just back from anna maria island/ sanibel and busch gardensr

[hELEN H]

Just back from a wonderful trip on gulf coast . First week on anna maria island which had beautiful white beaches. We also visited sarasota area which I thoroughly recommend. For kids the mote marine aquarium was great. Armands circle was a great shopping area . We had a trip to busch gardens It was great for those into big coasters and the animals were wonderful. However for me it didnt have quite the magic of the parks in orlando. I think this was mainly due to the staff who seemed very half hearted and the lack of organisation . We had to queue in the car park for 20 mins for no apparent reason. The kiosks ran out of food. Maybe we hit a bad day. Sanibel was also beautiful. The wildlife was wonderful. We saw racoons, dolphins.Loads of beautiful birds. There are some wonderful places to eat. The bubble room on captiva, the lazy flamingo, the lighthouse cafe for the best breakfasts. Hire a bike. It is very easy to get around and it is expensive to park at the beaches. The shell museum is great. Such enthusiastic staff volunteers. We promised the owners to put in a plug for the litttle inn we stayed at Sunshine Island Inn It was very reasonably priced for sanibel. We had 2 rooms with a futon for the kids to sleep on, a kitchen area, 2 separate toilets. 2 tvs. The pool was lovely and warm. we backed onto a river and were across the road from the beach.
helen.

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Welcome back, Helen. So pleased your enjoyed your stay. Can't beat the gulf coast. We tend to alternate every other year with a week Orlando, then another week or more on the Gulf coast, then the following year just down to the Gulf coast. Can't beat it

We were a tad disappointed with Sanibel this year - the beaches were full of sea weed and quite a few dead or dying jelly fish which stopped us enjoying ourselves in the water, but it's such a beautiful place to explore away from the beaches.

 

[lisag1]

Hi guys,

Just reading your thread and we're now thinking of this years trip. We've had a quote for Orlando/Jamaica which was quite reasonable but were also thinking of Orlando/Gulf Coast/Florida Keys.

If you can recommend any location on the Gulf Coast/Keys specifically aimed at young children - good beaches & things to do etc, I'd really appreciate it.

Many thanks

Lisa

 

[Janice]

Welcome Home Helen - so glad you had a great time, sounds wonderful. Anna Marie Island is beautiful isnt it?

(I just amended your link in your post.....it wasnt quite right )

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Hi Lisa - both the hotels we stayed in last year down on the Gulf Coast and Keys were very suitable for children - how young are yours? Our DD Katie is nearly 10 and had a ball

We stayed at the Marco Island Hilton - fantastic, can't wait to go back there some time. It's right on the beach and has a lovely pool, where most of the children there seemed to spend their time. They provide pool and beach toys for children, as well as arranging all sorts of outings.

Down on the Keys we stated at the Cheeca Lodge. Admitedly the accommodation was a tad disappointing given it's listed in the Top 50 Small Hotels in the World directory, but they're refurbishing the place do guess they'll get around to the main building ones at some point. There is a great pool here, as well as freshwater one (didn't venture in there as there were too many fish in it for my liking ). No beach to speak of, but with the hotel pool we didn't need one . . . and we had an absolutely awesome snorkelling trip with the hotel's boat - breathtaking coral and fishes there - aimed at all ages and abilities. Down in the Keys there's a fair bit to do, but a car is a must. Some beautiful little beaches (one even named after me ); feeding the tarpon at Robbie's Marina was one of our highlights - great, big ugly looking fish, but what fun. There's swimming with dolphins (and cheaper than anywhere in Orlando); some great restaurants too.

They had a superb kiddies club at The Cheeca Lodge - we were there over Hallowe'en and they had some great activities lined up for the week and especially for Hallowe'en night. The kids have their own clubhouse and every day there are activities organised (at a cost ).

Another place we've stayed at which was very good for children was the Radisson Suites on Sand Key near Clearwater - lovely place and location fantastic. Every room overlooks the bay - we saw stingray floating past during the day (this is in the bay, not the beach so don't panic ); dolphins and they even get manatee during the manatee season. The beach is a 7 min walk over the road past the Sand Key Hilton (literally walk down the side of the hotel and onto the beach), or the Radisson offers a trolley service.

