Gulf Coast Beaches

[Mitchell]

Hi,

My boyfriend and I are going to Disney World in April and wanted to go to a Gulf Coast beach that was not a long drive from Orlando. But preferably not Clearwater, since we will be going there in July to look for a wedding spot.

Does anyone have any opinions on a good/close beach on the gulf coast?

 

[Immelman]

Siesta Key.

 

[ptrbryant]

Reading your recommendation, I took a look at Siesta Keys...looks fantastic! My only question: how long a drive is it to WDW from there? If over 2 hours, is there any other beach you'd recommend similar to Siesta Keys that's a bit closer? Either coast would be fine!
Thanks very much!
Karla B.

 

[Gillian]

Siesta Key is probably closer than 2 hours, but we're having trouble finding a place to stay that isn't a weekly rental or very expensive.

 

[ptrbryant]

Try looking at www.siestakeychamber.com, the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce site. When you click on where to stay, it gives you a page with options (i.e. daily, weekly, monthly) and then brings you to a page listing accommodations that meet your criteria--and links to individual websites. Check out Siesta Key Bungalows...I saw them rated highly on TripAdvisor and they do look really nice...available by the night, too.
My DH hates driving and would be happy to stay at WDW for the whole trip. However, I hate that our DS8 has been to Florida 3 times and has never seen the ocean or beach! Our compromise is that it would be a nearby beach...1 - 1/2 hours from Orlando. SInce SIesta Key is about an hour from Tampa, I'm thinking it's 2 1/2 hours from Orlando. But, I don't want to go to a super-crowded beach, either!

Karla B.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I too want the real low-down on how far of a drive it is to Siesta Key! It looks fabulous, but I am limited to a day-trip from Vistana, near WDW, just south of Orlando. If it is two hours, we might consider it... If longer, DH is like, 'That is FIVE hours driving time!'

Is anyone familiar with the parking situation. Assuming we would use the public parking spaces right there at the public beach access. Also, If we go during the week. (first week in May) Would it be guaranteed to be completely crowded and packed?

Does anyone know if there are any beach-club type restaurants where we could go and have lunch and drinks etc... If so, that may be a good place to plan to spend the afternoon.

I am not sure if we should consider this or not? Any advice?

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

MapQuest has this:

http://www.mapquest.com/directions/...=&1ah=&2y=US&2a=&2c=Siesta+Key&2s=fl&2z=&2ah=

I think mapquest assumes you are going the speed limit. I can't believe it would take over two hours to do 127 miles. What's the speed limit on I-4 and I-75?? Isn't like 65??

 

[Immelman]

the main problem with gulf beaches is the road construction on I-4, combined with the traffic over to the St Pete area. we've got about 60 miles of road construction from orlando over the bay at this point. an incredible beach is Ft DeSoto, in Tierra Verde. but you've got to deal with bay traffic in construction. if you C&P my address below, I've got pics of siesta key. it won't let me hyperlink. from orlando, you're looking at 2 hours, but you don't get white sugar sand and west coast sunsets at cocoa. siesta key is as close to paradise as you're going to find on the left coast. and don't worry about crowds, estimates range to 20,000 on a summer weekend, and there's room for about 60,00 more. it's huge. great marine life, we dive for blue crab and welks. the sandbar is home to millions of sand dollars. and point o' rocks is a natural rock reef where you can snorkel with fish.