Beach choice help

[hmcfall711]

OK, here is the background before the question. DH and I joined DVC in October. We are using our incentive DPs to take DSil, DBil, 2 neices, and nephew to WDW for 5d/6n trip. This is the first trip for DBil, neices and nephew (fist time back for my Sil since she was about 12- more than 20 years ago.) This is a trip that DH and I have been dreaming of for the last 5 years. My Sil and family could never afford this without our DVC membership. Our neices and nephew have never been anywhere for vacation beyond an overnight stay in Pigeon Forge (30 min. from us). This is a really BIG deal to them already and everyone including the adults have been really appreciative. We are driving down for the first time in 4 years because airfare for 7 would be rediculous.

While planning our route with my handy GPS, it asked did we want to avoid toll roads, the first time or two I said no and went on planning. For some reason at one point when it asked did I want to avoid the toll roads I said yes. This route will bring us up the east coast through GA and SC back to TN. I mentioned this to my Sil and we began talking about how the kids had also never seen the ocean. In passing we said maybe we should stop for a few hours and let them play and experience that on the way back. DH and I have been to Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, and a few places here and there between the two places.

The problem becomes that if we leave Disney after breakfast at a decent hour lets say 8 or 9 then time to Myrtle Beach by my calculation is about 9 hours, so 7pm by the time we get there. Not the best time to play at the beach. The time to Savanah is about 5 hours which would mean we would get their mid-afternoon which is much better. But . . . my understanding is that there are not sand beaches there, more like a rocky coast with marinas. (We've never been there so I have no idea.)

Does anyone have any suggestions for something close to Disney that would fit the bill for us? Please keep in mind that we are going from March 14- 20. This is Spring Break for a lot of schools in the south and we do not want to overly educate the 5,8,9 yr. olds at the beach parties of high school and college kids. So probably not Daytona, Tampa etc. that will be over the top during that time.

Also,

My opinion is that after a couple of hours at the beach we will need to stay the night wherever we end up because from Myrtle Beach it is another 7-8 hours home. DH thinks he will be fine but I freak out when we are driving through the mountains in Asheville, NC at night. Do you know of any places to sleep at your suggested location that would be CHEAP? Yes, I said a place to sleep and not really even a hotel because we are looking for anything that has a bed, not a 5 star resort at this point. I also asked for cheap because at the end of the trip I am sure we will be strapped for cash. What can I say I am the indulgent aunt?

We would only stay that one night and start home.

Thanks!

 

[buzz5985]

If you had an extra 42 points for that Friday night you could get a 2 BR at DVC on Hilton Head Island - that is if there is availability.

Janis

 

[dandave]

Hi! We used to live an hour west of Savannah, GA. We often went to Tybee Island for the beach. It's right outside Savannah.

You can check it out here:
http://www.tybeeisland.com/

I'd say that you'll definitely want to spend a night somewhere close, if the kids get in the water at all. Salt water and wet clothing are not a good mix for a long drive. Any of the many hotels on 95 between, say, Savannah and Walterboro, SC should fit your needs. Grab a coupon book from one of the gas stations. The coupons are usually better than AAA or Govt rates.

Off topic: I'm from Myrtle Beach, so we often travel that stretch of 95 when we go home. It's an 11-12 drive from here, so we usually stay the night between Brunswick and Walterboro. There's an offbrand country food restaurant at either the 1st or 2nd Walterboro exit called "Longhorn" or something similar. It's a $6ish buffet with everything from fried chicken, fatback, greens, and sweet tea. I highly recommend it.

 

[Kmango]

OK, here is the background before the question. DH and I joined DVC in October. We are using our incentive DPs to take DSil, DBil, 2 neices, and nephew to WDW for 5d/6n trip. This is the first trip for DBil, neices and nephew (fist time back for my Sil since she was about 12- more than 20 years ago.) This is a trip that DH and I have been dreaming of for the last 5 years. My Sil and family could never afford this without our DVC membership. Our neices and nephew have never been anywhere for vacation beyond an overnight stay in Pigeon Forge (30 min. from us). This is a really BIG deal to them already and everyone including the adults have been really appreciative. We are driving down for the first time in 4 years because airfare for 7 would be rediculous.

While planning our route with my handy GPS, it asked did we want to avoid toll roads, the first time or two I said no and went on planning. For some reason at one point when it asked did I want to avoid the toll roads I said yes. This route will bring us up the east coast through GA and SC back to TN. I mentioned this to my Sil and we began talking about how the kids had also never seen the ocean. In passing we said maybe we should stop for a few hours and let them play and experience that on the way back. DH and I have been to Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, and a few places here and there between the two places.

The problem becomes that if we leave Disney after breakfast at a decent hour lets say 8 or 9 then time to Myrtle Beach by my calculation is about 9 hours, so 7pm by the time we get there. Not the best time to play at the beach. The time to Savanah is about 5 hours which would mean we would get their mid-afternoon which is much better. But . . . my understanding is that there are not sand beaches there, more like a rocky coast with marinas. (We've never been there so I have no idea.)

Does anyone have any suggestions for something close to Disney that would fit the bill for us? Please keep in mind that we are going from March 14- 20. This is Spring Break for a lot of schools in the south and we do not want to overly educate the 5,8,9 yr. olds at the beach parties of high school and college kids. So probably not Daytona, Tampa etc. that will be over the top during that time.

Also,

My opinion is that after a couple of hours at the beach we will need to stay the night wherever we end up because from Myrtle Beach it is another 7-8 hours home. DH thinks he will be fine but I freak out when we are driving through the mountains in Asheville, NC at night. Do you know of any places to sleep at your suggested location that would be CHEAP? Yes, I said a place to sleep and not really even a hotel because we are looking for anything that has a bed, not a 5 star resort at this point. I also asked for cheap because at the end of the trip I am sure we will be strapped for cash. What can I say I am the indulgent aunt?

We would only stay that one night and start home.

Thanks!

Come to Sarasota -- it's 90 minutes, good roads, and we don't get spring breakers. We have lots of elderly people, but very few rowdy young people. Also, lots of Amish people. It's quite lovely here. And the beaches are world-class, perfect white sand.

Once you go to leave, you can just take I-75 up Florida, it's very easy.

 

[Hopefully]

We have visited friends in Savannah and spent an afternooon at Tybee Island on the beach. It is a very pretty beach and I think it would meet your needs.
Have a Good Trip