Anyone ever take a day to go to the ocean?

[tkoran]

I am considering taking a day during the middle of our WDW vacation to go to the ocean since we've never been to one. Anyone ever do this? Is it easy to rent a car for a day for this purpose on short notice so we could "go with the flow"?

We are planning on being at WDW for 5 nights at this point.

Thanks!

 

[duckybelle]

We are getting there the day before Easter and heading to the beach Easter sunday, to hopefully not hit too many crowds at the parks. We may head to AK or MGM later that evening. I was born in FL, and my dh was in the Navy, so weve seen the ocean, but our kids havent. SO we decided to go!

 

[Chellymouse]

We haven't bothered to go off property our last several trips, but the nearest ocean is about an hour drive, either coast. It's very simple to rent a car as there are 2 rental car places on property. I would suggest Avis (they are in the MK parking lot) they will pick you up and drop you off. Last time we rented a car, we dropped off the car and they dropped us off at MK.

 

[Aliceacc]

I live on Long Island, so it's not on my agenda.

But if you've never been to the ocean, it's something you NEED to do. There's something so majestic about the ocean; I could sit and stare at it for ages. (In fact, my school goes on Easter break next week. I'll most definitely put on a parka if need be and hit Jones Beach for a few hours!!!)

It's only about an hour's drive. Make plans and do it. PS-- and go EAST-- to the ocean not the gulf!! If you can catch the day before or after a storm even better-- the water is rougher!!

 

[VroomVroomLightning]

I would love to see more information about this because we are planning on doing the same thing too!

 

[duckybelle]

The only prob we have is our kids LOL! My son and daughter apparently have seen too many shark movies and are worried about being eaten LOL!!! I told them they have a better chance of getting hurt in a car crash on the way there then being eaten. I LOVE the ocean, and the sharks dont bother me. Just take smart precautions. You would think with my kids being 11 and 16 theyd be smarter. SIGH...

 

[tkoran]

That's good to hear. I thought people would think I was crazy for taking a day out of our trip to do this. I haven't said anything to DH about it yet, but I'm sure he would welcome the day away from the crowds.

 

[IamErica]

I would ABSOLUTELY reccommend this. My DS(12) had never been to the ocean, so on our 5 night trip in Feb., we rented a car from Enterprise (they pick you up and drop you off) It was by far the cheepest rate I could find. It is a really easy drive to the coast. We went to Cocoa Beach and hung out at Alan Sheppard beach, you can easily walk to the Cocoa Beach pier from there. Free parking, showers, picnic area, right next to Ron Jons' Surf shop (which is kinda cool to shop at )
The tolls cost about $3.00 each way. We left Disney at 9:30 and came back by 4:30 (Enterprise closes at 5:00 so if you want a ride back to your resort, that is the last ride out. You can keeep the car for 24 hours, so if you wanted to stay on the coast longer, you can have the car back to next day and they will return you to Disney.) We had plenty of time to enjoy Magic Kingdom once we got back. I think it is a MUST if you have never seen the ocean. It is something you won't regret!
Good luck with your planning!

 

[acm563]

If you go on to Cocoa Beach you could also take time out to see Kennedy Space Center..just an idea...

 

[tkoran]

If you go on to Cocoa Beach you could also take time out to see Kennedy Space Center..just an idea...

What a great idea! I need to check that out.

Thanks!

 

[Aliceacc]

Yes, we did the Kennedy Space Center when we went down in 1990-- it was wonderful!

And keep in mind, you don't have to go into the ocean to enjoy it. Or to go in deep water.

 

[winniethepoohsmom]

We have done this in the past and will probably do this again in August. We went to a beach on the west coast, the beach was very nice, calm water but a further ride than we thought. We will probably try Cocoa Beach this trip since we've been told it's a nice beach and it's about a hour from Disney on the east coast. Linda

 

[mel&me]

If you have never been, then you should do it.

 

[mel&me]

While I am thinking about, If you go or should I say when you go.
If you don't want to spend the whole day at the beach, as someone stated above the Kennedy Space Center or if that don't interest you, look for something else. There are many other places to see by the ocean.
Last time we went down, we went to the Salvador Dali Museum in St Petersburg
Google for places in florida on the water and choose what you like.

 

[Pirates4me]

Not to the ocean but I took off one day to go to Daytona.

 

[catne]

When kids were younger, and it was wonderful especially for them. We did The Kennedy Space Center that day too (left Orlando early and returned in the evening, so made a long day of it. We go in May, so the Atlantic was still a little cold. Still enjoyable.) If your kids are elementary/junior high they'd probably enjoy the Space Center. High schoolers, not so much unless they're planning on being astronauts! All ages enjoy the ocean, though we found the east coast beaches to be very busy in late May. Last year, we went to gulf side (Pensacola) at the same time and found the water much warmer and the beaches mostly less crowded in late May.

 

[3mickeys&me]

Not to the ocean but I took off one day to go to Daytona.

Or you can go to Daytona Beach or even New Symyrna Beach

 

[sbpuckett]

We did - Melbourne I believe... the kids had never been to the beach or seen the ocean at the time. Of course, now we live close and we go a couple of times a year... I've got some of the best vacation photos from that day though... just the boys by the ocean...

 

[brenalexacamp]

cocoa beach-where i dream of genie was based out of-

nice -quiet-awesome waves-warm water-nice beach and it gave the kids room to stretch out and be "free" for a day

 

[sewer]

Indian Rocks Beach outside of Tampa, white sand beach clear blue water.....ahhhh!