stay in Orlando or go to the coast?

[Fabooliss]

This February we are planning on 9 days in the World followed by 4 days somewhere else before heading back to the snow.

I'm looking at Seaworld and other Orlando attractions but I'm also thinking we might want to be a little more relaxed and will want to do some more Non-theme park type activites. I've heard that there are lots of shells etc. on the Gulf coast but the hotels there look really expensive. Would it be worth driving for the day and coming back to an offsite hotel in Celebration or Kissimmee??

 

[spiceycat]

early February - the hotels should be discounted.

February are President's week is the start of spring break - so no discounts until the middle of April (sometimes later) - near the end of spring break.

the ocean or gulf water is still pretty cold in Feb. so I guess it depends upon you - can you and your kids go to the beach and not get in the water?

 

[HeatherC]

We are going for just about 12 days in Feb. as well and were thinking of doing the same thing. We are flying back to Boston from FLL since the flights were so much less for our dates. So I thought we might spend a few days in that area. But the hotels are expensive and I know myself....I would run my family ragged trying to see that area as much as I can before we head home to the snow.

So I think we have decided to just stay in Orlando at Bonnet Creek and hopefully just enjoy the lazy river, dining out and shopping when we are theme parked out. Since we have been to Disney numerous times, I think even I can relax there for a few days.

You could always head to Clearwater Beach for the day if the weather is warm. The beaches are great there and it's not too far from Disney that you could always just stay in Orlando/Kissimmee where the hotels are cheaper.

Best of luck to you.
Heather C

 

[ducklite]

February on the coast can be downright cold with the wind blowing.

IT's a very quiet, relaxed time, but don't expect to be wearing bathing suits--and probably not shorts and t-shirts either.

Anne

 

[Fabooliss]

Me again. Our dates, unless SW does something funny will be February 8th to 12th. The Orlando area hotels are discounted, but the ones I have found outside of that start their high season on February 1st. I can get a suite (or with a discount, possibly a house!) in Kissimmee for the cost of a simple hotel room in Sarasota. I think I'm spoiled now, the hotels in Orlando area are SO cheap that normal hotel prices seem exhorbitant!

I know it won't be really warm in Feb. I was thinking of maybe going shelling with the kids. We also found an interesting ecotour that we thought they'd enjoy.
I guess I can't decide if it would be worth it to drive all that way when may get a similar experience from Seaworld.

 

[spiceycat]

nothing to me feels like the gulf or ocean - except the gulf or ocean.

it smells different, everything taste different, - hard to explain.

I might go for a day trip to the gulf or ocean - but if you are would be already paying spring break prices - I won't spend the night.

a day trip should be around 60 mins to Cocoa Beach, or 90 mins to Clearwater beach.

the place with good shelling is down from tampa - don't remember how far?