Anna Maria Island or Everglades??? HELP

[Brook1099]

Friends of ours r meeting us in Orlando this year. They asked if we would be interested in an airboat ride in the Everglades. Not thrilling me much, because I have been wanting for 10 years to get to Anna Maria Island or somewhere on the Gulf Coast, and really had it set in my mind to finally do. Both of these would be a day trip only and back to Animal Kingdom resort at night.. If you could choose 1 which would it be and why?? Thanks need help in my decision.

 

[JimMIA]

The nearest airboat rides which are truly in the Everglades (sawgrass marsh prairies dotted with tree islands) are probably at least 3 hours one way from WDW.

To truly be in the Everglades, you would have to be south of the agricultural areas south of Lake Okeechobee -- basically west of Ft. Lauderdale. And to truly be IN the Everglades, you have to be west of Miami, actually inside Everglades National Park -- all of the other venues are in water management areas with much deeper water, somewhat different landscape, etc.

You might not know the difference, but it's really not the same. There is a huge difference between skimming across sawgrass and plowing through 6 feet deep water.

There are some other airboat rides near Orlando, but they are either going to be on lakes or rivers.

I know there are a couple of commercial operations over toward Cocoa, in the St Johns River marshes which claim to be "everglades." The truth is they are about as far from a true Everglades airboat ride as you can get. The landscape is completely different, the whole nature of the water flow is the opposite of what you have in the Everglades, the habitat and wildlife are different. Really nothing even remotely similar to the Everglades.

They might be fun and entertaining...but Everglades-like, they most definitely are NOT.

Another consideration is the duration of the experience. Commercial airboat tours are typically 30-40 minutes long. They're fun, but you won't see much, learn much, see much wildlife, or spend much of your day on that activity. It will be an hour drive, a 30 minute ride, and an hour drive back.

 

[Brook1099]

Thanks jimMIA my friends have family who run airboats in "the everglades" it is a 3 hour ride they said and we also have lunch there. So it is authentic Everglades. They say it is beautiful and u will see all kinds of cool stuff. Not doubting that just want my beach day...but if you think EVERGLADES is better please say so..lol

 

[JimMIA]

Thanks jimMIA my friends have family who run airboats in "the everglades" it is a 3 hour ride they said and we also have lunch there. So it is authentic Everglades. They say it is beautiful and u will see all kinds of cool stuff. Not doubting that just want my beach day...but if you think EVERGLADES is better please say so..lol

Do you know which airboat company they're talking about?

 

[Brook1099]

I don't. I know they did it a few years back.

 

[JimMIA]

If you find out, let me know and I might be able to give you more info.

If they are actually in the real Everglades area around Miami, I will know the company and possibly the owners. I've also almost certainly airboated myself in the same area they operate and can give you a good idea of what you'll see.

To try to answer your basic question (Anna Maria Island vs. Everglades) it depends on where you would go in the Everglades, what time of year (critical because of the seasonality of the Everglades), and how much time you would have. There are some really cool things to do in the Everglades besides take an airboat ride. In fact, the other things will probably be much better than the airboat ride...depending on where you go and what you do.

I'm not familiar with Anna Maria Island. There is really no comparison between any Florida beach areas and the Everglades. The beaches are all wonderful, and the Everglades is incredibly unique.

But which is better for your family? It's like asking, "Would you rather go to Times Square on New Years Eve, or the Grand Canyon at sunset?"

Completely different to the point where comparisons are probably not possible.

 

[Brook1099]

I will try and find out....I know she said 3 hour ride to Fort Lauderdale.

 

[swilshire]

I really like Anna Marie Island, but I wouldn't bother going there for a day trip from WDW. I'd go to the closest Gulf beach, which would likely be Clearwater. Nice beach, restrooms, plenty of parking. Or go a little farther south to get away from the crowds, but give up some of the facilities. You won't see all that much difference in one day if you go farther south to Anna Marie Island and you're just adding travel time.

Sheila