Looking for Recommendations on Beaches

[bunnybee]

We're going to be in Orlando in early June and wonder if anyone has combined a Disney week with a couple of days at a beach - if you have.. what beach / where would you stay - we have 2 kids under 5.. Thanks

 

[ColoradoLime]

Hi Bunnybee,

We're leaving in a few days and have a day trip planned to the Gulf Cost side to take a 4 hour Dolphin Cruise that also spends a few hours on one of the keys to allow for beach and water play time. It's really inexpensive at $30 per adult and $20 per child 12-4.

Here is the link so you can check them out:
http://www.tropical-island-getaway.com/

 

[daubernurse]

We are visiting Clearwater for a day while we are in Fl. We found Mainsail Suites in Tampa about 20 min away from the beach and are staying in a 2 BR suite with a kitchen for $115/nt in June. We found that rate at expedia.

Hope that helps!

 

[*pixie*dust*]

Have you looked at Disney's Vero Beach Resort? It is a very nice relaxing place for a couple of lazy beach days.

 

[friskykitten]

It depends on how far away you are wanting to drive from Disney as well as what type of beach you are really hoping for. Your gulf beaches tend to have more of the "white sand" while the other side tends to be more of the "brown sand". We live on the gulf side and have been to Clearwater Beach, Lido Beach, Sanibel Island, Siesta Key, Manasota as well as a few others. Clearwater would be the 'closest' as it is directly west of WDW (for the most part). The other beaches are further south by about another hour or more starting in Sarasota. Manatee County (Bradenton) also has some nice beaches. Siesta Key is the one that is best known as the "Family Beach". It has very fine white sand, a huge 'beach' area with Volleyball nets, etc. Not as much shelling here but I believe there are lifeguards. Not all beaches have lifeguards which may be important to you if you are not ready to let you kids in unknown waters as they may not be used to the conditions. Those with lifeguard stations will also normally have sea conditions and any dangers that you may need to keep an eye out for posted. Venice area beaches will have more shells and shark's teeth if that is what you are looking for.

We're leaving in a few days and have a day trip planned to the Gulf Cost side to take a 4 hour Dolphin Cruise that also spends a few hours on one of the keys to allow for beach and water play time. It's really inexpensive at $30 per adult and $20 per child 12-4.

Here is the link so you can check them out:
http://www.tropical-island-getaway.com/

We have been here for six year and although we have seen wild Manatee's only a couple of feet away from us in the water we have never seen Dolphins yet. I am going to check out ColoradoLime's recommendation!