A little Beach time!!

[sjams]

Don't know if this is the right place for me to ask, but I couldn't figure out where to put this....

Going June 4-11 to WDW and want to take an extra day to take my kids (then 4 and 7.5) to the beach (Atlantic side)

Want to know where a good place to go and spend the night would be. Want to be on the beach, but don't need too much other entertainment as we will be coming off WDW for a week...Just want to relax and play in the ocean.

Went to Cocoa Beach 10 years ago, but not sure if that is where we want to go.
Must be close enough that we can drive there and then make it to the airport the next day...so 1 night would be good...

Confused yet? I am!!!

 

[sln88]

is there any special reason you want to be on the Atlantic side? The last 2 years, we have gone over to the gulf and it is nice. Not that bad of a drive.
1st year we went on a pirate cruise, last year we did not do much of anything but go to the beach/ocean.

 

[nwdisgal]

I'm with the previous poster. I really like the Gulf side as opposed to the Atlantic. It has been a while since I have visited the beach in Florida, and certainly not since this last season of hurricanes. Maybe someone who has been recently can confirm if the Gulf side is still something and all that.

 

[rosemary4126]

sjams - what did you think of Cocoa Beach? We are thinking of going there for a day trip.

sln88 - what is that about a pirate cruise? Any info on that would be appreciated. Thanks.

I agree, in general the water on gulf side is nicer than the atlantic side. I think the beaches around the Tampa/St Pete area are only about 3 hrs away tops. I family member who's been there told me St. Petersburg beach is nicer than Clearwater.

 

[sjams]

We picked the Atlantic side because we want to see the "ocean" and not the Gulf. Besides we live in TX and we can hit the Gulf whenever...that is why we want the Atlantic...

I am thinking of Cocoa Beach. Don't know where to stay there though..any suggestions???



Doing the Double Digit Dance!!! 98 days and counting

 

[madisonsmom]

Cocoa Beach is definitely closest to MCO. New Symerna and Daytona are not that much farther. All are nice beaches and within an hour of Orlando. If you goto Cocoa you always have the option of going to the KSC if the weather turns out not to be great. All major hotels chains are in Daytona and Cocoa, not sure about New Symerna as it has been years since I have been there. Have fun!

 

[Gillian]

People on the cruise board seem to like Ron Jons. I'm not exactly sure where it is, but it's close to the port!

 

[Immelman]

the original ron jon's is in cocoa beach, they also have one in orlando. the beach damage from the hurricanes on the gulf side have long been taken care of. the pirate cruises like captain memo's are neat. they take you out on a pirate ship for a cruise and dolphin watching. there's food and entertainment on board.

 

[sln88]

Rosemary- there are 2 different companies that run pirate cruises over there. One is Captain Memos and the one we went on was the pirate ship at John's pass. They take you out for a couple of hours on a pirate ship. They have unlimited soda and beer while you are on board. Face painting, story telling, scavenger hunt, squirt gun fights and dancing for the kids. They blow off a cannon toward the end of the trip. If you can't find it on line, lmk and I will try to dig up the links. It was 30ish per person. I think they do about 3 trips per day. My boys really enjoyed it.

 

[Motherfletcher]

I'm with the previous poster. I really like the Gulf side as opposed to the Atlantic. It has been a while since I have visited the beach in Florida, and certainly not since this last season of hurricanes. Maybe someone who has been recently can confirm if the Gulf side is still something and all that.

We were watching "The Best Beaches in America 2005" on the Travel Channel last night. Since South Beach was number 10 we thought the best would be Hawaii or California. I nearly fell out of the chair when the best all around was Naples, Florida! Isn't it funny how you get into the "grass is always greener" syndrome? My favorite family beach is Lover's Key, favorite "looking" beach is the white sands at Destin and my favorite sand (always cool) is in Cancun. Even though I understand the Texas poster's need to go to the ocean beach I think the best beaches in the World are on the Gulf of Mexico.

 

[Musky]

Funny, I guess it's all in what you're looking for in a beach. I had read so many posts extolling the virtues of the Gulf beaches that I just had to see what I was missing. We went there last year and were really disappointed. Yes, the beach was wider, whiter and there seemed to be more shells on the Gulf side. But my DS had brought his boogie board and there were no waves big enough to ride at all, the water was so shallow that you had to walk for what seemed like a mile before it was even up to your thighs, and the water was so warm that instead of cooling you off, it just made you more hot (of course, it *was* August, so maybe the water on the east coast would have been just as bad). Perhaps it was just the particular beach we chose (Honeymoon Island S.P.), but this year we plan on returning to the Atlantic side. JMO.

Becky

 

[kdudley3]

Count me in on the Gulf side. We go there every time after we hit Orlando.

We go to Indian Shores. It's about 1 1/2 hrs. from USF/IOA. We stay at a place called www.sunburstinn.com . It's priced well, it sits right on the ocean and you'll see the most beautiful sunsets and see the dolphins swim by.

www.johnspass.com is about 10 minutes down the road. They have all of the sightseeing boats there. The pirate ship, dolphin watching and fishing charters.
It's a boardwalk with restaurants and shops. The area surrounding it has a bunch of shops and eateries. It's a fun day.

