OP, Disney needs to be a well planned vacation. Besides if you are already doing Busch gardens, forget Disney. Legoland is a good idea and staying in Clearwater would be boring since the weather will be a high of 65 mid to late december (I checked averages).

*1.5 hours from Tampa

Go to Orlando. It's like 1.5 years. Your child is perfect age for Disney. SeaWorld and LEGOLAND are also great.

Anonymous wrote:It'll be 75 degrees. Not really cold. That's why people move to Florida.

The air will be warm. The water will not be.

OP, if you stay in the area, you can do the beach but not the water. It will be great weather to go and build sandcastles, take runs on the beach (if that's your thing), rent bikes or sand vehicles to ride on the beach, etc. Lots of good outdoor activities on the beach as long as you don't go into the water. Additionally, sunsets on the beach are magnificent. On the Atlantic coast, you only get the sunrise on the beach and who wants to do that while on vacation? But Clearwater has fantastic sunsets.

Also second the idea of taking a day for up at Legoland. There is an area that is just for the toddler/preschool set with Duplos which will be great for your 3 yo.

We took a week's vacation in the area in early January. It was cold in Tampa and Sarasota part of the week and then it warmed up so you may luck out. I would suggest driving down as far as you can to Marco Island/Everglades and staying there...it was 80 degrees in Jan. and inland areas like Lely Resort area & the Everglades will be 10 degrees warmer (golf, pool, tennis)
There is a lot to do besides the beach in SW Florida, but Busch Gardens to Marco/Everglades is 3 hours apart, which is why I suggested you opt out of Clearwater - you can always drive to the beach there from Busch Gardens area. Caldesi Island would be an exciting day trip if the weather is warm, its near Clearwater, rent a boat or find a tour boat or guide.
We did the Myakka River State Park, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Crowder nursery (plants) and those were great for a sunny but cool windy day. Beach at Siesta was really cold and windy. Marco was warm - we spent the whole time poolside at the Marriott and going to eat at Capri Fish House, Snook Inn etc. except for one day when we did a manatee tour from Port of the Islands. http://www.see-manatees.com/ (see my TripAdvisor review under TropicBird from 2013.)
Everglades City offers a National Park boat tour of the 10,000 Islands area and you can also do an airboat ride or rent canoes if you are into nature stuff. There are boat tours to Anaclote Key out of Tarpon Springs (get some Greek food for lunch) Egmont Key out of St. Pete and Fort DeSoto Island (which has a really great state park beach.) We have stayed at Captiva, beautiful water and terrific shelling, and Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island (a rich man's fishing island with a lighthouse, a deserted beach and small golf-cart oriented downtown.)
Someday I plan to get to Cayo Costa, it is a state park accessible only by boat...like Sanibel/Captiva but less people.

Sorry about the year you have had. There is no rhyme or reason to Florida winter weather. I used to live there and there were New Years were is was 40 and I was layered up and New Years where my family went to the beach because it was 80. Hopefully, you will get the latter.

There is a great Children's Museum in Tampa http://glazermuseum.org/, drive to St Pete and walk around, go to the Clearwater Marine Center, maybe do a day in Legoland (not too far from Tampa/St. Pete.) If you want to add more theme park days, Disney is a easy drive from Tampa (like PP, we have flown in there and rented a car to save money.)

Enjoy your vacation!

Disney or legoland or maybe sea world. We just flew to Tampa for Disney. Easy drive. Sorry you have had a rough year.

Anonymous wrote:Yes drive to Fort Myers beach or Sanibel.

In Fort Myers we stay at the Pink Shell Resort. It has everything for kids and adults. You can walk to everything or take the trolley that has a stop right in front of the resort.

Pink Shell is having a Black Friday sale. 20% room rates.

I disagree with PPs. I would just stay in the area. Drive to the Clearwater aquarium. There is also a children's exploration place, also working farms and pony rides. In addition dolphin watching tours. Wear and jacket and walk on the beach late morning. 3-4 days done. Why would you want the hassle of canceling and finding something else and re-planning.

Naples is just past Fort Myers, and it's quite lovely.

Yes drive to Fort Myers beach or Sanibel.

In Fort Myers we stay at the Pink Shell Resort. It has everything for kids and adults. You can walk to everything or take the trolley that has a stop right in front of the resort.

Have you thought of visiting the Everglades? The "cooler" weather is actually an ideal time to visit because the heat of the summer is just unbearable and brings too many mosquitos.

Sorry for your loss, OP. You are right December is not great beach weather in Tampa. It would be better for a young child and the entire family to enjoy Miami and beyond. But it seems you have already decided to Busch gardens so the remaining 3-4 days you can just chill. Even if it's not a true beach vacation, you can have a break. Fort Myers does indeed have more to do cf Clearwater but I would personally not want to drive at 7-8pm after a flight. You could consider driving the next day and stay by the airport that night. Good luck in whatever you decide. I've had a couple of bad years due to family illness etc and know how hard that can be.

It'll be 75 degrees. Not really cold. That's why people move to Florida.

We've had a tough year (2 family deaths and accident). Just needed a break and didn't give this enough thought so ended up booking 9 days in Tampa for late december (clearwater first half and tampa busch gardens area). We had been to Tampa Busch gardens a year ago and all of us had enjoyed it (middle of spring). Don't know what I was thinking as the beach area will of course be cold in December though.

We can cancel the clearwater portion (lose a small fee). Should we drive to fort myers (we are landing in tampa at 7pm) - better things to do (non-beach) for 3 yr old cf to Clearwater?. We still plan to do Busch G. in the latter half (canceling would be a $1.5k loss). Suggestions?