We drive from KC and go through STL, so aside from the extra 4 hrs it takes for us to get to STL, we are pretty much on the same route as you. We drive down and go to Clearwater or St. Pete Beach (preferred) either before or after Disney. Very pretty, big, white-sand Gulf-coast beaches. We tried to make things easier last trip and go to the East coast of FL since it is a closer drive to/from Disney, but just ended up driving across to the Gulf side after a day. It just was not the same.