Beach day while visiting Disney
Aug 28, 2019, 2:24 pm
#1
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Beach day while visiting Disney
Last year when we visited Disney World we took a day in the middle of the week to drive to Cocoa Beach and spent a day there relaxing (although this is when all the seaweed had come in, so it was an interesting experience lol). We're heading back next year again and I would like to do something similar, breaking up the park days with a trip to the beach, so I was wondering if you all had suggestions on where to go this time? I'm not against going back to Cocoa Beach, but with all the different places FL has to offer on either coast, I feel like it would be best to try somewhere new.
I think I'd prefer to keep it within 100 miles, so that it is an easy drive there and back the same day
I think I'd prefer to keep it within 100 miles, so that it is an easy drive there and back the same day
Aug 30, 2019, 7:19 am
#3
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Clearwater Beach is just at the 100 mile mark. It will take 1 1/2 to 2 hours one way. St Pete Beach/Ft Desoto are in that range also.
Both these options have lots of places to eat and things to do.
You say you went to Cocoa Beach. Have you also been to Kennedy Space Center?
Both these options have lots of places to eat and things to do.
You say you went to Cocoa Beach. Have you also been to Kennedy Space Center?
Aug 30, 2019, 2:21 pm
#4
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Clearwater Beach is just at the 100 mile mark. It will take 1 1/2 to 2 hours one way. St Pete Beach/Ft Desoto are in that range also.
Both these options have lots of places to eat and things to do.
You say you went to Cocoa Beach. Have you also been to Kennedy Space Center?
Both these options have lots of places to eat and things to do.
You say you went to Cocoa Beach. Have you also been to Kennedy Space Center?
Aug 31, 2019, 10:48 am
#5
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I took an 11 y/o and a 16 y/o there this summer. They didn't really seem interested before we went but had a good time once there. Honestly it's a good day. Lots to see and do, interactive exhibits. Might be worth considering an overnights stay and the local beach then a day at Kennedy.
Aug 31, 2019, 10:53 am
#6
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I'd vote for the Space Center.
I was also fascinated by Gatorland. It's a zoo for alligators and crocs, a bit touristic, but I was fascinated by the sheer numbers and sizes of these beasts as well as the feeding and the little juveniles.
There are also some nice canal boat tours near Orlando, although some kids will be bored.
I was also fascinated by Gatorland. It's a zoo for alligators and crocs, a bit touristic, but I was fascinated by the sheer numbers and sizes of these beasts as well as the feeding and the little juveniles.
There are also some nice canal boat tours near Orlando, although some kids will be bored.
Aug 31, 2019, 11:34 am
#7
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I second the recommendation for Clearwater beach - one of the nicest beaches I've been too - very wide with beautiful white sand. We did this as a day trip from Orlando on a day off from the parks. Gulf coast beaches tend to be calmer, with less jellyfish and seaweed than Atlantic coast.
On your way back to Orlando stop in Tampa for some dinner.
On your way back to Orlando stop in Tampa for some dinner.
Sep 28, 2019, 3:13 pm
#11
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That is what I like about it - it is just a barrier island with no buildings or development whatsoever. (But on the downside, that means no plumbing so only stinky port-a-johns. Poop in Titusville.)
Also check the web for launchings from Cape Canaveral. For safety reasons they close down the whole area for a period of time before and after each launch, which can totally ruin a planned beach day.
But the beach is beautiful and well worth the trip. I'll be at the nude part at the far north (Parking Lot # 1, then turn left on the beach. You will know you are there when you see things you can't unsee).
Oct 11, 2019, 12:35 pm
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Please tell me if this is an insane idea or not....
We are spending New Year's (+/- 3 days) in Orlando with a bunch of friends from all over. On NYE, our plan was to drive out to Tampa/St Pete area to have a nice beach day and watch the sunset as kind of a symbolic closure of the year. It appears that the sun should set into the Gulf at 5:44pm. Shortly thereafter, the plan is to immediately high-tail it back to Orlando so that we don't have to deal with traffic and drunk drivers and celebrate NYE at the hotel. It means we should be back in Orlando by 8pm even some traffic. Crazy or not?
We also have different friends staying near Madeira Beach at that time, so that's probably where we'll spend the day.
We are spending New Year's (+/- 3 days) in Orlando with a bunch of friends from all over. On NYE, our plan was to drive out to Tampa/St Pete area to have a nice beach day and watch the sunset as kind of a symbolic closure of the year. It appears that the sun should set into the Gulf at 5:44pm. Shortly thereafter, the plan is to immediately high-tail it back to Orlando so that we don't have to deal with traffic and drunk drivers and celebrate NYE at the hotel. It means we should be back in Orlando by 8pm even some traffic. Crazy or not?
We also have different friends staying near Madeira Beach at that time, so that's probably where we'll spend the day.
Oct 11, 2019, 3:39 pm
#13
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Please tell me if this is an insane idea or not....
We are spending New Year's (+/- 3 days) in Orlando with a bunch of friends from all over. On NYE, our plan was to drive out to Tampa/St Pete area to have a nice beach day and watch the sunset as kind of a symbolic closure of the year. It appears that the sun should set into the Gulf at 5:44pm. Shortly thereafter, the plan is to immediately high-tail it back to Orlando so that we don't have to deal with traffic and drunk drivers and celebrate NYE at the hotel. It means we should be back in Orlando by 8pm even some traffic. Crazy or not?
We also have different friends staying near Madeira Beach at that time, so that's probably where we'll spend the day.
We are spending New Year's (+/- 3 days) in Orlando with a bunch of friends from all over. On NYE, our plan was to drive out to Tampa/St Pete area to have a nice beach day and watch the sunset as kind of a symbolic closure of the year. It appears that the sun should set into the Gulf at 5:44pm. Shortly thereafter, the plan is to immediately high-tail it back to Orlando so that we don't have to deal with traffic and drunk drivers and celebrate NYE at the hotel. It means we should be back in Orlando by 8pm even some traffic. Crazy or not?
We also have different friends staying near Madeira Beach at that time, so that's probably where we'll spend the day.
Oct 12, 2019, 9:57 am
#14
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I second that. It would be next to impossible IMO to make it back to Orlando before 8:30 from the beach. If your not too hungover, you might try the first sunrise in Cocoa Beach. I can guarantee you it will be a lot less crowded.
Oct 17, 2019, 10:41 am
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When my sister-in-law visits us in Leesburg with her grandkids, she drives to Pine Island Beach Park. Google maps says 98.5 miles from Orlando, close to 2 hours drive. It has facilities and shallow water which is ideal for small children. there's parking, food, showers and playgrounds. The kids always fall asleep on the way back so they must have a great time there.