day trip to the beach

[Laneyg]

Sorry if this isn't the right board - I wasn't sure which was the appropriate one!

We are leaving for Disney World on May 18. May 19 we plan to spend the day at the beach. I know it's a drive! But this will be my kids' first time near the ocean and we can't miss it!

We are so unfamiliar with the area - what beach would be best? Closest? Family friendly? Not super busy? Preferably with soft white sand! What are the differences in the Gulf and Atlantic sides? Is one warmer? Calmer waters? (undertows scare me with 3 little kids)... but at the same time we will be watching like hawks so a little bit of waves is fun!

Help! Thank you

 

[mtz0910]

i would go to clearwater.. its nice..around a 45 min drive..

 

[Beccabunny]

The closest beaches are going to be on the Atlantic Coast. You will have more waves, and the sand is not as soft and white as on the Gulf Coast.

We love Clearwater Beach (Gulf Coast). It takes us about an hour and a half to get there, maybe a little less. Go early, parking can get tight on weekends, although this is not the busiest time of year. There are fun activities for the kids, restaurants within walking distance, and sunsets are gorgeous! You'll get the soft white sand and warmer water here as well.

A little further south, Fort Desoto Park has a beautiful, less crowded beach. Not a lot of activities right on the beach. Great if you want a quiet beach day.

 

[Heluvsme]

Clearwater is more like an hour and a half, but it's such a nice beach. It's on the Gulf side---the sand is white and soft, the waves aren't as big as the Atlantic side, the water's warm. There's a nice rental place there that lets you rent umbrellas and/or cabanas.

Cocoa Beach is on the Atlantic side, it's closer, about 45 mintues away, has bigger waves, maybe more seashells (?). Cocoa Beach has Ron Jon Surf Shop, a tourist attraction unto itself! Kids love going in there!

Both are nice, they just offer up different experiences. Both have piers and shopping/dining areas right there on the beach. You're right there in Orlando anyways, if your kids haven't been to the ocean, you have to go!!

Don't forget the sunscreen!!

 

[kathy884]

We like the gulf side and Clearwater beach in particular -- big wide beach -- nice soft sand -- calmer and warmer water than the Atlantic. I wouldn't say it's an uncrowed beach though -- It's so big and wide though so plenty of room for everyone -- lifeguards, a pier, family friendly resturants right there -- my favorite for an Orlando day trip. It's an hour and a half drive -- so the Atlantic is closer. With little ones, though, I think I'd pick this one for the calmer waters and nicer sand -- would be worth the extra driving time to me.

 

[Just People]

After going to Clearwater Beach, I don't think i'd want to go back to Cocoa Beach, and I loved Cocoa Beach! The waters are so much warmer, the white sand so so much better. One thing to consider, yeah Clearwater Beach is about 45 minutes further out than Cocoa Beach, but there are NO TOLL ROADS on the way to Clearwater from Orlando!