Day trip to a beach

[Catzle]

We are going to take a day trip to a beach from the Poly. Any suggestions for a great close beach?

[PrettyMinnie]

We went to Coco Beach, it's about an hour away. We had a really nice time! Good luck!

[Ed]

I'm more inclined to head in the opposite direction, to the area of Clearwater Beach, about 90 miles west of WDW. It's an easy drive, and you'd be rewarded with some of the nicest beaches to be found anywhere. Soft, sparkling white sand, clean water, wave action not nearly as strong as the ocean.

[GAN]

I guess it depends on what you're looking for, but I would highly recommend you looking into New Smyrna Beach, it is just south of Daytona(maybe an 1.5 hour ride) and is a relatively small, quiet, typical beach community. Like Daytona, you can drive on the beach -which if you have kids(or not) will probably think is pretty cool(I know they have restricted access since I lived in the area, but I believe there are still several places you can drive right on). The surf there is moderate and generally safe -actually you tend to find more surfers here than Daytona. Cocoa Beach has great surf but can be rough -maybe not the best for inexperienced ocean swimmers. It does have Ron Jon's which is worth the visit, however. I love the Gulf Coast beaches as others have mentioned, but it's not the ocean and offers virtually no surf. Check it out on the web, I'm sure they have a pretty good website. Also, The only thing I ask is please don't tell too many people about New Smyrna -it's kind of our own little secret!

[Catzle]

There will be three young kids so we need a calm beach. Friends that we are going with have never been to a beach and will be going with their daughter. I grew up in Clearwater (summers). Recently we went to Honeymoon Island which I liked a lot. Wasn't sure if there was any closer beaches to WDW. Thanks for all of the suggestions.

[tjstrike]

I would head toward the gulf, St pete is nice.

[DisneyDog]

The Gulf is going to be much calmer. We used to live in Naples, 5 miles from Vanderbilt beach, and the Gulf was always like a bathtub -- warm and smooth and you could walk right in. Perfect for little kids. Only, now, my 6 year old wants to boogie board and jump the waves. LOL.

[murphy1]

I swear I need a sticky on this. Go to West Coast, if you can get to Ft. DeSoto do that one or Clearwater Bch. I grew up there and I go over to East Coast to see my grandparents, but I don't like the beaches or tides over there, it's very rough.

[Womble]

I have to agree with murphey1 and recomenend FT. DeSoto Prk.

If you do go to FT. DeSoto Prk I would suggest doing a right at the large flag post and follow the road to the last car park. If you stay till sundown you get a great view from the beach.

[JRocker]

I know finding a place to park has always been an issue with us when we go to the beach, and we found that Honeymoon Beach State Recreation Area was very accommodating in that area.
The beach was clean and being a gulf coast beach, the waves were lazy. It's just a couple of miles north of Clearwater at Dunedin.
Me and the crew are going to hit New Smyrna this trip.

[Tink#64]

We left WDW and stayed at Cocoa Beach for a few days a few years ago and loved it! Only an hour's drive and nice quiet, uncrowded beach.

Afterwards, my brother and his family drove over to the gulf side and they fell in love with Ft. de Soto! I've never visited that area but everyone raves about it. We were trying to stay as close to Orlando as possible, as we had to drive back there to fly home.

Wishes for a great time wherever you choose!