Definitely locked into Lakeland...no doubt. We're well past enjoying the spring break crowd and beaches = spring break = traffic. One year for the baseball trek we stayed in Hillsborough (I think) and it was supposedly 35 miles to the Phillies ballpark just north of Tampa. Took us an hour and 1/2 each way with the crazy traffic. You could say DH was NOT happy. At the time 35 miles didn't sound bad at all....didn't consider the extras. On the same trip we headed to Orlando for Atlanta. Traffic, but they know how to get you in and get you out....problem was getting TO the place. Same with the Nats in Viera (?). Traffic, toll-roads, spring break. Lakeland is the right place for us.