One day and night trip to see the ocean

[trey3333]

I would like to rent a car and go to the ocean for a day. We have a 6 day 5 night package August 13-18. I have a 11 year old son and me. (mom). Do you think he would be ready to leave for a day in the middle of the trip or we can fly in a day early and head to the ocean. I have no idea where to go. I know Coco beach and Daytona are close going east or would anyone recommend going west? I couldn't get a flight in on August 13th so booked August 12th and was hoping we could hangout at the airport until midnight and then Disney would pick us up?? ( the plane comes in at 7 pm so it would only be 5 hours but I don't know if my luggage would be kept somewhere until disney arrives at midnight. The same for going home, Disney will have to drop us off a day early and we can sleep at the airport. Has anyone ever done this? Just could not get a flight on the days we needed! we did the Wendy's cup promotion to get the plane tickets. The lady we made the reservations with said it did not sound like a problem to her and the few times I have been at an airport people have been sleeping in chairs as long as Disney will do the pick up and drop off for us. If not the renting a car and going straight to the ocean would be the best plan. Any advice? Especially on where to go for the best ocean experience?
Thank you,
Connie

 

[lovindonald]

From what I understand, the west coast water is much warmer than the east coast water. Maybe that will make a difference to you.

 

[Amity 3]

when we have friends down, we have them take a weekend day out of the parks and go to a beach. the weekends are more crowded in the parks, and it's a nice break for them. the big factor for a beach trip is how far do you want to drive. Cocoa has become a popular beach by it's proximity to Orlando, but overall it's not a nice beach compared to what the state has to offer.

 

[kilee]

I think both the Atlantic Coast and Gulf Coast each have something to offer. Daytona and Cocoa would be the closest on the Atlantic side. However, if given the choice then I'd go to the Gulf side. You could go to Clearwater or St. Pete's. (both are a bit further though). It will really depend on preference. Has your ds been to the ocean??? Reason I ask this, is because if he has not I'm sure he'll be impressed by either side and then I'd probably just go for the closer one. My son (13) does like Daytona because you can park on the beach (can't do that at the beaches around home) and rent/drive ATV's on the beach there.

 

[spiceycat]

i would not suggest sleeping at the airport - that is a good way to get robbed.

the hotels close to the airport generally have a shuttle that will bring you back and forth to the airport - to use the WDW shuttle (Disney Magical Express).

also I might consider a WDW value resort for those days.

In your place I would go with priceline probably.

the Ocean is only on the Atlantic Side, I like the Gulf better. but if you only want to see it - then Cocoa Beach is okay. remember there are rip tides in this area - be sure to only swim where there is a lifeguard. better yet - just walk along the ocean. watching the waves hit the shore.

 

[fac]

It sounds to me that you arrive on Aug 12 at 7:00 pm and plan to stay till midnight to go WDW. But if you arrive at the resort at midnight, I doubt WDW will count it as Aug 13 if you were to check in at midnight.


How early is the Aug 19 flight? I think a better choice is to extend your stay by one more day. I think you may not want priceline because you may not have a car. My suggestion is that as you already plan to rent a car for a day, why not rent a car for week and get priceline for the first and last day of the trip. I suspect the total will be an addition of around $200.

 

[trey3333]

I think I can change my plane start date to august 11. If I rent a car and go to the beach until early August 13th can I still use Disney Magical Express when I return the car to the airport? Are there places at Disney
World I can return the car on the 13th if I drove there from Daytona? I haven't rented the car yet, is that something I need to do soon? I have been putting off making a decision. Thank you for your help, Connie

 

[spiceycat]

most of the airport hotels (the only exception is Hyatt - doesn't need it because it is at the airport) - so no you don't need a car if you go with priceline.

I don't know about the beach before WDW. WDW is exhausting if you arrived already exhausted then how much fun will you have.

DME doesn't care when you arrive. You need to call DMe and get on their list.

you can check in as early as 7 am - so I would be back to the airport at around 6:30 am. (I think DME starts then - it might be later - ask when you make your reservations). now you might not get a room until 3pm - but you can check in and go to the parks at 7 am.

remember you need a DME reservation to use the WDW buses.

