Which Beach after WDW ?

[DisneyKeith]

Hello, We (DW, DS10, DD5) will be at WDW for 11 nights in mid-May2006. I am looking for a beach for a couple of nights on the way home. Do you have a favorite? We are VA residents and will be travelling I-95 North. St. Augustine, Jacksonville ??? I have no idea!

Thanks Alot,
DisneyKeith

 

[Wendy31]

We go to St. Augustine every summer & absolutely love it!

Last year, on our way down to WDW (we drive from TN), we spent one night in St. Augustine, and, then, on our home from WDW, we also spent one night in St. Augustine.

This year, we're spending 3 nights in St. Augustine BEFORE we drive down to WDW so we can have a couple of good beach days.

We love the beaches in St. Augustine, & there are some really wonderful restaurants in St. Augustine too.

I will say, though, that, last year after having been in WDW for a week, coming back to St. Augustine felt a little "flat" - not that there was anything wrong w/ St. Augustine (besides the Bridge of Lions construction), it just couldn't compare to the magic of DW!

Anyway, we've been to St. Augustine numerous times & I know the city almost as well as I know my own. Let me know if you need any info!

 

[DisneyKeith]

Thanks Wendy31 for your reply. St. Augustine was what my DW was saying. Anyone else have a suggestion? Particular hotel?

Thanks in advance...

 

[Princess Glenda]

I think your DW made a great choice. St. Augustine is very pretty and I love the historical sites. Have a great trip!

 

[Wendy31]

If you're only staying for a couple of nights (as opposed to week in a condo), try the Beacher's Lodge. (They have a website for additional info). It's right on the beach, and the rooms are all suites w/ kitchenettes. DH & I stayed there for our anniversary last year & really liked it. Every room has a nice-size balcony overlooking the ocean - very nice! It's also further down the beach (actually on Crescent Beach as opposed to St. Augutine Beach) & is quieter & less crowded.

I think the other hotel that's right on the beach is the Hampton, and there is also a Holiday Inn but it sits further back from the beach. Mostly, there are condos right on the beach, and some of them do rent nightly. I think the Four Winds rents nightly. There are some hotels that are on the other side of A1A if you didn't have to be right on the beach.

Restaurants - Saltwater Cowboy's, Creekside, Fiddler's Green, the Columbian, & Barnacle Bill's (downtown not beachside) are our favs!

Things to Do - Castillo de San Marcos, the Original Haunted Ghostly Walking Tour (very fun - but make sure you do the "original" one!), shopping on St. George Street, Lighthouse Tour, & my favorite - sitting on the beach under an umbrella w/ a book!

 

[duckfish]

Just a quick question for the experienced beach goers. I am in East Tennessee and just wondering about how long does it take to get from here to St. Augustine and from there to WDW. We are having a difficult time deciding which interstate to travel for our April trip Interstate 75 vs. Interstate 95 and stopping at a beach. I would really be greatful for any advice.

Thanks!!

 

[Wendy31]

We are in southeast TN, and it takes us 7 1/2 hours to get to St. Augustine - we normally leave here between 4:00 & 5:00 in the morning & are in St. Augustine by lunchtime (between 12:00 & 1:00 pm). DH says you can drive from here to St. Augustine in about 8 hours comfortably.

From St. Augustine to WDW, it took us about 2 hours, if we remember correctly (We stopped in Daytona to tour the race track, so we don't really have an accurate measure.)

 

[duckfish]

Thanks for the response! So do you use I 95? We've heard different things regarding whether or not it takes longer than using I 75.