twin centre hols

[martinrmn]

I wonder if anyone can help? We love Florida so much that we are going in December this year and are planning next year. We were considering Orando for 10 nights and a beach for four. Can anyone recommend a good beach for two adults and one boy aged six?

 

[dis-me]

I wonder if anyone can help? We love Florida so much that we are going in December this year and are planning next year. We were considering Orando for 10 nights and a beach for four. Can anyone recommend a good beach for two adults and one boy aged six?

I would recommend the disney cruise through a company called vacationstogo - an american based company with a department for customers from the UK. It was just £240pp for us, and the best beach break you can get! Don't forget that includes all your food too.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi Martin,

2 centre holidays are a great idea and a beach location provides a contrast from Orlando.

The problem you have is the East coast beaches are nearer, Cocoa & Daytona, however the West coast's pure white sand is tops for us - if you are looking for the best beach with a combination of a few things to do I would definitely try the Clearwater & St Petes area.
Of all the beaches we have visited they are the best.

Plenty of accomodation right on the beach too.

You have Naples/Sarasota further down, much quieter areas though, and a longer drive too.

 

[wayneg]

We did a twin centre once, never again. Did 2 weeks in Orlando 1 week Clearwater, wish we had stayed in Orlando. Seen better beaches in Europe, you had to do stingray shuffle in ocean, people not as hospitable as they are in Orlando. Did not enjoy the food, not the same variety as Orlando.
We are not beach peopla to start with, I know a lot of people like it but not for us.
I would also highly recommend Disney cruise. We have done 3 and its the only place on Earth better than Orlando.

 

[gilld]

Just be aware that although the temperatures can be ok at Christmas, they can also be very cold and either way the sea is frigid.

 

[wayneg]

Didn't see it was a December trip. 1st time we went in December we had frost on the car a few mornings. We only had shorts and tshirts with us. It was a good excuse for DW to buy new clothes.

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Didn't see it was a December trip. 1st time we went in December we had frost on the car a few mornings. We only had shorts and tshirts with us. It was a good excuse for DW to buy new clothes.

No, but the OP is going in December next year... (that's what they say in the first post of this thread, anyway...).

I would have to completely disagree with wayneg about the West/Gulf Coast of Florida: the people are lovely, the food is great (a lot of really fresh fish and seafood), it can be lovely. Think it is one of those things that you "need to do for yourself" to work out whether it is your thing or not. IF the OP was going in the Summer, would probably recommend 5 days Disney, 4 days Clearwater, 5 days Disney.

HOWEVER, since the OP will be going in December, I agree with others that "maybe" that isn't the right time to do 4 days at the beach. You are probably looking at 70'F each day, but it can be cooler... very pleasant, but not exactly beach weather...

If you want a twin centre, then I think dis-me's suggestion is GREAT - your little boy would probably love the Disney cruise too! The Disney Wonder does 3 and 4 day cruises from Port Canaveral (a short - hour? - transfer from Orlando). Both the 3 and 4 night cruises do Nassau in the Bahamas and Disney's Private Island (Castaway Cay): both have BEAUTIFUL beaches and may be a little warmer than Florida... The 4 day cruise also has a "day at sea" - pools, kids club and LOTS of activities to do onboard (you cont get bored!). I would go for the 4 day cruise as a "first taster cruise" (IMHO, 3 days is TOO short).

Disney Magic does 7 day cruises - but that might be longer than you are looking at this time...

Vacationstogo.com (as dis-me mentioned) has 4 day cruises for under $500 a person (for an inside cabin - windows/balconies slightly more...). It is also worth getting a quote from dreamsunlimited.com (we have booked a Disney Cruise with them before - they will often give you a "onboard credit" as a bonus). $500 may seem quite a lot, but as dis-me says, it included all your food - just drinks, excursions and shopping are extra...

If you did choose to do a 4 day cruise, would look at doing 3 days at Disney (after you arrive), then the cruise, then the last 7 days at Disney. Would give you (and, more importantly, your son) time to "aclimitise" before you go on the cruise...

Boo

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Clearwater and St.Petes is a lovely place to visit, and provides a great break from the theme parks - as I said earlier.
Have always found the people friendly in fact they are very friendly, so I wouldn't worry on that too much Martin.
I am also a very fussy eater but had no problems with the food.

It is a great idea to travel around and see more parts of Florida, which we have been fortunate to do.
However, I would prefer warmer weather if I was staying on the coast.

I have never been to Europe so can only compare with the beaches I have seen in Florida, and CW & SP are the 2 best I have been to - the one's in Europe must be pretty good if they are better!

 

[Claire L]

No, but the OP is going in December next year... (that's what they say in the first post of this thread, anyway...).

I would have to completely disagree with wayneg about the West/Gulf Coast of Florida: the people are lovely, the food is great (a lot of really fresh fish and seafood), it can be lovely. Think it is one of those things that you "need to do for yourself" to work out whether it is your thing or not. IF the OP was going in the Summer, would probably recommend 5 days Disney, 4 days Clearwater, 5 days Disney.

