Disney goers..anyone been to Naples Florida?

[traci]

We are thinking about going there (seperate trip) and would like any feedback. Who has been? What are the beaches like? Weather??

Thank you

 

[Colinsmom]

My ILs live on Marco Island, near Naples. The beaches are nice, but there are definitely limited things to do, IMO. I particularly like the beaches on Sanibel and Captiva Islands, but again, not a ton to do other than beachy stuff.

Weather depends on the time of year. They did get slammed pretty hard by one of the hurricanes last fall, but usually are out of the hurricane paths. Weather tends to be hot in the spring, summer and fall and moderate to slightly cool in the winter.

 

[dtsaos]

I went quite a while ago when I was a teenager for a few nights w/my friend to visit her grandparents. I remember thinking it was a very pretty area, but extremely boring! Of course I was 15 at the time! The beaches there are nice.

 

[traci]

Thank you for the replies i appreciate the feedback!

 

[JenDaveBrendan]

We actually just got back from Naples a few weeks ago. We stayed with my parents, and it was me, DH, and 5 year old son. DS had a blast!!! IMO, the best beach is Naples... we tried Marco Island and Sanibel, and they didn't compare (IMO- no offense to anyone). The Travel Channel actually rated Naples beach the best beach in Florida. There is also a small water park in Cape Coral (about an hour's drive- called Sunsplash family waterpark) that my son loved and we went to twice.
The beaches in Naples are great -- warm water, nice sand, and lots of shells. (if you go underwater about waist deep, you can find some sand dollars under the sand too!)
Weather was hot (but it is summer....) about 92 deg. every day, but really didn't bother us at all.
We plan on going again next year!
Let me know if you have any other questions!
Jen

 

[golfgal]

I have been to Marco and to Naples. I guess a "good" beach is what you make of it. The beaches there are crushed shells so it isn't the kind of beach you can kick off your shoes and walk in the sand. They are large beaches, especially Marco Island. We stayed at the Marco Marriott and that was a nice hotel. In Naples we stayed at the LaPlaya and I wouldn't recommend that place. It was ok, the rooms in the tower with the ocean view were nice, but the staff was horrible.

Downtown Naples is fun to shop, but very expensive. They have a fun Irish Pub that brings in singers from Ireland on the weekends. We had a good time there. If you like to golf, there are some nice courses there, but other then shopping and golfing, there isn't much else to do.

 

[traci]

thank you

 

[Kae]

We love Naples I have been going there for 30yrs since I was 10. What places are you thinking of staying at? What do you like to do? Naples is a relaxing place, We hang out at the beach, window shop downtown, & eat at some great places. We also enjoy the Pier. It is close to Ft Myers, Marco & Sanibel.

Kae

 

[traci]

We are thinking of going to the Caribbean in January, but started wondering what it would be like to stay closer instead....Naples. We want a nice beach and good weather. Since we will be traveling with babies the resort must be kid-friendly. Yet, we also want it to be *quiet* and have a touch of luxury.

Thank you again for the insight everyone

 

[Clare D]

Hi
We should have been staying at the Hilton on Marco Island but changed to the Registry to be nearer the action. I have heard really good reports about Naples and i am looking forward to it. Can anybody give me any hints, tips or places to visit. It is me, DH & DS aged nearly 3 when we go.
Thanks Clare

 

[8 Ears]

My cousin lives in Naples and talks more about Sanible Island than anything else.

 

[Kae]

Hi
We should have been staying at the Hilton on Marco Island but changed to the Registry to be nearer the action. I have heard really good reports about Naples and i am looking forward to it. Can anybody give me any hints, tips or places to visit. It is me, DH & DS aged nearly 3 when we go.
Thanks Clare

My kids love the pier, i think it is at 12th street or Avenue. Jungle Larry's kinda like a zoo. The dock at Crayton Cove is good it is right by the city dock. Tin City is a fun place to shop & eat-Kelly's fish house is by Tin City. If you have a kitchen go to the fresh market to shop-not cheap but great stuff.

Kae

 

[Clare D]

Thanks for the update Kae. Tin City - sounds like something out of the Robots film. My DS would love that

Clare

 

[DazedandConfused]

My Parents live in Naples for the 6 months of winter so we go every year! It is beautiful and during the winter they have better weather than most of Florida! Have to say that we just mainly hang by the pool, go to the beach, take the kids to the park and ride bikes (my mom picks bikes up at the local consignment shop yearly than donates them and does it againthe next year for us coming down. Very laid back place, not much to do except beach, pool, shopping and eating out. Someone mentioned the zoo. It's an o.k. way to spend the day but we jsut love the relaxation of hanging out. We do rent a pontoon boat for a day out of MArco island and head out to beaches that are covered with beautiful shells. I am looking at my vase full of our Florida shells from this last trip. The dolphins give a great show if you're lucky and dive beside the boat. It's Great experience! We are Naples Fans but my family is there so it is a bit different for us. HTH!

 

[Del]

We've been to SAnibel but loved Naples beach more. WE've been twice. We stayed at LaPlaya resort on Vanderbilt beach once and at the Registry Resort down the street once. It's laid back. The beach was beautiful!!! It's a place to beach, hang out and relax. Dinner, drinks seemed to be it for the night life which was enough for us. good luck. Del

 

[traci]

Is the ocean warm enough to swim in January?

 

[golfgal]

Is the ocean warm enough to swim in January?

It wasn't when we were there-although I don't like cold water. Some kids were swimming, but that was it.

 

[Yak]

We are thinking about going there (seperate trip) and would like any feedback. Who has been? What are the beaches like? Weather??

Thank you

We love the South Seas Plantation on Captiva Island, but last November stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Naples when hurricanes closed the resort (I think it's still closed). The Ritz was beautiful, but stretched the budget quite a bit. $50 + tax + tip for 2 beach umbrellas for the day .