Florida, Gulf Coast

[KristiKelly]

We went to WDW end of Sept. into Oct. and already miss the Florida weather, it's snowing here today. I haven't gotten the nerve up yet to ask my husband about a trip this fall, but I was thinking about going to WDW for a shorter stay (maybe 4 days) and then spending a few days on the Gulf coast. I would like for my kids to see blue water. Does anyone know of family friendly hotels or resorts within a couple of hours from WDW. I've never visited the Gulf side, growing up we always went to Daytona w/ my Grandparents and now we only see NC & SC beaches, want to try something different. (Off subject, when I preview this, I don't know why the word hotels is underlined and highlighted, not intentional.)

 

[kimber79]

I couldn't tell you of only one place ~ ~ we go to the gulf side every year. Personally, I think the gulf is much much more beautiful that the Atlantic.

You can travel to Tampa/St. Pete area within an hour to an hour and a half. This is a very nice area! Or you can go a little more south to Anna Maria Island ~ awesome place! Or you could go a further south yet to the Englewood area ~ also very nice! We have spent many years in the Englewood / Boca Grande area ~ ~ there are many beautiful shells and sand dollars to be found in this area!! To travel here from Orlando would be about 2 1/2 - 3 hours. We always rent a condo / house for the week. We just research on-line, and call the visitors bureau for information on lodging.

Have fun in whatever you choose! I would suggest a shorter stay at Disney and hit the beach!!!

 

[floridafam]

We were married at the Sheraton Sand Key near Clearwater Beach. Their website is www.beachsand.com

There is also the Don Cesar Resort in St. Pete www.doncesar.com

Clearwater Beach Hotel is another one.

Bungalow Beach Resort www.bungalowbeach.com

What price range are you looking for?

There seemed to be a lot of cute places in Indian Rocks Beach last time we drove through there.

You could always go to the Atlantic side and stay at Disney's Vero Beach Resort.

Let us know if you go and where you stay.

 

[KristiKelly]

Thanks for the info. Right now, I haven't thought much about price range, I 1st have to talk DH into another road trip to FL in Oct or Nov.

 

[NHAnn]

Love love love the beaches/water on the Gulf Coast!!

We have visited Sundial resort on Sanibel Island (upscale) and a couple of times on Ft Myers Beach (Pink Shell Resort and a small-but-big-bang-for -the-buck place called Tropical Inn Motel/Resort. The Ft Myers area is further from WDW than Tampa area.

Had a wonderful stay last year in Tampa/Clearwater area at the Sheraton Sand Key...and have a trip planned next month at the Bilmar Beach Resort on Treasure Island, just north St Pete south of Tampa/Cleawater. These are in the vicinity of Indian Rocks Beach recommended by the above poster.

Enjoy your trip planning....I know I am as I sit here and it's 4 below outside

 

[Blondie]

Here's another vote for Clearwater Beach/Sand Key Island. We stayed at the Radisson Suite Reosrt on Sand Key was nice but is on the bay side. They have a great pool! Across the street from that is the Sheraton and is oceanfront.

In Clearwater Beach we stayed at the Hilton, which is now a Holiday Inn Sunspree.

Both are about 1 1/2 hours drive from WDW.

If you want to go a little furtner south, Naples is beautiful and about a 3 hours drive from WDW.

 

[Antonia]

Siesta Key!!!!!!!!!!! It is near Sarasota and was like no other beach I had ever been on. If you really want to impress your kids with a gulf beach, take them there. The sand is so white - it reflects the sun and even when you walk on the dry sand it is cool! The water is brilliant and so translucent you can see your feet when standing in water as deep as your waist. There's a nice snack bar and the lifeguard stands are all the bright primary colors - red, yellow, blue. It was all so beautiful, I felt like I was in a movie - not real life. Kids were snorkeling right at the shore.

 

[KristiKelly]

Thanks for all the useful info.
NHAnn, my brother lives in Nashua, I bet right now he wishes he was back home in 34 degree NC, but yes, we have snow on the ground today. Stay warm and don't let your body go into shock when you go from -4 to 80 or so.