Combined Disney and beach vacation

[nodes101]

Our current plan is to drive to Disney for our October trip. We have 6 days booked with a 5 day pass. Maybe its just me but I can't imagine going all the way to Florida and not hitting a beach. I'm trying to work in a day or to on the coast (and praying for some good beach weather). Has anyone been to any beach towns in northern Florida on the Atlantic side? I'd rather not drive further south or to the gulf coast and then have to backtrack if I can help it. I've been looking at St. Augustine Beach, Neptune Beach, Daytona. Anyone else stop along the cost there between Jacksonville and Daytona to add something a little different to a Disney trip? Looking for something family friendly, decent beach just to relax for a day or two after the long drive and before the hustle of Disney.

 

[isabellea]

When going to WDW we usually combine with a beach trip on the Gulf coast (our spot is St. Pete Beach) but we once stopped in Daytona before a DCL cruise. Not a big fan of the city (very limited choice in good family-friendly restaurants imo) but we liked our resort, the Sun Viking. Booked it thru AM website.

 

[dish rag]

Been to most. Never cared much for St Aug beach. Out of your choices I would go with Daytona. Or even New Smyrna. Personally I would go to the keys off of Sarasota. We try to get there 3 or 4 times and to Daytona maybe once per year.

 

[mort1331]

We stop at Hilton head on the way down. Great island, relax for a day or 2 and continue on the WDW.

 

[nodes101]

Thanks for the notes on St. Aug beach and some of the other places. I grew up going to Clearwater but we'll be driving down the I95 so driving all the way west across the state and/or further south just to come back to Orlando afterward for Disney is something I'm trying to avoid. I'm hoping we can find some place to stop which also helps shorten the drive a little, then we can finish off the last hour or two the first morning of our Disney portion of the trip.

New Smyrna is interesting to me. Any recommendation for a for a decent hotel on the beach where the kids can have some sand and swimming time would be very appreciated. Anyone try a little further north like Amelia Island or Neptune Beach?

 

[Marv_barr]

You should take a look at going to Disney's Vero Beach. We stayed there in 2019 for 3 nights after WDW my family had a great time DD(8) and DS(6) loved the beach and pool.

 

[shaycamp21]

I second going to Disney's Vero Beach Resort. We got a great deal by renting points. The resort is beautiful and it's the perfect way to add some more Disney magic to your vacation.

 

[akmac57]

I would highly recommend Siesta Key beach. The condos to check out would be Crystal Sands or Palm Bay Club. The beach is like powdered sugar!

 

[dish rag]

I would highly recommend Siesta Key beach. The condos to check out would be Crystal Sands or Palm Bay Club. The beach is like powdered sugar!

Yes it’s nice. Was just there. We prefer to stay on Lido Key so we can walk to St Armand’s.