Advice on the gulf coast

[bluenosemickey]

We are looking to spend three days in the middle of our Disney trip this July. We are looking for something on the beach. Don't need full resort, we are getting that with Disney portion. Looking for something nice and family friendly. Not so much for the activities, but the atmosphere. If you know what I mean.

Don't want to wander too much further south than Treasure Island and maybe not that far if possible.

We have taken our three kids to Disney 10 times and they have never been to the gulf coast! We spend one weekend at Vero Beach and liked the resort, but the water was really rough when we were there. Would like to get them to the gulf coast this summer.

Any advice?

 

[jamuth]

did you look into the Fort Walton Beach/ Destin area. Stayed years ago. I have heard that they have built it up a bit.

 

[JimMIA]

did you look into the Fort Walton Beach/ Destin area. Stayed years ago. I have heard that they have built it up a bit.

For three days in the middle of the trip, that's really not doable.

I'd focus on somewhere between Clearwater Beach and Sarasota. That span of the coast would offer a reasonable drive to and from, and still allow you some good beach time.

The Gulf is not like the Atlantic at Vero Beach. The Atlantic can be very rough -- and treacherous with east winds -- but the Gulf is more like a lake...VERY calm.

 

[bluenosemickey]

I looked at the Sarasoto/Siesta key area. OMG I'm in love I must go there. So now I just need to find something on the beach if possible. I saw " the Sandbox" on various trip sites. I may look at booking there. Now that I've looked into Siesta key, I can't look at anywhere else!

Seems to be about 2-2.5 hrs from WDW and everything we ar looking for. Thanks for the advice.

 

[JimMIA]

Two words about the Sarasota beach area -- Columbia, and Kilwin's.

Columbia is an old-line Spanish (not Cuban or other latin) restaurant from the legendary historic Ybor City area of Tampa. It's on St. Armand's Circle.

Very good food, elegant service, and moderate pricing. If you even tolerate salads, you have to try the famous 1905 Salad, which is tossed at your table.

Kilwin's is a chocolatier/ice cream shop also on St Armand's Circle. I'm pretty sure the chocolate is very good, but the ice cream is to die for -- specifically Toasted Coconut.

Columbia for dinner, Kilwin's for dessert. Repeat as needed.

And...for folks who aren't going to Sarasota, in the WDW area there is also a Columbia, AND a Kilwin's, in Celebration!

 

[thewigs007]

The beaches in the Sarasota area or Bradenton , or Anna Maria Island are the BEST. Treasure Island or ClearWater or St Pete can't compare. It is so worth the extra drive time. Also think about Naples.

 

[swilshire]

Just curious about why you want the beach portion in the middle of the trip. I'd do it at the end to avoid one time checking in and out of lodging.

We've done the beach before Disney and decided that was backwards. Better to go wear ourselves out at Disney then relax at the beach to recover.

To the OP, we loved our visit to Nova Scotia, by the way. Can't wait to go back. We stayed in one of the houses at White Point. So sorry to see that the lodge burned down. I've been watching their webcam.

Sheila