Good Beach Stop between Savanah, GA and Jacksonville, FL

[RaynTosca]

We'll be driving down to WDW in October, but we won't be able to make it Orlando without a stop somewhere between Savanah, GA and Jacksonville, FL. Our daughters have asked if we could make sand castles at teh beach on the trip. What's a good beach to hit in that area? We don't mind stopping in some small, out of the way place, as long as we can get up and spend some time on the beach before we get rolling again.

Savanah/Tybee Island seem to have some good kid-friendly, let the kids burn off some energy things to do, but I don't know if it would be good for the sand Castle building.

We could push that leg and make it all the way to Jacksonville Beach, which will put us in much better striking range for the first day at WDW, but again, will we be able to get out and build sans castles before we drive the last leg?

Ray

 

[Mom2SamandJames]

I haven't been to Tybee Island in years, but I do remember building sand castles when I was there last. It is a fun island that is very family oriented.

Our family is in a similar quandry. We have decided to stop at St. Augustine Beach. That will put us in a great position for WDW the next day. Hopefully our boys will nap on the way to WDW so they will be ready for the World when we get there.

 

[nuttypretzel]

I suggest that you try Amelia Island, Florida. It is a little north of Jacksonville. You won’t need to pay for a beach front hotel if you don’t want to as there is plenty of public access with free parking. The beach is loaded with shells which help in decorating your castle. There is a historic district with many shops and restaurants. It makes for a pleasant way to spend the evening.

 

[GoofyMomInOhio]

We stop in St Augustine every year on our way to Disney. It is great because we are well rested the next day and only have a 2 hour drive to Disney World. We stay at the Comfort Suites near the World Golf Village but there are more hotels at the next exit south of there. It is not far from the beach and there is a great Character Premiere store at the outlets that we always visit.

 

[CubanaMama]

St. Augustine Beach is great! Family-friendly plus has nice historic landmarks all around.

 

[Mom2SamandJames]

Please tell me more about the character outlet in St. Augustine. I'd love to stop by there!

 

[Luv2DressEmUp]

Jekyll Island, GA is a great stop. It is not "commercial" and a very beautiful beach (not cluttered by tons of beachgoers). The beach is only about 15 min from i-95. There's a $3 dollar fee to get on the island. I believe it's exit 39 on 95...if you turn left off of the exit and drive straight, you'll see the causeway on the right before the big bridge...can't miss it!

 

[Ephany]

There's really nothing between the Brunswick area and the Florida state line. We've really enjoyed Jekyll Island the times we've went north, but usually we go to Fernadina Beach or Amelia Island just over the border in Florida. We've built lots of sandcastles there over the last few years.

 

[soccerchick]

Please tell me more about the character outlet in St. Augustine. I'd love to stop by there!

The Character outlet is small and I've never found any great deal there - just some little stocking stuffer type items. Lots of last year's dated items. I wouldn't waste your time going to it. DSis used to live in Jacksonville, so we went to the outlets often while visiting.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Jekyll Island, GA is a great stop. It is not "commercial" and a very beautiful beach (not cluttered by tons of beachgoers). The beach is only about 15 min from i-95. There's a $3 dollar fee to get on the island. I believe it's exit 39 on 95...if you turn left off of the exit and drive straight, you'll see the causeway on the right before the big bridge...can't miss it!

Jekyll Island is also a favorite of ours, beautiful beaches and not crowded, plus you can rent bikes and there are quaint shops (plus the requisite tourist ones near the beach). There's also a really good ice cream shop if I remember right.

 

[GoofyMomInOhio]

The Character outlet is small and I've never found any great deal there - just some little stocking stuffer type items. Lots of last year's dated items. I wouldn't waste your time going to it. DSis used to live in Jacksonville, so we went to the outlets often while visiting.

We've always had really good luck there. It is about 4x's the size of our regular Disney Store so we don't consider it small. We have always bought stuff that is current merchandise in the parks and it is at least 75% off of the parks price. Yes, there is also alot of last years merchandise. My kids love to buy their pins there (they buy what they like because they don't trade) because they are cheaper than the parks. We stop every trip on the way down and back because they tell us they are getting a new shipment in while we are at Disney World.

Examples from March 09:
Mickey, Donald, and Minnie t-shirts (found them in the parks and POR) $19.95 -we paid $4.99
Yeti hat (found at Animal Kingdom) $29.50 - we paid $4.99
Pins - 30 - 50% off of parks price
Sorcerer Mickey hat (saw at MK gift shop) $29.50 - we paid 5.99

I guess it depends on what you are looking for. We really like to stop there and it is close to the highway!

 

[RaynTosca]

Anybody have anything bad to say about Fernandina Beach, FL? Looking at the map and hotels, this seems to be a good place to stop. The Comfort Suites is close to the Beach, it's before the Jackonville Beltway, not too pricey, etc. Seems to be a good place to crash for the night, eat breakfast, build sand castles, and then make the final trek to WDW.


Ray

 

[FLAgirl73]

Hi - I'm a Jax resident and I just want to say that Jacksonville Beach has beautiful white sand - great for sand castles!

 

[RaynTosca]

Thanks!

I think we may have to take thi section of the trip "day-by-day". I will definitely post after to let y'all know how it went.

Ray

 

[DisneyFed]

Anybody have anything bad to say about Fernandina Beach, FL? Looking at the map and hotels, this seems to be a good place to stop. The Comfort Suites is close to the Beach, it's before the Jackonville Beltway, not too pricey, etc. Seems to be a good place to crash for the night, eat breakfast, build sand castles, and then make the final trek to WDW.


Ray

Nope, Fernandina Beach is a great place to stop in and chill..

Jax Beach is great as well....either way I don't think you go wrong!!