Working a trip to the beach into our stay

[MouseearsDeb]

Considering Oct. 13th is Columbus Day, which would be the better day to visit the beach (preferably the gulf side) Sat. the 11th or Monday the 13th? We're already set for MNSSHP on the 13th so I thought maybe sleep in a little then drive over and let DS7 look for some shells and get his feet wet. But, we fly in to Tampa the 11th, arriving at 9:25am. I thought this might be the better day since we would already be by the gulf. How is the crowd levels this time of year and especially since it is a holiday weekend? Any suggestions are much appreciated.

Thanks in advance! Trying to re-work the schedule since Hollywood Studios changed their hours on me. :brick:

 

[Big-Bad-Dave]

Crowds will be light in October, I would go on the 11th. It should be nice.

 

[smk]

I vote for the 11th as well.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

If you're over by the Gulf on the 11th visit the beach then - no point making extra journeys for yourselves

 

[figmentmom]

The 11th, for sure, since you'll already be in Tampa. I-4 over to Orlando usually has lots and lots of construction - no way do you want to travel through that any more than you have to! Crowd-wise, I don't think you'll see a big difference between the 11th and the 13th.

Have fun! :wave:

 

[MouseearsDeb]

The 11th, for sure, since you'll already be in Tampa. I-4 over to Orlando usually has lots and lots of construction - no way do you want to travel through that any more than you have to! Crowd-wise, I don't think you'll see a big difference between the 11th and the 13th.

Have fun! :wave:

This is what worries me about our return trip. Luckily it's on a Sunday morning. Hopefully not too much road construction going on then. Do they usually do roadwork on Sundays in Florida?

 

[figmentmom]

This is what worries me about our return trip. Luckily it's on a Sunday morning. Hopefully not too much road construction going on then. Do they usually do roadwork on Sundays in Florida?

Not that I recall, but I can't say for sure. I'll bet there's a website out there for the Florida Department of Transportation that gives construction dates and times.

 

[rsoxguy]

Any time that you can avoid extra driving, do it. If you are traveling a long way for a vacation, economizing your time is always a good idea. IMHO, go on the 11th if you can.

 

[thrupaytonseyes]

I would definately say go on the 11th. The day of the MNSSHP you can get in to the park at 4. So I would say sleep in, go to DTD, the pool whatever, and then head over to MK around 4. You don't want to feel like you are constantly looking at your watch while you are at the beach so that you make it back at a good time for the party. Also, driving back and forth to the gulf side doesn't make a lot of sense if you are going to be there already anyway. As a side note, Clearwater Beach is beautiful!!!!

 

[CMTinkerbell99]

This is what worries me about our return trip. Luckily it's on a Sunday morning. Hopefully not too much road construction going on then. Do they usually do roadwork on Sundays in Florida?

I-4 does not have any constuction any more. It's been done for quite a while (drove Tampa to WDW just 8 days ago). The construction is now between the airport on I-275 and the begining of I-75.
I would go to the beach on 11th but start heading to Orlando no later than 3 PM to best avoid the constuction traffic on I-275. Also check to see if the Buccanners are at home or on the road. You might run into traffic when the game is over. HTH