Advice on beach time needed

[london75]

Had almost decided to either not go next year and save the money for potentially moving to Florida in 5-10 years (yes we are planning to) or wait until last minute and I get sent the Virgin reward seat sale email meaning I've booked 5 PE seats for £1600 + 250000 miles (been saving a while but difficult to spend) which is obviously pretty cool!

So we're flying out on the 6th July and it's looking like the following

7 nights Villa and Disney only theme parks
5 nights on the Dream
3 nights beach

...and then home.

So the logical places are East coast given we get off the boat in Port Canaveral but reading posts about East coast and Cocoa Beach in particular not sure I fancy it now.

Where does everyone recommend, we want beach, relaxation but still stuff for kids (although beach and pool might do, they are 6 and 4 next year). Nice restaurants, preferably apartment style hotel rather than small rooms etc.

Just occurred to me Miami is an option but possibly a bit far at 3.5 hours. Been to Clearwater and didn't have a nice day possibly due to bad planning so don't think that will go down with the family.

Where else would you recommend?

 

[wayneg]

Well done getting the seats, I got the email this morning but latest available to return was 8th Aug, we want to return 11th so the sale started 3 or 4 days too early, now the outbound availability has been taken so doubt we will get anything now. Its a fantastic offer though 25,000 miles pp.

Difficult for the beach getting off the ship on the East coast, we don't like that coast been to Cocoa & Daytona and would avoid both.
We spent a week at Clearwater and it was about 5 or 6 days too long, 1 day or overnight is enough for us down there. There are supposed to be nice beaches further down the west coast but we are bored after 30 mins on a beach, rather stay in Orlando with a nice pool so never ventured any further than Clearwater.

 

[dixonsontour]

Anna Maria island is lovely - west coast so not sure if it will fit with your plans.

It has lots of great eating places, fishing pier and a free trolley to get around. No highrises/chain eateries.

 

[london75]

Well done getting the seats, I got the email this morning but latest available to return was 8th Aug, we want to return 11th so the sale started 3 or 4 days too early, now the outbound availability has been taken so doubt we will get anything now. Its a fantastic offer though 25,000 miles pp.

Difficult for the beach getting off the ship on the East coast, we don't like that coast been to Cocoa & Daytona and would avoid both.
We spent a week at Clearwater and it was about 5 or 6 days too long, 1 day or overnight is enough for us down there. There are supposed to be nice beaches further down the west coast but we are bored after 30 mins on a beach, rather stay in Orlando with a nice pool so never ventured any further than Clearwater.

Yeah it was 50-50 between waiting until August came up or go July to take advantage of our APs and only go for 2 weeks. I've missed these deals before so settled for July. I've got an onboard booking already that I can shift to the 5 day bahamas cruise and there's a goodish price in July as well.

Thanks for the suggestions, I think we're looking for something resortish so as not to tempt us into doing too much. Just want to get up hit the pool, eat well and make sandcastles.

 

[dixonsontour]

I know you said no Clearwater but there is a great review on the dibb of a family staying at the sandpearl resort this July.

It's in the trip reports section - called - The judge me by my size do you? by MadHatter1

I read the report and thought that looks lovely but $$$ not sure re your budget.

Hope I'm ok to mention dibb trip report - if not Wayne/mods please delete (sorry!)