Looking for nice beach resort after WDW

[karlad61]

I was wondering if anyone vacations at the beach after vacationing in WDW. We usually fly and go to the St. Pete area for a couple days.

We are driving from Maryland this year and want to go somewhere in Florida, Georgia, or South Carolina after our WDW vacation for 2 or 3 days.

Any ideas for a nice family beach resort with a pool and places to walk to for ice cream?

Thanks.

 

[Battleship Bob]

Hi karlad61,

We're doing something similar to what you're thinking of. Myself, DW, & 18 yr. old DS are heading east to Cocoa Beach for 4 nights after a week at WDW. Staying at Holiday Inn, Cocoa Beach-Oceanfront. Stayed there in '96 but they've remodeled since then. They've got a huge pool and the resort is right on the beach so you can take your pick.

The area is known for surfing so the wave action can be a little intense for young ones but we loved it. There are several shops (the hotel website calls them "boutiques") in the area and a large fishing pier down the road with restaurants, shops, etc.

Last but not least..............Kennedy Space Center !!! IMO everyone visiting this part of Florida HAS to check it out. It may be boring for younger ones but, having grown up in the 60's with Tang and all the rest, it's an absolute must see.

Sorry, I don't know how to post links here but do a search for the Holiday Inn site and go from there. Same thing for "Space Coast." And Kennedy Space Center has a nice site also.

Hope this helps & have a great trip!!!

Bob

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Bob, that is good advice as to the vacation time at Cocoa Beach and the side trip to Kennedy Space Center.

The surf is very good for families as well as surfers.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Since we are DVC members (Disney Vacation Club, the Disney sponsored timeshare) and can use points, we like the absolutely gorgeous Disney Vero Beach resort where "The Magic of Disney Meets the Beauty of the Beach" as the flyers state. We found it wonderfully relaxing when we were there last week, with fun activities available for all members of the family. Here is the direct link:
http://dvc.disney.go.com/disneyvacationclub/resorts/resortdescriptionindex?id=VeroBeachResort

They also have a DVC resort in Hilton Head, SC, which I understand is also lovely. and you have historic Savannah GA right near by for on the way there... On the Disney Visa site, I saw a deal good thru springtime at Disney Hilton Head where you can get a 2 BR villa for $149 a night ($99 until 2/4/04) using code VAN and using your Disney Visa. An awefully good deal!

We really like Vero Beach. It is roughly 110 miles southeast of WDW, which is admittedly the wrong direction, but we have found it to be worth the detour (probably only an extra hour on the return trip). The beach is great, the pool and associated water play areas are great, there are interesting activities, nice but not too pricy dining, cool stuff in the vicinity... I miss being there already (just came back on 1/20).

Wherever you end up, have fun at the beach and of course at WDW.

 

[dzneelvr]

Another vote for Vero Beach. We hit that after 9 full days at the parks and it is a simply WONDERFUL way to wind down, relax, and still have all the Disney service and magic available. It's like having your own private beach frontage.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Here are a few links about VB for you.......

http://www.mouseplanet.com/sue_holland/vbr_activities.htm

http://www.mouseplanet.com/sue_holland/vbr.htm

http://www.tagrel.com/Tours/DVC/Vero/VeroSlideShow.htm

 

[Beast fan]

Been to both DVC VB and HH.......... either would make a great stop back to MD.

Dave

 

[Tigger&Belle]

We were also looking for a good beach to spend a few days after we're at Universal for a few days during sping break. We were thinking of the Cocoa Beach area since we want to go to KSC. I'll check out the Holiday Inn.

Bob, is the pool a standard type of pool or a zero entry pool?

T&B

 

[Battleship Bob]

Tigger&Belle,

We last stayed at this hotel in 1996 and at that time I believe it was a standard pool. It was huge though.... at least "olympic" size and mostly 4-5 ft. deep if memory serves right (NO guarantees there!).

The hotel was refurbished in 1999 (I think).....not sure if the pool was part of that project or not.

I would check the Holiday Inn web site for more info.

Bob

 

[Eeyore1954]

It's a bit of a drive, but Sanibel/Captiva Islands (near Ft. Myers, FL) have a couple of wonderful resorts. Sanibel has Sundial and Captiva has South Seas. Both are excellent beach resorts, offering lots of activities, great shelling, and a wonderful place to relax after a busy Disney vacation.

 

[cmitch9999]

We stayed a a small family apt. hotel in Treasure Island called beachside palms. Great low key beach, tropically decorated apartments. Nice owners. We loved it. Would probably be about 1 1/2 hrs from Orlando..near St Petersburg. Their website is http://www.beachsidepalms.com For the winter/spring season they had the best prices I could find. The owners had a bottle of wine in the frig and a cheese and fruit platter waiting for us when we arrived.
Chris Mitchell

 

[lstokes]

check out the new RON JON beach resort at Cocoa Beach. There was mention and detail on the Disney Cruise board on here. It sounds wonderful and we definatly will use them in future.

 

[Snow Shoe]

As a DVC-VB member I strongly suggest Vero. It's a great place to wind down after WDW. Been there , done it!