The hotel we were due to stay in last year down on the Gulf coast was the Registry at Naples. However, we had a letter from Virgin to advise a refurbishment programme would be ongoing, so kicked that into touch. But we couldn't resist going and having a peek while there and it was everything I'd thought it would be - and more! Again, loads here for children, very upmarket but nice relaxed atmosphere. 5 swimming pools and a great trolley ride over a boardwalk (about 5-8 mins) to a beautifully private beach. Stunning.

We've also stayed at the Holiday Inn & Suites on St Pete Beach - great hotel, we've been twice now and whilst I can't remember specifics about children's entertainment, we've never had a problem keeping Katie amused . . . there's tons to do in and around St Pete's. Mini golf, Busch Gdns nearby and our fave water park - Adventure Island - which is BG's sister park right next to BG - it's better than Typhoon Lagoon.

Sorry to have gone on, but shout if there's anything else you'd like to know

 

[hELEN H]

The places we stayed in where good for families. The place on annna maria island was a cottage with 2 separate bedrooms, free laundry, a porch area and a shared pool. It was quite deep for very little ones but it was away from the cottage. There were lots of toys in the cottage. anna maria island is quiet with beautiful white sandy beaches.www.shady trees.net. The sarasota area was beautiful for families with lots to see and do. On sanibel our accomodation was a 2 room unit backing onto a river at the back and a nice warm pool. There was again a free laundry. Both places had kitchens and huge fridge freezers. Sanibel had wonderful family friendly eateries eg lazy flamingo, hungry heron,kate gardinias mermaids and the bubble room on captiva. we stopped in st petersburgh at the pier and it looked nice. we didnt see the beaches. both islands were extremely laid back and safe- no one locked their doors
helen

 

[lisag1]

Annie & Helen,

Thanks for your replies. I've got some thinking to do here. This is what I have to weigh up....

we have 3 children (2.5, 4 & 6) and we're thinking of going when youngest is 3 (June). We definately want to go back to Orlando where we'll hire another villa and then we were thinking of going somewhere which was a) hot b) had a beach and c) had a kids club which would cater for ages 3+. I then started to look at fully inclusive resorts and I got a good quote of a TA of £3400 which was for 1 week in Orlando with 3 bed villa & 7str minivan fully inc and then transfer to Jamaica staying in the Holiday Inn Sunspree (Montego Bay) all inclusive AND they have kids clubs which cater from 6m!!! Yaaaayyyy. But then I start thinking of extra flights and to be honest the thought of all of 5 of us in one hotel bedroom and I start getting the jitters We did 4 nights a year or so ago when we stayed at The Poly and whilst I loved it, I also love having the freedom of staying in a villa with all it's amenities. The bottom line is that I haven't got a clue what to do, the kids club sounds pretty tempting to say the least, the thought of putting the kids in for a couple of hours per day so at least we can have a nice romantic (quiet) meal together sounds like bliss.

H E L P!!!

What would you do????

Lisa

 

[hELEN H]

Its a difficult decision. Just a thought but have you thought about booking flight and accommodation separately. We did this year and it saved us money and gave us more flexibility. We found the anna maria island in the Lady magazine and the sanibel accommodation from the sanibel tourist board. We didnt have kids clubs. I dont know the caribbean but we have been researching tobago for a future holiday which i have good reports of. I dont think personally I would want to all be in the same room for a very long length of time much as I love my kids!
Good luck with your decision
helen

 

[lisag1]

Hi Helen,

We usually book DIY but in this instance (orlando/Jamaica) the travel agents I've spoken to can't even get me flights for much less so that's why I sooo tempted to just book it. I'm on the phone at the moment to Air Jamaica to find out what facilities are on their planes (seat back TV's etc) if they don't have them it looks like a DIY to Florida/Florida Keys with Grandma in tow for a spot of babysitting!!!!!

Lisa

 

[lisag1]

Unfortunately Air Jamaica don't have seat back TV's (argh not a good move on a 9.5 hour flight) BUT they do have........

fashion shows and aerobics classes!!!!!!


