Can someone help give a landlubber a walk-through on how to do a beach day?

[ptrbryant]

Man, just realized it's been years since I've been to a beach...and back in my teens, it was usually Cape May, New Jersey! Our family's gone on 3 trips to WDW and have never gone to the beach--which I really want to do. Looks like we're staying put in a WDW resort for the duration of our vacation, so we'd just take a day trip--probably to Cocoa Beach since it seems closest.

Soooo, just what do we do? My mind's drawing a blank! We follow the map to Cocoa Beach, and when we reach the town itself--where do we go? Is there a better section of the beach than another? Anywhere to change clothes? Beach umbrellas to rent anywhere?

Help!!!

Thanks!
Karla B.

 

[Melynny]

We usually drive to St. Petersburg beach, it's a little farther than cocoa but I like the gulf better. There they have a small change room with an outdoor shower, and beach rentals along with a small snack bar and shop.

We drove to Cocoa once and there were beach rentals ( more expensive than St. Pete) and lots more people. We did not have any idea where to go either, and we just drove to it, it's like at the end of the road, where it says Cocoa beach on the map. St. Pete is a little more complicated,, you 'll have to get a map if you decide there. If you are into Adventure,, check out Fort Desoto, near St. Pete. It's a state park and they also have showers, change room, snack bar but not rentals.

 

[Motherfletcher]

I like the gulf coast better too, a whole lot calmer and finer, whiter sand. If you are staying on site you might want just go to the beach at Poly?

 

[DisneyPhD]

Even though I was born and rasied in Michigan my father is from Virginia Beach and the outer banks of North Carolinia (Ocrakcoke if anyone knows the place) So I spend a a fews weeks to a month every summer at the beach. It is sort of in my blood.

However last summer I was pregnant and the due date was Aug 9th (baby born Aug 3rd) and hubby was teaching college until July so we couldn't go to visit family or the beach last summer. We decided to do Vero Beach the 1st week of May since hubby's school had a break and we were DVC.

We I have to tell you "I LOVE THAT PLACE". It was the easiest and best beach vacation every. Everything was right there, we would take the stroller to the pool with the cooler in it, leave it at the pool (by a chair or table) and then take the very short walk to the beach, play there for a few hours, then head over to the pool. Bathrooms were near by if needed. Our room was a few steps away if we needed anything. It was great. The pool is great, the food is great. The resort is great. I got a message, there was games and thing for 3 year old DD to do. Lots of putt putt golf.

If you have time consider staying a night or too there. It is just a few hours from WDW. We loved it so much we are going back this year (but we will have a 9 month old in addtion to the 4 year old!) This year we are staying 4 nights at WDW at PORS and 3 at VB (we used up all our points or we would stay longer.) The inn rooms there are really great, they have a VCR in the room with movies to rent or borrow for free for DVC members.

 

[kikipug]

Hit Daytona Beach... you can drive your rental car right on the beach, and use it as 'Home Base' for the day. Take I-4 to 95S to exit 256; turn right off the exit, and don't stop till you are on the sand. (About 5 miles). Actually, DO stop on the way- hit Target or WalMart, pick up the fixings for lunch, some sunscreen, and a pail and shovel! You can rent umbrellas, etc right there. (And try the conch frittters at Crabby Joe's on the pier!)

If you've had enough of the beach after a few hours, either head south to Ponce Inlet to enjoy a late lunch or dinner on the deck at "Inlet Harbor"... live music outside every day, and great food. The lighthouse is a nice place to visit in Ponce Inlet, too. Or, head back toward the mainland, and visit Daytona USA- lots of fun!!!

 

[ptrbryant]

How much farther is it to St. Pete's Beach? Isn't it like 45 minutes longer each way to than Cocoa Beach from Orlando? Yes, I prefer the look of the Gulf coast (esp. Siesta Key!), but DH will NOT drive more than 2- 2 1/2 hours total for one day at the beach. Actually, he'd prefer to spend the whole time at WDW, but c'mon! One day at the real beach!??! Please!?!?
Thanks!
KArla B.

 

[Gillian]

The Gulf beaches are really nice, and not that far away. Siesta Key is too far, probably, but there are a ton of beaches in the St Pete area.

We visited for a week and toured a bunch of beaches last spring. The ones we liked best were:
Caladesi island state park (a little expensive & hard to get to)
Pass a grille beach (I think part of st pete beach, at the very end)
sand key park website

We also went to ft desoto & that was nice. St Pete beach public access is very nice too, but we were looking for quieter places. We also like a shorter beach, because it's less walking with the kids & stuff.

What we do for a day out is get into our suits with clothes over them. We take a cooler and a change of clothes for after. Most of the public beaches have showers and bathrooms.

Here is a website with info on the beaches http://www.floridasbeach.com/bch_nat/beachfinder.aspx

Have a great trip!

 

[ptrbryant]

Thanks, Gillian! I'll check it out!

Karla B.

 

[Snoopymom]

We like Daytona too. It's very quick and easy to get to, approx 45 minutes. When we weren't going to spend the night, we'd still get a hotel room for the day just so we'd have a pool, a place to shower and change. There are tacky but fun arcades, go-karts, parasailing, helecopter rides and those bungy type rides. There are trolleyboat tours and shops and restaurants right there at Ocean Walk. Our favorite restaurant is the http://www.oceandeck.com/, it's right on the beach south of the pier next to The Best Western. I think we're going to try Madiera beach next time for somewhere new. I've heard it's only an hour away?

 

[BC]

We left the Boardwalk Inn around 9am and we were in Clearwater by 11am. It was a straight shot on I-4. It is beautiful there. We rode on down to Redington and Treasure Island at John's Pass (lots of little shops). The beach is really pretty and the water is great! There is a parking lot right at the pier and restaurants nearby. We stayed on the beach a couple of hours, ate at Red Lobster and were back at the BWI in time to take in Illuminations at Epcot! What a wonderful day!