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Old 01-24-2010, 03:06 PM   #1
stobaugh6
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A Beach Suggestion that isn't too far from Disney??

We are going to Disney the first part of May and I would like to take a day and go to the beach. My kiddos haven't seen a Florida beach (we live in Texas) and are looking forward to playing in the white sand! I would love to hear suggestions on family beaches that aren't "too far" from Orlando. I *think* I would prefer the gulf coast. Thanks!!
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Old 01-27-2010, 02:51 PM   #2
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You could either go to...
A) Daytona beach
B) disneys vero beach.

I think they are both an hour and a half away from Orlando. I could be wrong because I haven't been to either but I heard they are relativly close.
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Old 01-27-2010, 03:06 PM   #3
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Thank you, Donald Girl! I think we want to stay on the Gulf side of Florida though. I like the warmer water and the kiddos want to see the *white* Florida beaches!
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Old 01-27-2010, 03:11 PM   #4
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Clearwater Beach is the closest Gulf beach, but it's over an hour away from WDW
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Old 01-27-2010, 03:16 PM   #5
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That's a hard one because Orlando is landlocked, you have to travel about 1 hour and a half to get to any beach!!
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Old 01-27-2010, 03:37 PM   #6
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2 summers ago, we took a day trip to Siesta key Beach in Sarasota, it was a good drive - probably about 1 1/2 hours, but it was WORTH it!!! DH & DD had NEVER been to a gulf coast beach - and having been from New England - it was quite a treat!!!!
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Old 01-27-2010, 03:10 PM   #7
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The closest beach on the Gulf side would probably be Clearwater. It is about 95 miles from WDW.
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Old 01-27-2010, 04:27 PM   #8
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Are you thinking about a couple of nights stay or just trying to spend an afternoon? Either coast is about a 90 inute drive. Going to the Atlantic you'll have tolls, going to the Clearwater/St. Pete's area you won't although you'll have to drive through Tampa. If you're thinking of a couple night stay, go for Clearwater/St. Pete's as you'll only have a hlaf hour drive to the Tampa airport to leave.
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Old 01-27-2010, 04:32 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by modisney View Post
Are you thinking about a couple of nights stay or just trying to spend an afternoon? Either coast is about a 90 inute drive. Going to the Atlantic you'll have tolls, going to the Clearwater/St. Pete's area you won't although you'll have to drive through Tampa. If you're thinking of a couple night stay, go for Clearwater/St. Pete's as you'll only have a hlaf hour drive to the Tampa airport to leave.
We are actually thinking on staying in Tampa for the first 2 or days of our trip. We are going to go to Busch Gardens one day and then the beach the next day. We head on to Orlando after we are done at the beach on day 2. That is the plan for now anyway!
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Old 01-28-2010, 01:24 AM   #10
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Vero Beach is a great place to head to - and you get the bonus of the Disney magic there as well.
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Old 01-29-2010, 05:43 PM   #11
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I grew up in Clearwater and my parents still live there, so of course that's the beach I'd recommend! Actually, when we go to the beach, we go to Sand Key Park. There's more parking and more space and it's quieter. Have fun!
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Old 02-24-2010, 10:20 PM   #12
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We stayed in St. Pete Beach for a couple of days before our WDW vacay in 2009.
We loved the Gulf Coast. Beautiful beaches. We like the Atlantic side too, and go to Cocoa Beach. I believe it took us under an hour to get from Cocoa Beach to WDW, it is longer to get to the gulf side, but if you plan on staying a couple of days, it won't matter. Love Busch Gardens!
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Old 03-14-2010, 05:36 PM   #13
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We went to Cocoa Beach last time we were in Orlando. It is only about 50 minutes down Hwy 4 (I think). It is a wonderful beach with a pier that has various activities. It is on the ocean side though but I had no problem with that. It was a kid friendly beach and wasn't too crowded. There was also plenty of parking in a lot with easy access to the beach. Oh yeah, we went the last day of April in 2007.
We loved Cocoa beach so much we made time for a longer stay there this coming April/May.

Good luck with your search.
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