Beach help PLEASE

[Mic]

We have a trip to Universal and Disney planned that is fast approaching. The original plan had us spending 3 nights at Universal's Royal Pacific(2 rooms---large family), followed by a full week at Disney, and the following 4 nights at Hilton Head Island. Unfortunately, the trip has been cut down to 10 days from the original plan of 15, and I'm having trouble making the schedule adjustments. We still have 2 nights booked at Royal Pacific, a Friday and Saturday, then we will check into SSR for 5 nights. The family is not happy about me changing our room from OKW to SSR, but OKW did not have that Sunday night available in a 2-bedroom. The kids(16,15,12,11) were really looking forward to the beach part of the trip, so I have us spending the last 2 nights at HHI: one night using points, one night paying cash(expensive). The kids have informed me that they are still willing to give me my 5 Disney days in exchange for 2 nights at a more exciting beach, but I don't know anything about beaches(my Suburban only knows the way to Disney). I thought Hilton Head would be a good beach based on the fact that it is exactly half-way between our home and Disney World, and it would break up our drive home. Hubby does not want to consider anything south of Orlando, and suggested we drive the 8+ hours from Orlando to Myrtle Beach, then drive the 4+ hours home 2 days later. That sounds like a lot of time on the road to me, even with an entertainment system in the car(and the gas prices!!), so I was thinking maybe Daytona Beach for 2 nights. It would still be a long drive home from there on Sunday, but we could salvage some beach time while still heading north. My only other option is to shave days off from the SSR stay, but I'm not wanting to do that, or just leave things as they are and deal with my family's unhappiness. Can anyone suggest a fun place at Daytona Beach(or any beach on the way home to NC) for a family of 6 that won't break the bank? Thanks so much!

 

[canwegosoon]

My friends go to Duck NC...but I don't know if it would be appealing to your ages. But I am sure someone here does know.

 

[GeorgiaAristocat]

For your kids ages, I'm with your husband on going to Myrtle Beach, especially if they are asking for "more exciting" than HHI. Myrtle has a boardwalk, etc, and is geared more towards the older kids. With the entertainment system, your kids are old enough that they should be able to tolerate the trip, especially if thy understand that the trip is the trade-off for not staying at HHI.

I love HHI (my Dad lives there), but it is a fairly *quiet* beach and resort area. (Although I have never stayed on the Disney resort there, so I don't know what add'l acitivities they have.) It is a wonderful beach, if you just want sand, waves, and water. As an aside, they also have FABULOUS thrift stores - I picked up a TREK mountain bike that looked brand-new for $35, and a Step 2 basketball goal for $1.

 

[d-man's mom]

Why won't he consider Hilton Head?

 

[d-man's mom]

Oh and I agree that there's much more to do for a family at MB than HHI. I was just curious as to why he was ruling it out.

 

[Kellydelly]

Gosh, I don't think I'd be letting my children dictate where we go on vacation. You are treating them to US and Disneyworld and they have room to complain about anything ? Send them to my house while you and your husband enjoy the nice trip you have planned!

 

[my3kids]

My children, teenagers included, love Hilton Head. Myrtle Beach is quite a different place from HH. We took them down to see it over the winter, but even they said they would hate it in the summer. That place is crazy for 4 months of the year.