Boo

Agree with the above poster that the Gulf Coast is very nice, food great and people very friendly.But in the winter it may be a little too cool for swimming in the sea, but a heated pool may be ok.

If summer though then St Pete beach is lovely with a little one try looking at the Tradewinds resorts they have alot of activities for kids that involve water/beach and general fun and games, last year they had a huge inflatable slide on the beach, by the Island Grand, looked great fun 4 nights there would be ideal as only 90 miles from WDW so not too long to drive.

Claire

 

[Claire L]

Oh and the sunsets are wonderful

The view of the fab white sandy beach from our room

Claire

 

[wayneg]

Like the other thread thats running says dont listen to other people. Do it for yourself.
We stayed at The Hilton clearwater, Grumpiest hotel staff we have ever had. We found a lot of the food was fish/seafood, DW wont touch anything from the sea (except tinned tuna). We also had torrential rain for a few days which did not help our enjoyment, and like I said before we are not beach fans.
Clearwater was not for us but it is very popular with a lot of travellers. We all want different things from a holiday and clearwater didn't do it for us. Same as the Algarve, will never go there again.

 

[gilld]

We didn't like St Pete's/Clearwater either and as a non fish eating almost vegetarian I REALLY struggled to find restaurants that would cater for me eg one burger bar generously offered to make a special for me...when it came it was a slice of processed cheese in a bread roll, with fries - yuck! The only real option anywhere was pizza but how often can you eat pizza???

I'd choose the Caribbean everytime.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We have visited Clearwater many times but recently they have been for a day out (change from Orlando) than actually staying there, but being on the coast it's natural that Clearwater will cater for the seafood fans, of which apart from 'fish n chips' I am not one I must add, but it's like visiting anywhere different and if you do research you will find loads of places that cater for many tastes.
Something that we always have to do with Joshua's needs in mind.

We rarely eat out, the list below I compiled very quickly when we were thinking of going to Clearwater last year, just for a day trip....
all these serve steaks etc (they probably do seafood too).

Sea Breeze Restaurant
101 South Gulfview Boulevard
Clearwater, Florida 34630-2441

Shephard's Restaurant and Lounge
601 South Gulfview Boulevard
Clearwater, Florida 34630-2643

Heilman's Beachcomber
447 Mandalay Avenue
Clearwater, Florida 34630-2013

Bradford Pub and Eatery
2914 Roosevelt Boulevard
Clearwater, Florida 34620-1925

Outback Steakhouse
(727) 447-6206
483 Mandalay Ave
Clearwater, FL 33767,

Longhorn Steakhouse
(727) 539-1536
5375 E Bay Dr
Clearwater, FL 33764, United States

www.spotossteakjoint.com/

They were also recommended by a friend of mine who used to live close to Clearwater Beach, but if you just search on the internet you can find many different types of restaurants I am sure - it's all about planning.

You will also find IHOP/Waffle House etc , plus this little gem of a cafe we visited once....
www.wildflowercafe.net/

....anyway best get back to my part time job working for the Clearwater Tourist Board

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

I would have to completely disagree with wayneg about the West/Gulf Coast of Florida: the people are lovely, the food is great (a lot of really fresh fish and seafood), it can be lovely. Think it is one of those things that you "need to do for yourself" to work out whether it is your thing or not. IF the OP was going in the Summer, would probably recommend 5 days Disney, 4 days Clearwater, 5 days Disney.

Boo

Hear hear. We're not "beach people" either, but wouldn't contemplate visiting Florida and NOT visit the beach. There's so much more to Florida than just Orlando and theme parks.

However, like some others have said, don't know whether I would go to the beach in December, but would contemplate a beach hotel with a heated pool. The weather in December can also be lovely and warm.

 

[Miffy2003]

We really love Clearwater for the great selction of restaurants all available within a short walk and the wonderful beach. The weather might be OK for your 6 year old to play in the sand but the sea will most likely be chilly! My DDs, then ages 5 and 8 had a ball in December on the West Coast

Some of the days were decidely not beach weather though so make sure wherever you go has activities closeby for chilly days

The beaches are absolutely wonderful; talcum powder sand, palm trees and turquoise waters. I know a poster above says the beaches are less nice than ones in the Med, but I must have missed the nice ones in the Med then as to me they were far far nicer in Florida

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I honestly - as I suggested earlier - haven't seen a better beach than Clearwater anywhere and if you do the proper research there are restaurants everywhere to suit all tastes too.

Just search on 'Clearwater restaurants' and it brings up loads, probably including some of the one's I mention earlier.
Just basic research on what's available.

 

[TinkTatoo]

Our favourite beach spot in Florida is Disney's Vero Beach resort. It is about an hour and a half's drive from Orlando on the East coast and the resort is right on the beach. Being Disney there is plenty for children to do (as if being on the beach / by the pool wasn't enough)