Ending a WDW trip to a beach

[Unregistered]

Our family is going next week to WDW. We'll stay at the new Nick hotel 3 nights, then to the AK lodge for 2 nights, then we want to take a side trip to a beach for the last 2 nights. Either the Gulf side or Atlantic Ocean. Our kids are 4, 6 & 7. Any kid friendly suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[KayleeUK]

Welcome to the DIS

 

[GIOny]

We go to Cocoa Beach, which is about 45 min. from WDW. We like it but it depends what your looking for. Some people like Daytona Beach better. Daytona is probally about 1 hour from the parks. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=509522 Here is an old thread that may be helpful.

 

[Unregistered]

We recommend Coco Too. Now, even though the "New Nick Hotel" is no longer a "Disney Friendly Neighbor" you will have a wonderful time there. The original hotel, Holiday Inn Family Suites, lost the title when they contracted with Nick as Nick's first of many family resorts. It is a great resort roughly 12 years old (give or take). It has new pool and rec areas. enjoy your stay in Orlando!

Travelnauts

 

[firsttimedisoct05]

Since you are going next week I would reccommend going to a Gulf beach, as the water would be warmer. I use to live in FL and that is what I always thought anyway but I may be wrong. I really can't reccommend a certain beach on the Gulf side though as we always went to clearwater and that may be too far away from Orlando for you.

Heather

 

[DisneyPhD]

We like (ok LOVE) the DVC Vero Beach resort. You can pay cash for rooms.

It is so covenent, so much fun and great Disney Quailty. It is like at WDW delxue resort on the the Beach. It does not get much better then that!

BTW, we will be there in a little over 2 weeks!

 

[sweetheart2576]

We've been to Cocoa, Clearwater beach, St. Pete beach and Daytona beach. For our family with 2 kids (7and9) we prefer Daytona beach. Our whole family loves the waves and the kids like using there boogie boards. I like walking to the gift shops and the restaurants. We visited Inlet Harbor www.inletharbor.com (not within walking distance)this last trip and it was excellent. It was about 10 minute drive. We have stayed in Oceanwalk resort, and my opinion, it is the best resort on the beach in Daytona. There are endless activities to do at the hotel geared towards kids and arts and crafts, also quite a few for adults. They are supposed to opening a spa there this year, not sure if it is done yet. Actually just noticed you are going next week, we were there 3 weeks ago and the water was cold, but the pools are heated. The oceanwalk has a fantastic water play area for the kids, and indoor miniature golf that is free. They are reasonable right now as far as price goes, $99(INTERIOR),$119(OCEANFRONT). We have rented both an oceanfront and an interior before. Oceanfront was definitely better, Interior you had a view of the inside hallway, there is actually a window in the bedroom that looks out into the hallway. These I believe are called b units. Check out their website for more info, or pm me and I can offer you more information if you decide on going here.
www.oceanwalk.com