Daytrip to a beach

[jhnsnfamily]

Our flight doesn't leave until 6:12 p.m. the day our vacation ends, so we wanted to plan a daytrip to a beach that day. ARE WE CRAZY?? I figured if we were up and packed and out the door by 8:30, we would be at a beach on the east coast by 10 or a beach on the west coast by 10:30 ... play for several hours, then pack up and head to the airport (I plan on leaving around 2 p.m.). My biggest concerns are 1) traffic on Saturday, June 14th, 2) whether or not it's worth the trip to the beach for just a few hours, and 3) finding a "friendly" hotel or somewhere else to clean up.

Any suggestions??? Or should we just say to heck with it and go to Blizzard Beach???

As always, I appreciate your input!

 

[Aliceacc]

As so often happens, the answer is "it depends."

I live on Long Island, 20 minutes from the most gorgeous beaches in the world. (OK, so I'm a little biased.) For me, the answer is no.

But if you've never swum in the ocean, the answer is most definitely YES!!!!

How's this for a suggestion: spend one of your full days with a morning at the beach. That way, time isn't as big a concern. Pay for an extra day at the park, and spend your last day at a park until 2 or so, then head to the airport. It will add a bit to your cost. (But we have 6 day park tickets. Extra days at that level cost something like $6 each or something.) But you won't have to stress about traffic and showers.

But if you don't live near the ocean, you owe it to yourself and your kids to experience it. Honest.

 

[jhnsnfamily]

We've been to the ocean before (Myrtle Beach several times) and last Spring Break we went on a carribean cruise with the kids. It's more for the benefit of those traveling with us ... two of the families, each with one child, have never been to the beach. And you are right ... it IS worth the trip! We were thinking Clearwater Beach, cuz I vacationed there as a child and I haven't been back since. It's a beautiful beach. We might have to make it a day trip during the week, and possibly just visit Downtown Disney the day we leave. I just don't think it's worth the stress to try to do it the day we have to fly. Thanks for responding!

 

[jenrein]

We've been to the ocean before (Myrtle Beach several times) and last Spring Break we went on a carribean cruise with the kids. It's more for the benefit of those traveling with us ... two of the families, each with one child, have never been to the beach. And you are right ... it IS worth the trip! We were thinking Clearwater Beach, cuz I vacationed there as a child and I haven't been back since. It's a beautiful beach. We might have to make it a day trip during the week, and possibly just visit Downtown Disney the day we leave. I just don't think it's worth the stress to try to do it the day we have to fly. Thanks for responding!

Clearwater is always worth taking the time to go. However, the traffic is always horrendous as well as parking. If you go for even 2-3 hours though it really is worth it.

 

[Aliceacc]

How about the East coast-- Cape Caneveral is a wonderful side trip!

 

[FFXDSNADDICT]

My Dh and I have alot of exerence with leaving Disney to head to the beach. He has family in Melbourne Fl, so we always end up out that way at least once during every trip. The entire "Space Coast" is really nice and its pretty east to get to. If you leave like you are headed out of DTD towards the Crossroads shopping center and take a right at the first light you are on 535. Once you head under I-4 you rae going to watch for World Center Drive. I want to say its like the 4th light and you will make a left. You will start to see signs for Orlando International Airport. Basically you end up getting on The Central Florida Greenway for about 20 minutes or so. You start to see signs for Canaveral and you will end up seeing all the Disney Cruise Buses too! You get on the Beach Line and follow that untill you end up near 95. From there you can choose basically any beach to head towards. between the Greenway and the Beach line I think its about 4 to 5 bucks in tolls one way, but if you are leaving from Orlando international you go the exact way to come back. Its really easy and it takes about 45 to 50 minutes to get out that way and then you won't have as much congestion trying to get back to the airport, rather then going I-4.

 

[jhnsnfamily]

Well, we collectively decided it would be too stressful to attempt to visit the beach the day we leave ... so, instead, we are making it a day trip on Tuesday (one of our "free" days from the park). My heart is set on Clearwater Beach/Pier 60 area. My question is ... is there a "day trip" friendly hotel where we can hang out, each lunch, and freshen up while we are there or are we stuck using public restrooms and outdoor showers at the pier? Any advice would be appreciated! TIA!

 

[auntie]

I think that's a MUCH better idea. We've done that..take a day off from the Parks and Disney.
For your last day...go to the front desk the night before your check out and ask for a "late check out". Usually they are pretty accomodating. Tell them you have a late flight out, and would like to enjoy the resort for the day. Often they will give you a 1:00 check out as opposed to the earlier 11:00.
One time my son was sick..and they let us have the room until after 2:00 when we were leaving for the airport.
It's a bit more relaxing..you can have breakfast at your resort, the kids can swim in the pool..and you might try a trip to Downtown Disney for souvineers or shopping before heading to the airport.