Best kid firendly place two or three hours from WDW

[newfiegirl]

we will spend a fast paced week on site, then heading who knows where...john's pass? madeira beach? sarasota beach? st pete's? There are too many areas on the coast and I have never been outside of Orlando. Looking for suggestions for hotels, condos, or resorts that are kid friendly (boys ages 7 and 10), not as expensive as wdw because we will be taking it easy and shopping for this part of the trip. I need some points of reference bc googling "Florida beaches and places to stay" is very overwhelming. Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[NinaBella]

we will spend a fast paced week on site, then heading who knows where...john's pass? madeira beach? sarasota beach? st pete's? There are too many areas on the coast and I have never been outside of Orlando. Looking for suggestions for hotels, condos, or resorts that are kid friendly (boys ages 7 and 10), not as expensive as wdw because we will be taking it easy and shopping for this part of the trip. I need some points of reference bc googling "Florida beaches and places to stay" is very overwhelming. Thanks for any suggestions!

Tradewinds Resort on St. Pete beach, or any hotel nearby. We have often stayed at Postcard Inn and walk down to Tradewinds to use their amenities (you can pay to use them if you are not a guest). Postcard Inn can bring a rowdy college crowd and they do have thin walls (they will provide you a white noise machine) but is decent priced with a large saltwater pool. I would say any hotel between Postcard Inn and the Don Cesar would be great since they are all on the same beach. You can see the Don Cesar (Pink Palace featured on travel channel) in the distance from Post Card Inn. Also, it's a short drive to Fort DeSoto Park which your boys might like exploring the fort. St. Pete had an indoor go cart track for rainy days. There is also the Dali Museum. Lots of things to do in Tampa as well.

 

[Brook1099]

we just stayed in Anna Maria Island at the Beach Bungalows in the Mermaid room. My kids are 13 and 15 and loved it.. we have never been to the gulf so it was awesome to walk right out our door and walk right onto the gulf beach. We collected shells and explored the island a little we were only there two days between Disney stay.. will definately return in future for longer period of time

 

[minnieandfamily]

I love to recommend Sarasota/Longboat Key. My family recently moved there so we have been a few times to visit with our kids. Beautiful beaches and very relaxing! It's only about a 2 hour drive from Disney. We stay at Sand Cay - well-maintained, reasonably priced, beachfront with a pool. They have full kitchens so you can save money by eating in. They are individually owned units so you just need to be sure to carefully review the photos on their website so you know that you're getting a recently updated unit.

There's lots to do - St. Armand's Circle has great shops and restaurants, ice cream for the kids. The Ringling circus museum and mansion are also fun to visit. I'm sure your boys would enjoy kayaking in the mangrove tunnels. It's nice to walk around the marina area (near Marina Jack's) and check out all of the yachts, there's a playground there too.

There are lots of great restaurants! My favorites are the Lazy Lobster and the Dry Dock, both are family friendly. Good luck and hope you have a nice trip, wherever you choose!

 

[isabellea]

We always combine a WDW trip with a beach trip at St. Pete Beach. We always stay at the Gulf Tides Inn. The owners are awesome, it's small, quiet and only 1 block from the beach. At less than 100$/night for a closed room and kitchenette it cannot be beaten. When at St.Pete we always visit North Beach at Ft DeSoto.

 

[staceyrhood]

Disney Vero Beach is awesome!