a week off disney

[newfiegirl]

This vacation our family (2 boys ages 10 and 7) are spending 5 days on site then renting a car and getting away from orlando for a week. I have looked online but there are so many beaches, so many suggestions that I am feeling overwhelmed. I have heard about John's Pass and madeira beach then st petes is very popular as well as siesta keys. We live in Northern Canada so I dont know a whole lot about florida (other than disney). Please suggest some places to vacation, withing three hours or less from orlando. kid friendly, but slower pace than orlando. Thanks

 

[ready2vacation]

Anna Maria or Siesta Key

 

[Ksquared]

we stayed in a resort in the Palm Coast, which is north of Orlando. The property was on Cinnamon Beach, a private beach that was wonderful. After a busy and tiring week at the parks, it was the perfect place to relax and chill for a week. We have also stayed at a resort in St. Pete's Beach as well, that is to the south of Orlando. Guess it depends on what time of year you are going.

 

[lmcarr49]

We always hit up Clearwater beach whenever we're in Florida.

 

[To the honeypots]

I agree with PP. Anna Maria is wonderful. You are close to the beach anywhere on the island. They have a cute free trolley and a few cute beach shops.

 

[Grumpy92]

Do you want the Gulf or Atlantic Side?

I prefer the Gulf but then I grew up on the Atlantic. The Gulf tends to be calmer.

Gulf of Mexico - Fort DeSoto is absolutely my favorite. It has been on the top beaches of Florida list many times.
St Pete & Clearwater have nice beaches. Love Anna Maria Island, Siesta and Sanibel but that may be too far south.

Atlantic Ocean - Flagler beach is a quiet beachside town with great restaurants, beach is not busy. Cocoa beach is nice and where I go from Orlando (think Kennedy Space Center) its close. Many people like Daytona because you can drive your car on the beach itself. Salt water is nasty on your car (rinse it off when you leave) but it is fun to drive on the beach.

I often agree with Dr Beach on the best Fla beaches
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/beach/os-best-beaches-florida-photogallery.html

 

[Barbydoll8]

I live in the St. Pete area and can tell you, you can't go wrong on the west coast. TONS to do and see. Here is a link:

http://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/

Siesta Key is wonderful too but a little further south. Expect about an hour and a half drive due west from WDW to get here. You'll fall in love with it. Gulf waters are calm, clear and relaxing. Beach sand is softer but is a bit shell-y.
Great food, sun and fun.

Enjoy.

 

[NinaBella]

Tradewinds Resort at St. Petersburg. http://www.tradewindsresort.com/

Or are you looking to renting a house. Ana Maria is nice but not all the homes have direct beach access.

St. Augustine and Destin are also nice.

 

[newfiegirl]

All the beaches look so beautiful, but now I still have no clue where to go. Maybe if I summarize what we would like to do then that might help with suggestions. Though we would like to spend about three days at the beach, we are also interested in the pool, shopping at outlets and doing other tourist attractions, and sight seeing. My boys are 10 and 7, so we would like a nice but inexpensive condo or rental (kid oriented would be a bonus). Thoughts and suggestions please. We have never been outside of Orlando, and want the best bang for our dollar with lots to do and see, thanks

 

[diznygirl]

What about the Disney Vero Beach Resort? Family friendly, beach and pool, and outlets.

 

[staceyrhood]

Vero beach is great! We love it there. St Augustine is also very nice.

 

[Portugal1000]

After 10 trips just to Orlando we decided last year to have a few days at the beach first. We stayed at Tradewinds for 4 nights and loved it. It was quite expensive but we did have a one bedroom and it was alot cheaper for a normal room. The beach was fantastic. Lots going on. The only downside was it was just too hot after 1pm and had to take a few hours break. It was exactly 100 miles and it took me 2 hours door to door and freeway most of the way, I am not a particulary fast driver.
Would love to go back but as we are stuck with only being able to go in August for the next couple of years it will have to wait. Would love to go when it was a little cooler.

 

[newfiegirl]

so we have decided on st pete's beach or redington...wondering what actual hotel or resort to try for a family with two small boys, ages 7 and 10

 

[anorman]

so we have decided on st pete's beach or redington...wondering what actual hotel or resort to try for a family with two small boys, ages 7 and 10

Hello fellow newfoundlander!

We have stayed in North Redington Beach several times and love it. The beach is beautiful, sandy, and goes on forever! We've always stayed at the DoubleTree Beach Resort by Hilton Hotel Tampa Bay - North Redington Beach http://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels/florida/doubletree-beach-resort-by-hilton-hotel-tampa-bay-north-redington-beach-NORNHDT/index.html with an ocean view balcony....great for after the kids go to bed and relaxing with the beverage of your choice while listening to the ocean and watching the almost nightly lightning display over the water (the prices drop about 3 to 4 months out)....it is directly on the beach, has a pool, you can rent cabanas from a beach guy just steps from the hotel along with seadoo rentals too (great fun!), the tiki bar has a direct view of the beach and pool area so you could lounge there with your kids in sight while enjoying some adult time. Calling it a resort may be a bit misleading though since it is just a hotel. John's Pass is just a couple of km south and a great spot to visit with lots of interesting shops and restaurants. You have to try out the Frog Pond restaurant (walking distance) for breakfast and the Conch Republic (just a tiny drive) for supper.....great eats at both!

We have stayed at both St. Pete's and North Redington and we much prefer the smaller town feel of North Redington.....fewer crowds too.