Trying to help family plan a trip from Orlando to nearest/nicest beach...

[disneybound31]

My mom and dad want to take the grandkids (my kids) on a short trip this summer, but after Orlando they want 2 nights at the nearest/nicest beach. We have never added the beach onto our WDW trips so I have no ideas for them.

I have googled extensively, but Cocoa Beach doesn't really appeal and they don't want to drive TOO far...so prob not Daytona? Any ideas and suggestions?

I should add that they will make a stop in Titusville to see the Police Museum as my brothers name is engraved there and they have not seen it yet--it looks like the Canaveral National protected beach is very close to there, but I don't think a wildlife preserve is what they want, either, lol!

I'm just lost- help!

 

[Straitlover]

What about Vero Beach? It's about 100 miles to get there.They have a Disney resort, but I'm sure they have other hotels, too.

If you'd rather do the Gulf side, there's always Clearwater Beach. Sanibel is probably further than you were looking to go.

 

[disprincessatheart]

Daytona is right at one hour from Disney down i-4. There really isn't much of anything closer.

 

[arthur06]

We love Siesta Key. It's a bit of a drive.

Do you prefer the Gulf side or the Ocean side. We usually prefer the Gulf side. That's something to consider.

 

[robinb]

I really liked Clearwater Beach. It has small waves in the summer and nice, soft sand. It's probably about a 2 hour drive from Orlando. We stayed at the Hyatt in a studio which had a small kitchen so we were able to cook.

I was not wild about Vero. The waves and the undertow were bad and the sand was coarse.

 

[bookluvingbabe]

If you are going to Titusville, Daytona is only 45 minutes or so farther north. There is a lot to do and great beaches. You can go to Daytona Beach if you want a more happening scene or Daytona Beach Shores if you are looking for something a little quieter.

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

I recommend New Smyrna Beach. It is about 40 minutes north of Titusville at the north side of the Canaveral Seashore and south of Daytona. It is a quaint little town that is not very touristy. Very clean and safe. We stayed there twice last year when we went to FL for space shuttle launches. We stayed at the Holiday Inn:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...h_Daytona_Beach-New_Smyrna_Beach_Florida.html

I can't recommend it enough. It is right on the beach and all rooms are ocean view with really nice balconies. The rooms are larger with a small kitchenette, living room area, separate bedroom and bathroom. There are 2 TVs in the room which was nice so the adults could watch and the kids could watch! Not that we watched all that much TV! The breakfast in the restaurant was really good, 2 bacon, 2 pancakes, and 2 eggs for $2.22 and kids eat free! Can't beat that! The nightly room charges were very, very reasonable too and staff was super friendly. The beach is right out the door, no streets to cross and there is a small pool that is off the beach. You can easily walk down the beach to several restaurants and ice cream places too.

We really loved our time here and I could totally see moving there someday. Could not say the same about Cocoa Beach! We plan to stop back for a night after we return from our cruise in a couple weeks!

 

[NotUrsula]

If they want beachfront property with amenities but not a raucous crowd, I'd go for Daytona Beach Shores. It's only about 30 minutes north of Titusville.

RE: Canaveral Nat'l Seashore. It's very beautiful, and I love it, but it isn't groomed, so the drop-offs tend to be a bit steep in many places. Rip currents are fairly common, so I don't particularly recommend it for folks who are taking small kids unless they are strong swimmers who are willing to be in the surf with a hand on the child at all times. (FWIW, New Smyrna also commonly has rip current issues as well, due to how near it is to the Ponce Inlet.)

The North end of the park is just south of Daytona Shores, north of the Mosquito Lagoon (and yes, as could be expected the surf fishing is really great there.)

Just so that you know, the barrier island beach on the south end of the park contains the most well-known public nude beach on Florida's coast; Playalinda Beach, which also happens to be the Canaveral Seashore beach access closest to Titusville. The nude beach area starts at parking lot 13 on the south park beach access road, so if they do choose to visit Canaveral South, you might want to warn them to stop well south of lot 13 unless they want to have some 'splainin to do to the kids.

 

[sue12345]

If they want beachfront property with amenities but not a raucous crowd, I'd go for Daytona Beach Shores. It's only about 30 minutes north of Titusville.

RE: Canaveral Nat'l Seashore. It's very beautiful, and I love it, but it isn't groomed, so the drop-offs tend to be a bit steep in many places. Rip currents are fairly common, so I don't particularly recommend it for folks who are taking small kids unless they are strong swimmers who are willing to be in the surf with a hand on the child at all times. (FWIW, New Smyrna also commonly has rip current issues as well, due to how near it is to the Ponce Inlet.)

The North end of the park is just south of Daytona Shores, north of the Mosquito Lagoon (and yes, as could be expected the surf fishing is really great there.)

Just so that you know, the barrier island beach on the south end of the park contains the most well-known public nude beach on Florida's coast; Playalinda Beach, which also happens to be the Canaveral Seashore beach access closest to Titusville. The nude beach area starts at parking lot 13 on the south park beach access road, so if they do choose to visit Canaveral South, you might want to warn them to stop well south of lot 13 unless they want to have some 'splainin to do to the kids.

How is Daytona Beach Shores as far as rip currents and for small children?