There's also a great restaurant we go to at least once while we're there www.saltrockgrill.com . It's listed in the thread about restaurant links. It is a bit pricey, but the seafood and steaks alike all taste great. My husband gets the crab legs and I get the lobster tail and we split it. The Creme Brulee is to die for. You actually see the vanilla beans in it.

There is so much more to do if you drive south. We never seem to make it
there because we enjoy swimming and the beach. This time (in 2 weeks...YAHOO!!!) we'll be there for a full week so we'll have plenty of time to explore.

Oh, there's a bird refuge just a little walk down the beach. It's free to get in (they take donations) it's really interesting and the kids love it. Except my DS, he got pooped on by a pelican . Just make sure you constantly look up

Let us know what you decide. Either way...have a great time.

 

[Gillian]

Becky, that beach does have smaller waves than some of the other gulf beaches. It's perfect for us because our kids are just 1 &4, but I could see how you might want a little more excitement!

 

[sjams]

Plans have changed. Now we are going to take a "day off" from the World and go mid-trip. Where should we go to play in the water and collect shells...Just want my kids to experience the Atlantic. My daughter is learning about oceans in her class this year and it would be a good follow-up for her...(can you tell I am a teacher too??!!)

Need to know names of beaches or parks to head to...I will go to Ron John's...can't miss that landmark!!

 

[shamrock30]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the Canaveral Seashore area. It is very nice if you like your beaches uncrowded and less built up.

 

[Musky]

Becky, that beach does have smaller waves than some of the other gulf beaches. It's perfect for us because our kids are just 1 &4, but I could see how you might want a little more excitement!

It figures. Even when I research where to go, I still make the wrong choice. Wish I had known that last year! Oh, well. Now I'm curious as to whether anyone knows if the water on the Atlantic side is cooler than that on the Gulf side. I would think it would be, if for no other reason than it is not so shallow. Anybody know?

Becky

 

[3Mousketeers]

Count me in on the Gulf side. We go there every time after we hit Orlando.

We go to Indian Shores. It's about 1 1/2 hrs. from USF/IOA. We stay at a place called www.sunburstinn.com . It's priced well, it sits right on the ocean and you'll see the most beautiful sunsets and see the dolphins swim by.

I'm so glad I found your post. I have another thread about the Don Cesar in St. Pete Beach but this place looks more like what we want. We're spending 5 days at Hard Rock Hotel in June and want a few days for the beach. Never been to the gulf side. We got a great rate at the Don Cesar Beach House Suites but the reviews are horrible. Tell me more about your place. We have 3 kids (7,5, &2) and don't need really fancy, just really clean and on the beach. The price for a 2 BR seems to good to be true based on my research. Can you tell me any more about it???

 

[kdudley3]

No problem 3mousketeers !

It's not the Taj Mahal. But it is clean and more attractive since the new owner (as of 3 years ago) remodeled the place.

We always get the rooms on the second floor facing the Gulf. It's nice because you have a deck to sit on so you don't bring the sand right in.

The big rooms upstairs have full kitchens. The stove is a little small. We couldn't fit a pizza from Sam's in it. But that's ok, we just cut it in half. They have dishes, glasses, silverware, coffeemaker, micro, can openers, etc.

There is also a grill. It's nice to have a steak and a beer oceanside !!!

There is a Winn-Dixie and Sam's nearby. There's also a liquor store and laundrymat down the street.

There's many restaurants (of all kinds) up and down the road.

I'm really surprised that you found bad reviews about Don Cesar's (which is just down the road).

I just saw it on the Travel channel and had a friend drooling to go for years and loved it. If you do end up going there, be aware that it is a Loew's hotel ! That way you can get your upgrade, welcoming gift and your stay credited !!!

Make sure that you go to John's pass. Stop in a few places and find the pamphlet that has a map inside. It's a good refence piece and has a few coupons in it. I found mine in the lobby of The Conch Republic.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

 

[Kasmir]

That bird sanctuary that you mentioned is called the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary...

 

[3Mousketeers]

No problem 3mousketeers !

It's not the Taj Mahal. But it is clean and more attractive since the new owner (as of 3 years ago) remodeled the place.

We always get the rooms on the second floor facing the Gulf. It's nice because you have a deck to sit on so you don't bring the sand right in.

The big rooms upstairs have full kitchens. The stove is a little small. We couldn't fit a pizza from Sam's in it. But that's ok, we just cut it in half. They have dishes, glasses, silverware, coffeemaker, micro, can openers, etc.

There is also a grill. It's nice to have a steak and a beer oceanside !!!

There is a Winn-Dixie and Sam's nearby. There's also a liquor store and laundrymat down the street.

There's many restaurants (of all kinds) up and down the road.

I'm really surprised that you found bad reviews about Don Cesar's (which is just down the road).

I just saw it on the Travel channel and had a friend drooling to go for years and loved it. If you do end up going there, be aware that it is a Loew's hotel ! That way you can get your upgrade, welcoming gift and your stay credited !!!

Make sure that you go to John's pass. Stop in a few places and find the pamphlet that has a map inside. It's a good refence piece and has a few coupons in it. I found mine in the lobby of The Conch Republic.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Sounded so great I called to make reservations and it was booked for my days. Looks like the Don Cesar. Guess I shouldn't complain about!?! Thanks for all the advice.