Beach and Disney??

[Cinbride]

Okay, dh doesn't care to go to Disney this year I know!! Kids 4, 2, and baby. 4 yr old really wants to go and so does mom. DH wants to go to the beach, Myrtle Beach is where we usually go in May. We go to Disney in Feb and love the low crowds. So, I'm looking to find maybe a beach that would compare to some of the attractions around MB (shopping/restaurants) and possible blue water. Also, if going to a Gulf beach will the weather be too cold in Feb? We don't mind driving a little from Disney. (we were going to do the keys but seems really expensive!) Also, dh loves to body board while at the beach. Will there not be any waves in the Gulf? Any beaches/hotels for recommendations? This will also be our 10 yr anniversary celebration. Thanks

 

[krachee]

Check out tampabaybeaches.com they have a list of all beaches in the area with pics and all activities at each beach. The Tampa Bay Beach area is about an hour or so drive from disney.

 

[JimMIA]

So, I'm looking to find maybe a beach that would compare to some of the attractions around MB (shopping/restaurants) and possible blue water.

If DH wants to body board, the Gulf is definitely out. Gulf waves are measured in inches...sometimes in 1/4 inches.

On the Atlantic Coast, it really depends on what kind of attractions you're looking for. In South Florida, Miami Beach (specifically South Beach) has a great beach and world-class shopping, restaurants and clubs (celebs literally come from all over the world to go clubbing here)...but bring plenty of money. Fort Lauderdale has a very nice beach and some good shopping and fine dining.

Further north, and not far from WDW, Cocoa Beach has very good surfing. Daytona Beach also has a great beach. To be honest, I haven't visited either in about 20 years, so hopefully someone else can describe them better.

(we were going to do the keys but seems really expensive!)

We love the Keys, but you need to understand that there are only a few things to do there: fish, dive or snorkle, sail, and drink. And scattered around in weird places, there are some good restaurants. But the Keys were originally populated by pirates without ships, and it remains a nice little drinking community with a fishing/diving problem. And yes, it's expensive (beyond reasonable) in the Winter peak season.

This will also be our 10 yr anniversary celebration.

Congratulations, and have a great trip!

 

[two*little*birds]

We love Siesta Key and spent 1.5 days there in 2010. We're planning to go back again in 2012 during our next trip, and will probably stay 2 nights.

 

[amberdburke]

Daytona Beach is the closest to Disney. My personal favorite is Sanibel. Be warned though, it may be way too cold for the beach in Feb.

 

[jackirkh]

My fiancee and I are thinking about doing this for our honeymoon as well. We are planning on relaxing for a couple of days at Daytona Beach and then heading on down I4 to Disney. Google Maps says it should be less than an hour and a half, so if we wanted to we could probably lounge on the beach for half a day then catch dinner and fireworks in Disney in the evening!

 

[arthur06]

We love Siesta Key and spent 1.5 days there in 2010. We're planning to go back again in 2012 during our next trip, and will probably stay 2 nights.

We will be at both WDW and Siesta starting next Friday night!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

It will be too cold to stay very long at the beach in Feb. We have done Daytona and HoneyMoon Island on the golf coast in Feb and we stayed all of about 10 minutes it was so cold. Also remember in Feb is the Daytona 500 race so the area will be packed with race fans.

 

[johnsoce1979]

I wouldn't go to Daytona Beach in February surrounding the race weekend unless you are going to be partaking in the race festivities! It's a madhouse. However, Ocean Walk is an awesome resort to stay there!

 

[Orlando Vic]

I wouldn't go to Daytona Beach in February surrounding the race weekend unless you are going to be partaking in the race festivities! It's a madhouse.

Quite right!

Plus, February is not beach weather.