Closest beach for a day "off"?

[jjnb7709]

My little boys have never been to the ocean. We have 7 days at Disney - but 5 day hoppers. So hoping to use one of our days "off" to take the kids to a nice beach. Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[mm6mm6]

Hmmmm.
Last year we drove to Daytona. It's a rather fast drive, highway all the way. We got there in under an hour.

We went to Disney's Vero Beach Resort for four days after our seven days at the CSR. It was absolutely outstanding!

Would you consider tacking on a stay there after your WDW stay?

I felt the same way, wanted my DD to see the ocean. I figure if we're in Florida, on vacation, only vacation we do all year, might as well spend a bit more and go for it.

Vero Beach would blow you away. It's like you're still at WDW in a luxury resort (Mickey soaps, shampoo, butter, waffles in the restaurant, Disney stuff everywhere!) but there's huge ocean right out there.

You didn't mention where you're staying at WDW but I know some people who stay at WDW luxury resorts can use there key at Vero Beach. It might be a Vacation Club only deal but some people were there just for the day. You might check that out too.

For pics of Daytona:
http://community.webtv.net/sktracy

For pics of Vero Beach:
http://community.webtv.net/rtteacher

 

[myboysmom]

It depends on what you want to do.

Last year we went to the Canaveral National Seashore. It was just beautiful, we walked for miles and my boys collected a ton of sea shells. I forgot to pack something for them to carry them in, so they had soggy fanny packs full. Here is the link to the web http://www.nps.gov/cana/

We went to Daytona Beach first because my sister and husband wanted to see it. We drove on the beach, guess that was kinda cool but when we got to Canaveral I was sorry we went to Daytona first.

My niece had really wanted to get shells, her family didn't come with us. She got just a few and was really sad when her cousins came home with so many beatiful shells.

As it is a National Park there are great handouts for the kids on the shells and wildlife. It costs a few bucks to get in, but well worth it.

 

[Mickey527]

When my boys were young I always took them for a day trip to Naples Beach.
I don't know the name of the beach but it is a BIG public beach with a nice boardwalk built by the city. It is jut past Tampa on the Gulf.
I love the Gulf water much more than the Ocean, cleaner and less high waves.
And the best thing about the Naples beach is the Shark's teeth. They don't know why, but petrified sharks teeth wash ashore at this beach more than any other FL beach. You can walk along the water line at low tide and pick up sharks teeth everywhere. They are black and shiny, look like black rocks until you pick them up and see they are teeth. Just like the ones you can buy at the tourist stores for $5 and up.
One year we found so many that I went into each of my boys classrooms and we did a craft together. I bought some thin copper wire and some leather that loked like shoelaces but on a long roll. I had the kids wrap the copper around the tooth and they each got enough leather to either make a neclace or keychain. The class loved it and my boys were so pleased.
There are tons of places to eat along the main road of Naples and if you ask at the gas station in town someone will give you directions. I know the way to go, but don't pay attention to street names etc... You would get lost with my way. Peggie