Beach Day in Florida

[tink fan]

We are going to WDW this weekend, will see the shuttle launch Monday morning (if it happens) and then have no plans until our flight leaves at 4:20 on Tuesday afternoon. I thought about a beach day because my poor midwest rooted children have only been to the beach once in their lives.

Our hotel in Cocoa beach in not on the beach. This may sound stupid, but I don't know how the beach system works and where we can go. Can you just go to any beach-or are some restricted. What about parking? Do some beaches cost?

If you have any recommendations on a nice beach we can access during this time in the KSC/Cocoa Beach area I would appreciate it?

Also any planning tips (what to bring, where to eat, where we could change, etc) would be great!!!

 

[rdevine10]

you might want to post a similar question on the Orlando hotels and attactions board.... or search. I have seen very similar threads on that board!

 

[NotUrsula]

If you're going to the beach in Cocoa, it's all public-access. You just drive along Atlantic Ave. (A1A), find an access lot to park and walk in.
Note that equipment that you see on the beach is normally privately owned; you have to bring your own chairs if you want some.

Go to Google maps and search for Cocoa Beach, then center on AIA and zoom in tight. You can see which streets that run down to the beach have parking lots. There are also 4 beach parks in the area that will have restroom facilities.

http://www.cocoabeach.com/beachinfo.html