As a child I lived in Edgewater, FL. Also in Volusia County. That is where Daytona Beach is. Personally, I don't much care for Daytona, and if I were going to the Atlantic side I would go to New Smyrna Beach, closer to you then Daytona anyway, less crowded, a small town, etc. It's a pretty nice beach.
Now if you want pretty white sand, blue waters, etc, I would go to the Gulf side. One of my friends lives close to Tampa and we go to Clearwater beach. It is gorgeous and there are some things to do there also (at least I think so, we just always play at the beach.) I'm thinking it will probably be around 1 1/2 to 2 hours from WDW.
If I had my choice, I would go to Clearwater.
And btw, be sure you have money for the toll roads in FL.