Once we get to Clearwater Beach...???

[ptrbryant]

Hi!
We'll be at WDW in late Jan. - early Feb. and, this time, I'm really hoping for a day at the beach. It'll probably be too cold for swimming, but shell-picking and just de-stressing by the water is fine. It seems from the boards that Clearwater Beach is a favorite, close beach. My question is: once we get there, where exactly do we go? I mean, is there just a sign leading to parking for the beach, a recommended spot/area??? Any suggestions?
TIA!
Karla B.

 

[kalamazoo]

Clearwater Beach is on a barrier island - you cross a causeway from Clearwater to Clearwater Beach. North Clearwater Beach is all private residences. The south part is where the hotels and restaurants and the beach with a huge parking lot in front are located. This part of town is basically made up of 2 main streets so it's hard to miss seeing the beach and public parking lot. There is a big shaded playstructure and in the evening the beach takes on a carnival-like atmosphere with all kinds of performers. The beach itself is nice white sand.

 

[ptrbryant]

Thank you!!!

 

[disneyfan551]

I, also, would like more info. on this area! I'm thinking about going during our Dec. trip...

 

[floridafam]

IMO, Once you get to Clearwater Beach go down by the Holiday Inn Sunspree resort and cross that bridge to Sand Key and Sand Key park will be on your right almost immediately after you cross the bridge. They have parking meters-at least they did last time we were there.

It is a wonderful beach/park. It is much quieter than Clearwater Beach.

If you like a more active beach then you may prefer Clearwater beach. You can actually look at Clearwater Beach from the beach at Sand Key because it's only about a minute away.

The whole area has awesome shelling and clear, calm water. We saw dolphin last time we were there.

The only thing that bothers me is when people pick up live conch shells and then they let them sit in the sun and take them. I don't think they realize there are live creatures in there and they are killing them. We always make sure there aren't any little critters in our shells we pick up.

Are you going to go to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium?

 

[kcbean]

We are also planning on going to the Clearwater Beach area after our four days at Disney in April. Does anyone know of a good hotel on the beach? We are hoping to find one where three kids and their tired parents can have fun. Any suggestions?

Or if you don't know of any hotels, does anyone know of a good Flordia Travel Agent? I think DIS only does Disney, right?
Thanks!

 

[floridafam]

Clearwater Beach Hotel.

Sheraton Sand Key Resort. We were married here but we had a problem last time with smokers.

Try www.gulfsideresorts.com

If you go to www.flausa.com you can find all kinds of resorts in your particular price range.

 

[denisenh]

IMO, Once you get to Clearwater Beach go down by the Holiday Inn Sunspree resort and cross that bridge to Sand Key and Sand Key park will be on your right almost immediately after you cross the bridge. They have parking meters-at least they did last time we were there.

We went there last year and agree that it is a very nice place to go for a quiet beach experience. We LOVED it. It is very close to the sheraton mentioned above.
As I recall we went down a drive to enter the parking lot....there may have been meters.
We stayed at the Radisson Suite Resort Sand Key, which although is not a plush hotel, once we got used to it, it was quite enjoyable.
In any case try to visit the shops along the road and meet "puckerlips" the parrot, stationed out side one of the shops, pretty close to the radisson.
This is a fun day trip from the disney area.
Get good directions before you go. The clearwater area can be congested and is confusing if you don't know where you are going.
Still, this peace and quiet loving person reccomends going!!

 

[floridafam]

Get good directions before you go

Good point! They installed a round-about a while back and you really need to know where you are going or you end up like Chevy Chase in European Vacation where he gets stuck and passes Big Ben about 100 times.

 

[denisenh]

They installed a round-about a while back and you really need to know where you are going or you end up like Chevy Chase in European Vacation where he gets stuck and passes Big Ben about 100 times.

LOL! I know exactly where you mean. Yes, that would be awful! (I love that movie)

Also, kcbean, we have stayed at the Hilton on Clearwater Beach which is practically at the rotary, just to the right as you round it, and is on the beach. It was nice to be at the beach and still be so close to our room because with little kids you never know what they will "really need to do right now". We got our room through priceline for $55. as I recall. There is a community playground right next door and it is also walking distance to a pier. But, like I stated above, we enjoyed Sand key too!

 

[kkleiner]

If you are still looking for a good resort on the beach at Clearwater beach,
look at the Haddon House - it is RIGHT on the beach with about 6-8
full kitchen units and a outdoor pool. Small resort, but the location
is just AWESOME!!!


their web site is :

http://www.travelbase.com/destinations/clearwater/haddon/