Spring Vacation Help- Disney

I’m getting closer to making a decision on our family vacation but I need some input! We will either be doing one of the 2 below, and will have a rental car for both options. It’ll be me, DH, and our 3 year old. Prices are somewhat in line with option A being a little bit more $ but nothing to be a deal breaker.
1. Disney (off site) for 4 nights, with 3 Park Days. Drive to Clearwater area, stay a beachfront hotel (very basic smaller pool but right on the beach) for 3 nights, fly home from Tampa
2. Disney (off site) for 6 nights, with 3 Park Days and 2 Pool days (we will be staying at a hotel with a great pool area).

Spring Vacation Help- Disney

how far is the drive to Clearwater?

Re: Spring Vacation Help- Disney

Spring Vacation Help- Disney

I personally would choose option B. There is plenty to do in the Orlando area, and a 3 year old at the beach can be a challenge. But if it were me I would do 4 park days - I am a theme park junkie!

Spring Vacation Help- Disney

I would also choose Option B but do 4 park days. You can always take a break in the afternoon and go to the pool.

The reason I would not choose Option A is because you live near a beach in NY - granted you can't go until the summer but its not like its something you have never done. The beach in Clearwater is nice but its not the Caribbean where its a must see, KWIM?

Spring Vacation Help- Disney

Option B because you could do a pool day in between park days. But I would also do 4 days at Disney!

Re: Spring Vacation Help- Disney

Re: Spring Vacation Help- Disney

Have you been to Disney before? That might influence my decision. If it was a first trip, I would stay in the Orlando area the entire trip. If not, I would head to Clearwater. Their beach is GORGEOUS. We too stayed at a small beach front hotel with a pool, and my kids had a blast. We also went to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and saw Winter the dolphin (from Dolphin Tale). It was a great trip.

Re: Spring Vacation Help- Disney

Spring Vacation Help- Disney

I am an option A person but I absolutely love the Gulf beaches. I just spent a week on Anna Maria Island (just off the coast of Sarasota) and DS was 2.5 ish and loved it. The water is super calm so he walked right in himself and wasn't afraid like here with the waves.

I personally don't like the crowds of Disney and even if I stayed in Orlando for a week (which we did when DS was 11 months) I would only go to the park once or twice.

Re: Spring Vacation Help- Disney

I am very torn! You girls made some good points, we are also planning a week to Myrtle Beach this summer as my mom has a house there so it's literally just flying there... So I am leaning more towards Disney for the week and hanging out by the pool.

Thanks for the feedback, I will present it to DH

Re: Spring Vacation Help- Disney

A, but I would do 2 park days & 2 pool days.
The parks are not that big. If this is the only time you are going to Disney, stay the whole time... But for a 3 year old, 2 days is IMO, more than enough.

Spring Vacation Help- Disney

B. I prefer unpacking and packing once on vacation, especially with little kids.