Make a beach stop or not?

[an_evans]

We are driving to disney in just a few weeks! YIPEE! We have planned to spend the night in Pensacola. We can build in a couple of hours in for beach time but I am really conflicted.

It will be about 16 more dollars to get a beach side hotel and a few minutes out of the way. Now keep in mind we live on the beach but not white sand and we don't get as much beach time as we would like.

The downside is I am afraid it will be crowded because of spring break and we would never attempt the beach at home on spring break. I am afraid we will be wasting time and money and the kids will be disappointing to be so close and not be able to have fun.

 

[aprilmommy]

Sorry I don't have an answer for you, but we are in the same boat as you. I just hate the thought of going all the way to Florida and not at least seeing the ocean or gulf, but I don't know how crowded they would be either and we are already driving 16 hours, so any more I don't know if our 4 and 2 year old will be able to handle! Hope you get some help here!

 

[NotUrsula]

The crowd situation depends on which beach.

If you go out to the Nat'l Seashore on a weekday I doubt you'll find it overly crowded, especially since they are apparently repairing part the road, so you can't take cars in near the beaches right now.

Generally speaking, in Florida your best bets for uncrowded beaches are the ones that are on park land (especially those that charge admission), and weekdays will always be better. As far north as the Pensacola area the water is still quite cold in April, so it may not be as crowded as you think.