Beach recommendations

[Melct]

We would like to go to a nice beach for a couple days on our upcoming trip to Disney. Any recommendations for a nice beach that is driving distance, also looking for a hotel on the beach. I was thinking Daytona because I have been there once as a kid. Thanks in advance!

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

We would like to go to a nice beach for a couple days on our upcoming trip to Disney. Any recommendations for a nice beach that is driving distance, also looking for a hotel on the beach. I was thinking Daytona because I have been there once as a kid. Thanks in advance!

If you want a nice family friendly beach try New Smyrna Beach. We are closer than Daytona & a lot less commercial. Nice & relaxing. I believe the chamber has a nice website & there's also a FB page.

 

[katallo]

If you don't mind a 2 hour drive, Siesta Key is beautiful!

 

[staceyrhood]

If you want to head to the gulf we like Honeymoon Island near Tampa. On the Ocean... Hammock Beach is awesome and only about 1hr 15min from Disney. Our favorite however is Vero Beach, but its a good 3 hours away. The Disney resort there is fantastic!!!

After living next to Disney for the past 14 years we went to Daytona for the first time last month, after 1 night we headed back home, that will be our first and last time there. Just my opinion

 

[newfangled]

You may want to factor which beach based on your trip timing.

Spring break is horrible for Daytona (for families anyway).

I lived in the Tampa Bay area the majority of my life...Gulf side has better sand, but lower surf. A bit more "relaxing" . Any of the resorts along Clearwater Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Sand Key, St Pete Beach will offer a good beach experience. A Clearwater location (such as the Sand Pearl or Hilton Clearwater Beach) will also give you walking distance to the pier with lots of activities. The Sirata Beach Resort at St Pete Beach is also great and St Pete Beach has some great restaurants (The Hurricane Seafood Restaurant is awesome).

On the Atlantic Side (I live on Merritt Island now) you'll enjoy the classic crashing waves, though the sand is not the classic white. I like Satellite Beach and Cocoa Beach...both EASY drive from disney on the Beach Line Expressway. I confess I'm just beginning to explore the beaches here, but I did spend the night at the Hilton Cocoa Beach...good choice, and great restaurant there. Walk to Ron Jon's ...bit longer walk to the pier (the Hampton is a little closer) Since you'll have a car.... The restaurants at Cape Canaveral are a treat. We like Milliken's Reef or Fish Lips.

Hope that helps!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

August 2013 we spent a day at Cocoa Beach. August 2014 we spent a day at Daytona Beach. Loved them both, but we preferred Daytona over Cocoa. That said, the Ron Jons at Cocoa is incredible if you're into shopping for beachy things.

My trip reports (see the links in my signature) outline our time spent with each, with lots of photos of both locations.

 

[Brook1099]

we just stayed two nights in Anna Maria Island.. it is gorgeeous.. two hour ride.. wouldn't do it for a day but a calming getaway from Disney during the crazy holiday in my plans again for next vacation.

 

[To the honeypots]

we just stayed two nights in Anna Maria Island.. it is gorgeeous.. two hour ride.. wouldn't do it for a day but a calming getaway from Disney during the crazy holiday in my plans again for next vacation.[/

. ^^^^^^ this^^^^. Awesome beaches, fun trolley to ride, cute little shops.

 

[M&M mom]

August 2013 we spent a day at Cocoa Beach. August 2014 we spent a day at Daytona Beach. Loved them both, but we preferred Daytona over Cocoa. That said, the Ron Jons at Cocoa is incredible if you're into shopping for beachy things.

My trip reports (see the links in my signature) outline our time spent with each, with lots of photos of both locations.

We want to visit Cocoa Beach for a day when we are in Orlando this March. I just have a few questions I'm hoping you can answer for me. When you get to Cocoa Beach where do you go to park your vehicle for the day and where do you get changed?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We want to visit Cocoa Beach for a day when we are in Orlando this March. I just have a few questions I'm hoping you can answer for me. When you get to Cocoa Beach where do you go to park your vehicle for the day and where do you get changed?

While we were at the beach, we parked at Lori Wilson Park (no charge). There were washrooms and changing facilities just off the parking lot.

After the beach, we drove to Ron Jons Surf Shop, and parked in the designated area behind the store.

 

[M&M mom]

While we were at the beach, we parked at Lori Wilson Park (no charge). There were washrooms and changing facilities just off the parking lot.

After the beach, we drove to Ron Jons Surf Shop, and parked in the designated area behind the store.

Thank you very much!

 

[thenewgirl]

On the gulf side....we like North Beach at Ft. Desoto Park. No hotels on the small islands, I don't think, but they do have camping. We also like Siesta Key a lot.

 

[Planogirl]

If you don't mind driving a few hours, I recommend St. Augustine Beach. It's a nice beach and you can combine it with a visit to a fascinating old town.

 

[Grumpy92]

Do you want the Gulf or Atlantic Side?

I prefer the Gulf but then I grew up on the Atlantic. The Gulf tends to be calmer.

Gulf of Mexico - Fort DeSoto is absolutely my favorite. It has been on the top beaches of Florida list many times.
St Pete & Clearwater have nice beaches. Love Anna Maria Island, Siesta and Sanibel but that may be too far south.

Atlantic Ocean - Flagler beach is a quiet beachside town with great restaurants, beach is not busy. Cocoa beach is nice and where I go from Orlando (think Kennedy Space Center) its close. Many people like Daytona because you can drive your car on the beach itself. Salt water is nasty on your car (rinse it off when you leave) but it is fun to drive on the beach. It is a little too crowded for me.

I often agree with Dr Beach on the best Fla beaches
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trave...togallery.html

 

[NinaBella]

Daytona is not nice nor is it family friendly. I just got back yesterday. We got at least once a year for cheer competitions. I may be biased as I am from Myrtle Beach, SC. If you go to Daytona, there are only a few nice hotels. I would suggest the Wyndham Oceanwalk or Hilton. Wyndham has two indoor pools, outdoor pools, hot tub, and lazy river.

I would suggest looking at Tradewinds Resort in St Petersburg, Florida. http://www.tradewindsresort.com/

My family loves to Camp at Ft. DeSoto and it is not too far from Tradewinds so you can spend the day at Ft. DeSoto as well. Also lots of family activities in St. Pete, haven't tried the indoor go carts yet but it is on my list!

I currently live in Tampa between Disney and St. Petersburg. I have never been to Coco other than my uncles house so I can't compare to that. Kennedy Space Center is nice and near Coco.