Lisa

 

[hELEN H]

Hi lisa
Good luck with your decision. Have a great time whatever you decide
helen

 

[Hilary]

We're also fans of the Gulf Coast, and have got into the habit over the last few years of splitting our Florida trips between Orlando and the coast, gradually spending more time on the coast and less in Orlando!

Although we're not 'beachy' people we do like the harbours and coastline, and DH gets to indulge in a bit of fishing. Our DDs are too old now to want any children's entertainment, so I can't help with recommendations there, I'm afraid.

Helen - we haven't been to Anna Maria Island or Sarasota, but we loved Sanibel and Captiva and will undoubtedly return there some time. The Bubble Room is something else, isn't it?!

Lisa - those fashion shows and aerobics sound ...er.... interesting!

 

[scoobie's m]

We are just back from Anna Maria/WDW also. First time at Anna Maria and I loved it.

Helen, were you there NYE? A bit of a storm wasn't it? We had a house right on the beach and thought we were going to get washed away, but at Midnight we were outside setting off fireworks, wonderful! A night I won't forget in a hurry.

 

[WDWfan uk]

Welcome back Helen !

When we went to Sarasota, we found a shop in St Armand Circle that sold clothes dyed with chocolate and the smell when you entered was wonderful!! Is it still there? ( It wasn't far from the shop that was entirely devoted to fridge magnets!!)

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Lisa - tough choice for you!! I mean - the aerobics and fashion sounds fascinating . . . am I being stoopid or is that on flight?? They would crack me up in hysterics if I was flying and all of a sudden someone flounced down the aisle in flowing robs (or in DH's case probably hoping for the swimwear ).

It's soooo difficult trying to decide the best thing. With three little ones like you have I agree being stuck in one hotel room with them wouldn't be a holiday for you . . . . there are loads of hotels around with 2 bedrooms/suites though and often at a reasonable price down on the coast - and early June is not their high season. The cottage Helen mentions on Anna Maria Island sounds lovely - quite fancy that myself.

We picked up a realtors brochure while on Marco Island and it was chock full of rental villas/cottages/apartments - have you checked out private rentals on the internet - or in media like The Lady as Helen mentions, I've never known anyone to be disappointed with something they've got from the Lady.

Good luck - let us know what you decide. I'm fascinated.

 

[lisag1]

You know I edited my last post because I was saying that my conversation with very bizarre. Then I thought about it and realised you daft moo, he must of been joking...... But he was being deadly serious and yes, it was on the aeroplane!!! Wow can you imagine the amount of turbulence from all that aerobics

Obviously their customer service reps have got a great sense of humour

Still can't decide, the kids club sounds fantastic though, as much as I LOVE MY CHILDREN!! The thought of a kids free meal/excursion to Dunn's River Falls without them sounds like heaven

Do you know there's another resort in Jamaica called FDR Franklyn resorts whereby you are given a Nanny when you arrive and she works as a housekeeper/Nanny from 9 - 4.40!!! How cool is that??!!! Unfortunately it's a bit expensive though....

Lisa

 

[hELEN H]

Yes we were in anna maria on new years eve. Near the cottages there was a small cafebar called Duffys. There was a calypso band playing but suddenly there was a crash of thunder and everyone disappeared. The storm was incredible. We ended up watching the tv - Times square. We were amazed that we managed to ring some friends on the Isle of arran on a mobile. We went on the porch when the rain lessened and the streets were full of frogs. Wasnt New years day wonderful weather- we swam in the sea. We also loved st armands circle. our boys bought some magic t-shirts that changed from black and white to colured in the sun
helen

 

[Fanakapan]

SSHHH, don't tell anyone about Captiva & Sanibel. We've been going there for about 5 years. Went over there this Christmas during a WDW trip and slightly disappointed at the building wotk on Captiva. The houses look fantastic but they will have to be careful not to spoil the 'laid back' atmosphere. Went to Orlando + Jamaica on our first trip. Jamaica was beautiful BUT beware of security - it wasn't possible to go out on your own without a guide at all. Too much hassle, threats and bad language if you didn't shell out for exorbitant prices and with a child of 7 it spoilt the time a bit.