 

[disneybound31]

I recommend New Smyrna Beach. It is about 40 minutes north of Titusville at the north side of the Canaveral Seashore and south of Daytona. It is a quaint little town that is not very touristy. Very clean and safe. We stayed there twice last year when we went to FL for space shuttle launches. We stayed at the Holiday Inn:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...h_Daytona_Beach-New_Smyrna_Beach_Florida.html

I can't recommend it enough. It is right on the beach and all rooms are ocean view with really nice balconies. The rooms are larger with a small kitchenette, living room area, separate bedroom and bathroom. There are 2 TVs in the room which was nice so the adults could watch and the kids could watch! Not that we watched all that much TV! The breakfast in the restaurant was really good, 2 bacon, 2 pancakes, and 2 eggs for $2.22 and kids eat free! Can't beat that! The nightly room charges were very, very reasonable too and staff was super friendly. The beach is right out the door, no streets to cross and there is a small pool that is off the beach. You can easily walk down the beach to several restaurants and ice cream places too.

We really loved our time here and I could totally see moving there someday. Could not say the same about Cocoa Beach! We plan to stop back for a night after we return from our cruise in a couple weeks!

I had been heavily researching New Smyrna beach and I think your description sealed the deal. That sounds EXACTLY like what they need- not as overdeveloped and touristy as Daytona, but not too remote and small. Plus, that Holiday Inn sounds perfect- it was the hotel I had bookmarked as well- same reasons you listed...balcony, good bfast, on beach, etc.

My mother broke both legs last year and while she can now walk it is only for certain distances at a time and cannot ride in a car for hours- so it is important to find a beach within an hour or so from Titusville/Orlando...

I am the family travel planner and although I am not going on this trip they still wanted me to make up an itinerary and book tickets/hotels/maps and such- and I love it...you have helped immensely!

Thanks to all for such good info.

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

I had been heavily researching New Smyrna beach and I think your description sealed the deal. That sounds EXACTLY like what they need- not as overdeveloped and touristy as Daytona, but not too remote and small. Plus, that Holiday Inn sounds perfect- it was the hotel I had bookmarked as well- same reasons you listed...balcony, good bfast, on beach, etc.

My mother broke both legs last year and while she can now walk it is only for certain distances at a time and cannot ride in a car for hours- so it is important to find a beach within an hour or so from Titusville/Orlando...

I am the family travel planner and although I am not going on this trip they still wanted me to make up an itinerary and book tickets/hotels/maps and such- and I love it...you have helped immensely!

Thanks to all for such good info.

Happy to help! I know I sound like a commercial for the place but really I am not affiliated in any way. We just loved it that much! It sounds perfect for what you describe! I hope they have a fantastic trip!

 

[aprilgail2]

We are actually doing a beach day this time around when we go in August- I love St. Petersburg beach so we are heading there for the day. We don't really want to stay there overnight so we are just driving there for the day- not that long of a drive. We live 5 minutes from some of the best beaches in NY so we are there often but I love the warm water at the Florida Beaches!

 

[ceecee]

Anyone heard of Ormund Beach?? It is near SIL's house and she wants us to visit, we want to stay on the beach for a few days. I didn't care for Daytona which is the closest (I think!). She lives in Palm Coast.

 

[Straitlover]

Anyone heard of Ormund Beach?? It is near SIL's house and she wants us to visit, we want to stay on the beach for a few days. I didn't care for Daytona which is the closest (I think!). She lives in Palm Coast.

Ormond Beach is right above Daytona Beach.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...eviews-Ormond_Beach-Ormond_Beach_Florida.html

 

[NotUrsula]

How is Daytona Beach Shores as far as rip currents and for small children?

As with any of the Volusia County beaches, rip currents happen; fairly often, truth be told. Daytona and Daytona Shores tend to have harder-packed sand than many of the other beaches, however, so the drop-offs there are a tad more gradual. However, the surf does tend to come in noticeably harder than it does at most of the beaches on the Gulf side, and IMO smaller kids still need to be watched quite closely JIC. (FWIW, we like to bring a child-sized inflatable dinghy when we go if the surf is a tad high; when the kids were smaller they absolutely LOVED "surfing" in to shore in the dinghy, with a rope on it to be pulled, of course, and wearing life vests.)

My best advice is stay near a lifeguard stand, avoid being near any drainage pipes and piers, and learn to spot what a rip current looks like. If you know what you are looking for you can usually see the telltale signs.
The surf does NOT need to be high for a rip current to be present; the water can be darn closed to glassy and still be a problem if you are in the right spot at the right time of day. NOAA rip current photos: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/srh/ripcurrents/photos.shtml

 

[sue12345]

As with any of the Volusia County beaches, rip currents happen; fairly often, truth be told. Daytona and Daytona Shores tend to have harder-packed sand than many of the other beaches, however, so the drop-offs there are a tad more gradual. However, the surf does tend to come in noticeably harder than it does at most of the beaches on the Gulf side, and IMO smaller kids still need to be watched quite closely JIC. (FWIW, we like to bring a child-sized inflatable dinghy when we go if the surf is a tad high; when the kids were smaller they absolutely LOVED "surfing" in to shore in the dinghy, with a rope on it to be pulled, of course, and wearing life vests.)

My best advice is stay near a lifeguard stand, avoid being near any drainage pipes and piers, and learn to spot what a rip current looks like. If you know what you are looking for you can usually see the telltale signs.
The surf does NOT need to be high for a rip current to be present; the water can be darn closed to glassy and still be a problem if you are in the right spot at the right time of day. NOAA rip current photos: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/srh/ripcurrents/photos.shtml

Are the rip currents and surf any more then Fort Lauderdale, HIlton Head, SC or New York beaches?

 

[Brittmarie04]

We went to Clearwater for just the day last may, we rented a car from the car care center at Disney and headed to the beach about 8am. The drive was much shorter than we expected we got there in about a hour 25 mins then spent the day and had dinner there, headed back to Disney around 8pm.

I highly recommend Clearwater beach the water is beautiful and there aren't big waves at all, my daughter was 7 at the time went