Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Hi Gang!! :mickey: My wife and I will be down in WDW in early December and were thinking about taking a day trip to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Have any of you been there? If so, what are your feelings on it? How long would your average stay there be?

I appreciate any advice!! Thanks everyone!! :D

We have been going to the CMA for a long time. The Clearwater area is beautiful. Do lunch or dinner at Crabby Bill's at the pier and take a walk out on the pier before heading back to Disney. It is easy to get to. We usually stay in Clearwater for a couple of nights to do the beach and relax.

We have chosen to not do the CMA the last two years because of all of the commercial aspects of the movies. It is important because they can rescue more animals but I liked it better when it was a used water storage tank with a dolphin. That being said if you don't go to other aquariums on a regular basis (we live near Baltimore and Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ) , I would say to plan a half day unless you want to do one of the tours offered. They have some boat cruises which are pretty cool.

I hope you get to experience Winter!

Me and my husband decided to go there this year and yes we only heard of it because of Winter, but we are glad we went.

It is so much more than just Winter. It was really nice to know all the back stories to each and every animal that was residing there and we appreciated the explanations of how they were rehabilitating them. Its a much more personal experience in my opinion than the large marine parks such as SeaWorld (as much as we love that place). Are the conditions of the place up to scratch? Not exactly but they are currently renovating to make it better.

Its something different and it is beautiful down there, so I think its worth the trip. :thumbsup:

Thanks guys for responding! I appreciate your opinions!! How long would you say it would take someone to see the entire facility? :confused:

We went 2 years ago, because my son is in love with Winter. My two boys and I loved it, DH thought it was OK. I think it is important to keep in mind that CMA is not as much an aquarium but more of a rescue facility. I think you could plan on spending a few hours there, although we did not go over to the movie theater section which is a tram ride away I believe. I do not remember our entire schedule, but we had lunch before we got there, stayed for a few hours and then headed over to the beach. It is a very pretty area.

Thanks Poohbear!! :thumbsup: I appreciate it very much!!

:mickey: