Thinking of hitting the beach while in Disney....

[mom2brats]

My guys just love the beach and I thought it might be fun to hit the ocean one day while we are there. What beach would you recommend that is closest to Orlando???? Is it worth the drive?

[tribus121]

Daytona is my favorate Flordia beach it is about a 1 hr drive from Orlando and for a small fee you can even drive and park your car on the beach

[highland3]

We're heading over to Cocoa Beach. It's along the "Space Coast" near Canaveral, just east of Orlando. If you Google Cocoa Beach you'll come up with a tonne of info.

[erin1998]

Good morning...:goodvibes
I second Daytona Beach. We always spend one day in Daytona when we go to Disney!
Erin

[SandraC]

LOVE Daytona Beach! But it's just over an hour drive. I always expect one hour, but it's more.

Go to Steve's Famous Restaurant for lunch! Sandra

[sean-1966]

Just a thought for you, we've taken to doing this. Disney has a hotel at Vero Beach about 2 hours from Orlando. Great place. Think about staying the a couple days there after WDW.

[jdvm]

Don't rule out the west coast of Florida. WDW is on the Tampa side of Orlando and we head to the islands off Sarasota. There's also Clearwater.

John

[surfer_ed]

Love Cocao beach. The waves can be a bit rough but I grew up in Nova Scotia so we love it there.

[minnie56]

Have done both Cocoa and Daytona. Both are nice and a reasonabe drive...
Last trip to Cocoa tho the water was evacuated....SHARK!:scared1:

That can happen at any beach tho!
Have fun wherever you choose.

[drag n' fly]

Don't rule out the west coast of Florida. WDW is on the Tampa side of Orlando and we head to the islands off Sarasota. There's also Clearwater.

John

That is where we are taking the kids in December even though it may be too cool to swim we can still go shell collecting!:goodvibes

[grover]

is the east coast closer than the west coast?

[piglets]

We also love to hit the beach while visiting the world and our choice is always Bradenton Beach - Anna Maria Island. It's about a 90 minute drive, but definitely worth the travel!

Have fun wherever you decide to go!
:thumbsup2

[sapper1]

Orlando is central, so the distance to either coast would be about the same. The Gulf coast is warmer and the water calmer than on the Atlantic side.

If you choose to go to Daytona Beach do not take the I-4--It is a nightmare of congestion. Take the Beeline (I think they have changed the name to the Beachline) to I-95 and go north to the Daytona area. The Beachline (Rte 528) is a toll road but well worth it. It may look longer on the map but you will move along quickly. On two occasions we have spent a month in a condo in Daytona and only made the mistake of taking the I-4 to Orlando once.
As you approach Daytona, take the Port Orange exit and go right out to the coast. There is a public access to the beach near the end of the bridge and there is a long pier right there with a restaurant on it.

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

We have done both Daytona beach and Cocoa Beach both very nice. We prefer Clearwater though. It's a bit farther to go but we enjoyed it.

[mom_rules]

Another vote for Daytona. We rented a convertible and drove it.
Great fun.

[Chezgirl]

Anyone been to New Smyrna Beach? We are looking at going there for a day.

[minnie56]

Yes..2 weeks ago. Not so pretty..Course-it is Winter.:confused3

[riu girl]

Our fav beach close to disney is Siesta key public Beach (small island near Sarasota).:goodvibes

[cudworth]

Another vote for Siesta Key . We have been 3 times . There is nothing better than the clear blue water and baby powder soft sand and no big wave any time we have gone. it is only 1.5 hours from disney. We are spending 5 days there this Aug.

[Chezgirl]

For those who know Siesta Key, which of the 3 beaches is best to do with kids? What places do you suggest for lunch/dinner?

[jdvm]

I love Turtle Beach which is quiet and way at the end. The Turtle Beach Pub has fantastic seafood.

John

[cudworth]

We have always just gone to the Siesta key public beach . We have always just had a picnic lunch or food from the concession stand. The siesta key public beach is very child friendly almost no thongs or such swim suits.

[riu girl]

We have spent four weeks in Siesta Key since late 2005 and have had the opportunity to explore the beaches in depth and would reccommend the Siesta key public beach for a one day visit. Nice wide soft white sand beach, large playground for kids, clean public washrooms and good concession area. For lunch we often leave the beach and go into Siesta Key village and have lunch at the Daiquiri Deck, but if you are just coming for the day I would not leave the beach area and simply pack a lunch or get some food at the concession.:goodvibes

[drag n' fly]

I am glad to hear this as someone on another forum pm me about this beach and told me not to go to clearwater due to development also and apparently Turtle beach is great for shellling!:goodvibes

[Chezgirl]

Looks as though we will be surfing it up at Siesta Key public beach! Is the Daquiri Deck child friendly? It is typically the menu options we have the most difficulty with. Six year olds can be so darn picky!

[riu girl]

I can't remember if the Daiquiri deck had a kids menu or not. We have been there with kids but usually just split a few appetizers for lunch. I would say it would be child friendly until 8 or 9 pm then it turns into more of a bar atmosphere.

www.daiquirideck.com

What is great about Siesta Key is that once you drive off the mainland onto the island, it has a totally different feel, much more relaxing.

If you go to the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce web site, you can find lots of info. as well as you can order a free tourist guide and map.

[JackJack08]

You can't beat the ocean....BUT if you are pressed for time or don't really want to drive check out Typhoon Lagoon. It is great for small kids because it has alot of sand as opposed to Blizzard (lots of cement). DS5 and DD8 loved it...and Mom and Dad did too!;) A nice relaxing day in the sun.........