You might try the cruise board for info on Cocoa BEach hotels, as that's where many cruisers stay the night before/after their cruise. We stayed in Cocoa Beach last June (20-25) while DD went to Space Camp at NASA. The beach is great, definitely NOT the same Atlantic Ocean we have here in Maine! Stayed at Quality Suites, nice 2 room suit with K bedroom and double sleeper sofa, counter height fridge with microwave and counter/sink area, good bathroom, clean, decent continental b'fast,
AAA rate was $80/nt plus tax. Had a laundry room and a whirlpool/spa, no swimming pool! but we had priveleges to use the pool/gym at the Radisson at the Port- which we didn't do because the QS was a tow minute walk to the BEACH!! Cocoa Beach itself is kinda touristy-tacky, but it was fun. If you head to the state-side of the breakwater there are more things to do, including a mall and a Barnes and Noble (yes, it rains in FL in the afternoons in June). Lots of restaurants to choose from, most major chains and little local places. The boardwalk is basically stores, but there's a restaurant at the end with an outdoor seating area where DH and I drank lunch one day; 2 margs and 2 pinas cost $24, and if there was 1/2 shot of alcohol per drink I'd be amazed...but it was fun to sit out over the water, feel the sun and the breeze and pretend we were college kids again instead of almost-50's fuddy-duddies! Let's see, there are lots of tourist-trap shops, like on WIrlo Bronson (thenk "Towels $2.99!), but hey, we were tourists! Go to KSC and the Astronaut Hall of Fame...but I don't think you'll be able to see both in one day, even though they DO sell a combined ticket. We thought both were TERRIFIC, definitely highlights. Look for gators in the waterways alongside the roads...and cruise ships as they head out to sea (sigh, why isn't that me???), rockets from the beach if NASA has any launches while you are there, also manatees and seals and dolphins and all kinds of birds, none of which we see here in Maine! Go to the local orange groves, taste the juices and maybe they'll let you pick a couple of oranges from the trees...big hit with dd (and DH, me too), not your every day New England activity! We did wed-Sun noon in Orlando, went to CB Sunday evening and stayed til Fri late afternoon, then back to Orlando (POFQ, 1st time on-site) til Wed morning. Sandwiching Cocoa Beach in the middle made for a great, relaxing time in the midst of the WDW lunacy...didn't "resent" spending time away from WDW 'cuz we knew we'd get back there before going home. There's also a National Seashore site just north of Titusville...search for "Space Coast" and see what comes up! (Gee, can you tell we had a great time???)
Kassi
I've never been to Daytona, but my dad lives in Merritt Island so I've spent quite of bit of time in that area. The beach is of course awesome, as is Ron Jons surf shop. But if you are a nature lover (as I am), I could tell you loads of places to go- starting with Black Point Drive in the Nat. Wildlife Refuge. If nature wasn't your thing, there is also the free casino cruises...I went on the Sterling one last time and I'm not even a gambler! (it was more of an excuse to get out on the water and eat free food- i'm awful, i know).
