it is raining.
I earlier listed multiple interesting east coast options.
Both coasts of FL are well within driving distance along I-4, so if it is raining on one coast, consider the other as an option!
East coast: bigger waves, slightly closer, grittier sand
West/Bay Coast: softer waves, WAY more shells, more wildlife to see (depends a little which beach though)
The one little catch if you head straight along I-4, is that the causeway to Clearwater gets bogged with traffic. You can spend an hour trying to drive the last few miles. Though it is a beautiful beach.
An easier beach to access that we like is called Indian Rocks. (though it could probably use a name change.) It isn't super fancy, but it has everything we like: a parking lot with reasonable rates and even some shade, a bathroom/changing room, an outdoors shower to wash off sand, and across the street is an absolutely amazing restaurant called Guppies. (It is classic FL seafood house; what Narcoossee's aims to be, but better and far less $$. If you go, try the crab+ guacamole dip and the soups, esp the chowder.)
Truly though, there are many great options along both coasts, if you can find one with decent weather.
Still one more very fun and unique option this time of year....see some wild manatees! There are many places to see them, I think on both coasts, but one free location right in Tampa is the Manatee Viewing Center owned by Tampa Electric. Manatees like warm, and the power plant discharges warm water. In addition to manatees, we also saw a ton of fish and spinner sharks jumping out of the water. The pier's outdoors, but the gift shop is indoors, and the walk to your car is short if it is raining.
I earlier listed multiple interesting east coast options.
Last edited:
Raineman
Well-Known Member
Reading these comments, I feel like I have been very lucky so far. I have spent a total of 22 days over my life on WDW property, and not once has it rained or even looked like it might rain. Having said that, all but 8 of those days were during late winter/early spring (the other 8 was mid-fall), which do not sound like the normal rainy season for central Florida. We are heading to WDW mid-fall again this year, so I am hoping to dodge the bullet one more time.
JillC LI
Well-Known Member
This.
Don't let the rain deter you! It usually passes quickly.
HouCuseChickie
Well-Known Member
You might also think about adding a weather ap to your phone that gives you hourly forecasting. It won't be 100% accurate, but if there's a 60% chance of rain around 4pm and lower %s at other times of day, you can have a better game plan. Beyond that, it rarely rains all day when there's a chance of rain and most just bring ponchos just in case. Just be careful if there's lightning.
macefamily
Well-Known Member
We'll be there at the same time. Looks like the week will be mid-80's with chances of showers for a few days. Buy Dollar Store ponchos and buy cheap flip-flop sandals before you go. You'll save 50-60%. The parks take advantage of weather situations and gouge you. The good thing is that crowds will quickly diminish with some wet stuff. Wait it out and head for the more popular rides because wait times will go down.