Disney World followed by Florida Beach vacation

[Patience]

We want to go back to Disney World in 2015 but I am thinking about staying at POR for 2 or 3 nights and then spending the rest of our week long vacation at a Florida beach. If you've done this, which beach (and resorts) do you recommend? We are going to Destin this March for a week but that's pretty far from Orlando. Ideally, I would like to stay at a beach that is no more than 2 hours away from Disney World. Any suggestions? Oh, and I do not want to be on the Atlantic side of Florida so I do not want to stay in Daytona or Cocoa Beach.

Thanks!

 

[WishingMom]

I can't answer, but this is exactly what DH wants to do next trip as well. I think, and someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but it think St. Pete's beach is about 2 hours away!

Happy planning!

 

[ParrotBill]

There is a string of lovely beaches south of Tampa/St. Pete.

Also, we really like Clearwater beach for the commercial style beach, and Honeymoon Beach State Park for a more natural setting. You also have Caledesi Beach State Park which you reach by a ferry (at a cost) from Honeymoon.

Both are often rated as among the nicest beaches in the USA.

Warm, gentle waters with a gradual slope. At low tide you can walk out a long way.

In August we stayed 2 days in Clearwater Beach and went to Honeymoon one day and for the other day we rented a pontoon boat and motored over to two other barrier islands that can only be reached by private boats: 3 Rooker, and the South Anclote Sandbar. Way fun!

 

[Brian_WDW74]

Florida beaches aren't really a topic for the Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies board, so I've moved this thread to the Orlando Hotels and Attractions board.

 

[ZehnJahren]

I did this; three nights at WDW (with my Mom) and then 7 in Ft. Myers (with my ex-DBF).

I actually slept for almost the entire first day recovering from my four days at Disney!

The first night we were at the hotel in Ft. Myers, I slept 13 hours!

It was nice to have recovery time, and we were at a timeshare right on the beach. Too bad the ex and I were fighting THE ENTIRE WEEK and I pretty much just wished I had gone straight home.

I wouldn't suggest Ft. Myers. I really wasn't impressed, and while it looked to be about 2 1/2 hours away on a map it really took us about 4 for some reason! No traffic, either!

I spent my childhood going to the Florida beaches and could have taken or left Ft. Myers. I would also recommend Clearwater like a PP.

 

[Brook1099]

we are leaving Disney for a day trip and going to Anna Maria Island. I so looking forward to going, it looks beautiful. Check it out it looks great and is 2 hrs. away.

 

[Planogirl]

Nm

 

[Patience]

Florida beaches aren't really a topic for the Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies board, so I've moved this thread to the Orlando Hotels and Attractions board.

Thanks! I wasn't sure where to put it since I was talking about Florida beaches and not other attractions in Orlando.

 

[auntmeme7577]

We go to St. Pete's either before or after Disney every year
LOVE it !
Great way to unwind and relax

 

[bootc3]

We always rent condo's in Indian Rocks Beach. Close enough to Clearwater and St Pete to get the touristy feel but not as busy.

 

[musicluvr40]

We just did Disney followed by the beach in June. We went to Treasure Island. Very close to St. Pete - just a beautiful beach and awesome place! It took us about an hour and a half to get there. We stay in the Sunset Vistas which are right on the beach. 2 bedroom, 2 bath condos, great staff. We love Treasure Island because it is really relaxing and very family friendly.

 

[Patience]

Thanks everyone! Musiclvr40, I signed up for newsletters from Sunset Vistas resort in Treasure Island. Does anyone have any other resort recommendations for nice places to stay in or near St. Pete's or Clearwater?

 

[flinkerfrosch]

I 2nd Treasure Island! Been there many many times! Beautiful beach, and lots of fun things to do!
We are doing 16 days at Disney, and 8 days in Treasure Island. We leave for Disney next Sat, yay!!!
Surf Beach is a wonderful, clean place to stay, and right on the beach! All condo's face the Ocean!

 

[vikster1]

WE always do a after disney beach trip. Cocoa and Daytona were just OK. We live at the beach so that was nothing grand to us.

The Gulf coast is beautiful. We've done Clearwater, Indian rocks, and st pete beach. St Pete beach is my favorite. The clear water gets me every time. The resort we stay at is centrally located and a great atsmosphere. Very relaxing. Beach bars with bars. Always a great ending to our vacation.

 

[Art 1]

We want to go back to Disney World in 2015 but I am thinking about staying at POR for 2 or 3 nights and then spending the rest of our week long vacation at a Florida beach. If you've done this, which beach (and resorts) do you recommend? We are going to Destin this March for a week but that's pretty far from Orlando. Ideally, I would like to stay at a beach that is no more than 2 hours away from Disney World. Any suggestions? Oh, and I do not want to be on the Atlantic side of Florida so I do not want to stay in Daytona or Cocoa Beach.

Thanks!

I highly recommend Longboat Key Club on Longboat Key. Sarasota area.

 

[happymommy]

I have a friend who's going to be at Disney during our upcoming spring break (I may be there too - just waiting for airfare to look better than $500 round trip from BWI when it's usually less than half that, or at least about $300). She owns DVC and they're going to be at the Beach Club followed by the DVC at Vero Beach.

I don't know what time of year you're looking for, but it looks about an hour south of Cocoa Beach?

I guess the con is that yes, it is the Atlantic!

Pro would be: it's a Disney resort, so while at the beach, you'd have that Disney feel to it.

I've never been there, so can't comment on it at all.

I have spent time as a child on Sanibel Island - it was so nice and quiet, fun to just bike around and collect shells. My folks spend the winter in Naples, and although my sister goes down most summers with all her kids and uses the house (has its own screened in pool) and she finds lots of fun stuff for her family to do and enjoys Vanderbilt Beach, I don't particularly love Naples. Matter of fact, I haven't been there is 12 years! And I could go use their house in the summer for free. Just not really interested.

Honestly, after living in Hawaii, I would rather do Disney in Florida and save beaches for there or the Caribbean. And I live near Ocean City and have never been!

I do agree though - I would prefer the gulf area. Naples is a good 4 hour drive anyway - St. Pete is a cool city though! I'd definitely find things to do (but I'd want to do museums and Busch Gardens LOL ).

Just wanted to throw out that idea of the DVC resort too!

 

[Patience]

WE always do a after disney beach trip. Cocoa and Daytona were just OK. We live at the beach so that was nothing grand to us.

The Gulf coast is beautiful. We've done Clearwater, Indian rocks, and st pete beach. St Pete beach is my favorite. The clear water gets me every time. The resort we stay at is centrally located and a great atsmosphere. Very relaxing. Beach bars with bars. Always a great ending to our vacation.

If you don't mind sharing, what is the name of the resort you like to stay at? Thanks!

 

[Patience]

I highly recommend Longboat Key Club on Longboat Key. Sarasota area.

This resort looks great. I am bookmarking the website. Thanks!

 

[cruella23]

I highly recommend Longboat Key Club on Longboat Key. Sarasota area.

We stayed there for our honeymoon. It was very nice.

 

[cruella23]

If you don't mind sharing, what is the name of the resort you like to stay at? Thanks!

At st Pete beach, we stayed at the Alden. It is definitely not fancy! But is clean and comfortable. For the price I would stay there again.