Best and closest beaches to Disney World??

[beattyfamily]

I tried doing a search and didn't come up with much information. And I'm sorry if this is the wrong board but I couldn't find one that fit this question.

So can any one give me some advice or tips on a beach not too far from Disney? Maybe 2 hours max?

All I learned was that most felt that the Gulf side beaches are better.

Also that Clearwater and St. Petersburg are pretty good and not too far. Like 1 1/2 hours away.

When I look up St. Petersburg I get confused as to which beach they are talking about.

Anyway. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciate.

 

[Art 1]

I would go to the Sarasota area, Longboat Key, Siesta Key.

 

[lilosurf11]

Def. Siesta Key! I haven't been there in YEARS and I would love to go back.
We used to spend a few days at Siesta Key and then head to WDW. Best vacations EVER!!

 

[Magic Mom]

Caladesi Island State Park. It was voted best beach in America a couple of years ago.

 

[Cindy B]

Lol.. I misread the title.. thought it said Chesty Beach near Disney World...

LOL...

 

[beattyfamily]

Lol.. I misread the title.. thought it said Chesty Beach near Disney World...

LOL...

I can kind of see why!!

Now you all have got me more confused than ever! No mention of Clearwater or St. Petersburg! Now I have to research each of these to see where they are and how far they are!!

Thank you though!

 

[madmom1030]

We went to the Clearwater area the beginning of July. We went to Clearwater Beach and Honeymoon Beach. Both were nice beaches. Clearwater was filled with tourist. Honeymoon is a State Park and you could tell it was more locals who were there. We preferred Honeymoon to Clearwater. Honeymoon Island is where you take the ferry to Caldesi Island.

Erin

 

[GoldenAfternoon]

My family and I travel to Pass-a-grille beach every year. Its the southernmost tip of St. Pete Beach and its just gorgeous! Its about 90 minutes from WDW. Wish I was there right now!

 

[jacksmom]

We are looking forward to Caladesi in a couple of weeks! We are staying at Clearwater Beach! We have family in Dunedin and have done (and loved) Caladesi before!

 

[Iott Family]

How much of a drive is it to Siesta Key from Orlando? Can it be a day trip?

We will be in Orlando mid October and would love to spend a day at the beach as we have missed our last two years of NC beach vacations because of finances or lack there of

 

[budmonster]

I tried doing a search and didn't come up with much information. And I'm sorry if this is the wrong board but I couldn't find one that fit this question.

So can any one give me some advice or tips on a beach not too far from Disney? Maybe 2 hours max?

All I learned was that most felt that the Gulf side beaches are better.

Also that Clearwater and St. Petersburg are pretty good and not too far. Like 1 1/2 hours away.

When I look up St. Petersburg I get confused as to which beach they are talking about.

Anyway. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciate.

They were right about the Clearwater and St. Pete area, check out a beach called Treasure Island it's beautiful there and the water is perfect. There is also a place called Mederia beach in that area also that's just as nice.

 

[Pembo]

We love Anna Maria Island..

 

[beattyfamily]

They were right about the Clearwater and St. Pete area, check out a beach called Treasure Island it's beautiful there and the water is perfect. There is also a place called Mederia beach in that area also that's just as nice.

Thank you!! So I'm leaning toward either Clearwater beach or Treasure Island.

 

[MaggieMoo'sMom]

We went to Treasure Island after our Disney vacation last fall. It's about an hour and a half. It was beautiful! We got a great room on Expedia for a really good rate. We were so tired after 6 nights in WDW, it was a nice relaxing ending to our trip.

 

[PrincessV]

St. Pete Beach, Clearwater Beach, Treasure Island, Madeira Beach... all are part of the 30 miles of barrier islands off the coast, west of Tampa. There are lots more: Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Redington Beach... Check our (I'm a local) Convention & Visitors Bureau website for full descriptions, as each beach has its own personality. All are within 2 hours of WDW via I-4 and I-275.

 

[Art 1]

Thank you!! So I'm leaning toward either Clearwater beach or Treasure Island.

I never cared for Clearwater Beach, too crowded, too built up, too much traffic.

 

[MommaSnowwhite]

Why not Cocoa Beach (Atlantic side)? We stayed there a couple of years ago and loved it.

 

[chyam]

Also in the St. Pete area is a park called Fort DeSoto, very quiet, nice restrooms, picnic shelters and the North Beach was rated the best beach in America in 2005. All it will cost you is 85 cents in tolls. There is a snack bar there also, they also have a ferry (don't know the price) that will take you to Egmont Key. There is also an old fort there. The place is alot less crowded than most of the other beaches here in Pinellas County especially on the weekdays. You can also see the Skyway Bridge from some parts of the park.

 

[Wonderlandmom]

Why not Cocoa Beach (Atlantic side)? We stayed there a couple of years ago and loved it.

As a Floridian, it honestly does not compare! Gulf IS the way to go.

Is this a day trip? When we go, we stay at St Pete beach at the Don Cesar or the Tradewinds Island Grand. I prefer St Pete over Clearwater, less crowds.

 

[beattyfamily]

As a Floridian, it honestly does not compare! Gulf IS the way to go.

Is this a day trip? When we go, we stay at St Pete beach at the Don Cesar or the Tradewinds Island Grand. I prefer St Pete over Clearwater, less crowds.

Thank you. This is the kind of info I like to know about. Gulf vs. East coast. I'm definitely sticking to the Gulf side.

Its a day trip in the middle of our Disney trip.

Is St. Pete a beach or a town? That's where I'm getting confused. It seems that each town has more than one beach to choose from.

What we want is a nice beach, with parking and fun stuff like food, maybe a playground, or a boardwalk or entertainment etc....I have kids who love to play in the sand and then walk around and get a snack or play in an arcade or a playground etc...

My kids are 10 and 14.

Thanks everyone!