Can anyone recommend an Airboat ride?

[Earstou]

I want my kids to experience some of the "natural" Florida, plus I think it would really make my teen happy to do an airboat ride. But I have no idea who to book with!
We will spend a couple of nights in or near Cocoa Beach, also 8 nights at WDW, so would like an operator somewhere near one of those areas. Any suggestions?

 

[madcoco]

I have used these two,if you are coming from the Cocoa area to WDW. The St. Johns River is an excellent area for airboating Christmas FL Airboat Rides

Lone Cabbage Fish Camp

And this one in the Kissimmee area:
Boggy Creek

Disney also has a nature preserve that most don't know about south of WDW.Well worth a visit to get back to nature.

Disney's Wilderness Preserve
Hope this helps. Enjoy your stay.

 

[Earstou]

Thanks for the names, madcoco! I hate to book something without getting references from others.
Was there one you liked better than the others, and were they all good in their own way?

 

[madcoco]

I really can't recommend one over the other. I have visited the Lone Cabbage Camp more often than than the one in Christmas only because it is a little more convenient between MCO Airport and where I stay outside of Melbourne. Have not used the Boggy Creek Service but have relatives that did and as far as I know, no complaints.Hope you enjoy your trip.

 

[Earstou]

Oh, you mentioned Melbourne, maybe you can help me with another question. We want to spend 2 nights on the beach. Currently have a Cocoa Beach hotel reserved, but have heard so many negative things about Cocoa Beach hotels.
So I'm considering staying at Melbourne Beach. Can you recommend any beach hotels that aren't terribly expensive (around $100 a night) in Melbourne, and how do you think Melbourne Beach compares to Cocoa Beach?

 

[madcoco]

The Melbourne Beaches are a little more laid back. The majority of the Melbourne Beach hotels are actually located in the Indialantic and Satellite Beach area south of Patrick AirForceBase and just north of Route 192. All the beaches basically just run into each other as you head south from CocoaBeach.Melbourne Beach is just south of Rt 192(the same road that runs into Kissimmee.) It is close to the Archie Carr Wildlife Refuge. In Melbourne Beach you are only about 20mins north of Disney's VB Resort. Don't have a lot of experience at staying at the hotels(We have relatives in Melbourne and short-term rent from year to year like nomads.LOL). We have stayed in the past at the Quality Suites Oceanfront,Holiday Inn OF and Hilton OF. All very nice and close to everything. Windemere by the Sea is supposed to be a wonderful B&B Inn that people seem to love. It looks wonderful from the outside. We have not stayed there personally.
Relatives were in town last month for a wedding and some stayed at the Radisson Oceanfront (they loved it) and others at the Days Inn Satellite Beach across the street from the Beach. My niece said the Days Inn smelled musty. It had free continental breakfast. She said it consisted of 2 kinds of Little Debbie Cakes, coffee and small containers of Sunny Delite. Sure not a gourmet breakfast but the room was cheap. The pool was clean. She said she probably wouldn't stay there again. Here is a website with some info. Right now the rooms in the nicer hotels run around 135-150 up for oceanfront.(snowbird season) Prices should drop in offseason. When are you going? For a start, here are a few websites with some further info. If you decide to stay in the area I can give you some tips on spots to eat and places to visit.
Melbourne Area Beaches

Windemere Inn

Melbourne Beach Rentals

Archie Carr Wildlife Refuge