Beaches...

[cwasil]

This really has nothing to do with saving money or Disney for that matter but this board seems to be a catch all for just about everything.

We're going from May 18th to June 1 with 7 days being at Disney leaving a bunch of other days for other "stuff". We're not hitting Sea World or any other theme parks as I think I'm spending enough money just to get in the Disney ones. Obviously, Florida is synonymous with beaches and I was wondering what some of your favorites are that are reasonably distanced (couple hours tops) from Disney. Also, if you have any other reasonably fun, reasonably priced day trips I'd like to hear about them.

We're renting a big 5 bedroom house with a swimming pool so all my Florida relatives can come and go. Beats me having to chase them down all over the state. The draw of food, beer, swimming and a bed have them willing to come my way. I'm sure we'll have some days just lounging around the pool catching up with relatives but I know my (4) kids (ages 1, 6, 7 & 16) would love to venture out a bit and certainly see the ocean and find shells. Let me know your experiences. Thank you.

 

[mm1971]

We enjoy a day trip to Daytona Beach. We always enjoy the swimming and activities around that area. We also try to go to the Kennedy Space Center every few years. We haven't been since they stopped shuttle flights so I don't know if things have changed or not.

My parents always enjoyed Cypress Gardens, but I have never been.

 

[ceecee]

We went to Daytona last year, didn't care for it. We are trying Clearwater this year. My sil lives near Flagler Beach and while the sand isn't great, it's like a beachy town. I hear the keys are nice too, but we only have 3 nights for the beach this year.

 

[TnTWalter]

Gulf-side Beaches:
Anna Maria Island
St Pete Beach
& Clearwater

all within 2 hours and NICE

I would do a week @ Disney and then a week @ the beach...in fact, that's what I've done. AWESOME!

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

Siesta Keys-- about 2 hrs from Disney on the gulf coast. It was rated the #1 beach is the US. The sand is baby powder soft and no rocks or shells.

Also Caspersen Beach in Venice. It is the shark tooth capital of the world. If you side on the beach you can dig and find shark teeth. That is just over 2 hrs. A little south of siesta keys.

We are going to WDW for 14 days end of July/ beg of August. Plan on scooting over to both beaches for the day. DH is not a beach person so hoping a few hours at each beach will good for him.

Have a good trip!

 

[mmkk]

We enjoy a day trip to Daytona Beach. We always enjoy the swimming and activities around that area. We also try to go to the Kennedy Space Center every few years. We haven't been since they stopped shuttle flights so I don't know if things have changed or not.

My parents always enjoyed Cypress Gardens, but I have never been.

Cypress Gardens is now Legoland, and while they did keep the actual gardens, you have to pay admission to Legoland to see them.

As far as beaches go, the Gulf side beaches are the best, not that the Atlantic beaches aren't nice, just better sand and prettier water over here. So anywhere Clearwater Beach or south is good. The further south you go, the nicer the beaches.

If you are in the Clearwater area, there is the Clearwater aquarium where Winter the Dolphin, from Dolphin's Tale is. There are TONS of things to see and do in FL, so I would suggest picking an area and then finding out whats near it. Its easier that way!

 

[kiki02]

st pete beaches and cocoa beach. I LOVE COCOA BEACH.

have fun.

This really has nothing to do with saving money or Disney for that matter but this board seems to be a catch all for just about everything.

We're going from May 18th to June 1 with 7 days being at Disney leaving a bunch of other days for other "stuff". We're not hitting Sea World or any other theme parks as I think I'm spending enough money just to get in the Disney ones. Obviously, Florida is synonymous with beaches and I was wondering what some of your favorites are that are reasonably distanced (couple hours tops) from Disney. Also, if you have any other reasonably fun, reasonably priced day trips I'd like to hear about them.

We're renting a big 5 bedroom house with a swimming pool so all my Florida relatives can come and go. Beats me having to chase them down all over the state. The draw of food, beer, swimming and a bed have them willing to come my way. I'm sure we'll have some days just lounging around the pool catching up with relatives but I know my (4) kids (ages 1, 6, 7 & 16) would love to venture out a bit and certainly see the ocean and find shells. Let me know your experiences. Thank you.