I would also check on the price for one night at a WDW value resort.

go see these websites to help you - if you go with priceline
www.betterbidding.com
www.biddingfortravel.com

 

[kilee]

Depending on what company you rent the car from there is a AAA car care center that handles rentals on Disney property as well as car rentals at the Swan/Dolphin.

I did just notice that you said you'll be arriving at the airport around 7pm and are planning to use DME to the resort around midnight. Thing being--- you won't get your hotel room at midnight just because the date changed to your arrival date. That would be considered an extra night. There wouldn't be anywhere to go so I'm not sure how that would work out.

I think either I'd just arrive 1 day early rent a car, head to the beach and get a hotel room there for one night. Or else I'd just skip the beach. Book an extra night (non package) for a Disney value and just go there w/ your original arrival as well as an extra night for the day after your package ends (because if I'm reading this right you have no place to stay that night either). For the price of the rental you could have probably 1 nights hotel accomodations. Which in your case sounds like a better idea than sleeping twice in the terminal. Anyone see those episodes of Airline where security won't allow people to sleep in empty terminals- it's some security measure. Not sure why .

 

[fac]

I looked into http://www.biddingfortravel.com, it seems people are getting 2.5* Amersuites Orlando Airport for under $40 per night from priceline. The hotel include shuttles to the airport. I am not sure whether it includes breakfast, sounds like a reasonable deal. If you are budget minded and arriving late, probably it is a better deal than getting an exta night onsite. I think Aug 12 may still be regular season for a value resort onsite.

As far as the last day is concern, how late is your flight? If it were late and you are on the free dining plan, you may want to extend a day on site, otherwise, you can try priceline.

You mentioned going to the ocean, depends on how often you go to WDW, it may not be too bad.

 

[keishashadow]

Next to the Port Canaveral cruise terminal is Jetty Park, a campground w/fishing jetty & beach.

We drove over from WDW, took less than an hour, paid the small access fee @ guardhouse & got a spot to watch rocket launch in parking lot. We swam in "bath tub" like water on a natural beach (i.e. full of seaweed). Beach itself was very clean of litter and not too crowded.

Easy drive back to WDW, whole trip completed in less than 3 hours - atmosphere reminded me of a key west/laid back beach town, so different from Orlando.

We're planning to work a day in next trip. The Ron Jon resort looked nice, even though not on beach - they have a shuttle.

 

[winniethepoohsmom]

I think that sounds like a good idea heading to the beach for a day or two either before or after your disney trip. We find it to be a relaxing addition to the trip. We tend to rent a car for our stay and if we are there long enough we take a trip to the beach midweek. I would check the hotel and car rental rates and then decide from there.

 

[trey3333]

Depending on what company you rent the car from there is a AAA car care center that handles rentals on Disney property as well as car rentals at the Swan/Dolphin.

I did just notice that you said you'll be arriving at the airport around 7pm and are planning to use DME to the resort around midnight. Thing being--- you won't get your hotel room at midnight just because the date changed to your arrival date. That would be considered an extra night. There wouldn't be anywhere to go so I'm not sure how that would work out.

I think either I'd just arrive 1 day early rent a car, head to the beach and get a hotel room there for one night. Or else I'd just skip the beach. Book an extra night (non package) for a Disney value and just go there w/ your original arrival as well as an extra night for the day after your package ends (because if I'm reading this right you have no place to stay that night either). For the price of the rental you could have probably 1 nights hotel accomodations. Which in your case sounds like a better idea than sleeping twice in the terminal. Anyone see those episodes of Airline where security won't allow people to sleep in empty terminals- it's some security measure. Not sure why .

That was not a great plan, I figured Trey would sleep and I would read and thought the time would go fast. I did get the reservations changed and made reservations at the beach at a place someone recommended on this site. I could not get the return flight changed so I will add an extra night at Disney. We are all ready at POP Disney so we won't have to switch to get a cheaper room. So it is starting to come together!! If I only need them to take me to the airport for the home flight do I need to call ahead? I am going to check out the AAA rental cars recommended so I can return it at Disney World. Thanks for all the help and great advice. Connie