Help me find a beach to visit.

[tchrrx]

We will be staying onsite at WDW this summer. My husband would like to take my daughter to see the ocean/play at the beach for a day. What is the closest/easiest to get to family friendly beach? Also, I have never rented a car before, so I am wondering how far in advance I would need to make arrangements to rent one. Would we be able to rent it for just that day or would we probably need to keep it overnight since we may be returning in the evening? Will they deliver/pick up the car from our resort? Thank you!!!

 

[kilee]

First on the car- you can rent it for a 24 hr time period. There are also many places onsite to rent the car from. Just really do your homework-- sometimes it can be very expensive to rent it just for a day.

As for the beach-- I've been to Clearwater, St.Pete, and Daytona. Daytona was the closest---but not the first one I'd recommend. I'd visit the gulf side over the Atlantic side.

It took us about 1hr and 15 minutes to get to Clearwater. That is where I would go. It was very nice, clean, and the water was much calmer.

 

[leila]

New Smyrna Beach is on the east coast & is VERY family oriented!

 

[luvsvacations]

I have heard this beach mentioned several times - can you tell me where it is and what is has?? How large, how is the parking.......
Thanks

 

[spiceycat]

I am lazy - where are you staying....

CBR, Polyn, GF, BC/YC - all have beaches.

OKW has a playground - but it is covered with sand....

the one over at the BC/YC is generally not busy at all...

 

[leila]

New Smyrna is a very long beach. At the end is a state park (I believe it is $5 to park down there). If you decide to go to the park it is absolutely beautiful & there are restroom facilities however.....don't park too far down especially if you have kids because there was a nude beach down there at one time. Not sure if it's still allowed or not. There are several free parking lots before you reach that part. If at all possible try to go on a weekday. It's much easier to find a spot!

There's a neat restaurant directly on the beach called Chase's. Food is pretty good but it's a wonderful place to eat when the stars are out! There is also JB's which is on the river side. In the winter you can actually see & touch manatees there. VERY neat!

Lots of typical beach activities down by the "strip". My advice would be to check out their chamber of commerce website. Also do a Google map to see how far it is from your hotel. I lived in a suburb north of Orlando & it was about a 45-60 minute drive from us.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Daytona and Cocoa are nearer, but Clearwater and St.Petes are much much nicer.