Help! Closest beach to Orlando?

[hunnypotmama]

My kids would love to go to the beach on our next Disney trip. We would like to just drive up for the day, not spend the night or anything. What's the closest beach to Disney?

 

[Amyrlin]

I am not local, but I think it is clearwater or somewhere enar there. However, if you are going soon it may be worth going in the other direcion as there look to be issues to do with red tides.

 

[2buzzboys]

Daytona beach is probably the easiest or depending where in orlando you are staying you may want to look at tampa.

 

[powellrj]

we have started going to cocoa beach. its less than a hour from the airport and its a really easy drive!

 

[DJT]

We think Cocoa Beach is the closest/easiest drive from Orlando, too. Last year we went for the day and found a nice little park that had plenty of parking and little gazebos so that you could sit there and watch the ocean. We stopped at Publix on our way and bought some delicious Boar's Head chicken breast, some bread, etc. and had a little picnic and enjoyed ourselves right at the ocean.

 

[MeetingMickeyin2006]

We're taking a day and driving out to Caladesi Island. (West of Orlando, on the Gulf side.) All the research I've done says it is a great beach for families. Google has some info on it.