what would you do on day 1 - not allowed in the parks

[ScaryFairy]

Hi Dibbers,
Our little group of 18 head to Florida in April for two weeks in two beautiful villas next door to each other. (Eeeeeeeeekkkkk!)
Me the OH and our 3 children are flying indirect and land in Tampa around 21:00 on the Friday night we are staying in The Marriott at the airport and pick up our hire car around 08:00 the next morning. My, parents, sisters and their familys arrive at 16:00 on the Saturday.
So my 8 year old niece declared in her best impression of Peggy Mitchell that we must go to Disney "as a faaaaamily" and has suggested we can go on the swings until she arrives :0/! We have Chef Mickeys booked for early o'clock on Sunday and I love that first day feeling so I wouldn't go to Disney without them but equally I don't want to waste the day and do nothing.
My original master plan was to visit Kennedy Space Centre as I knew it was on the coast so figured it must be close to Tampa - was quite surprised to find it on the other side of Florida!
So what would you all do with this first day? We have to drive from Tampa to out villa which is about 1hr 15 and want to be there in time to get some shopping in to welcome the others so I figure we have a good few hours free. Is there anything nice in the Tampa area? Clear Water? Or drive up to Florida and do something there? Please inspire me Dibbers. Thanks x

[Juliemack]

Definitely head across to Clearwater for some time on the beach. You're check-in time will likely be late afternoon anyway so if you're not doing any parks that day it's pointless heading across to Orlando too early.

[TinkerMLSH]

I love Clearwater, most definitely would go there for a few hours at least or of course u have bush gardens maybe or legoland

[champagnegirl26]

Clearwater beach is stunning, I would go there.

[letty]

Its an easy drive to clearwater beach from the airport, I would spend the morning on the beach there ,have lunch at Clearsky cafe and then head to Orlando ( picking up public groceries and essentials like wine and beer).Spend the late afternoon lazing by your pool.
Ahh sounds perfect to me

[disney07]

Another vote for Clearwater Beach, it is such a lovely beach x

[DIBBadmin]

This thread has been automatically closed as it has not been posted on in 365 days.